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Locked Rooms: A Novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Audiobook
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(4.00) - 5,774 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
New York Times best-selling author Laurie R. King has won sweeping critical acclaim and an impressive collection of awards for her writing. Although other writers have tried, no one has matched King's ability to capture the allure of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. En route to San Francisco to settle her family's estate, Mary Russell, in the company of husband Sherlock Holmes, falls prey to troubling dreams-and even more troubling behavior. In 1906, when Mary was six, the city was devastated by a catastrophic earthquake. For years Mary has insisted she lived elsewhere at the time. But Holmes knows better. Soon it is clear that whatever unpleasantness Mary wanted to forget hasn't forgotten her. A series of mysterious deaths leads Russell and Holmes from the winding streets of Chinatown to the unspoken secrets of a parent's marriage and the tragic "accident" that Mary alone survived. What Russell discovers is that even a forgotten past never dies, and it can kill again
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"I hadn't read a Mary Russell before and it was hard to believe this was the eighth in a series. It came across as fresh and funny, cleverly combining the 19th century feel of Holmes with 1920's San Francisco, still recovering from the great earthquake. The mixing of real and fictional characters is a delight - I loved the scene where Sherlock Holmes sits down for a discussion with Dashiel Hammett."
— Ruth (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Richly imagined…King’s re-creation of San Francisco, especially the backstory during the devastating 1906 earthquake, is superb, and it’s a pleasure to see the unusually competent Russell struggling with her own psyche.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Utterly mesmerizing…In alternating sections, told in first person for Mary and third for Holmes, the unraveling of long-buried and terrifying memories also unwinds a skein of wonderful historical texture…A highlight in an altogether outstanding series.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“A humdinger of a plot…plus pulsating descriptions of San Francisco's tent cities, looters, and flattened Chinatown in the quake's aftermath.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“Page by page, the suspense rapidly increases…Russell and Holmes are a formidable crime-solving duo, and readers will be enthralled with King’s unique view of Holmes—as a husband and lover, partnering his independent wife in her crafty sleuthing efforts.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!) -
“Brimming with 1920s verve, this continues King’s vividly imagined series about Mary Russell, Sherlock’s younger (but equally smart and brave) wife.”
— Seattle Times
Locked Rooms Listener Reviews
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" These mysteries continue to entertain and educate. In this story, Mary Russell unblocks some past memories to catch the villain, solve her family's mysterious deaths and heal herself of past guilt. Set in San Francisco during the time of the fire and Prohibition. "
— Annie, 2/12/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun read. I love mysteries and it was interesting the personality that Laurie King gave to Sherlock Holmes and his wife. You almost believed they were real. "
— Becky, 2/3/2014 -
" A book from my own bookshelves, previously read in 2006. Interesting and complex enough to take a second reading! Liked the gradual unfolding of the mystery. These books are more about the characters than about the mystery, and I like it. "
— Tiina, 2/2/2014 -
" Amnesia, San Fransisco, lake home, the 1906 'quake make for an engrossing read. I loved the layers that meeting Mary's family added to her character. I intend to read the complete series (only in reverse order...don't know why...I just enjoy reverse time-travel I guess!). "
— Heidi, 1/28/2014 -
" One of the best in the Mary Russell mystery series. She brings the 1906 San Francisco fire to life. "
— Rebecca, 1/21/2014 -
" Another excellent Mary Russell novel. This one includes Dashiell Hammett as an irregular and a cameo by Billy Birdsong (a major character in one of the Kate Martinelli novels). "
— Mary, 1/21/2014 -
" I liked this one the most since Monstrous Regiment. Getting into Mary's backstory was a real treat. "
— Tahlia, 1/19/2014 -
