Having only recently discovered the wonderful Sherlock Holmes meets Kim whodunnit, “The Game” by Laurie R. King, this reviewer decided to go back to the first book in this eminently readable series, which is actually a series about the gutsy young Mary Russell.
aka Mrs. Sherlock Homes.
In “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” we meet Mary Russell. And what a meeting between one of fiction’s stalwarts and someone who is to become a great fictional heroine, although she doesn’t yet realise it.
A short sighted, half American, partly Jewish, clever teenager bumps into Sherlock Holmes, literally. Mary trips over the recently retired and therefore rather bored and grumpy detective, as she is shortsightedly wandering over the hills near his cottage.
What follows is a clever rendition of the Conan Doyle style, era and characters – with a twist.
And that twist is our intrepid heroine who charms not only Sherlock Holmes but also Dr. Watson, whom she calls Uncle John, and Sherlock’s equally clever brother Mycroft. A slew of exciting adventures take place, from Wales to London to Palestine, and as we follow the progress of Mary, who is tutored by Sherlock during her vacations from Oxford, we watch her develop into a young lady, and a formidable foil to her clever mentor.
They are still Miss Russell and Mr. Holmes at the end of this charming book, but we feel we know what will happen, eventually. The great Mr. Holmes is clearly falling for his sparkling protegee – as does the reader.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is published by Allison and Busby, and the paperback costs £7.99
This book truly is a great read, and is the start of a wonderful series of books, so if you wish to start and order, it couldn’t be simpler. Just click on the link below :