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Summary: Left Me Wanting Moor Action
Review: First of all, let me say Laurie King is my favorite mystery writer outside of Dorothy Sayers. A new book of hers comes out (either the Russell or Martinelli series) and I devour it in an evening, unable to put it down. But I found The Moor rambling and hard to get through. Everything is described in the minutest of detail: characters, their reminiscing, even the meals they eat. Sure, parts of it are beautifully written, in Ms. King's inimitable way, but get me to the action! That's why I read the genre in the first place. I didn't feel like the chase started till two thirds into the book. Then I found the story and conclusion compelling. I miss the tightness of King's earlier books (pre-Letter of Mary). Really good things: 1) King creates a palpable sense of place with misty, peaty Dartmoor; and 2) Mary Russell becomes less of a snotty know-it-all, as she copes with the moor and the emotional residue of her most recent case.
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Summary: Great-I loved all of her Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell books.
Review: This was a great book, well worth the price. When I heard that Ms. Russell had another book out in this series I rushed out to get it. It is indeed reminisent of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle wrote, with the exception of a partner who is more of a mental match for Holmes than Watson was. Ms. Russell is a strong character that I enjoyed very much. I would like to see future titles with the same characters and indeed look forward to seeing another title in the near future.
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Summary: Liked Hound of the Baskervilles Try this!
Review: Want to know moor about the Moor where Hound of the Baskervilles is set? Taking place a number of years later in the same setting Holmes calls partner Mary Russell to help him solve another mystery on the moor. A man is found dying near by are the tracks of a large dog. He claims he has been for a ride on LAdy Howard's coach. While Holmes is in London following a lead another body turns up leaving Russell to handle the situation. Surprise ending. Strangely enough includes one real person as character that helps them learn more about the area and its history. Better description than Doyle or should I say Watson's novel. Get caught up in the mist and meet strange characters. Map included to help readers.
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Summary: feminist escapes the great grimpen mire
Review: In Laurie King's excellent new addition to her popular BeeKeeper's Apprentice series, Holmes and his wife, the intrepid Mary Russell, return to the Devonshire Moors, home of the Baskervilles and numerous ghastly legends. They help out Sabine Baring-Gould (a true British eccentric in the most Monty Python sense) and bond further. King takes a lovely scholarly approach to her mysteries, much admired in this less than literate age, although her details are more Sayer-like than Doyle-esque. I still have a little trouble with Holmes as a love god, but maybe in the next book, Mary can elope with Lord Peter Whimsy. Here's hoping!
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Summary: Newest Russell/Holmes adventure a mystery lover's delight
Review: For those who worried that Laurie King was losing her touch, and that the once-sparkling partnership of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes was in danger of becoming dull, worry no more. THE MOOR, despite its superficially derivative premise, is a fresh, original, and thoroughly engaging mystery featuring Russell and Holmes at their intellectual and investigative best. King has done her homework here and it shows -- she not only shows the reader the brooding vistas of Dartmoor, she transports them there. Also not to be missed is the eccentric, prickly, but always fascinating character of the Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, a real individual in more ways than one. Again King's scrupulous research comes into play here, as she weaves fact and fiction into a seamless whole. Many of King's former weaknesses in crafting a mystery -- such as failing to introduce us to the villain until the very end of the story -- have been diligently amended here; and, as always, there are enough tips of the hat to (and, occasionally, sly but affectionate pokes at) the Conan-Doyle "canon" to tickle the fancy of Sherlockians. Holmes is at his ascerbic, brilliant best, and Russell shows a human, fallible side that makes her all the more likeable in the end.
This is, in my opinion, the best Russell book since THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE, and more than worth the price of admission.
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Summary: Take your time to enjoy this
Review: In the fourth book of the Russell - Holmes series Laurie R. King
presents us with a novel that echoes the time and pace of the surroundings - the moor. As many reviewers noted, the pace is slow. Time is spent on atmosphere, character development, and in subltle humor that will not be to the taste of everyone. I liked this book better than books two and three in the series, but that might have been because I was in the mood for more leisurely pursuits than when I read the other two. I think Ms. King handled the challenge of returning to the scene of perhaps Holmes' most famous case, in a deft and successful way, but don't read this immediately after watching an Indiana Jones movie. Put the kettle on to boil, let the tea steep, and take your time.
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Summary: A reader from New York City
Review: This is the fourth book by Laurie King about Mary Russell and her partner, Sherlock Holmes. King is a superb writer and she captures the eeriness of the English moor, but I was a bit disappointed with this novel, and give it a lower rating than the first three books in the series. This is a good book -- with interesting characters and circumstances -- but the pacing is very sloooooow, the mystery is not terribly interesting and, most egregious of all, the dialogue between Russell and Holmes, usually the high point of this great series, never sparkles. Perhaps others are disappointed at the lack of detail concerning the couple's romantic life; I am more interested in their intellectual communion, and that is sorely missing here. I also noticed a fair number of typographical errors for the first time in the series, suggesting lazy or hurried writing, or perhaps a lack of editorial assistance. Perhaps Ms. King should take a rest between novels? It's a shame that this book does not live up to expectations, being a continuation (of sorts) of Holmes' greatest adventure. The mood of the moor and Baskerville Hall are great, the many characters are well written, but unfortunately the spark is not here. Still a fun read for fans, but not as good as the three previous efforts. I will continue to follow the series, but will probably buy them used.
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Summary: If you want to read a M.R. book, don't read this one first!
Review: I love the Mary Russell books, but I must say that this one is my least favorite of the series. While the other books in the series took me only one or two nights to read, this one took me at least two weeks, if my memory serves me. And the fact that I gave it three stars is saying something. The plot is sluggish from the beginning, and only has a few sparkling gems in the heap. Mary Russell might as well not exist during the entire first half of the book. It is only at the end of the book when the truly interesting plot begins, and still Russell is shoved into the background. It is disappointing, to put it lightly. This is definitely not the book to read if you're new to the series. Try starting from the beginning with the first book, "The Beekeeper's Apprentice." If you want a thrilling and well-written Mary Russell book, read "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" or "O Jerusalem", which are my personal favorites, with "Justice Hall" coming at a close second.
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