This was a delightful, easy read.

The presence of the Holmes' (Sherlock and Mary Russell) is requested by Queen Marie of Romania. The elegant beauty has received threats against her young daughter. Transylvania has a long history of problems with strigoi (vampires to you and me) and it is up to Mary and Sherlock to figure out who is making the threats, why they are making them, and what they are willing to do to carry them out. Along the way there are rumors of witches, people back from the dead, and just a little involvement from Mycroft.

I've not read the previous books in this series and there was no confusion in following anything. I plan to pick up the first one in the series to see what I have missed.

I recommend this to anyone who would like some Holmsian entertainment.

There's not a strong focus on detective work in this one, and the solution to the central mystery gives off Scooby-Doo vibes. However, the Transylvanian setting is cool, the historical details interesting, and Russell and Holmes are still great characters.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is the first book in the Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes series that I didn't particularly like. The mystery is just so so. The descriptions of Transylvania were good but if Transylvania doesn't interest the reader, that's a lot of the book wasted. It seemed that more than half the book was taken up with descriptions of places, buildings, trains, vehicles, etc. The characters (even Russell and Holmes) were rather dull. I didn't care at all what might happen to the arrogant queen and silly princess. Please note that I found the rest of the series fabulous, and I look forward to reading The Lantern's Dance hopefully it is much better than Castle Shade was.

I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting read and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me reading until the end. I highly recommend.

This series has definitely shifted from mystery to historical fiction. Well written but no longer my cup of tea, unfortunately.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good mystery/thriller/drama. Great weekend read

I love the Mary Russell mystery series! I have to say that this is one of the best installments in this series! This is because of my fascination with royalty! I like how it featured Queen Marie of Romania. We get to learn about who she was as a queen. I thought she was a strong woman in this novel. I also liked how it had ties to Dracula and vampires. The setting was very atmospheric and eerie. Therefore this mystery had everything I wanted it to be! I can’t wait for more of the Mary Russell series! I recommend this fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, and Sherry Thomas!

In other series, globetrotting seems forced, but not for Mary Russell and her partner in life and crime, Sherlock Holmes. Fresh from Monaco, they’re summoned to Romania by no less than Queen Marie, whose daughter has been threatened. In less deft hands, the plot would seem contrived, but Laurie R. King, who can capture Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s voice perfectly, makes Castle Shade into a suspenseful page-turner loaded with peasant superstitions and political intrigue. Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Publishing Groups and Ballantine, Bantam in exchange for an honest review.

A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Book 17

Mary and Sherlock are off to Transylvania to check out claims of a vampire stalking the area of Castle Bran. Is Dracula real or it is a plot to get rid of Queen Marie?

I really liked The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, so I was so excited to read this book! It did not disappoint! This is such a sophisticated read I would suggest having a dictionary close by to look up words. I’m not usually into stories about vampires and ghosts, but this book was so full of action that I couldn’t stop reading it! I love the dynamic between Mary and Sherlock. It adds more depth to the story! If you enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes books, you will enjoy this book as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, fresh from adventures in the sunny Riviera, endure a harsh journey by train to an atmospheric old castle in Transylvania. They are there as guests of Queen Marie, who has asked them to investigate threats against her family as well as a number of mysterious happenings in the area. Someone is apparently trying to make the locals believe the place is haunted—but to what end?
It has been refreshing in the recent books to see our favorite detective duo in new surroundings, where they are exposed to different living conditions, and unfamiliar language, and entirely new customs. We learn a little about all these things while Russell and Holmes work to identify the motives underlying the strange threats against the beloved queen. It’s appealing that in this book, women of every station in life are portrayed respectfully as strong, no-nonsense, and kind—like Mary herself. There is no question of talking down to the locals. Enough disturbing things keep happening to maintain our interest in the mystery, and the ending, while not hugely surprising, ties everything together nicely.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for a digital advance review copy.

I normally love the Mary Russell books and eagerly await the next book in the series. I was sadly disappointed in this one. Tepid plot line and no really interesting characters.

I generally enjoy Laurie King's Mary Russell books, but I thought this one was a bit thin and somewhat forced. It was a fine diversion, but to my mind not the strongest in the series.

Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes series read like whispers of journal entries that might have been. Island of the Mad precedes Rivera Gold and her newest adventure Castle Shade.
All three of these adventures are tied together by the tendrils of time. Castle Shade finds this crime solving couple recuperating from their Gold Coast adventure on a train to Transylvania.
Mary’s imaginative dreams are engaged in visions of vampires, witches and other strange inhabitants as the train transports them closer to their next adventure. As always Laurie King does not disappoint!

This book continues the story line of Mary Russell Holmes and her husband Sherlock Holmes, as a spinoff from the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. In this latest edition, Mary assists her husband as they investigate mysterious happenings in Europe, reminiscent of the famous Dracula scenes of Bram Stoker. The author skillfully weaves elements of folklore and mythology into this latest installment in the series.

Creepy and intriguing, this is a perfect read for a dark and stormy night. Readers who are familiar with the series will enjoy this latest addition, although it can be read as a stand alone.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

another wonderful book by Ms. King, I always enjoy reading books by Ms, King. The story was well done and the characters were great.

Queen Marie of Roumania, much loved by her people and instrumental in getting lost lands returned to her adopted country at the Paris Peace Conferences has contacted Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes about strange occurrences at her favorite castle, Bran. Could vampires be behind the disappearances of young girls from the castle and is Queen Marie somehow involved?

I really like this series and this installment was very good. The atmospheric writing and attention to detail bring the reader right into the story. With amazement we see Sherlock pick up on random clues.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The teenage girl, Mary Russell, who burst on the scene in Laurie King's "The Beekeeper's Apprentice," is now a mature woman, still married to Sherlock Holmes and still accompanying him on adventures.

"Castle Shade" is the summer home of Queen Marie of Romania, herself a fascinating woman of the early Twentieth Century. Holmes is investigating a series of events that may or may not indicate danger to the Queen and her young daughter. Russell, left on her own while Holmes goes off to follow through on information sent by diplomatic mail from his brother, Chief British spy, Mycroft. She emerges as a woman who has learned Holmes' lessons well and who is unafraid of the unknown.

King is a masterful writer and plotter. In this case, a convoluted plot including ghosts, deserters, a coroner, a queen and a red motorcycle. An interesting romp; but, a light one for fans of Russell and King.

Definitely a interesting and engaging storyline with great characters. I did not know it was part of a series and feel overall if enjoy it more of I read them in order. With that said I still enjoyed it! If you love historical reads, mystery,and suspense filled novels I would recommend this.

CASTLE SHADE by Laurie R. King is the latest in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series (beginning with Beekeeper's Apprentice through last year's Riviera Gold). This time the duo are off to Transylvania and the suspense, complete with local superstition and folklore, mounts. After all, "there's nothing like a long winter with a forest outside to stir the imagination." Their client is the Queen of Roumania (yes, an actual historical figure) whose daughter, Ileana is threatened. Russell and Holmes alternate as chapter narrators, moving the story along as they visit Castle Bran and meet the servants and townspeople. Suspicious happenings (scary fall, bloody injury) gradually escalate to evening attacks and chloroformed kidnappings. King cleverly conveys a sense of menace with plenty of action and many references to real life characters. I enjoyed the mystery and often found myself taking a tangent to learn more about the royal family and others, like the nobleman Barbu Stirbey, rumored to be Queen Marie's lover. CASTLE SHADE received a starred review from Library Journal. Enjoy!