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WARNING: These are summaries, not reviews, and may contain story spoilers.
Click on these links for publication details of editions used for indexing:
Laurie R. KingThe Beekeeper's Apprentice (1997) Fifteen-year-old Mary Russell encounters Holmes on the Sussex Downs. After initially trading insults he recognises a sharp mind and invites her to tea. Over the next two years she receives a detective's training from Holmes, a more general education in the village, and tends to wounded soldiers sent home from the trenches, eventually going up to Oxford in 1917, where she indulges in amateur dramatics & pranks (of a Victoria Woolfian mold). Returning to Sussex for the holidays, Russell is drawn into a case with Holmes. Mrs. Barker from the Manor House tells them how her husband, Richard, a government officer is falling victim to bouts of illness, each lasting a few days, and coinciding with periods of clear weather. Having seen flashing lights on their rooftop, she has come to believe that he is a spy. Later Russell investigates a series of robberies at inns in Eastbourne, with a little help from one of Mrs. Barker's seventeen dogs, and Holmes uses an old trick to locate the stolen money. Their next case together involves traveling to Wales, disguised as gypsies, to investigate the kidnapping of the American Ambassador's daughter. Although they rescue the child, they fail to capture the brain behind the kidnapping. In December, 1918, Russell returns home from the Bodleian library to find a disguised Holmes and a bomb in her rooms. An attempt has also been made on Holmes's life in Sussex. They take refuge in Mycroft's rooms, where they are tracked down by Watson. They learn that the bomber responsible has been killed in an attack on Watson's house, but when they visit Covent Garden, Billy is attacked and their cab torn apart. From a smear of clay Russell deduces that their opponent is a woman, and realises that a note that arrives at New Scotland Yard (where they are shot at in Lestrade's office) was typed on the same machine as that used in the Simpson kidnapping. They leave London on a mission for Mycroft in Palestine. When they return they make a show of a falling-out, hoping to force their opponent's hand. Russell finally deciphers a cryptic message in the Bodleian library, and realises that their adversary is someone closer to her than to Holmes. They drive down to Sussex, where their adversary is lying in wait for them and reveals that her motives for revenge lay in Holmes's past. |
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A Monstrous Regiment of Women (1995) Mary celebrates her twenty-first birthday, and gains control of her inheritance, sends her aunt away, and redecorates her Sussex home. She also makes a large donation to the Temple. Holmes goes to France on business for Mycroft. Childe is apparently attacked at the Temple, but a short time later bears no sign of her wounds. When Ronnie is almost killed on the Underground, Holmes puts her into Watson's care, and sends Billy to call Russell back from a walking trip in Oxfordshire. Holmes passes on a package of information which suggests that Mycroft has been interested in the Temple for some months - three women have died in accidents, all have left money to the Temple. Russell rents a flat in Bloomsbury and hires servants, setting herself up as bait, meanwhile sending Ronnie and Miles away to a hunting lodge in Scotland. She meets Lestrade who tells her that the girls deaths have been linked to three murders related to a drug-smuggler named Buchanan. Russell suggests that the connection may be less concrete than the police believe. She and Childe are attacked in the street, and later she is taken prisoner while travelling to Oxford, locked in a cellar and injected with heroin. Holmes effects a rescue, and discovers that a forged willl has been lodged at Somerset House. Russell returns, disguised, to the Temple to learn its secrets. |
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| "Mrs. Hudson's Case" (1997) Included in: Crime Through Time (Miriam Grace Monfredo & Sharan Newman) Story Type: Pastiche Canonical Characters: Mrs. Hudson; Sherlock Holmes Other Characters: Mary Russell; Sarah Oberdorfer; Louis Oberdorfer; (John Lestrade; James Oberdorfer) Locations: Holmes's bee-farm; Oxford Story: Mrs. Hudson wants Holmes to set up a hidden camera to trap whoever is stealing from her kitchen, but he refuses. Russell questions her further, discovers that there has been a spate of similar thefts in the area, and decides to rig a tripwire across the kitchen door. Holmes is called away to London to investigate the kidnapping of the orphan children of a wealthy cloth manufacturer, and Russell returns to her studies in Oxford, from where, worried upon not receiving her regular letters from Mrs. Hudson, she returns to Sussex to discover that the culprits have been caught, and that there is a connection with Holmes's kidnap case. |
