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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Laurie R. King's LOCKED ROOMS.
Barbara from New York, NY
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I have read all of her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes book and two others (FOLLY and KEEPING WATCH) but was not as entranced by them as the MR/SH books.
What other mystery writers do you read?
All of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael books.
All of Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey books.
Most of Margery Allingham's Albert Campion books.
Long ago, some of Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn books.
Most of Margaret Frazer's Sister Frevisse books (recent ones have seemed less engrossing).
Many of Andrew Greeley's books --- mystery and other religious theme stories.
Some of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
It is wonderfully evocative of San Francisco time and place, both the 1906 Earthquake and the 1924 Prohibition-Flapper Era. I wish the [ARC] had provided maps of San Francisco at both times. Sherlock Holmes seems younger in age and is more present, more like in O JERUSALEM, than he has been in some more recent books. The relationship between Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes is seen more from his perspective, as a caring spouse, worrying but trying not to show it. His relationship with Dashiel Hammett is collegial, but at times is fatherly, making one realize that Hammett would be approximately the age of Holmes' "long lost son" and similarly suffering aftereffects of WWI --- TB probably disabling similarly to gassed lungs. Mary's surprising, growing friendship with two "flapper-era" friends is a surprising touch. And there is a variety of delightful subsidiary characters, spread across ethnic, social and economic groups. This is a fun read as well as a mystery.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, for any more Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes.
Catherine from Benton, AR
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I have read all of the Mary Russell series as well as A DARKER PLACE and KEEPING WATCH.
What other mystery writers do you read?
In the past several years I have read and enjoyed Elizabeth Peters, Anne Perry, Carole Nelson Douglas, Joan Hess, Nora Roberts (writing as JD Robb), Elizabeth George, Kathy Lynn Emmerson, Carola Dunn, Mary Higgins Clark and Dorothy Sayers. There are others, of course, but these are the names that come immediately to mind.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Beginning with the prologue, the story captured my interest. The plot moves along quickly with wonderful attention to historical detail. One is drawn into the mystery on the first page. The mystery being why a strong minded and practical woman such as Russell should be suffering from nightmares and loss of appetite as she travels toward her childhood home.
I especially enjoyed the insights into the husband and wife relationship of these remarkable characters. All of the characters in this book are believable and subtly layered.
As the mystery deepens and Holmes and Russell each attempt to find solutions, it becomes clear to Holmes that answers lay in the Russell family past. The past Russell strongly resists acknowledging, much less remembering. What would cause a normally clear-minded woman to forget large parts of her childhood? Even as a happy well adjusted adult why should she choose to ignore the dangerous pattern of events occurring around her?
This was a very entertaining story with a wealth of detail. I found it well-written, clever, witty and enormously satisfying.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes.
Connie from Buda, TX
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I've read several books by Laurie R. King, including: THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE, A MONSTROUS REGIMENT OF WOMEN, FOLLY and KEEPING WATCH.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Other mystery writers I read are Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Sara Paretsky, Stephen Booth, Peter Robinson, Thomas Cook and too many more to name.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
As with all Laurie R. King's books, the writing is superb. Set in San Francisco in the early 1920's, LOCKED ROOMS is a mesmerizing tale which begins as Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes leave India aboard a ship bound for California. Vivid dreams begin to plague Russell and Holmes believes the dreams, and Russell's erratic behavior, are caused by repressed memories from her childhood. Once in San Francisco, Russell meets with the family lawyer to settle legal affairs concerning her inheritance and to obtain the keys to the family home. To her surprise, she discovers that the house has been vacant and locked since her parents' untimely deaths nine years before and that her father stipulated in his will no one be allowed to enter the house without a member of the family present. As she and Holmes explore the San Francisco area and her childhood home, Russell's repressed memories slowly begin to surface, revealing a twisted tale of violence and greed.
LOCKED ROOMS is rife with richly drawn characters, and descriptions of the city and its people during the earthquake and fires of 1906 are vivid, lending a wonderful, historical flavor to the book.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
I plan to finish the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series and then read the Kate Martinelli series.
