This book ranged from completely boring to edge-of-your-seat excitment. Luckily, it had more exciting and interesting parts, than just plain boring parts.

Reading for the third or fourth time. My second favorite of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King!

After reading half the novel I suddenly realized i couldn't care less about what was going on. I found Holmes character rather un-holmesian. It was interesting in that it's set in Palestine but after half the book that wasn't enough. Where´s the mystery?

This mystery story had a slow start. It was also quite hard to suspend my disbelief in some parts. However, the book was engaging enough that I’ll try another one by this author.

This is probably my favorite so far, and although it is the fifth book by publication date, the events take place at the end of the first book, when things are getting rather dangerous for Holmes and Mary and Mycroft offers to send them out of town. Mary has always wanted to visit Jerusalem, so Mycroft sends them to British-controlled Palestine where they are embroiled in a series of murders and led by two Arab men who have a really hard time with a capable woman who can pass as a man when the occasion calls for it and is every bit as capable (if not more sometimes). As they work their way to Jerusalem chasing their adversary, they run into danger, prejudice, violence, politics, and intrigue, even while Mary shows her male skeptics just how capable she can be. Definitely my favorite Mary Russell book so far!

By far the Best book so far in the Series, it's very clear that King has a massive knowledge of religions history and palenstine, which makes the story believeable, but without falling into the pitfall of lecturing to the reader.

Continuing to enjoy the series; didn't like this one quite as well as some of the others.

Part of the issue may be that it's fun to watch Mary's character and her relationship to Holmes grow and change. This one -- being set within a six-week period in the middle of the first novel -- lacked that sense of growth. I might have liked it better if I'd read it just after the first book, even if it is #5 in the series.

Still, the setting was great, especially once they landed in Jerusalem. I could have used a map, as I got a bit confused about where they were headed.

On to #6!

There was no plot until more than half way through the book, unless you count wandering around trying to figure out if there is a plot.

It was a pleasant read but didn't hold my interest. I found myself forgetting about the story between reading sessions, instead of it living in my head, constantly calling me back. I had to renew/re-check-out the book 3 times...

I expect someone with a deep personal interest in Palestine/Jerusalem/etc. would find it more engaging. There are a lot of descriptions of life, history, and politics in that region. Overall it felt more like an atmospheric book than an adventure - unusual for a mystery.