Knave of Diamonds - by Laurie R King (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Mary Russell's allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle-and a mystifying case from the past that even Sherlock Holmes could not solve"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

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 place: 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 deceptions: sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Lantern's Dance

"A can't-miss read for any Sherlock Holmes fan."--Bookreporter

"Deftly interlacing present and past, [Laurie R.] King offers further fascinating insights into Holmes' family while also delivering an intriguing mystery."--The Washington Post

"The elaborate family lore King has constructed for Holmes impresses, and she pays longtime readers dividends with a number of satisfying disclosures about the detective's past. Series fans are sure to be pleased."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for Castle Shade

"Highly recommend for historical mystery fans who have followed the series, as well as readers looking for historical heroines with agency."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Extremely atmospheric . . . Each book in the Russell and Holmes series is a treat. . . . Kudos to Laurie King for keeping the legend [of Sherlock Holmes] alive with such entertaining novels, and Mary Russell [for] keeping him on his toes."--Mystery & Suspense Magazine

Praise for Riviera Gold

"The definition of binge-able . . . a bright and shiny Côte d'Azur distraction."--Los Angeles Times

"Extends the prolific [and] superior series . . . [Holmes and Russell] continue to have ripping adventures."--The Seattle Times

"A refreshing summer breeze of a mystery novel that is so cool you can practically hear the jazz dripping right off its pages."--Bookreporter

About the Author

Laurie R. King is the award-winning bestselling author of eighteen previous Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mysteries, a series featuring SFPD cold-case Inspector Raquel Laing, the contemporary Kate Martinelli series, the historical Stuyvesant & Grey stories, and five acclaimed standalone novels. She lives in Northern California, where she is at work on her next Raquel Laing mystery.