Constance from Tallapoosa, GA
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I have read all of the Mary Russell books.
What other mystery writers do you read?
I also read Nevada Barr, M.C. Beaton, Elizabeth Peters, Lillian Jackson Braun, Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, Elizabeth George, Tony Hillerman and Patricia Cornwell, among others.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I thought it was easily her best Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery. The layers of the story --- historical events, Mary and Holmes' relationship, Mary's past and her discovery of herself --- were masterfully done, as usual!
D.L. from Creston, OH
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
No.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Cross-genre: JD Robb, Sandra Brown, Karen Robards, Heather Graham, Sheldon and Ludlum.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Ten years after leaving San Francisco in the wake of her family’s untimely deaths, lone survivor Mary Russell, accompanied by her husband, Sherlock Holmes, embarks on a return voyage to settle her inheritance.
Unexplained dreams plague Mary Russell during the trip resulting in frustrations from many unanswered questions surrounding her repressed memories during and after the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Her anxiety is compounded by a quizzical part of her father’s will prohibiting anyone unless accompanied by a member of the immediate family be granted access to the house for a period of 21 years.
Arriving at the familial estate, it is obvious to Russell and Holmes that someone had already been inside searching the premises. Why were they there and what were they after? Did it have anything to do with her family’s deaths? After an attempt on her life, will Russell be able to unlock her memories in time?
Mary Russell’s strong character voice is established early and replete with subtle humor. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, his essence is well-represented and maintained throughout the read.
Casually paced with clues efficiently placed, author Laurie R. King delivers the reader through a dramatically vivid historical backdrop of San Francisco during the Earthquake of 1906 and subsequent fires along with a visual appreciation into the Flapper and art deco period of the mid-1920’s.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Probably not.
Donna from Goose Creek, SC
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
No, I have never ready anything by this author before.
What other mystery writers do you read?
The other mystery writers that I enjoy are Patricia Cornwell, Mary Higgins Clark, Jonathan Kellerman, Scott Turow and Eve Bunting.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
This was a fantastic beach read. I could not put it down. The descriptions of [Mary's] dreams, her voyage and the furnishings in the house made me feel as if I was really there. The "secret" area in the lodge for hiding the liquor during Prohibition made me smirk. The descriptions of the outfits and the cars and trains was accurate. I remember my grandparents telling me all about those days. I must say, I did not predict this ending. It was a very suspenseful, page-turning and enjoyable book to immerse yourself in. It's a great read.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, I plan on reading all of her books.
Dorothy from Bethesda, MD
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I have read all of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books plus a couple of her other books.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Among the other mystery writers I enjoy are Marcia Muller, G. M. Ford, Thomas Perry, John Lawton, George Pelecanos, Laura Lippman, Janet Evanovich, Ian Rankin, P.D. James, Lillian Jackson Braun, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake, Lee Harris and Ruth Rendell, etc.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
LOCKED ROOMS is a great addition to the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes stories. The eventual (and eventful) partnership of these two unique characters which began with THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE has blossomed into a fascinating personal and working relationship which is further explored in this book. Holmes' previous life history has already been explored in Watson's many chronicles but Mary Russell, an orphaned young American, has had rather an obscure backstory. Now, however, Laurie R. King has given us the chance to delve into the hidden past, the "locked rooms" of Mary Russell's earlier life.
After winding up a perilous mission in India (see THE GAME), Russell and Holmes travel across the Pacific towards San Francisco where she is planning to settle details of her late parents' estate. She is experiencing terrible nightmares which seem to come from nowhere. Arriving in America, things start to come back to her that have long been repressed. Her family home, empty since the tragic accident that killed her family, seems to hold secrets that she and Holmes must finally answer. Clues to her earlier life lead to more questions and bring unexpected results. Old acquaintances pop up as well as some new "Irregulars" in an intense search for the truth about her family. The story ties together the true historical events of the earthquake of 1906 plus real and fictionalized
characters of the era into an entertaining narrative. I very much enjoyed reading it.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
I will be looking forward to Ms. King's next book, especially if it is another Russell/Holmes chronicle.
