Brian M. reviewed on 1/26/2011 + 70 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I bought this book since I collect Holmes stories, so I partially judged it by its cover. I had every instinct that this was going to be a feminist "Girl power!" "Hey get outta my way old man, I just solved this case! kinda vibe, typical feminist/update bashing of my beloved detective, portraying him as a buffonish, senile, old fashioned, non pc type of old hero. I WAS WRONG! The book, as told through Mary Russell's eyes is much more of loving homage, as she first mets his future mentor/friend/ect and becomes a dectective/spy in training. She is s strong,smart, resourceful character, whom reminds me slightly of Harry Potter, orphaned, forced to live with odius relatives, then grows up to escape and met the world's greatest detective. My only gripe is that I thought the ending could have been a little more original........SPOILER DON"T READ ANY FURTHER...I would have rather had a more original villian rather than have to dip back into the Canon. But that besides, it is a great book, which deserves to be a movie. By far the best book in the series, although the other have bright spots and sometimes less Holmes. Probably won't appeal to Holmes purists, since it is set in the mid 1900's and not in the victorian era, very little Watson. But it is cleverly/lovingly written with both characters strong,clever, and appealing...and very respectful to the Canon.

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