Knave of Diamonds

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #19

by Laurie R. King

Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first He was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from an impregnable safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a king, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And, now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Holmes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her uncle, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner and his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, the beloved and long-lost survivor of a much-diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Historical

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2025

About the author

Edgar-winning mystery writer Laurie R. King writes series and standalone novels. Her official forum is
THE LRK VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB here on Goodreads--please join us for book-discussing fun.

King's 2018 novel, Island of the Mad, sees Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes travel from London's Bedlam to the glitter of Venice's Lido,where Young Things and the friends of Cole Porter pass Mussolini's Blackshirts in the streets. The Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series follows a brilliant young woman who becomes the student, then partner, of the great detective. [click here for an excerpt of the first in the series, The Beekeeper's Apprentice] The Stuyvesant and Grey series (Touchstone; The Bones of Paris) takes place in Europe between the Wars. The Kate Martinelli series follows an SFPD detective's cases on a female Rembrandt, a holy fool, and more. [Click for an excerpt of A Grave Talent]

King lives in northern California, which serves as backdrop for some of her books.

Please note that Laurie checks her Goodreads inbox intermittently, so it may take some time to receive a reply. A quicker response may be possible via email to info@laurierking.com.

Reviews

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, rejoice! We have a new volume, and—in my opinion at least—it is the best of recent additions to the series. Russell and Holmes mysteries are always good, but some rise above the "merely" good in one way or another. In this case, the real pleasure is the new additions to the cast of characters. We have at least one, perhaps two new members of the Russell/Holmes contingent, and I am hoping they'll be popping up again in future volumes.

I don't want to say more than that because at this point, one of the greatest pleasures of reading books in this series is to come to them without preconceptions and let the writing take you where you will. Enjoy!

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knave of Diamonds is a historical mystery series giving center stage to a fictional female character - Mary Russell – along the famous Sherlock Holmes.

The story begins with reappearance of Jake Russell – Mary’s uncle who has disappeared for a few years, and is considered the black-sheep in the family. Once, her beloved uncle. Now, she is a bit bitter about his disappearance. Nevertheless, she gets involved in his somehow involvement in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle.

Mary and her husband Sherlock Holmes are clever detectives who pull the reader into their work of solving another mystery case filled with secrets, lies, and deception.

This cozy mystery progresses at cozy pace.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 'Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes' series, set around the 1920s, Sherlock Holmes is an older gentleman, tending his bees in Sussex.



Holmes is also married to a young woman named Mary Russell, whom he took under his wing some time ago. Holmes and Russell are a detective duo, and Russell has shown herself to be an intrepid sleuth with nerve and smarts.



This 19th book in the series focuses on a real event, the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels - also known as The Jewels of the Order of St. Patrick - in 1907. The crime went unsolved, but maybe Russell and Holmes can shed some light on the scandalous affair.

The book works fine as standalone.


The Irish Crown Jewels

*****

Mary Russell was orphaned at the age of fourteen.....



......but her Uncle Jake Russell didn't show up to offer comfort. Jake loved his niece but he was a swindler and thief with a warrant on his head, so Jake resided overseas to avoid arrest.



It's now been over a decade since Mary heard from Uncle Jake, and she assumes he died in some foreign land. So it's a shock when Jake shows up in Sussex, with (of course) an agenda.



Jake admits he was involved with the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, and Mary is appalled!! She knows the jewels vanished from an impregnable safe at Dublin Castle a few days before English royals were to arrive for a visit, at which time the jewels were to be worn. Scotland Yard and Sherlock Holmes were brought in, but the investigation was suppressed, and the jewels were never recovered.



Uncle Jake explains that Sir Arthur Vicars, a pompous prig, was in charge of keeping the jewels safe in Dublin Castle. But Vicars was a show-off, and he would invite friends to the castle, get drunk, and take out the treasures.


Sir Arthur Vicars


Dublin Castle

When the jewels disappeared, Vicars' friends were implicated. However, they were never charged because a 'homosexual scandal' might be exposed.

