School Library Journal Review
YAMary Russell, the apprentice to Sherlock Holmes first encountered in The Beekeeper's Apprentice (St. Martins, 1994), has established her own regime in and around Oxford just after World War I. Still drawn to Holmes, but seeking her own identity and the furtherance of women's rights, she pursues her studies as well as a case concerning wealthy young women and their spiritual mentor, Margery Childe. While captivated and encouraged by Margery's sermons and good works, Mary can't help wondering why several of these women have recently passed away, leaving much of their estates to Margery's association. She alternately seeks out and rebuffs Holmes. Mary has lost none of the spark and intelligence as well as individualism that so intrigued her mentor in the first book. Readers learn much of the condition of women, especially as the few remaining men return home from the war, and become aware of the class system and unequal social conditions of early 20th-century England, while engaged in a thoroughly entertaining romp through the meaner streets of London. A delight, and a worthy sequel.Susan H. Woodcock, King's Park Library, Burke, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
King's second mystery tale of a young woman who's a protégé of Sherlock Holmes. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Another richly entertaining Sherlockian romp for Oxford chemist/theologian Mary Russell (The Beekeeper's Apprentice, 1994), whose former housemate Lady Veronica Beaconsfield draws her into the circle of charismatic feminist preacher Margery Childe of the New Temple of God. The suffrage movement has just won women the vote, but Margery eloquently urges her followers on much further, toward full social and economic equality. Meantime, though, there's a cloud over the Temple: the murder of Iris Fitzwarren, sister of Ronnie Beaconsfield's heroin-addicted former fianc‚. As she continues to instruct Margery in the Hebrew and Greek she needs to make a stronger case for the complex androgyny of the scriptural God, Russell, assisted by Holmes, links Iris's murder to several fortuitous deaths that also benefitted the Temple. Now that Russell's 21st birthday is approaching, along with her financial independence, will she become the next of Margery's followers to make the ultimate sacrifice? less brainy and original than Russell's debut, but the sharply etched 1920 feminist background and the poignantly developed friendship between Russell and Holmes rather disarm criticism. Enchanting. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Mary Russell, introduced as the worthy successor to Dr. Watson in The Beekeeper's Apprentice [BKL F 1 94], makes a triumphant return here. Russell has reached her majority, completed her studies at Oxford, come into her inheritance, and uncovered a passel of trouble in Margery Childe, a charismatic mystic with political aspirations in 1921 London. Childe has organized a temple to proselytize her mixture of feminism and what would be called, in a later decade, "liberation theology." Unfortunately, wealthy members of her inner circle keep dying, shortly after rewriting their wills in her favor. Russell launches the investigation of the temple while her employer, Sherlock Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, pursue drug smugglers in France. King expertly captures the details of the period, although some of her characters, attitudes, and actions seem anachronistic. Most of the well-loved figures from the Doyle canon make appearances, including Mrs. Hudson, Dr. Watson, and even Inspector Lastrade's son. Though purists will be offended by Holmes' behavior at the tale's conclusion, less-finicky fans will find the book thoroughly enjoyable. --George Needham
Library Journal Review
King "found" this sequel to The Beekeeper's Apprentice (St. Martin's, 1994) in a trunk, presumably the property of narrator Mary Russell. Mary once again tells of her partnership with Sherlock Holmes, a juxtaposition of her youth (age almost 21) and Holmes's advanced middle age (59). Using disguise, guile, and ruse, Mary investigates murders in the inner clique of feminist preacher Margery Childe. Holmes assists, but the focus here is on Mary. The semiconvoluted, finely crafted late-Victorian prose is buttressed with exacting mots justes and surrounded by a nicely re-created 1920s London. A unique look at Holmes; for all collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
