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    Garment of Shadows: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
    Garment of Shadows: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
    Garment of Shadows: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
    Audiobook10 hours

    Garment of Shadows: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

    Written by Laurie R. King

    Narrated by Jenny Sterlin and Robert Ian Mackenzie

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Fans craving mystery, romance, and adventure will find all that and more in Laurie R. King's New York Times best-selling tales starring Mary Russell and her world-famous husband Sherlock Holmes. Their 11th outing, Garment of Shadows finds the couple separated under strange circumstances. Mary awakens in a dark room with blood on her hands and no memory of who she is. Meanwhile, with war looming over Europe, Sherlock desperately searches for his missing wife.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateSep 4, 2012
    ISBN9781464048241
    Garment of Shadows: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
    Author

    Laurie R. King

    Laurie R. King is the Edgar Award–winning author of the Kate Martinelli novels and the acclaimed Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes mysteries, as well as a few stand-alone novels. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, the first in her Mary Russell series, was nominated for an Agatha Award and was named one of the Century’s Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. A Monstrous Regiment of Women won the Nero Wolfe Award. She has degrees in theology, and besides writing she has also managed a coffee store and raised children, vegetables, and the occasional building. She lives in northern California.

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    Reviews for Garment of Shadows

    4/5

    342 ratings46 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This book was slightly different than the earlier ones in that there was a separate voice for Sherlock. I enjoyed the difference.
    • 4/5
      Would have given 5 stars if they’d let Jenny Sterlin narrate the whole thing.
    • 5/5
      Twisted. Very twisted.
    • 2/5
      I'm not sure what it was about this book, but it was such a struggle to get through. For me, it wasn't interesting enough to hold my interest after the first few chapters. I felt that maybe it was overly descriptive of everything and I couldn't hold on to the plot before getting confused and having to re-read several things over again. Overall, I was just glad to finally finish it.
    • 4/5
      Laurie R. King's "New York Times" bestselling novels of suspense featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, comprise one of today's most acclaimed mystery series. Now, in their newest and most thrilling adventure, the couple is separated by a shocking circumstance in a perilous part of the world, each racing against time to prevent an explosive catastrophe that could clothe them both in shrouds.In a strange room in Morocco, Mary Russell is trying to solve a pressing mystery: "Who am I?" She has awakened with shadows in her mind, blood on her hands, and soldiers pounding on the door. Out in the hivelike streets, she discovers herself strangely adept in the skills of the underworld, escaping through alleys and rooftops, picking pockets and locks. She is clothed like a man, and armed only with her wits and a scrap of paper containing a mysterious Arabic phrase. Overhead, warplanes pass ominously north. Meanwhile, Holmes is pulled by two old friends and a distant relation into the growing war between France, Spain, and the Rif Revolt led by Emir Abd el-Krim—who may be a Robin Hood or a power mad tribesman. The shadows of war are drawing over the ancient city of Fez, and Holmes badly wants the wisdom and courage of his wife, whom he's learned, to his horror, has gone missing. As Holmes searches for her, and Russell searches for her "self," each tries to crack deadly parallel puzzles before it's too late for them, for Africa, and for the peace of Europe.
    • 4/5
      As Mary Russell's adventures continue in Morocco she has unfortunately lost her memory and must now determine who she is and what she is doing in Fez. Meanwhile Holmes finds that his wife has gone missing....
    • 2/5
      I enjoyed much of this series years ago, and wasn't sure where I stopped. So picked this up as a possible reread. And if I had read it, I forgot enough to enjoy it the second time through still.

      It was a fun story, but very far from a "genius detective" story. More of a "stumbling through the dark" barely surviving story. Yes, the survival is based on lots of training and well honed skills, and the mystery solving happens. But none of the characters seem to have more than a minimal idea of what is going on until near the end. And the amnesia that helps make that possible was really more of a death sentence avoided by sheer luck, not very believable.

