Knave of Diamonds

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 19

De: Laurie R. King

Narrado por: Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley, Jefferson Mays

Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first place: He was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from an impregnable safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a king, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And, now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Holmes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her uncle, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner and his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, the beloved and long-lost survivor of a much-diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe deceptions: sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

The audio-exclusive short story "Two Kids on a Grift" features Uncle Jake, Mary Russell's ne'er-do-well uncle who comes back into her life in Knave of Diamonds. Uncle Jake has made a career out of swindles and scams. So when he spots a couple of kids on the street one day fleecing passers-by in a clever game of three-card-monte, he needs to take a closer look. Why do the kids remind him so much of his niece and her brother … ?

©2025 Laurie R. King (P)2025 Recorded Books

A slight reset

The Mary Russell stories are some of my favorite. Here in book 19 Laurie R King hits another stride. I think she introduced two new characters, who we will see again. Missed Jenny Stirling as the voice of Mary Russell. However, I like the addition of Jefferson Mayes. This makes the naration a push.

Lived up to my expectations

I didn’t discover the Mary Russel-Sherlock Holmes series until this year. They quickly have become my favorites. This book has everything I love about them, super hero main characters, exciting adventures and mysteries, true to classic Sherlock stories. Stories woven with historical accuracy and references. King’s vividly descriptive writing is a joy to listen to.

hmmm

Compared to the past narrator this book fails. I turned it on, fell asleep in the first few chapters. Going to listen again while weeding the peonies.