Preview
  • Castle Shade

  • A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (Mary Russell Mysteries, Book 17)
  • By: Laurie R. King
  • Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
  • Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (761 ratings)

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Castle Shade

By: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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Publisher's summary

A queen, a castle, a dark and ageless threat - all await Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in this chilling new adventure.

The queen is Marie of Roumania: the doubly royal granddaughter to Victoria, empress of the British Empire, and Alexander II, tsar of Russia. A famous beauty who was married at 17 into Roumania's young dynasty, Marie had beguiled the Paris Peace Conference into returning her adopted country's long-lost provinces, single-handedly transforming Roumania from a backwater into a force.

The castle is Bran: a tall, quirky, ancient structure perched on high rocks overlooking the border between Roumania and its newly regained territory of Transylvania. The castle was a gift to Queen Marie, a thanks from her people, and she loves it as she loves her own children.

The threat is...now, that is less clear. Shadowy figures, vague whispers, the fears of girls, dangers that may only be accidents. But this is a land of long memory and hidden corners, a land that had known Vlad the Impaler, a land from whose churchyards the shades creep.

When Queen Marie calls, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are as dubious as they are reluctant. But a young girl is involved, and a beautiful queen. Surely it won't take long to shine light on this unlikely case of what would seem to be strigoi? Or, as they are known in the West...vampires.

©2021 Laurie R. King (P)2021 Recorded Books Inc.
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What listeners say about Castle Shade

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

On of my favorite Mary Russell novels!

Loved that Russell and Holmes were together and were using teamwork to solve the mystery.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another excellent mystery by the excellent Laurie R King

I have read nearly every book that Laurie R. King has written. Thank you for writing another book and I hope you have many more to share with us happy readers!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Fantastic Adventure

Its amazing how Ms. King can continue writing such fantastic novels!
If one is a fan of Sherlock Homes, this series does not disappoint! Truthfully, in many ways its better. I found Mr. Doyle's novels would contain many presumptions at the conclusion of the tale whereas this series allows the reader to adventure along trying to solve the mystery right along with Russell!
I love this series and how Ms. Sterlin brings every character to life with her incredible voice acting.
I know you'll love it, too!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved Romania Setting

The take was intriguing with great character depiction and nice balance of Holmes and Russell adventures separately and together. The Queen and Princess depictions were so lovely.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Great tale as always from Laurie R King. I listened to the audio and Jenny Sterlin is the best. Love her.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A very fun book!

This book will be a treat at Halloween or any time. So many subtle things to chuckle with the author about and cleverly written so everything works memorably well. I have listened to this and other Laurie King books read by Jenny Sterlin and thoroughly enjoy the voices she creates for the characters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Speed it up!

At first I was frustrated, even offended. I’ve read so many other books in this series. Mary Russel was far too young, vibrant and American influenced to have such a slow low voice. Then I discovered I could speed up the reading, and I was saved.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What will I do now?

I have live these- all eighteen! I do hope there will be more of these!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story, much improved over the last few books

I liked this much better than the last few books in this series. it features more Russell and Sherlock interaction and scenes from both of their perspectives. it reminds me a lot of The Game, which is a good thing because that is one of my favorite Mary Russell books. I think Russell and Holmes are best in more far flung places, the settings of the last fee books (Monaco and Venice) were not as interesting and I really didn't care for Mrs. Hudson's stories.

They are in Romania and they do talk a bit about vampires but the story is not about vampires at all, it is very much a mystery and there are no supernatural explanations for anything (as is right in a Holmes story!)

The title is perfect as the castle in the story is a character just as much as the people in the story. If you liked some of the earlier stories like Garment of Shadows and Dreaming Spies I think you will like this one.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mary Russel stories are a no miss

The newest edition to the Mary Russell story. I will not restate the plot. I just want to let you know that if you like the Marry Russel stories, this will not disappoint you. Great story, liked the narrator, Enthralling.

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