We’re delighted to be sharing guest reviewer Laura’s thoughts about Knave of Diamonds (book 19 of 19 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series). A clever and enjoyable mystery inspired by real events.
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When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her Uncle Jake, the black sheep of the family. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, until her ne’er-do-well relative presents himself at her door with an abundance of problems for his clever niece to deal with. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first place: his involvement in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907.
It was a theft that shook a government, enraged King Edward VII and threatened the establishment. Juggling conflicting loyalties and international secrets, Russell is entangled in the web of a case that not even the great Sherlock Holmes could solve.
Knave of Diamonds Review
I’ve read several of Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and Knave of Diamonds is a fabulous addition to the series. It works well as a stand-alone too, so new readers can jump right in.
The story is told from three perspectives—Mary, her husband Sherlock Holmes, and her uncle Jake Russell—which adds depth and variety to the narrative. I especially loved that the mystery centres around the real-life disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels. It gave the story an intriguing historical edge.
One of my favourite scenes is between Mary (disguised as a man) and Mary Welsh, during her hunt for the jewels—their exchange was an absolute delight. Laurie R King captures Sherlock’s eccentricities perfectly, and I always enjoy the dynamic between him and Mary. Their relationship is written with warmth, wit, and mutual respect.
There are also some fascinating historical figures woven into the plot—Frank Shackleton, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Arthur Vicars, and Captain Richard Howard Gorges—all of whom play integral roles in the story.
A lovely book with great dialogue, well-drawn characters, and an engaging plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
About the Author
Laurie R. King has won many awards for her work including the prestigious John Creasey Dagger, the Edgar, the Nero and Macavity Awards. In 2022 she was named Grand Master by Mystery Writers of America. King is the author of highly praised stand-alone suspense novels and a contemporary mystery series, as well as the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series. She lives in Northern California.
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