A Monstrous Regiment of Women
by Laurie R. King

List Price: $7.99
Our Price: $3.01
You Save: $4.98 (62%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of A Monstrous Regiment of Women

Book Review: A 3-dimensional Holmes!
Summary: 4 Stars

I have noticed many people complain about Sherlock and how a misogynist like he could NOT fall in love. You must remember that these books are set ten years into Holmes so-called retirement to the country. I don't know about you, but I have found that ageing can do one of two things: make someone harder, or softer in their personality. It is obvious that Holmes has softened a bit.

MROW is a worthy sequel of The Beekeeper's Apprentice. While some cringe at the thought of a much-older Holmes falling in love with his much-younger friend, I personally can not see the problem. I think too much is made of it; after all, it is NOT a romance novel. Mary Russell is obviously much older than her years. Maybe I'm just sympathetic because I met and married a much-older man myself. But I was always told that I had an "old soul" and could see the same right away with Russell.

The reality of Russell and Holmes finally discovering each other as a member of the opposite sex is not heavy-handed, and in fact does not take up a lot of time in the book. It is an awareness that heightens their senses but does not detract or interfere with the solving of the mystery.

That being said, any reader with half a Holmes brain could see the ending coming, so those that are shocked and dismayed need to tighten their detective caps a little more. If Holmes and Russell were to get together, I do not think it would happen unless some major life-altering event were to occur.

The fact that Holmes actually has feelings seems to be disconcerting to many fans of the original stories; I find the opposite true. The fact that Holmes can begrudgingly realize he has feelings for Russell makes him much more realistic. In fact, he even addresses the issue in the third book of the series, A Letter of Mary.

Overall, a very good book. While the mystery is not top-notch, the character study is. And I myself like the fact that Holmes is finally being put in his place by of all things, a woman.

Literature & Fiction Books

• Books > Subjects
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Women Sleuths
• Thrillers > Suspense