Mary Russell is an intelligent, quick witted woman and happens to be married to the much older Sherlock Holmes. When Mary’s charming but rakish Uncle Jake reappears in her life after a long , unaccounted for absence, he draws her into a quest to recover the stolen Irish Crown Jewels. With plot twists, double crossings and intrigue, author Laurie R King kept me guessing until the end what Jake’s real motive was for recruiting his niece. Although this is part of a much larger series, this book is good as a stand alone story, but I suspect that reading the rest of the series would reward me with answers to how Mary met Holmes and why they married despite the age gap and why Mary’s family died in a car crash.

This was a mystery with an intricate plot that traced the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. The main character is the indefatigable Mary Russell, married to Sherlock Holmes. She finds out that an uncle whom she presumed was dead was part of the original plot to secure the baubles. When he appears on her doorstep, together they embark on a quest to recover them. The plot is ingenious with plenty of twists and turns, but for my mind, the balance between explanation and action was wrong. I would have preferred more of the former, however, this did not spoil an enjoyable read

This is the 19th book in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series, but my first, and is told from three POVs, those of Holmes, Mary and Mary’s Uncle ‘Jake’ Jacob, the black sheep of the family and the knave of the book title. Centred around the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907, a factual event, and Jake’s involvement in this incident this reads well as a stand-alone, although there were clearly some references to events in earlier books.

Briefly, returning from a wedding in France Holmes goes off to London to see his brother Mycroft. In his absence Mary is surprised to see Jake for the first time in thirteen years and even more surprised by his confession about the missing Irish Crown Jewels. The original theft and subsequent investigation identified a number of suspects but for political reasons this was not pursued. Holmes was part of the original investigation but even he couldn’t solve the crime.

Holmes and Mary seem like an odd couple, I always saw him as a confirmed bachelor, and Mary is much younger than him, but she is also his intellectual equal and they are the perfect foil for each other. Although Mary was the main protagonist in this book I can see that working together they would be almost infallible. The plot was good, and relatively straightforward, but it was very well done and a very entertaining cosy mystery.

I thought that this book was a sensational read and I really enjoyed reading it!
When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her Uncle Jake, the black sheep of the family. But she hasn't heard from him in many years, until her ne'er-do-well relative presents himself at her door with an abundance of problems for his clever niece to deal with. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first place: his involvement in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged King Edward VII and threatened the establishment. Juggling conflicting loyalties and international secrets, Russell is entangled in the web of a case that not even the great Sherlock Holmes could solve.
I have never read any of this authors books before but I intend to remedy that omission in the coming days and read the earlier books. I strongly recommend this story as one of the best books that I've read this year.

Laurie R King’s Knave of Diamonds features Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, together with Mary’s long-lost Uncle Jake. Jake is a loveable rogue, the Knave of the book title – even Holmes eventually admits to liking him. About thirty years ago, I saw the first two Holmes & Russell novels by King and grabbed them, putting them on a shelf until I had time to read them. I assume they are still on a shelf somewhere in the house! Based upon Knave of Diamonds, I have missed out, as it is excellent.

The basic plot is that Uncle Jake re-enters Mary’s life while Sherlock is away from home the day after they return from France. Jake confesses that he was involved in the 1907 theft of the Irish Crown Jewels and saying “I need you to go with me to Ireland.” They go and find Holmes waiting for them when they sail back to Fishguard, having deduced what has happened. The plot really gathers speed then, with rapid travel involving England and a return to Ireland.

What I loved about this book is the depiction of Mary as a truly independent person. She leaves a note for Holmes and goes off with her uncle – just like that. No fretting about whether she should wait for Holmes and discuss it; what he will do without her; whether she should tackle the pile of laundry accumulated during their trip to France (they have no servants). Following Jake and Mary’s return from Ireland, Mary is alone and makes a decision to set off by herself. Holmes may be renowned for his deductive logic, but Mary is his equal.

Although Holmes and Russell are fictional, the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels was a real event. The theft was never solved and the author cleverly inserts her characters into history with a highly plausible outcome.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Sherlock Holmes stories and to anyone who wants to see how to depict true equality between the genders.

#KnaveofDiamonds #NetGalley

Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R King sees Mary Russell confronted with a family mystery that tests her loyalties. When her estranged Uncle Jake suddenly reappears, Mary is drawn into a high-stakes adventure involving the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels—a crime that even Sherlock Holmes could not solve.

The story moves at a brisk pace, shifting away from the quieter, reflective tone of earlier books in the series towards a more action-driven plot. The conflict of loyalty between family ties and her partnership with Holmes adds depth, while the international intrigue keeps the narrative engaging.

Though the mystery itself takes a backseat to the adventure, the book captures the excitement of a classic Holmesian case with fresh energy. Fans of Mary Russell will appreciate the exploration of her complicated family history alongside the brisk plotting.

I found this instalment a compelling blend of family drama and mystery, even if it sacrifices some of the introspection for pace. It makes for a gripping read, particularly if you enjoy fast-moving plots set against richly detailed historical backdrops.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This was ok, not mind blowing for me personally. I didn’t like Sherlock or Mary or anyone really and I found it very slow (and Sherlock annoying) at times.

However , overall, it’s a nice read. It’s just personal preference here!

My thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'd planned this. (I plan everything, so you can bet I'd worked on how to do this.) (Not, mind you, that I'd entirely decided just how much to tell her.) (And about whom.) [loc. 602]
I was an avid reader of Laurie R King's Mary Russell books (in which an elderly Sherlock Holmes marries a young woman of considerable talents) -- my enthusiasm waned around Pirate King, and though I've read and enjoyed several novels in the series since then, there are definitely others I've missed. No matter! This, the nineteenth novel in the series, more or less stands alone (though there are clear and rather intriguing references to earlier books) and I found it engaging and fun, though (again) Russell and Holmes are separated for a good part of the novel.

