The language of bees

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In a case that will push their relationship to the breaking point, Mary Russell must help reverse the greatest failure of her legendary husband’s storied past—a painful and personal defeat that still has the power to sting…this time fatally.For Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, returning to the Sussex coast after seven months abroad was especially sweet. There was even a mystery to solve—the unexplained disappearance of an entire colony of bees from one of Holmes’s beloved hives.But the anticipated sweetness of their homecoming is quickly tempered by a galling memory from her husband’s past. Mary had met Damian Adler only once before, when the promising surrealist painter had been charged with—and exonerated from—murder. Now the talented and troubled young man was enlisting their help again, this time in a desperate search for his missing wife and child.When it comes to communal behavior, Russell has often observed that there are many kinds of madness. And before this case yields its shattering solution, she’ll come into dangerous contact with a fair number of them. From suicides at Stonehenge to a bizarre religious cult, from the demimonde of the Café Royal at the heart of Bohemian London to the dark secrets of a young woman’s past on the streets of Shanghai, Russell will find herself on the trail of a killer more dangerous than any she’s ever faced—a killer Sherlock Holmes himself may be protecting for reasons near and dear to his heart.

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ISBN
9780553804546
9780553906462
9780553588347
9781410416155
9781456129330

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These popular, historical mystery series based in England around WWI feature young women apprenticed to a Private Investigator; each learns their trade and grows emotionally as the series progress. Intelligent, resourceful, and talented, while they work with men, they do not play second fiddle to anyone. -- Becky Spratford
If you prefer your settings English and your young heroines fearless, the precocious young women in these historical mystery series should be your cup of tea. However, while Mary Russell ages throughout that series, 11-year-old Flavia de Luce does not. -- Shauna Griffin
Though Return of Sherlock Holmes stars the real Holmes (revivified) in the 21st century, and Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes features the original still living in the 20th century, both adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle's originals may please his fans. -- Katherine Johnson
While Mary Russell is an assistant to Sherlock Holmes and Charlotte Holmes (Lady Sherlock) takes on an assumed male identity, these compelling adaptations of the classic mystery series feature strong women who use their intelligence to solve crimes. -- Halle Carlson
Though Lady Worthing features a bit more romance and is set 100 years earlier, readers looking for an engaging, England-set historical mystery featuring a keen-eyed woman sleuth should investigate both series. -- Stephen Ashley
These intricately plotted, early 20th-century-set historical mysteries feature an intriguing atmosphere and star keen-eyed women who use all their smarts to crack a bevy of surprising cases. -- Stephen Ashley
These intricately plotted historical mysteries are both reminiscent of classic whodunnit fare. Mary Russell works with well-known sleuth Sherlock Holmes to solve cases in early 20th-century England, while Kosuke Kindaichi investigates shocking murders in 1940s Japan. -- Stephen Ashley
Fans of historical mysteries focused on richly detailed writing and building a strong sense of place should check out these engaging series. Both are set in the early 20th century, but Mary Russell is set in England, and Crown Colony takes place in Singapore. -- Stephen Ashley
Though the cases in Mary Russell tend to be a bit lighter than in Japantown, which deals with issues of racism and discrimination, both of these historical mystery series feature richly detailed writing and a strong sense of place. -- Stephen Ashley