      So while the reading went quickly enough - plenty of excitement and confusion - I wouldn't really recommend it unless you love the series and just want to complete all of it.
    • 5/5
      Mary Russell wakes up in a strange room with no memory of who or where she is. Meanwhile Sherlock Holmes is on a tour of Morocco unaware that Mary has gone missing. What they don't realize is that they are caught up in an international struggle for control over Morocco and its iron deposits.As usual, Laurie R. King does a superb job of developing her characters and this book doesn't disappoint. The mystery is difficult and complex with a surprise twist at the end. The setting in Morocco, as well as its history, was fascinating. My only complaint is that the plot was little too complex and it was a little difficult to understand all the various players.
    • 3/5
      After the moderately awful Pirate King and the just plain awful novels that proceeded it (Language of Bees/God of the Hive), I was about ready to give up on this series. Which broke my heart, because the first 3-4 books were amazing – refreshingly original, tensely plotted, and psychologically dense. Am so relieved that Garment of Shadows seems to signal a return (or at least a partial return) to King’s original form.This outing returns Holmes and Russell to the Middle East, the scene of several of the couple’s earlier adventures, and also reunites them with Mahmoud and Ali, two of my favorite characters from these earlier works. This time the four of them find themselves entangled in a struggle for Morocco’s future, being waged between Rif tribesmen (interested in retaking their traditional lands), Berber tribesmen (led by a brigand-pirate distantly related to the previous sultan), France (maintaining fairly liberal control of their southern protectorates – for now), Morocco’s titular sultan (a French puppet), Spain (rapidly losing control of their northern protectorates), Germany (lusting after iron deposits in the Spanish-controlled regions), and Great Britain (interested in any solution that keeps France from gaining control of the Straits of Gibralter). Russell’s initial amnesia allows King to gradually unfold the complicated plot so that it doesn’t overwhelm the action; also, there’s a twist at the end that provides a few pages of unexpected and welcome tension. In addition to heroic tribal warriors, dastardly brigands, and principled British officers, King also gives us an endearing young waif named Idir, clearly intended to infuse some much-needed levity and heart. As ever, however, Ali and Mahmoud steal the scenes that they appear in. Perhaps my favorite attribute of the novel is the developing relationship between Mahmoud and Russell, a relationship which was founded upon mentor/mentee loyalty, but which, in this outing, continues to deepens into something more profound.I admit I miss the days when Holmes and Russell were in the mystery business rather than the international politics business, but at least this outing avoids the sorts of gaping plot holes and embarrassingly sloppy writing that blighted the most recent books in the series. Even more reassuringly, Garment of Shadows manages to showcase the fierce independence of Russell and Holmes without ignoring (or actively sabotaging) the precarious emotional interdependence that both binds and separately polishes them, one of the very best qualities of King’s earliest outings. Though I remain a little trepidatious, based on the strength of this installment I may just give the next couple of books in this series a try.
    • 3/5
      I liked this, I just didn't love it. It seemed low on the detection, high on the needless political details. More detection, please!
    • 4/5
      A return to form after the rather disappointing "Pirate King". Good characters and location, a pleasant return of old friends, and a satisfying amount of Holmes, largely missing in the previous installment.
    • 5/5
      This is absolutely my most favorite Holmes series ever! Every book in the series is fantastic-5 star! If you like Sherlock Holmes, you have to read this pastiche. King's is the best one I've read yet.
    • 4/5
      Another great, fun Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmrs story. What more can I say!
    • 4/5
      These later ones just aren't nearly as interesting as the earlier volumes in the series. This one is a fine, fast read, and better than the last (at least there's something of a mystery) but it's still not as good as the first few stories were.
    • 3/5
      Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King features Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. As the book begins, in Fez. in the Middle East, Russell has temporary amnesia. Her quest to regain her memory takes up at least a quarter of the book but is interesting as it acquaints us with the area and the characters who play a part in this mystery. As always, Russell and Holmes make an indomitable pair as they tirelessly pursue the truth. I enjoy the fact that they have aches and pains and boost each other up as they age together gracefully, always with a fighting spirit.
    • 2/5
      I love the idea of this series and really liked the first book, so when I saw this one as a cheap audiobook I snapped it up. But frankly, parts of it were really tedious. There is a LOT of background/history of Morocco and international politics of the period, replete with unfamiliar names and geographic regions. I'm a visual learner, so listening to these history lessons was pretty futile; it took me a long time to keep the rebellion leaders straight. (As a side note, I don't think the machinations of a particular political figure should figure prominently in your plot if that figure is never going to make an appearance and interact with any of your characters. As a side-side note, I can't tell you who I'm talking about because I have no idea how to spell his name. Another downside to audiobooks.)

