Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Book Review: The Murder of Mary Russell & Giveaway




The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King debuts today from Random House and since this is one of my favorite series of all time, I couldn't wait to review it. Stay tuned to the end of the post because we're giving a makeup bag signed by Laurie R. King as a giveaway. To enter, just comment below on what you like best about the series or why it intrigues you. US residents only. 
"Irony comes in many flavors, sweet to bitter. The harshest irony I ever tasted was this: when I was interrupted that spring morning, I felt only relief."
And that is how Mary Russell starts out this novel when a man knocks at the door and tells her that the Mrs. Hudson that she knows, isn't Mrs. Hudson at all. The man claims to be Mrs. Hudson's son and to know her many secrets. Then he pulls a gun on Mary and begins to search the house. By the time Mrs. Hudson arrives back home, both her son and Mary are gone. All that remains is a broken tea cup and a fair amount of blood on the floor. 

What could Mrs. Hudson have possibly done to make her son so angry? Why didn't Mary know that she had a son? And where has he taken Mary? The questions keep rolling in and in order to find the answers, we need to take a deep dark look into Mrs. Hudson's past. Her pre-Sherlock past. 

We get pulled into her childhood, with a mother who passes on early and a father who drinks his dinner. The book winds between large chunks of Clarissa Hudson's past and much smaller chunks of her present. 

Mrs. Hudson's past world is as vivid as Mary Russell's as we are pulled back years into the slums of London and Austrailia. The book is engulfing and hard to put down. I enjoyed learning about Mrs. Hudson and this book is much more about her than it is any of the other characters. I look forward to the next Mary Russell book. Laurie R. King can't write them fast enough for me. 

If you haven't read any of the Mary Russell books, I strongly suggest that you start at the beginning of the series with The Bee Keeper's Apprentice

Don't forget to comment below to win a makeup bag signed by Laurie R. King. 
















9 comments:

  1. This is a new author for me. I am intrigued by this is not the Mary you thought you knew. Plus of course, the missing part and the blood.

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  2. This series is captivating and enthralling. The era and the characters interest me greatly. What a wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Thanks for this feature. A series which is so clever, a fascinating period and wonderful setting sounds memorable. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  4. This is a new author also for me but someone I will definitely check out since this book sounds like one I would enjoy reading. Thank you so much for the introduction. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  6. It has been a long time since I have read Laurie King and I can't wait to read another one of her books. Thank you for the review.

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  7. I love this series. I was hooked by the characters and great writing.

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  8. This is a new series and book to me. Sounds like a great book from the review, adding to my TBR list.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I actually haven't read any Mary Russell books! I love suspense novels and will definitely read these.. Sounds pretty good to me :) Hope you have a great day!

    Love,
    Monika | www.palateforstyle.com

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