The Language of the Bees

I put off reading this book for some time. When I read on Goodreads that Ms King was writing a new Russell/Holmes book, I was thrilled. Ecstatic. But for some reason, I hesitated to pick up the book.

Perhaps it was the length of the book? I think not. Lengthy tomes have never daunted me before. I think that it was more the fact that it had been some time since Ms King had written a book about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. I know I am not alone in the fact of being disappointed before while reading sequels upon sequels to beloved books. I didn’t want to become bored with this series. I have a special place in my heart for Mary Russell…

Russell and Holmes have been abroad for several months. Mary couldn’t wait to get home to Sussex and to her studies. And Mrs. Hudson’s cooking. But their arrival wasn’t quite as tranquil and welcoming as they could want it. Mrs. Hudson was away, and her assistant, Lulu, told them of a visitor. This visitor turned out to be Damian Adler.

They get caught up in a case filled with danger, intrigue, weird religious cults, artists, Bohemia, and sacrificial rights. So, basically, just an average case for the Russell/Holmes team. But not quite, for Damian Adler, the man who comes to Holmes for help to find his missing wife and child…Damian Adler is Sherlock Holmes son.

Like I said, I really didn’t want to read this book. I was afraid of not liking it. However, I couldn’t put it down! I loved every minute of it, my favorites being, I suppose, when Mary is actually alone, and Holmes and Damian are off searching on their own, or when Mary is going over the livestock death list in Mycroft’s flat. In past books, it always seemed to drag when Mary and Holmes were apart. But in this one, I actually rather enjoyed it. Perhaps it’s because Mary has grown up quite a bit. So have I J

I can’t wait for the next installment…that ‘To be continued’ at the end made me want to break into song…for it means that I get to enjoy another of Ms Kings delightful books.