Synopses & Reviews
In the eerie wasteland of Dartmoor, Sherlock Holmes summons his devoted wife and partner, Mary Russell, from her studies at Oxford to aid the investigation of a death and some disturbing phenomena of a decidedly supernatural origin. Through the mists of the moor there have been sightings of a spectral coach made of bones carrying a woman long-ago accused of murdering her husband--and of a hound with a single glowing eye. Returning to the scene of one of his most celebrated cases, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes and Russell investigate a mystery darker and more unforgiving than the moors themselves.
Review
"Erudite, fascinating . . . the most successful re-creation of the famous inhabitant of 221B Baker Street ever attempted."--
The Houston Chronicle
"There's no resisting the appeal of Laurie R. King's thrillingly moody scenes of Dartmoor and her lovely evocations of its legends."--The New York Times Book Review
"Dazzling may be the word to describe King's latest Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes adventure. . . . Add King's devilishly clever plot and eccentric characters, her ability to achieve a perfect balance between serious mystery and lighthearted humor, and the charm with which she develops the captivating relationship between Holmes and Russell, and the result is a superbly rich read that would please Doyle himself."--Booklist
"King has the tone, mood, and voice precisely right. . . . Very good."--The Boston Globe
"Mary's description of how she thinks through all the elements of a mystery--so deep in thought as if she were in a trance---is excellent."--Salon.com
About the Author
Laurie R. King is the Edgar Award-winning author of the contemporary novels featuring Kate Martinelli, the acclaimed Mary Russell mysteries, and four stand-alone novels, including the highly praised A Darker Place. She lives in northern California.
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions
1. After two years of marriage, Mary Russell notes that her relationship with Holmes falls closer on the side of a partnership between two detectives rather than that of a wedded couple. Given Russells strong independent nature and her open views on the gender inequalities of the time, what did you make of this comment? In your opinion, does this attitude make Russell a stronger female character or does it still limit her in some capacity?
2. In the Editors Preface, Laurie King notes that Russell names both real and unknown figures and places throughout her memoirs. King concludes Russell has no doubt employed this story-telling method to suit her own purposes. Based on what you know about Russell, what might some of these purposes be?
3. It surprises Russell when Holmes introduces the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould as an old friend. Why did she find the possibility of such a friendship startling? What was your reaction when you discovered the true relationship between Holmes and Baring-Gould? How does this information deepen your understanding of Holmess character?
4. At first, Josiah Gortons death is chalked up to his taking a chilly jaunt in Mrs. Howards spectral coach. What is the local lore behind this former noblewoman and her demonic hound, and what parallels can you draw between this story and the one concerning Richard Covells wife, which David Sheiman recounts to Russell as the true reason behind the Baskerville curse?
5. Moreover, how do the details in both the local legend of Mrs. Howard and the story of Mrs. Cavell reflect the villagers attitude towards women in this small, isolated town?
6. When Russell peruses the library of Baring-Goulds writing, she is surprised to find a cruel tone in his passages, especially as it relates to the subject of the poor. Would you say there is a kinship between the Reverends coldness towards the poor and the sentimentality he expresses towards tradition and heritage?
7. If you are a fan of The Hound of the Baskervilles, discuss the ways in which The Moor overlaps with the plot of the original novel, and Kings depiction of the Baskerville family. In what ways does her point of view depart from that of Conan Doyle?
8. What was your first impression of Richard Ketteridge and David Scheiman? Did you detect any clues hidden in the mannerisms of the two men or in their dialogue during dinner in Baskerville Hall that tipped you off to their grand scheme?
9. Russell naturally objects to Baring-Goulds often sexist point of view, but her opinion of him changes after their late-night conversation in the library. Is some degree of sexism allowable when stacked against a persons good qualities?
10. Its a wet, moonless night in the moorland when Russell and Holmes begin their investigation. As the two sleuths trudge through blankets of fog, burbling streams, and unmarked peat trails, what environmental details, including Russells observations on the condition of the Reverend Sabine Baring-Goulds home, serve to create the mood of this mystery?