The Game

I crave Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes stories. The latest installment of the series does not dissapoint. Laurie R. King has continued to grow her characters without losing any of their charm from "The Beekeeper's Apprentice."I would certainly say that the books need to be read in their correct order. And, this new book is toeing the line (along with "A Monstrous Regiment of Women") as one of my favourite in the series.The locations are wonderful--we meet delightful new characters, and the mystery is wonderfully complicated, per usual.

This is another of Laurie R. King's marvelous Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes novels, which doubles as a tribute to Rudyard Kipling's "Kim". Holmes and Russell are off to India, along a journey which proves rather richer in the satisfying Holmes/Russell interaction than some past novels have been. "The Game" also introduces many new and delightful characters, including the pert debutante Sunny Goodheart and the impish village boy Bindraji. The mystery plot is quite satisfying, with twists, turns, shifting alliances, and quite a bit of heart-thumping danger!I do advise reading the series in order, though, beginning with "The Beekeeper's Apprentice." This allows you to best comprehend the development of the complex relationship between Mary Russell and her tutor/partner, Sherlock Holmes.

The Game is a lot of fun. What is most fun is that the relationship between Holmes and Russell is back, after the arid non-relationship in Justice Hall. Sparring, arguing, constantly aware of each other, Holmes and Russell give The Game two lively, distinct voices, two styles that spin a plot full of games. Great read. Glad to have you both back with us, Holmes and Russell!

Mary Russell, the much younger, part jewish and equal on all terms, wife of Sherlock Holmes is on another exciting case. This one takes them to India via cruise ship in search of Kimball O'Hara, the now grown up Kim of Kipling fame. On the way, the meet a suspicious American, with mother and sister in tow; a precocious youth who joins them in their quest and an Indian Price who is more than meets the eye. The games afoot!I love these books for their adventure, the history and the characters. Ms. King remains as true to the original Holmes as I would ever want and creates new stories with the fabulous character of Mary Russell.If you are new to this series, I'd start at the beginning with The Bee Keeper's Apprentice. If not, I would get this book as quickly as possible.

Laurie King, like her character Mary Russell, not only has a mind worthy of Sherlock Holmes, but also a spirit capable of bringing out the human side of the great detective. The Game takes Russell and Holmes to northern India, and finds them dealing with an Indian prince angered by British rule, as well as a believable acquaintance between Holmes and another major literary character. Anyone who finds Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes a little too cool for comfort should be delighted by Laurie King's Russell and Holmes.