I have reveiwed this book sseveral times but it stays as unreviewed.
So I'm not sure if this will go through. I have read every Laurie R. King book on Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes.
They are inventive, totally believable and this one doesn't disappoint.
I hightly recommend it.

Review of Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King

Laurie R. King returns with her 19th entry in the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series, and once again delivers a richly layered, emotionally conflicted adventure. Knave of Diamonds explores family loyalty, historical intrigue, and moral gray areas against the backdrop of the unsolved theft of the Irish Crown Jewels.

Knave of Diamonds is a satisfying blend of family drama, historical intrigue, and investigative charm. It may not pulse with the intensity of earlier entries, but its emotional resonance, clever structure, and period detail make it an enjoyable journey—especially for established fans.

I've read the Mary Russell series and enjoyed them very much. Unlike all the others in the series, this one is not written from Mary's point of view.. In this one her uncle is the main character. The story itself is very good. I listened to the audiobook and wonderful Jenny Sterlin is hard to match. Next time, I will be reading the book as the voices of Mary and Holmes are narrated in a very non-dramatic style so the characters do not come off as compelling as they have done in the past.

Laurie R. King has delved further into the emotional lives and backstories of Holmes and Russell over the last few novels, and I am here for it! In Knave of Diamonds, we meet Russell's ne'er do well Uncle Jake, her father's brother. We learn that Jake was a transient presence in Mary's life before the death of her family, but she remembers him fondly, even as he involved her and her brother in questionable schemes. Now Jake has resurfaced after a decade and he embroils Holmes and Russell in a case involving an unsolved heist of the Irish Crown Jewels. Told in alternating perspectives of Russell, Jake, and Holmes, the story unfolds in parallel timelines, with intriguing gaps and additions to the timeline, and one somewhat unreliable narrator, this was a thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable addition to the series. I especially liked how Holmes, Russell, and Uncle Jake each had their own narrator, and Jake was just as sassy as you would expect him to be. Of course, Jenny Sterlin is missed as Russell, but Amy Scanlon brings a fresh perspective and energy to the role, and I look forward to hearing more from her.

I’ve been a fan of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King since I was a teenager. Having read all 19 books, this series feels like a part of my life. Knave of Diamonds might be one of the best so far. Laurie R. King is a truly talented author who knows exactly how to craft compelling characters and stories that stay with you. The story was incredibly captivating — it felt like returning to old friends and being drawn into their world right from the start. This time, Mary’s uncle Jake, whom she believed was dead, returns, and I absolutely loved hearing more about him. I really enjoyed hearing from Mary’s, Sherlock’s, and Jake’s perspectives. There was also a character introduced who I felt was a great part of this book, and I believe she will have significance in upcoming books. The adventure itself was a lot of fun, mixing humor with suspense in a way that really pulled me in. Another highlight was the narration — absolutely perfect voice acting by Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley, and Jefferson Mays, which made the experience even better. The story pulled me in so deeply that I almost forgot what I was doing while listening at work and at home. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. ❤️📚🎧✨

3.5 Stars ⭐️

I actually listened to this book on audio. This book was narrated by Amy Scanlon, Jefferson Mays, and Steven Crossley. I did enjoy the narration and felt that it was done in a manner that felt extremely smooth - the narrators played extremely well off of each other and everything was delivered smoothly and consistently.

The story itself was okay. I'm not sure if the fact that I hadn't read any of the previous books (this was book 19 so I missed the previous 18) made a difference, even though I felt like I easily stepped in without too much confusion. The plot of the story dealt with the reemergence of Mary Russell's long lost (and thought dead by most) Uncle Jake. As to be expected, he not only shows up at her doorstep out of the blue, but it becomes apparent very quickly that he is in a world of hurt. He lets her know that yes, he was involved in a major crime many, many years ago, the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from a secure safe in Dublin Castle. And yep, that WAS the straw that broke the camel's back with his family and led to his family's rejection of him.

The crazy thing was that he shows up out of the blue and expects Mary Russel to side with him, to help him (and he is in a world of trouble) all without informing her partner - Mr. Holmes - or her partner's brother - Mycroft Holmes. He truly seems to not either know, or care of the ramifications that could happen to her.

