Laurie R. King's "Knave of Diamonds" tells the story of a jewelry theft from the perspectives of both Mary Russell and her uncle, Jake. It's an intriguing look at Mary's backstory, with Uncle Jake reappearing in the adult Mary's life after a long absence. Needless to say, Jake is in trouble and needs Mary's help; Sherlock gets involved -- and it becomes a heist mystery as they try to track down the missing jewels.

This was a fun read, but perhaps not the best in the Mary Russell series. I found the changing perspectives confusing, especially at the very start of the book, and Jake was not as sympathetic a character as Mary deserved. 

King's characters are so well rendered that I consider them acquaintances — and I look forward to spending more time with them soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

As always. Laurie King delivers a solid story. Told in alternating voices of Mary Russell and her Uncle Jake, we learn more about Mary's past as well as gaining insight into her and Holmes' relationship. Well worth your time!

“Knave of Diamonds" by Laurie R. King is an intriguing read with a mix of mystery and historical elements. The plot is well-crafted, and the setting is vividly described, transporting readers to another time and place. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, with some sections dragging on longer than necessary. The characters, while interesting, didn't always feel fully fleshed out, which made it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. Overall, it's a decent book with some engaging moments, but it didn't quite live up to its full potential. Worth a read if you're a fan of the genre, but it might not be for everyone.

A ton of fun and this might be the best of Mary Russell yet.

You have to hand it to Laurie R. King, after 19 books, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are as entertaining as ever.

Family dynamics, which often plays a role in this series, is forefront, but this time in the form of Mary Russell's disreputable Uncle Jake. In another author's hands, Jake might have been a stereotype, but King gives him chapters to narrate and we get to know him through his thoughts, not just actions as seen by Russell and Holmes.

He's in trouble, of course, and in fact tied to a crime that has been long unsolved. One of those cases where people know damn well who did it, but there is no proof and where on earth is the loot. To complicate matters, Holmes investigated this case years ago, and his conclusions were dismissed. He has good reason to hold a grudge.

Even though Jake ropes Mary in for a "quick" investigation, the reader knows that nothing is ever that simple, and the ride to get to the conclusions is wild. The pacing never lets up, even when Mary is riding in a mule cart though the Irish countryside in search of the one place the loot might be found

The dynamics between Mary and her Uncle Jake, Mary and Holmes, and Holmes and Jake are fun to read as nobody gets stuck in their first conclusions.

Highly recommended. A sheer delight.

Knave of Diamonds is a historical mystery series giving center stage to a fictional female character - Mary Russell – along the famous Sherlock Holmes.

The story begins with reappearance of Jake Russell – Mary’s uncle who has disappeared for a few years, and is considered the black-sheep in the family. Once, her beloved uncle. Now, she is a bit bitter about his disappearance. Nevertheless, she gets involved in his somehow involvement in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle.

Mary and her husband Sherlock Holmes are clever detectives who pull the reader into their work of solving another mystery case filled with secrets, lies, and deception.

This cozy mystery progresses at slow pace.

I really enjoyed this book. Years ago, Laurie R. King included a small a tale in one of her books about Mary's Uncle Jake. It was one of Mary's favorite childhood memories, besides the throwing knife he gave her, which she still carried. Imagine her mixed emotions when Uncle Jake returns after a very long absence. She had assumed he was dead. Otherwise, why had he not returned to her after her parents and brother died in a car accident? Ah, there were good reasons, some not so much. He had things he preferred to hide from her, but now seemed to be the time to return. If her husband didn't have him immediately arrested!

I was also very pleased this book included an answer to a big question left hanging from Lantern's Dance. Not a thorough answer but enough, for now.

Laurie King has gifted her readers with another book about Mrs. Sherlock Holmes.

One of the very best Doyle pastiches, this volume introduces Mary Russell's Uncle Jake. He shows up after a 14-year absence and wants help finding the Irish Crown Jewels.

Holmes, Russell and Uncle Jake visit estates on either side of the sea hiding in rhododendron thickets and cracking safes. This book may not be as suspenseful as earlier ones but it fills in details of the Russell family and adds to Holmes' humanity.

Read slowly: You'll hate to see it end.

