I liked this one because it told the story from several points of view--Russell, her uncle Jake, and Holmes. What's cool is that this story connects the three of them in a way that reminds us just how much older than Russell Holmes really is. We're also reminded that although Holmes is fiercely protective of her, he is also very respectful of her ability to make sound judgements even if it takes her into dangerous territory. Theirs is a true partnership and I appreciate that about these books. And as much as Jake is a rogue and ne'er-do-well who has spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law, there are some lines he would never cross, and I believe that Holmes comes to realize and respect this. He may be a criminal, but he is a criminal with principles. I enjoyed the mystery, which had me guessing, but my favorite part was just the interactions between the principal characters and the respect that grew between them. I also enjoyed some of the "characters" that showed up including the Matty Donovan, the carriage driver, and "The O'Mahony". I found them highly entertaining. If you're a fan of these books, this is another good addition to the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In the 'Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes' series, set around the 1920s, Sherlock Holmes is an older gentleman, tending his bees in Sussex. Holmes is also married to a young woman named Mary Russell, whom he took under his wing some time ago. Holmes and Russell are a detective duo, and Russell has shown herself to be an intrepid sleuth with nerve and smarts.

This 19th book in the series focuses on a real event, the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels - also known as The Jewels of the Order of St. Patrick - in 1907. The crime went unsolved, but maybe Russell and Holmes can shed some light on the scandalous affair.

The book works fine as standalone.

*****
Mary Russell was orphaned at the age of fourteen, but her Uncle Jake Russell didn't show up to offer comfort. Jake loved his niece but he was a swindler and thief with a warrant on his head, so Jake resided overseas to avoid arrest. It's now been over a decade since Mary heard from Uncle Jake, and she assumes he died in some foreign land. So it's a shock when Jake shows up in Sussex, with (of course) an agenda.

Jake admits he was involved with the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, and Mary is appalled!! She knows the jewels vanished from an impregnable safe at Dublin Castle a few days before English royals were to arrive for a visit, at which time the jewels were to be worn. Scotland Yard and Sherlock Holmes were brought in, but the investigation was suppressed, and the jewels were never recovered.

Uncle Jake explains that Sir Arthur Vicars, a pompous prig, was in charge of keeping the jewels safe in Dublin Castle. But Vicars was a show-off, and he would invite friends to the castle, get drunk, and take out the treasures. When the jewels disappeared, Vicars' friends were implicated. However, they were never charged because a 'homosexual scandal' might be exposed.

Uncle Jake admits to being in league with Vicars' villainous friends, but says the jewels were squirreled away, and he never got his share of the booty. Jake now thinks he knows the location of the jewels, and he asks Mary to accompany him to Ireland to look for them. Since Jake is family, Mary agrees.

In the meantime, Sherlock Holmes is being sent on a similar quest. Sherlock's brother Mycroft Holmes, who's high up in government circles, asks Sherlock to find the Irish Crown Jewels to ease the hostility between England and Ireland.

Thus Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes start off on separate trips that have the same goal....to find the lost Irish treasures. Most of the story follows these dual adventures, which eventually merge as Sherlock meets up with Mary and Jake. In the course of the quest, Mary dresses as a man to disguise herself; Uncle Jake is slippery and evasive; Sherlock makes pertinent deductions; and the searchers meet a variety of interesting people.

The story is an engaging cozy mystery, and the author nicely captures the ambiance of early 20th century Ireland.

However, I can't picture Sherlock Holmes being married, and Uncle Jake is a speck too self-satisfied and arrogant for my taste. That said, the 'Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes' books are popular, so if you're not familiar with the novels, you might want to give them a chance.

Thanks to Netgalley, Laurie R. King, and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of the book.

In KNAVE OF DIAMONDS, written by Laurie R. King, Mary Russell’s uncle, Jake Russell, is known as The Knave. Mary is surprised when her Uncle Jake arrives at her home because she hasn’t seen him for fourteen years. I am curious about the arrival of The Knave and how he is involved in the plot.

I like the way Jake Russell speaks directly to the reader early in the book. He grabs my attention and makes me want to listen to what he is saying. The story continues with our protagonist, Mary Russell, who is married to Sherlock Holmes. I think it is fun to have the name-dropping of well-known characters (for example, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway). Each chapter is told from a character’s point of view (for example, Jake’s view, Mary’s view, Sherlock’s view). There are times I wish there was more about the Mary and Sherlock relationship. The plot of the story picks up when the Irish Crown Jewels come into play. It progresses at a good pace to a satisfying conclusion. I like the addition of historical endnotes at the end of the book. I look forward to reading other books in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. Thank you, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of KNAVE OF DIAMONDS.