I did enjoy the story, yet I was not able to really connect with the characters. I felt like the entire story was "told" to me versus experiencing it or being shown it.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book will be out for publication on June 10, 2025.

This is a review for the audiobook version of this title, which I read in tandem with the ebook edition for review from NetGalley. The trio of narrators corresponding with the three points of view in the novel was a smart move because it helped each protagonist’s perspective come to life as the story progressed. Overall, this was a memorable and satisfying listening experience.

I adored The Beekeeper’s Apprentice when I first read it as a teenager and again when I revisited the series in 2023. The “retired” Sherlock Holmes portrayed in these books is, to me, just as real as the man Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about. The charming and brilliant Mary Russell complements the famous detective beautifully and their adventures in each book are always unique, complex, and delightfully satisfying mysteries. Laurie R King’s newest addition to the series is no exception and even though I’ve missed a few of the more recent books in the series, I jumped right back into the universe of Russell and Holmes with pleasure.

In Knave of Diamonds, Russell and Holmes are joined by a third point of view character, Russell’s long-lost uncle Jake. A bit of a rake and a minor criminal, Jake reappears in his niece’s life to ask for her help in tracking down the Irish Crown Jewels. Jake’s involvement in a previous heist of these jewels and the shady nature of his whereabouts in the years he’s been gone give Russell pause, but she commits to helping her beloved uncle, and of course Holmes joins them. Holmes distrusts Jake but has faith in his Russell’s instincts, so the three of them set out on their mission to track down the jewels.

The mystery and suspense in this book is twofold—where are the jewels, and is Jake trustworthy? The story behind the provenance of the jewels as well as the trio’s jaunts around England and Ireland became ever so slightly convoluted for me while reading. However, I really enjoyed the way the addition of a third character affected the dynamics between Sherlock and Russell, and I found the pace of the final third of the book to be really exciting, culminating in a quietly satisfying wrap-up. Overall, another entertaining and well-written addition to a beloved series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam | Random House Publishing for the opportunity to be an early listener of this title, which is available now!

Although I love the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, I also love many of the new novels based on the character. One of the best series is Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. These novels center on young Mary who became an apprentice to a retired Sherlock Holmes, eventually to become his partner and later his wife. The best part of this series is the smart self sufficient female protagonist and the fantastic relationship between the two characters. King always sets the stage with historical events and famous people. All the characters are as richly described as the scenery and the stories are always a fun diversion. This time around events hit close to home, when Mary's long lost uncle reappears. Any long running series is bound to be a bit uneven. This novel was slower paced than most of King's stories; there seemed to be a lot of exposition and little action for the first third of the book. The story also had less real mystery than usual, but it was carried by the introduction of some fantastic new characters and a lot of great dialogue. I accessed advance reading and listening copies of this book from the publisher and alternated between the two formats. The chapters of these books always alternate between the main characters' points of view and this audiobook had separate narrators for Holmes, Russell, and her uncle Jake. All three actors did a fine job and if you like audiobooks, you will not be disappointed. The audiobook also has a bonus short story at the end.

Knave of Diamonds AUDIO by Laurie R King is Book 18 in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes partnership/marriage which has been quite successful so far. Mary makes me laugh because she always tries to keep things from Holmes and he always knows. I find that extraordinary considering how bright she is. This time, her long-lost uncle has appeared. He had been somewhat of a black sheep when she was a child and after a particularly interesting jaunt where she and her brother helped him defraud a man out of his pub, her father banished him. The banishment probably wouldn’t have lasted as he was a favorite of all, but then, the automobile accident and Mary was sent to her aunt in Sussex. Now he was back and wanted Mary to help him retrieve the Irish “crown jewels” which had disappeared years earlier. In an odd turn, Sherlock was in London at the same time, discussing the “crown jewels” with Mycroft. He was not inclined to help as they had ignored what he had said when it happened and he’d been called to investigate.

Mary and Sherlock are an odd pair, Sherlock so many years older than she. But, it works. She is a clever as he and he knows and respects that in her. They lead a pleasant life when they are at home, she with her books and he with his bees. They travel often, sometimes at the behest of a client. Wherever they go, mysteries seem to find them. This was indeed a mystery. But, Jake had a reason, not purely that of a thief, for wanting to find they jewels. It softened her heart for him, which was already pretty soft. The mystery and chase was a good one, meeting some interesting folks along the way, as always, some of whom would become permanent fixtures in their lives. It was a good book.

