Dive into an exciting new adventure for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. From the thrilling opening scene with Mary at gunpoint to the satisfying ending with the promise of more adventures to come, King fashions an engrossing tale, enticing readers with the Lost Generation, smuggling, and insight into the character of Clara Hudson, the housekeeper with a very scandalous past.

Mary sails with friends from Venice to the French Riviera, hoping to use some unexpected free time to discover the whereabouts of Clara Hudson, vanished from England and the lives of Mary and Holmes and leaving Mary feeling bereft of her only mother figure. The Cap d'Antibes has become a fashionable summer hangout for American writers and artists, thanks to Sara and Gerald Murphy. Mary becomes acquainted with the famous couple and visits their beach only to find a familiar, if unexpected figure, playing nanny to the children - Mrs. Hudson. When Sherlock finally arrives, he and Mary venture out to the famous Monte Carlo casino, only to have their gambling escapade cut short by the shocking news that Mrs. Hudson has been arrested on the charge of murder. As Mary and Holmes exercise their extraordinary skills of observation and detection in the service of exonerating Mrs. Hudson, they untangle a web of deceit, power, and murder.

King skillfully reveals Clara's backstory while recreating the glamor and cachet of the French Riviera and Monaco in the 1920s. The interactions of her fictional characters with the famous residents of the time, including Lillie Langtry, Pablo Picasso, and Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, add extra interest for history and arts buffs. Following the development of the relationship of Russell and Holmes through the series as Russell acquires detective skills to rival those of Holmes is fascinating. King's long-lived mystery series never loses appeal for her fans and Sherlockians.

#RivieraGold #NetGalley

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. Riviera Gold is the latest entry in the long running Russell and Holmes series featuring Mary Russell and her famous husband Sherlock Holmes. Readers don't have to have read every title in the series to appreciate this one, but should read the Murder of Mary Russell before reading this one as events from that book are referenced in this one throughout. After spending time in Venice (events detailed in Island of the Mad), Mary agrees to join some friends as they sail from Venice to the French Riviera aboard a sail boat. One interesting historical fact revealed early in the book is that during the 1920s, vacationing in the South of France was not popular as it is today as it was viewed too hot.

Mary is staying at a local hotel with her friends when she is introduced to a local American ex-pat family at a local beach. To her shock, one of the nannies helping watch the children is a dead ringer for Mrs. Hudson who hasn't been seen since the shocking events detailed in the Murder of Mary Russell. Mary's search for Mrs. Hudson soon takes her to Monte Carlo where she is reunited with her husband. The pair are shocked to learn that Mrs. Hudson (or Miss Hudson as she is known in Monte), has been accused of murdering a young man who was likely involved in smuggling or worse.

As always with a Mary Russell title, the mystery is very well done and keeps the reader guessing, but what I enjoy most is the way real history is blended into the fictional world of Russell and Holmes that readers have a hard time separating it from the fictional parts of the story. 1920s France and the larger events in Europe are clearly foreshadowing WWII which is still years away, but the intensity of the aftermath of WWI and how people dealt with their grief by throwing themselves into life is clearly depicted in the secondary characters and the descriptions of the art scene. I also learned so much about Monte Carlo and how it got to be what it is today; before reading this, I really only knew that Grace Kelley married into the royal family.

I couldn't put this book down; it is the perfect distraction that readers are looking for in the crazy world we find ourselves in these days. I can't wait to see what adventure and mystery await Mary and Holmes in Roumania in the next title in this series that continues to deliver even after so many books.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!! I could not put it down!!!

Laurie R. King has done it again with this next chapter in the Mary Russel novels, which are overall fabulous but sometimes get bogged down in the details -- but not this one!!! It is a page turner!

This is by far one of my new favorites of the series! I had nearly forgotten what good writing looks like lately, after reading a lot of rubbish, and this book swept in a saved the day.

Mary has recently left Venice and she arrives in Monaco to solve a mystery surrounding one of her dearest friends. Sherlock arrives to assist, and you learn a little about some of the fun, real people in the 1920s art scene of Monaco, as well as all about bronze casting.... which turned out more interesting than I realized!

Without spoiling the plot, all I can say is if you've ever enjoyed any of the books in this series, you will DEFINITELY love this one.

I received an ARC as a reviewer for NetGalley. I do not often give 5 stars.

I love this series!! Mary Russell is a delight and I really enjoy the way King has developed the relationship between Mary and Sherlock - they are equals, even though their experience levels are so different, and I enjoy watching them work together and separately as they resolve the myriad situations they stumble (or find themselves thrust) into... This time the focus is on Mrs. Hudson, and I quite enjoyed seeing her backstory finally fleshed out. I've long felt that she was (deserved to be) a more complex character than she is often presented to be, and in Riviera Gold King played out my suspicions in a way more grandiose (in a good way) than I would have imagined. It made for a fascinating peek behind the curtain into a central player in the Holmes/Russell mythology that has developed over the course of this series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I love that the setting for each of these novels is so, well, novel. The early development of the summer season on the French Riviera was a marvelous place for this one, allowing it to be populated by fascinating real-life characters like Picasso and the Murphys. It was fun trying to figure out who the ancillary characters mentioned at the Murphy parties were (Dos Passos, the Fitzeralds, etc) and entertaining to see how easily Mary and Mrs. Hudson fit into that world. I've read a modest amount about it in the past, and enjoyed the added fictional layer here. This one built up slower than some of the others; I wasn't sure where things were going to go for some time, and the interludes with Mrs. Hudson's past were teasers more than plot generators for a good portion of the book, but once things started rolling they generated steam quickly and I was as engrossed in the mystery and the tale as ever.

