Castle Shade: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Written by Laurie R. King

Narrated by Jenny Sterlin

A queen, a castle, a dark and ageless threat--all await Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in this chilling new adventure.

The queen is Marie of Roumania: the doubly royal granddaughter to Victoria, Empress of the British Empire, and Alexander II, Tsar of Russia. A famous beauty who was married at seventeen into Roumania's young dynasty, Marie had beguiled the Paris Peace Conference into returning her adopted country's long-lost provinces, single-handedly transforming Roumania from a backwater into a force.

The castle is Bran: a tall, quirky, ancient structure perched on high rocks overlooking the border between Roumania and its newly regained territory of Transylvania. The castle was a gift to Queen Marie, a thanks from her people, and she loves it as she loves her own children.

The threat is...now, that is less clear. Shadowy figures, vague whispers, the fears of girls, dangers that may only be accidents. But this is a land of long memory and hidden corners, a land that had known Vlad the Impaler, a land from whose churchyards the shades creep.

When Queen Marie calls, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are as dubious as they are reluctant. But a young girl is involved, and a beautiful queen. Surely it won't take long to shine light on this unlikely case of what would seem to be strigoi?

Or, as they are known in the West...vampires.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781501998980

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 Castle Shade

[herenya_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After Riviera Gold, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes travel to Bran, a castle owned by the queen of Roumania.As always, I like seeing the world (and history) through Russell’s eyes, but I didn’t find the scenery consistently appealing nor the mystery consistently captivating. Because of objective issues with the pacing? Or because of subjective objections about the Dracula vibe? (Dracula is really not my brand of Gothic.) I remember reaching a conclusion but I read this a few months ago now and can’t remember what that conclusion was.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Off to the land of Dracula; a curious sojourn for Holmes and Russell. And a difficult train ride. Lots of mystery, current, and past needs to be unraveled by Mary and Sherlock. Drafty castles with hidden rooms and live burials cause much angst for the team as they come to the assistance of another of Her Royal Majesty's far-flung family.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kind of a strange book, to be perfectly honest -- I wasn't expecting a Transylvania-themed installment in this series. That said, the historical setting was illuminating and impeccably researched, as usual, and it was fascinating to learn more about Queen Marie of Romania, and about the history of Romania in general. Great, atmospheric storytelling. Really enjoyed it.

Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss.

[cfk_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well crafted story revolving around the feeding and spread of villagers' superstitions toward destabilization of Queen Marie's popularity as the local ruler restoring the castle and improving economic conditions in village. Odd incidents and accidents are designed to trigger comparisons between Marie and a prior blood-soaked, murdering Queen.

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book continues the story line of Mary Russell Holmes and her husband Sherlock Holmes, as a spinoff from the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. In this latest edition, Mary assists her husband as they investigate mysterious happenings in Europe, reminiscent of the famous Dracula scenes of Bram Stoker. The author skillfully weaves elements of folklore and mythology into this latest installment in the series.Creepy and intriguing, this is a perfect read for a dark and stormy night. Readers who are familiar with the series will enjoy this latest addition, although it can be read as a stand alone.I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slow to start but another enjoyable entry into the Russell/Holmes series.

[judiex · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I almost gave up reading CASTLE SHADE because I really am not interested in reading about vampires and ghosts. I am glad I continued because they really do play a necessary role in this book as an explanation for some of the characters’ actions.Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are enroute to Roumania on a mission to save the daughter of Queen Marie. Through her marriage, Marie, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, has brought the country into the modern world. The queen’s favorite home is Bran, an ancient fortress standing high on the rocks overlooking the border between Roumania and Transylvania, which is described in great deal. The people are love her and she likes her close relationship with them, many of them on a personal level.But recent incidents remind many of the villagers of the threat of vampires. When the daughter is threatened, Holmes is called in to save her.CASTLE SHADE provides an interesting picture of Bran and its environment as well as of the people, their relationships, customs, and lives.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mary Russell has been persuaded by her husband Sherlock Holmes to join him at Castle Bran in Transylvania, Roumania to help figure who is threatening Queen Marie and her daughter. Are the threats political or personal? Is the Castle and its staff involved or just bystanders? Are the images portrayed in Stoker's Dracula real or just being used to make the villagers and surrounding countryside nervous hostile? Will the Queen been driven away or worse?It was so interesting to see the Transylvanian village both support their Queen while at the same time bee overcome by the superstitions of their ancient folklore. Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes never fail to solve the issues being addressed, but this time they also started addressing issues of their own.Looking forward to Mycroft's reactions!

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes, a dilapidated castle in Transylvania, some shady characters, a gypsy here and there, what more could you ask for? A queen’s honor is in question and it is up to Mr. & Mrs. Holmes to unravel an old dark fairy tale which appears to have been reborn. While they are chipping away at the possible suspects, things are going bump in the night, people are being attacked, girls are going missing. Bran Castle is at the heart of this mystery and each twist and turn in the story brings us back to this castle that has been gifted to the Queen. Lots of questions - Would he, What would they find when, if? Laurie King has give us a solid addition to this series. Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books/Random House for a copy.

