Go Read This Book.

I realized that one thing I set out to do and have neglected for too long: a good book review. So, here goes.

Lovers of a good mystery and in particular those of Sherlock Holmes, get yourselves to the book store or library of your choice with all deliberate speed. The Beekeeper's Apprentice, by Laurie R. King, is what you'll be looking for. A sequel (or pastiche, for the fancy high-falootin' among you) to the Arthur Conan Doyle canon, and a damn good one at that, King has successfully captured the spirit of Baker Street's most notorious detective.

The main protagonist of the tale is a young Mary Russell, a teen-aged orphan with a mind and maturity well ahead of her years. She meets Holmes by accident on an afternoon walk, and she immediately impresses him with her observational abilities. A friendship is hatched, and the story develops from there. Sherlock hones (sorry) her skills until she is nearly his equal. To further her detective prowess along, he invites her to join him on light cases, as he is generally in retirement. (Holmes is in his mid-sixties by this point.)

Light cases quickly develop into something far worse, as clues present themselves that someone is behind more than one seemingly-isolated incident. Someone trying to pick up the reigns that Professor Moriarty left behind...

The book pays enormous attention to detail, describing everything that Mary experiences. It is a thick read, to be sure. Slow goings at some points, but thoroughly enjoyable. King has enjoyed success with a continuing series, which I have kept up with. Over the series, Russell develops from the student to become Holmes' full partner, and the series takes them to a wide number of exotic locales. I'm still waiting on book number seven, The Game, to reach paperback.

Holmes-Purists may not want to pick up the series. That's up to them. I couldn't put TBA down, or any of its successors. Granted, I'm not the greatest fan of the original Doyle works. Something about them seems impenetrable. But Laurie King's works have been a wonderful read, and if it's the sort of book you like, than by all means go pick it up for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.