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melodyshobe's review against another edition
4.0
These books a ridiculous and delightful and I love them.
pontiki's review against another edition
4.0
Each time I start one of King's Sherlock books, it takes a bit of time to get into them, but it's always worth it.
This novel is rich with descriptions of many parts of Israel and its peoples, of different religions, lifestyles, and landscapes.
Beautifully written, this is my favourite book thus far, with Russell and Holmes stopping a politically volatile situation that could start another from happening, with the grudging, but eventually, respectful help of brothers Mahmoud and Ali.
The disguise of Russell as a Bedouin boy sounds very convincing, and it's neat to see her go from that to being a young English lady, and back again.
The bomb plot is well laid out, with many clues to follow, and I had no idea who was behind it, other than one obvious character.
Such a great series, ready to begin the next one.
This novel is rich with descriptions of many parts of Israel and its peoples, of different religions, lifestyles, and landscapes.
Beautifully written, this is my favourite book thus far, with Russell and Holmes stopping a politically volatile situation that could start another from happening, with the grudging, but eventually, respectful help of brothers Mahmoud and Ali.
The disguise of Russell as a Bedouin boy sounds very convincing, and it's neat to see her go from that to being a young English lady, and back again.
The bomb plot is well laid out, with many clues to follow, and I had no idea who was behind it, other than one obvious character.
Such a great series, ready to begin the next one.
neeuqdrazil's review against another edition
4.0
This Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mystery, the fifth in the series, actually takes place in the middle of the first book, covering the pair's time in Palestine from that book.
It's a quick little read, as with most of the books in this series. Not frothy, really, but not deep.
It's a quick little read, as with most of the books in this series. Not frothy, really, but not deep.
amandagraziano's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous title in the series. The move into spies and geopolitical intrigue was really unexpected and enjoyable.
january313reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
thumbelinablues's review against another edition
4.0
It was so fun to reread this after going to Israel: Beersheva, Jaffa, the Dead Sea, the desert, the streets and market of Jerusalem.... And after The Pirate King, it was good to go back to an old-school, Kim-inspired, chasing-and-explosions mystery.
kocherreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
timwolfe's review against another edition
4.0
As is often the case with Russell books, the mystery feels more like a narrative excuse to explore a subject, place, and time -- in this case the start of the British colonial rule of Palestine, just post-WWI, a fascinating period I knew quite little about, and in which you can see the early seeds for the seemingly intractable conflict there in the present day.
Don't get me wrong, the mystery isn't an afterthought, and I found the subterranean exploration beneath Jerusalem leading up to the denouement fascinating (maybe because I've always enjoyed doing that sort of thing). But Mary's sojourn in disguise as a young man, learning the culture and language and how to win over her prejudiced companions, was just as enjoyable.
Don't get me wrong, the mystery isn't an afterthought, and I found the subterranean exploration beneath Jerusalem leading up to the denouement fascinating (maybe because I've always enjoyed doing that sort of thing). But Mary's sojourn in disguise as a young man, learning the culture and language and how to win over her prejudiced companions, was just as enjoyable.
mcamy24601's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
gchristinemarie's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the setting. I don't read many novels that take place in Palestine and it was enjoyable to see Holmes and Russell in another setting. Like Mary, I was frustrated by the brothers Hazr and I found the storyline to be confusing.