| In the second Mary Russell story, two years have passed since the events in _The Beekeeper's Apprentice_, and Mary is in her third year at Oxford and about to turn 21 and come into her inheritance. It is the winter of 1920-21. A friend from school introduces her to the New Temple of God and its charismatic leader, the feminist and possible religious mystic Margery Childe. Mary notices that wealthy young women who have volunteered for the church and made room for it in their wills have been dying regularly and mysteriously, much to the organization's enrichment. She decides to probe deeper, with help from her friend and mentor, Sherlock Holmes. King is a fine writer, and though the mystery itself is not all that compelling, her characters -- particularly her narrator/heroine and her excellent evocation of the great private consulting detective -- and the recreation of London in the 1920s are superb. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - very upbeat How difficult to spot villain? - Moderately Challenging Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 40% Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Religious overtones? Yes Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - money/treasure How sensitive is this character? Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK City? Yes City: - London - dangerous - Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Unusual forms of death - run over - crushed - flamed Unusual form of death? Yes Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
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