It's only the second day of 1924, but Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, find themselves embroiled in intrigue. It starts with a New Year's visit from Holmes's brother Mycroft, who comes bearing a strange package containing the papers of an English spy named Kimball O'Hara-the same Kimball known to the world through Kipling's famed Kim. Inexplicably, O'Hara withdrew from the "Great Game" of espionage and now he has just as inexplicably disappeared. When Russell discovers Holmes's own secret friendship with the spy, she knows the die is cast: she will accompany her husband to India to search for the missing operative. But Russell soon learns that in this faraway and exotic land, it's often impossible to tell friend from foe-and that some games aren't played for fun but for the highest stakes of all.life and death.
Download and start listening now!
"I love, love, love Laurie R. King's books. This is among her better ones, I think. I love the setting in India, and I love the way she's worked the fictional Kim into the story. Engaging, entertaining, and interesting. Mary Russell has become one of my favorite fictional characters."
— Holly (5 out of 5 stars)
“Excellent...King cleverly uses her own erudition to set up the action...The Game distills the essence of the decline of the British Raj into one extremely exciting volume.”
— Chicago Tribune“Audacious...Mary Russell is never less than fascinating company.”
— Los Angeles Times“A rousing adventure story made credible by the sheer force of its characters’ personalities and the sharply realized details of their surroundings. Good historical fiction is as close as we’ll ever get to time travel, and historical fiction doesn’t get any better than this.”
— Denver Post“Imaginative...dazzling. Lush, colorful, and utterly compelling, this is a superbly wrought novel of suspense that evokes its period with enviable panache.”
— Detroit Free Press“A wonderously taut mystery, ticking away like a malevolent clock...Fabulous reading, breathless excitement, and the myriad pleasures of watching great minds at work.”
— Booklist (starred review)“This is King’s seventh Russell Holmes book, and they keep getting better. Mary and Holmes come alive in the hands of a master storyteller, and King uses the country as a character just as surely as the many eccentric individuals who move effortlessly across the pages. From American heiresses to British officers to bored and jaded Indian royalty, each character shines as brightly as a gem from the crown jewels.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)“The hint of gravel in [Jenny] Sterlin’s crisp English voice perfectly matches Mary Russell’s bristly, independent narrative voice...In addition, [she] has fun with a range of Indian accents from prince to beggar. And her pacing is superb; it enlivens the text without dominating it.”
— AudioFile“A sure bet for mystery lovers and historical fiction fans.”
— School Library Journal“Delightful...Riveting from start to finish.”
— Library Journal“A briskly paced story that is steeped in history, literature, and an original take on well-known characters...A tightly woven, action-packed plot...A fresh continuing of a character who has transcended generations.”
— Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel“King’s talent for historical research shines extraordinarily bright...A feast fit for a raja, The Game is an engrossing tale told by a master storyteller.”
— Santa Cruz Sentinel“As dry, sparkling, and delightful as good champagne.”
— Washington Times“May well be the best King has yet devised for her strong willed heroine...the sights, smells, and ideas of India make interesting, evocative reading...All readers will appreciate the grace and intelligence of King’s writing in this exotic masala of a book.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Splendid fun, perhaps the rippingest of all of Russell’s ripping tales.”
— Seattle Times" One of her best - and sent me straight to Kim "
— Ann, 2/18/2014" Probably one of the best in this series "
— Moira, 2/17/2014" I continue to enjoy this series. Liked the look at 1924 India with many political changes in store although feudal type rajas held tight sway over their areas. Also liked the hunt for Rudyard Kipling's Kim as an adult Kimball O'Hara whom Holmes, of course, knew. "
— Laurie, 2/16/2014" Great Russell and Sherlock, and now I'm curious to read Kipling's Kim "
— Jean, 2/14/2014" A great romp ... Holmes and Russell in 1920s India ... and a little touch of Kipling to boot. I'm loving this series more and more. "
— Kate, 1/21/2014" Liked it, though not nearly as much as the previous Justice Hall. Looking forward to reading the next one :) "
— Kristen, 1/7/2014" Interesting idea to include Kim (from Kipling's book) as the focus of this journey to India. "
— Sonia, 12/24/2013" I truly adore the Mary Russell books. As soon as I start one, I'm lost -- I don't want to talk, watch television or movies, I just want to stay in the adventure until the very last word on the very last page. Loved this one. Can't wait to read my way through the rest of the series! "
— Ariane, 12/23/2013" This is a great book. Part of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series created as a pastiche by Laurie R. King. I would recommend the series to any Victorian mystery fan. "
— Nan, 12/23/2013" I listened to this as an audio book. I had to get over the Jeremy Brett vision of Sherlock Holmes. Once I did, the book was good. It gave a new dimension to Holmes, showed a more human side. "
— Lisa, 12/21/2013" I finally read it. I liked it. It was fun. "
— Rebecca, 12/13/2013" I loved the treatment of Holmes in this book in particular. "
— Rachel, 12/10/2013" Just what the detective ordered!! Love the interaction and the twists and turns. Keep up the great work Laurie. I look forward with anticipation to the following books!! "
— Russell, 12/5/2013" Love these Mary Russel novels. "
— Bcoghill, 10/13/2013" They just keep rolling alone. Enjoyed this installment of the serie. "
— Sjfstudio, 7/23/2013" It moved a bit slow at first, but maybe that was because I listened to it on tape. It was a nice change to have a crime that wasn't over money! "
— Jess, 1/25/2013" Another great Mary Russell book "
— Shannon, 6/22/2012" This is almost a filler-book, getting the characters in place for the next book. Nonetheless, I adore Mary as a character, and always enjoy reading her adventures. "
— Neeuqdrazil, 12/10/2011" Jungle Book / Sherlock Holmes mash-up taking place in 1920's. "
— Ipants, 10/8/2011" If you are a Kipling fan as well as a Sherlock Holmes fan you must read this. I will shortly go and reread (for the umpteenth time) Kim "
— KarenLee, 10/4/2011" Fascinating look at a time and a place. Laurie R King always keeps me interested. "
— Carol, 8/6/2011" Love Jenny Sterlin's narration. The Mary Russell books are my least favorite of Laurie R King's . "
— Elizabeth, 5/24/2011" I really enjoy this series. The author does a great job of keeping the character of Sherlock Holmes similar to the original. "
— Kassie, 5/16/2011" Just wonderful. The flavors found in the scenery and characterization is delicious! Can't wait for the next in the series to come out! "
— Vanessa, 5/2/2011" Love the Mary Russell mysteries! The only bad thing about this book is that it's the last in her Mary Russell series. "
— Kimkg, 4/10/2011" Very Clever and engaging! A great new find. "
— Donna, 4/4/2011" The best Holmes and Russel novel yet. King is brilliant! Left me wanting more. "
— Suzanne, 4/2/2011" Not my favorite in the series, but still thoroughly enjoyable. "
— Kat, 3/12/2011" Very good. I've read them out of order but enjoyed it. Good story line and I like the characters. "
— Jandblock, 2/22/2011" Mary Russell - Sherlock Holmes series "
— Margery, 2/19/2011Laurie 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.
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.