Uncle Jake admits to being in league with Vicars' villainous friends, but says the jewels were squirreled away, and he never got his share of the booty. Jake now thinks he knows the location of the jewels, and he asks Mary to accompany him to Ireland to look for them. Since Jake is family, Mary agrees.





In the meantime, Sherlock Holmes is being sent on a similar quest. Sherlock's brother Mycroft Holmes, who's high up in government circles, asks Sherlock to find the Irish Crown Jewels to ease the hostility between England and Ireland.



Thus Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes start off on separate trips that have the same goal....to find the lost Irish treasures.



Most of the story follows these dual adventures, which eventually merge as Sherlock meets up with Mary and Jake. In the course of the quest, Mary dresses as a man to disguise herself; Uncle Jake is slippery and evasive; Sherlock makes pertinent deductions; and the searchers meet a variety of interesting people.



The story is an engaging cozy mystery, and the author nicely captures the ambiance of early 20th century Ireland.

However, I can't picture Sherlock Holmes being married, and Uncle Jake is a speck too self-satisfied and arrogant for my taste. That said, the 'Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes' books are popular, so if you're not familiar with the novels, you might want to give them a chance.

Thanks to Netgalley, Laurie R. King, and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 19 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series and while I haven’t read them all I have read several and enjoyed them. This Sherlock Holmes is different than the original and I enjoy him all the more for it. Mary’s uncle comes back from the dead and asks her for help with a less than legal adventure that takes them to Ireland. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration a lot. I also liked the cameo by Mrs. Hudson and thought that was perfect. I thought the mystery and adventure was interesting but dragged on a little bit at times. Overall this was a fun audiobook and definitely a good continuation of a great series.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧

I enjoyed this far more than I expected to, it’s a bit of a modern twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes that I know, and this instalment, which is part of a series that I’ve arrived to very late, reminded me very much of Lemony snickets a series of unfortunate events, I suppose in its narration but also in the way the story plays out. Fans of the series may disagree but I felt the title stood its ground well as a standalone, I had no issue in getting into the story, and I loved the cross references to so many other fictional figures.

Great fun, I’d read more in the series.

I really enjoyed the narration on this title.

Huge thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last couple of installments of the Mary Russell series have hearkened back somewhat to what I enjoyed at the beginning of the series--fairly straightforward narratives driven by the people in their inner circle, without too much foray into the international political intrigue that I find so dull in a novel of "suspense." No, in this one the plot hits much closer to home, and is all the better for it. Mary's long-absent Uncle Jack, the black sheep of her family, shows up to ask her help in a little matter relating to the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels.
I love that this theft is real history, sending me on a quick research dive to confirm that the basic details in the book were true to life. Always happy when I can be both entertained and informed.
The book is split among three narrative points of view, and the chapters are mostly short, which keeps things moving along nicely.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this advance review copy!

[Magdalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King since I was a teenager. Having read all 19 books, this series feels like a part of my life. Knave of Diamonds might be one of the best so far. Laurie R. King is a truly talented author who knows exactly how to craft compelling characters and stories that stay with you.

The story was incredibly captivating, it felt like returning to old friends and being drawn into their world right from the start. This time, Mary’s uncle Jake, whom she believed was dead, returns, and I absolutely loved hearing more about him. I really enjoyed hearing from Mary’s, Sherlock’s, and Jake’s perspectives. There was also a character introduced who I felt was a great part of this book, and I believe she will have significance in upcoming books.

The adventure itself was a lot of fun, mixing humor with suspense in a way that really pulled me in. Another highlight was the narration, absolutely perfect voice acting by Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley, and Jefferson Mays, which made the experience even better.

The story pulled me in so deeply that I almost forgot what I was doing while listening at work and at home. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. ❤️📚🎧✨

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I loved my big brother,” the younger man said at last. “He stood up for me, even sometimes when he shouldn’t have. And his wife was the greatest person in the world. Judith always treated me like a trusted friend, even though she must have known I could be pretty crooked. I loved my nephew, Levi, who was a weird kid with a brain like a clock. He’d have done great things for the world. And…” He reeled his gaze in from the far distance to meet Holmes’ eyes. “I love my niece. I let her down when she needed me, and the decisions I made after that might not have been the right ones. But I won’t do it again. Not with anything that matters.” Oh, Jacob, Holmes thought sadly. You just had to add that caveat at the end, didn’t you?

