A Monstrous Regiment of Women: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

The Mary Russell Series, Book 2

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Nero Wolfe Award

It is 1921 and Mary Russell—Sherlock Holmes's brilliant apprentice, now an Oxford graduate with a degree in theology—is on the verge of acquiring a sizable inheritance. Independent at last, with a passion for divinity and detective work, her most baffling mystery may now involve Holmes and the burgeoning of a deeper affection between herself and the retired detective. Russell's attentions turn to the New Temple of God and its leader, Margery Childe, a charismatic suffragette and a mystic, whose draw on the young theology scholar is irresistible. But when four bluestockings from the Temple turn up dead shortly after changing their wills, could sins of a capital nature be afoot? Holmes and Russell investigate, as their partnership takes a surprising turn in A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King.

©1995 Laurie R. King (P)2008 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“The great marvel of King's series is that she's managed to preserve the integrity of Holmes's character and yet somehow conjure up a woman astute, edgy, and compelling enough to be the partner of his mind and as well as his heart. . . . Superb.” —The Washington Post Book World

“As audacious as it is entertaining and moving . . . What gives Laurie R. King's books such a rich and original texture is the character of Mary--totally believable in her own right, a tall and gangling orphan with a restless intellect and a great store of moral and physical courage.” —Chicago Tribune

“Extraordinary . . . A delight.” —The Washington Times

Great story; great presentation!

I had this book in physical form, and I was enjoyed it immensely. When we downsized our home, I couldn’t keep all of my books, so I took them to our little lending library. Now I’m getting audio books and am enjoying them immensely, especially Jenny Sperlin’s performances.

Another great listen in this series

If you enjoy any intellectual pursuit of the truth, Laurie King delivers. This novel makes good on exploring religion and gender dynamics in a time fraught with questionable leadership. At times I have been skeptical to engage with content containing an older male and younger female relationship, but the author deftly portrays the poise and resilience Mary Russell holds and restraint and respect Sherlock gives.

2nd Time Around, This Time Listening, Love all BUT

2nd Time Around (several new books since I last read the series), and this time I’m listening to the first ones instead of reading, which makes them all seem like new. Jenny Sterlin is *wonderful* and I love her narration! …BUT…she does pronounce some words very strangely, does she not? “Gri-mace-ing” at the taste of her cold cup of tea? (You’d think she’d get that one from old McDonald’s ads with the silly characters.) She often startles me with her pronunciations, making me wonder, ‘Can that really be the British pronunciation?’ Or is she simply a gifted actress who doesn’t herself have a terribly extensive vocabulary so she just isn’t familiar with some of the words? It just seems odd when Mary Russell is an Oxford-educated voraciously well-read prodigy.

Ah, well, that robs me of not one iota of enjoyment — I adore this book almost as much as I did the first one, although neither of these are as thrilling or contain quite as much fascinating (and still-relevant) history as my favorite “O Jerusalem”.

The only things that I might do without are the redundantly pointed quotes which begin each chapter. These lack any kind of subtlety and, indeed, my ears practically ring as I resign myself to be hit over the head again and again since the skip-fwd arrow goes 15 seconds too far ahead. Hmm…maybe that can be adjusted.

Anyway, in this series of Laurie R. King’s, I find that the voice of Mary Russell is even more fun to listen to than Watson’s. In fact, I have to admit that her lightning intelligence, skillful observational senses, physical prowess *and* her unparalleled ability to spar with Holmes lead me to rate these books even above Conan Doyle’s in some ways, though the originals are ever-familiar and always comforting with their well-loved voice and admirably-wound yarns.

But I have one more thing to add (the in-your-face quotation-hammer notwithstanding), which is that it’s almost impossible for a *woman* NOT to welcome these with at least as much delight as she ever did the originals, enjoy their viewpoint even more, and await the climax of each tale told in Mary’s unique strong voice with the certainty of a particularly female satisfaction. ;)

I hope you’re as thrilled and grateful to’ve come across these as I was. Happy reading!

Well done mysteries

Lori King, writes with excellent historical color, pitches her mystery at just the right level, where you can see what’s coming but not too soon, and has a fun story.

Very enjoyable

Would you consider the audio edition of A Monstrous Regiment of Women: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to be better than the print version?

I haven't red the print version. To say the truth English is my third language and I I'm trying to improve my skills by listening english literature. This one is demanding but so interesting that I'v listened to it twice to understand it better. I have been loving SH character since my childhood. Now I love a couple SH/MR:))

What other book might you compare A Monstrous Regiment of Women: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to and why?

I'm not sure.
I think that as a writer Laurie King is much better than Conan Doyle

What does Jenny Sterlin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

At first, when I listened in 0,5 speed I was tired of monotonous Jenny Sterlin voice. The second time with a standard speed it occured that JS did a fine work!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It wasn't easy reading for me but very satisfying.

Loved it!

I'm addicted to this series. Great stories, great characters, true enough to Conan Doyle but uniquely its own; narrator is terrific.

almost as good as the first

I don't want to spoil it for anyone but the struggle Mary went through figuring out her relationship with Holmes was a but of a far reach for me. The rest if the story I enjoyed. Marjory's character was also a well thought out and interesting one

fairly good

it's a pretty good story, unfortunately the narrator has a limited capacity to do voices. From time it becomes difficult to figure out who she is speaking as. Otherwise she's good.

Regiment: formalized group, seeking control

This was very interesting. Another continuation of women seeking independence after world war two, but with a hidden darkness undermining their ability to grow and thrive. Mary has much more to do here, Holmes lets this " be her case"

engaging fun!

Good pacing and lovely to hear about early 20th century London and women's power movements. Great narration , wonderful character development. a great deal of fun and who dunnit!