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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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
Had a cozy fantasy feel to it.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
This is a seriously fun story!!! The way the original story from Peter Pan has been woven and fitted together like puzzle pieces with the characters of Sherlock Holmes is beautiful.
The plot was incredibly enjoyable and well thought out, and reading it all with these well known characters who you never would have thought to throw together from two classics in two totally different genres is completely dazzling!
Narrators and audio production were wonderful as well, this was just an all around fun experience to listen to, and definitely one I will come back to for a re-listen, it’s just that fun and cozy!!
Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this audiobook, I’m so grateful and enjoyed it so much!!
The plot was incredibly enjoyable and well thought out, and reading it all with these well known characters who you never would have thought to throw together from two classics in two totally different genres is completely dazzling!
Narrators and audio production were wonderful as well, this was just an all around fun experience to listen to, and definitely one I will come back to for a re-listen, it’s just that fun and cozy!!
Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this audiobook, I’m so grateful and enjoyed it so much!!
Fantastic premise, but not the book I wanted it to be.
In particular, if you’re going to take the two great amoral characters of that era, the rational Sherlock Holmes and the irrational Peter Pan, they should at least meet
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Strongly suggest you read Barrie's book before reading, but it isn't strictly necessary.
This is a fantastic book that smacks the hands of Victorian writers and even modern day romantics that continue to rely on unjust Victorian tropes.
Murphy weaves Barrie and Holmes and presents a refreshing--but not whimsical--tale. Look slightly underneath the surface and you'll see that life is gritty now, in Victorian London, and on Neverland.
And finally, finally, finally someone calls out Holmes and--to a lesser extent--Watson.
This is a fantastic book that smacks the hands of Victorian writers and even modern day romantics that continue to rely on unjust Victorian tropes.
Murphy weaves Barrie and Holmes and presents a refreshing--but not whimsical--tale. Look slightly underneath the surface and you'll see that life is gritty now, in Victorian London, and on Neverland.
And finally, finally, finally someone calls out Holmes and--to a lesser extent--Watson.
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I can honestly say I would have never thought to combine Peter Pan with Sherlock Holmes, and that combination was truly intriguing. The mix of the dark wildness of Barry's original Peter Pan with the cool logic and deduction of Sherlock made for a fascinating combination, and the different perspectives that those two stories brought when tied together was a really fun decision. I have to hand it to the author--she has a lot of creativity. I've been thinking up fairy tale mashups for most of my life, and this combination has truly never occurred to me.
I also really appreciated the way the author handled the Peter Pan part of the story (I know less about Sherlock, so I can't say much about whether that was handled well). One of the often-forgotten things about the J. M. Barrie's original Peter Pan is just how dark it is, and I think this story captured that grittier feel very well without ever being too graphic or overwhelming. Peter Pan felt correctly incorrect, and the Lost Boys' situation felt appropriately realistic.
I do feel that the author might have gotten a little carried away with the execution. This is a highly character-driven story, and almost every character (whether significant or minor) is introduced by a long backstory where you learn exactly how the character got to that point and all the character's significant motivations. At times this was an enjoyable and interesting experience, but at other times it slowed down the pace significantly and didn't seem to add much to the overall plot. It seemed a bit like the author found out something fascinating or horrifying in her research of the era or thought of a brilliant reason why x person was in y place and wanted to make sure that all those details made it into the book--whether or not it truly fit the narrative arc. As a result, the main story often felt choppy as we would stop following Mary Darling or one of the other primary characters and suddenly follow someone else's story for chapters before reconnecting to the main story and sometimes never seeing that side character again. The constant build-up and character work with the side characters meant that I often lost track of the main thrust of the story and the conclusion was not nearly as gratifying as I had hoped since by that point I had largely lost track of whose story I was supposed to be invested in. To be honest, I think that was part of the author's point--to show how many different unique stories intersect at any given point in time--but the execution just didn't work for me. With so many stories being told in such detail all at once, it was hard for me to feel truly connected or invested in any one of them.
