The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 1

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The Twentieth-Anniversary Edition of the First Novel of the Acclaimed Mary Russell Series by Edgar Award–Winning Author Laurie R. King.

An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee • Named One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).

This program includes a preface read by the author.

©1994 Laurie R. King (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Agatha Award, Best Novel Nominee

“Wonderfully original and entertaining . . . absorbing from beginning to end.” —Booklist

“King has stepped onto the sacred literary preserve of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poached Holmes, and brilliantly brought him to life again.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A fascinating and often moving account of a friendship so unusual and so compelling that one almost accepts it as being historically real.” —The Denver Post

Takes Sherlock Holmes one step further

What did you love best about The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen?

I loved the evolving relationship between two brilliant people, regardless of age.

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

In the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes novels, one can never tell what twist or turn the story will take next. The variety of settings and unique characters (even the villains) are very intriguing and take you where you aren't expecting to go.

Have you listened to any of Jenny Sterlin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Jenny Sterlin is very accomplished in her portrayal of different types of voices. I've felt in this novel as well as others narrated by her, that she IS all the different characters and I am right there in the story with her.

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

I don't know if I could classify any feeling about this book as "extreme". More than anything I found the growing tenderness between the young Mary Russell and the aging mentor, Sherlock Holmes, very touching and I delighted in how they challenged each others' minds.

Any additional comments?

I really adore the early Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes novels enormously. They are such a different take on the old Conan-Doyle stories, which may annoy the avid Sherlock Holmes purists. However, as a female, I love the idea of a woman who can match "the Master Detective" clue by clue, experiment by experiment, observation by observation and be an essential part of a unique team.

a wonderful way to pass the time

It can think! a great read and even better shared with a friend. I really enjoyed it.

Pleasantly Surprised

I was not expecting to fall in love with this book and the characters, but i did! I'm so excited to jump into this series. It was very captivating and exciting

Wonderfully Holmesian

If you could sum up The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen in three words, what would they be?

Warm, Intellectual, Renewing

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

I was not on the edge of my seat but definitely enthralled. That is the one place the author went wrong; she should have kept a few clues back to as to make the reader worry more about how the end will turn out.

Have you listened to any of Jenny Sterlin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but she was an excellent choice. I would listen to her again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I think they did! Was Mr. Homes, starring Ian McKlellan, based on this book?

Any additional comments?

Definitely reinvigorated the Holmes series. It felt like a warm return to a classic. Excellent.

Great story and love the interplay of characters.

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

Would listen again to see how the clues unfolded that I missed the first time around. The Beekeeper's Apprentice

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen?

the moment Mary Russell meets Holmes sets up their partnership from the beginning is spot on. The Beekeeper's Apprentice

perhaps the best of the series

I loved the Mary Russell series from start to latest volume. And Jenny Sterlin's narration has done a great deal to shape my sense of the characters. This first one remains my favorite, i think. This is genre fiction at its smartest.

Such fun! Narration takes a bit of time to get used to.

Nostalgic! This was one of those books that I stumbled upon many years ago in my school library, and was pleasantly surprised by the spin on the classic Sherlock Holmes. Mary is insightful and delightfully genuine, an authentic character that doesn’t feel forced or flat - but a woman who can hold her own in partnership with Sherlock. What I love moreso is her humanity and struggles with insecurities that make her seem like more than just a paper counterpart.
The story was SUCH fun, and held my attention throughout (if only the beginning was a bit slow, but necessary!) I knocked off a star because of the narration for Sherlock, which...takes a bit to get used to. Sherlock’s voice is described as having a high, haughty, and aristocratic lilt to it (which the narrator took to mean sounding a little bit nasally like Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series (now you can’t get it out of your mind can you!!!)) but after nearly 3 hours of listening to it - the voice grew on me quite a bit! Other than that, thoroughly enjoyed it!

new favorite book

I loved this book. I couldn't go even a few mins without reading it. Great.

Wonderful continuation of the Holmes stories

The introduction of the new protégée of Sherlock Holmes is a very clever and believable continuation of the much loved stories. I particularly enjoyed the different perspective we see of the renowned detective from Mary - a tender side to him that is entirely plausible when taking this relationship in to account. The plot line was tight and kept me interested from the beginning through to the end. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

A wonderful book! Get it!!

True enough, I am a life-long Sherlock Holmes fan, so let that be understood. I LOVED this book, with it’s highly intelligent writing and such beautiful prose that more than once I laughed aloud and more than once I cried. I found the writer and the narrator to both be EXCELLENT. Thank you Audible, Laurie R. King, and Jennie Sterling!!