Dreaming Spies: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are drawn into a case that links Japan and Oxford in the thirteenth novel of the series. Historical detail and forward motion work together as the mystery expands across countries and hidden loyalties.
Work Information
A quiet thread of conspiracy runs from Japan to Oxford.
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes set out on a trip that should have been restful, but an unexpected clue pulls them back into a transnational case. The novel moves between Japan and Oxford as secrets and loyalties are slowly brought into focus.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Random House Publishing Group
- Published
- 2015-10-06
- Pages
- 368 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 13.34 x 2.03 x 20.7 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9780345531810
- ISBN-10
- 0345531817
- Price
- 3156 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/Mystery & Thrillers/Mystery/British Detectives
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE AGATHA AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL NOVEL • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST MYSTERIES OF THE YEAR BY THE SEATTLE TIMES Laurie R. King’s novels of suspense featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, are critically acclaimed and beloved by readers for the author’s adept interplay of history and adventure. Now the intrepid duo is finally trying to take a little time for themselves—only to be swept up in a baffling case that will lead them from the idyllic panoramas of Japan to the depths of Oxford’s most revered institution. After a lengthy case that had the couple traipsing all over India, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are on their way to California to deal with some family business that Russell has been neglecting for far too long. Along the way, they plan to break up the long voyage with a sojourn in southern Japan. The cruising steamer Thomas Carlyle is leaving Bombay, bound for Kobe. Though they’re not the vacationing types, Russell is looking forward to a change of focus—not to mention a chance to travel to a location Holmes has not visited before. The idea of the pair being on equal footing is enticing to a woman who often must race to catch up with her older, highly skilled husband. Aboard the ship, intrigue stirs almost immediately. Holmes recognizes the famous clubman the Earl of Darley, whom he suspects of being an occasional blackmailer: not an unlikely career choice for a man richer in social connections than in pounds sterling. And then there’s the lithe, surprisingly fluent young Japanese woman who befriends Russell and quotes haiku. She agrees to tutor the couple in Japanese language and customs, but Russell can’t shake the feeling that Haruki Sato is not who she claims to be. Once in Japan, Russell’s suspicions are confirmed in a most surprising way. From the glorious city of Tokyo to the cavernous library at Oxford, Russell and Holmes race to solve a mystery involving international extortion, espionage, and the shocking secrets that, if revealed, could spark revolution—and topple an empire. Praise for Dreaming Spies “[Holmes and Russell’s] unusual partnership is, as always, a delight to observe, and King expertly combines rich historical detail, deftly drawn characters and taut suspense. For Holmes fans, mystery lovers and those interested in either Japan or Oxford, this novel is a multilayered and entirely enjoyable journey.” — Shelf Awareness “Compulsively readable . . . Through astute, precise, and elegant writing, great attention to time and place, and beautifully realized characters, King has created a mystery series that is at once intelligent, reflective, and action filled.” — Library Journal “A story that keeps the reader enthralled . . . one of the most consistently outstanding mystery series out there. Any time spent with the Russell-Holmes duo is a delight.” — Booklist “Snappy prose and a captivating plot distinguish King’s fourteenth novel featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. . . . Many will find the character deepened by his partnership with the spirited and clever Russell.” — Publishers Weekly “The author continues to offer up incredible plotlines. . . . [Holmes and Russell’s] emotional bond only adds to the magic, suspense, and beauty of the original creation. King’s imagination continues to shine!” — Suspense Magazine “[King] manages more surprises than usual in this graceful exercise in cultural tourism–cum-intrigue.” — Kirkus Reviews
Laurie R. King is the New York Times bestselling author of thirteen Mary Russell mysteries, five contemporary novels featuring Kate Martinelli, the Stuyvesant & Grey novels Touchstone and The Bones of Paris , and the acclaimed A Darker Place, Folly, and Keeping Watch . She lives in Northern California.
Reviews
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ホームズとラッセル、日本へ
日本を舞台とした作品なので、逆に気になるところはいろいろあります。でも、愛らしく強いHarukiさんは、魅力的。作者は取材で奈良ホテルに泊まったみたいですね！
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The best series I have ever read
The Mary Russell series has me hanging on the edge of my seat for the next one to come out. This is a series that I have re-read many times and shall continue to do so. Just about to re-read the previous book in the series because the 'Dreaming Spies' story took place just before they went to America in the book, 'Locked Rooms'. There is so much going on in this series that it can be re-read many times over and you will still find something new that you didn't catch the first time. Mary Russell is one of the most fascinating characters that I have ever had the chance to 'meet'. Absolutely fabulous!!!
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Totally immersed in this lovely and unusual series
I'm totally immersed in this series now. I have enjoyed and found believable the overall scenario of the relationship between the two main characters and have been delighted with the various scenarios which are so different in each book and which have such interesting detail either as characters from elsewhere reappear or as in this volume, aspects of Oxford such as the Bodlian library are depicted with such lovely detail.
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A Historical Worth Reading
This is the 13th in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. In this outing, it is 1925, and Russell and Holmes are leaving India by ship and hope to rest and restore themselves. Unfortunately, a blackmailer and aristocrat with whom Holmes has had previously dealings is on board the ship as well. While Holmes obsesses about the aristocrat, Russell seeks seclusion on an upper deck. She meets a young Japanese woman who understands her need for reading time. Thus begins an adventure that involves the blackmailer, his family, the young Japanese woman and her family, and the Prince Regent of Japan. Along the way we are given glimpses of Japan as it was and the Oxford Russell loves. This is one of my favorite kinds of books. One that all but demands that you read slowly in order to thoroughly enjoy the two detectives’ progress from A to Zed. The book is full of historical detail without being bogged down by them or thinking the author was throwing random facts into the story to impress the reader. No, every detail is important. King has written her 13th novel in the same mode that she wrote the first books. The characters have certainly matured, Russell has become a detective to be reckoned with, and other characters, from the blackmailing British aristocrat to the young Japanese woman, in this are well drawn and interesting. King’s writing can be lyrical and, it is clear, that each word was chosen with care.
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Hurrah for Mary!
The wait seemed long - but was absolutely worth it. Mary and Sherlock's adventures on board the ship and then in Japan are a delight. Well worth the read.
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Schnell geliefert, guter Zustand
Schnelle Lieferung, gut aber sparsam verpackt, Buch in sehr gutem Zustand
Related Literary Awards
- Agatha Awards Edition 28 (2015) ・Winner