That being said, this was clearly a very well-researched book that provides insights into much of what was happening in the world around the time period of Peter Pan. If you love history and love heavily character-based books, this might be just the thing for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I also really appreciated the way the author handled the Peter Pan part of the story (I know less about Sherlock, so I can't say much about whether that was handled well). One of the often-forgotten things about the J. M. Barrie's original Peter Pan is just how dark it is, and I think this story captured that grittier feel very well without ever being too graphic or overwhelming. Peter Pan felt correctly incorrect, and the Lost Boys' situation felt appropriately realistic.
I do feel that the author might have gotten a little carried away with the execution. This is a highly character-driven story, and almost every character (whether significant or minor) is introduced by a long backstory where you learn exactly how the character got to that point and all the character's significant motivations. At times this was an enjoyable and interesting experience, but at other times it slowed down the pace significantly and didn't seem to add much to the overall plot. It seemed a bit like the author found out something fascinating or horrifying in her research of the era or thought of a brilliant reason why x person was in y place and wanted to make sure that all those details made it into the book--whether or not it truly fit the narrative arc. As a result, the main story often felt choppy as we would stop following Mary Darling or one of the other primary characters and suddenly follow someone else's story for chapters before reconnecting to the main story and sometimes never seeing that side character again. The constant build-up and character work with the side characters meant that I often lost track of the main thrust of the story and the conclusion was not nearly as gratifying as I had hoped since by that point I had largely lost track of whose story I was supposed to be invested in. To be honest, I think that was part of the author's point--to show how many different unique stories intersect at any given point in time--but the execution just didn't work for me. With so many stories being told in such detail all at once, it was hard for me to feel truly connected or invested in any one of them.
That being said, this was clearly a very well-researched book that provides insights into much of what was happening in the world around the time period of Peter Pan. If you love history and love heavily character-based books, this might be just the thing for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Adventures of Mary Darling is a brilliantly imaginative reworking of Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie, told through the eyes of a character often relegated to the background, Mary Darling, the mother of Wendy, John, and Michael. Pat Murphy brings her front and center, turning her into a rich, compelling protagonist whose story blends whimsy with sharp, subversive commentary.
What begins as an adult fairy tale soon deepens into something far more layered. Murphy infuses the narrative with real historical context, interweaving elements of feminism, colonial critique, and the experiences of Indigenous Americans with literary flair. The inclusion of Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters - Sherlock Holmes and John Watson - adds yet another surprising dimension, creating a genre-crossing adventure that feels both playful and profound.
Mary Darling herself is a standout. She's a mother, yes, but not a passive one. She drives the story, pushing against the limited roles expected of women in her era. Her journey is one of self-discovery, agency, and connection with other women from diverse backgrounds. Watching them collaborate and support one another is a powerful and refreshing theme throughout the book.
The prose is beautiful, the tone balanced between whimsy and emotional depth, and the characters feel fully realized, complex, flawed, and vibrant. This novel doesn't rely on nostalgia or stereotypes. Instead, it breathes new life into a familiar tale by exploring the unseen and unspoken beneath the surface.
Pat Murphy’s The Adventures of Mary Darling is a masterful example of how retellings can both honor and transform their source material. It’s thoughtful, beautifully written, and delightfully unexpected. A must-read for fans of literary reimaginings with something real to say.
Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What begins as an adult fairy tale soon deepens into something far more layered. Murphy infuses the narrative with real historical context, interweaving elements of feminism, colonial critique, and the experiences of Indigenous Americans with literary flair. The inclusion of Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters - Sherlock Holmes and John Watson - adds yet another surprising dimension, creating a genre-crossing adventure that feels both playful and profound.
Mary Darling herself is a standout. She's a mother, yes, but not a passive one. She drives the story, pushing against the limited roles expected of women in her era. Her journey is one of self-discovery, agency, and connection with other women from diverse backgrounds. Watching them collaborate and support one another is a powerful and refreshing theme throughout the book.