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The Moor (1998) Story Type: Pastiche narrated by Mary Russell Canonical Characters: Sherlock Holmes; (Jack Stapleton; Sir Henry Baskerville; Sir Charles Baskerville; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Mycroft Holmes; Beryl Stapleton) Historical Characters: Sabine Baring-Gould; (Harry Baskerville; Arthur Conan Doyle; Lady Mary Howard; Brother Adam) Other Characters: Mary Russell; Russell's Landlady's Housemaid; Elderly Couple; Mrs Moore; Mrs Elliott; Sally Harper; Mr Harper; Harry Cleave; Cleave's Girl; Veterinarian; Farmer; Hired Hand; Farmwife; Old Woman; Thomas Westaway; Westaway's Girlfriend; Girlfriend's New Suitor; Saracen's Head Boy; Saracen's Head Girl; Mary Tavy Innkeeper; Richard Ketteridge; Gilbert Arundell; David Scheiman; Ketteridge's Chauffeur; Tuptree; Baskerville Hall Servant; Randolph Pethering; Charles Dunstan; Blue Lion Barman; Mrs Pengelly; ; Young Woman; Postbridge Landlady; Inn Staff; Stable Boy; Dartmoor Residents; Farm Daughter: Lew Down Postmistress; Mary Tavy Inn Customers; Pub Owner; Bar Girl; Chase's Neighbours; Elizabeth Chase; Baskerville Hall Gatekeeper; Gatekeeper's Wife; Mrs McIverney; Jansen; Baskerville Hall Maid; Lew Down Residents; Thomas; Andrew Budd; Albert Budd; Davey Pearce; PC Bennett; Doctor; Inspector Fyfe; Rosemary; Train Passengers; Plymouth Taxi Driver; Violet Baskerville; Mary; Plymouth Clergyman; Congregation; Plymouth Man; Lydford Station Master; Baring-Gould's Doctor; Samuel & Livy Taylor & Their Children; Doctor's Wife; (Josiah Gorton; Johnny Trelawny; Courting Couple; Farmer; Farmer's Son; Publican; Drake; Jacob Drew; London Couple; Sir Henry Baskerville's Daughter; William Latimer; Miz Endacott; Samuel; Daniel; Samuel's Mother; Samuel's Aunty; Williams; Lettice; Lew Down Innkeeper; Collaven Farmer; Oscar Richfield; M. Bridges; Farmer; Major-General Nicholas Wyke-Murchington; Harrison) Date: October, 1923 Locations: Oxford; Coryton Station; Lew Trenchard; Lew House; Quarry Lake; Public House; Lydford; Dartmoor; Stone Hut; Cleave's Farm; Drake's Farm; Tin Miner's Hut; Farm; Wistman's Wood; Two Bridges; Saracen's Head Inn; Mary Tavy; Gibbet Hill; Baskerville Hall; Lew Trenchard Church; The Blue Lion; Tavistock; Postbridge; Inn; Mary Tavy Post Office; Inn; Chase's Cottage; Lydford; Plymouth Story: Russell is summoned to Dartmoor by Holmes, where she finds herself forced to walk from Coryton Station to Lew House, home of Sabine Baring-Gould, who tells them that a ghostly hound has been seen again on the Moor. Holmes tells Russell of the death of Gorton, a tin miner, on the Moor, the footprints of a large dog beside his body. This time the hound is said to have been seen with the ghostly Lady Howard and her spectral coach. Holmes reveals that he is also looking into the artillery ranges on the Moor where new weapons are being tested, at Mycroft's request. He and Russell explore the Moor, find Gorton's hut, discover gold, and become lost in a fog. The following day they find themselves dinner guests of Ketteridge, the new owner of Baskerville Hall. Returning they find Pethering, an Archaeological archaeologist laying siege to Baring-Gould's bedroom. Holmes goes off to investigate Mycroft's spies, while Russell searches the Moor for the origins of the ghostly coach, and hears about a hound and a hedgehog. A fall from a horse leads to her return to Baskerville Hall where she discovers that Ketteridge is not being altogether truthful, and that he is soon to sell the house. Returning to Lew House, she learns that Holmes has gone up to London. The following day Pethering's body is found. Holmes returns from London, and learns, though Russell, that the portrait of Sir Hugo has been removed from Baskerville Hall. Russell visits Sir Henry Baskerville's daughter to learn more. The son of an old adversary enters the fray before all the threads are drawn together in a night-time vigil on the Moor. |
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The Game (2004) In India they learn more of a northern maharajah friend of the Goodhearts, and that four agents have disappeared and three been killed over the previous months. After their hotel is set fire to, they set out for Simla, disguised as Indian conjurers, and accompanied by the orphan donkey-handler, Bindra, who attaches himself to their party. In Simla they encounter the Goodhearts again, and Russell accompanies them to Khanpur to investigate the activities of their friend the Maharaja. There she takes part in a pig-sticking session and seems to win the favour of the Maharaja, "Jimmy", who nonetheless demonstrates a cruel side to his nature. Holmes arrives in Khanpur in his magician