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
NoveList recommends "Lady Worthing mysteries" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Harlem Renaissance mysteries (Nekesa Afia)" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Crown Colony novels" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Maisie Dobbs novels" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
The strange return of Sherlock Holmes - Grant, Barry
NoveList recommends "Return of Sherlock Holmes" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Lady Sherlock novels" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Benjamin Weaver novels" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
These atmospheric and richly detailed historical mysteries feature strong-willed, independent young women taught by older male mentors of mythical status. Both heroines confront danger while navigating the social upheaval that characterized England between the two World Wars. -- Anne Filiaci
NoveList recommends "Detective Kosuke Kindaichi novels" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Japantown mysteries" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Captain Jim and Lady Diana" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Flavia De Luce mysteries" for fans of "Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Marcia Muller and Laurie R. King write provocative, character-centered mysteries. Both portray the moody San Francisco background to perfection -- Muller's contemporary police detective Sharon McCone lives and works in San Francisco like King's detective Kate Martinelli. -- Ellen Guerci
Kate Wilhelm and Laurie R. King both write in several genres, but Wilhelm is a good suggestion for fans of King's psychological suspense novels. Both authors' works feature elegant style, building suspense, intelligent plotting, and robust characterizations, not to mention feminist politics. -- Krista Biggs
Laurie R. King and Francis Fyfield write feminist mysteries with a foreboding atmosphere, troubled personal relationships, and difficult cases, often driven by disturbing social issues. Fyfield also writes gripping, sinister, provocative novels of psychological suspense. -- Krista Biggs
Laurie R. King and Val McDermid offer strong characterizations, especially of women; provocative stories that explore abuse and other social ills; and darkly atmospheric tales imbued with drama and psychological undertones. -- Krista Biggs
Laurie R. King and Kate Atkinson both write with elegant prose in layered novels featuring complex, character-centered investigations. -- Krista Biggs
Charles Todd and Laurie R. King write character-driven historical mysteries set primarily in the World War I and post-war era. Carefully researched details contribute to a strong sense of place in both authors' work, although Todd's stories have a darker tone and elements of psychological suspense. -- Krista Biggs
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and leisurely paced, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "murder," "murder investigation," and "women private investigators."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genres "historical mysteries" and "police procedurals"; the subjects "women detectives," "policewomen," and "women private investigators"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors melancholy and lyrical, and they have the genre "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "policewomen," "murder," and "murder investigation."
These authors' works have the appeal factors intricately plotted, and they have the genre "historical mysteries"; the subjects "women detectives," "policewomen," and "murder"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the genres "mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "women detectives," "policewomen," and "murder investigation."
These authors' works have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "women detectives," "murder," and "murder investigation."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Intricate clockworks, wheels within wheels, a kaleidoscope of patterns that periodically locks into place to reveal a clear but ominous vision such are the absorbing stories King has written about the young theology scholar and American feminist Mary Russell, who is married to the great detective Sherlock Holmes. It is almost impossible to talk about plot in this latest without too much revelation. Holmes and Russell return to England in August 1924, after traveling around the world, to find that Holmes' bees are inexplicably dying and that Holmes had a son by Irene Adler. Damian, the son, suffered as a soldier in the Great War, is a famed surrealist artist, and has a wife and child, both of whom disappear, prompting Holmes to take a case with the most personal of connections. Along the way, we are treated to a great deal about ancient sites in England; a major supporting role from Holmes' brother, Mycroft; information on an occult set of beliefs possibly related to Aleister Crowley; a terrifying set piece on the horrors of early air travel; and discourse on the queasy pleasures of surrealist art all in Mary Russell's wry, brilliant, and occasionally utterly deluded voice. We also see both Sherlock and Mycroft reveal human depths to themselves and to us. Although the novel does have an end, nothing is resolved: To be continued, King tells us, in the most frustrating of finales. Readers will want the rest right now, but even without a satisfying ending, they will realize that this is one of the best of a uniformly superlative series.--DeCandido, GraceAnne A. Copyright 2009 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

Readers will learn a lot about bee-keeping in bestseller King's sometimes lively, sometimes plodding ninth Mary Russell novel (after Locked Rooms), though the focus is on Sherlock Holmes's estranged artist son, Damien Adler, who pays an unexpected visit to Holmes and Mary Russell, Holmes's wife, in Sussex. Damien, "a drug-addled derelict" who was arrested for his drug dealer's murder several years back, soon becomes a suspect in more recent deaths. He enlists his father's aid in searching for his missing wife and daughter, while Mary undertakes her own quest into Damien's questionable past. Incognito, she finds her way to Damien's shabby Bohemian London home and to the Children of Light, a Druidic-style cult whose disturbing book Testimony, illustrated by Damien, is quoted at the start of each chapter. While the detective's shrewdly observant brother, Mycroft, and other Doyle regulars appear, fans of the original Holmes stories should be prepared for a strong feminist slant. (Apr. 28) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Library Journal Review

