A Letter of Mary: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

The Mary Russell Series, Book 3

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

The third book in the Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes series.

It is 1923. Mary Russell Holmes and her husband, the retired Sherlock Holmes, are enjoying the summer together on their Sussex estate when they are visited by an old friend, Miss Dorothy Ruskin, an archeologist just returned from Palestine. She leaves in their protection an ancient manuscript which seems to hint at the possibility that Mary Magdalene was an apostle—an artifact certain to stir up a storm of biblical proportions in the Christian establishment. When Ruskin is suddenly killed in a tragic accident, Russell and Holmes find themselves on the trail of a fiendishly clever murderer. A Letter of Mary is brimming with political intrigue, theological arcana, and brilliant Holmesian deductions.

©1996 Laurie R. King (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“An intellectual puzzler, full of bright red herrings and dazzling asides.” —Chicago Tribune

“Superb . . . The great marvel of King's series is that she's managed to preserve the integrity of Holmes's character and yet somehow conjure up a woman astute, edgy, and compelling enough to be the partner of his mind as well as his heart.” —The Washington Post

“Elegant . . . Laurie R. King continues to inhabit Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes character like an inspired actor, faithful to the role yet adding so much of her own that he becomes far more than the sum of his quirks.” —San Jose Mercury News

Perhaps the early Mary Russell books are the best

I have now listened to The Beekeeper's Apprentice, A Monstrous Regiment of Women, and A Letter of Mary in order. I was put off by her performance in the first of these (my favorite of the entire series), but was charmed, and entranced at times, by it in the following two. Women deserve a better place in literature, movies, and in plays. Laurie King and Jenny Sterling have helped put them there.

very enjoyable

As usual delightful, suspenseful, funny with a lovely sense of London in the 1920s. wonderful characters and narration.

Good listen

Loved the soothing voice of Jenny Sterlin. And as always, Sherlock and Mary are the greatest team around! The aging Sherlock is delightful.

Prepare yourself for the puzzle!!

I enjoyed this adventure with my husband. We loved the historic realism and current humor.

Calmer but just as intriguing as the previous books

This books doesn’t have the suspense the first two have. And after the second book’s deeply disturbing situations, I’m glad it was a little calmer. It still held my interest, but was a much calmer read. I realize I’ve used that word several time, but it’s the way I feel finishing this- calm and satisfied. Not out of breath and feel like I’ve been “wrung through the wringer” so to speak.
I love the married Sherlock couple- there’s nothing phony about it. It seems like they have figured out what works and is plausible for their personalities.

Performance was great, as with the other two.

Sherlock and Russell ride again

Clever twist on the Sherlock series. Recommended reading The Language of Bees first for background.

Another brilliant story

I really enjoy all of Arthur Conan Doyle's marvelous works and am not easily impressed with the modern Sherlock Holmes stories. But . . .
Laurie King has broken through my tough facade to allow me to totally accept her way of interpreting the Conan Doyle stories by successfully incorporating the much younger, less traveled yet extremely brilliant Mary Russell as his partner and wife! Unbelievable under the guise of the original story line yet believable in his older age with his partner Watson unable to adventure with him.
The stories are all incredibly diverse, very well researched and presented in such a manner as to keep the reader involved and anticipating the next development in the case.
Hurrah! Laurie King! Long may you Write!

A great story well read

A story of Sherlock Holmes from the point of view of an intellectual peer well written is hard to come by fortunately this is a rare example of the craft

Enthralling

This series of books are so well written that it made me wonder if the characters were real people. The narration is excellent as well. Warning once you begin you won't be able to stop listening to it!

Simply Love this Series

I love the way Ms. Sterlin compliments Ms. King's writing style. The characters come to life and suddenly, I'm with the Sherlocks trying to solve another mystery! I can't wait to listen to our next adventure!!