While all of Laurie R. King’s mysteries, after Dreaming Spies have been top tier for me, the one before this one, Lantern’s Dance was on the level of her earlier books and one of the later ones, The Murder of Mary Russell.There definitely have been some peaks and valleys along the way, as is to be expected in a long series. But as with another historical mystery series I was devoted to, Anne Perry’s Charlotte and Thomas Pitt books, they will continue to be auto-buys for me on both Kindle and Hardcover as long as they continue.

In this one, we are re-introduced to Mary’s long lost Uncle Jake. We had met Jake before in a short story, Mary’s Christmas. (Found in Mary Russell’s War.) That little adventure occurred when Mary was 11 years old and her brother and parents were still alive. Reading that story first is not necessary, but would add to the enjoyment of this book. Jake, who was disowned from the Russell Family for bad behavior, shows up on Russell and Holmes' doorstep after they have returned home from the wedding of Holmes' son, Damian Adler. Significantly, Jake appears after Holmes leaves to meet with his brother Mycroft at his request about an “old case that had come to life.” As it turns out, Mycroft wants Holmes’ help in locating the stolen Irish Crown Jewels. New information has come to light in this case that Holmes originally investigated back in 1907. His recommendations were ignored, and the jewels were never recovered. The robbery is true history and the mystery of what became of the Jewels is still unsolved to this day. LRK always incorporates real historical figures and events into her books. It is a big part of their appeal for me.

Meanwhile, back in Sussex, Jake asks Mary’s help in locating the same jewels. He was an accomplice in their theft which just might be one reason why Jake has taken pains not to cross paths with the great detective. Even though it goes against her own ethical values and will potentially put her at odds with her husband, Mary decides to accompany Jake to Ireland to try to find the treasure. Despite everything, he was her childhood hero and she still feels love and loyalty towards him. But unbeknownst to Jake, Mary ensures that Holmes will follow them by leaving him clues as to her whereabouts. And that she is safe. When Holmes returns to their empty home and reads Mary’s seemingly innocuous note, it doesn’t take him long to figure it all out. He has no interest in assisting Mycroft find the jewels, but he is very very interested in the health and safety of his wife. Mary and Jake are not alone together in their quest for long.

The books in this series are usually told primarily from Mary’s first person point of view. Sometimes we also switch to Sherlock Holmes’ 3rd person perspective. In this one we also have Jake’s 1st person account of the adventure and it is interesting to see glimpses of Russell and Holmes through his eyes. I love the way Laurie differentiated the first person narration of Mary and her Uncle Jake. Mary says “One could hear America in his voice.” And this was true on the page as well.

My enjoyment of the book was somewhat compromised in that I really did not like Jake right from the get go, and my dislike did not diminish much as the book went on. I found myself rooting for some kind of takedown. I found him shifty and smug, and his supposed charm was lost on me. He is never truthful with Holmes or Mary unless it suits his interests. The fact that they saw through him from the beginning and still he persisted in trying to obfuscate made me feel contempt as well as distaste. We weren’t meant to trust him or take him at face value, so maybe those feelings were unfair. Even the reveal of his true motives at the end did not restore him to my good graces.

As always in the books, Holmes and Mary spend a good deal of time apart, but that only heightens the anticipation for when they meet up again. I’ve long since stopped hoping for warmth or any obvious loving intimacy between the two. In fact, I don’t know what I would think if their feelings for each other were conspicuous rather than between the lines. This is what passes as grand romance between the two:

He stared at me, seated firmly on a man’s back, then saw the front of my coat. “You’re bleeding!” he exclaimed.
I looked down at my front, and my hands. “It’s not mine. The dogs—” But to my surprise, he yanked me to my feet, and flung his arms around me. Then, more reassuringly, he stood back and seized both my shoulders to berate me.

After the matter of the Jewels are satisfactorily disposed of, we are left to wonder if we will ever see Jake again. I wouldn’t bet against it. But I hope it won’t be for a while. Another character is introduced in this one that I know will become a fixture, at least for a while. And we still have Mycroft’s reaction to the secret revealed in the last book to look forward to. The perfect ending. **4 1/2 stars**
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....

