Laurie R. King
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: On the Segregation of the Queen (1994)
Author: Laurie R. King
Genre: Mystery/Suspense (Historical)
Plot Summary:
In 1914, Mary Russell, a fifteen-year-old orphan, lives with her aunt in the English countryside and prepares to enter Oxford. She happens to meet Sherlock Holmes, who has retired from detective work; he lives in the countryside, content to study bees and continue his chemical experiments. Possessing an intellect similar to Holmes’, Mary becomes his apprentice, honing her mind and her skills. Years pass, and Mary enters Oxford. While home on holiday, she and Holmes investigate the kidnapping of an American ambassador’s daughter. Even when this mystery is solved, however, a far more complex and implacable enemy lies in wait for them.
Geographical Setting: London, the English countryside, and Jerusalem
Time Period: 1914-1919
Series: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#1)
Appeal Characteristics:
Puzzle mystery, with an intellectual tone and some scholarly references. An interesting twist on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. A strong female protagonist/narrator, and a fairly faithful portrayal of Holmes. Set during and after World War I, with a look at life in wartime Britain. Leisurely pacing in the initial sections, to set the stage for the two protagonists’ true enemy; the conclusion is a rapid climax of events.
Red Flags: Murders, bombings, fights, kidnapping, and mention of drug use.
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