The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: or, On the Segregation of the Queen (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Book 1)
By: Laurie R. King
Rating: 5 of 5
I started reading this series at about book ten. I decided to go back and read the first of the books, beginning with this, the first one. What a wonderful way to start the series!
In this story, Mary Russell is fifteen years old when she, literally, stumbles over Sherlock Holmes, who is in his fifties. He has retired to a country cottage and is spending his time raising bees.
In Russell, Sherlock sees a great promise of a brilliant mind. With this premise, he begins to teach her how to use deductive reasoning and to become his assistant on the few cases he is called into.
Mary is astounded by readily decides to become part of Holmes orbit. She is looking for something and that something includes her mentorship.
There is a fantastic plot that takes us from their beginning to the point where Mary is growing up and finding her way.
I have now, also, read book two and I am reading book three. I have to space them out so that I can enjoy them as unique stories as well as part of a continuing saga.