The year is 1926. Mary has just returned from a wedding in France (cue a lot of namedropping: Hemingway, 'Scotty' Fitzgerald, Picasso...) when she's visited by her long-lost Uncle Jake, who she hasn't seen since before her parents died. Uncle Jake is a confidence trickster, a joker and a thief: and it turns out he has a story to tell about the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels back in 1907. Trouble is, Sherlock Holmes investigated that theft, and Jake has no desire whatsoever to encounter him. Luckily, Holmes is in London visiting his brother Mycroft -- so Jake and Mary head for Ireland, where there are safes to be cracked, old ladies who are tougher than they look, Irish wolfhounds, coverups at the highest levels, Ernest Shackleton's brother Frank, and several reunions.

Great fun, though the accounts of zig-zagging across the Irish Sea and placing faith in railway timetables were perhaps too evocative, and actually quite stressful! The story is told by three narrators: delightful though parenthetical Uncle Jake (who's almost certainly gay) and Mary Russell in first person, Holmes in third. There is period-accurate but open-minded discussion of 'homosexual rings': the author adds, in her afterword, 'one can only hope that the repercussions of being outed will continue to lose their power to destroy'. And between and around the excitement and adventure, there is character growth and reconciliation, as well as some delightful dialogue.

Yet again, this is a novel 'anglicised' by changing 'ize' to 'ise' and to hell with the consequences. (Sise, seise...) Publishers, please do a spell-check as well as a global replace!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this full honest review. UK Publication Date is 10th June 2025.

A very satisfying story. Great characters. Initially I was totally confused by the switch of POV and the use of Mary’s surname. It took a chapter or two to catch up with who was who. I love anything (almost) in the Holmes canon. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It is a historical fact that the “Irish Crown Jewels” were stolen from a safe in Dublin Castle in 1907. And now we know how, why, and by whom! Several suspects were identified at the time, but a police report and a government enquiry buried this information, probably because of scandalous behaviour which could not be revealed. There was a possibility that an unidentified man who had been around in the preceding weeks might have been involved, but he was never identified. It is now, 1926, and the Jewels have never been recovered.
Mary Russell, the young wife of Sherlock Holmes, and her husband return to their Sussex home, but Holmes has to dash off to London for a couple of days to see his brother. Once he is gone Mary, who is universally known as Russell, is surprised by a visit from her uncle Jake (Jacob) – surprised because neither she nor anyone else has seen him for thirteen or so years, and many believed him dead. Jake more or less admits he was the unidentified man, believes he knows where the Jewels are, but is recovering from an injury so needs someone to help him. The someone has to be skilled at clandestine activity, be plausible while part of a con, and, especially, be able to break into a safe. Russell has all of these attributes, and agrees to go with him to County Wicklow, despite the fact that she hates travelling on a boat.
This is the nineteenth Russell and Holmes book, with her very much in the lead róle, but is OK as a standalone. The story is told from the viewpoint of the three principals, Jake and Russell seen first person and quite reflective and Holmes in third person. This works well, especially where one or another has been operating separately from the others. The characters Russell and Holmes have been through the previous books (and Holmes, of course, has been through many more) so are well developed. The Jake character is completely new but is just as solid, indeed, in terms of depth and backstory, is arguably the major figure. The plot is not hugely complicated; metaphorically it is a game of Three Card Monte, a.k.a. Find The Lady, (a card based swindle which features in the story and at which all three are adept). In total it is a very enjoyable read, which is a perfect example of its type.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Mary Russell has just returned from a wedding in Paris when there is a knock at the door and to her surprise, there stands her long lost uncle Jack, who she hasn't seen in over a decade, he has a yarn to tell regarding the missing Irish Crown Jewels, which could put her in conflict with her beloved husband, where will her loyalties lay?

I have read all of the previous books and enjoyed them, I have to say this one was not my favourite, the backwards and forwards was quite confusing at times, felt like they were using a supersonic jet to go back and forth to Ireland! I also didn't understand why 'sise' was spelt quite like that, when it should have been 'size'? Happened approx 3 times in the book, or variations of it! I did enjoy Jack's POV when I actually wasn't sure I would.

A good solid read.

An interesting story full of well known names and a rollicking adventure to boot. An easy to follow absorbing adventure with a great outcome. I’ve not read any of the other books in the series however this didn’t spoil this book which reads well as stand alone story

Thank you to the author Netgalley and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I have read quite a lot of the previous books in this series and was overjoyed to see this listed on Netgalley. Knowing the characters added a lot to my enjoyment of this book but equally it could be read as a standalone if the reader knows a little of the characters set up. A very enjoyable romp.

I plunged into this series very late with this title, so I have missed some if the references to previous books in the series, but it is a positive review in itself that I will now look out the other titles to read.
Mary Russell, married to her much older erstwhile mentor and father figure, Sherlock Holmes, sets off with her black sheep uncle to find the previously stolen Irish crown jewels.
There then follows a very enjoyable chase around the Irish countryside with a feisty young heroine, the charming but untrustworthy Uncle Jake, and, of course, the elegant and sharply observant Sherlock.
Laurie R King is very much in her stride with this new addition to the Russell and Holmes mysteries and her army of fans will no doubt enjoy thus one as much as they have all the previous ones.
Allison and Busby and NetGalley provided me with an earc of Knave of Diamonds and I am supplying this honest review in return.