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Laurie R. King takes us to exotic India just after the dawn of the new year in 1924 as she continues her series featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, as crafty as ever --- doubly so now, paired with Russell, whose skills are nearly as well honed as his own --- sets about the task of finding Kimball O'Hara (from Rudyard Kipling's tales), who has been missing for three years.
"He's real, then?"
"As real as I am," said Sherlock Holmes.
With scant time to prepare for their journey, the couple heads out, first traveling by train, then boarding a cruise ship. Their slow trip allows them time to formulate a strategy and observe their fellow shipmates. One of the passengers, and his family, attracts their attention. After a few days of observation, he seems worthy of closer inspection. Fortunately, they have a British contact in the country who handles research and provides a bit of political polish.
Once off the ship, posing as gypsy magicians, Holmes and Russell trudge across the countryside toward the state of Khanpur. Finally, of necessity, they split up. Mary ingratiates herself with the suspect family, having run into them unexpectedly, and travels in style to visit Khanpur's maharaja while Holmes continues on the road with his rickety wagon and a young assistant.
To Mary's surprise, the maharaja, a darkly handsome man with a streak of the spoiled child in him, has many more --- and varied --- guests than she would ever have guessed. As she watches him, she marvels at his excesses, ranging from obscene feasts with endless courses of clashing flavors to vast stores of unused toys. He amuses himself with exotic animals, expensive airplanes and human oddities. Living ever more on the edge, the maharaja finds more dangerous games to challenge himself and his guests --- among his favorites, a nasty sport called pig sticking. When asked to join, Mary cannot resist the temptation and barely lives through the day.
Laurie R. King gently warms her readers up, guiding them across the rugged Indian landscape and diverting their attention with tricks of juggling, levitation and sleight-of-hand. About the time you start to think Holmes and Russell are no closer to finding O'Hara, suddenly the story gathers speed and builds to a wild crescendo in the last half. Rich in magic, mystery and intrigue, THE GAME is a tantalizingly clever story.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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