• The God of the Hive

  • A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
  • By: Laurie R. King
  • Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
  • Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,125 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The God of the Hive  By  cover art

The God of the Hive

By: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Laurie R. King enjoys immense popularity and a resounding chorus of critical acclaim for her exquisite mysteries. The God of the Hive continues the thread King began in The Language of Bees, in which Mary Russell and her famous husband, Sherlock Holmes, face trouble with Scotland Yard and the deadliest of adversaries.

©2010 Laurie R. King (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Using short chapters and wielding her virtual pen like a burnished sword, King allows readers to race through this gloriously complex second half of last year’s Language of Bees. Sherlock Holmes is trying to get his gravely wounded son, the artist Damien Adler, out of England. Holmes’ wife, Mary Russell, is trying to protect Estelle, Damien’s small daughter. Mycroft Holmes, recovering from a heart attack, suddenly goes missing....all of it makes for utterly absorbing reading." ( Booklist)
“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 as well as his heart.” ( Washington Post Book World)

What listeners say about The God of the Hive

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,342
  • 4 Stars
    552
  • 3 Stars
    143
  • 2 Stars
    49
  • 1 Stars
    39
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,249
  • 4 Stars
    290
  • 3 Stars
    88
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    12
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,078
  • 4 Stars
    395
  • 3 Stars
    122
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    22

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A new favorite

I am enamored with this series & love how each book is narrated. However this one truly captured me and I couldn’t ‘put it down’ or more literal, couldn’t turn it off. Definitely a new favorite - thank you Laurie R King & Jenny Sterlin!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary!

None better than this one, yet I was surprised when I began it to realize it was a continuation of the previous mystery. (And so happy to have more of this story!!!) I do believe what I’ve heard about Mary Russell taking over Laurie Kings’ writing. (Hope she’ll come to Austin Tx and do an authors presentation!) Unlike a previous reviewer- I’m Not disappointed when Mary’s character dominates the series. Never enjoyed Sherlock Holmes mysteries at all but found Elizabeth George’s series fascinating! I also love John Sandford’s excellent development of characters who repeat through most of his Lucas Davenport and Virgil series. They’re also well presented. Newest (to me) author I’ve enjoyed is Lee Child - each of these authors create stories from people who are more interesting and capable, bizarrely engaged by entertaining mysteries that I find more fun than myself, friends or family. I go to them to get lost in other worlds (though I love my meaningful life.) “Escapist” fiction still keeps me aware of a world genuinely filled with horrors and courageous acts, heartrending and bizarre stories of very human people. I’m loving reading all her books in order though I admit I was frustrated to go back to her journey in Israel when she’d already gone forward in time… I got over it. I’m in awe. Truly Laurie King listens to her characters and SHE MUST BE BRILLIANT to be able to express the thoughts as well as actions of this British couple and their international encounters!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Wonderful Read

I love Laurie King's books. She is a great writer. The narrator is very good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Masterpiece!

The complexity really adds to the mystery, as Ms King slowly reveals the various narrators. I’ve listened to this series many, many times, and over the years, God of the Hive has become one of my favorites.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Gem

Since discovering this series, I have read the 10 books (thus far) in rapid succession. And the tales continue...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional

I’m a fan of the series but I thought this set Language of Bees and God of the Hive are an exceptionally good story. It’s a two volume story be sure to start with the Language of Bees. It’s a complex mystery and she does a wonderful job of keeping all the moving pieces in the air until the final conclusion.

I particularly like listening to these books because the narrator does a superb job.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed Hive very much, good conclusion to

Language of Bees duology. Exciting, fast- paced, well-told, with a comedy of really interesting new characters, & character development. Opens many good doors for future Sherlock tales and/or spin-offs. King writes the best non Doyle penned Holmes stories extant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A joy to read

As always, Laurie kings stories of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes do not disappoint. Her talent for developing characters, weaving a complex and lush plot and eloquently describing the complexities of thought and action are wonderfully satisfying. Keep them coming please!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Great One!

Such a satisfying story in every way. King and Sterlin, like Holmes and Russell, are an unbeatable duo. Sterlin IS Mary Russell, as she brings out every delicious morsel of the story for us all to savor - like one of Mrs. Hudson's famous scones.


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best one ive read in a while...

fantastic. couldnt put it down. narrator excellent as usual. expanded on characters depth. looking forward to next book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!