[Heather Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is really good, friends.

I was worried about the extra POV because I’m always glad to just stick with Mary, but it worked here with Jake, Holmes, and Mary. A solid entry mixing the real with the imagined. Less introspective than other Mary Russells lately and more fast paced adventure, which I like.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[Vicki Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a new Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes book is published, it is an elementary fact that I will be reading it. After all, I had read or listened to all of the other 18 books in the series and could not have enjoyed them more, finding them adventurous, exciting, suspenseful and composed of colorful and unique characters. The settings were always stunning, the clothes and costumes imaginative, and the intriguing mysteries and plots making the tales memorable. The books should not be imagined as simply more stories involving Sherlock Holmes by those readers who have not yet ventured in to reading Laurie R. King’s novels. They are unique in their inclusion and focus on Mary Russell, Sherlock’s wife, her marriage and working relationship with the famous detective and Mary’s to be lauded self-sufficiency and bravery. Knave of Diamonds alternates chapters with Mary, Sherlock and Jake each providing their own narrative but Mary is once again at the center of the scheme as it is her past that defines the present activities and her family history that is germane to the adventure that unfolds.
Knave of Diamonds is historical fiction based on the true event of the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907. The Jewels of the Order of St. Patrick had vanished from a safe at Dublin Castle, a few days before the arrival of King George and Queen Mary in Ireland for an investiture ceremony. The jewels, in a tower strong-room, consisted of a jeweled badge and star, diamonds and gemstones and ceremonial collars containing gems. The reader can easily find information on the disappearance of the Crown Jewels and the characters portrayed in the story who were very real and actually connected to the theft. Knave of Diamonds brings the story of the stolen jewels to light for those not familiar with the theft or those interested in it while intertwining aspects of the theft with the exploits of the three protagonists.
Jack Russell, brother of Mary’s father, who died in a car wreck along with Mary’s mother and brother, was disowned by his grandparents when Mary was seven or eight years old. Mary’s mother called her brother-in-law “The Knave” as he was a bit of a rogue with a checkered history. The family even believed he was connected to the theft of the Crown Jewels. Mary last saw him when she was eleven and last heard from him when she received a letter from him after the death of her family. Jake sudden appearance, his admitting to his own involvement with the theft of the jewels and his association with culprits involved, drive the plot surrounding the hunt for the stolen items and his need for the assistance of his niece. Sherlock had been a detective on the case of the missing jewels but his proposals regarding the case had been dismissed and he had turned his back on the case. Now, alongside Mary and Jake, he is involved in the search and the game is afoot.
The novel is heavy with name-dropping, with both real and fictional people. There are passing mentions of Arthur Conan Doyle, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Detective Chief Inspector John Kane, who was involved with the actual theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. Sir Arthur Vicars, Frank Shackleton and Captain Richard Howard Gorges are all intergral to the story and are historical real life persons implicated in the actual theft.
King makes references to Detective Chief Inspector G. Lestrade of Scotland Yard, Sherlock’s friend and participant in other Sherlock Holmes books, and Mrs. Hudson, housekeeper and mother figure to Mary who has left the Holmes’ employment. Louise Holmes, Sherlock and Mycroft’s mother is mentioned. Damian Adler, Sherlock’s son, and his wife Aileen, play cameo roles, if I may use that phrase. Mycroft, Sherlock’s brother, who had been professionally integral to the case of the missing Crown Jewels, is tangentially involved in the proceedings. Even Sherlock’s bees are alluded to.
The story is lively and especially interesting if the reader, like myself, likes a compelling tale that invites you to delve deeper in to the subject matter and separate fact from fiction. It is unlike most of the Holmes stories with its connection to a real event but is engaging in its own right and I recommend it. The story stands on its own but I believe is more enjoyable reading if you have some familiarity with the aforementioned characters and their own connections and histories.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bantam for an advance copy of Knave of Diamonds. This is my honest review of Laurie R. King’s book.

