This is the latest in the series of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russel stories by Laurie R. King. It is also the second in a two-part story starting in The Language of Bees. As its predecessor, this is more of an adventure story than a mystery, but the depth of Sherlock Holmes is not lost.
From the previous book, Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes are split in different parts of Europe, hunted by Lestrade and trying to learn information about Mycroft, who is a major focus in this book.
This book introduces a new character, Robert Goodman, who is a man of the woods with a strong influence of childlike innocence. He seems open, free-spritied, and has an ability to see through complex situations to find a simple unstated truth. He is a fun character who’s past is mysterious and unraveled in part during the story. He plays a counterpart to both Holmes and Estelle, Sherlock’s granddaughter. I would love to see more of this character in the future.
The book is fairly fast-moving and does a good job of keeping your interest. Mary Russel is the primary focus, as we follow her from the northern reaches of Scotland back to London, under pursuit and avoiding Lestrade. Laurie King does a good job of portraying the intelligent sophistication of the characters, and explaining intricacies to the reader without violating the narrator-author illusion.
Overall, the book is thoroughly enjoyable and I am looking forward to the next one.