I really enjoyed this one. The last few books in this series were kind of weak, but this was a great return to form. I especially enjoyed getting Mrs Hudson's backstory. ( )

Four stars only because I wish it had been longer. Loved learning about Mrs. Hudson's past. ( )

This being the third of Ms. King's books I've read, it's quite evident her study of Doyle has yielded a writing style and approach to storytelling that while her own, mimics his legendary style. Oddly the title has you think this may be a finale, though much as any Sherlock Holmes tale, it weaves an intricate pattern with interesting characters, multiple locations and suspense that it's illuminated until the final few pages much as any Holmes story is. Overall it's hard NOT to enjoy a Laurie R. King book if you appreciate the whimsy, subtle humor and intrigue of Mr. Holmes, his loving wife and housekeeper! ( )

After a strong start, this series lost its way a bit but has returned to its roots, beginning with [b:Dreaming Spies|22318363|Dreaming Spies (Mary Russell, #13)|Laurie R. King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1401917932l/22318363._SX50_.jpg|41111194]. Most fans should find this volume, though not without its faults, a solid addition to the continuing story of Sherlock Holmes, Mary Russell, and their extended circle of family and friends.

Mrs. Hudson, loyal landlady and later supportive housekeeper, takes center stage here. Neither in the original Conan Doyle stories nor in the earlier books in the Russell-Holmes series are we told anything of how she came into Sherlock’s life. That omission is corrected here, in great and fascinating detail.

I must acknowledge that at times all that detail wore on me. The basic elements were necessary to drive this plot, but paring down some of the details would have kept me more fully engaged at points where the story seemed to stagnate a bit.

The plot is cleverly built around one of the Conan Doyle stories, providing a resolution that was missing from the original. Because of all the space devoted to Mrs. Hudson’s backstory, less than normal is available to Sherlock and Mary, but King makes the most of their time on the scene.

The conclusion of the book gave me an additional appreciation for the all the chapters spent on the backstory. I would still have preferred they had been shorter, but they definitely explained and leant credibility to the ending - and to Mrs. Hudson, the woman. I’m hoping that in future volumes we will revisit this fascinating element of her life. (Quite honestly, I’d like to comment more on what all these allusions mean, but there’s no way to do that without spoilers.) ( )

THE MURDER OF MARY RUSSELL is the fourteenth book in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, and I have read every single one of the books. This series is actually one of my absolute favorites, and to say that I've been waiting to read this book is an understatement.

READ THE WHOLE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION! ( )