Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing sequel to Beekeeper's Apprentice
Review: It's been a year since I read the Beekeeper's Apprentice but all of my memories are very positive. In fact, they were so positive that I actually put off reading the sequel because I feared it wouldn't live up to the original. Alas, I fear I was correct.This is the third King book I've read (To Play the Fool and A Darker Place being the others) that deals with a religious cult. I think the books were all written around the same time and religion must have been all but an obsession for King. Unfortunately it makes for pretty uninteresting reading for me personally. So, in this book I skimmed many pages and found that I really didn't care much about what was happening the Childe's regiment of "suffragettes/cultists." While there isn't much Holmes in this book, what is provided is plenty interesting. I'm probably somewhere in the middle on the controversy concerning the romance between Holmes and Mary. Yes, the age difference is troublesome. Still, they are both such unusual people that why should they be usual in who they love. Bottom-line: Uninteresting plot/mystery dulls the enjoyment of reading about Mary's attaining her majority (and her fortune) and the maturation of her relationship with Holmes.
Rating: 
Summary: Not much of a mystery, but excellent character study
Review: It will perhaps shock Ms. King--and certainly disgust Holmes and Russell--that their personal relationship is a vast deal more intriguing than the actual mystery in "Monstrous Regiment". Ms. King knows exactly what words to put in her characters' mouthes because she believes in them, and so do we, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle notwithstanding. The mystery in itself is frankly boring, but, maybe more to the point,it intrigues Russell, and as she says, "If detecting is what I do, than theology is what I am." A nice touch. It's the vague yet almost palable ache between these two delightful misfits that impresses me most in King's second in the series, as well as her encyclopediac knowledge of London and environs, and her top-drawer characterizations, especially of the redoubtable Mycroft and Watson. But if it's strictly mystery you're after, you may be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book
Review: This is my second experience with reading Ms. King. Both have been thoroughly enjoyable. Though this book starts out slow, the plot quickly thickens not too far along. The book is amiraculously woven series of events, that continues to build until the whole thing boils over! I couldn't put this book down and can't wait to get the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Adding Laurie King to my list of favorite mystery authors!
Review: I have read both this and Bee Keeper's Apprentice. I was instantly transported to England/London and completely enthralled with the story. I am fascinated with the strength of character possessed by Mary Russell and find her a compelling equal for Sherlock Holmes. The touch of romance between Mary and Mr. Holmes is just subtle enough to work and be believable. I enjoyed every word! I can't wait to read the next 3 in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A Mixed Bag
Review: This is the followup to "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". Mary Russell, the bright and wealthy young orphan who becomes the protege of the semi-retired Sherlock Holmes, is a strong and engaging main character. Also, the author seems to have a good grasp of London during this era. As a period piece, it works fairly well. On the other hand, the plot here could be stronger. At times, the case seems to take a back seat to Miss Russell's personal life. Character development is good to an extent, but a mystery plot should never play second fiddle to the detective's emotions. Further, in one engaging part of the story, Margery (one of the main characters) appears to have been the victim of some physical violence under rather mysterious circumstances. The next morning, however, all signs of injury seem to be gone. This opens up some interesting possibilities in the plot and much is made of it. Subsequently, though, this apparently miraculous recovery has little bearing on events. Nor is it ever satisfactorily explained. Finally, if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, this isn't him. This Holmes is usually a step late and he is ruled by his passions to a degree that Arthur Conan Doyle would not have recognized. In short, this is a nice period piece, but only a so-so mystery and only a pale shadow of a Holmes story. Much of it is spent dealing with emotions, and feminist concerns of that era are never far below the surface. In general, women will like this book much more than men will. I found it a mediocre effort.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: When I learned of the book, I could help but buy it. I wanted to see if the innuendos from the first book, "The Beekeepers Apprentice" would be brought to a head, and they were! At points, the discussion of theology and womens rights can drag, but the final chapters had me up till the wee hours of the morning (the pages or threatening to fall out!). A great sequal!
Rating:
Summary: An exelent continuation of a wonderful idea
Review: I pride myself as being a S.Homles expert, and yet this book intrigued me. His new found friend and partner in crime, Mary Russell, complements him well. As well as the many aspects of this era in England, post-WWI and right in the middle of a female uprising. The many Hitchcockian twists kept me up, many a time until the wee hours of the morning, and I was well rewarded with a wonderful, surprising end.
Rating:
Summary: Better even than Beekeeper's Apprentice!
Review: Thoroughly enjoyable book with interesting storyline, plot, and characters. Well done. I really liked it and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Preferred it to The Beekeeper's Apprentice
Review: This second book in the Mary Russell series held my interest more than the first. While I really enjoyed The Beekeeper's Apprentice, I thought this story moved along with fewer digressions than the former. This may be because the characters and their relationship had already been established. I enjoyed seeing Veronica again and Watson, however briefly. This is my fifth Laurie King book, and I'm afraid one of the things that I enjoy most about her writing may also be her undoing. In the last three novels, a religious leader or cult has been the antagonist. While King does a beautiful job of weaving her research and theology into the plot, it will eventually become tiresome even in her skilled hands. I would like to see her use the same skill, but explore a different topic.
Rating:
Summary: Hooked on Mary Russell? Move on to the Monstrous Regiment!
Review: If you've read The Beekeeper's Apprentice you already know that there is a certain chemistry between Mary Russell and her mentor Sherlock Holmes. Find out how Mary faces her feelings for Holmes while trying to puzzle out what misogynists, the suffragettes, a variety of spiritualism, and her old college friend Ronnie have to do with murder. As with the first book, the character developments are as fun as the plot, and add a great deal to the enjoyment of the book. If you haven't read The Beekeeper's Apprentice yet, I would strongly recommend you read that one first.
| 
