Comments (47)

What did you think about this title?
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Feb 25, 2023juliainman rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
My first King book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A really clever story. Loved all the characters. I’ve never read Holmes, but watched movies and tv. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the stories.
Jun 25, 2022mkpederson rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
My favorite series of all time starts with one of my top ten favorite books ever.
Jun 13, 2022chipsahoy rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
My second (maybe third….?) time reading this. A wonderful introduction to the series. Highly recommend.
Jul 31, 2021jewelhound rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The book is written about Sherlock Holmes from his apprentices view point. The book starts with Mary as an early teen and continues thru Cambridge. Holmes is now in his 50's and life has lost some of its luster. He needs a new challenge…
May 11, 2021
The book was published in 1994. Odd that the library has it published in 2014!
Apr 19, 2021
READ AND RETURNED The first Mary Russell novel (#1 of 16 in the Mary Russell series) recommended by Ann, Inverness librarian.
Mar 03, 2021JCLCherylMY rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
1st book in the Russell/Holmes series. King did a wonderful job of bringing Mary Russell to life as the main character, and a retired Holmes as the secondary character. I loved their interactions and growth as the plot intensified. I…
Jun 19, 2020maipenrai rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This novella describes the initial meeting of the 15 year-old Mary with Sherlock Holmes. He sees her potential as a detective and protects her from an attempt on her life. The only puzzling aspect of this story is the mention of suicide…
Jan 25, 2020
S.H. :Beekeeper's Apprentice and the rest of the series, by Laurie King (Sherlock Holmes fans, you will love this! This is the continuing story of when Sherlock retires to the English countryside and meets a teenage girl who is a child…
Aug 30, 2019IndyPL_SherryU_Archive rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
While I am not a big Sherlock Holmes fan, I enjoyed this book (and subsequently the rest of the series) very much. The character of Mary Russell is delightful, giving as good as she gets and not taking anything from anybody, not even the…
Aug 20, 2019Joyce0593 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Very slow beginning, and I nearly gave up on completing it. I've read a later one in the series which was more satisfying.
Oct 01, 2018DorisWaggoner rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Having read most of the books in this series, but not in order, I've decided to go back to the beginning. It's a treat. Even within this book, it's fun to watch the development in the relationship between the retired detective and the…
Jun 23, 2018gingerseal8 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Worth rereading! As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I hesitated to go into this, but I think it stays relatively true to the spirit of the character.
Apr 06, 2018humming rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed the combination of short story mysteries within the framework of a developing relationship between an older, more mature, Sherlock Holmes with a young woman finding herself and her voice during the World War I years.
Mar 30, 2018Einer2 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable book-will look for the prequel! Obviously I know about Sherlock and Watson but had never read one of the books. I like the way mysteries are unraveled and appreciate the due that Holmes gives to a female apprentice (most…
Mar 25, 2018tbos805 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Delightful! And fun to read Sherlock's improved "tolerance" for a woman (other than Irene Adler, of course). Great twists and turns in the story. Can't wait for the next one in the series!
Oct 26, 2017Brontina66 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The reason why I gave this book a "good" rating is the obviously great amount of work and research that the author has done. There is a clear attempt to re-create a true "Sherlock Holmes" atmosphere and the addition of a woman sleuth is…
Aug 12, 2017mammothhawk229e rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Pretty good book. However, quality slowly waned later on in the series.
Jun 25, 2017
When fifteen year old Mary Russell meets an reserved beekeeper she does not suspect him of being the famous Sherlock Holmes.
Jan 04, 2017PimaLib_ChristineR rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
While written much later, I would suggest reading the short story "Beekeeping for Beginners" before embarking on The Beekeeper's Apprentice as it gives the backstory of how Holmes and Russell actually meet and is a helpful segue into…
Nov 10, 2016ArapahoeLesley rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
It could barely hold my attention. I'm tired of Victorian mysteries... I need some grit and ummphf and dirty to my mysteries. But I'm sure if you love Victorian mysteries this would be overwhelmingly perfect for you.
Sep 13, 2016jsjs rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book was recommended to me by Melanie at the Stratford Public Library. I am not even remotely the "fan fiction" type, so I was skeptical, but WOW, I loved this book. It's intelligent, and the development of the central relationship is…
Jul 04, 2016theycallmehoops rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This title was recommended to me by a customer based on my interest in Sherlock Holmes. It was a fun and well-written read. It was a little slow at times, but I've read the series gets even better as it progresses.
Nov 18, 2015pokano rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The premise is that an exceptionally bright college-aged young woman, Mary Russell, in Victorian England becomes an apprentice to a middle-aged Sherlock Holmes, who now lives out in the countryside where he raises bees. The book is written…
Dec 18, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The delightful young Mary Russell becomes acquainted with the elderly Sherlock Holmes who in his retirement is keeping bees. She becomes his chess opponent and eventually his apprentice. Together they solve many minor crimes with the…