Knave of Diamonds Audiobook By Laurie R. King cover art

Knave of Diamonds

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 19

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Knave of Diamonds

By: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley, Jefferson Mays
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About this listen

Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first place: He was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from an impregnable safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a king, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And, now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Holmes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her uncle, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner and his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, the beloved and long-lost survivor of a much-diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe deceptions: sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

The audio-exclusive short story "Two Kids on a Grift" features Uncle Jake, Mary Russell's ne'er-do-well uncle who comes back into her life in Knave of Diamonds. Uncle Jake has made a career out of swindles and scams. So when he spots a couple of kids on the street one day fleecing passers-by in a clever game of three-card-monte, he needs to take a closer look. Why do the kids remind him so much of his niece and her brother … ?

©2025 Laurie R. King (P)2025 Recorded Books
Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Sherlock Holmes Detective
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Laurie King’s Mary Russell series of books are so much fun. They are brilliantly researched and she captures details of the period that inform the reader of the context in which Russell and Holmes live and work.

Another winner from a prolific writer and a delightful series

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I felt like there were way too many scenes of characters talking about events in the past, relating what happened, etc. Lots of exposition and not much interaction between characters and not much action, until the very end. It was also very choppy, with three different points of view, instead of just two or one. Sometimes it was interesting to see how different characters viewed the same events, but mostly they just took up the narrative where the last one ended, thus causing discontinuity. I also felt like things were rushed, and oftentimes characters acted out of character. This just didn’t feel like the author’s best work.

I will say, that the three narrators each did a fine job, especially the outstanding Jefferson Mays, who is one of my very favorite narrators! Having three narrators, one for each POV, did help each character feel more real, I think.

However, I don’t think that made up for the subpar plot and execution.

Not the best in the series but still entertaining

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She's done it! Ami has found Russell's Voice! The performance in this story is spot on for Russell -and Holmes. Thank you Ms King for Jake's story at last!

Performance

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Once again Laurie R King has delivered in the Holmes & Russell saga. I'll await the next release, anxious to see where it leads, and curious to see how the new Mrs Hudson and Uncle Jake make appearances. Such a great storyteller and she does such a good job on characters, location, and plot.

Excellent story

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Thank you, Laurie R King for keeping the series fresh. Can’t wait for the next story!! Mary Russell series will always be my favorite!

Keeping it fresh

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The Mary Russell stories are some of my favorite. Here in book 19 Laurie R King hits another stride. I think she introduced two new characters, who we will see again. Missed Jenny Stirling as the voice of Mary Russell. However, I like the addition of Jefferson Mayes. This makes the naration a push.

A slight reset

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I didn’t discover the Mary Russel-Sherlock Holmes series until this year. They quickly have become my favorites. This book has everything I love about them, super hero main characters, exciting adventures and mysteries, true to classic Sherlock stories. Stories woven with historical accuracy and references. King’s vividly descriptive writing is a joy to listen to.

Lived up to my expectations

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Compared to the past narrator this book fails. I turned it on, fell asleep in the first few chapters. Going to listen again while weeding the peonies.

hmmm

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Part of the audio experience is getting to know the main characters through the narrator. When you're 19 books in and encounter the characters you've come to know and love through a different voice, it feels altogether unfamiliar. I was left with an odd feeling of missing "my friends".

The storyline itself was simultaneously interesting and lacking. Bringing Uncle Jake into the fold was brilliant and furthers the story of Mary's healing journey. I'm hopeful we'll see him again. I do, however, miss the hand-in-hand collaboration between Holmes and Russell that carried us through their early years together. The last several books have seen Holmes and Russell apart more often than not. I realize there's a sense of Mary coming into her own as a seasoned detective, and she rarely needs Holmes' tutelage at this point. That being said, the chemistry that used to exist between them has been lost and they're just like every other "old married couple". The dynamic of Holmes being fulfilled by finding a mind as sharp as Mary's and being able to hone her skills coupled with Mary's pride at rising to the task and being in awe of her mentor feels all but gone. The romantic in me misses that.


Feels Unfamiliar

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