Mary Russell's War: And Other Stories of Suspense

Written by Laurie R. King

Narrated by Susan Bennett, John Keating, Robert Ian Mackenzie and Jenny Sterlin

Laurie R. King illuminates the hidden corners of her beloved Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series in this dynamic story collection. In nine short stories, seven of which have never previously been available in print, and one brand new, never-before-seen Sherlock Holmes mystery-available together for the first time-Laurie R. King blends her long-running brand of crime fiction with historical treats and narrative sleight of hand. At the heart of the collection is a prequel novella that begins with England's declaration of war in 1914. As told in Mary Russell's teenage diaries, the whip-smart girl investigates familial mysteries, tracks German spies through San Francisco, and generally delights with her extraordinary mind-until an unimaginable tragedy strikes. Here too is the case of a professor killed by a swarm of bees; Mrs. Hudson's investigation of a string of disappearing household items-and a lifelong secret; a revealing anecdote about a character integral to The God of the Hive; the story of Mary's beloved Uncle Jake and a monumental hand of cards; and a series of postcards in which Mary searches for her missing husband, Sherlock Holmes. Last but not least, fans will be especially thrilled by Mary's account of her decision, at age ninety-two, to publish her memoirs-and how she concluded that Ms. King should be the one to introduce her voice to the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781501945694

Laurie R. King

Laurie R. King is the Edgar Award–winning author of the Kate Martinelli novels and the acclaimed Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes mysteries, as well as a few stand-alone novels. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, the first in her Mary Russell series, was nominated for an Agatha Award and was named one of the Century’s Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. A Monstrous Regiment of Women won the Nero Wolfe Award. She has degrees in theology, and besides writing she has also managed a coffee store and raised children, vegetables, and the occasional building. She lives in northern California.

Reviews for Mary Russell's War

[thebacklistbook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a cute anthology. Some good and some neutral. I have a lot of trouble buying the Holmes as a father thing. Especially if the mother is Irene Adler. Ultimately, I have determined I have outgrown these books. It just did not hold my attention nearly as well as I thought it would.

[jennybeast · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm a huge fan of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, so I found this collection interesting. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it otherwise, because it lacks the satisfying depth and intrigue of one of the full length books -- however, Mary Russell's Wedding had me laughing out loud.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of short stories centered around Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. In the first, we are introduced to Mary's disreputable Uncle Jake. In the second, we learn Mary's reactions when war is declared in 1914 and what happens when she suffers an unthinkable tragedy. We see Mary's first meeting with Sherlock Holmes from his point of view. We see the story about the events surrounding their marriage. Mrs. Hudson even has a case of her own in this anthology.We read how Mary comes to decide that Laurie King should be her biographer and why the stories were framed as fiction. That story is the only one I had trouble with in this books because, while I can believe that Mary lives to a healthy 92, I can't quite get around the idea of an active Holmes at 132.This was a wonderful collection. I liked hearing Mary's voice and Sherlock's too. I liked the illustrations using period postcards. This anthology makes me want to reread the series.

[darthdeverell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell’s War and Other Stories of Suspense collects ten short stories of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, with one previously unpublished. The stories appear roughly in the order they occur chronologically within the Mary Russell series with the first, “Mary’s Christmas,” telling a story of her childhood while the antepenultimate, “My Story, or The Case of the Ravening Sherlockians,” and the penultimate, “A Case in Correspondence,” take place shortly after the publication of King’s first books in the series, exploring how the series’ publication impacts the Russell and Holmes as real people in 1992. The three longest stories, “Mary Russell’s War,” “Beekeeping for Beginners,” and “The Marriage of Mary Russell,” offer the most in-depth character studies. The titular story explores Mary’s late adolescence and desire to contribute to the war effort in 1911 after a family tragedy. “Beekeeping for Beginners” offers an alternate take on Mary and Holmes’ initial meeting, as previously chronicled in The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, though this time from Holmes’ perspective. “The Marriage of Mary Russell,” taking place between the second and third novels, A Monstrous Regiment of Women and A Letter of Mary, and helps to further situate Mary Russell within Sherlockiana while offering a heartwarming character study. Finally, while King previously published most of these stories, “Stately Holmes,” the final story in this volume, appears for the first time here. Barbara Peters, owner of the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Arizona, prompted King to write it recalling the simple glad-hearted entertainment of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Mazarin Stone.” The overall effect of Mary Russell’s War and Other Stories of Suspense is sure to delight fans of the series, though newcomers will want to familiarize themselves with at least a few of the other books first.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of short stories in the Russell-Holmes universe. Some I'd read before, but all were entertaining and worth perusal.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent update on the history of Mary Russell that fills in many gaps. Solid, readable collection from start to finish.

[infjsarah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mixture of short stories of varying quality. I too lost my ability to suspend my disbelief that Sherlock Holmes could live to 140 so that was a daft story. For fans of the series only.

[herenya_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A collection of short stories about Russell and Holmes. I had already read two of these (“Beekeeping for Beginners” and “The Marriage of Mary Russell”).Out of others, my favourites were “Mary Russell’s War”, which contains the diary Russell keeps during the first year of WWI up until her meeting with Holmes; “Mrs Hudson’s Case”, a story about a case Holmes doesn’t solve in 1918; and “Stately Holmes”, which takes place after the most recent Mary Russell novel, about Russell and Holmes spending Christmas at Justice Hall.I wasn’t very interested in the stories which pretend that Mary Russell is a real person. Although it is plausible that she was still alive in the 90s, given that she was born in 1900, I find it impossible to pretend that Holmes would still be running around. I can imagine a lot of things, but I have my limits!

[mm_jones · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed! I've read Laurie King's Mary Russell series novels, but not these adjacent short stories. It was interesting to see the author has a more detailed understanding of the main character than what was included in the novels. I find the voice of the main character very authentic and the addition of Sherlock Holmes an additional bonus. I'd recommend this book for fans of the series.

[phyllis2779 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Short stories relating to the Mary Russell mysteries. I really enjoyed them. The only ones that gave me some concern were the ones relating to the most recent mysteries as I haven't read them yet. The stories really buy into the conceit that there was a real Sherlock Homes and that he did marry Mary Russell. I found the prequel to Mary Russell's life interesting and sad in the early part because we know what happens from the full-length books.

[cyderry · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Part of me was thrilled with this and part of me was very disappointed. I thought that this was going to be a completely new novel in the Mary Russell series but it turns out to be a collection of short stories that are gap fillers for the time frames of the full novels. I'd read most of these already so very disappointed.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Filling in blanks, giving new insight, and generally giving entertainment, this collection of stories about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes is entirely satisfying apart from the story where the reader is expected to believe that Sherlock is alive and well at the age of 130 and still up to his old tricks!