Title: The God of the Hive
Author: Laurie R. King
First published April 27, 2010
354 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780553805543 (ISBN10: 0553805541)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Laurie R. King’s The God of the Hive is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
In this latest Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes mystery, the famous duo finds themselves pursued by a relentless killer who seems to be immune to justice. What starts as a problem in one of Holmes’ beehives quickly turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse across the Continent.
Separated and on the run, Russell and Holmes must rely on coded messages and cryptic notes to maintain contact while they search for answers to a mystery that could prove fatal. From hidden rooms in London shops to boats on the frozen North Sea, the couple encounters a cast of characters who could either help or hinder their reunion.
With their lives on the line, Russell and Holmes must use all their skills to outsmart their enemies and solve the most personal case of their career.
Editoral Review
The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King is a suspenseful mystery novel, originally published on April 27, 2010.
King, known for her Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, is a master of blending historical fiction with gripping crime stories. In this novel, she takes readers deeper into the fictional world of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes as they team up once again to solve a case that could impact the very safety of England.
The novel picks up where its predecessor, The Language of Bees, left off. Mary and Sherlock are on the run after being falsely accused of murder.
The story commences with Mary in hiding in a small village in Sussex, while Sherlock is lost in the woods, trying to avoid being caught. The forces that are after them are not to be underestimated, including people from their past and a powerful adversary from the government.
Somehow, they must reunite and confront these forces if they have any chance of solving the mystery. The characters in The God of the Hive are richly developed, especially Mary Russell, who takes center stage in this book.
As readers, we get to know her better than ever before, and we see the full range of her strength, determination, and intelligence. Sherlock Holmes is as enigmatic as ever, with his unique brand of eccentricity and unwavering observation skills.
King’s writing style is captivating, drawing the reader into the story with vivid descriptions and masterful pacing. At its core, The God of the Hive is a story about power, and how it can be harnessed for either good or evil.
It also explores the themes of loyalty, family, and identity, as the characters struggle with their relationships and find their places in the world. King’s expert handling of the historical and cultural aspects of the story adds another layer of depth, making the novel not only entertaining but informative.
The God of the Hive is a strong addition to King’s already impressive body of work. While it can be read as a standalone novel, readers will benefit from starting at the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the complexity of the characters and their motivations.
One minor weakness of the book is that the resolution of the mystery comes a bit too easily, but that is hardly enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a dose of suspense will find much to love in The God of the Hive.
King’s writing is exquisite, and her ability to transport the reader to another time and place is unparalleled. This novel is especially recommended for fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.
Overall, The God of the Hive is a satisfying read that will keep readers hooked until the very end. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