[Alexandra]

RTC

Thank you Netgalley and Allison & Busby for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release date : 10 June 2025

[Julie Ditton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I love the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, I also love many of the new novels based on the character. One of the best series is Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. These novels center on young Mary who became an apprentice to a retired Sherlock Holmes, eventually to become his partner and later his wife. The best part of this series is the smart self sufficient female protagonist and the fantastic relationship between the two characters. King always sets the stage with historical events and famous people. All the characters are as richly described as the scenery and the stories are always a fun diversion. This time around events hit close to home, when Mary's long lost uncle reappears. Any long running series is bound to be a bit uneven. This novel was slower paced than most of King's stories; there seemed to be a lot of exposition and little action for the first third of the book. The story also had less real mystery than usual, but it was carried by the introduction of some fantastic new characters and a lot of great dialogue. I accessed advance reading and listening copies of this book from the publisher and alternated between the two formats. The chapters of these books always alternate between the main characters' points of view and this audiobook had separate narrators for Holmes, Russell, and her uncle Jake. All three actors did a fine job and if you like audiobooks, you will not be disappointed. The audiobook also has a bonus short story at the end.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

'Knave of Diamonds' is the nineteenth book in the 'Mary Ryssell and Sherlock Holmes' series.

The book, being one of many, has already established relationships and lore, but the author does an amazing job filling in for the first-time reader and ensuring that one has enough information to grasp the story without being overbearing.

Additionally, the story incorporates numerous historical references, which the author skillfully utilizes to enhance the plot's intrigue and complexity.

In addition, the characters were interesting and well written, and the POVs were enjoyable.

However, the second half and towards the end, the story got a bit tiring.

Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated and produced.

Bonus points for the extra story in the end!

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun! A romp from beginning to end. So refreshing to read a light-hearted Russell/Holmes story.

I loved meeting Mary's Uncle Jake, her father's younger brother and the black sheep of the family. What a character! I quite enjoyed chasing around the Irish countryside on the trail of the missing Irish Crown Jewels with him, Mary, and Holmes.

The author was in fine form with this one.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Mary Russell wants to do when the wedding is over is to head home and sleep in her own bed. Naturally, this isn’t to be when a long-lost black sheep relation arrives on her doorstep and whisks her away on the hunt for the Irish Crown Jewels that went missing in a robbery several years back and the only case to defeat Sherlock Holmes.

Laurie R King’s Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes’ series has captivated me from the beginning and I am still eager nineteen books later to pick up the latest, Knave of Diamonds.

Knave of Diamonds presented a cold case robbery of the past, but that felt secondary to Mary finally getting answers about her father’s younger ne’er-do-well brother who disappeared years before and she mostly believed was dead. Now Uncle Jack has shown up on her doorstep needing her help with some unfinished business. Russell is wary, but agrees to help her uncle track down the Irish Crown Jewels while feeling the pull of divided loyalties in opposite directions of thieving uncle vs. detective husband.

Knave of Diamonds divides the story among three narrators: Mary, Sherlock, and Uncle Jack so the reader gets to know Uncle Jack and what he’s up-to as he pits his wits with his brilliant niece and her equally genius husband. I enjoyed getting the back history on the robbery as Jack told it to Mary and also the bits of investigating Holmes did on his end. It was fun seeing Mary back in action in Ireland safe-cracking and more.

I will admit to feeling something of a let-down with this one. It was fascinating for the family mystery reveals, but I just couldn’t get vested in the mystery side because the lack of tension throughout. The robbery details were revealed with Jake’s story and it was more a treasure hunt than a case to solve. Even the big climax seemed muted making this feel like a cozy mystery more than the grittier historical mysteries earlier in the series.

I didn’t hate it, but had to adjust my expectations to appreciate what I got. So, this is one I’d recommend to cozy historical mystery fans who appreciate a husband and wife detecting team and some family back history while on a jewel hunt.

I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 6.18.25.

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: Primarily set in post–World War I England, with flashbacks and references to Dublin, Ireland, particularly around the time of the infamous 1907 theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle.
Genre: Historical Mystery; Historical Fiction, with elements of spy fiction and detective fiction

I thought I would like Knave of Diamonds; a family mystery with royal jewels and international intrigue should’ve been a win. But this one just didn’t work for me.

