Audible Book Review: The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1) by Laurie R. King

This was very engaging and fun!

The Beekeeper's Apprentice
(Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1)
by Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
Published July 1st 2005 by Recorded Books
(first published January 15th 1994)
Genre: Detective Mystery, Historical Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Long retired, Sherlock Holmes quietly pursues his study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. He never imagines he would encounter anyone whose intellect matched his own, much less an audacious teenage girl with a penchant for detection. Miss Mary Russell becomes Holmes' pupil and quickly hones her talent for deduction, disguises and danger. But when an elusive villain enters the picture, their partnership is put to a real test.

Review:
Mary Russell has lost her family and is living in her country home with her difficult Aunt. Mary spends most of her time with her nose in a book… even as she walks the meadows. She is surprised to stumble upon a man in the pasture who is studying bees. When she realizes the neighbor is none other than the renowned Sherlock Holmes, Mary is intent on becoming his pupil.

Holmes has become mostly reclusive and didn’t expect to take on a pupil/protégé – especially a young female! He helps hone Mary’s abilities especially during the summers and holidays when she leaves her school in Oxford to visit her friend in the country.

Holmes and Russell team together to rescue a kidnapped child. Several years into their relationship, Holmes and Russell find themselves dodging bomb attacks. They have to go into hiding to gather the evidence to uncover and fight the assailant.

I totally enjoyed this story told from the view of Mary Russell as a brilliant mind jousting with the legendary acumen of Sherlock Holmes. I admit it has been some years since I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (once as a teen/college student and again as a mature adult over 40), but I remember always loving the details and the plodding discovery of clues and deductive reasoning towards solving each mystery. I liked that Ms. King’s retired Sherlock is not quite as tainted or drug loving as he was when younger. His mind is just as keen and sharpened by the perceptive intelligence of young Mary. I am inclined to pick up more books in the series. This was an engaging read/listen and I highly recommend it to Sherlockian fans.

Audio Notes: Jenny Sterlin does a great job with the narration. She provides distinct voices with accents that fit the story and characters. Her narration helped me become immersed in the story.

Source: September 2011 Audible purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Book Review: January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers (Elderberry Croft #1) by Becky Doughty

All three of these are lovely stories.
January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty

Kindle Edition, 84 pages
Published November 18th 2013 by BraveHeart Press (first published March 2nd 2013)
ASIN B00BO2AAOE
Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection (Amazon)
Genre: Christian Literature, Community, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

For most of the residents, The Coach House Trailer Park is the last lonely stop on the road of life. But on a crisp January breeze, a new girl sweeps into the neighborhood, charming them all with her wild nature, her elderberry gifts, and her outrageous laughter. What brings the mysterious Willow Goodhope of Elderberry Croft to this dead end place? From what--or whom--is she hiding?
January Breeze
There’s a new girl in town, and she’s breathing life into The Coach House Trailer Park, starting with the tiny cottage she christens, Elderberry Croft. Kathy Kekoa isn’t so sure about this wild child living across the way, with her generous nature, and exuberance for life. What’s a vibrant, young thing like Willow Goodhope doing in a place like The Coach House? From what—or whom—is she hiding?

February Embers
Richard and Patti Davis have slipped into the shadowlands of hopelessness, where their days stretch out endlessly ahead of them. Lately, though, Richard has been sitting up and taking notice of the new girl down the way; Willow Goodhope, with her red curls and her wild laugh. Will Patti lose the only man she’s ever loved to the green-eyed earth girl? Or will Willow steal both their hearts?

March Whispers
Joe Sanderson has been around long enough to know that living simply is simply better living. He gardens, he cooks, he entertains Vivian. Everything is going just fine…then along comes Willow Goodhope, with her whispering shadows and her elderberry pie, reminding him of what it means to be a man. Will he rise to the occasion, or dig in his heels?

Review:
January Breeze
Willow is a noticeable addition to The Coach House Trailer Park. Most of the residents are living there for the end of their life journey. But Willow sweeps in, transforming her cottage, which she dubs Elderberry Croft, with flowers and brightness. Some of the other residents wonder what she’s up to, almost resenting her energy and creativeness and even question if she has some witchy aspects.

One of the neighbors, Kathy, is a grumpy woman with two dogs and a negative attitude. Willow brings her homemade biscuits for the dogs and then a basket of elderberry goodies for Kathy. Can Willow’s generous, bright sharing help Kathy find a new attitude?

February Embers
Another park unit is occupied by Patti and her invalid husband Richard. Patti has been a dedicated caretaker but the years are weighing on her. Each day she helps Richard into his chair on the front porch where he watches the vibrant Willow as she gardens in her yard or travels the street delivering gifts. Patti is frustrated by Richard’s attention on Willow and lack of appreciation for Patti. They are encouraging their son, Ivan, to show an interest in lovely Willow. Ivan and Willow bring a sweet Valentine surprise and chance for rekindled love to Patti and Richard.

March Whispers
Joe Sanderson is living his elder years apparently alone and in quiet simplicity in the park. He does have a lady friend, Vivian, who visits providing gossip fodder for others in the park. Joe likes to garden outside and watches Willow as she too gardens or as she visits others. In spite of her bright appearance, Joe has noticed sorrow in Willow’s eyes. He knows a thing or two about secrets and he suspects that Willow is hiding secrets of her own. Willow visits Joe to share scones and coffee. Perhaps they can find a way to share some of their secrets and provide comfort for each other too.

Willow is a charming, lively character who spreads life among her neighbors. Ms. Doughty presents a positive, uplifting event in each story. The writing flows smoothly and naturally providing a light, easy read. I am thinking about getting the full collection with stories continuing for other months. I recommend this to readers who enjoy community and uplifting stories.

Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015. I'm counting this toward my Monthly (January, February and March) goals as well as 2019TBR and 2019Alphabet.