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I was sorely disappointed by the previous volume, A Monstrous Regiment of Women; it was nowhere near as fresh and exciting as the book that introduced this series. If this third book had proved similar, I think I would have abandoned reading them. However, I was quite pleased to find that this book picked up the pace again. It wasn't quite as fun as The Beekeeper's Apprentice. Having thought about it for a bit, I'm not sure why. I can only conclude that Mary Russell married and partner to Sherlock simply isn't as fun as Mary Russell, student and (somewhat) competitor of Sherlock. Still, the mystery is entertaining and the characters are fun to follow.

Friends have said they find Mary's scholarly bend a bit of a distraction from her role as sleuth but I disagree. I find that it rounds out her character quite nicely and provides a clear distinction between her and the decidedly non-scholarly Holmes. I also like the echoes of Harriet Vane in Gaudy Night that are evoked within my mind. And, of course, I enjoyed the opportunity it afforded her of meeting that rather odd fellow pottering about Oxford, Tolkien.

Laurie R. King is one of my favorite writers and I'm glad that this series survived a minor derailment and is back on track. ( )

Third in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series.

In the summer of 1923, Russell and Holmes are “at home” in Holmes’ cottage in Sussex. Russell is concentrating on finishing her first book on theology; Holmes is bored. Into their lives pops Dorothy Ruskin, an eccentric older Englishwoman, an amateur archaeologist, whom they met during their adventure in Palestine. She brings with her a letter written on parchment that could very well have been written by Mary of Magdala--Mary Magdalene-just before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. The letter is potentially explosive, because it clearly suggests that Mary of Magdala was an apostle and to have had a leadership role in the early church in Jerusalem, roles long believed by Christians to have been for males only. Ruskin givens the letter to Russell, and leaves for London. But Ruskin is murdered in London shortly after she leaves Holmes and Russell, and they set off on the hunt for her killer.

It’s an intriguing plot that requires a modern reader to understand the rigid belief in male dominance in the Christian church in the early 20th century (and today in some). For some time, Mary Magdalene has been widely called “the apostle to the apostles.” Most Christians today would not only not be disturbed, but rather excited about such a find.

Well plotted and with the usual King strengths of spare writing, good storytelling, and fine characterizations. One of the fun aspects of this series is the disguises that Holmes and Russell employ in their investigations; this time, Russell’s gets her into some uncomfortable situations.

Because King has a degree in theology, she nearly always brings religion into her plots in some form or another, indulging herself in her own interests as she does so. It’s always fascinating, always adding an enormous amount to her books. This one is no exception.

Highly recommended. ( )

If like me you can't bring yourself to believe that the restless mind of the great detective Sherlock Holmes could ever be content with the study of beekeeping you won't be surprised by the discovery of yet more lost manuscripts detailing his post retirement adventures. The Beekeeper's Apprentice introduced the character of Mary Russell; A Letter of Mary takes place years later and Mary has now married Sherlock - shocked gasp. King's books are meticulously researched and are fascinating studies of the era even without all the Holmesian trappings that she has so effortlessly reinvented and made her own without ever coming close to pastiche. I don't think there can be many fans of Holmes who would be disappointed with her treatment of the character. ( )

This series founders on one ultimately fatal flaw - the most improbable use of the well known character of Sherlock Holmes. The author has is that as a fifty-something man he has married a Jewish theologian some thirty years his junior - and is now a caring sharing hubby. If your pinch of salt is big enough you may take it - but I found it difficult.

This third in the series had fewer of the anachronisms and mistakes that spoiled the earlier novels. It is pretty well written but with a strongly feminist slant and with a lot of theology included. (The author has a Masters in theology - so be warned!).

The mystery is intriguing but is pursued in an improbable manner by our heroes and ultimately comes to a most unsatisfactory conclusion.

I have read three of these novels and really wanted to like them; but I am somewhat disappointed and really perplexed as to why they are popular.They do however have a certain fascination and despite my better judgment I may even read the next in the series! ( )