Rating: 
Summary: Laurie King's Russell makes me enjoy Sherlock Holmes
Review: I recently reread King's Mary Russell series after reading the newest edition, "The Game," and I think "A Monstrous Regiment of Women" is still my favorite, though I'd recommend the whole series to anyone who's interested in an intelligent turn-of-the-century mystery starring an acerbic, intelligent woman who is more than the equal of the famous Sherlock Holmes. I think "A Monstrous Regiment of Women" is the book I most enjoyed because it shows Russell pursuing a case that is entirely her own -- mysterious deaths among the followers of a charismatic feminist preacher -- and coming into her own as a woman in every sense of the word. Sherlock Holmes is very much present, but this is Russell's story and Russell is one of the most interesting characters I've encountered in mysteries. I also enjoy the book because of the developing romantic relationship between Holmes and Russell. I've read the howls of protest from fans of Sherlock Holmes over this series, but I find King's books more enjoyable than Arthur Conan Doyle's. I took a course in college on Holmes and always viewed the stories as a rather quaint, stodgy, stilted picture of the Victorian era. By giving him Russell as a partner, King gave him a much needed shot in the arm and human vulnerabilities. Why wouldn't this Holmes fall in love with his best friend and partner? They're clearly soul mates. King makes the 39-year age difference insignificant.
Rating:
Summary: To Put It Plainly
Review: This series is good. Quite good. Unto the point of excellence. I highly recommend it in its entirety.
Rating: 
Summary: Take out the Holmes romance and it's good
Review: I would have enjoyed this book, but I just couldn't get past the Holmes angle. Not only was he out of character, but the whole romance subplot ruined an otherwise ripping mystery for me. I won't be reading any more Mary Russell tales, but I hope this author branches out.
Rating:
Summary: Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell--Heroes if I Ever Saw One
Review: I finished "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" all in one school night (putting off doing my homework in the process) because it was just so good. I did not go so fast with "A Monstrous Regiment of Women"--not because it wasn't as good, but because it, to me, required a great deal more thought.
I won't give away the entire plot, but the sparks begin to fly between Holmes and Russell, the mystery is as interesting as ever, and there are some truly funny and heartbreaking moments. I laughed (snorted, more accurately) at several parts, cried at one, and enjoyed every moment of it. In addition, there are some very interesting religious ideas in this book, but you certainly aren't being preached to (after all, the story is told from a capable, smart, and rational woman's point of view). The characters are equally interesting and despicable, the romance is slightly disturbing (because of the age difference), but so well written that you can't help but support it, and the plot itself is fantastic and interesting. A must-read for any fan of the Mary Russell series, or for someone who just likes a good mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the first
Review: I adored the Beekeeper's Apprentice and was almost hesitant to read the second in the Mary Russell series, even while dying to find out more about Holmes and Russell. I wasn't disappointed. Monstrous Regiment surpassed my expectations by a mile. Mary Russell is mature, in command of her fortune and sparks between her and Holmes are starting to show. This book was so fascinating that it got me started researching the suffragete movement in England. A wonderful read, a great mystery and a lovely coming of age story. Laurie R. King does it again!
Rating:
Summary: British mystery done properly
Review: Second in terms of release date but third in terms of the timeline (O Jerusalem should actually be read second, its story taking place right before the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice when Mary is 19), A Monstrous Regiment of Women finds the brilliant Mary Russell approaching her 21st birthday, questioning the nature of her relationship with Sherlock Holmes.
In an effort to distance herself from him a bit, Mary renews an Oxford friendship and finds herself drawn to the charismatic leader of a feminist church/society movement, intellectually and spiritually. A series of deaths attached to the society sends Mary and by proxy, Holmes himself into the investigation.
As with the first book (and the following books), Regiment is primarily about Mary. Finally at an age where she inherits her parents vast estate, she struggles with her newfound freedom, the burden of responsibility and starts to look at parts of herself and Holmes that she'd been able to avoid when she was a girl. Mary is exposed to the seamiest sides of London as she tries to balance depending on Holmes with wanting to do things her own way.