Back in Sussex after nearly a year of globe-trotting adventures (The Game), Mary Russell and husband Sherlock Holmes are immediately catapulted into two different mysteries: the disappearance of Yolanda Adler and her young daughter, and the sudden extinction of one of Holmes's beehives. Sherlock takes on the Adler case, while Mary, never one to mope at home, delves into the intricacies of the apiary. She then heads to London to consult with Mycroft Holmes and insinuates herself into Sherlock's case. And thank goodness, because he clearly needs her help. King's latest is not as much of a travelog as previous series novels, although Russell does charter an airplane. Seeing more of Mycroft is a definite treat, but Russell and her husband spend most of the novel apart, which is never a good thing. King wastes no time dropping bombshells that shake up the canon she's so carefully created. She's a consistently good writer who continues to delight her many fans. A required purchase for all public libraries and fiction collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 1/09.]-Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib., CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Intricate clockworks, wheels within wheels, a kaleidoscope of patterns that periodically locks into place to reveal a clear but ominous vision—such are the absorbing stories King has written about the young theology scholar and American feminist Mary Russell, who is married to the great detective Sherlock Holmes. It is almost impossible to talk about plot in this latest without too much revelation. Holmes and Russell return to England in August 1924, after traveling around the world, to find that Holmes bees are inexplicably dying and that Holmes had a son by Irene Adler. Damian, the son, suffered as a soldier in the Great War, is a famed surrealist artist, and has a wife and child, both of whom disappear, prompting Holmes to take a case with the most personal of connections. Along the way, we are treated to a great deal about ancient sites in England; a major supporting role from Holmes brother, Mycroft; information on an occult set of beliefs possibly related to Aleister Crowley; a terrifying set piece on the horrors of early air travel; and discourse on the queasy pleasures of surrealist art—all in Mary Russell s wry, brilliant, and occasionally utterly deluded voice. We also see both Sherlock and Mycroft reveal human depths to themselves and to us. Although the novel does have an end, nothing is resolved: "To be continued," King tells us, in the most frustrating of finales. Readers will want the rest right now, but even without a satisfying ending, they will realize that this is one of the best of a uniformly superlative series. Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

Sherlock Holmes has a son? He appears at the cottage -Holmes shares with wife/partner Mary Russell, then disappears. And the game's afoot. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Powered by Content Cafe

Library Journal Reviews

Back in Sussex after nearly a year of globe-trotting adventures (The Game), Mary Russell and husband Sherlock Holmes are immediately catapulted into two different mysteries: the disappearance of Yolanda Adler and her young daughter, and the sudden extinction of one of Holmes's beehives. Sherlock takes on the Adler case, while Mary, never one to mope at home, delves into the intricacies of the apiary. She then heads to London to consult with Mycroft Holmes and insinuates herself into Sherlock's case. And thank goodness, because he clearly needs her help. King's latest is not as much of a travelog as previous series novels, although Russell does charter an airplane. Seeing more of Mycroft is a definite treat, but Russell and her husband spend most of the novel apart, which is never a good thing. King wastes no time dropping bombshells that shake up the canon she's so carefully created. She's a consistently good writer who continues to delight her many fans. A required purchase for all public libraries and fiction collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 1/09.]—Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib., CA

[Page 63]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Readers will learn a lot about bee-keeping in bestseller King's sometimes lively, sometimes plodding ninth Mary Russell novel (after Locked Rooms), though the focus is on Sherlock Holmes's estranged artist son, Damien Adler, who pays an unexpected visit to Holmes and Mary Russell, Holmes's wife, in Sussex. Damien, "a drug-addled derelict" who was arrested for his drug dealer's murder several years back, soon becomes a suspect in more recent deaths. He enlists his father's aid in searching for his missing wife and daughter, while Mary undertakes her own quest into Damien's questionable past. Incognito, she finds her way to Damien's shabby Bohemian London home and to the Children of Light, a Druidic-style cult whose disturbing book Testimony, illustrated by Damien, is quoted at the start of each chapter. While the detective's shrewdly observant brother, Mycroft, and other Doyle regulars appear, fans of the original Holmes stories should be prepared for a strong feminist slant. (Apr. 28)

[Page 29]. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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