Pirate King

A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Laurie R. King’s books have received high praise from critics and have earned the Edgar, Creasey, Wolfe, Lambda, and Macavity awards. As Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes embark on their 11th adventure together, they find themselves immersed in the world of silent filmmaking. Here, the pirates are real—and unlike the shooting done with a camera, this sort can be deadly.

In England’s young silent-film industry, the megalomaniacal Randolph Fflytte is king. Nevertheless, at the request of Scotland Yard, Mary Russell is dispatched to investigate rumors of criminal activities that swirl around Fflytte’s popular movie studio. So Russell is traveling undercover to Portugal, along with the film crew that is gearing up to shoot a cinematic extravaganza, Pirate King. Based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, the project will either set the standard for moviemaking for a generation - or sink a boatload of careers.

Nothing seems amiss until the enormous company starts rehearsals in Lisbon, where the 13 blond-haired, blue-eyed actresses whom Mary is bemusedly chaperoning meet the swarm of real buccaneers Fflytte has recruited to provide authenticity. But when the crew embarks for Morocco and the actual filming, Russell feels a building storm of trouble: a derelict boat, a film crew with secrets, ominous currents between the pirates, decks awash with budding romance—and now the pirates are ignoring Fflytte and answering only to their dangerous outlaw leader. Plus, there’s a spy on board. Where can Sherlock Holmes be? As movie make-believe becomes true terror, Russell and Holmes themselves may experience a final fadeout.

Pirate King is a Laurie King treasure chest—thrilling, intelligent, romantic, a swiftly unreeling masterpiece of suspense.

Listen to another Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

©2011 Laurie R.King (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Just for fun

Not King's best, but a light-hearted romp for Mary Russell fans. The Pirates of Penzance, silent movies, sheiks and harems - a departure from the recent, very dark installments in the Russell/Holmes series. Suspend your disbelief and enjoy.

The usual fun trip

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.

Fun Russell & Holmes Story

Some of Laurie R. King's are quite serious and complicated. This story is entertaining, with dangerous considerations, complications, and some lighthearted parts. Especially, the moment when Holmes joins Russell; hilarious. There's pirates, a pirate ship, the open ocean, movie stars, directors, producers, exotic locations, there's even a parrot. And of course, mysteries to solve.

Not my favorite Mary Russell

Pirate King is the 11th Mary Russell book by Laurie R. King. I still like Mary Russell, but this wasn't my favorite book of hers.

Recap: Mary and Holmes are caught up in another adventure as Mary infiltrates a silent film company to investigate allegations of illegal activity.

Review: I am a huge Mary Russell fan. She's independent, she speaks seven languages, and she can throw a knife. However, this book does not showcase her many talents. Pirate King is subtitled "a novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes." Unfortunately, there is a lack of suspense, little Holmes, and even Mary is missing for a stretch.

The movie industry is one of my least favorite settings. I've seen these stock characters and standard situations before. I was hoping in a Mary Russell book some people might buck their stereotypes. Maybe the director could be accommodating or the female lead humble. No such luck. Even Mary falls into standard cliches as she travels and doesn't listen when her translator warns her about cultural differences. Listen to your informants, Mary. You're better than this.

The sections with Holmes were excellent, as always. I would have liked to have more time with him and Mary together. It would be great if they could just be home to see their day to day interactions.

Reading: For me Jenny Sterlin is Mary Russell. Her voice takes some getting used to. It's a bit gravelly, and she makes Mary a little more sarcastic than I picture her, but the reading is so energetic I just get swept away. This story had a couple British pronunciations I liked. Shiek is pronounced "shake" and harem "har-eem." It's always fun to learn a new language.

Final thoughts: For anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes or strong women characters

I do love this series!

If you are a Mary Russell fan, as I am, you will enjoy the new situation she finds herself in here. The storytelling is somewhat uneven, and it felt like it took a very long time to develop, and then suddenly, the story finished up very quickly, with a few loose ends that did not quite leave me satisfied. Being a "Pirates of Penzance" fan helped me understand some references that some folks might have missed. Narration was up to its usual excellent standard, and I can' imagine anyone else narrating any part of this series.

Less than previous, but good for fans

I have listened to ALL of the previous Mary Russell novels and appreciate having yet another to keep me going. This one took 20 chapters (half of the book!) before it got into anything resembling a Holmes/Russell novel, spending most of the time on the day to day happenings of a dysfunctional ~1920's film crew and cast. There was a more-than-typical nod to homosexuality in the previous century, which really didn't add much. I enjoyed the book as a whole, nevertheless, though it would probably not be very good for someone that has not listened to previous books. The first half was a little tedious. Thankfully, the same great narrator (Jenny Sterlin) has done all of the books!

A tad over the top but fun

Rollicking good fun as the author piles improbability upon unbelievable circumstance with silliness and unexpected turns of events. All in all excellent performance by the reader with a tongue placed firmly in her cheek.

Too many characters

Too many characters in this story without the depth or development of characters or places that other books in this series have had. I only read it through so that I could keep going in this series. 3 stars at best.

Boring!

I LOVE the Mary Russell series, don't get me wrong! I have literally been waiting for this book to come out but I a seriously disappointed. One of the things that I love about these books is the interaction between Holmes and Russell. This is really lacking in this book. Read it if you must, but do not start the series with this book- you won't continue.

Disappointed

Did Jenny Sterlin do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, I actually like her narration.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, but only because I see all Sherlock Holmes movies.

Any additional comments?

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series much more than this one. The story line of possible criminal activity amongst the crew of "a movie about a movie of Pirates of Penzance" was too much of a stretch, and for the first half of the book there was way too much Russell and way too little Sherlock Holmes. Too much exposition and not enough mystery solving. Hope the next one is better.