The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 1

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

The Twentieth-Anniversary Edition of the First Novel of the Acclaimed Mary Russell Series by Edgar Award–Winning Author Laurie R. King.

An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee • Named One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).

This program includes a preface read by the author.

©1994 Laurie R. King (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Agatha Award, Best Novel Nominee

“Wonderfully original and entertaining . . . absorbing from beginning to end.” —Booklist

“King has stepped onto the sacred literary preserve of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poached Holmes, and brilliantly brought him to life again.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A fascinating and often moving account of a friendship so unusual and so compelling that one almost accepts it as being historically real.” —The Denver Post

Enjoyable

This was a perfectly good listen when all pistons were firing, but it definitely got bogged down at times. The character of Mary was fun and interesting and the author did a good job of capturing the Holmes we all know and love. But my mind wandered during the times when the story got sidetracked and away from the cases. The Palestine trip read like a Zionist travelogue and it felt really jarring in the midst of a mystery novel; like the author was attempting to bring true depth to a not particularly deep book. And just to make it clear, I would have felt the same way had she gone to Rome and waxed poetic for quite a long time about Catholicism while quoting scripture. It just seemed out of place.

That said, it was an enjoyable listen although I probably won't seek out any more of the series.

Too much meandering

The first 2 1/2 hours of this book could easily be paired down to 30 minutes. there was no need for such and extensive background when it would all be revisited again later anyway. it really didn't add anything to the story. Like most Sherlock fiction the end is never really in doubt. The performance is fairly well done but the prose could use some work.

Too much theology and feminist retoric, too little Holmes

Although I’m both Christian and female, I was disappointed with the amount of theologic and feminist monologues. Instead of enhancing the story, it detracted. I had to fast forward through them to keep the flow of the story going. This is unfortunate because as others have mentioned, this author writes beautifully, has strong female characters, uses a unique vocabulary and has developed an interesting and novel approach to Holmes stories.

Holmes Purist!

I am have devoured the Conan Doyle repeatedly since roughly 2000 ( I was in 5th grade at the time) and have become intimately aware of this set of characters to the point that I take exception to most film representations of the great detective and take issue with the portrayal of Holmes and his compatriots by non-Doyle authors as well , because they are not dedicated to the details of what makes these complex character tick ( "they see, but they do not observe). NOT SO Ms. King, while not as brash or flashy a representation as described by Watson the differences are understandable ones and stem from the narrator's (namely Russell's) understanding of not only the man, but also his mind, a combo poor dear Watson lacked. Additionally, wisdom which only time can bring and a life well, but hard lived has mellowed the Holmes of this book. King brings a more human portrayal of Holmes through the rather unlikely eyes of a young women. The book in addition to Russell and Holmes subsequent adventures are some of my favorite Holmes portrayals aside from the original Doyle stories, and are well worth the read (or in this case listen).

Good storytelling, slow start

Interesting take on what might have been another chapter in Sherlock Holmes's life. It was difficult to get into but eventually became compelling. Good narration with a variety of character voices. It's a good read if you like mysteries.

Joy

I have listened to the whole Russell/Holmes series many times. I began again yesterday, immediately after completing Stephen Fry's performance of the complete Holmes canon. As I listened to Mr. Fry, nodes of Ms. King's work were triggered. I have now an even deeper appreciation of the elegant complexity of Ms. King's work than I had before. Stunning. Beautiful. Deliciously complex logic puzzles. Psychologically perfect. Thank you Ms. King for many hours of joy, tears, and laughter. Now I'll have them all again as I repeat the series, now made even more rich.

great story, didn't like Sherlock's voice

What made the experience of listening to The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen the most enjoyable?

riveting story

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

lots of plot twists

Which character – as performed by Jenny Sterlin – was your favorite?

Mary Russell

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

/when they were pretending to be enemies , and finally embraced

Better than Conan Doyle's Holmes!!

The whole story was so much better than expected, and the narration was spot on! Need to listen to the next one right away.

the best conclusion ever

I really didn't know that there was a sequel to the original Sherlock Holmes books but now that I do I feel like I have new life in me. I can't wait to read the rest of your books this story was fantastic.

I loved this!

Somehow I missed this book. It certainly filled in some blank spaces. This series has been fantastic along with a favorite writer, The reader is also excellent. I have been redoing this set and having this book unread has added to the joy of the redo.