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cj13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Dementia, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence
aestass's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, War, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Xenophobia
runilareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Author: Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes, 1
Release Date: January 1994
Publisher: Bantam
Rating: 4 stars
Favourite character: Sherlock Holmes
Least favourite character: N/A (spoiler reasons)
Mini-Review: I enjoyed this, although I'd say it's definitely on the medium to slow side with pacing. The writing was beautiful and I loved the characters, but I did find certain parts to almost be reminiscent of grooming. Different times, but this was still written in the 90s so just be aware of that if you plan on reading it.
Fan Cast:
Mary Russell - Florence Pugh
Sherlock Holmes - Paul McGann
Dr. John Watson - Bradley Walsh
Mycroft Holmes - Joe McGann
Mrs. Hudson - Phoebe Nicholls
Inspector Lestrade - Ed Speleers
Patricia Donleavy - Tuppence Middleton
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Drug abuse and War
There's a few instances where the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell could come off as groomingbrandilovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I am a HUGE fan of Sherlock and books based on his character and problem solving abilities. I LOVE that Laurie R. King continues Sherlock's stories but changes the narrator. Mary Russel is a fabulous new character.
The book is slow paced. There is a great deal of relationship building and getting to know the characters. The mysteries are complex . It was an excellent audio book. The narrator had distinct voices for each of the characters.
I would recommend The Beekeeper's Apprentice to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes, loves mysteries, or loves strong female MCs.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Minor: Car accident, Death, Kidnapping, Classism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Alcohol, War, Murder, Racial slurs, and Racism
leahegood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Mary Russel is an oprhaned young woman with a brilliant mind. Through a chance meeting, she becomes the apprentice, protige, and surrogate daughter of the now retired Sherlock Holmes. As she grows and proves her capabilities more and more, she learns that Holmes is not as retired as he seems, and becomes more and more deeply embroiled in the mysteries and adventures that define Holmes's life.
Thoughts
I am skipping a star rating for this story because it was far enough outside of my preferred genre and writing style that I simultaneously enjoyed it and couldn't wait for it to be done and over with. I expect readers of cozy mysteries and literary fiction would enjoy it throughourly as it was a good story and beautifully told, it just moved a bit too slowly for me. I read it to fulfil a prompt to read a book published in 1994.
I do love the idea of taking a well-known literary figure and continuing or expanding upon their story from a different viewpoint. The author imagines a girl that is enough Holmes's intellectual equal to strip away the hero worshipping tone of Watson, and someone with a daughter-like relationship to reveal a more tender side to the typically impreturbable persona. This was, for sure, my favorite element of the story.
I also quite enjoyed the elements of the story set in Oxford since I have a friend studying there and recognized many of the locations mentioned in the narrative.
Content
Romance: None, though a few eyebrows are raised by the friendship between Holmes and Russell.
Violence: Kidnapping and injuries from a bomb and gunshots mentioned. Nothing graphic.
Language: A few mild curses scattered throughout the narrative.
Religion: Holmes is generally dismissive of religion while Mary Russell takes interest in her Jewish roots and studies the Jewish religion at Oxford.
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Death of parent
myworldtoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent and Kidnapping
eamily's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Car accident, Gun violence, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Police brutality, War, Dementia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Confinement, Cancer, Torture, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Genocide
inameitlater's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Addiction