Elaine from Goshen, IN
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
This is the first book by Laurie R. King I have read, but now I am eager to read more!
What other mystery writers do you read?
James Patterson, John Grisham, Dan Brown, John Sandford, Patricia Cornwell, Ellis Peters, Carlos Ruiz Zafon and more!
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I would have considered myself a person who was against unauthorized sequels, especially with a character of the stature of Sherlock Holmes! But I was surprised to find that not only did I very much enjoy this book, but I actually thought having Holmes married to Mary Russell made Holmes a more fleshed-out human and more developed as a character. I felt he became more of a character and less of a caricature. Having Russell struggling with her inner demons really made this story engaging and I enjoyed thinking about what we see, what we miss and what factors influence that. The plot moved at a good speed and I appreciated seeing through both Russell and Holmes' perspectives.
The only problem I had with the book is that Russell felt like such a modern woman in her thinking, attitudes and actions that I had to keep reminding myself the story was set in the early 1900's. She did seem like a woman quite out of sync with her time, perhaps quite deliberately.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes!
Gale from Florence, AL
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
This is my first book by Laurie R. King.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Some of the mystery writers I read are James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Michael Connelly, John Grisham and Stephen King.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I'm enjoying reading LOCKED ROOMS and it's easy to follow. A very good plot.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, I'd read future books by Laurie R. King.
Gretchen from Myrtle Beach, SC
Have you ever read a book by Laurie R. King.
No.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, John Grisham, William Lashner, Tess Gerritsen, Dan Brown, Michael Connelly, Nelson DeMille, David Baldacci and on and on and on!!!!!!!!
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Loved it. Just wish I had read other Mary Russell novels and will do that now.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes.
Ila from Auburn, WA
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, all of the Mary Russell series and a few Kate Martinelli books.
What other mystery writers do you read?
JD Robb, Linda Barnes and various others.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I loved it, especially the third-person Holmes narrative interspersed in the Russell narrative. It finally gives answers to the question about the death of her parents and little brother.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Yes!!
Judie from Chicago, IL
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, this is my fifth Mary Russell book.
What other mystery writers do you read?
John D. MacDonald, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, Raymond Chandler and Arthur Conan Doyle.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
While I am a huge fan of Mary Russell books, I found this latest book to be a refreshing change in a number of ways. Laurie R. King’s vivid descriptions of San Francisco in the 1920’s were as real as Sherlock Holmes himself. This book came alive for me because she finally pierced the core of Mary Russell. She was too untouchable before this book, too cold, too perfect. Just when I thought Holmes had been overshadowed by the voice of Russell, he appeared as exacting and infuriating as ever. Even he revealed his vulnerability --- to the degree that Holmes ever does. The tension was more real in this book, from the first page to the last balanced with the fascinating and endearing characters from Russell’s past and present. I say, well done. Bring on the next one…..
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Absolutely.
Lori from Eureka, KS
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I was completely won over by this book. Ms. King has a new fan. I had never been a Sherlock Holmes fan and so I had not tried any of her books. This book opened my eyes to another aspect of Holmes as well as the early 20th century. I especially liked her descriptions of people and places, such as Chinatown and San Francisco --- makes you feel like you are there. I admit I was not quite as fast at solving the case as they were and had to go back and find what gave it away. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series which I am now in the process of reading.
Rick from Elk Grove Village, IL
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I finished the book over the weekend and really enjoyed it. I have not read any other books by Laurie R. King but now I am curious to read the other Russell/Holmes mysteries to explain their relationship, how they met, etc. I am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and this was interesting because he was really a supporting player in this story. I found the descriptions of the San Fransisco earthquakes and fire very interesting. Ms. King writes with a very descriptive style that makes it easy to "get a feel" for the locales of the 1920's.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
I will certainly read more of her books.