      Additionally, the book starts with Mary Russell in a fit of amnesia. I'm tired of amnesia as a plot device, and if she asked herself one more pointless question ("Who am I? What is this gold ring? Am I married? What country am I in? Why is there blood under my fingernails?") I would have been tempted to add to her head injuries myself.
    • 4/5
      Ms. King paints a vivid picture of Morocco in the period between the World Wars. Mary and Sherlock find themselves mixed in with state affairs between France and a local movement for Moroccan independence. As always, an enjoyable adventure.
    • 4/5
      Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell find themselves in Fez, Morocco, this time. Mary and Sherlock are separated. Mary wakes up in a strange place, injured, and without her memory. She runs from soldiers and wanders the poorer area trying to remember who she is and learn where she is. She does learn that she has some skills as a pickpocket, acrobat, and thief but doesn't really learn much about herself in her explorations.Meanwhile, Sherlock who had been off visiting a distant cousin, returns to rejoin Mary only to discover that she is missing. He immediately begins a hunt for her which leads him to Fez. In 1924, things in Morocco are tense. The country is divided between the Spanish and the French and the natives are unhappy with both. The man in charge of the French Protectorate is Holmes' cousin. The native rebel forces are well-armed because they have had victories over the Spanish and gotten a lot of their arms from the captured armies.The rebels themselves are not united. The two factions are controlled by Raisuni who is the last of Barbary pirates and who has made substantial funds by kidnapping and ransoming Europeans and the Abd al-Klims who are Western educated and anxious for independence for their country. The land is full of spies and supporters of all political interests. Mary soon learns that her friends Mahmoud and Ali Hzir (from O Jerusalem and Justice Hall) who are British agents controlled by Mycroft Holmes are deep in the mix of spies.Mary has to recover her memory, rescue her friend Mahmoud, and determine who is pulling the strings, and what strings they are pulling, in this very troubled region. She is battered, shot at, and kidnapped in the course of her investigation.What I really like about this series of historical mysteries is that I learn so much about pieces of history that I never knew about. I also really like Mary as a main character. She is an intellectual and physical equal to her husband Sherlock Holmes even though she is probably 50 years his junior and only about 24. She is a scholar and a reluctant investigator. She also has a strong moral compass that has been putting her at odds with Mycroft's machinations in these last couple books. The language, because the stories are told in Mary's voice, is articulate and descriptive without being flowery. Mary has a dry sense of humor.Fans of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy this series and this latest episode of Mary Rusell's and Sherlock Holmes' adventures.
    • 4/5
      Synopsis: Russell walks out into the desert near Fez with a small child and disappears. Holmes must not only find Russell, but Mahmond without getting caught up in the Spanish, French, Bedouin, Moroccan conflicts. With the help of a young child, a plot is uncovered that will change the course of the war and the progress of Britain.Review: This is one of the better of King's books. The setting reflects the war that was brewing in the 1920s and sets the stage for the independence of Algeria and Morocco in the 1960s.
    • 4/5
      Russell wakes up with no memory while Holmes searches for her. The story is based in Morocco. A very enjoyable audio.
    • 4/5
      This was much better than Pirate King which was boring. Ali and Mahmoud are two of my favourite characters from the earlier books so it was great to have them back. And I learnt a little of Morocco's history - of which I knew nothing.
    • 4/5
      Usual strong entry into the series. Russell is separated from Holmes by circumstance, then events draw them back together. They are meant to be. Shows most of history happens below the table.....
    • 4/5
