The Book Nook

New look at beloved literary character In her blog, author Laurie R. King says she’s fascinated with the threads running from the past to the present. That’s apparent in “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice”, which is the first in a long-running series that started in 1994. It’s a clever novel that explores the meeting of two brilliant minds.  One is the famous detective Sherlock Holmes while the other is the as-yet unknown but equally brilliant Mary Russell. Fifteen-year-old Mary is sent to live with a cold-hearted aunt following the death of her parents.  They clash so frequently that Mary frequently escapes and roams the countryside with her nose in a book.  On one of these strolls she literally stumbles over a man who turns out to be the famous detective. He mistakes her for a boy, which sparks a brief verbal dual in which Mary capably holds her own.  Intrigued, he asks her to tell him about herself, and her response is “Why don’t you tell me about myself, Mr. Holmes?”.  From the beginning, each recognizes an equal intelligence in the other. Holmes appreciates Mary’s talents and regards her as a worthy protégé, while she comes to view him and his housekeeper Mrs. Hudson as parental figures who provide the love she lacks.  Her knowledge is vastly extended by the gentleman’s tutoring in the art of sleuthing.  When a local crime is committed, it is Mary who solves the case and Holmes is justifiably proud. After Mary is accepted at Oxford, she applies herself to her studies.  During school breaks she returns home, solving cases together with Sherlock.  An attempt to murder Holmes and Watson is done so skillfully he could almost believe the late Professor Moriaty is to blame. Mary and Holmes again partner to take on this nefarious foe, fleeing temporarily to the Middle East.  Their return includes crafty action that will threaten their partnership.  And the game is afoot… The public was introduced to Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story printed around 1887.  His character is still alive and well in the minds of fans over 125 years later.  There have been many adaptions of this popular figure, both in print and on screen.  Some were well-received while others were disappointing, depending on one’s expectations. Enthusiasts may be pleased that while the author preserved the overall ambiance of the time, she also shows how it was a pivotal time in history with carefully researched details, including how the first telephones were used. The setting of 1915 is a time when many things were changing.  The author looks at these changes, especially the fluidity of gender roles and the effect of war on social status.  In this story Holmes is able to change with the times and is as comfortable driving a car as he is a horse-drawn cart. King has also kept true to our general ideas of the characters we’ve come to love.  Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson are present but definitely in the background and the author’s handling of Watson gives us a new appreciation of the man.  Holmes himself still has the recognizable rudeness that Doyle gave the character, but King has imbued him with traits that polish the rough edges. It’s the addition of an intriguing new element, Mary, that brings the book to life.  She was created when the author wondered what a female version of Holmes would be like.   She’s awkward and egotistical but a quick learner.  She’s the primary figure and is given equal status with Holmes.  It’s clear from the beginning she’s pitched as a partner and not an assistant. The clever conversation are highlights in the story.  One example is the pair’s first meeting.  After Holmes’ realizes that Mary is female he comments “My God, it can think”.  Upset that he was deliberately provoking her, she responded with “My God, it can recognize another human being when it is hit over the head with one.  And to think that I was raised to believe that old people had decent manners.” Laurie R. King’s career started strong.  Her first novel “Grave Talent” won an Edgar award for first best novel in 1994, the same year “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” was published.  “Riviera Gold” is the 19th installment in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series and came out this year.  King’s series garnered enough respect to earn her membership into the Baker Street Irregulars, an organization formed around 1934 for Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts. Adults and young adults seeking a clean and entertaining historical mystery may enjoy following Mary and Sherlock in this well-researched and thoughtful series starter.  The sparkling conversational wit is reason enough to give this mystery a closer look.