O Jerusalem

A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

It is 1918. Coming out of retirement, an aging Sherlock Holmes travels to Palestine with his 19-year-old partner, Mary Russell. There, disguised as ragged Bedouins, they embark on a dangerous mission. If they fail, the holy city goes up in flames.

With her unerring flair for the dramatic, Laurie R. King packs this novel with bloodcurdling adventure, clever disguises, and layers of intrigue. Jenny Sterlin's superb voicing of the prickly Holmes and the fiercely intelligent Russell captures every nuance of their unconventional relationship.

©1999 Laurie R. King (P)1999 Recorded Books

O Jerusalem! What fun!

Funny, witty and lots of thrills with Mary Russell and her favorite detective. A wonderful installment in Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes influenced series. As always, the narrator is a delight. All 30 voices of her!

if you like Russell as theologian

and like to imaginitvely explore the geography (physical and spiritual) of the holy land circa 1919, then you will love this.

I agree with other reviewers that this is not for those who want a fast-paced, straight forward mystery.

I love the narration; in fact, I don't think I'd enjoy reading this series. But I can see that the very distinctive style is one that listeners will either love or hate, especially if they discovered this series first in print.

A bonus: This fiction can actually help you better understand the Middle East and the aftermath of WWI - It sent me to listening to "Paris 1919" once I'd finished.

Arguably my favourite Russell & Holmes book

Would you listen to O Jerusalem again? Why?

I've listened to O Jerusalem several times. Jenny Sterling's narration bring all the characters to vivid life, and I shiver and laugh with them all through. I love the whole Russell / Holmes series but I think this is my favourite. I am so glad it appeared out of sequence! After "Monstrous Regiment", I felt that some of the sexual tension between Russell & Holmes disappeared ... it was great to go back to the "old days" and feel that unspoken tension again.

What did you like best about this story?

This book has the very best final sentence of any book I've ever read. But do NOT cheat and skip to the last sentence without hearing the WHOLE book first! or it will mean nothing, and spoil it for when you do arrive there.

BORING

I really enjoy the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series but, seriously, this is one of the most boring books I've ever read. It's rare for me to give up on a book but I became a chore to listen to this one. I don't know what happened to them in the desert and I do not care.

I usually love Jenny Sterlin's narration but her voice in this one just made everyone sound arrogant.

I keep drifting off

First of all, I love Laurie King's writing and Jenny Sterlin is a remarkable actor. But I must admit, my mind wanders when listening to Oh Jerusalem. It's not the slower pace. I'm almost halfway and I still don't understand why Sherlock and Mary are wandering around Palestine. I feel a little lost. The book hasn't captured my interest....but...I will finish it. The Russell series is wonderful and I feel it's important to tough it out.

Best book I've listened to in quite a while

What made the experience of listening to O Jerusalem the most enjoyable?

Everything was perfect from the narrator to the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of O Jerusalem?

There are too many good points to really narrow it down to just one.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending; which I wont spoil for anyone by posting here.

Any additional comments?

This is easily in one of the very best books I've purchased. I will most likely listen to it more than once. The story was absolutely perfect.

Sherlock Holmes Done Well

Laurie R. King does an excellent job of continuing the Sherlock Holmes. As well as an excellent story the narrator, Jenny Sterlin, makes you not want to put the story down.

Love the series but give this book a miss.

I love the Mary Russell series by Laurie King, but suggest people give O Jerusalem a miss. The circumstances and characters are just too far beyond believable (e.g., Sherlock Holmes & Mary Russell passing for Arabs) and the story drags endlessly, becoming more like an out-of-date travelogue than a solid story. The next book in the series, Justice Hall, fleshes out enough of the story line from this book. If you are new to the series, start w/ Beekeeper's Apprentice and don't let this one put you off.

I was told this was necessary...

I’ve been listening to the books in order. That’s how I prefer to do things.

*Mild spoiler- There is a foreword in this book staying this book relates somehow to the next book in the series. This foreword is the only thing that kept me listening.*

The first half is extremely slow. Watching paint dry on an old ladies’ wall as she tells you (for the 30th time) that her brother had the blue ribbon hog at the 1948 Arkansas State Fair. Or that he should have had the blue ribbon if that good for nothing Medina O’Hara and her sisters didn’t flirt with the judges on the hottest day of the year slow.

The book picks up halfway through, but not enough to salvage and not at all up to Ms. King’s standards. I found it interesting to learn about the history of Jerusalem, the people of Palestine, and the archeological finds of the region. I don’t think it was necessary to take half of the book to share this with the reader.

Normally I rush to the next title - it’s going to be a few weeks before I go back to Russell & Holmes. Too bad really.

Another great installment

Although it was next in line as a book, it takes place earlier in the timeline of the story. Not a problem though; still great.