The Language of Bees

The Language of Bees
By Laurie R. King
Bantam Books, 2009. 432 pgs. Mystery

Mary Russell is back in her newest tale and back in England after nine months abroad in India, Japan, and the United States with Holmes. Fresh upon arriving home, they are greeted by Holmes’ son, Damian Adler, the child of his affair with Irene Adler. This is the first time Damian has contacted Holmes since meeting him briefly in 1919, when Damian was in a French prison for allegedly killing a man. Standoffish that time, this second meeting has Damian gladly reacquainting himself with Holmes, trying to hide an ulterior motive. Damian’s wife and child have disappeared and Damian wants Holmes and Russell’s help finding them. Holmes immediately dashes off, while Russell joins him and Mycroft after solving the case of Holmes’ disappearing beehive. Russell looks into the new religious cult Damian’s wife had joined and finds disturbing connections between the religion's text and recent deaths at ancient historical sites. Russell and Holmes realize the importance of finding the mother and child soon in a great addition to this much-loved (by me) series.

MN