Rating: 
Summary: It's All About View--Point of View
Review: Once again, Russell and Holmes are at it again in this third delightful book by Laurie R. King, which is a delight to read. And that's it.The charm has now been replaced with a deeper sense now, since they are married. It is a wonderful relationship, true, though rather unconventional. That's most likely why they enjoy it so much. You can't help but be pulled in by Russell's provoking and provocative thoughts, always either toying with someone else's mind or seriously thinking about one person or thing or another. It's really Ms. King's wonderful writing ability and the way she portrays Russell's thoughts in this limited-omniscient point of view that really catches your attention. "A Letter of Mary" is a great book with a wonderful author and my favorite theologian/chemist/detective.
Rating: 
Summary: Mrs. King "comes a cropper" with 3rd Mary Russell novel.
Review: Perhaps if her debut novel, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, had been less dazzling in conception and execution, perhaps if the second Mary Russell novel hadn't provided us with one of the most superbly complex and intriguingly crafted villians cum pawns in recent literature, perhaps if those books hadn't exploded on the mystery genre with such scintillating firepower, A Letter of Mary wouldn't seem a disappointment. Well, it is. It suffers mightily in comparison with its two fresh and splendid predecessors--particularly Beekeeper.
The overall impression of A Letter of Mary is that the author needs a vacation from her characters--and, most definitely, from her theological themes, which are wearing very thin. The book seems strained in many places. There is a long, digressive red-herring section involving an ex-army Colonel that represents truly shabby plotting and is almost at "pot boiler" level compared to what we've come to expect from Mrs. King. The conjugal relationship between Holmes and Mary Russell frequently borders on the fantastic (as in unbelievable). And the use by Holmes, while in disguise, of the name "Mr. Basil" is such a wincingly awkward reference to Basil Rathbone's immortal film characterization as to suggest an author whose imagination and judgment are running on empty. Reading any of the Mary Russell books is better than reading about 75% of anything else in the genre, but these characters need a rest--perhaps too many books too fast are exhausting the author's wonderful talents. We should look forward to more adventures featuring the brilliant invention that is Mary Russell (and, perhaps, but not necessarily, Holmes)--however, first let them repair to Sussex for a long, richly deserved winter's nap. #
Rating: 
Summary: Holmes Lives!
Review: Such a wonderful book in a wonderful series. We await each new offering with eager anticipation. At Christmastime, I gave myself the latest King. You will not be disappointed. The period comes alive; the mysteries are fresh and lively. No dust on these stories.
Rating:
Summary: Mis-titled but compelling story
Review: The Beekeeper's Apprentice hooked me completely, and Mary Russell continues to fascinate. A Letter of Mary has too little of Holmes and too little of the letter - aside from introducing the issue of women's historical role in religion it seems to disappear. While the story then revolves around women in religion, I was disappointed that Mary - and Holmes - did so little deduction. Not up to Beekeeper's standard.
Rating: 
Summary: Diminishing returns
Review: The first two books detailing the further imaginary adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, were entertaining - sadly the same cannot be said of the third, A Letter To Mary. The irritating elements of the first novels - an over-precious writing style and a marked inability to convincingly recreate the aura of Sherlock Holmes' society in England in the early 20th century - become far more pronounced here and a relatively weak and unexciting plot compounds the dissatisfaction. The writing slips into occasional preachiness and the characters are becoming less, rather than more, believeable. Disappointing to be sure - I hope the author regains the form of the earlier novels in her next effort.
Rating:
Summary: This is a must read book for mystery lovers!
Review: The Mary Russell series keeps me in suspence right up to the last page! The series just keeps getting better & bettter. I can't wait to buy the next in the series!
Rating:
Summary: thoroughly engrossing
Review: This being the third book in a series, I must confess that I did not have extraordinarily high expectations. After all, the first book was marvelous, the second very good, and what else could there be in life. The tendency for authors to draw out series long past their natural death is widespread. This book was stunning! Mrs. King did not waste space explaining her previous books and this was a stand alone in its own right. The mystery was nonstop excitement despite Miss Russel's claim that the life of a detective is mostly perseverence and waiting. I recommend this to anyone and everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not as good as the first book
Review: This book is good, but not as good as "The Beekeeper's Apprentice".If you like Mary Russel novels and have already read "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" and"A Mounstrous Regiment of Women",then this is a must read. P.S.One thing I don't understand;why do Holmes and Russel keep on calling each other by their last names when they're married?
Rating:
Summary: A very disappointing book
Review: This book lacks a coherent plot, and has an extremely unconvincing ending. The feeling one gets is that the writer suddenly decided that she'd written enough words, and would wrap it up in quick time. I hope Holmes and Russell will start to do some honest detecting again real soon. The great detective deserves a better life!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent suspense with Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes
Review: This book was a page turner. I loved the suspense of what would happen next. I like Sherlock Holmes books, though not as thrilled about the TV shows. Laurie King kept me enticed to turn the page and I had a hard time putting the book down. The secrets Mary and Sherlock unfold throughout the novel intrigue the curiosity and adventure in us all while teaching us a bit about history. The skill of Sherlock and his detecting are both delightful and amazing. Mary is a wonderful detail companion in the detecting world of Sherlock Holmes. The story unfolds after a friend leaves a historical box with Mary & Sherlock on a visit, which she claims has value - though she does not know how much - and then mysteriously is killed the same day. And the mystery begins as they try to find out who killed her and why over a small box. Now I see why this novel is an Edgar Award Winner. Enjoy the book.
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