This was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the eighteen entries before this. I was invested in what was going on and thought the overall feel worked in this universe. The characters continued to feel like they belonged in this world and from a Sherlock Holmes novel. Laurie R. King always does a fantastic job in writing this and am excited to read more from them.

Laurie R King involves Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in a theft of Crown Jewells from Ireland in Knave of Diamonds. A new character is Mary's uncle who may have been involved in the theft. Sherlock is not happy to look into the theft again as his first investigation was buried to stop scandal from reaching the English crown. What could go wrong? Lots. Mary's uncle has been missing from her life since she was a child and he is a charming confidence man. Lots of conflicting motives and events. Wonderful Sherlock romp.

Laurie R King's Russell and Holmes series is one of my favorites; they are smart and funny and draw in the mores of the time as well as some august and not-so-august historical personages.

#19, Knave of Diamonds is a delightful book because we get to hang out with Mary's long-lost Uncle Jake! We learn so much about her family as he rejoins her life to track down the stolen Irish Royal Jewels.

King's knack for intrigue and Sherlock Holmes is at top form. I want a whole spin off series of Jake's previous exploits! There's a side character whose name I can't share, because spoilers, who deserves a spinoff series of their own as well. Long live Holmes!

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are settling into married life when Russell’s estranged Uncle Jake makes a sudden reappearance. After losing contact with her uncle following her parents’ deaths, Mary is suspicious of why Uncle Jake has returned after all these years. When it turns out Jake was involved with the infamous theft of the Irish Crown Jewels, a case that Holmes himself investigated, Mary’s interest is piqued.

What follows is an adventure across England and Ireland – boats, trains, cars, and carts pulled by a donkey…Mary, Jake, and Holmes use whatever means necessary to traverse the terrain, interview old contacts, and uncover hidden secrets.

Told from multiple viewpoints, this mystery was fun to follow. The story is a good mix of following clues and digging into the relationships between the characters. It was fun to be introduced to Jake Russell – he’s charming, charismatic, and the reader really roots for him to be trustworthy. I enjoy the relationship between Mary and Sherlock…they’re a great pair with mutual respect for each other that allows them to showcase their strengths. While there are other books featuring these characters, this story stands on its own just fine.

KNAVE OF DIAMONDS by Laurie R. King is the 19th book in the well-regarded Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery series which began over thirty years ago with The Beekeeper's Apprentice. This may be one of the best yet – it certainly is an engaging tale. Three main characters – Russell, Holmes, and Mary's sometimes criminal uncle Jake – share the adventures and narration duties. The story is set in 1925, but hinges on the still publicly unsolved theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907. Readers soon learn that both Holmes and Jake have an emotional stake in that event and it’s entertaining to see them "dance" around each other as they contemplate teaming up to find the jewels, all while looking out for Mary (who is more than capable of taking care of herself). I hope Uncle Jake returns for more mysteries and recommend KNAVE OF DIAMONDS and the entire series to mystery fans. An author's note references the actual theft and provides additional background on historical figures who appear in the novel. A fun, quick read with bursts of Irish affability. 4.5 stars overall

I adored The Beekeeper’s Apprentice when I first read it as a teenager and again when I revisited the series in 2023. The “retired” Sherlock Holmes portrayed in these books is, to me, just as real as the man Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about. The charming and brilliant Mary Russell complements the famous detective beautifully and their adventures in each book are always unique, complex, and delightfully satisfying mysteries. Laurie R King’s newest addition to the series is no exception and even though I’ve missed a few of the more recent books in the series, I jumped right back into the universe of Russell and Holmes with pleasure.

In Knave of Diamonds, Russell and Holmes are joined by a third point of view character, Russell’s long-lost uncle Jake. A bit of a rake and a minor criminal, Jake reappears in his niece’s life to ask for her help in tracking down the Irish Crown Jewels. Jake’s involvement in a previous heist of these jewels and the shady nature of his whereabouts in the years he’s been gone give Russell pause, but she commits to helping her beloved uncle, and of course Holmes joins them. Holmes distrusts Jake but has faith in his Russell’s instincts, so the three of them set out on their mission to track down the jewels.

The mystery and suspense in this book is twofold—where are the jewels, and is Jake trustworthy? The story behind the provenance of the jewels as well as the trio’s jaunts around England and Ireland became ever so slightly convoluted for me while reading. However, I really enjoyed the way the addition of a third character affected the dynamics between Sherlock and Russell, and I found the pace of the final third of the book to be really exciting, culminating in a quietly satisfying wrap-up. Overall, another entertaining and well-written addition to a beloved series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam | Random House Publishing for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title, which is available now!

Best for the King loyalists.