The prose is beautiful, the tone balanced between whimsy and emotional depth, and the characters feel fully realized, complex, flawed, and vibrant. This novel doesn't rely on nostalgia or stereotypes. Instead, it breathes new life into a familiar tale by exploring the unseen and unspoken beneath the surface.
Pat Murphy’s The Adventures of Mary Darling is a masterful example of how retellings can both honor and transform their source material. It’s thoughtful, beautifully written, and delightfully unexpected. A must-read for fans of literary reimaginings with something real to say.
Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook ARC.
I adored The Adventures of Mary Darling! This book felt like the perfect blend of a retelling of Peter Pan and Sherlock Holmes, but with a slant where women are heard and appreciated for their views and talents.
The characters (both old and new) were beautifully explored, and I especially loved learning more about the background of Mary Darling, who I realise now that I have never really recognised as more than a 2D cutout of a character. Pat Murphy makes her so much more than “just” the mother of Wendy, John and Michael.
This story returns us both to Victorian London and we discover the after effects of Wendy and her brothers’ disappearance, but more than that - it helps us to see previously unexplored weaknesses in otherwise favourably seen popular literary characters, putting a new spin on classic stories and creating the fantastic backstory of Mary.
The narrator was clear and easy to listen to.
I would love to read more of Pat Murphy’s work, especially any further fairy tale/classic hybrid books!
I adored The Adventures of Mary Darling! This book felt like the perfect blend of a retelling of Peter Pan and Sherlock Holmes, but with a slant where women are heard and appreciated for their views and talents.
The characters (both old and new) were beautifully explored, and I especially loved learning more about the background of Mary Darling, who I realise now that I have never really recognised as more than a 2D cutout of a character. Pat Murphy makes her so much more than “just” the mother of Wendy, John and Michael.
This story returns us both to Victorian London and we discover the after effects of Wendy and her brothers’ disappearance, but more than that - it helps us to see previously unexplored weaknesses in otherwise favourably seen popular literary characters, putting a new spin on classic stories and creating the fantastic backstory of Mary.
The narrator was clear and easy to listen to.
I would love to read more of Pat Murphy’s work, especially any further fairy tale/classic hybrid books!
I received an audio-ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 51%
This seemed like a fun premise, but not particularly well executed. My issue right from the start was the choice of an American narrator. I don't want this to come across as a reflection on the narrator's abilities (I haven't listened to her other work) as much as on the choice of an American narrator for a book set in England and mainly featuring English and Australian characters. The narrator makes a valiant effort, but the accents are not good.
The narration only highlighted the times when the language also felt very American or anachronistic to me. To be fair, I'm not an expert on late Victorian British English, so I can't swear to the anachronisms, but the language didn't feel grounded in the historical context.
The characterisation also felt shallow. I could maybe buy Mary as the underestimated Victorian wife, but none of the men around her felt realistic. George's behaviour was just weird, Holmes was annoying, and Watson... was also there. Idk.
The story felt like it lacked forward momentum. By the time I got to the halfway point, I'd already skipped several entire chapters from Mary's past, and I wasn't feeling any real investment in the story, so it didn't feel worth continuing.
DNF @ 51%
This seemed like a fun premise, but not particularly well executed. My issue right from the start was the choice of an American narrator. I don't want this to come across as a reflection on the narrator's abilities (I haven't listened to her other work) as much as on the choice of an American narrator for a book set in England and mainly featuring English and Australian characters. The narrator makes a valiant effort, but the accents are not good.
The narration only highlighted the times when the language also felt very American or anachronistic to me. To be fair, I'm not an expert on late Victorian British English, so I can't swear to the anachronisms, but the language didn't feel grounded in the historical context.
The characterisation also felt shallow. I could maybe buy Mary as the underestimated Victorian wife, but none of the men around her felt realistic. George's behaviour was just weird, Holmes was annoying, and Watson... was also there. Idk.
The story felt like it lacked forward momentum. By the time I got to the halfway point, I'd already skipped several entire chapters from Mary's past, and I wasn't feeling any real investment in the story, so it didn't feel worth continuing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, Colonisation