[khenkins-687878 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes sleuth together in Laurie R. King's 17th Russell/Holmes mystery, Castle Shade. I much prefer the novels using them together, rather than those which feature Mary Russell alone. The give-and-take between the two is a lot of fun.This time the pair travels to Romania at the behest of Queen Marie, who fears her teenage daughter may be in danger. There is much historical detail about Romania and references to its folktales, perhaps too much for some readers, but it does provide the somewhat creepy atmosphere of the narrative. Above all, though, this is a detective solving a mystery novel, and there are several layers of possible answers to the mystery through which Mary and Sherlock must sort.At Castle Bran, the Queen's summer residence in Transylvania, there are sinuous shades (ghosts) and perhaps even vampires threatening the area, especially dangerous to young women. As soon as Mary and Sherlock arrive, a witch's hexbag is found, and soon after Mary is abducted. She is able to escape, and with her husband, they decide that someone is attempting to blacken Queen Marie's stellar reputation with her subjects. Suspicion is being cast on Marie as an evil witch or nighttime blood drinker. In in the early 1900s it was likely that people in the Transylvanian countryside still believed their folklore was history. This is an effective piece of the mystery which must be connected to others, like the ghost of a local soldier haunting the castle and summonses from the graveyard – not to mention the fang-like puncture wounds on Mary's neck!An entertaining read, especially for fans of the series.Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. This is an honest review.

[sleahey_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In this slow-moving addition to the series featuring the wife of Sherlock Holmes, Mary Russell is called on to help Holmes get to the bottom of threats made on Queen Marie of Roumania. The queen is especially worried that her daughter is in danger, but it is Mary who ends up kidnapped when she attempts to find out what is behind the appeals to the local superstitions about vampires. There is more detailed and somewhat pedantic description than would have made this a page-turner for me, and I am not tempted to read other books in the series.

[eyes92c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Transylvania fears!Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes leave the Côte d’Azur (see Riviera Gold) and forge onward to Roumania, “a place where the maps have ‘Here be dragons.’” Actually they are heading for a village near to Brasov and Queen Marie’s favourite castle. ”Castle Bran in the Transylvania hills [that] has everything one could wish, including it seems witches, vampires and things that go bump in the night.” They’ve come at the bequest of Queen Marie, a granddaughter of Victoria.It also appears that Sherlock had been this way when he’d been absent during Mary’s time in the Riviera. Both journies enabled by Mycroft to ensure that the Queen is not being targeted by groups determined to be rid of her. (Interestingly by now May and Sherlock have come to the decision that Mycroft needs to stop interfering with their lives. I sense a thoughtfulness from Sherlock about Mary as his wife and what that means that I haven’t detected before.)Dangers are apparent. People have seen strange happenings, witches and shadowy figures are whispered about. The locals are hanging garlic and sharpening wooden stakes. When one of the Queen’s maids disappears and rumours start up about the Queen maintaining her youthfulness by drinking the blood of virgins, quick and decisive action is needed. All very tricky and Bram Stocker.Another fascinating episode in the lives of Russell and Sherlock.A Random - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

[beamis12 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A series I've long admired. Sherlock Holmes of course, the man who always manages to pull the rabbit out of the air, make deductions from random, often to me, meaningless clues. Mary Russell, is all a worthy, interesting companion. This series is more than a mystery, combines elements of a travelogue and a solid historical. We are introduced to historical characters of which I have read little. Last outing took us to Monaco, this one to Transylvania, where we meet Queen Marie of Roumania.The details ably bring us into the setting, which are always described with an attention to detail. For some reason though, I found this mystery less to my liking than others in her last writings. Don't really know why, but I just couldn't connect. Still I loved the history, the details and look forward to the next installment.ARC from Netgalley.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mary and Sherlock's next adventure takes them to Roumania where Marie, Queen of Roumania, has a problem. Mary has caught quite a head cold which she blames on the children of her hosts in Monaco and isn't tracking well as Holmes bundles her onto a train. When she recovers somewhat, she takes charge of their travel plans and gets them to the country sooner.When they arrive, they learn that someone is trying to ruin Marie's reputation with the people near her castle in Bran. Some of the things they have tried is trying to make it look like Marie is using witchcraft and harassing some of the young women in town with rumors of vampires. Things escalate until Mary is attacked and abducted, drugged and left in a small underground room which was described in great detail along with Mary's fear of small, enclosed spaces and fears of being buried alive. When one of castle servants who bears a strong resemblance to Marie's daughter Ileana is also abducted, Holmes and Russell need to discover the villain and save the girl which entails a wild motorcycle ride through the countryside. I loved the historical detail about the time and place. I knew nothing about Marie of Roumania before reading this book and was intrigued to learn about her. The descriptions of the people and the castle were both vivid and detailed. They were also intriguing. I liked that both Holmes and Russell had chapters from their viewpoint. It was interesting to see Holmes's viewpoint of the state of his marriage to Mary Russell. This is a wonderful historical mystery series and this seventeenth episode was a great entry into the series.