This is a marvelous series populated by strong, independent women who exist as counterparts to Sherlock Holmes, rather than foils or supporting characters. It adds an excellent weight to the Holmes mythology as a result, and I cannot wait for the next installment!

I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan and a big fan of this series! I was excited to be able to read this early copy. I love this cover!
I thought it started a bit slow but seemed to be more interesting once SH appears. It’s a bit different from her other books but it gives some insight to Mrs Hudson’s life post SH. I enjoyed the story but it wasn’t one of my favorite. I did like the little tease at the end regarding their next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I want to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine, and author Laurie R. King for providing me with an ARC of this novel.

Jazz Age? Yes please! This gorgeous cover pulled me in and the story did not disappoint. I didn’t realize this was part of a series, so now I’m excited that there’s more to read (this didn’t impact my understanding of the story line AT ALL, though). I loved that Zelda and F. Scott were included in this; how cool! The cast of characters was great, and I was kept guessing on how the whole case would end up being solved. I look forward to not only the next book in the series, but also going back and reading the beginning!

Thank you again to those named above for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I enjoyed this book. I hadn't realized I'd missed a book so will now have to go back and find it, to get a few loose ends tied up. This didn't impact my enjoyment of the book however. I love the character of Mary Russell and I can never get too much of a good Sherlock. (I somehow ended up reading 3 Sherlock books this weekend)


Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series. I especially love that these books take place in so many exotic locales. The mystery was intriguing, and I love learning more about the beloved Mrs. Hughes.

This is the latest book in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. There was a time when I couldn't wait for the next one, Then, The Pirate King ruined it for me. For many fans, you either loved it or hated it. I hated it, and found the following two books just okay. The Murder of Mary Russell and Island of the Mad brought me back to the series. I anxiously anticipated this book.

When Holmes is absent, I find the story drags. I feel that about every book, and I know they are Mary Russell books, not Sherlock Holmes books, but every time he's missing, it isn't as interesting to me. In Riviera Gold, Holmes doesn't show up until you are 25% into the book, and then it takes off. Before that, I didn't care about Mary's holiday and hanging out with Zelda and her un-named yet obviously F. Scott Fitzgerald on the French Riviera and all her other posh friends.

The mystery was good, but kind of predictable with a cast of characters straight out of Central Casting. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the murderer, but it is still an enjoyable ride to get to the end.

It was also a treat to run into Mrs. Hudson again and see what her life was like after she left Sussex. I would say that most readers would get more out of the book if they had previously read the first few books of the series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion of the book.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Riviera Gold from the publisher in a promotion.

Wow! Just wow!

I have been a fan of the Mary Russell series of Sherlock Holmes 'memoirs' for about seventeen years. There have been some misses, IMHO (notably Pirate King), but this story was completely engrossing and made even better by how it dovetails with earlier threads (The Murder of Mary Russell, The Adventure of the Gloria Scott). More importantly, a reader who has not read these previous works will not be disadvantaged, and will still be able to appreciate a rollicking tale.

This story immediately follows the events described in 'Island of the Mad', as Russell continues on to the French Riviera and Monaco, while Holmes makes a trip to Romania (perhaps the next memoir??). While on the Riviera Russell accidentally encounters Mrs. Hudson, and Mary (and later Holmes) quickly find themselves enmeshed in another nail-biter of a mystery.

One of the things I appreciate about these memoirs of Mary Russell is how rich the descriptions of the settings are. I suspect they are heavily researched, and it shows! I can so easily envision all the action in my mind's eye, and I definitely add more locations to my 'bucket list' of places to one-day visit.

I give this book a 5/5 stars. This is masterful storytelling in the best tradition of the Mary Russell series. If I could give extra credit for the deftness in which a couple notable historical characters were worked in, as well as the threads previously mentioned, I happily would!

Riviera Gold is the sixteenth installment in Laurie King’s Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell series, but you don’t need to read all previous novels to enjoy this book. I had no prior knowledge of this series or Sherlock Holmes besides what is portrayed in the movies. King did a great job of giving the necessary background on characters for people who have not read the whole series.

In the Riviera Gold, Sherlock Holmes and his wife Mary end up in Monte Carlo unearthing a mystery that involves their old housekeeper Mrs. Hudson. The cast of characters kept me guessing on how the case will be solved. I also love Mary Russell’s large role in the case.

I grew up reading Nancy Drew, and this mystery unraveled much like it does in Nancy Drew novels. I really enjoyed this book and may go back and read some of the previous books in the series.

