Preview
  • 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
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (5,861 ratings)

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

By: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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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

Featured Article: The Sherlock Holmes Universe, Explained


The world’s most famous detective almost didn’t survive the 19th century! In our shared joy of finding a new corner of the Sherlock Holmes universe, Holmes fandom appeared inextricable from the universe it helped to build. Fans encouraged keeping the Holmes narrative alive in the 19th century; fan devotion fueled the Sherlock Holmes universe of book, film, TV, streaming, audio, and more. In the 21st century, the game has never been more afoot!

What listeners say about The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Delightful

What a lovely book. History, favorite literary characters, strong female coming of age story. Absolutely endearing. I can’t wait to read or listen to the next!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

New View of Sherlock Holmes

Interesting new view of Sherlock Holmes, from the perspective of a female version of Sherlock who first met him when she was 15 and he was retired.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Everything one could hope for!

I very seldom give 5 stars in every category, however this book merits them. I could hardly stop listening.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Bee utiful book

Sherlock Holmes was a fictional character but this book was as if he lived on , still as brilliant as in Arthur Conan Doyles stories. He was a crafty, elderly man who meets his match in a female Oxford student. Good plot, very compelling story and exceptional reader!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Audio Book Production

Even if you’re not a fan of the Sherlock Holmes/Conan Doyle world, you will find this a refreshing story of girl coming of age in irregular circumstances and helping to solve a few mysteries on the way. Very gratifying.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fifth or sixth? And it is still one of my favorite books.

This book was recommended to me by a beloved book seller in Boston in 1994 when it first came out. It was a hard cover, so I had to think about a few minutes about buying it but I am glad I did. I’ve just listen to this again for the sixth time because I’m getting ready to listen to the last three episodes in this series. It’s a great listen and I’ll highly recommend it both for the text in the book as well as the audible narration are excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Highly recommend !!

Loved it. Especially in audible. The narration added lots of humor. Looking forward to reading the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fun clean read for Holmes' fans

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

A glimpse of Holmes as a person with a heart in addition to wit and intelligence.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mary Russell, the young orphaned heroine of the story who displays courage and heart.

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

She did a great job of reading it using different voices for different characters which is a treat if you are driving and want to be entertained.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Good but drawn out

This went a bit too detailed and long for my tastes, but for a dedicated Sherlock Holmes fan you might feel otherwise. I enjoyed the story of a “retired” Holmes and what would happen to him as he “mellowed.” If you can really say he ever slowed down.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Ok. The start was very interesting.

In the beginning of the book it was very interesting. By the end it is very very boring. The narrator has a annoying voice.

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1 person found this helpful