The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen Audiobook By Laurie R. King cover art

The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 1

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The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen

By: Laurie R. King
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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The Twentieth-Anniversary Edition of the First Novel of the Acclaimed Mary Russell Series by Edgar Award–Winning Author Laurie R. King.

An Agatha Award Best Novel Nominee • Named One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. They are soon called to Wales to help Scotland Yard find the kidnapped daughter of an American senator, a case of international significance with clues that dip deep into Holmes's past. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).

This program includes a preface read by the author.

©1994 Laurie R. King (P)2007 Recorded Books Historical Mystery Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths

Critic reviews

  • Agatha Award, Best Novel Nominee

“Wonderfully original and entertaining . . . absorbing from beginning to end.” —Booklist

“King has stepped onto the sacred literary preserve of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poached Holmes, and brilliantly brought him to life again.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A fascinating and often moving account of a friendship so unusual and so compelling that one almost accepts it as being historically real.” —The Denver Post

Featured Article: The Sherlock Holmes Universe, Explained


The world’s most famous detective almost didn’t survive the 19th century! In our shared joy of finding a new corner of the Sherlock Holmes universe, Holmes fandom appeared inextricable from the universe it helped to build. Fans encouraged keeping the Holmes narrative alive in the 19th century; fan devotion fueled the Sherlock Holmes universe of book, film, TV, streaming, audio, and more. In the 21st century, the game has never been more afoot!

Featured Article The Sherlock Holmes Universe Explained
Engaging Mysteries • Complex Characters • Brilliant Deduction • Clever Plot Twists • Faithful Adaptation
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I loved the premise and character development but couldn't help at times feeling the author 'dumbed down' Sherlock to make Russell shine. But even so it kept my attention and interest. I didn't care for the narrator for this book, a bit to mature-sounding. She portrayed Sherlock with a nasal high-pitched tone that didn't appeal at all. And there were constant little clicks, could have been a poor recording, but to me sounded like the narrator had a case of dry mouth. Really distracting. Seems like the clicks could be edited out..,

Fun!

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At the price of $4.95 I thought I would try this book. It's actually quite good. Sherlock Holmes now retired to the countryside. He can't give up on crime solving so takes on a new assistant, Mary, a young woman. Dr. Watson is living in London. The story is told from her viewpoint. The stories themselves are not that exciting, but the female narration is quite excellent. The book would appeal to women and teens who have never experienced Sherlock Holmes before. For the price you can't go wrong with this one. I see that it is a series, but I am not sure I would go must past first book. However, other listeners may get hooked and may want to continue on.

The Retired Sherlock Holmes

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Would you listen to The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen again? Why?

Yes! The book is well written and a great narrator.

What other book might you compare The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen to and why?

:Lock Doors" with the same Mary Russel

Have you listened to any of Jenny Sterlin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She has a great voice and sharp British articulation. Jenny can change voices for different people.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No cry or Laugh but just great story line starting from the beginning when Mary bet Holmes

Outstanding

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Nice series of stories tied together into the book. It comes across as a book, but also as distinct stories within the book. Charming story to imagine.

Great series.

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The story unfolds in such a brilliant and plausible way that you can easily listen to it time and again and you will always discover more and more details. We can watch the transformation from Mary Russell, a lost and hurt young teenager into a clever young woman, fully trained by Sherlock Holmes. Their conversations and verbal battles are so amusing that I have a big fat smile on my face while listening. One advice: I personally stop this book at that point where both flee to Jerusalem and listen to the book "Oh Jerusalem" in between, and then continue where I have left off. The story there explains a lot about the relationship between the two. But it is not a must. Jenny Sterlin brings all characters to life! So 5 stars all over!

Clever plot, and such clever and detailed characters!

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Although I am a big fan of this series, I was quite disappointed in the quality of the reading. Despite the narrators attempt to give each character depth by changing her voice, I found it a rather flat reading.

Good story but bad reading

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An entertaining story if you pretend this is the more compassionate, less neurotic version of Holmes of a alternate universe. Mary Russell has potential to be a good main character that I actually WANT to follow...IF... she were made less condescending and given a flaw or two. She is definitely a Mary Sue who seemed to just upend Watson. Oh, be forewarned, she and Holmes bash Watson relentlessly. I think the author may have hated that character.

Entertaining, but read more like a fanfiction.

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It seemed far too fantastical to keep on reading after a while. I stopped. Yet, the author portrayed an interesting aging Sherlock. You don’t read about him when he retires and is elderly usually.

To fantastical.

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Prefer original Holmes stories, this was a little more emotional and from a female perspective, which I didn't mind, but the 'mysteries' and cases didn't have much interest or appeal for me

Just ok

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enjoyed the book. wasn't able to solve the mysteries on my own....kept me in suspense.

a mystery book

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