Tricia Dake's Book Review of:

A Monstrous Regiment of Women
By Laurie R. King
Published by Bantam Books
1995

A Monstrous Regiment of Women is a refreshing story. The main character is an intelligent young woman who has held a longtime association with Sherlock Holmes ­ in fact most of her life. This is the second in a series of novels about Mary Russell who lost her parents at a young age. She met Sherlock Holmes shortly after and became his apprentice. This story begins just as Mary is about to come into her rather substantial inheritance.

Mary is a unique character for a story set in this time period. She is Jewish and a theology scholar. So naturally when Mary’s friend Veronica Beaconsfield convinces her to visit the New Temple of God, Mary is intrigued by the combination of religion and feminism preached there. Yet more curious is the woman behind it all. The leader Margery Childe is both mysterious and magnetic. Women flock to hear her words of wisdom; even men come to listen to her speak on love. Little by little Mary is drawn further into the workings of the temple which is supported by wealthy young female volunteers. When a suspicious accident befalls Mary’s friend Veronica, Mary learns this is a strange coincidence, for it is the fourth time a young woman of the temple has met with danger. While Veronica’s accident is not fatal, this is not necessarily the case with the other young women. It is when Mary learns that Veronica had recently altered her will to favor the New Temple of God that Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes launch a discreet investigation involving a delightful array of disguises, and one that involves Mary becoming a target for wrongdoing.

Through the course of the tale Mary comes to like Margery who has a spirituality that counterbalances Mary’s intellectual viewpoint. Can this prophetess who requests Mary teach her the Hebrew Scriptures actually heal herself? Can Mary believe her own eyes when they contradict her intellect? Through the protagonist the author raises many interesting questions of faith versus hard facts.

The story takes many interesting turns involving not only the New Temple of God, but Veronica’s addict fiancé whose plight is similar to what befell Sherlock Holmes own son; Mary Russell’s adjustments from a life of frugality to plenty; and Russell’s and Holmes’ ambiguous feelings for one another. All this makes the story riveting on a variety of levels. Each chapter opens with a quote about the traditional role of women, then proceeds to call the quote into question through the actions of the very nontraditional Russell.

Here is a protagonist you can both respect and sympathize with. Her youth and tenacity combined with Holmes’ age and detachment combine to unravel a complex mystery. From this book alone, it is easy to see why author Laurie King is a recipient of an Edgar Award.

Other books in the series include: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, A Letter of Mary, The Moor, O Jerusalem