disguise, and Russell, after exploring storage sheds owned by the Maharaja, and fearing that she will not be allowed to leave, rejoins him, again disguised as his assistant. The Maharaja, looking for entertainment, catches up with them and abducts Holmes the magician. Russell sets out for help, returning, again in disguise to Khanpur with Nesbit. There they find Holmes and Kim, who both prove reluctant to be released from their prisons. The Maharaja, who appears to be becoming increasingly disturbed, takes Russell and Nesbit on a hunt where the quarry proves to be something totally unexpected. After escaping again, they return once more to the Maharaja's fortress to bring him to justice, and there meet with an unexpected ally. |
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Locked Rooms (2005) NOTE: The instrument of Leah Ginzberg's death, "Some kind of bird carving, an owl maybe, from Rhodes or Crete or something in the Mediterranean" (P.334) is presumably the Maltese Falcon. |
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| The Art of Detection (2006) Story Type: Detective Story / Pastiche Canonical Characters: Sherlock Holmes Historical Characters: Mr Samuel; Leah Garchik; (Peter Blau; Les Klinger) Other Characters: Kate Martinelli; Chris Williams; Simon Wallace; Security Woman; Tamsin; Lawrence 'Lo-Tec' Freeman; Nora; Lee; Al Hawkin; Martinelli's Neighbours; Park Rangers; Dan Culpepper; Coroner's Men; Maria Warbeck; Philip Gilbert; Hikers; Tom Rutland; Naomi de la Veaga; Gilbert's Neighbours; Nadine Murray; Nika Kilanovitch; Jon Sampson; Sione Kalefu; Lalu; Roz Hall; Mina; Satch; Lieutenant; Corina Ferguson; Gilbert's Cousin; Gilbert's Nieces; ME's Assistant; Bank Manager; Geraldine O'Malley; Rajindra Pandi; Johnny Venkatarama; Diagram Research Receptionist; Rowena; Jeannine Cartfield; Soong Li; Ian Nicholson; Kobata's Assistant; Paul Kobata; Magnolia Brook; Brook's Daughter; Handyman; Tessie; Bank Gatekeeper; Martin Ledbetter; Man in Cloth Cap; Henry; Blue Tiger Customers; Waiter; Band; Billy Birdsong; Hadassah Levitson; Annabeth; Mr Minovski; Taxi Driver; Boot-Black; Fort Baker Guard; Major Morris; Soldiers; Corporal; Lieutenant Jack Raynor; Detectives; Corporal Larsen; St Francis Desk Clerk; Diner Customers; Fishermen; Chinese Fishermen; Chinese Captain; Baxter; Lieutenant Halston; Merry Winkle Winfield; Speakeasy Barman; St Francis Elevator Boy; Taxi Driver; Army Vets; Suspect; Boston Antiques Dealer; Thirteen Year Old Collector; Mr Israel; Tony's Grill Greeter; Alex Climpson; Wendell Bauer; Leah Garchik; Strollers; Angie Goode; Louisa Brancusi; French Restaurant Woman; Miss Flanders; Hal; Yvonne; Adler's Secretary; Saul Adler; Monica LaValle; Christy Bennington; Uniformed Cops; Reporters; Maj; Chronicle Photographer; City Hall Crowds; (Gilbert's Doctor; Diana Sandstrom; Marin County Coroner; Thomas Rutland; Amanda Blessing; Dierdre Carter; Mrs Kirchbaum; Samuel Kapinsky; Raynor's Mother; Edward Raynor) Date: 31st January - February, 2004 / 1924 Locations: San Francisco; Gilbert's House; Noe Valley; Martinelli's House; Marin County; Battery DuMaurier; Hall Of Justice; Gilbert's Bank; Coffee Shop; Palo Alto; O'Malley's Office; Sunnyvale; Diagram Research Offices; Restaurant; Nora's Nursery School; Grocery Store; Nicholson's Apartment; Kobata's Shop; Berkeley; College Avenue; Carmel; Carmel Bank; Gin Shop; Opium Den; Powell Street; St Francis Hotel; The Blue Tiger; Bistro; Market Street; Samuel's; Minovski's Shop; Fort Baker; Fort Barry; El Aquario; Diner; Fisherman's Wharf; Speakeasy; Tony's Grill; The Ferry Building; Berkeley; Rutland's Office; City Hall; Fort Mason Story: A body found in an abandoned gun emplacement in Marin County is that of a Sherlockian collector, Philip Gilbert. Investigating, Martinelli comes across a lost Sherlockian manuscript, apparently written by Holmes himself, and the typewriter on which it was written: After taking a tour with a pickpocket through the seedier side of San Francisco, Holmes meets Billy Birdsong, transvestite chanteuse at the Blue Tiger club.He takes on the task of finding her missing soldier companion, Raynor, for her. Raynor's body is found in the same emplacement as Gilbert's will be eighty years later. His investigations among the military and San Francisco's seedy side lead him to set a trap at the emplacement for the murderer. Martinelli finds further parallels between Gilbert's murder and that described in the manuscript, spots irregularities in a webcam recording of the murder scene, and attends a meeting of the Strand Diners Sherlockian society. New visits to the Battery and Gilbert's home bring information that starts to suggest that events didn't play out exactly the way everyone has been assuming. She eventually finds herself held at gunpoint by the man's killer. |
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