Who Would Like This Book:
Laurie R. King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is a must for fans who love Sherlock Holmes and enjoy clever, character-driven mysteries. The beauty here lies in King’s blend of homage and innovation - Mary Russell is a whip-smart, independent apprentice who brings a fresh, feminist slant to the Holmes mythos. The book’s period detail is fantastic, the dialogue sparkles with wit, and the chemistry between Holmes and Russell makes for a dynamic, evolving partnership. If you adore historical mysteries, sharp banter, and strong female leads, this series will thrill you - especially if you’ve ever wondered what new adventures might await Sherlock after Doyle’s stories ended.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Devoted Holmes purists may find themselves less enchanted, as King’s version of Holmes is warmer and more emotionally accessible than Conan Doyle’s original - and the introduction of the talented Mary Russell can feel like classic “Mary Sue” territory to some. Those looking for non-stop action may find the story’s early, character-driven pace slow, and the homage to Edwardian style can seem a bit stilted. Also, if you expect your mysteries to be all about the case rather than the characters, the focus on relationships might not be your cup of tea.
About:
Set in 1915, 'The Beekeeper's Apprentice' follows the chance meeting between a retired Sherlock Holmes and a young, intelligent orphan named Mary Russell. The two develop a unique friendship that evolves into a partnership in detective work, solving mysteries together while facing dangers that put their lives at risk. The book combines elements of Bildungsroman and suspense, exploring the idea of Holmes taking on an apprentice and what a female Holmes would be like, with well-drawn characters and a captivating writing style filled with clever deductions and intriguing cases.
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From The Publisher:
An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee
Named One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association
In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).
Ratings (59)
Incredible (13) | |
Loved It (19) | |
Liked It (11) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (132):
Read It (56) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (39) | |
Did Not Finish (5) | |
Not Interested (31) |
3 comment(s)
This is one of my all time favorite books, I have read it more times then I can count. I have also listened to it many times, gotta love audible!
At first I didn't think I would be able to stand these characters. Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell are brilliant people, and they aren't afraid to tell you. And talk about it all the time. However, I grew to love both of them and their story. King has picked the perfect time period to place her young feminist: during and just after WWI, when Britain was in an uproar and women's roles were forced to change. In contrast to Russell's straightforward early 20th century feminism, we have Holmes' Victorian gentleman's sensibility for contrast.
But the real question here is, is it possible to write a romance with zero sexual tension? And the answer is....I....I guess? I guess it is. Since this is a series, and since Russell and Holmes are more March-December than May-December, King is taking her time with the romantic developments. It helps that she brings up Freud within the first hundred pages. I believed in their match more at the end than the beginning, anyway.
Can't wait to read the rest!
3.5/5 - After finishing all of the Conan Doyle stories I wanted to read some more “modern” additions to the Sherlock Holmes canon. I really wanted rate this one higher because it addresses many of the issues I had with the original series, mainly the larger overarching story and deeper explorations of the non-Holmes characters.
The idea of a retired Sherlock Holmes taking on a young apprentice is great, and there are some really cool moments in here, but there’s also some really weird pacing issues. I also really dislike the way this book characterizes Dr Watson.
Instead of reading more in this series I’m going to move onto something else. Especially after accidentally reading a spoiler… I don’t think I’ll like where this series is heading.
What can you read after
The Beekeeper's Apprentice?
About the Author:
Laurie R. King is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Kate Martinelli novels and the acclaimed Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes mysteries, as well as a few stand-alone novels. The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first in her Mary Russell series, was nominated for an Agatha Award and was named one of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. A Monstrous Regiment of Women won the Nero Wolfe Award. She has degrees in theology, and besides writing she has also managed a coffee store and raised children, vegetables and the occasional building. She lives in Northern California.
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