What other mystery writers do you read?
The other mystery writers that I read are
J.A. Jance (Joanna Brady mysteries)
C.J. Box
William Diehl
Scott from North Smithfield, RI
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
Yes, I have read all of the Mary Russell books, and have enjoyed each one.
What other mystery writers do you read?
I also enjoy books written by Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, Robert Parker and a host of other murder/mystery writers.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Yes, I really enjoyed LOCKED ROOMS. I do hope that Laurie R. King will continue with these characters.
I do feel that Mary and Sherlock need to become more of a loving couple, and less formal with each other. A first name basis would help, along with a little humor. Perhaps a pregnancy and a child sometime in the near future while Sherlock can still be a "dad" to the child. Certainly food for thought!
Vicky from Scottsdale, AZ
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
No, this is the first novel of hers that I have read.
What other mystery writers do you read?
I regularly read Elizabeth George and her Inspector Lynley series; also Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mysteries.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Historical mysteries don't usually interest me, but when I read the little blurb about LOCKED ROOMS it seemed more of a psychological thriller than a historical mystery. As I was reading the book I was struck by how the narrative really carried the story along, and I liked the fact of Sherlock Holmes having such a strong/intelligent female character beside him.
Although the book did a great job of describing the setting (San Francisco, Mary's childhood home, etc.) I especially liked the way the title of the book really described the key to the whole mystery of "locked doors" --- the locked doors to her childhood memories, the locked doors to the truth about what happened to Mary's family when she was younger --- physically and psychologically.
I liked the way Mary plays the central character, with Holmes as a strong supporting character, instead of the traditional role of male main character; and for her to be his wife is just icing on the cake!
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
I believe I would read a future book by this author, although to tell the truth I think I will be reading the previous book (THE GAME) in the Mary Russell series very soon!
Judith from Olympia, WA
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
I have read all except two of her books. My favorites are TO PLAY THE FOOL, JUSTICE HALL and FOLLY.
What other mystery writers do you read?
Elizabeth George, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Denise Hamilton, Jacqueline Winspear, C.J. Sansom, Anne Perry, Elizabeth Peters, Boris Akunin, Bruce Alexander, Robin Paige, Harlan Coben, David Handler and lots more.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
Reading LOCKED ROOMS was like visiting old friends whose lives stumbled from their ordinary course. LOCKED ROOMS was set in the United States (instead of England and the Middle East) and Holmes (and the reader) finds Mary to be quite different from her usual sharp, crisp and logical turn of mind. Instead, the past has put her in a sort of San Francisco fog as she stumbles along denying the reality of the mystery right in front of her as well as the meaning of her strange dreams. Part of her denial is her own feelings of guilt for the death of her parents and younger brother and this inhibits her from looking for the real guilty party. Fortunately, it doesn't inhibit Holmes. My grandmother was in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake so the descriptions of that event were of special interest to me. King again creates interesting characters who through their lives reveal the society of the times including prohibition and the situation and life of the Chinese population in San Francisco. The Feng Shui descriptions and uses were fascinating. Dashiel Hammett’s appearance as a journalist adds to the color. LOCKED ROOMS kept my interest all the way through the mystery story, the characters, and the setting.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Oh yes, I will always read the Russell and Holmes series. My mystery book club particularly liked the series about the San Francisco detective.
James from Columbia, MD
Have you previously read a book by Laurie R. King?
This is the first book I have read by this author.
What did you think of LOCKED ROOMS?
I don't really have a lot to say as I have only gotten about 25% of the way through the book. So far, there has been nothing to capture my imagination or make this book a page-turner. The set up of the plot and storyline so far have seemed to be moving very slowly. Holmes was always a favorite of mine but, at this juncture, I am not sure Ms King has captured the "essence" of a Holmes novel --- at least not to the level I might have been anticipating.
Would you ever read a future book by Laurie R. King?
Maybe I will feel differently by the time I finish this book but, right at this moment, I would have to say that I would not read another book by her.
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