Throwback Thursday (21)

 

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books. While the spotlight is always on the new releases, Throwback Thursday features a book published five or more years ago.

Title: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice

Author: Laurie R. King

Original Publication Date: 1994

Available at: Amazon – Kindle – Barnes and Noble

From Goodreads:

Long retired, Sherlock Holmes quietly pursues his study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. He never imagines he would encounter anyone whose intellect matched his own, much less an audacious teenage girl with a penchant for detection. Miss Mary Russell becomes Holmes’ pupil and quickly hones her talent for deduction, disguises and danger. But when an elusive villain enters the picture, their partnership is put to a real test.

This was another recommendation by my mother. She was attracted to the books because of the Sherlock Holmes slant. I liked it because it had an “audacious teenage girl.” Mary Russell is just about my favorite female mystery novel character. She’s smart and resourceful. She’s charismatic and she can impress the great Sherlock Holmes.

I also like how King handles the romance between Russell and Holmes. It’s never overly emotional or full of gushing frivolity. There may be a certain twinkle to the eye, but it’s not lewd. It’s handled with dignity and decorum as befits the great Holmes.  It’s also a partnership. Holmes is never a dictator to Russell. He treats her as an equal in intellect. He even teaches her how to disguise herself so she can tail suspects.

There are instances of misunderstanding, as in every relationship. But they’re handled between two thinking adults with conversation and communication after tempers have cooled. Holmes never treats her like an infant despite her youth. That’s what I like the most in this book.

It’s a very good read and because it doesn’t take place in our own time, it’s practically timeless. If you like mysteries this one is worth picking up!

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