Sequel to The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.

Desperate to escape cloying Christmas celebrations with her detested aunt and barely-known relatives, Russell in one of her favorite disguises--that of a young working-class male, takes off for London, where she has a hilarious encounter with Homes that I refuse to spoil. Later, she meets an old friend from Oxford, Lady Veronica Beaconsfield, who is living in a tenement and working to aid lower-class families. Ronnie takes Russell to a lecture by Margery Childe, who leads The New Temple of God church/charitable organization in London. Childe is a striking, charismatic woman who challenges religious gender roles and who has built a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lot of women and children in post World War I London; she has eventual political ambitions. She is controversial, but has gathered around her a circle of well-bred young women who are totally dedicated to her and her vision. But there are suspicious deaths, in which some of the wealthy young women around Margery have died, conveniently leaving to The New Temple of God--and thus Childe--large sums of money.

“Bluestocking” has a faint negative connotation; these days, it implies a somewhat prudish woman. But the term originated in the mid-18th century, almost 75 years before the time in which this story takes place, and was used to describe both an educated, intellectual woman and an organization mainly composed of such women. However, the term was in use during the post World War I suffragette movement; Russell herself is called that by other women. A Monstrous Regiment of Women, as a backdrop to the plot, provides wonderful insights into that movement and the kind of women it attracted and why. It’s very well handled.

The main plot is very good if somewhat predictable, but the subplots given the book depth and texture, especially the personal one involving Holmes and Russell. This book has all of King’s strengths: excellent characterization, strong writing and storytelling, and absolutely fascinating backdrops in social issues and religious ones as well, involving that of the feminine images of God in the Hebrew Testament.

While not as strong as some of the other installments in the series, we’re talking relative here; this is still an outstanding book. Highly recommended. ( )

The cover of this book promises "A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes". It does not deliver. However pay attention to the title and any misogynists will have been warned what it is all about: a female's coming of age in an atmosphere of 1920's feminism.

Sherlock Holmes is mostly a walk-on part unrecognisable as Conan Doyle's character. He is not as you know him - he has become a caring, tea-making, shoulder to cry on.

King writes well and extensively in this novel on Judeo-Christian theology as it appertains to feminist leanings but it appears that this is where her expertise ends. The novel is set in 1920's England, and while King puts the feminist movement well into it's historical suffragette setting, the book is so peppered with more general mistakes about that period in England that the suspension of disbelief is punctured with regularity. It becomes so frustrating that you begin to second guess every assertion, e.g. would Sherlock Holmes refer to 2-star hotels in 1920's London? - it is questionable (especially as Mobil claim to have invented the star system only 50 years ago)? That is just one example of so many. I wanted to like this book so much, but King's unfortunate ignorance of that English period was a real handicap for this British reader.
If you are looking for a light adventure novel with a female protagonist, a goodly smattering of feminist diatribe, some informed insight into feminism v. the King James Bible, and an Aimee Semple McPherson character thrown in for good measure this is for you. But the only mystery is why this was published by Picador and not Virago Press! ( )

The second in Laurie King's series about Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell, a young, brilliant, Jewish scholar and detective in post WWI England. Here, she meets a mystical woman preacher in London, who is using her considerable talents to run a women's shelter and a political organization for women's rights. Mary Russell (or Russell, as Holmes calls her) must ferret out who is killing off the preacher's devotees, and almost loses her own life in the process. This series, told first person by Russell, is packed with subtle religious references that impact on the mystery stories she is telling--like bat qol, the Jewish reference to the feminine nature of God. It sounds heavy, but it isn't...and it is fascinating to watch how an intelligent author weaves religious commentary, mystery, and droll wit with such expertise. ( )

SPOILER ALERT

Funnily, I felt that this book let Feminism down in the section where Mary is held captive - While Mary is overpowered, Holmes does what should be impossible - finds and rescues her.

I have read the first two (chronologically - apprentice and jerusalem, jerusalem was actually the fifth book released) which I much preferred. This book seemed a little lacking in zest, and not as focussed in its intentions. There was no twist in the story which is what makes mysteries exciting, it was quite predictable who the villain was and the activities.

I did appreciate this being a coming of age novel for Mary though, and perhaps this was the intention, to put little focus on the other aspects and to develop Mary from a teenager into a self-assured woman, which was done quite well, particularly considering the delve into addiction.

Overall I still liked the novel and will continue with the series.

Well….I’ve managed to do it again. I’ve read a series book out of sequence….accidentally, of course. A Monstrous Regiment of Women is the second of The Mary Russell Mysteries by Laurie R. King. The first, apparently, was The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, which I will have to get to at some point. No matter---on with the review.

This is an historical mystery, taking place in early twentieth century London. The main character, Mary Russell, is the apprentice of none other than an aging and near retirement Sherlock Holmes. Now, normally, I do not like it when an author uses someone else’s idea; someone else’s fame; to further their own careers by ‘easing’ a new story out of an already-known character or story, and in the process ruining said character or story for me…er…the reader…forever . (Wicked, and Son of a Witch come to mind….). I will give small allowance in this case, as King didn’t mutilate Holmes’ existing stories, or completely alter who we, as readers, know him to be (at least not too much….). I draw the line at books that have Jane Austen or Beatrix Potter and her animals solving mysteries….these are bridges that were never intended to be built, and should not be crossed…. but back to this book (I do have trouble staying on task).

We meet Mary Russell in the opening lines, and learn that she is a scholar and theologian. The story is told from her point of view. Through an old Oxford friend, she stumbles onto a sort of feminist/forward thinking church led by a very Charismatic woman. As Mary spends more time here, she begins to wonder where the money comes from, and then people start to die, and….well….you’ve got yourself a mystery. What kept me reading wasn’t the mystery, but rather, Mary’s character. She is a bit of an oddball, kind of like her mentor, Sherlock Holmes, who helps her sort things out, and shows up whenever she needs him. He’s part mentor/part…something indefinable. There is also an underlying romance here (which made me gag just a little….) that was just subtle enough to be ok. There were a few references to the first Mary Russell mystery…the one I should have read first…..that left me guessing at Mary’s past. She referred to an experience, or conversation, or situation that the reader was obviously supposed to know from the first book. Either way, I was able to follow it, and enjoyed going along for the ride. This is a good rainy/snowy day read; nothing too deep. I’ll probably read The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, just to find out what happened to Mary earlier that affected her physical/mental condition in portions of this one, and how she came to know Sherlock Holmes.

3 ½ stars out of 5. ( )