The Language of Bees: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

Even though The Language of Bees came out at the over-full end of the semester, I fell into it instantly, neglecting piles of blue books and papers. At first, I was in ecstasy -- posting non-spoiler updates on Facebook and burbling to friends at morning coffee -- but I got quieter as pages turned and the narrative gave me more and more about less and less. I've always admired King's ability to bring together disparate topics and, rather like the metaphysical poets, to yoke them into a new reality. Here, she certainly laid out the material for another great work, but that unifying alchemy was missing.Bee-keeping, standing stones, Aleister Crowley, French painters, an eclipse, and Holmes' son ~ how could this add up to anything other than the Philosopher's Stone?Dunno, folks, but it didn't achieve critical mass.I found very interesting the remarks of another reviewer who said that King's publisher was pushing for a higher page count. Well, if that's true, I don't see why it should obviate the possibility of an even better book. Look at the first in this series, The Bee-Keeper's Apprentice. It had the action and resolutions of several novels packed into one cover: fabulous. In many ways, the book is its mirror image: few plots, none resolved. "To be continued" is a total cheat. Unlike the 19th-century novels that came out in serial form, this wait will be not weeks, but years. And I don't think anyone is going to go down to the docks, al la The Old Curiosity Shop, for the next installment of this story.For me, introducing the references to Crowley without following through was close to criminal. Crowley doesn't have the public profile of Holmes, but he was a fascinating/horrifying figure of the time - surely the most shaming-making alum that Trinity/Cambridge has. His various witchy works are the subtext for the group Russell and Holmes investigate, but King doesn't give us her version of the man. Other than Sylvia or Cristobel Pankhrust, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see King turn into a character.As in the Monsterous Regiment, we get some London life and sub-cultures, although not nearly enough for me. The best thing about the novel - other than the idyllic time Russell spends alone in Sussex - is the presence of Mycroft, who comes close to being a fully developed character. Russell's time in the airplane is wonderfully rendered, but the tension it builds for the climax is cruelly betrayed.To call the end of the book an anticlimax would be kind. I'm not feeling very kind at the moment, so I'll call it a cheap marketing ploy, the sort of thing to which I didn't think Laurie R King would sink.

I must say that of all the series I follow, I look forward to Laurie R. King's series featuring Sherlock Holmes and his much younger wife, Mary Russell. I was not disappointed with this installment.After so long the couple come home. Before they can really relax, things are slightly amiss - one of Holmes' beehives is empty - what has driven these bees away?Before Holmes really has time to contemplate this, a young man that Russell met when she was 19 with Holmes, comes to them - he is Holmes' son! Damian Adler was the product of a liason years before. Holmes did not know the lady, a well known contralto, was pregnant.Adler has had a history of drug abuse, and alcoholism, but seems to have gotten himself straight - but his wife and young daughter are missing! He has swallowed his pride and asked his Dad, the famous Sherlock Holmes to help.Russell finds one morning, Holmes and Adler are gone. While Holmes leaving suddenly is nothing new to Russell, he usually leaves a note. But nothing.After discovering the mystery of the beehive, she leaves for London and connects with Mycroft, Holmes' brother. All characters connect to find Adler's wife and child. It appears Adler's wife has gotten in with a mysterious metaphysical religious group, whose founder or 'Master' has written a kind of bible and sometimes preaches to his congregation but his identity is disguised somewhat.Bodies are being found at ancient stone sites - suicides or sacrifices?Mary Russell again proves she and Holmes are equal in intellect and moxie as she goes on an aeroplane mission with one of Mycroft's operatives. Be sure you have Dramamine in hand as you read this part of the book - you'll need it!We see another layer of Russell, as she (about 24) thinks she probably won't have children herself, and you feel her mixed emotions regarding looking for a child descended from Holmes' blood, and her own wishes regarding children.The book ends in a masterful climax, while it leaves you breathless, there are more adventures to come. And I cannot wait for the next Russell/Holmes book to be completed!A great read for fans of this series!

Laurie King, Author, American , only very minor “slip ups” using American-English very occasionally.Otherwise very cleverly written. A recent “discovery” for me here in the UK.“Far fetched” and cleverly “tongue in cheek”, I have told my husband about these books.....and he has taken the first in the series to read for himself!I am personally hooked.The Author’s research into characterisation, Holmes is definitely recognisable!And Mycroft’s abilities and UK Government positioning, with World contacts via “agents” a clever literary tool!Laurie King, her personal knowledge of theology, and her own education very much in use in creating Mary Russell, her character and personal history.Is Mary Russell Laurie King?!

I love these books with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Laurie R King sets the background with so much detail and all through the book is the rather strange relationship between the two main characters who despite their disparity in age shows that they have a bond which goes beyond the mere physical or cerebral and that they are truly compatible. As with her other novels King shows immensely detailed research into theology and the strange and bizarre cults that seem to get started by individuals who, being filled with their own cnceit, aim to exploit and manipulate vulnerable people for their own sake. It is wonderful how many little details strike one, eg in the fact that it took six days to travel from Shanghai and the various means of transport used to attain this. I love a book which gives lots of historical information as well as a measure of romance, this was a great read and I can't wait to read some of the others.

Many of the stories written about Sherlock Holmes in recent years have been arguably better than the originals. Conan Doyle's great contribution was to invent the character. Perhaps the best series of such adventures has been the books featuring Mary Russell with Sherlock Holmes. Like the author, Laurie King, Mary Russell has done research in Old Testament (Jewish Scriptures), and the series is of added interest to anyone who has studied the Bible at university level. Admittedly, the transition of Holmes into an action hero is not entirely convincing, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the series. The best place to begin is not this particular story, but with the first book, The Bee-keeper's Apprentice, and then to reach this book in its turn in due course .

A good book, though not like the original stories. If you like the series so far you may continue. The language is a bit modern and the heroine is quite contemporary. There are higly unlikely events described there. It seems the author has indulged in a bit of fantasy about the 1920's in Europe.

Laurie R King's Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes mysteries are amazing (and addictive) - once you start to read you are slowly drawn into the story and it is hard to put a book down. This one is particularly gripping and if you like an intelligent (and lively) story this is for you. I am now half-way through the second half of this mystery - The God of The Hive - and it gets more exciting (only tired eyes permit me to put these books down). I love a good read and can strongly recommend Laurie R King's books, they are wonderful. I have eight of Laurie's books and have read read five, I am at present part-way through number six and two more to go.