The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or, On the segregation of the queen

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1 Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (1)

by Laurie R. King

341 pages

English language

Published Nov. 16, 2005 by Bantam Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-553-38152-8

(5 reviews)

Long retired, Sherlock Holmes quietly pursues his study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. He never imagines he would encounter anyone whose intellect matched his own, much less an audacious teenage girl with a penchant for detection. Miss Mary Russell becomes Holmes' pupil and quickly hones her talent for deduction, disguises and danger. But when an elusive villain enters the picture, their partnership is put to a real test.

1 edition

Kadomi reviewed The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or, On the segregation of the queen by Laurie R. King (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (1))

Review of "The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or, On the segregation of the queen" on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Well, that was disappointing. The premise sounded super-exciting. An aged Sherlock Holmes meets an intelligent girl who becomes his apprentice. Sounds cool. I love Sherlock Holmes novels, and games, and all that jazz. However, The Beekeeper's Apprentice's biggest problems are unconvincing characters and a mystery that at no point grabbed me. Mary Russell is a big Mary Sue, too good to be true without ever feeling like a normal human.

The style is trying to emulate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's style, but all it managed to do for me was bore me. I was glad when the big reveal happened at the end of the book, meaning I would soon be able to read something else instead, something that's more compelling. I wouldn't even recommend this to hardcore Sherlock Holmes fans.

Doc Kinne reviewed The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or, On the segregation of the queen by Laurie R. King (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (1))

Review of "The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or, On the segregation of the queen" on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A very good introduction.

There are aspects where it is said she doesn't treat Watson very well, and honestly I think she gets her Watson from Nigel Bruce, but I can't really see horrible issues with her characterizations. Having said that, well, it can't be said that I've ever been a member of the Baker Street Irregulars.