" I think this is the best of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. "
— Bev, 1/14/2014 -
" It was great to finally "resolve" the pain Mary has suffered after the loss of her family in an auto accident and end her nightmares. "
— Sonia, 1/10/2014 -
" I am returning to Laurie King. This is part of a series of mysteries which feature Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell, a character King created and married to Holmes at the start of the series. "
— Kathy, 1/9/2014 -
" My favorite in the series so far! "
— Kerrie, 12/26/2013 -
" An intriguing glimpse into the early years of Mary Russell. "
— Corinne, 12/25/2013 -
" I have read all of the series now. They were starting to get formulaic, but I really liked this last one (until April) because it dealt with Mary's own life and past. "
— Jenny, 12/10/2013 -
" Good yarn involving the early 1900's SFO earthquake and fire. Slow revelations about Mary's family. Inventive use of Fung Shei (sp?) "
— Morgan, 10/19/2013 -
" Well written but too long. "
— Vickie, 6/1/2013 -
" I was disappointed in this book. Did not, in my opinion, match up to the rest of the series. I found the story implausible, the conclusion unlikely, and the interplay between Russell & Sherlock just didn't seem right. "
— Susan, 3/7/2013 -
" I'd actually give this 4 and a half stars as the characters themselves really leapt from the pages this time. That doesn't always happen when there is a mystery to be solved. This series really is one of the best I've ever read. "
— Sarah, 6/2/2012 -
" They saved the best till last. THis is the best of the series! "
— Sharma, 5/31/2012 -
" Loved it! This may be my favorite in the series, so far! "
— Dana, 2/10/2012 -
" So far the best in the series. I love how she continues the story of Mary Russell and further develops this character that you just want to root for! "
— Joy, 2/9/2012 -
" Having lived in San Francisco for 12 years I loved the historical aspects of this mystery. The fact that Mary was deeply emotionally involved made the story even more gripping than is typical in King's books. "
— Barbara, 1/4/2012 -
" took me a little while to get into this book, but couldn't put iy down in the end. It took the Russell/Holmes marriage to a different place, not as comfortable a relationship as previous books, but satisfying in the end. "
— Karen, 12/22/2011 -
" I'll admit, I'm hooked on these Mary Russell books. I was dubious at first, about the idea of someone else writing Holmes... but that's not what Laurie R. King does. She doesn't try to add to Conan Doyle's Holmes, she almost creates a new one.<br/>It's really quite brilliant! :) "
— Emma, 5/24/2011 -
" Enjoyed the Holmes portrayal as well as cameo of another famous author sleuth, with some tongue in cheek from King to boot! "
— Jean, 5/12/2011 -
" Best in the series-Mary Russell's history is finally explored and explained in the 8th book. "
— Vanessa, 4/6/2011 -
" Russell uncovers her past in San Francisco "
— Helen, 3/31/2011 -
" I really liked this one. Well-written, engaging, good story, compelling location, satisfactory ending. "
— Rebecca, 3/6/2011 -
" Loved it! This may be my favorite in the series, so far! "
— Dana, 2/28/2011 -
" I've read this Mary Russell mystery before but am listening to the audiobook in my car. I really like the relationship between Russell and (Sherlock) Holmes. I also am enjoying a mystery that I can't guess the ending (even though I've read it before). <br/> <br/> "
— Terri, 2/25/2011 -
" This continues the series in a new location of Northern California where they meet Dashiell Hammet. Read the Maltese Falcon with this book they are fun pairing. "
— Charlotte, 2/6/2011 -
" This one is one of the best in this series so far! Quite enjoyed it! "
— Jess, 1/28/2011 -
" Who done it books are appealing to me. This had some psychological unlocking as well that I enjoyed. "
— JaNae, 1/27/2011 -
" San Francisco in the early 1900s; the tricks of memory and trauma; righting wrongs. What's not to love here? "
— Kat, 1/21/2011
About Laurie R. King
Laurie R. King is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes stories. She has been nominated for a multitude of prizes, and her fiction has won the Edgar, Creasy, Nero, and Macavity awards. She has been guest of honor at several crime conventions, and she was inducted into the Baker Street Irregulars in 2010.
About Jenny Sterlin
Jenny Sterlin, winner of several Earphones Awards, has more than ninety audio titles to her credit, including Laurie R. King’s popular Sherlock Holmes / Mary Russell series. Before beginning her narration career, she helped found England’s experimental Living Theatre.