I think this is the best of her series. I like the premise of the books.. that Sherlock Holmes unofficially took on a young female apprentice and trained her to see as well as he did. But often as in THE MOOR and THE GAME I feel the author falls in love with her research and the story takes second place to the setting and the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the research she's done and I'm impressed with it, but as a writer of historical fiction myself, I feel that story should always come first.

I really enjoyed. It is beautifully written and an interesting concept.

Loved this!!

Flipping through below reviews, sure, it's not for everybody, but nor is any book! My opinions: the prose was descriptive in a lovely old-timey way without being hard to read. I thought the writing of WWI was especially evocative. There are a few parts that made me literally laugh out loud: the dogs reacting to a stern woman, when Holmes was like "probably worse for my reputation if folks think you're my boy-toy," a few other things. I personally didn't get the "Mary Sue" vibe from Mary at all, although in consideration now I can see how one might feel that way. I didn't see any of her abilities as being unreasonable for a lone, brainy woman, raised for some years by liberal parents in the US, at the beginning of dramatic social upheaval in the UK brought on by WWI. As to Holmes' character, I haven't read the Conan Doyle books so I can't speak to that preservation. It seems probable to me that the original Sherlock very well could have mellowed somewhat in partial retirement and would have allowed his barriers to be broken by a young girl who is essentially his intellectual equal. Conversely, it's possible that his asexuality and gynophobia were quite real & internal and never would have relaxed. Some willing suspension of disbelief required, I suppose.

To the plot, there are a few minor mysteries presented in the first half, interspersed with Mary growing up a few years. I'm actually surprised I wasn't bored by this - it speaks, I think, to the quality of the writing that I read the first half with as much commitment as the fourth sixth! Then the big bad appears and there's a considerable amount of time spent figuring out how to defeat them. Add in a pretty impressive (or unlikely) leap of thought by Mary and the story travels to its conclusion.

I think I might have already said this about another book, but: this is my favourite book ever! :-)

Brilliantly written text, snappy dialogue, a very unique premise, and excellent storytelling make this entire series a pleasure to read. I have rationed them and save each book for a vacation or a special time - by doing so, I have made the series last maybe two years, but I'm almost done and will be sad to finish Locked Rooms.

The books take place in Sherlock Holmes' later years, after his brilliant career documented by Arthur Conan Doyle. He meets young Mary Russell, a suffragette, religious scholar and wealthy heiress who has lots of spunk. A friendship slowly blossoms as Holmes takes Russell on as an apprentice of sorts. The series follows their personal and professional life together.

Fantastic books!

A fabulous book that I can't recommend highly enough. I wasn't a huge Sherlock Holmes fan before reading this but I am now. The relationship between the two main characters is wonderful and I can't wait to see how it progress in the later books. A delight from start to finish.

This book started out a bit uneven and my expectations were low, but as I read on it became clear that it was all tying together. King builds up the relationship between the retired Holmes and his precocious apprentice Mary Russell with small cases and leads into the big case of the book, with some familiar villains from Sherlock stories. I am definitely tempted to read on in the series.

Also, I need to dig up some of the fan fiction with Mycroft starring. He is just so deliciously witty and smart. I guess it doesn't hurt that he is now forever Stephen Fry in my imagination, thanks to the Robert Downey, Jr version of Sherlock.

I thought the premise of this book implausible and I disliked the main character. It is well enough written but I doubt I will read more of these.

charming characters , a fun perspective on the Holmes series.

Great audio book