OK whiners - get over it. It was time for King to have a bit of fun. This is a splendid romp -- a happy-dance through two iconic British set pieces that beg for satire: the world of Conan Doyle, and the world of Gilbert & Sullivan. King has earned the right to do something unexpected with her characters, in this case to let Russell do something just a little less grand (and stuffy) than saving the empire. And to do it on her own. On every page, King is asking us to bring a little more to the table as readers -- to contribute our own brains and education and sense of fun. Do we really have to care that Holmes isn't the big man in this? Isn't that what the series is about anyway? Russell? So, gentle readers, get over yourselves and dance this little gig -- just for fun.

I am gobsmasked!!! I have been blissfully pouring through the books in this series and, after the fabulous development of Book 8 and 9, this book is hurled into the mix. It seems to taint the rest of the series. Yes, that dreadful. The book reads more like a disappointing docu-drama about the making of a silent film with drab characters and boring plot lines. How could anyone make pirates boring??? Well, this book manages to do just that. For anyone reading this series for the first time - do yourself a huge favor and omit this book. It is insulting to the reader and to the characters of Holmes, Russell and even Mycroft. What a shame to include such an inferior book in this great series.

Mary goes solo.

I enjoyed the different flavor of this novel as compared to the previous volumes. Mary was more on-her-own then the other stories where Sherlock and she were often separated for a short time but very much on the same case and he was in the lead. This case was all her own and I enjoyed seeing how King let her shine in her own right.

I have enjoyed Sterlin's performances and find them an integral part of my experience in the Mary Russell stories.

As in the other books, Mary grows in her knowledge of herself and her abilities as an investigator. But in this story she was learning from her own evaluation of her experiences instead of Sherlock???s tutoring. Her discovery of Edith as a boy and Anne as the inside man at first shocked her self confidence but after reflection she adjusted her image by herself. This is the main reason I like King???s stories. While Sherlock is the ???I???m always right??? man, Mary is willing to adjust her opinion of herself and the world around her to fit what she has learned in the situation she has gone through. Females have always been the better adjusters to change while men often falter from their insistence that their values must fit the situation and not the other way around.

I am egerly awaiting King's next novel.

I have enjoyed this series -- really respectful of the Sherlock Holmes mythology, but with a feminine twist -- so I always look forward to a new Mary Russell. This one, however, was missing something for me. Probably Sherlock -- he's barely there! The characters aren't compelling or particularly well drawn and the mystery is pretty predictable. Just not as good as others in the series. If you're starting out on Laurie R. King, try an earlier adventure. If you are a fan, I'd recommend getting this one to read from the library and saving your credit or money for another listen.

The first half of the book was very confusing. I only hung on because I have loved her other Mary Russell offerings. The second half did improve but as a whole, this was my least favorite volume.

I have loved all of her previous books,not so this one. Very thin plot, little happens. While her writing is still good the story was weak. Don't waste your time, I'm sure her next will be an improvement .

Not the best Mary Russell story as it is a bit light hearted and lacking in sophistication, but the usual magic of Laurie R. King comes through. Audible has a great narrator for these stories, so I'm always pleased.

While this story remains in the mystery genre, Ms King, to my great delight, actually introduces humor to this book and her protagonists' characters. If you already like the series, this is a wonderful addition. If you're iffy on the series, this one might make a believer of you.

Judging by the rating this book's narrator has received, I seem to be pretty much alone with the difficulty I experienced. My problem was that much of the time when the movie director was speaking, I would picture Sherlock in my mind. The narrator did not seem to be able to create a significant difference in their voices.

Nice reading. Have read the other Holmes books by Ms King and this was more whimsical.

Why Mary of course.