Rating: 
Summary: Audacious, ambitious, and almost flawless. 4.8 stars
Review: Many, many people have tried to continue the Sherlock Holmes legend with pastiches and unauthorized sequels. I have read a fair number of them, and most of them are not very successful, even the ones that try the hardest to adhere to the 'canon', or display the author's tireless researches into the minutiae of Victorian/Edwardian London.So what can you expect of a book audacious enough to saddle Holmes with a 15-year-old American female apprentice/partner/potential love interest? I mean, talk about chutzpah! But you can't argue with success. This is far and away the best continuation of the Holmes legend I have ever read. It leaves Gardner's "The Seven Percent Solution," for example, in the dust. In fact, to tell the truth, the writing is mostly better than Arthur Conan Doyle's. It is, in fact, the best mystery novel I have read since about a year ago when I went through all of Elizabeth George's stuff. This novel is hitting on all eight cylinders from the moment Mary Russell, her nose in a book, stumbles across Holmes (literally) on the Sussex downs. I refuse to spoil the scene by paraphrasing it - it's just too perfect. Master and apprentice immediately recognize each other: "When the teacher is ready, the student will appear." The author unhurriedly follows the Russell/Holmes duo through some smaller adventures into the major plot of the novel, which is correct strategy. The characterization and writing are superb throughout. This is a feminist historical novel in the best and most successful sense. This is to say that it is not like the many less successful versions in which the heroine is forced to spend all her time arguing about what a woman should or should not be doing, as, for example, in all of Anne Perry's well-intentioned, readable, intelligent, but somewhat preachy works. King doesn't bother with that. Instead, she merely has Russell demonstrate on each page that she is a worthy partner of Holmes, THE partner, in fact, who is indispensible to him. When, in a moment of weakness, Holmes proposes to leave her out of the action, she lays down the law: "My dear Holmes, I am going to pretend you did not say that. I am going to walk in your garden and admire the flowers for approximately ten minutes. When I come back in we will begin this conversation anew, and unless you wish to divorce yourself from me entirely, the idea of protecting little Mary Russell will never enter your head." I hope one does not have to be Holmes or Russell to deduce that I am quite enthusiastic about this book! All right, so why didn't I give it five stars? Well, it is very hard to get that fifth star out of me. For me, three stars is OK, four stars is very good indeed, and five stars is virtually flawless. There were a few flaws in this volume which I finally, regretfully, decided that I couldn't overlook. I think the plot is questionable in the last hundred pages. The Major Villain does too many things just to tease Holmes, and there are a couple plot elements that go nowhere. Also there is some "talking killer" stuff, although you could easily claim that this is necessary to adhere to the spirit of the original, since in volumes like "A Study in Scarlet" fully half the book is taken up by the killer's recitation! The chess stuff should have been left out or at least rewritten with the advice of someone who can play better than King seems to. If this sounds like nitpicky stuff, maybe you're right! The real truth of the matter is that in my rating system this is a 4.8 star book. I'm glad I paid good money for it, I will re-read it, and I intend to read the other volumes in the series as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally!
Review: Horray! Finally a book about Holmes where he can be recognized. I love Conan Doyles stories for his sensible and curious Watson and his brilliant and warm-hearted Holmes. I've never understood why pastiches and films always make Watson stupid and Holmes cold. The best book I'd found 'til now is Boyers "The Giant Rat of Sumatra", where Holmes is palish but Watson is clear and lovable. Until now! Laurie Kings "The Beekeepers Apprentice" brings Holmes out again, being himself. Sadly, Watson comes out as dumb, as usual, but the appearence of the brilliant young Mary Russell more than makes up for it. Nice to see mrs. Hudson again, too. And Lestrade, prof. Moriarty, Mycroft Holmes etc
Rating:
Summary: If you don't like mysteries this one's for you!
Review: I have always disliked mysteries, and had little sympathy for my friends who grabbed every Sue Grafton and PD James when they were published. I especially dislike Sherlock Holmes. I got totally hooked on this mystery by accident because it was in a flat I rented in London--and now I'm a Mary Russell addict! Mary Russell (the main character) is believable, likeable, and smart. As you get deeper into the murky depths of the mystery you care more and more what happens to her, how her friendship with the aging Sherlock Holmes is developing. You even start to like Sherlock Holmes, since this is a Sherlock Holmes who can be bested by a young woman (at least occasionally). This is the first in a series of mystery novels, and I would recommend beginning here, and reading them in order so that you can track the character developments. King writes with a deft style and a surety that makes the historical details--which can so often sound jarring in the hands of a less accomplished writer--entirely convincing. And, you won't figure this one out before the end! The twists of the plot keep you reading and enjoying until the satisfying conclusion of the case.