A lot has been made of the romance between Mary and Holmes - something the author could have avoided entirely if she'd have just not mentioned Mary's age. She's written as far, far older than her calendar years; it also wasn't that uncommon around the turn of the century to find a young woman married off to a much older man. I'm not a Sherlock Holmes purist, which enables more suspension of logic, but the romance is still sparingly written and is actually kind of sweet. If anything, a reader looking for passionate clinches and sex is not going to find it in these books; even compared to the tamest of today's romance novels, the scenes here are the mildest of mild.
The mystery itself is well-written and paced, with the exception of the middle section about the society which are a little dull. The clues, confrontations and eventual solving are interesting, the extra little details about London in the early 20's is fun to read. There's a long passage towards the ending where Mary falls into the hands of some criminals that I thought was particularly well done; it goes a long way towards the aging of Mary and towards her understanding of Holmes.
This was a really enjoyable and fast book to read. I recommend it for anyone who likes authors as diverse as Agatha Christie, Patricia Cornwell, Elizabeth Peters, J.D. Robb and P.D. James. A Holmes purist would probably have some issues with Mary, but if you like the idea of a tough, intelligent and capable feminist solving crimes, then you'll enjoy these books.
Rating: 
Summary: The return of Mary Russell
Review:
In this sequel to THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE, Laurie King gives us the now mature Mary Russell, claiming her inheritance and becoming involved in the investigation of a charitable organization run by an extremely charismatic woman, whose wealthy members seemed to be dying and leaving their inheritance to said organization. Mary works undercover and with her newly found wealth makes herself a target, with serious consequences. King creates a real sense of menace in this installment and Russell's peril is strongly rendered and will make the reader feel true compassion for her.
Holmes's presence is felt throughout the novel, and King does a fine job of staying true to this character, fleshing out some of his personality while never forgetting that he is the "world's greatest detective." The eventual match of Russell and Holmes may put some traditionalists out of sorts, but I find it a way to breathe new vitality into this legendary character, and in Mary Russell, King has developed a fine and equal partner for the detective.
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Summary: The "romance" made me squirm too!
Review: I agree with the reviewer who felt the romance between Holmes and Russell was just too unbelieveable. It would have been a lot more believeable to me if it had been presented more as the type of relationship shown in My Fair Lady, with Holmes never losing his cynical and analytical character. I loved the book except (and it's a big except) for the romantic relationship between Holmes and Russell. I's probably typical of our society's current mind set that there must be a romance between the leading characters! I'm just surprised the authoress fell for that expectation! But, you know what?, I'll probably read the next books because the mysteries and the solving of them is great fun! :)
Rating:
Summary: Not as expected, however...
Review: How else can I say it: if you liked Beekeeper, you will love this book. It has all the feel of an older Sherlockian tale, yet it is told from his equal with only his insight. Thickening plots, red herrings, dastardly plots, returns from the dead. It's a Mary Russell book for the Doyle Canon.
Rating:
Summary: Laurie King's Russell makes me enjoy Sherlock Holmes
Review: This Mary Russell mystery has as a central character Margery, who saw in the plight of the "surplus women" in England after WWI a call from God for her and other women to help the poor. Margery was a feminist, as was the main character, Sherlock Holmes's apprentice, Mary. All the chapter headings are quotations which put women "in their place"--quotations from St. Paul, the Church Fathers, and John Knox (the title was from him, opposing Mary Tudor being queen ["regiment" is used in the sense of "regime"]). However, Laurie King's character Margery could not successfully lead this church that she had started up. That is, the story-line, whether the author intended to or not (and I can't believe she was unaware of what she was doing), said that women indeed are incapable of leading a church. The story line thus disagrees with the main character! I'd like to know what Laurie King thinks.
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