30 years after the first Mary Russel novel, we have the "Knave of Diamonds". This is the 19th book in the Mary Russell series. Unlike some, the books often intertwine, picking up the thread of a story laid down in another book. So, this book isn't for the uninitiated. If you're new to the Mary Russell series, this is probably not a good place to start. We're immediately dropped into a complex family dynamic that has developed over many books.

After a confusing start by a mysterious narrator, the sparks of the story meet the kindling. We're off on our expected adventure, this time with an Irish angle, chasing long lost jewels. A forgotten piece of Mary's family past and Holmes's history collide.

The story takes a bit to get started. there's a lot of history to get caught up. The scenes aren't as exotic as some of King's other stories and the action is more rambling. But the story holds interest and as always is based in historical events with a dramatic twist.

King's writing style is not for everyone. It's vivid and clever, but a bit academic and round about. Read slowly and savor every word. Each is important. The loose threads will tie up into a nice big bow.

The story is sometimes in Mary's voice. But not always. King sometimes switches narrators. Usually authors use a 3rd person voice when they want different perspectives. But not King. This is only a problem when the main character, Mary is in the room. We read these books because of our main character. Reading from a different perspective distances us from her. Mary is no longer the "I" but the "she". Holmes's voice makes sense but a stranger's voice is disconcerting.

This link below is my spoiler free review of this book. Any questions feel free to email me.

https://youtu.be/iv8NLUOBfMM

All Mary Russell wants to do when the wedding is over is to head home and sleep in her own bed. Naturally, this isn’t to be when a long-lost black sheep relation arrives on her doorstep and whisks her away on the hunt for the Irish Crown Jewels that went missing in a robbery several years back and the only case to defeat Sherlock Holmes.

Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes’ series has captivated me from the beginning and I am still eager nineteen books later to pick up the latest, Knave of Diamonds.

Knave of Diamonds presented a cold case robbery of the past, but that felt secondary to Mary finally getting answers about her father’s younger ne’er-do-well brother who disappeared years before and she mostly believed was dead. Now Uncle Jack has shown up on her doorstep needing her help with some unfinished business. Russell is wary, but agrees to help her uncle track down the Irish Crown Jewels while feeling the pull of divided loyalties in opposite directions of thieving uncle vs. detective husband.

Knave of Diamonds divides the story among three narrators: Mary, Sherlock, and Uncle Jack so the reader gets to know Uncle Jack and what he’s up-to as he pits his wits with his brilliant niece and her equally genius husband. I enjoyed getting the back history on the robbery as Jack told it to Mary and also the bits of investigating Holmes did on his end. It was fun seeing Mary back in action in Ireland safe-cracking and more.

I will admit to feeling something of a let-down with this one. It was fascinating for the family mystery reveals, but I just couldn’t get vested in the mystery side because the lack of tension throughout. The robbery details were revealed with Jake’s story and it was more a treasure hunt than a case to solve. Even the big climax seemed muted making this feel like a cozy mystery more than the grittier historical mysteries earlier in the series.

I didn’t hate it, but had to adjust my expectations to appreciate what I got. So, this is one I’d recommend to cozy historical mystery fans who appreciate a husband and wife detecting team and some family back history while on a jewel hunt.

In 1907 the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen and Sherlock Holmes was called in. They were never found and he considered the investigation his biggest failure. Now one of the men arrested in conjunction with the theft is out of prison and Holmes’ brother Mycroft has asked him to investigate once again. One of the suspects, a blonde man with an Australian accent, was never found. A man fitting that description has been seen with the released prisoner. Mycroft believes this may be an opportunity to find the jewels. While Sherlock is meeting with Mycroft, Mary Russell is receiving an unexpected visitor at their Sussex home. Her Uncle Jake, who she has not seen in fourteen years, appeared on her doorstep to ask for her help. He was the unknown man involved in the heist. He needs her skills to help him find the jewels. Leaving a note for Sherlock, the two set off for Ireland unaware of others who are desperate to find them. When Sherlock finds Mary’s note he follows them, determined to keep Mary safe.

Jake is a thief and a con man. He is also the person that Mary looked up to as a child. After they lost contact, she was afraid that he had died, but she was always hopeful that she would see him again. When he does show up it places Mary in a difficult position. Knowing what Jake has done in the past, she is afraid that if the jewels are found he may disappear again, taking them with him. When Sherlock joins them Mary can feel the tension and see the distrust between the two men. Jake, however, is a charmer and they develop a growing respect for each other. The re-entry of Jake into Mary’s life allows Laurie King to bring episodes of Mary’s early life into the story. These are well developed characters and King keeps the action moving to the very end, where Jake reveals his true reason for his need to find the jewels. This is a must read for mystery and Sherlock Holmes fans. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing this book.

Knave of Diamonds is another entry in the long running Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mystery series. It has a more character-driven focus than other recent entries in the backlist.

