The first novel in a series of books chronicling the adventures of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Now you may not have heard of Mary Russell, and that’s probably because she wants it this way, and because she doesn’t have John Watson follow her adventures pen in hand, (he’s already had his fill narrating Sherlock’s adventures). Mary Russell is a young girl of arresting thoughts, and sharp retorts, and who happens to stumble upon a semi-retired Sherlock Holmes in her countryside walks. Showing an understanding of his experiment, she reveals a mind that matches his – and at last there’s a student for the great mentor, a person to carry on the investigate torch. But not before his taught her everything; two minds really are better than one.
The novel begins with the editor’s note on how a mysterious trunk was delivered to them, its outside casing covered in stickers of its travels around the globe, and upon opening it they found an emerald necklace, a cracked magnifying glass, rich fabrics and more. But below this at the very bottom is a collection of manuscripts sealed with an R, with this book; The Beekeeper’s Apprentice being one of them. After this “find” the book then progresses directly into the manuscript’s narrative, but not before being accompanied by the author’s note – the author being a Mary Russell who’s entering her ninth decade, and has lived a life most fantastic, and full of adventures since meeting and becoming an apprentice to the famous Sherlock Holmes.
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice begins with Mary’s life as a young girl suffering from a traumatic past, one she carries with her and comes out in the most vicious of night-terrors. Living with a horrid money-grabbing aunt, Mary takes many walks in the countryside, and in this she comes across Holmes, and in the briefest of moments there are the inklings of a shared mind – of kindred spirits. Throughout the book Mary pushes to have more responsibilities placed on her, to learn more, just as she fights against any ideas of protection like she’s some damsel in distress, but to be used instead as a razor-blade mind in combatting criminals.
At first Mary is reluctant to become the next Holmes. She wants her own life, to make her own mark on the world, and besides, there are many more things that interest her. However, as she grows older (and through the pages of the book) from a gangly teenager to a tall strong woman, she feels the pull of adventure. The more dangerous the case, the stronger her conflicting emotions between fear and the intoxication of solving a puzzle. This same addiction being experienced by Sherlock; the pursuit of knowledge meaning that in the heat of the moment they’ll both disregard their safety for the thrill of the chase.
Initially Holmes is hesitant to involve her in real-life cases, starting with smaller ones and limiting her involvement, but with every step forward they edge nearer to a case so close to home, that it could mean the death of their friends and each other.
This is just the starting of a series of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and as such their developing relationship and tutelage. Alongside this Mary display’s strong feminist qualities, when in the 1920’s women were still considered dainty and fragile. In exploring this image of a women’s world it’s nice to see a character who is both a tomboy and feminine; enjoying the appeal of dressing up – the novelist embracing all of Mary’s sides rather than lowering one in favour of the other.
Sadly though, in having Mary be the new crime-solving partner of Holmes, there is of course the sacrifice of Watson – he still appears in the series but as a kindly bumbling ‘uncle’ who means no harm, but neither is he of any help. In this, Watson is relegated to the shadows as are previous characters in Doyle’s creation of Holmes; Mrs Hudson and Mycroft Holmes. That’s not to say they’re not featured in the book, they are, and Mary’s narration of how she finds them in comparison to Watson’s writing is interesting. But it’s not as expanded as I would have liked, and it feels a little at times as though Watson is being dismissed; his character’s strength taken away.
However, Mary is a great addition to Holmes’ life, the mysteries of Conan Doyle’s works continued in an elaborate and detailed England. It’s so alive that you feel the pulsating of London, its glitz and glamour held against its darker grimier settings. Or a quiet studious Oxford full of winding streets, with people dashing between classes, their arms full of books, to mischievous students rebelling against the restrictions of their old home with the new one of college. It’s also pleasant to see Sherlock in a more modernised world of the 1920s.
Because the settings of the books are years after Holmes last adventure, he is coming towards the point of not being able to run into the fray. King investigates the impact this has on a man who has seen himself in many ways as being infallible; the pain Sherlock has in seeing these limitations and yet his attempts still to deny them. To push himself further than before, whilst still recognising the assistance he needs – the contrast written beautifully.
This book will be a pleasure of course for anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes, and detective stories as a whole, while at the same time presenting a new hero that doesn’t just match Holmes’ logic, but in some places looks to exceed it. It’s also enjoyable to follow someone as they enter this world afresh, and to find out more about Sherlock and his profession than has ever been revealed before.
Other Notable Works by Laurie R. King:
- Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes Series:
+ Castle Shade (17) 2021
+ Riviera Gold (16) 2020
+ Island of the Mad (15) 2018
+ The Murder of Mary Russell (14) 2016
+ The Marriage of Mary Russell (2.5) 2016
+ Dreaming Spies (13) 2015
+ Beekeeping for Beginners (10.5) 2011
+ The God of the Hive (10) 2010
+ The Language of Bees (9) 2009
+ Locked Rooms (8) 2005
+ The Game (7) 2004
+ Justice Hall (6) 2002
+ O Jerusalem (5) 1999 - Folly Island
+ Keeping Watch (2) 2003
+ Folly (1) 2001
Book Edition Information:
Publisher: Allison & Busby Limited
ISBN: 978-0-7490-0852-9
Cover Design: Christina Griffiths
Front Cover Illustration: Mary Evans Picture Library
Presented Edition: 2010 Paperback
Background image courtesy of Stanislav Kondratiev from Pexels
