A fabulous new take on Sherlock Holmes

This is Laurie King’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes in his later life as a secondary character to his apprentice, Mary Russell. I was pleasantly surprised and I believe I am addicted to the Mary Russell series. I downloaded the second book of the series within moments of finishing this book.

I had misgivings about reading this. I love Doyle’s Sherlock and I was worried that King’s interpretation would make me unhappy. So, with trepidation and after recommendations from both my parents and my niece, I picked it up. My niece and I enjoy discussing some YA fiction and as a result I was expecting something on that level. I had made a terrible assumption based on this and forgot that she is an extremely precocious 13 year-old who loves and chooses to read Shakespeare…repeatedly. She sometimes speaks in old english and I have to ask for translations. This is not YA fiction. This is a PG adult mystery, and it is wonderful.

Laurie King did a very intelligent thing. She stated, as Mary Russell our first person point of view, that her interpretation of Holmes was likely to offend or upset a reader who is looking for Watson’s interpretation. Her view of Holmes is quite different, it is the view of an equal, and Watson never viewed himself as Holmes equal. This allowed me, as the reader, to let that go. Bravo Laurie King!

This is the story of how a young woman, recently orphaned and forced to live with a detestable distant Aunt, becomes the Apprentice of the great Sherlock Holmes. The book develops their friendship through her training. Holmes is still endearingly odd, but he is not seen from a pedestal. This is a coming of age story through several mysteries brought to Holmes and Russell while she is going to school at Oxford. Russell grows from the age of 16 to 18 during the span of the novel and Holmes is in his 50′s. Their relationship is not romantic.

The writing is beautiful and spoiled me. I picked up a distinctly YA paranormal romance after this and abandoned it promptly because I couldn’t read it. I couldn’t be fair. My expectations had been raised. King did a fabulous job of staying true to her characters voice, time frame, and local. In comparison, I kept seeing where this other author threw in a few words to try to make it authentic to the local and then would forget and dispense with them. It nearly drove me to madness and I had to remember this was a new author. I will try to read it again later.

Jenny Sterlin's narration is wonderful. Her voice perfectly matches the material. Her accents were wonderful and her character differentiation was superb. My preference will be to listen rather than read this series. I don’t think my internal voice could do it justice after listening to her interpretation.

As for ‘The Beekeepers Apprentice’, it was a wonderful period piece during and right after World War I. It allows the reader to enjoy Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Hudson, and Watson with a fabulous addition of Mary Russell.

119 people found this helpful

Need denture adhesive

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jenny Sterlin?

A problem with modern recording equipment: you hear every detail. In this case, Jenny Sterlin needs a better denture adhesive. Throughout the recording, you hear the clicks and pops of what seem to be dentures not quite glued tight.

It might be something else... some unusual saliva buildup or something I don't know. It is enough that it is difficult to ignore.

You want to ignore it, because Sterlin's performance is very good and so is the book. I'm not sure I'll get further books in the series, unless I listen to the previews and find this problem corrected.

36 people found this helpful

Great mystery!

Would you listen to The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen again? Why?

I don't tend to re-listen (re-read) books because I want to read something new. That said, I couldn't put this one down. I tend to listen while walking the dog or on longer drives; this book made me want to extend the walk or plan a long car trip, just to be able to keep listening!

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Mary Russell, of course, although I thoroughly enjoyed Laurie King's version of Sherlock Holmes. Mary (or I should say Russell) was written as an independent girl/woman, which I will attribute somewhat to her US upbringing. I liked the way she played off of Holmes. Their camaraderie was very nicely portrayed, as well as the influence Holmes has on her development.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't know if I can pick one favorite scene. The description of their first meeting sticks vividly in my mind - I can almost see the hill, and the bees with their spots of color, and Mary carefully taking it all in, figuring out what is happening, and then surprising Holmes with her understanding.

Any additional comments?

The narration/performance was marvelous. I left wanting more - and was delighted to find that here is more!

30 people found this helpful

Content good but narrator's dry mouth ruined it

YUCK! The narrator's dry mouth and associated smacking sounds were very distracting. If the book had been less entertaining, I would have returned it because of the narrator.

28 people found this helpful

Fun!

I loved the premise and character development but couldn't help at times feeling the author 'dumbed down' Sherlock to make Russell shine. But even so it kept my attention and interest. I didn't care for the narrator for this book, a bit to mature-sounding. She portrayed Sherlock with a nasal high-pitched tone that didn't appeal at all. And there were constant little clicks, could have been a poor recording, but to me sounded like the narrator had a case of dry mouth. Really distracting. Seems like the clicks could be edited out..,

25 people found this helpful

My All Time Favorite Book!

I have read this book more times then I care to count. As an audiobook, this is one of the best I've ever heard. It also serves as a great example of how to correctly narrate an audiobook.

One of my favorites scenes takes place as they race along roads to solve a crime:

"Russell, if you decide to take up Grand Prix racing, do ask Watson to do your navigating. This is just his métier."

"Why, Holmes, do you have doubts about my driving?"

"No, Russell, I freely admit that when it comes to your driving abilities, I have no doubts whatsoever. The doubts I have are concerned with the other end of our journey. The question of our arrival, for one thing."

"And what we shall find when we get there?"

"That too, but it is perhaps not of such immediate concern. Russell, did you see that tree back there?"

"Yes, a fine old oak, wasn't it?"

"I hope it still is," he muttered.

Now imagine that in a "high, biting voice" for Holmes and an almost sarcastic, blasé, lower female voice for Russell and you have an inkling of how funny this section is.

If you love mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, and historical settings; I'd give this series a try. Jenny Sterlin gives the perfect voice to so many of these characters. She captures Holmes' voice just as the author describes it and is also able to fill in the right accents and more. No matter how many times I've read or listened to this, I can't wait to turn the next page or listen to the next minute - even though I know exactly what's going to happen.

23 people found this helpful

Curious, fascinating read

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The book itself is interesting, well written, and it kept my attention. The only downside was the narrator. She was constantly making dry mouth noises which was distracting. I could also hear background noises of other people talking.

20 people found this helpful

The Retired Sherlock Holmes

At the price of $4.95 I thought I would try this book. It's actually quite good. Sherlock Holmes now retired to the countryside. He can't give up on crime solving so takes on a new assistant, Mary, a young woman. Dr. Watson is living in London. The story is told from her viewpoint. The stories themselves are not that exciting, but the female narration is quite excellent. The book would appeal to women and teens who have never experienced Sherlock Holmes before. For the price you can't go wrong with this one. I see that it is a series, but I am not sure I would go must past first book. However, other listeners may get hooked and may want to continue on.

17 people found this helpful

Just My Style . . . Loved it!

I'm not ordinarily a big Sherlock Holmes fan, I'm not addicted to the movies . . . but something about this book attracted me from the beginning . . . excellent writing, great sleuthing, and the relationship that develops between the "retired" Holmes and Mary is amazing . . . not sappy, not fake, not at all what you would expect. That's what makes this series so spectacular . . . what a team they make!

16 people found this helpful

18 year old gilr as good as Mr. Holmes

What would have made The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen better?

a more REAL character.

What was most disappointing about Laurie R. King’s story?

She talks about learning but all we hear is how good she already is and all the BLAH BLAH BLAH all about me me me and how good I am blah blah blah....

What three words best describe Jenny Sterlin’s performance?

very very dry (but she didn't have much to work with)

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

Hate to be all negative so I will end on this positive note, I am glad I got it on sale.

11 people found this helpful