Laurie R. King

I enjoyed this book, though not as much as I had hoped to. I’m not sure I will be continuing with the series; while I did enjoy the book, it also wasn’t quite what I had expected (or wanted) from the tone, and up until the last third or so of the book I didn’t really get to a “must pick this book back up” state. I may revisit more of the series at some point, but I’m not sure yet.

The plot was interesting, and it was a reminder to myself that I should trust my mystery book instincts more... I had a hunch about the whodunnit, but since the characters weren't considering that angle at all, I let myself forget about it.

I guess I just never got hooked on the characters as presented in this book. I didn't connect with Mary Russell in a way that compelled me to keep reading, and Holmes and Watson both felt close enough to their original versions that there was nothing "new" there for me to discover. (Perhaps in later books I would connect more with the characters, but that hasn't happened yet.)… (más)

A post-apocalyptic future. A disease has swept the world, killing most human males. In central/northern CA and southern Oregon, several communities of women have various regions of control, with some being warring and others being research-oriented. Smaller farming communities support the cities. Only the oldest remember the old world of travel by car and plane, when men were in charge. Now men are protected and almost hoarded.

Dian's small community has had strangers arrive, wanting permission to live nearby and assistance, as they flee from an aggressive group in the north. Dian, dog trainer extraordinaire, decides she will go see how much of what they say is true, and goes on a fascinating trip to what was San Francisco and points north, heading toward Ashtown (Ashland?).

I love a good dystopia or post-apocalyptic novel, and this hit on both. I love Richards/King's idea and descriptions. Definitely a bit odd reading this post-Covid, these disease-based post-apocalyptic stories are a bit more frightening.… (más)

Another solid story if this series—and a story that is very particular to the early 20th century. I did not find this nearly as twisty and surprising as many in the series, but that is bound to be the case occasionally in an established series.

One of Mary’s old friend’s aunt disappears—and Marty is determined to find her. This is complicated though—Aunt Vivian has spent much of her life in asylums, and disappears after a home visit. And her nurse disappears with her. Mary had meg this woman many years earlier, and found her very…normal, despite her living in an asylum. Given the clues Vivian left behind and Mary’s memories of her—can they find her and protect her from her heirs?… (más)