3.5 stars

I fail to appreciate what other readers seem to find so entertaining about the characters, action or supposed cleverness of this book. The thing that definitely annoyed me most was the smug tone. Lets be honest, its not the character Mary who is being smug is it, it is the author. LRK does not show much respect for the author and his characters, those same who have offered her a generous niche in the book market. Without the brand awareness, her clever idea (and it is clever) would not have attracted the buyers.

The idea of a surprising protegee for Holmes is fun but the characterisation and the ingenuity of the crime solving just can't match Conan Doyle on any level. And now that I know the girl who met Sherlock Holmes when fifteen year old, later marries him, I can only think of Woody Allen and will most certainly not read another line.

Aplogies to Irene R. as I know she loves the series.

Mary Russell is a wonderful creation and foil to Sherlock's withdrawal from society.

Exciting and intriguing. Thoroughly satisfying.

Thoroughly enjoyed this alternate look at Sherlock Holmes

This is a wonderful series. Can't wait to read the rest.

This entertaining book pairs an older Sherlock Holmes with a young woman as investigative partner, while still following the template of the traditional Holmes stories.

I regret listening to this on audiobook. The narrator kept making weird gulps and needed water or something.