A Letter of Mary: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

The Mary Russell Series, Book 3

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

The third book in the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes series. It is 1923. Mary Russell Holmes and her husband, the retired Sherlock Holmes, are enjoying the summer together on their Sussex estate when they are visited by an old friend, Miss Dorothy Ruskin, an archeologist just returned from Palestine.

She leaves in their protection an ancient manuscript which seems to hint at the possibility that Mary Magdalene was an apostle - an artifact certain to stir up a storm of biblical proportions in the Christian establishment. When Ruskin is suddenly killed in a tragic accident, Russell and Holmes find themselves on the trail of a fiendishly clever murderer. Brimming with political intrigue, theological arcana, and brilliant Holmesian deductions.

©1996 Laurie R. King (P)2007 Recorded Books

Sherlock, Mary Russell, & Mary Magdalene....what?

When I finished King’s second novel in this series, ‘A Monstrous Regiment of Women,’ I was left a bit uncomfortable and unhappy. King had always kept Mary and Sherlock’s relationship as a mentor and one of a guardian. At the end of that book Sherlock proposes. Their relationship while strained and questioning in the book hadn’t been romantic, but Mary had turned 21 and their relationship caused questions, especially when traveling together.

My first response was that King was throwing in a needless romance and I was unhappy. Reading this series for me, however, is a family affair. My ever practical and precocious niece was put in the position where she had to educate her aunt(kindly of course.) She reminded me that I was judging the time of the book by present day values. I needed to remember that Sherlock and Mary could not continue working together without causing scandal and destroying Mary’s reputation. A marriage between a twenty-one year old woman and a fifty year old confirmed bachelor out of mutual respect rather than love was far more respectable than working alone together unchaperoned. My niece, of course, was absolutely correct. This, then thirteen year old is extremely smart, and her valuable insight allowed me to once again respect King’s skill and intelligence as a writer.

This settled, I picked up ‘A Letter to Marry,’ with an audible sigh of contentment. This book starts with a visit from an elderly scholar and friend they had met in Palestine in book one. She gave a generous gift of a papyrus believed to have genuinely been written by Mary Magdalene. You can imagine how this would enrage and turn the academic community upside down if validated. Shortly, after their friend departs company she did in an automobile accident and dies. Foul play can not be ruled out, and Sherlock weedles Mary away from her research to investigate the cause of death.

King did a wonderful job. I read mysteries frequently to escape. I’m not generally looking for an overly intelligent masterpiece but King is an exception to that rule. She provides an intelligent and exciting read. She creates a mystery I rarely guess the outcome of and a fabulously accurate piece of historical fiction as well. If you like Sherlock Holmes pick this up; if you enjoy pre WW II historical fiction pick this up; if you enjoy a fictionalized study of sociological gender roles and the human mind pick this up. I’m sounding like a broken record. I recommend you read it, but remember the series starts with ‘The Beekeepers Apprentice.’

Why I gave the story line a 4

Would you consider the audio edition of A Letter of Mary: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to be better than the print version?

I really like listening to books while I knit and crochet so I liked the audio version. There were a couple of passages I might have skimmed in the print version where the author waxed a little too philosophical for my taste.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It was a good plot and I enjoyed it but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

What about Jenny Sterlin’s performance did you like?

Her performance was great. I love listening to the British accent.

Another brilliant story

I really enjoy all of Arthur Conan Doyle's marvelous works and am not easily impressed with the modern Sherlock Holmes stories. But . . .
Laurie King has broken through my tough facade to allow me to totally accept her way of interpreting the Conan Doyle stories by successfully incorporating the much younger, less traveled yet extremely brilliant Mary Russell as his partner and wife! Unbelievable under the guise of the original story line yet believable in his older age with his partner Watson unable to adventure with him.
The stories are all incredibly diverse, very well researched and presented in such a manner as to keep the reader involved and anticipating the next development in the case.
Hurrah! Laurie King! Long may you Write!

Laurie King is The King

Would you consider the audio edition of A Letter of Mary: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes to be better than the print version?

That's not a fair question. Prefer to compare one reader to another reader. I do not hear that Audible understands this, OR they should constantly remind those of us that an excellent narrator-performer produces an extension of the story, another layer to the art form.

What did you like best about this story?

It is what I like best about Laurie King. She can tell as good a story as A.C.Doyle. She has expanded Sherlock, a seamless connection of the two authors.

Any additional comments?

I said enough

Lost in the middle

I loved the Beekeepers Apprentice, and I love the narrator, but this story bogs down in the middle. I can't get past chapter 15.

least favorite in series

sort of boring and predictable-her least entertaining work. it's an easy listen though and apparently a necessity to read if one wants to follow the series which is replete with great reads

Depressing

Ms King has developed memorable characters and is a lovely writer but can get carried away with her own words while waxing philosophic. There was a definite tension here in the Holmes/Russell relationship that detracted from the rather mundane plot and makes one worry about their partnership
LRK you have done much better!
Only the pirate thing in Lisbon ranks lower IMHO
Ms Sterlin is however, the perfect reader and almost makes listening to this worthwhile.

Surprisingly dull

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but found this book to be poorly organized and dull. The story wanders almost randomly and the ultimate mystery is how-hum. Very disappointing.

Superb

Simply divine, no pun intended. Well, maybe a little.

Mary comes into her own, her character growing and becoming more defined, including a slightly sensuous side but without the band sexuality of bodice rippers. The result is that she gains more depth. Holmes benefits from a bit more development as well but it is Mary that comes to the fore. As or two protagonists develop, so did their relationship which matured into an adult one, with each retaining their own personalities.

The story is well done and moves along, well paced. There are sufficient side plots and twists sufficient to enrich the story. Billy makes what amounts to a cameo assistance and remains rather flat.

The performance is first rate with good variation and consistency. Given that there are more than seven characters, make and female, the with is admirable.

Thanks all around for a delightful experience.

Recommended.

Thank you Ms. King!

I don’t even know where to begin. There are so many aspects of this beautifully rendered book that I enjoyed
. Mary and her husband Sherlock Holmes are perfectly matched despite the chasm of years that separates them. The theme of Mary’s continuing maturation as a woman and partner is as compelling as the solution to the mystery. Ms. Sterling’s performance is astounding. She switches flawlessly between genders, ages, and class. I cannot wait to hear the next installment of this incredible series!