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 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.