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theresasf's review against another edition
2.0
Skimmed the last chapters. Tedious. Wish I’d given up earlier.
cat_wrote's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
2.5
I almost DNF'd this. The plot was so thin and felt very strung out. They did so much miserable trekking.
phenchurch42's review against another edition
2.0
I love the whole Mary Russell thing but I might have to take a break after reading 5 of these books in a row. This one took me FOREVER to read, and I felt like the plot never really got going. The description of bedouin life and disguises and Arabic and the craziness of Jerusalem in 1915 was super interesting, but I just got tired of Russell's descriptions of going to sleep, getting dressed, being dirty, killing time, Holmes' exasperating behavior, etc. It seemed like a lot of the same over and over. Plus Holmes didn't snoop, Russell didn't do anything smart, and the climax, in addition to being tacked on, was totally anti-climactic. Wa!
On the plus side, repetion drilled the arabic into my head, so I'm good on effendi, m'alessh, wallah, abayya, souk as well as the layout of the Holy City and how Arabs make coffee. Thanks, Laurie King!
ETA: I'm reading Justice Hall now and I might have to revise this review in light of that book.
On the plus side, repetion drilled the arabic into my head, so I'm good on effendi, m'alessh, wallah, abayya, souk as well as the layout of the Holy City and how Arabs make coffee. Thanks, Laurie King!
ETA: I'm reading Justice Hall now and I might have to revise this review in light of that book.
walrus55's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The earlier books in the series were very good, encouraging me to read this one, which is #5. It is the story of a young woman, Mary Russell, being tutored by an old Holmes. It has the feel of the old Holmes stories, but told from the viewpoint of a strong, smart woman. It is set in Palestine, just after WWI, and has all the details about the culture and people. Very enjoyable.
mikolee's review against another edition
2.0
After some close calls in London Holmes and Mary Russell head to Palestine. There they are connected with locals at the behest of Mycroft to undercover a murder. They dress as Bedouins with Mary becoming a young boy Amir. Not as captivating as others in the series. Maybe because it is difficult to read about colonizers supporting anything given the ongoing war in Gaza.
mcorbitt4's review against another edition
4.0
These definitely aren't the most exciting or fast-paced books, but I really enjoy them. I'll definitely finish the series. I find them very soothing to read. A very good beside the fire series during the winter.
bubbarich's review against another edition
4.0
Another enjoyable romp with Holmes and his much younger assistant, this time through British Palestine.
darkknightsrevenge's review against another edition
This is the perfect remedy for the abrupt time skips in The Beekeeper's Apprentice!
wwrawson's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite book in the series, but I'll keep reading!