The plot felt oddly disjointed—like it couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be a family drama, a historical caper, or a spy novel. Uncle Jake’s sudden reappearance seemed more convenient than compelling, and while there were a few interesting moments, it all dragged far too long for the payoff we got. And asking Mary to keep secrets from Sherlock? That felt off, especially after all they’ve been through.

#netgalley #knaveofdiamonds #booked_this_weekend

[Jillian Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored The Beekeeper’s Apprentice when I first read it as a teenager and again when I revisited the series in 2023. The “retired” Sherlock Holmes portrayed in these books is, to me, just as real as the man Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about. The charming and brilliant Mary Russell complements the famous detective beautifully and their adventures in each book are always unique, complex, and delightfully satisfying mysteries. Laurie R King’s newest addition to the series is no exception and even though I’ve missed a few of the more recent books in the series, I jumped right back into the universe of Russell and Holmes with pleasure.

In Knave of Diamonds, Russell and Holmes are joined by a third point of view character, Russell’s long-lost uncle Jake. A bit of a rake and a minor criminal, Jake reappears in his niece’s life to ask for her help in tracking down the Irish Crown Jewels. Jake’s involvement in a previous heist of these jewels and the shady nature of his whereabouts in the years he’s been gone give Russell pause, but she commits to helping her beloved uncle, and of course Holmes joins them. Holmes distrusts Jake but has faith in his Russell’s instincts, so the three of them set out on their mission to track down the jewels.

The mystery and suspense in this book is twofold—where are the jewels, and is Jake trustworthy? The story behind the provenance of the jewels as well as the trio’s jaunts around England and Ireland became ever so slightly convoluted for me while reading. However, I really enjoyed the way the addition of a third character affected the dynamics between Sherlock and Russell, and I found the pace of the final third of the book to be really exciting, culminating in a quietly satisfying wrap-up. Overall, another entertaining and well-written addition to a beloved series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam | Random House Publishing for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title, which is available now!

[L & J Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest in this historical mystery series has Mary Russell’s ne’er do well uncle, Jake Russell showing up on Russell’s doorstep after she returns home from Sherlock’s son Damien Adler’s wedding. Jake needs her help. A grifter/con man and thief, he was once involved with the disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels. Sherlock had investigated the theft but his report was suppressed by the English King as it implicated his friends and would have caused a scandal. The jewels were never recovered and Jake wants Mary to help locate them, if only to keep them from the clutches of his former I thought this was one of the weaker plot lines and less well developed books in the series, although I enjoy historical mysteries which feature heroines with agency.

[Carly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ Meh at best. Gram and I weren't a fan. The audiobook narration makes it much harder to follow. Plot was not great...

[Kathe Forrest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really a disappointment! On and on it went - wagging the tail. And then the ending so blah. Oh well you can’t write great all the time. Still she should have rethought this tale!

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series. Still mildly entertaining.

I felt like there were way too many scenes of characters talking about events in the past, relating what happened, etc. Lots of exposition and not much interaction between characters and not much action, until the very end. It was also very choppy, with three different points of view, instead of just two or one. Sometimes it was interesting to see how different characters viewed the same events, but mostly they just took up the narrative where the last one ended, thus causing discontinuity. I also felt like things were rushed, and oftentimes characters acted out of character. This just didn’t feel like the author’s best work.

[Audiobook notes]I will say, that the three narrators each did a fine job, especially the outstanding Jefferson Mays, who is one of my very favorite narrators! Having three narrators, one for each POV, did help each character feel more real, I think.

However, I don’t think that made up for the subpar plot and execution.

[Laura de Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this entry in one of my favorite series.

It just fell flat, I never really engaged with any of the characters.

[Rita Gorra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely perfect. Not 2 dozen characters to remember, odd ball red herrings, just a character study and a great story. It made me think and entertained me enormously without stress.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and fun

This was a highly entertaining story, and tied up a bunch of loose ends. It’s also cool to get a different perspective on Mary’s childhood!

