Who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes? The razor- sharp intellect, ascerbic wit, aching melancholy and mystery of his personality- I adore the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I loved all the Holmes stories, and still enjoy watching the old Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone, the Young Sherlock Holmes movie, and the latest Holmes incarnation featuring Robert Downey, Jr. Yes, there have been many different actors playing Holmes and Watson, and I have enjoyed watching most of them.
I do, however, often take exception when writers attempt to ride the coat tails of highly successful authors of iconic books and characters. Everyone has read sequels to long-standing classics written years later that are grievously disappointing. Most attempts to extend the stories of beloved heroes and heroines fall very flat.
There are, happily, exceptions to these botched attempts. Laurie R. King has taken the beloved Mr. Holmes, Watson and others into their respective futures and done a commendable job of it. What if Sherlock Holmes were to meet and fall in love with a young (very young) woman who is as complicated and intelligent he is? Enter, Mary Russell, in Ms. King's book, The Bee Keeper's Apprentice. Mary Russell and Holmes meet under very interesting circumstances at a low point in each of their lives. They develop a mentor- student relationship which, over time, blossoms into a delightful and totally plausible romance given their shared interests, individual quirks, eccentricities and intelligence. And, perhaps best of all, THIS IS A SERIES! As I have written before, I hate coming to the end of a rollicking good tale with well-developed characters. It is just depressing to finish a book and wonder, "But then what happened to them? I am invested in these people, dammit!" Not to worry with Mary and Sherlock- there are quite a few books after the first one and they are fun to read. Ms. King gives little history lessons along the way, and many of the people to cross paths with Sherlock and Mary are straight out of the early 20th century. You've got to love it!
Purists, give this series a chance, I implore you. I, too, was skeptical of the concept, but these books have good characters, great atmosphere and plot development, and are not even slightly cheesy or silly.
I am told that some followers of this blog (do I actually have followers?!?!) are perusing it for possible book club selections. The Bee Keeper's Apprentice would be a perfect choice for group discussion.
But, that is, "Elementary, my dear Watson."
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