Rating: 
Summary: Great!
Review: It would be easier to list what this book doesn't have than what it does. There's everything but the kitchen sink, and that's a good thing, for this stellar, atmospheric, well-thought-out book is at the top of my list. With writing reminiscent of Jackson McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and a plot worthy of Elmore Leonard (think GET SHORTY) or some Grisham novel, THE GAME will surely be a bestseller. Highly recommended for anyone with a pulse.
Rating: 
Summary: not quite un-put-down-able
Review: Jumping as I did into my very first Mary Russell novel (7th in the series) I was surprised to see Sherlock Holmes take such a back seat. This book is Mary's all the way, right down to being written in first person. I was expecting more of a style reminiscent of Conan Doyle but this was clearly different. As a genre too it is different, not much detection or deduction happening- so Sherlock Holmes fans, take note.
Certainly the novel is very well researched and authentic, the details of early 20th century India and the fictional kingdom of Khanpur very plausible. Some of King Jimmy's excesses reminded me of a chapter in 'Freedom at Midnight' (an excellent read!) where the eccentricities of various Indian rajas and maharajas are detailed. The pig-sticking is vividly described- I could visualize the scene with clarity. King has done her homework well, right down to Hindi words and phrases- though it's too much of a stretch for this Hindi speaker to believe that Mary could learn to speak the language fluently in 2 weeks.
And that is basically the downfall of an otherwise engaging yarn- a few too many exaggerations (to have a normal feminine woman pass off as a man and fool everyone who just saw her as a female, merely by cropping her hair and sticking on a mustache!), convenient coincidences and no real sense of danger. Mary Russell is a strong and engaging character but it felt like this book didn't do her complete justice. Perhaps I should go back to the first book and see how she evolves.
Rating:
Summary: King Once Again Proves She Is Royalty
Review: Laurie King has created a marvelous mystery series featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. King's plots are tightly constructed and intricate, her characters vivid and true to the lore of the original Holmes, and her mastery of the English language compels me to say that her books are well worth their price. A statement not often true - since book store shelves are currently weighted down with so many trite, bland, predictable books. I feel that I should also mention King's mastery of location. King has done her homework and gives riveting and exquisite detail to each setting in the series. Whether you find yourself nestled within a cozy cottage sipping tea; shivering from the chill tramping through the morning mist on the moor; struggling through a crowded bazaar assaulted by a cacophany of street vendor cries and the aromatic scents of spices for sale; awakening to the swish of camels' feet and the creak of leather against wood leaving the Bedouin camp; being charmed by the tingling of goat bells pulling carts down dusty lanes; or absorbed by the lushness and darkness of Kipling's India - you will never be disappointed or dismissive of each book's background. In other words, King writes good solid entertaining literature. Not drivel.
Rating:
Summary: Another great Russell/Holmes story!
Review: Laurie King, like her character Mary Russell, not only has a mind worthy of Sherlock Holmes, but also a spirit capable of bringing out the human side of the great detective. The Game takes Russell and Holmes to northern India, and finds them dealing with an Indian prince angered by British rule, as well as a believable acquaintance between Holmes and another major literary character. Anyone who finds Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes a little too cool for comfort should be delighted by Laurie King's Russell and Holmes.
Rating:
Summary: A Tantalizingly Clever Story
Review: Laurie R. King takes us to exotic India just after the dawn of the new year in 1924 as she continues her series featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, as crafty as ever --- doubly so now, paired with Russell, whose skills are nearly as well honed as his own --- sets about the task of finding Kimball O'Hara (from Rudyard Kipling's tales), who has been missing for three years. "He's real, then?"
"As real as I am," said Sherlock Holmes. With scant time to prepare for their journey, the couple heads out, first traveling by train, then boarding a cruise ship. Their slow trip allows them time to formulate a strategy and observe their fellow shipmates. One of the passengers, and his family, attracts their attention. After a few days of observation, he seems worthy of closer inspection. Fortunately, they have a British contact in the country who handles research and provides a bit of political polish. Once off the ship, posing as gypsy magicians, Holmes and Russell trudge across the countryside toward the state of Khanpur. Finally, of necessity, they split up. Mary ingratiates herself with the suspect family, having run into them unexpectedly, and travels in style to visit Khanpur's maharaja while Holmes continues on the road with his rickety wagon and a young assistant. To Mary's surprise, the maharaja, a darkly handsome man with a streak of the spoiled child in him, has many more --- and varied --- guests than she would ever have guessed. As she watches him, she marvels at his excesses, ranging from obscene feasts with endless courses of clashing flavors to vast stores of unused toys. He amuses himself with exotic animals, expensive airplanes and human oddities. Living ever more on the edge, the maharaja finds more dangerous games to challenge himself and his guests --- among his favorites, a nasty sport called pig sticking. When asked to join, Mary cannot resist the temptation and barely lives through the day. Laurie R. King gently warms her readers up, guiding them across the rugged Indian landscape and diverting their attention with tricks of juggling, levitation and sleight-of-hand. About the time you start to think Holmes and Russell are no closer to finding O'Hara, suddenly the story gathers speed and builds to a wild crescendo in the last half. Rich in magic, mystery and intrigue, THE GAME is a tantalizingly clever story. --- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining story, but . . . .
