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

Call me greedy

As ever, my only complaint with Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series is that I want more. Having read all of the previous volumes, several in print as well as the audio versions, I, of course, downloaded this newest one on the day of its release. Although I would be hard pressed to name my favorite in the series, this is not it. Even so, that is merely an observation, not a criticism. This is still a highly enjoyable, if notably fanciful, story. A bit more participation by Holmes himself would have been welcome but the character of Russell can stand alone. Jenny Sterlin's narration was superlative, as ever. I look forward to more volumes in the series.

Witty, literate, and just plain fun

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.

really, it's ok to have a little fun

A departure to be sure, but kind of like taking a scenic route on a long arduous trip. Holmes and Russell have already worked at a brutal pace with their investigations, it was good to read a story that wasn't so dire at all times.

jolly roger good fun

This is a fanciful novel about an imaginary Russell memoir about an imaginary film, about another imaginary film, that is sort of about the real operetta, Pirates of Penzance. To enjoy it, you must love Russell solo since Holmes stayed at home for most of it. It's less mystery than light-hearted period tale with more humour than usual, especially considering the dark tone of the last two novels in the series. The publisher???s blurb again does injustice (written by someone who has seemingly not read the entire book?); It's not a "masterpiece of suspense" nor was intended to be. The novel and its title beg the question: Has King been indulging in a bit of playful literary piracy? Parts are reminiscent of Micheal Pearce and McCall Smith???s light, humorous mysteries. At least King doesn???t repeat herself --even her period details --silent film-making, sailing ships, descriptions of the cities of Lisbon and Sale-- are all fresh.

From the descriptions of this novel (Pirates of Penzance! story within a story within...), I wouldn't have downloaded it were I not a big Russel-Holmes fan -- but it is certainly worth a listen, though not a usual Russell-Holmes tale. (but is there a "usual" Russell-Holmes tale?)

A fun read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

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

Which character – as performed by Jenny Sterlin – was your favorite?

Why Mary of course.

Brought the Book to Life, Lighter Russell & Holmes

What did you love best about Pirate King?

Seeing Russell working on a mystery that was lighter with lest angst and the humorous situation she found herself in. It was light and fun, but still possessed an element of danger. The fewer, but intriguing connections with Holmes and Mycroft.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot engaged me, but it was a more relaxing read than the last few books in the series. It was a sleeper story just building with little bits here and there until the end. I missed the more intense story line that is usual for the series, but this was a nice breather after the angst and strong emotion of the last few books.

What about Jenny Sterlin’s performance did you like?

Everything! I want to listen to more of her work. She nailed Mary Russell in all her nuances, but I liked what she did with the other voices too. Her foreign accents were a bit rough, but not awful. I think conveying emotion and the rhythm of dialogue was superb.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This wasn't really the sort of story to be considered moving, but I suppose the excitement at the end would be the closest.

Any additional comments?

Though this story was rather different from the rest in the series, I still had a good time because it was Russell and Holmes. I enjoyed learning about early movie industry history and post war Portugal and Morocco. Won't be my favorite, but I have now found a new narrator to pursue.

not the best from Laurie r. king. disappointing

disappointing and stale story. if you want a story about filmmaking and pirate ships, its ok. if you want a Russell and Holmes thriller, skip ot

Slow

I was nearly ready to give up on this one but towards the end it finally got exciting. After the previous book it was a bit of a letdown.

Not really a mystery

This Mary Russell novel isn’t really a mystery. It is, however, lighthearted and a fun read, and as usual, Laurie R King takes us behind the scenes of early motion picture making that we don’t often visit.

I'm usually utterly captivated by these stories .

the story about pirates was intriguing but lacked her normal engaging style with the characters. the twist at the end came very late in the story and also lacked her normal exquisiteness.