The Game: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

I have read several installments in this series (not in order), but this is my least favorite. Perhaps because Holmes and Russell are taken away from their usual haunts of Sussex and London, or perhaps because the secondary characters just weren't engaging. Starlin delivers, as always, but this volume isn't on par with the rest of the series.

I love how Ms King can take me to other places and times so perfectly. It is as though she has traveled there and then herself. Add to that the mystery and fun and you have a wonderful story. Jenny Sterlin is superb as always, a real pleasure to listen to. I was sorry when it ended.

I love Sterlin's narration (I think of it as an older Russell writing of her youth) and I really enjoyed most other titles in this series, but I did not enjoy the bulk of this listen --i.e. REPEATED and long descriptions of nocturnal escapes from the same guarded palace (Did I miss humour in this, or...?) Also - the period setting did not seem as authentic as in other installments--Or perhaps my expectations of Russell and Holmes taking on the Empire's "Game" in post-Kipling India were just too high.

If you do not plan to listen to the entire series, this might be one to skip or pick up in print for quicker perusing.

I enjoyed this book, and it builds pace and accelerates, so be prepared to plod through much of the first half of the book. But then, some unexpected twists and turns and some real danger for our duo, it becomes a very exciting mystery. The solution was excellent. Bravo, Laurie King. I went out and bought the audio book of Rudyard Kipling's KIM after this.

Laurie King is a superb writer and this latest addition is one of her best. If you love a good Sherlock Holmes mystery you will be enchanted with this 1920 intrigue set in British India. Mary Russell, Holmes' associate, partner and wife, is a good counterpart for the detective post Watson. I really enjoyed this audible book.

Interesting, Good, Uncomfortable

Yes, I already have and, for the most part, enjoy this series.

Excellent voice control and distinctive characters.

N/A

Ms. King likes to tickle the uncomfortable edge of the illicit - not what I read her stories for.

I love this series, but the narrator's voice makes me think less of a clever, witty 20-something young woman and more of a grisled, prissy old lady. She makes Holmes sound mean and boring. I feel badly for Laurie King, who deserves better! Listening to this piece has me making faces and snide retorts at the end of most paragraphs.