      This is the twelfth book in the Mary Russell series, which gives Sherlock Holmes a romantic and professional partner--and it works. Well, almost always--I didn't like the book before this, The Pirate King much, and worried a tiny bit the series might have jumped the shark. The series truly is a favorite of mine and usually hits the spot with its mix of Sherlock Holmes pastiche, mystery, and early 20th century historical fiction. I've grown to love Mary as a character in her own right. Thankfully this book sees King back in top form. I felt some trepidation at the end of the first chapter, when I learned the plot would feature amnesia--a device that screams melodrama and cliche. All I can say is soon I didn't mind it much--I think because of how it was used to good effect as part of the mystery trying to piece together what had happened. And while the book often splits Mary and Sherlock Holmes apart, I couldn't complain this time that there just was too little of him--and as usual, their times together were a highlight of the book. Plus, we get more of Ali and Mahmoud Hazr featured in O, Jerusalem and Justice Hall. What's not to love?Well, that I only have a short story, "Beekeeping for Beginners," left to read of this series and then there won't be another Mary Russell book to read until early 2015.
    • 3/5
      I liked this, I just didn't love it. It seemed low on the detection, high on the needless political details. More detection, please!
    • 4/5
      This latest addition to the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series picks up shortly after the end of Pirate King. Holmes has gone off on his own to explore leaving Mary to continue on with the film crew but upon his return he discovers that Mary is missing. Mary, in the meantime, has awoke in a strange place with amnesia.Their combined adventures and reunion are thoroughly entertaining and remind the reader of the earlier books where Holmes and Russell collaborated so well and why their unusual marriage works.I love any book that these two are in together, however, the plot did seem a bit thin this time but there were a few surprises.
    • 4/5
      Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King is the twelfth of the Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes mystery series. It continues the plot left off at the close of The Pirate King.It marks a return to the themes and characters of some of her earliest books — A Letter of Mary, The Moor, and O Jerusalem — namely British colonialism, Islam, and political uprising. The problem is that so much effort is always spent on how different Muslims are that there's very little time left for a plot or character development.Here, the setting is Morocco so there's political unrest between Spain and France. The place is about to split apart at the seems and yet the emphasis is once again on the odd customs and language. Yes—it's a different place. Yes—there's aspects of the culture that might seem bizarre. Gotcha. Can we move on now?That said, Garment of Shadows is less serious than its predecessors. It opens with a rather ridiculous situation — namely Mary with full on amnesia. If we take that some of the off the cuff silliness of the The Pirate King, has rubbed off on this book, then it's perfectly acceptable for Mary to have forgotten who she is, right?Thankfully the amnesia is just the introduction. It's an excuse to separate Mary and Sherlock and give him a reason to be concerned about her. It also gives both of them (and us, the reader) a chance to re-examine their relationship and marriage.Although the book is flawed and it did bring back characters / themes I had been glad to leave behind, I did enjoy the book once it got started.
    • 3/5
      Good read, but this late in the series I'm getting tired of the suspense. I'd like to see more mystery and less political intrigue.
    • 3/5
      It's better than the predecessor but certainly not as good as the first in the series. Still, you get Mary back as a detective and Sherlock working with her rather than largely absent, so what's not to enjoy.
    • 4/5
      I love Laurie R. King's series about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes! This wasn't necessarily my favorite in the series but I liked it. It was fun to get a taste of Morocco in the 1920's and to have Russell lose her memory was very fun, particularly when she finally meets up with Holmes. King's series is very intelligent and imaginatively written.
    • 4/5
      Set in Fez, Morrocco, Mary Russell wakes after a terrible accident with amnesia. Sherlock is elsewhere and having his own adventures. When they do come together in this story she does not know him. This is a great premise. And I will admit, I think Laurie R King hits it out of the park again.