Another fun installment of the Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes series -- this one bursting from the seams with name dropping and delicious environments. The stalwart Mrs. Hudson gets a starring role with a background full of secrets and mystery. A little long on ambiance and short on plot for my taste, but it depends on why you like to read!

The Holmes's are still on their European jaunt where they continue to meet the most interesting people! They arrive separately from Venice to the Riviera where they explore Cap d'Antibes with its sun-worshiping artists and Monte Carlo. Russell joins the Jazz Age set revolving around Sarah and Gerald Murphy while searching for Mrs Hudson in Monte Carlo. Holmes joins the fray when Mrs Hudson is accused of murder but is promptly released from jail with the intervention of Lillie Langtree. The plot teems with white Russians, smugglers, artists and writers, even the Merchant of Death makes an appearance. This mystery is made even more fun with the name dropping: Sidney Reilly, John Dos Passos, the Fitzgeralds, and many more.

Another great addition to the Mary Russell canon. This series works well because it's not just another Sherlock Holmes knock-off; Sherlock is present, but as a supporting character and these are Mary's stories. Throughout the series, we've seen Mary grow from a 15-year-old girl struggling with the deaths of her family to become a self-assured woman of 25.

In this outing, Mary travels to the Riviera where she encounters some ex-pat Americans, including a couple named Scotty and Zelda, as well as Pablo Picasso, and Mrs. Hudson. After the adventures in the Murder of Mary Russell, Mrs Hudson has retreated to the Mediterranean.

Despite now knowing about Clarissa Hudson's past, Mary only feels love and gratitude towards the woman who brought acceptance and warmth into her teenage years. When Mrs Hudson is accused of murder, Mary maintains her faith in the woman and continues to show Sherlock that he still doesn't understand women as she follows the threads to the end.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC. A copy of this review will be posted on my blog in June.

1925, Mary Russell decides to make a quick reroute to the French Riviera before going back to London. She is on a mission to locate Clarissa Hudson. Eleven weeks earlier, Clarissa Hudson arrives at her friend’s place in Monaco. Mary reveals Clarissa’s involvement in cases she was solving with her husband Sherlock Holmes. Now, she questions if her husband involved Clarissa behind her back, deceiving her?

I’m not familiar with this series, but maybe what is supposed to be a hook is not engaging to me at all. It’s a game of cat and mouse. The descriptions of places are very general. There is nothing unique about it. There are lots of conversations, which are not moving the story forward. I don’t want to be reading about other people enjoying their time in the French Riviera. I’d rather do it myself. What I’m looking for is an engaging story, which I didn’t find here. The plot seems to be pretty weak. Also, I didn’t find the main character interesting. Therefore, I couldn’t find a connection with the plot or the main character.

I recommend looking at reviews of those who are familiar with this series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is the latest in Laurie King's series about Mary Russell and her husband Sherlock Holmes. This is not only a mystery, but it is also a period novel that takes the reader back to the cote d'azur in 1925. We have come a long way from Holmes' start in Victorian times. It is now the Jazz Age and the Riviera is the place where the rich and the wanna-be rich come to play.

Mary and Sherlock take separate paths as they investigate a death that involves their former housekeeper, who has permanently moved to Monte Carlo.

I enjoyed this novel and I look forward to the next edition of the series.

Another wonderful mystery featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. This book starts immediately after Island of the Mad, Sherlock is off being Sherlock and Mary travels to the Riviera with friends, in the hopes of doing a little sleuthing and possibly tracing Mrs Hudson in Monaco. This book picks up the threads left from The Murder of Mary Russell and weaves them into a vibrant new mystery where once again Mrs Hudson's past leads to modern crimes.
Laurie R King is a master of setting; always able to vibrantly create locations of the past and describe characters that are so finely written that they not only enhance the plot but serve to further embroider the setting.
This is definitely a must read series! I am eagerly awaiting the further adventures of Mary Russell and Holmes.

King is back with another enjoyable Mary Russell mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this outing, set in Monaco before it was the Monaco we know today. King paints vivid pictures of the artists, socialites, and glamorous demi-monde of the French Coast. I rarely say this, but I wish the book was longer. I usually knock off a star for a book being overlong or needing a stronger editor. Here, I’ve knocked off a star because it felt too short and I wanted so much more.

I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint. The characters sucked you into the story and the story kept you turning pages as fast as you could. I devoured it in a day. I loved it.

Laurie R. King’s Riviera Gold (New York: Bantam, 2020; 368 pp, $28.00) is a sequel to her Island of the Mad (Apr 18 #2); now Mary Russell (and eventually her husband Sherlock Holmes) are in Monte Carlo in Jazz Age 1925, once more involved with Mrs. Hudson, whose early life is revealed to have been even more provocative than we learned in The Murder of Mary Russell (Mar 16 #1). It’s all great fun, with some imaginative twists and turns in this 16th novel in the Mary Russell series. Laurie has an interesting web-site, well worth exploring, at <www.laurierking.com>.

from the next issue of my monthly newsletter, on-line at www.redcircledc.org/index.php?id=39
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