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Summary: I'm racing to find the next of Laurie King's S.H. stories
Review: I was highly doubtful about the premise of this story, and put off reading it for years, while I tracked down and read more conventional Holmes imitations. A fact which I am thourghly regretting now. Holmes with a young, female apprentice is a daring concept, but L. King did a wonderful job of charactorizing Russell, Holmes and Mrs. Hudson (Russell comment early in the story that Watson's accounts seemed to underrate Mrs. Hudson, I'd be willing to bet that King felt the same way) Holmes is more open than in Doyle's stories, however even Holmes' creater occasionally allowed the great dective a human emotion (check when Watson is nearly shot in... Sorry I can't remember the title, but it's the case involving the american counterfiter) so King's Holmes does have a basis in Doyle's stories. The changes in Watson are less forgivable. Doyles' Watson might not have been capable of deception or seeing the less than ovious, but he was never King's lovable, child-like, buffoon. Still the rest of her book is wonderful, and Watson is off-stage enough that the errors in his character aren't too grating.
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Summary: Easily the best Holmes since Conan Doyle
Review: I've read too many pastiches where authors freely change Holmes to suit their plots (even to the point of making the detective as cold-blooded a murderer as his nemesis Moriarty), but Laurie King has instead created a plot worthy of the detective while remaining truer to the spirit of the character than any author since Conan Doyle himself.But her great contribution to the Holmes mythos is Mary Russell. Reviewers have rightly pointed out that her relationship with Holmes is one of equals; it is also one of the most complex relationships I've seen in a mystery novel, perhaps even more complex than the Holmes/Watson relationships. A superb effort.
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Summary: A fine Sherlock Holmes redux
Review: A satisfying recent mystery is Laurie R. King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice. The beekeeper, in this instance, is a middle-aged Sherlock Holmes, mostly retired from his life of sleuthing; the apprentice is Miss Mary Russell, a precocious 15-year-old with a penchant for police work. Together, they make an amiable pair and good reading companions. It is daring, indeed, of King to take up the Holmes "mystique" and tradition and make them her own. I am not enough of a Conan Doyle expert to point out any sins of character or detail which King might have committed. Her book, however, stands on its own; I recommend it for beach-sitting or lazy afternoons.
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Summary: Excellent!! One of the year's best!
Review: Most wonderful! Wonderful plot, good characters, though kind of feminist. Though still very good, it was long, considering that I listened to it instead of reading it. I strongly advise you to read it.
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Summary: Fabulous!
Review: An excellent book, I would very much recommend this, and the ones that follow. I hope this series keeps going and going - I can't wait to read more. Unfortunately these books aren't easily available in NZ - good thing we have Amazon!
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Summary: I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!
Review: This is a wonderful addition to the many Sherlock Holmes stories. I especially liked The Beekeeper's Apprentice because it gives the point of view from a young woman and not an aging doctor. A must read for any Holme's fan!
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Summary: If you like Sherlock Holmes, you must read this book.
Review: The revolutionary idea of giving the retired Sherlock Holmes a young, female, partner is the theme for this book. As a big Holmes fan, I've read many Holmes stories, and this is the best by far, even better than some of the originals! Mary Russell is a delightful character, and the relationship between the two sleuths is very well painted. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes Holmes. The sequels are also good, but I think that THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE is the best of the series.
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Summary: A wonderful read!!!
Review: I have read most of Doyles work and find it dear to my heart...this book goes along in that tradition. And for those who wonder why this book is such a big deal...what's wrong with you?? Is it so hard to admit Holmes could find his mental equal in a woman?...except a piece of wonderful writing for what it is.(And b/t/w..i suspect that were you to find out who wrote these reviews...the favorable ones are women...)
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Summary: Has she ever read anything by Conan Doyle?
Review: This book is a good read for someone who hasn't read an Original Sherlock Holmes book by Sir Arthur conan Doyle. The characters are well written, but the Holmes Ms. King has created seems like completely different character than the original often times. And the constant put down of Watson is tedious to say the least. I'd read another book by her, if she wasn't revamping an already created and much loved fictional figure in mystery. But she is a good writer. Go ahead read it, why not.
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Summary: BEEK is truly a great book!
Review: Alright, it's true I'm only 15, but I am not unfamiliar with the Sherlockian canon. Although this book may not be fit for purists, I found it very exciting. You are obviously here because you are curious. I *strongly* recomend you read this book. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down.
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