The Language of Bees: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

Even though The Language of Bees came out at the over-full end of the semester, I fell into it instantly, neglecting piles of blue books and papers. At first, I was in ecstasy -- posting non-spoiler updates on Facebook and burbling to friends at morning coffee -- but I got quieter as pages turned and the narrative gave me more and more about less and less. I've always admired King's ability to bring together disparate topics and, rather like the metaphysical poets, to yoke them into a new reality. Here, she certainly laid out the material for another great work, but that unifying alchemy was missing.Bee-keeping, standing stones, Aleister Crowley, French painters, an eclipse, and Holmes' son ~ how could this add up to anything other than the Philosopher's Stone?Dunno, folks, but it didn't achieve critical mass.I found very interesting the remarks of another reviewer who said that King's publisher was pushing for a higher page count. Well, if that's true, I don't see why it should obviate the possibility of an even better book. Look at the first in this series, The Bee-Keeper's Apprentice. It had the action and resolutions of several novels packed into one cover: fabulous. In many ways, the book is its mirror image: few plots, none resolved. "To be continued" is a total cheat. Unlike the 19th-century novels that came out in serial form, this wait will be not weeks, but years. And I don't think anyone is going to go down to the docks, al la The Old Curiosity Shop, for the next installment of this story.For me, introducing the references to Crowley without following through was close to criminal. Crowley doesn't have the public profile of Holmes, but he was a fascinating/horrifying figure of the time - surely the most shaming-making alum that Trinity/Cambridge has. His various witchy works are the subtext for the group Russell and Holmes investigate, but King doesn't give us her version of the man. Other than Sylvia or Cristobel Pankhrust, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see King turn into a character.As in the Monsterous Regiment, we get some London life and sub-cultures, although not nearly enough for me. The best thing about the novel - other than the idyllic time Russell spends alone in Sussex - is the presence of Mycroft, who comes close to being a fully developed character. Russell's time in the airplane is wonderfully rendered, but the tension it builds for the climax is cruelly betrayed.To call the end of the book an anticlimax would be kind. I'm not feeling very kind at the moment, so I'll call it a cheap marketing ploy, the sort of thing to which I didn't think Laurie R King would sink.

I must say that of all the series I follow, I look forward to Laurie R. King's series featuring Sherlock Holmes and his much younger wife, Mary Russell. I was not disappointed with this installment.After so long the couple come home. Before they can really relax, things are slightly amiss - one of Holmes' beehives is empty - what has driven these bees away?Before Holmes really has time to contemplate this, a young man that Russell met when she was 19 with Holmes, comes to them - he is Holmes' son! Damian Adler was the product of a liason years before. Holmes did not know the lady, a well known contralto, was pregnant.Adler has had a history of drug abuse, and alcoholism, but seems to have gotten himself straight - but his wife and young daughter are missing! He has swallowed his pride and asked his Dad, the famous Sherlock Holmes to help.Russell finds one morning, Holmes and Adler are gone. While Holmes leaving suddenly is nothing new to Russell, he usually leaves a note. But nothing.After discovering the mystery of the beehive, she leaves for London and connects with Mycroft, Holmes' brother. All characters connect to find Adler's wife and child. It appears Adler's wife has gotten in with a mysterious metaphysical religious group, whose founder or 'Master' has written a kind of bible and sometimes preaches to his congregation but his identity is disguised somewhat.Bodies are being found at ancient stone sites - suicides or sacrifices?Mary Russell again proves she and Holmes are equal in intellect and moxie as she goes on an aeroplane mission with one of Mycroft's operatives. Be sure you have Dramamine in hand as you read this part of the book - you'll need it!We see another layer of Russell, as she (about 24) thinks she probably won't have children herself, and you feel her mixed emotions regarding looking for a child descended from Holmes' blood, and her own wishes regarding children.The book ends in a masterful climax, while it leaves you breathless, there are more adventures to come. And I cannot wait for the next Russell/Holmes book to be completed!A great read for fans of this series!

My first "Mary Russell" book and I enjoyed it so much that I have purchased and read many, many more. Laurie R. King gives little away as to her own nationality although the main character of the book is also American. She magnificently captures the Englishness of the times. I was a bit sceptical as to the reintroduction of Sherlock Holmes but King does it with aplomb and ease. A superb read.

Wer die früheren Bücher der Autorin über Sherlock Holmes und Mary Russel gelesen hat, freut sich, die beiden wiederzutreffen. Der Stil ist unverwechselbar, wie die vorigen Bücher angenehm zu lesen, auch die Spannung kommt nicht zu kurz. Holmes zeigt sich in diesem Buch allerdings von einer äußerst kühlen, teilweise ruppigen Seite, was dem Leser jedoch vom Inhalt her verständlich erscheint.Es ist es wirklich ein Fortsetzungsroman, man wüßte gerne, wie's weitergeht - die Fortsetzung wird ja auch am Ende angekündigt.Alles in allem: durchaus lesenswert.

Grand plaisir à lire cet item des aventures de Mary Holmes (née Russell). l'intrigue et le suspense sont au rendez-vous, associés à la qualité d'écriture de Mrs King.Le regard porté sur les sectes de cette époque n'est pas sans rappeler celui qu'on a sur celles d'aujourd'hui. L'évocation des lieux traversés est vivante et bien entendu Mr Sherlock Holmes quoiqu'un peu effacé par son épouse reste le grand détective que l'on connait.

Most enjoyable. Very well written. Clever story with the use of Sherlock Holmes that did not at all take away from Conan Doyle and gave Mary Russell a zest. Highly recommended. Enjoyed it so much I bought 4 more of the books

Once again, just couldn't put her book down - thank goodness for rainy Sundays!