The Beekeeper's Apprentice
by Laurie R. King
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Book Summary Information
Author: Laurie R. KingEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-26
ISBN: 0553381520
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Bantam
Book Reviews of The Beekeeper's Apprentice
Book Review: A Different Take on Sherlock Holmes
Summary: 4 Stars
It is not very often that a fictional character outlives his creator, but Sherlock Holmes is one of them. Laurie R. King takes on the challenge of writing a Holmes novel with a twist. Instead of using Dr. Watson as the master sleuth's sidekick she introduces Mary Russell a precocious 15-year old to handle the chores Holmes gave Watson to do and much more.King uses the style that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle developed by claiming only to be editing Russell's manuscripts, just as Doyle claimed to Watson's editor. Holmes takes Russell under his wing and trains her in his methods and by the end of the novel she will become a true partner and not just a helper the way Holmes treated Watson. Holmes at times has to deal with Mary's rebelliousness and temper tantrums when she feels he does not take her seriously or confide in her. Some of her tantrums are justified as Holmes can be quite imperious with women of any age. Holmes is less aloof and more humanized in this story. Doyle's Holmes always seemed cold and unfeeling, only concerned with solving the puzzle presented to him and never empathizing with his clients.
The book has all the elements of a doyle story including many of the characters that populated Holmes's life. King updates the action to the era of World War I, although she needs to fudge a bit on Holmes's age. Doyle gave you the impression that Holmes was elderly when he retired to Sussex where he tended his beehives; King puts him in his mid fifties claiming that Watson made them both appear older to make Holmes's acclomplishments more realistic to the readers. Holmes through King claims Watson embellished details of the Holmesian canon.
Another interesting aspect of the "Beekeeper's Apprentice" is the short interlude of Holmes and Russell in Palestine. This plot thread will be fully developed in another Holmes-Russell book entitled "O Jerusalem" another enjoyable read. Many writers have tried to write Sherlock Holmes stories and failed, but these two are extremely well done.
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