A Monstrous Regiment of Women (1995)
ISBN 978-0-312-42737-5 
Nero Wolfe award winner
Holmes came in, in one great shake shedding his overcoat, stick, hat, scarf, and gloves onto Master’s arms, and began to thread his way through the tables towards me. His bones were aching, I thought as I watched him approach, and when he came closer, the contrast between my mood and the gaunt grey exhaustion carved into his face hit me like a slap.
“Holmes,” I blurted out, “you look dreadful.”
“I am sorry, Russell, that my appearance offends,” he said dryly. “I did stop to shave and change my shirt.”
“No, it’s not that; you look fine. Just…quiet,” I said inadequately. Only profound exhaustion, not just physical but spiritual, could so dim the normal nervous hum of the man’s movements and voice.
“Ah, well, we cannot have that. I shall assume an air of raucous and disruptive behaviour, if it makes you happy. However, I should like to eat first, if I may?” I felt reassured. If he could be rude, he was reviving.
Read Laurie’s thoughts on writing Monstrous Regiment on her blog Mutterings.
Download a 52-page excerpt from Monstrous Regiment of Women here.
Join the VBC discussion on this book.
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What they say
The year is 1920, the month is December, and the place is Sussex Downs. Mary Russell has come into her inheritance, is free of the clutches of her avaricious aunt, and temporarily free of the demands of Oxford. A visit to her friend and mentor, retired beekeeper Sherlock Holmes, is thwarted when she finds him absent, and on a whim she decides to venture to London to seek him. While there she meets a schoolmate, and through her becomes acquainted with and somewhat enthralled by a charismatic lady preacher who heads a foundation heavily involved in feminist activities. Intrigue surrounds the woman and her coterie, and a number—an increasing one—of suspicious deaths. (Mystery News)
King first teamed Mary Russell with Sherlock Holmes in the riveting The Beekeeper’s Apprentice…. Now, in 1920, Mary is a week away from her 21st birthday and has finished her studies at Oxford, and the relationship between these two forceful, eccentric and indelibly etched characters is charged with sexuality and issues of authority. (Publishers Weekly)
I read Laurie R. King because I am in love with Mary Russell, a young woman of spunk and…independence. (Boston Globe)
Links
For a timeline and various links, go to Mary Russell’s World
For a bibliography and Laurie’s suggestions to teacher and book groups, click here
Pictures
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| Call for women volunteers during the war. | A Fortuny evening dress, 1920 (from the Victoria and Albert Museum |
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| Poster in favor of votes for women, from the Museum of London |