[Julie Ditton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I love the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, I also love many of the new novels based on the character. One of the best series is Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. These novels center on young Mary who became an apprentice to a retired Sherlock Holmes, eventually to become his partner and later his wife. The best part of this series is the smart self sufficient female protagonist and the fantastic relationship between the two characters. King always sets the stage with historical events and famous people. All the characters are as richly described as the scenery and the stories are always a fun diversion. This time around events hit close to home, when Mary's long lost uncle reappears. Any long running series is bound to be a bit uneven. This novel was slower paced than most of King's stories; there seemed to be a lot of exposition and little action for the first third of the book. The story also had less real mystery than usual, but it was carried by the introduction of some fantastic new characters and a lot of great dialogue. I accessed advance reading and listening copies of this book from the publisher and alternated between the two formats. The chapters of these books always alternate between the main characters' points of view and this audiobook had separate narrators for Holmes, Russell, and her uncle Jake. All three actors did a fine job and if you like audiobooks, you will not be disappointed. The audiobook also has a bonus short story at the end.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mary Russell’s long-lost Uncle Jake reappears at her door, he brings with him a scandalous mystery tied to the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels—an unsolved theft that once baffled even Sherlock Holmes and may have involved Mycroft. Jake wants Mary’s help, but aiding him would put her at odds with both her husband and his powerful brother. Once again torn between loyalty and duty, Mary must navigate lies, secrets, and family ties in this tangled case.

It was fun to be back with Mary Russell and Holmes once again. This one picks up right where the previous book left off, and while it references the previous adventure, I don’t think this is one a new reader could start with. We delve a little more into Russell’s past and her family with this one.

I especially enjoyed how this fictional story weaves in with an actual event from history. It definitely made me more interested to learn about the theft. I liked the clues that came to light and how they all came together.

Overall, this was a fun addition to the series. Readers who are fond of Russell and Holmes’ adventures are sure to enjoy this one.

I received an advance reader copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice in March, and here we are in September, where I have just finished the 19th book, Knave of Diamonds. While I will be glad for a breather and the window to read outside of this series, a part of me wishes there were more books available right now. Not only has Laurie R. King created backstories for the Holmes characters that are virtually seamless with the originals, the historical universe they inhabit is one I don't want to leave. I'm still hoping that the "real" Sherlock Holmes will have a chance to confront Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at some point. (Too much?) I do slightly prefer some of the earlier novels in this series, but none of them were a snooze, a drag, or a waste of time. Please keep writing, Ms. King!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 19th book in King’s Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, and it’s as if the author returned to the character we first met, and fell in love with, in the first book of the series, “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” (1994). This outing has Russell helping her long-missing uncle search for the Irish Crown Jewels that are still missing after being stolen a decade earlier.

This is a well-written, complex historical mystery with lots of twists and turns. King keeps her readers guessing what role Russell’s uncle played in the theft of the crown jewels, but she’s up to the challenge of helping him find them.

If you’re a fan of Mary Russell, but have been disappointed in the last several outings, pick up this book and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re new to this series, pick up “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” and be introduced to the young woman, Mary Russell, newly graduated from Oxford and the then-newly retired Sherlock Holmes.

My thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for an eARC.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knave of Diamonds is the nineteenth novel in the series that follows the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell. In this book at the beginning we are introduced to Jake Russell who is Mary's Uncle whom she hasn't seen since she was a child. He ends up showing up at at her doorstep asking for help as he was involved in a robbery of jewels.
Mary wants to help him only he doesn't want Sherlock to know about it. She knows that she doesn't want to hide it from her man and at the samd time her uncle was her biggest hero growing up. She decides to help him and sends little clues along the way to let Sherlock know that she is okay. Overall this was a very interesting installment.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite entries in the Russell and Holmes series in recent years. In this book we get Russell's Uncle Jake as a character, in a plot involving the Irish Crown Jewels, stolen about 10 years earlier. The plot is a bit convoluted at times, with the three main characters alternately split up, and then together.

The book is told from the alternating POV of Russell, Holmes, and Uncle Jake. Both Russel and Holmes are with Uncle Jake more than they are with each other in this story. I especially liked the little surprise at the ending, and really hope to see more of Uncle Jake in the future.