A Monstrous Regiment of Women

Wow, what a book with all the research done to be able to set it in a period of time with all the nuances of each person and environment. Laurie R. King is truly an artist and love listening to Mary and her experiences with Sherlock. Not just anyone could spin such tales to continue to interest us in the continuing life and times of Holmes and then to add Mary with all her past and future. Just keep'm coming.

This second Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes mystery was satisfying in every way. As Mary reaches adulthood and comes into her fortune, she must also decide whether she wants to remain a solitary scholar or enter into a partnership that she never expected. She and Holmes must find out who is at the root of several mysterious deaths of wealthy young women who belong to a women's advocacy and religious group. Several things happen in this story which leave Mary reeling: Is there romance in her future? Did she witness a miracle? Will she survive long enough to find out who wants her and her new friends dead? I stayed on the edge of my seat until the very end. The narrator, Jenny Sterlin, did a great job with both male and female voices. I hope you enjoy this tale as much as I did.

Not my favorite of the series, but it does provide certain plot points that move the romance between Russell and Holmes along. I read it long ago, and I'm glad I went ahead and bought it here to revisit. I found that Jenny Sterlin's narration worked well in this book -- perhaps because of the way the book is paced. Jenny Sterlin's "voices" (of the characters) are now so familiar, I think I'd miss them if she wasn't there. I just wish she would read action scenes (in books like O'Jeruselm) with a little more verve, but perhaps that's not her style -- or is she bowing to the advancing age of Holmes? He doesn't seem to be slowing down, so why should she?

King is a good writer but does not tell an interesting story. I read "Beekeepers Apprentice" and thought that the "case" was weak but chalked that up to using half the book to introduce the characters and build the relationship. That was not necessary in this book but still takes 5 hours to get to a crime. Once again, the case is resolved on its own and all that the detectives had to do was wait until the end and the bad guys reveal themselves. It seems as though the ending would not be any different if the two just sat and drank tea until the last chapter. Their intellects and skill sets change things very little. Even though the idea of a female partner for Holmes is an intriguing idea, a detective story needs both detection and story. This will be my last King.

Interesting Concept, but twisted character development. Wouldn't have bought it if I'd known or seen it coming.

I would absolutely recommend this to a friend. The story and narration are great.

Yes. The mystery is complex and developed.

She does a great job performing multiple voices.

The ending. I wont spoil it.

An excellent story. Good development of the main character and supporting cast.
Very satisfying as a follow-up to Ms. Kings "The Beekeepers Apprentice".

Loved this book so was happy to see it from Audible. The narrator does a grand job, and this is one of my favorites of the series. Here, Mary and Holmes share the story and are, as usual, a fascinating couple. King has a deft touch with her presentation of women's lot at the turn of the 20th century. Here she deals with women whose strength doesn't always carry over from their public to their private lives. Enjoyed the characters and the story.

I am not a fan of mysteries, but Mary Russell has captured my heart and imagiantion --good narrative, quirky characters, decent prose and rich period detail (and no bodice ripping or graphic violence).

I am half way through the series and my only regret is that I did not read the books in the order in which they were written. I think that would have made the listening even better.

Some reviewers have commented on a lack of character development but I think reading the books in order helps solve that (though of course King isn't trying to be Proust! And I do not wish to read Proust on summer holidays.)

I look forward to the three remaining novels and hope Ms King keeps the series going - All my life I wondered how folks could read about that boring Holmes bloke; now I want to read Conan Doyle to see if his younger Holmes is related to the lovely curmudgeon King imagines as the ageing detective caught in a changing world.

This book is a good deal about bible studies and people I don't care about. The "mystery" is rather thin soup and a bit of an after thought. Too much about too little. Further, Holmes is AWOL much of the book.