Rating:
Summary: A breakthrough in a genre within a genre
Review: That is, this is the best Holmesian spin-off ever. "Pastiche" doesn't even come close to describing this book. It seems every fledgling mystery writer must reincarnate Holmes at least once. In my opinion this is the most successful incarnation, so successful in fact that it is the very same one presented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. I have always been a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. I spent two years in a place basically lacking in decent reading material in the English language. The Canon (all of the novels and short stories Conan Doyle wrote about Holmes) basically sustained me during that time. Holmes seemed to live and breathe in those works, and I despaired when I finished them. I was lucky enough to find this book. It is just astoundingly good. Laurie R. King has a good ear for dialogue, and her descriptions always hit the mark. I can think of no mystery writer who rivals her in building a completely real, vivid atmosphere with just a few lines. In her works, Holmes lives again. Yes, it seems an implausible, perhaps even sacrilegious premise, giving him a young female partner. Yet Mary Russell is herself a fascinating character, and equals Holmes in deductive abilities. Read this book. The plot is enthralling, the prose sharp and lucid, and the characters unforgettable. And rejoice in the fact that this is but the first book in a still ongoing series.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read, But Not Doyle
Review: This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, especially if you understand that you're NOT reading Conan Doyle. The problem with taking on a famous character created by someone else is that you inevitably are held up against the original for comparison. For someone who enjoys mysteries, this is a good one. I would recommend it. That said, it isn't Arthur Conan Doyle. Personally, I'm inclined to save 5 star ratings for the very best. In the mystery field that's Conan Doyle and favorites by Agatha Christie and a few others. This one, while quite good, isn't THAT good.
Rating:
Summary: I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: The detailed adventures in Laurie R. King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice draw the reader into the book and hold on until the end. The respected and recently retired Sherlock Holmes meets up with a young woman, a girl with enough deductive reasoning and intellect to give even the great detective a run for his money! After a considerable amount of training and testing, Russell is made ready to be Holmes' "associate", as King so graciously words it. Many adventures, both dangerous and mysterious lay ahead for the two crime-stoppers in this eventually riveting book. Although I enjoyed this book immensely, the beginning leaves something to be desired. The plot is slow and calculating (much like the mind of the great detective himself!). This is definitely not a book for the adrenaline-loving thrill-seeker, though it does offer suspense, mystery, and various explosions placed strategically throughout the story-line. This book is complicated, sophisticated, and subtly witty in some parts, offering a smorgasbord of fun for a more experienced and patient reader. This book is a wonderful start to a most interesting series, proving that even a century year-old story can still be enthralling in the modern world. So set out and read this exciting novel. "The game is afoot!"
Rating:
Summary: You Wont Regret Reading This
Review: I first read this book three years ago, and enjoyed it immensly. I bought my own copy online a few weeks ago, when I first became aware there were more in the Russell/Holmes series. I intend to read them all! This book was fantastic. The characters came alive, and the story moved along at a nice pace- never dragging. The writing is clever and quick and thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it, whether or not one is already familar with the traditional Sherlock Holmes stories.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging story of Holmes and... Russell?
Review: I disagree with the review below that one must be a "left-wing feminist" in order to enjoy this book. Holmes and Mary have an engaging relationship, making their adventures together both believable and completely entertaining. The author has given us a likable Holmes without sacrificing his sarcasm and intellect, and Mary's growth from teen to woman to polished sleuth is convincingly portrayed. Maybe this isn't something for the hard-core Holmes traditionalist, but most others should have a great time.
Rating:
Summary: Never lets you go...
Review: This book is magic. It drew me in and didn't let me go until I turned the last page. When I finished it, I just sat there with a dumb, ear-to-ear smile on my face. This book is woven with such wit, such cleverness, and such understanding of the minds of people that it takes your breath away and leaves you whining for more. It made me laugh, cry, and grind my teeth together at intervals. A fifteen year old orphan, Mary Russel, trips over the already-legend Sherlock Holmes on the Sussex Downs. An immediate spark flares up between them, and this is the beginnig of a long and interesting partnership. At the beginning, Holmes trains his bright FEMALE pupil in the ways of criminals. Soon, they are solving cases together. Amidst all of this, Mary attends Oxford University, majoring in chemestry and theology. The theology part is dissaproved of by her mentor, of course, but he eventually ignores it. A great read for EVERYONE! Read it, enjoy it, read it again, enjoy it...you get my drift. This book changed the way that I see the world.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Addition to Holmesian Literature!
Review: I am an avid admirer of "The Canon" and indeed all things Sherlockian and I must say that of all the Holmes-Addendums out there, and Ms. King's novels are by far the best. *I have read some horrible attempts at using the Holmes character/genera and a few good ones, none can match this series!* Mary Russell's character has depth, and believability. Holmes is presented in a style that rings true and yet is more dimensional than Conan-Doyle's original creation. I purchased the book initially in PB, and came back to get the series in hardcover. A good investment as these are books that you will want to read over and over again. I cannot recommend The Beekeeper's Apprentice highly enough. Kudos to Ms. King and I hope she continues to add to this great foundation for some time to come.
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