Review: Laurie R. King's latest Mary Russell novel is marketed as " a novel of suspense," and that is a very accurate description. This is by no means a whodunnit, but it is an exciting story with a couple of flaws that keep it from being first-rate. This story takes Mary Russell and her illustrious husband, Sherlock Holmes, to India in 1924. They are searching for a missing British agent named Kimball O'Hara, the adult version of Rudyard Kipling's Kim. O'Hara has disappeared somewhere in northern India and the trail is cold. Nevertheless, Russell and Holmes set out to find him, and of course they do. One of the great strengths of this series is that it is NOT a Sherlock Holmes knock-off. These are stories about Mary Russell, and Sherlock Holmes appears at appropriate moments. Mary begins by learning another exotic language in record time-- this time it is Hindi-- and the couple wander through northern India as itinerant performers, magicians and jugglers. Eventually they split up, and Mary resumes her real identity (without giving away that she is Mrs. Holmes) to visit a maharaja with his own zoo, a collection of dwarves, and a love for the sport of pig-sticking. Mary starts out with a low opinion of this "sport," but her introduction to pig-sticking is one of the best parts of the story. Mary is sure that the maharaja is up to no good, but she has to make a hasty exit before she gets enough proof. She and Holmes join up again, then Holmes is dragged off by the maharaja's minions. Of course, it's up to Mary to get him back and find Kimball O'Hara, which she does. And yes, the maharaja really is up to no good and gets his comeuppance, as well. After a rather slow start (an overdose of history and politics to get everyone up to speed), the story moves along quickly and is fun to read. As usual, the part that has the couple masquerading as performers is very entertaining, and along the way one learns much about Indian culture and customs. The weaknesses are an overabundance of characters, most of whom are underdeveloped and turn out to be superfluous anyway, and too great a reliance on coincidence to provide information and solve problems. Everything in the story happens just too easily. No obstacle is too difficult to be overcome in a couple of pages. That cost the book one star, in my opinion, but if you aren't very picky about things like that, you may find the book better than I have rated it.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining story, but . . . .
Review: Laurie R. King's latest Mary Russell novel is marketed as " a novel of suspense," and that is a very accurate description. This is by no means a whodunnit, but it is an exciting story with a couple of flaws that keep it from being first-rate. This story takes Mary Russell and her illustrious husband, Sherlock Holmes, to India in 1924. They are searching for a missing British agent named Kimball O'Hara, the adult version of Rudyard Kipling's Kim. O'Hara has disappeared somewhere in northern India and the trail is cold. Nevertheless, Russell and Holmes set out to find him, and of course they do. One of the great strengths of this series is that it is NOT a Sherlock Holmes knock-off. These are stories about Mary Russell, and Sherlock Holmes appears at appropriate moments. Mary begins by learning another exotic language in record time-- this time it is Hindi-- and the couple wander through northern India as itinerant performers, magicians and jugglers. Eventually they split up, and Mary resumes her real identity (without giving away that she is Mrs. Holmes) to visit a maharaja with his own zoo, a collection of dwarves, and a love for the sport of pig-sticking. Mary starts out with a low opinion of this "sport," but her introduction to pig-sticking is one of the best parts of the story. Mary is sure that the maharaja is up to no good, but she has to make a hasty exit before she gets enough proof. She and Holmes join up again, then Holmes is dragged off by the maharaja's minions. Of course, it's up to Mary to get him back and find Kimball O'Hara, which she does. And yes, the maharaja really is up to no good and gets his comeuppance, as well. After a rather slow start (an overdose of history and politics to get everyone up to speed), the story moves along quickly and is fun to read. As usual, the part that has the couple masquerading as performers is very entertaining, and along the way one learns much about Indian culture and customs. The weaknesses are an overabundance of characters, most of whom are underdeveloped and turn out to be superfluous anyway, and too great a reliance on coincidence to provide information and solve problems. Everything in the story happens just too easily. No obstacle is too difficult to be overcome in a couple of pages. That cost the book one star, in my opinion, but if you aren't very picky about things like that, you may find the book better than I have rated it.
Rating:
Summary: Adventure Abounds
Review: Mary Russell, the much younger, part jewish and equal on all terms, wife of Sherlock Holmes is on another exciting case. This one takes them to India via cruise ship in search of Kimball O'Hara, the now grown up Kim of Kipling fame. On the way, the meet a suspicious American, with mother and sister in tow; a precocious youth who joins them in their quest and an Indian Price who is more than meets the eye. The games afoot! I love these books for their adventure, the history and the characters. Ms. King remains as true to the original Holmes as I would ever want and creates new stories with the fabulous character of Mary Russell. If you are new to this series, I'd start at the beginning with The Bee Keeper's Apprentice. If not, I would get this book as quickly as possible.
Rating: 
Summary: Phooey on Ms King
Review: Pedantic. Boring. Waste of time. Shallow and trite characters. All the nasty events turn out well due to mere cirumstance.
There is no mystery so there is nothing for Sherlock Holmes to do.
Mark that statement: This author assumes the privilege of including Sherlock Holmes in the story line and he serves no purpose at all. No red herrings. No feints. No clues. No puzzles. A pathetic misuse of one of the great characters of mysteries and detective stories.
This author successfully ripped off the buyers at my public library. Don't let her do it to you.
bogiesan
Rating:
Summary: She's done it again!
Review: Thank you Laurie King! I wish I could erase my memory and read it again immediately! Perhaps reading Kim instead will help me get by until the next installment. Please don't keep us waiting long.
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