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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I liked the premise well enough, but for some reason the story didn't pull me in like they usually do. Maybe I just had enough of them being bored on a ship while trying to avoid the other passengers. I didn't really start to get into it until they got off the ship.
Oh how I adore Mary Russell. I love how she casually decides to learn a foreign language on a hunch, I love her intelligence and intuition, I love how she painfully applies lipstick for a disguise, I love how she knows her famous husband through and through. In fact, I believe it is Mary and Sherlock's understated but palpably real connection that is my favorite part of this entire series. In small glimpses throughout the novels we, as readers, can discern their well matched, solid, and intimate union.
This latest installment of the series takes place in Japan, and as always Laurie R. King produces a phenomenally researched story. It is such an improvement over the last two books that I want to cry with relief. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
This latest installment of the series takes place in Japan, and as always Laurie R. King produces a phenomenally researched story. It is such an improvement over the last two books that I want to cry with relief. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Fun and entertaining. Strange narrative structure, maybe a touch slow. But great fun with Mary and Sherlock as ever. It's a near guarantee I'm going to enjoy these books each time.
Some of my favourite entries in this series are the ones where Mary and Holmes travel to far off lands, here perhaps is where the magic wears off a little. When the bedouins were a fantastical adventure the almost fawning respect for the Japanese culture felt a little bit over the top.
It's a fun entry in the series even if it doesn't overly add anything to the mythology of the storyline. Where can they go from here?
It's a fun entry in the series even if it doesn't overly add anything to the mythology of the storyline. Where can they go from here?
I always save Mary Russell books for vacation so I can read without s was another such adventure.
This book moves more in time and place than many of the series. Half the story takes place in Japan, with a rare failure of a case. The conclusion takes places back in Oxford. The introduction of a character who is the equal of Russell and Haruki was thoroughly enjoyable.
This book moves more in time and place than many of the series. Half the story takes place in Japan, with a rare failure of a case. The conclusion takes places back in Oxford. The introduction of a character who is the equal of Russell and Haruki was thoroughly enjoyable.
The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his wife Mary Russell continue in Japan. This is maybe the third book I've read in the series and it is thoughtful, detailed, and hits almost all the right notes. Lovely atmosphere. However, it's kind of weird there's never any romance between the couple. The lack of smooches, etc. is conspicuous. I don't get it.
I'm beginning to expect that Ms. King will never disappoint! Another fantastic tale set mostly in a foreign land, full of wonderful period detail.
I just love this series of books. I can’t seem to get enough of Sherlock Holmes lately (Benedict Cumberbatch’s version in particular) – and when Holmes is paired with a woman…and a woman as smart as he is – the combination is electric.
Some of the recent volumes in the series have let me down a bit. The one involving WAY too much Pirates of Penzance, for instance. Or the books in which Holmes and Russell are separated for far too long – depriving the reader of their banter and electric wit. But “Dreaming Spies” brought them right back to what makes them wonderful. The clear, smart prose outlines an interesting plot – this one having a bit of Christie feel as the main characters take a luxury cruise with several “English drawing room types”. And the descriptions of character and place are, as always, very well done.
When Mary seeks refuge in a typical English pub, “Heaven lay within, an ancient gathering space that could only be in England, every breath testifying to its centuries of smoke and beer, damp dogs and the sweat of working men.” The reader can see, smell, nearly taste the experience.
This book also introduces as fascinating new character (that I hope we encounter again), Sato Haruki. She meets the couple on the cruise to Japan, and her voice, the character the reader gradually comes to know, is very well developed.
“The haiku captures a fleeting moment. Of great beauty, or heartbreak. A moment that, hmm,…encapsulates the essence of a season. Such as the fragrance of blossoming cherries, or the sound of snow, or the feel of hot summer wind blowing the bamboo.”
“Dreaming Spies” was a great read and a wonderful way to spend some cold winter hours.
Some of the recent volumes in the series have let me down a bit. The one involving WAY too much Pirates of Penzance, for instance. Or the books in which Holmes and Russell are separated for far too long – depriving the reader of their banter and electric wit. But “Dreaming Spies” brought them right back to what makes them wonderful. The clear, smart prose outlines an interesting plot – this one having a bit of Christie feel as the main characters take a luxury cruise with several “English drawing room types”. And the descriptions of character and place are, as always, very well done.
When Mary seeks refuge in a typical English pub, “Heaven lay within, an ancient gathering space that could only be in England, every breath testifying to its centuries of smoke and beer, damp dogs and the sweat of working men.” The reader can see, smell, nearly taste the experience.
This book also introduces as fascinating new character (that I hope we encounter again), Sato Haruki. She meets the couple on the cruise to Japan, and her voice, the character the reader gradually comes to know, is very well developed.
“The haiku captures a fleeting moment. Of great beauty, or heartbreak. A moment that, hmm,…encapsulates the essence of a season. Such as the fragrance of blossoming cherries, or the sound of snow, or the feel of hot summer wind blowing the bamboo.”
“Dreaming Spies” was a great read and a wonderful way to spend some cold winter hours.
Convoluted and complicated but I'm hooked on these books. Nearly finished the series so might have to go back to early ones which Pete and I read almost 20
Years ago
Years ago