ISBN: 0-553-57165-6 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A mostly successful attempt to reinvigorate the well-trodden turf of the Holmes legend, this mystery does well in its introduction of two sympathetic detectives.
Reviewed by David on May 08, 2000
Genre: Mystery (Historical, Amateur Sleuth, Coming of Age)
Synopsis: A very bright but tragedy-haunted girl, Mary Russell does her best to survive in the unpleasant circumstances of her adolescence in 1915 England. When she stumbles upon a semi-mythical detective living in retirement in the country, she finds a convival companion and a demanding teacher. Learning furiously, while struggling with her emotional wounds, Mary assists the great detective in his not-quite-complete retirement, and faces her own test of courage, skill and deductive reasoning.
Full Review: In general explorations of characters created by others is in many cases a waste of author's own talents. This very pleasant book escapes the trap, to some extent, by introducing a brand new character, sharing the name and some history with the invention of Arthut Conan Doyle.
Both likable characters, Holmes and young Mary Russell are given handicaps to relieve their aggressive competence. Mostly age for Holmes, it's emotional and physical scars for Mary. Combining mostly intellectual excitement, the passion is understated but present in the two heroes of this and subsequent novels.
Mary herself is a rather engaging, if a bit intimidating heroine. Somewhat implausibly well-educated (including, apparently, Hebrew as a mother tongue, unusual to say the least in the daughter of an English Jewess at the beginning of the century), and with somewhat inconsistent dietary rules (she apparently keeps Kosher, while having an unusual liking for bacon in another book—most likely an editorial rather than intentional inconsitency). These minor nits aside, she makes an excellent narrator, with the right mixture of self-doubt and pride to invoke empathy.
While most definitely a feminist, the affection and respect Mary has for her male mentor and several other acquintances makes her confidence apt rather than offensive. In total, the book's mixture of mystery, understated romance, and maturation, make reading it a pleasant, at times touching, and at others educational experience.
Universe: Sherlock Holmes
Overall: 6.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 7; Style: 7; World-building: 7; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1994, Bantam Books (Bantam), August 1996, Mass-market paperback, 405 pages
ISBN: 0-553-57165-6 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com