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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I got this book in a mystery book section at a bookstore and I'm glad that I did because this was such a delight to read and has put me right back into my mystery addiction wormhole. I will now be watching Sherlock on Tv and Enola Holmes and Knives Out again.
I loved this version of Sherlock Holmes, he was the one that we know and love but more likeable in my opinion. Mary Russell was an incredible protagonist, she was clever and brave and just so full of spirit that not only is she the perfect companion for Sherlock but also a brilliant detective in her own right. I loved the two of them, especially because we got to see both of their investigations and their opinions on the case throughout the book. The other characters were wonderful too and I loved the fact that they were all varied and developed in their own way.
The mystery was well constructed and well-paced, which meant that I was engaged and intrigued the whole way through because I wanted to see what was going on with the mystery. It was well-grounded in the time period and, as I said, it was great to see the investigations of both Sherlock and Mary because they both played an important role as well as coming up with different pieces of the puzzle that formed the final mystery that was revealed at just the right time. The ending did feel a little bit rushed with the chase of the villains of the story but I did enjoy the setup of it very much. I always love a good reveal.
Laurie R.King did a wonderful job creating this story from the mystery to the characters to the world-building aspect. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this book and I might try and track down some of the other books in the series now!
I loved this version of Sherlock Holmes, he was the one that we know and love but more likeable in my opinion. Mary Russell was an incredible protagonist, she was clever and brave and just so full of spirit that not only is she the perfect companion for Sherlock but also a brilliant detective in her own right. I loved the two of them, especially because we got to see both of their investigations and their opinions on the case throughout the book. The other characters were wonderful too and I loved the fact that they were all varied and developed in their own way.
The mystery was well constructed and well-paced, which meant that I was engaged and intrigued the whole way through because I wanted to see what was going on with the mystery. It was well-grounded in the time period and, as I said, it was great to see the investigations of both Sherlock and Mary because they both played an important role as well as coming up with different pieces of the puzzle that formed the final mystery that was revealed at just the right time. The ending did feel a little bit rushed with the chase of the villains of the story but I did enjoy the setup of it very much. I always love a good reveal.
Laurie R.King did a wonderful job creating this story from the mystery to the characters to the world-building aspect. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this book and I might try and track down some of the other books in the series now!
My last physical library book for a while. I quite enjoyed learning about the San Fran earthquake of 1906. And also enjoyed the different perspectives of not just Russell but also Holmes. The Irregulars were described well and gave me great enjoyment.
My favorite one of the series. I absolutley loved finding out finally the story behind the accident that is mentioned about the whole series and explained completey. I found myself melancholy when this book ended because I wished to continue being a part Russell and Holmes day to day activities and banter.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
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
I really enjoyed this, the Mary Russell series have gripped me and drawn me in almost against my will as the main premise seemed gimmicky. This installment starts slowly but with a great sense of oppression almost as though waiting for an approaching storm. The motive for the mystery was possibly slightly thin but the process of getting to the denouement had me enthralled and intrigued. The fact I read it in 24 hours probably says a lot.
I'm slowly making my way through the Mary Russell series, albeit out of order, and last month I read the eighth book, Locked Rooms. I love that each book in the series has a different format, a different feel, a different location, and this one was no exception. Locked Rooms takes place mostly in California, where Russell's childhood home is located. She inherited the house, and she has come to the United States with Holmes to check on it and perhaps sell it. Russell has been having a series of three strange dreams ever since she and Holmes were in Japan (where they were before coming to America) and each one is linked to a piece of her past which she cannot remember (she experienced slight amnesia as a child and can't remember parts of her childhood). She is greatly affected by these dreams and is not her usual self for most of the book. I really enjoyed this book, which is no surprise by now, but I wasn't sure what to expect since the mystery this time surrounded Russell and her forgotten childhood. My favorite thing about this book was the way it was set up. In part two of the book, the narrative switches back and forth a couple times between Holmes and Russell. At this point it will be helpful to add that Holmes and Russell are also split up for much of this book. Russell's a little touchy and doesn't want Holmes around asking questions and poking around with her, and so she goes and spends some time with her cousin and her boyfriend for much of the later part. A large portion of the story is focused on Holmes, which I absolutely loved. King's Holmes is one of my favorites, and I loved that we get to spend more time with him in this book. And I especially appreciated that because Russell was not herself and got a little irritating at times. Holmes trying to figure out the mystery of her father and what she forgot about her childhood behind her back when she wasn't around, like the bachelor we know and love was just perfect. That guy. I also noted that this book seemed to be more of a page-turner than the others. I'm not sure why, perhaps because the mystery was more front and center and because Holmes was leading the narrative - I'm not sure. But it was fast-paced and I enjoyed the look into Russell's past. It was also awesome to see how much Holmes was truly concerned for Russell during the book - he's the best. Also, it was fun to see him do his detecting and deducing alone - we see a lot of Sherlock Holmes doing Sherlock Holmes stuff in this book, and that was so much fun. Locked Rooms was a fantastic book and I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Check out this review and others at my blog: http://www.thisgirlwritesprose.com/
Check out this review and others at my blog: http://www.thisgirlwritesprose.com/
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was improvement compared to The Game. The author attempts a new narrative style that drags out the story and makes it repetitive. But does it regain its unique combination of wit, history and a new perspective on Mary or Holmes?
By now, I expected to see a bookish character and wasn’t disappointed. I am slowly becoming amused with the introduction of characters or authors and whether the author is reminding readers of great authors in the detective genre. This time it’s Dashiell Hammett, author of hard boiled detective stories. And here the city of San Francisco comes to life. The wit of Mary, due to mental distress, doesn’t play a role. Instead, Mary gets to confront her past.
Not a great installment but not it’s worse. I’m just missing that blend of history, religion with a light touch of suspense.
By now, I expected to see a bookish character and wasn’t disappointed. I am slowly becoming amused with the introduction of characters or authors and whether the author is reminding readers of great authors in the detective genre. This time it’s Dashiell Hammett, author of hard boiled detective stories. And here the city of San Francisco comes to life. The wit of Mary, due to mental distress, doesn’t play a role. Instead, Mary gets to confront her past.
Not a great installment but not it’s worse. I’m just missing that blend of history, religion with a light touch of suspense.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved it. Yet another Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes novel that lived up to its promise. I love King's characters and the mysteries, but the aspect of this book that I most relished was the historical detail. The personal accounts of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the backdrop of 1920s Prohibition and jazz age youth, were exquisitely imagined and scrupulously researched. Other details, such as period American slang and customs, nods to Conan Doyle's Holmes and other literary figures (such as PG Wodehouse's "Jeeves"), and themes of mind palaces and feng shui, all added color to the story. I also enjoyed the alternating narrative styles in this installment of the series: Russell's customary 1st person is joined by Holmes in the 3rd person. For the 8th book of a series especially, Locked Rooms was a very solid, enjoyable read.