Always, a joy to read, this is the first time I’ve listened to the audiobook. It was a different experience. The readers were Amy Scanlon, Jefferson Mays, and Steven Crossley who did a nice job, although in “Mary’s chapters” the voice for Jake was different than in the other chapters. Noticeable. Other than that they did a wonderful job. Very easy to listen to.

I was invited to listen to Knave of Diamonds by Remedia and to read by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Remedia #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #AmyScanlon #JeffersonMays #Steven Crossley #LaurieRKing #KnaveOfDiamonds

I was a little put off by the beginning of this latest in the Mary Holmes series. I've loved the earlier books, and I was disappointed when the narrator of this book was Mary's Uncle Jake.
In addition, Jake's story was a lot of telling and not much doing, and it took awhile for the action to heat up. Once Mary, Jake and Sherlock got into motion, though, this became a typical, terrific story. The audio was well narrated, with Amy Scanlon and Robert Ian Mackenzie smoothly voicing the characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Knave of Diamonds
by Laurie R. King
Narrated by Amy Scanlon, Jefferson Mays, Steven Crossley

For decades, I have loved Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series. Her unique portrayal of the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and his much younger counterpart, Mary Russell, as they join forces to unravel complex mysteries. Though Conan Doyle has long departed, writers like King breathe new life into the world of Sherlock Holmes, delighting those of us who yearn for more timeless adventures of the great Sherlock Holmes.

This novel features a multicast narration, with each voice expertly chosen to bring their characters to life, infusing the story with palpable vibrancy. Close your eyes and listen; the narration transports you, allowing you to visualize the unfolding drama as if it were playing out before you. This extraordinary casting is a true testament to the artistry behind great narration.

Knave of Diamonds stands out as a crowning jewel in this series, after listening to the latest installment I was tempted to revisit the series starting with the very first book, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, and relive the journey anew.

When I first discovered this series in the '90s, I was not yet involved in the world of beekeeping. Now, I reside on a small farm alongside my beekeeper husband, our active role in keeping bees has made the references to beekeeping by the author all the more relevant.

In this nineteenth installment, Mary Russell's loyalties are stretched to their limits with the sudden return of her black sheep uncle and his involvement in a baffling case from the past that even Sherlock Holmes could not resolve.

As a child, Mary adored her uncle. However, years of silence led her to believe that his reckless ways had sealed his fate—until he unexpectedly appears at her Sussex doorstep, bringing with him a host of dilemmas for his niece. Central to these troubles is the reason for the family's estrangement: his mysterious involvement in the notorious disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from a secure safe in Dublin Castle.

This high-profile heist sent shockwaves through the government, incited royal outrage, challenged the foundations of the English establishment, and confounded even the most adept investigators, including Sherlock Holmes himself. Now, Jake expects Mary to weave her way into this complex intrigue. He expects her to flee with him without alerting Holmes. The case reaches into high levels of English society and the unsolved, scandalous theft might also implicate Sherlock Holmes's well connected brother, Mycroft Holmes.

Naturally, Mary cannot participate in such a collaboration. Aligning herself with Uncle Jake, even for a moment, would pit her against both her husband-partner and his influential, powerful brother. She sees no option but to decline his request.

Conflicting loyalties, international intrigue, blatant deceptions, and audacious lies whirl this novel into yet another captavativing case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.









Thanks are extended to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.

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When Mary Russell’s estranged uncle reappears, she learns he was involved in the unsolved theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. She’s forced to choose between family loyalty and her partnership with Sherlock Holmes.

I love this series, and this book might be my favorite. Uncle Jack is a great character and helps create a compelling story. It’s fast-paced, fun, and full of twists. The audiobook narration matches the characters and story perfectly. A great choice for fans of Elizabeth Peters.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

One of my all-time favorite series continues strong with Knave of Diamonds. Following the shocking revelation in the previous book—that Holmes and Mycroft’s mother is alive and living in France at 100 years old—this installment shifts focus to Mary Russell’s side of the family. We’re introduced to her elusive Uncle Jake, a charming rogue with a shadowy past tied to a long-unsolved jewel heist from Holmes’s early career.