Mary’s ne’er do well Uncle Jake arrives in her life after being absent for decades. He needs a favor that will pull Mary away from her beloved husband, Sherlock Holmes. How Mary deals with the conflicting needs of her loved ones is the meat of the plot. There is also a mystery about the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels years earlier that acts more as a subplot.

If you enjoy character studies and have read many of the books in this series, you will probably love Knave of Diamonds. For me, I prefer more brain busting mysteries and faster pacing as seen in some earlier books in this series. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Wonderful! It is just pure pleasure to pick up one of King's novels and sink into perfect plot and prose. King is a wonderfully creative writer. She is able to write engaging mysteries while setting the stage to bring new to the series readers up to snuff without boring them to tears.. She can lead us into any room, anywhere, with just enough information about the decor to spark the imagination. She captures the essence of local customs and culture and the reader is set free to simply sink into the pages and enjoy the ride. This is historical fiction at its best, based on a true event but with creative license applied. It will be an enjoyable adventure for those who are new to the Holmes and Russell series, but for those who have not had the pleasure of reading through the earlier books, this would be a good time to do so.

This series is one of the best, consistently erudite, mystery series out there and I was so thrilled that in book 19 (!), King has continued the streak. In this, we learn more about Russell's family and some about the past history of Ireland. Furthermore, I love the fact that every book of this series feels like a travelogue. Great series, great book. Seriously, try this series.

Knave of Diamonds is the nineteenth novel in the series that follows the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell. In this book at the beginning we are introduced to Jake Russell who is Mary's Uncle whom she hasn't seen since she was a child. He ends up showing up at at her doorstep asking for help as he was involved in a robbery of jewels.
Mary wants to help him only he doesn't want Sherlock to know about it. She knows that she doesn't want to hide it from her man and at the samd time her uncle was her biggest hero growing up. She decides to help him and sends little clues along the way to let Sherlock know that she is okay. Overall this was a very interesting installment.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

Knave of Diamonds is the 19th book in Laurie R. King's long-running historical mystery series Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. This is only the third one I've read after books 17 and 18. Each of these books had cases that stand alone. I do feel I've missed out on important issues by not starting at the beginning, such as this: Why is young Mary Russell married to the WAY older Sherlock Holmes?! I'm trying to collect the previous books in the series so I can have that question answered!

When Mary Russell was a child, she loved her wayward Uncle Jake. When she didn't hear from him in years, she assumed he had come to a bad end. But then he shows up at her home in Sussex! He needs help from his niece. Why? It seems like Jake was involved in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from a safe in Dublin Castle in 1907. The theft had shaken everyone involved, from the King to the government. It was. also the case Sherlock Holmes could not solve. Jake wants Russell to help him without telling Holmes about it. She can't do that! But then again, he is her deceased father's kid brother and her childhood hero. You just know she's going to help him!

Out of the three books I've read of this series, I believe this one may be my favorite! And the reason is Jake Russell. He may be a rogue, a knave, the family black sheep and no doubt a criminal, but he's also very charming. Russell (what everyone calls Mary) adored him as a child, but he disappeared from her life. She didn't see him even after her parents and brother were killed in a car accident, leaving her all alone. So she was shocked when he showed up! He expected Russell to leave with him and assist him, without telling her husband and partner Holmes. She couldn't resist Jake's pleas, but she had little ways of letting Holmes know she was okay. Holmes couldn't solve the theft of the Crown Jewels case, and Russell believed Mycroft Holmes must have somehow been involved. That can't be a good thing! Though there were some serious parts to this story, this one felt more lighthearted than the others I've read. I loved Russell's interactions with Jake, and those between Jake and Holmes. It's best not to get too much into the plot of this book; you'll want to try to solve the case alongside Russell and Holmes! (And I still want to know why she married the old guy!) One thing that fascinated me about this story is that I learned in the author's notes at the end that the 1907 theft of the so-called Irish Crown Jewels was an actual historic event and that some of the characters in the book were actual people. How cool is that?! I can't wait to read all about Russell and Holmes' next adventure!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Laurie R. King for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Knave of Diamonds coming out June 10, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I actually haven’t read the other books in the series. I wasn’t familiar with them. I love Sherlock Holmes stories so I was excited to check this out. I think Mary was a really strong and smart character. I enjoyed the story and mystery. I’ll have to check out more books by this author.

Mary and Sherlock find themselves traveling to Ireland to find the lost King’s jewels. This story is full of adventure and is based on a true story. It alternates POV between Mary, Sherlock, and Mary’s long-lost uncle, Jake, which adds more depth to the story. The chapters are short, but the plot is so complex that I couldn’t stop reading. This was a great read that stretched my brain trying to figure out what happened to the jewels!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!