Knave of Diamonds
A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
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4.5 • 86 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
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.
Customer Reviews
Best for the King loyalists
30 years after the first Mary Russel novel, we have the "Knave of Diamonds". This is the 19th book in the Mary Russell series. Unlike some, the books often intertwine, picking up the thread of a story laid down in another book. So, this book isn't for the uninitiated. If you're new to the Mary Russell series, this is probably not a good place to start. We're immediately dropped into a complex family dynamic that has developed over many books.
After a confusing start by a mysterious narrator, the sparks of the story meet the kindling. We're off on our expected adventure, this time with an Irish angle, chasing long lost jewels. A forgotten piece of Mary's family past and Holmes's history collide.
The story takes a bit to get started. there's a lot of history to get caught up. The scenes aren't as exotic as some of King's other stories and the action is more rambling. But the story holds interest and as always is based in historical events with a dramatic twist.
King's writing style is not for everyone. It's vivid and clever, but a bit academic and round about. Read slowly and savor every word. Each is important. The loose threads will tie up into a nice big bow.
The story is sometimes in Mary's voice. But not always. King sometimes switches narrators. Usually authors use a 3rd person voice when they want different perspectives. But not King. This is only a problem when the main character, Mary is in the room. We read these books because of our main character. Reading from a different perspective distances us from her. Mary is no longer the "I" but the "she". Holmes's voice makes sense but a stranger's voice is disconcerting.
Knave of Diamonds.
Read the entire book in three days. It is Excellent !!!!! I am going to read it again❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Labored
Unlike her earlier Russell and Holmes books, this was overly complex, Byzantine in plot with too many one - dimensional, often credulous characters.