This mystery weaves together past and present in a satisfying way, shedding light on one of Holmes’s rare unsolved cases and deepening the emotional tapestry of the series.

The audiobook is a treat, with three narrators—Amy Scanlon, Jefferson Mays, and Steven Crossley—each bringing clarity and nuance to their respective perspectives. Their performances make it easy to follow the shifts in narration and keep the story dynamic and immersive.

Special thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another wholly entertaining Russell romp. A recommended purchase in all formats for collections where the series is popular.

You know it's an "Irish Hell" because it's the immediate result of choices made by a group of mostly English people.

I'm annoyed with how many period mysteries have a female lead who is half Irish or so but Actually Considers Herself English Thank You Very Much. Neither the Irish nor the English are superior to each other. Knock it off. At least this one wasn't rushing to leave the country at the end, and her unwillingness to visit again was due to a tendency towards seasickness. It's sad that I consider it a win when the Irish people aren't the ones shooting / blowing everyone up.

Also, while I guess I shouldn't be surprised that both Sherlock Holmes and Bruce Wayne / Batman both have a long-lost son by a brilliant/dangerous woman, but let's take a moment to laugh at both sons being named Damian.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, actually one of the best published Holmes fanfics I've ever read, probably due to the amount of time spent on the series. On a technical level the author is quite talented, and I'd actually love to read something more original from her. I'll be looking up more of her writing after this. I haven't read earlier in the series, obviously, and I'm not sure if I'll read any of the rest of it.

Curiously, my favorite character was Jake, and if I read the rest of the series it will be in the hope of finding out more about Mrs. Walsh. As I said, the author knows her craft. I think I'd just prefer to read something by her that isn't a fanfic.

Book 19 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series.

I have read several and enjoyed them. This Sherlock Holmes is different than the original and I enjoy him all the more for it. Mary’s uncle back from the dead and needing special favors. to Ireland.

I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration and overall. this was a fun audiobook and definitely a good continuation of a great series.

I enjoyed this far more than I expected to, it’s a bit of a modern twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes that I know, and this instalment, which is part of a series that I’ve arrived to very late, reminded me very much of Lemony snickets a series of unfortunate events, I suppose in its narration but also in the way the story plays out. Fans of the series may disagree but I felt the title stood its ground well as a standalone, I had no issue in getting into the story, and I loved the cross references to so many other fictional figures.

Great fun, I’d read more in the series.

I really enjoyed the narration on this title.

Huge thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

This is book 19 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series and while I haven’t read them all I have read several and enjoyed them. This Sherlock Holmes is different than the original and I enjoy him all the more for it. Mary’s uncle comes back from the dead and asks her for help with a less than legal adventure that takes them to Ireland. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration a lot. I also liked the cameo by Mrs. Hudson and thought that was perfect. I thought the mystery and adventure was interesting but dragged on a little bit at times. Overall this was a fun audiobook and definitely a good continuation of a great series.

This is a book in the middle of a series that I have not read. The story so far was easy enough to pick up on, though. Mary is married to Sherlock and Jake is her long lost uncle. The characters are well written and the plot is a bit of hopscotch around the UK and Ireland. Lots of sitting and talking nicely with others, some not so nice themselves. Everyone is proper and has time to chat. The mystery is wrapped up well, and there is a short story to give us a bit more of Jake's background.

Not having come across any previous books in this series, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the writer has provided for this to be read more or less as a stand alone story, without significant reference to previous episodes in a way that might confuse the first time reader.

Mary Russell's disgraced uncle Jake was always her favourite family member, but the last thing she expects is for him to show up after years and demand her help with some dodgy endeavour he is currently involved in.

And in any case, how can Mary pull off any part in a caper she must keep from her husband, even whilst knowing that he has a history with this particular case...? And that too, when Sherlock's dark horse brother is also somehow involved!

Family dynamics and ambitious criminal initiatives make for a volatile but entertaining cocktail in this story, which will by Sherlock Holmes fans. It gets 3.5 stars.