The Beekeeper's Apprentice is the first in a series of Sherlock Holmes stories featuring a new heroine, Mary Russell. Through books and movies, Sherlock Holmes has been consistently portrayed as a genius detective, in a league entirely his own. Here we see a woman who can match his intelligence and wit, while adding compassion and ingenuity into the cases they work. Mary Russell has a deep theological background and an inquisitive mind, as well as the courage to act when necessary.
At first the glaring age difference made it an unlikely pairing of minds. However, as the story progresses, the age difference becomes less and less pronounced. Although Mary Russell has flaws, it was nice to see such a strong female character.
Laurie R. King wrote the Beekeeper's Apprentice back in 1994. Laurie fashioned the character of Mary after herself as a young girl. Laurie grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest. In fact, I discovered that for a few years in her childhood she lived in exactly the same neighborhood I did growing up (many years before I was born though). She studied Theology in college and married an Anglo-Indian. They have a home in California and one in England, splitting time between them. They also travel frequently.
Laurie has written many other novels in the Mary Russell series. The next book in that series is scheduled to be released in 2015. Laurie R. King has also written another series of mysteries featuring another female lead, the Kate Martinelli mysteries. The first book in that series, A Grave Talent, won the Edgar award in 1993. The Edgar award is given to the best fiction book written that year by a first-time novelist.
If you are interested in delving into more of the Sherlock Holmes or Mary Russell stories, here are some things to check out:
- The BBC Sherlock Holmes series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman is airing season 3 on January 19th on PBS.
- The Beekeeper's Apprentice tumblr has some interesting pictures and ideas for movie casting, etc.
- Via YouTube I found a 6 minute clip that includes footage from the actual area in England where Holmes and Russell first meet with some lines of the book being read by Laurie R. King.
- If you are looking for more information on Sherlock Holmes the character, look here.
And for fun, here are some pictures of the various Sherlock Holmes in TV and Film:
From the 1900 William Gillette Play
Benedict Cumberbatch in the current BBC Sherlock Holmes series
Jeremy Brett starred in several Sherlock Holmes movies and TV series through the 1980s and 1990s
At first the glaring age difference made it an unlikely pairing of minds. However, as the story progresses, the age difference becomes less and less pronounced. Although Mary Russell has flaws, it was nice to see such a strong female character.
Laurie R. King wrote the Beekeeper's Apprentice back in 1994. Laurie fashioned the character of Mary after herself as a young girl. Laurie grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest. In fact, I discovered that for a few years in her childhood she lived in exactly the same neighborhood I did growing up (many years before I was born though). She studied Theology in college and married an Anglo-Indian. They have a home in California and one in England, splitting time between them. They also travel frequently.
Laurie has written many other novels in the Mary Russell series. The next book in that series is scheduled to be released in 2015. Laurie R. King has also written another series of mysteries featuring another female lead, the Kate Martinelli mysteries. The first book in that series, A Grave Talent, won the Edgar award in 1993. The Edgar award is given to the best fiction book written that year by a first-time novelist.
If you are interested in delving into more of the Sherlock Holmes or Mary Russell stories, here are some things to check out:
- The BBC Sherlock Holmes series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman is airing season 3 on January 19th on PBS.
- The Beekeeper's Apprentice tumblr has some interesting pictures and ideas for movie casting, etc.
- Via YouTube I found a 6 minute clip that includes footage from the actual area in England where Holmes and Russell first meet with some lines of the book being read by Laurie R. King.
- If you are looking for more information on Sherlock Holmes the character, look here.
And for fun, here are some pictures of the various Sherlock Holmes in TV and Film:
Douglas Wilmer played Sherlock Holmes in the 1964 BBC version
Johnny Lee Miller in the series Elementary
Robert Downey Jr. in the most recent Hollywood version of Sherlock Holmes
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