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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I really liked it up until the "why" for the mystery . The build up & unfolding was good though.
I still couldn't wait to find out what happened, and I loved all the backstory about Mary's childhood and the historical details about the San Fransisco fire, but the spice and wit between Holmes and Russell was totally lacking in this book. Maybe it wouldn't have been so jarring if I'd gone in order, but I really missed the way they interacted in the first two books.
I haven't read all the Mary Russell books since the first three, but this one was a good one to jump to because San Francisco is a MAJOR character in this book. I loved all the historical details from over a century ago, surrounding a place I know fairly well by now. Readers who don't share a love for San Francisco might not get the same interest boost I did.
I think the character arc for Mary adds to the book's drama, although I found the reliance on dream interpretation weak and had to read through those parts quickly enough to not really think too hard about them.
I think the character arc for Mary adds to the book's drama, although I found the reliance on dream interpretation weak and had to read through those parts quickly enough to not really think too hard about them.
I love the character development in this book...it's a more interior novel, but with plenty of mysterious people/deaths and dangerous escapades too.
The investigation into what really happened to Mary's family, and all the people who were involved in the convoluted situation, alongside her emotional journey (and Holmes's too, in some ways), was a gripping read, I thought, and though I put the pieces together a few pages before they did, that only served to make me feel like Holmes, who had many of the pieces arranged long before Mary even opened the door of her secret room.
Fascinating and exciting...a one day read for sure.
The investigation into what really happened to Mary's family, and all the people who were involved in the convoluted situation, alongside her emotional journey (and Holmes's too, in some ways), was a gripping read, I thought, and though I put the pieces together a few pages before they did, that only served to make me feel like Holmes, who had many of the pieces arranged long before Mary even opened the door of her secret room.
Fascinating and exciting...a one day read for sure.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
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
Ms. King weaves a stunning world in which Holmes is not a narcissist in the least, while somehow remaining true to the erstwhile detective many of us have come to love.
Mary je konečně zpátky v Americe - tahle kniha předčila i moje největší očekávání
Just when I think King can't get any better and that the series will head downhill, she writes a novel like this one. This one rivals The Beekeeper's Apprentice in my affections. It is less mystery and more of an exploration into Mary's past, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also liked King's use of alternate point of views. Mary was so immersed in the situation, that it was good to get more of an outside point of view. It makes a nice change as well after seven previous Mary Russell novels. The San Fransisco setting was fun--I hope Russell returns there in a subsequent novel. All in all, a great book!
I'm running a few years behind on the Russell/Holms books, but this one is the best in the series so far for me.
I thought this one would be my least favourite, but the story took off for me about halfway through, when the POV temporarily switched to Holmes. Ultimately an interesting story beyond the mystery itself.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/1153996/lockedrooms
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/1153996/lockedrooms
I enjoyed this book, but not as much for the mystery as for the character development. I felt that King perhaps wasn't aiming for as thrilling of an adventure as in her previous novel, but instead wanted to take the opportunity to focus on Holmes and Russell. In this book, we see Russell at her most vulnerable -- in something of an existential crisis as she's forced to confront the long-repressed memories of her past. The normally stoic and unsympathetic Holmes is also in a vulnerable position as he's conflicted between his usual cold, logical approach to solving mysteries and the emotional ties that he has to this one in particular. He's also in a constant state of worry over Mary and her wellbeing throughout the first 3/4 of the book. Another interesting sight to see was Mary going out with persons her own age (Flo and Donny and their friends) to do the Charleston all night at a jazz club, drinking illegal alcohol during Prohibition times!
The mystery itself wasn't very "thrilling" in my opinion, but I felt very attached to the results as the story of Mary's past has been such an integral part of her character throughout the series so far. So, again, for me, this book's enjoyment came mainly from the character development. Although, I did have to laugh out loud when the man tailing Holmes introduced himself as Dashiell Hammett! :P
The mystery itself wasn't very "thrilling" in my opinion, but I felt very attached to the results as the story of Mary's past has been such an integral part of her character throughout the series so far. So, again, for me, this book's enjoyment came mainly from the character development. Although, I did have to laugh out loud when the man tailing Holmes introduced himself as Dashiell Hammett! :P