Laurie R. King Virtual Book Club discussion

I must preface this comment with the fact that as a real fan of Laurie King, I really enjoyed these stories. However, I would encourage fans not to read Mary Russell's War until you have read all of the other Mary Russell books. King fills in the blanks of some of Russell's earlier adventures with Holmes and gives away information that is delicious to wonder about in the first run through reading.

I do take exception to the story of Holmes' disappearance in one of the stories and the idea that he could be still alive at 125 years old!

Cynthia wrote: "I must preface this comment with the fact that as a real fan of Laurie King, I really enjoyed these stories. However, I would encourage fans not to read Mary Russell's War until you have read all o..."

Cynthia, common wisdom among Sherlockians is that Holmes lives, because his death has not been reported in The Times - and of course, the demise of such a prominent Great Detective would never be missed by that august publication. So Holmes lives on, presumably with Russell who turned 117 today. I think it's the Royal Jelly.

Merrily wrote: "...Russell who turned 117 today...."

I thought her birthday was yesterday, January 2. The first page of chapter 10 of MREG says January 2 was a Sunday and Russell prevailed upon her solicitors to come into the office despite the day to officiate at her receipt of her inheritance.

Or did you write this yesterday and it just landed on Goodreads today?

Cynthia wrote: I do take exception to the story of Holmes' disappearance in one of the stories and the idea that he could be still alive at 125 years old!

It's a wink and a nod to the Sherlockian 'Great Game', for the very reasons that Merrily cited. Going along with the Royal Jelly theory, Neil Gaiman wrote an excellent short story paying homage to the Great Game in The Case of Death and Honey.

I get what Merrily wrote about Holmes' death not having been reported but I just finished Mary Russell's War & I had the same reaction as Cynthia. I can suspend disbelief only so far ; -)

Dena wrote: "I get what Merrily wrote about Holmes' death not having been reported but I just finished Mary Russell's War & I had the same reaction as Cynthia. I can suspend disbelief only so far ; -)"

Thank you...it would be proper to let him die at least at 102!

Cynthia wrote: "Dena wrote: "I get what Merrily wrote about Holmes' death not having been reported but I just finished Mary Russell's War & I had the same reaction as Cynthia. I can suspend disbelief only so far ;..."

Have to agree... there is enough to disbelief to suspend without adding actual supernatural powers. When people started playing The Game, I assume it wasn't so implausible? When was that, anyway, 40s or 50s?