The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen cover art

The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 1

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The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Written by: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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The Twentieth-Anniversary Edition of the First Novel of the Acclaimed Mary Russell Series by Edgar Award–Winning Author Laurie R. King.

An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee • Named One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).

This program includes a preface read by the author.

 Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Sherlock Holmes Suspense
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What the critics say

“Wonderfully original and entertaining . . . absorbing from beginning to end.” —Booklist

“King has stepped onto the sacred literary preserve of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poached Holmes, and brilliantly brought him to life again.” —The Washington Post Book World

“Remarkably beguiling.” —The Boston Globe

“A fascinating and often moving account of a friendship so unusual and so compelling that one almost accepts it as being historically real.” —The Denver Post

“Enchanting . . . The Beekeeper's Apprentice is real Laurie R. King, not faux Conan Doyle, and for my money, it's better than the original.” —San Jose Mercury News

“Rousing . . . Riveting . . . Suspenseful.” —Chicago Sun-Times
All stars
Most Relevant
I really enjoyed this book - the characters are very interesting, and it's a fun take on Sherlock Holmes

Very fun

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I love the voices, I love the story. it never got boring and it was beautiful, the relationship between Mary Russell and Sherlock and also the shenanigans they got involved in. Fabulous, entertaining all the time !

Delightful !

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Perhaps the best retelling of Holmes I have read/listened to. Slow to start but picks up as the narrator brings all the characters to life.

The book wraps several cases in to a longer story arc and provides interesting clues and puzzles. A few times where Mary misses the obvious for the sake of the story are forgivable.

Listening with my wife on a long car journey and at the end we both said "let's start the next one."

A new twist and depth to the Holmes story

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There was a weird echo on the recording which was very distracting. The book itself was interesting and fit nicely as a Holmes mystery.

Interest book, bad recording

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