The Lantern's Dance

A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (Mary Russell Mysteries, Book 18)

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Amy Scanlon

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, hoping for a respite in the French countryside, are instead caught up in a case that turns both bewildering and intensely personal

After their recent adventures in Transylvania, Russell and Holmes look forward to spending time with Holmes' son, the famous artist Damian Adler, and his family. But when they arrive at Damian’s house, they discover that the Adlers have fled from a mysterious threat.

Holmes rushes after Damian while Russell, slowed down by a recent injury, stays behind to search the empty house. In Damian’s studio, she discovers four crates packed with memorabilia related to Holmes’ grand-uncle, the artist Horace Vernet. It’s an odd mix of treasures and clutter, including a tarnished silver lamp with a rotating shade: an antique yet sophisticated form of zoetrope, fitted with strips of paper whose images dance with the lantern’s spin.

In the same crate is an old journal written in a nearly impenetrable code. Intrigued, Russell sets about deciphering the intricate cryptograph, slowly realizing that each entry is built around an image—the first of which is a child, bundled into a carriage by an abductor, watching her mother recede from view.

Russell is troubled, then entranced, but each entry she decodes brings more questions. Who is the young woman who created this elaborate puzzle? What does she have to do with Damian, or the Vernets—or the threat hovering over the house?

The secrets of the past appear to be reaching into the present. And it seems increasingly urgent that Russell figure out how the journal and lantern are related to Damian—and possibly to Sherlock Holmes himself.

Could there be things about his own history that even the master detective does not perceive?

©2024 Laurie R. King (P)2024 Recorded Books

A fun historical romp!

First, a word about the new narrator: let me ease any worries you might have. The tragic death of Jenny Stirlin who voiced all other books was a great loss to this series. But the new narrator, Amy Scanlon, does a wonderful job, especially with Mary and the secondary characters. I’m not quite enamored with her voice for Sherlock, but it’s not bad. Just not what I’m used to. And to be fair, it took me a couple of books to warm to Jenny’s voice for him. So, don’t worry, listeners, Amy Scanlon does a fine job!!

Now for the story: I loved the glimpses of India we get from Mary’s translation of the mystery notebook! It was interesting to watch this person’s life unfold. I do have to say, however, I figured out who the writer was by about the third section Mary translated. But this didn’t take away any of the enjoyment from the rest of the book. I loved how Ms. King wove history together with modern events and persons. I won’t give anything away, other than to say we learn a lot more about Sherlock’s side of the family! And Ms. King did a great job of making sure these revelations jibe with the original Holmesian lore. Bravo!

Overall very fun, with much less action and danger than some previous books, which was a nice respite.

RIP Jenny Sterlini , but Fantastic New Narrator

I was saddened to learn why the usually narrator of this series did not narrate this book. They did an excellent job in choosing a worthy new voice for Mary Russell. I think it brings a whole new perspective to have a narrator who is closer in age to our main character at this point in her life.

This particular entry in the series is also one of my favorites with a great ad interesting plot with some fun twists I admittedly guessed ahead of time.

Worth waiting for!

Ok I admit it - I grieved when the narrator was not Jenny Sterlin. She is an impossible act to follow although the narrator did a good job. The story is wonderful and the ending joyous. Another triumph! Worth waiting for!

Glorious! Worth the wait!

I needed to make two adjustments to how I approached this story in order to see it for the lustrous gem that it is. I had to adjust to a new narrator (R.I.P., Jenny Sterlin), and I had to be patient at the beginning. The narration improves as the story unfolds, and the unfolding does not disappoint! Give it time and you will be well rewarded. Can you guess who wrote the journal before Mary Russell tells us? Get ready for a soul-satisfying read!

Confusion

I was very disappointed. Too many Contrived situations. Repeated confrontations that went on too long. It became boring. The final denouement was just plain silly.

A wonderful addition to the series

I love the Mary Russell series. This one has some new family history. The new narrator did a great job.

Everything tied up in a bow

Russel and Holmes go to visit Sherlock’s son in France to find on their arrival that there has been a break in at Damian’s house and he and his family have fled fearing it is a return of a past enemy. While Sherlock works to find out who has broken into the house, Russel suffering from a sprained ankle stays at Damian’s house finding an old journal which brings an interesting story but who wrote the journal.

A great new addition to Mary Russell stories

A very interesting backstory to the Holmes family, and the character development of the members of that family. The action/adventure involving Russel & Holmes is minimal. I’d prefer more, but I’m not sure how it would fit in. As for narration, hearing a different voice was actually distracting. Amy Scantin is good, but I do miss Jenny Sterlin.

so good!

Excellent installment in the Russell/Holmes stories. They're all hard to put down, but this one in particular I had to listen to straight through.

Ms. King is an amazing writer. You get such a sense of time and place in this book, and can feel what the characters are feeling. Can't ask for more than that!

The new narrator is perfect. She's an excellent actress and you forget you're listening to one person instead of all these different voices.

Read or listen and enjoy!

Love this series

The writing and performance are superb, but I confess that the storyline of the tangled branches of the family tree was a bit hard to follow in audio.