I am new to this author and this series but k will absolutely be going back and reading more now. This book was a pleasant surprise, whimsical and cozy and mysterious all at the same time. I enjoyed the characters and the journey very much.

I'm a long-time fan of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Reader Copy!

This book continues the narrative following the revelations of the previous book, The Lantern's Dance. Mary's uncle Jake, who we haven't heard about since "Mary's Christmas", contained in the short-story collection "Mary Russell's War," has reappeared in her life and asks for her help. Besides filling in some of the gaps in Jake's life, a rollicking adventure unfolds as Mary and Jake, Jake and Holmes, and others chase after the lost Irish Crown Jewels.

This story could certainly be enjoyed as a stand-alone story for those new to this series, but to enjoy it even more I'd suggest reading (rereading?) "Mary's Christmas" first.

King deftly weaves the narrative together, including (as always!) well-known historical characters.

It was almost painful to set this book down between reads, and the ending had me chuckling out loud. Well done!

Mary Russell is surprised when the uncle she assumed was dead shows up at her door in need of her help in finding the Irish Crown Jewels which disappeared 14 years ago. Of course, Mary's husband Sherlock Holmes follows and the 3 travel Ireland in search of the jewels and more. Wonderful!

This book marks a sarisfying return to form. I very much enjoyed the early books in this series, but felt that the middle books lost a bit of focus and edge. Not to worry, This one is as good as the first ones, and should welcome back readers who may have drifted off.

The duo of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are at it again in this installment of a long-running series. As always the dynamics between them are incredible, and I'm never disappointed in seeing Holmes in the role of husband and partner. The mystery in this one is a bit understated; we have a good idea of what happened fairly early on, but it's still enjoyable in a different way. We get to learn more about Mary's family here, and we even meet her long lost Uncle Jake. He narrates part of the story, and I found that an interesting addition. I think this will be a hit with fans of this series and would definitely recommend it. If you haven't read this series before, however, I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning before reading this as I think this one will appeal more to those who have some of the back story. I look forward to continuing with this series and revisiting these characters soon.

Mary Russell's Uncle Jack visits and pulls her into one of his schemes. A delightful look at one of Mary's family members and his ability to persuade Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, to help him against their better judgement. There are more serious themes of family loyalty, forgiveness, and redemption intertwined with an old crime that needs a resolution. It can probably be read as a standalone, but the entire series is worth a read for the character development and back stories. Thanks to Bantam and Netgalley for the eARC.

KNAVE OF DIAMONDS by Laurie King

So much to love here: Russell, Holmes, Uncle Jake (the rascal), Russell missing Mrs. Hudson now that she’s back home in Sussex . . . and then the case of the stolen diamonds, the Irish Crown Jewels. There are even Irish wolfhounds! Travel is by train, boat (poor Mary), fast car, and donkey cart, and accommodations vary equally. I especially enjoyed the POV shifting from Mary and Jake (first person) and Holmes (third person), a shifting of perspectives, helping us to understand them and to watch their growing understanding and respect for each other. It’s a bit like the game of three-card monty, which we also learn a bit about. Above all, there is help from friends new and old, and delicious descriptions. I was glad to be along on this adventure.
I’m not going to spoil others’ enjoyment by giving details away . . . just going to say that the mystery resolves well, and that there’s a pleasant development at the end. Have fun reading it! (You’ll have to wait until June, this is a good time to read the earlier books).
One more commendation for Laurie King and her team, I read an advance copy, designated as not having been proofed, and didn’t spot any errors in the whole book — remarkable! There were a couple in the Endnotes, which I’m sure will be corrected — Do read it, the real-life events are fascinating!

Knave of Diamonds is the latest in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mystery series. I love this series, so I was thrilled to be able to review the newest book from Ms. King. Knave of Diamonds did not disappoint! I loved it! The previous book was one of my very favorites, so this book had a lot to live up to and it really did. The story was well thought out, hard to solve and involved some family elements that I really loved. After seeing Sherlock connect with family in the last book, it was great to see Mary have her turn this time! I especially enjoyed how much she and her husband worked as a team. I love them as a couple and enjoy them working together. The historical details were fantastic too and I was looking up a lot of Irish history. No spoilers, but the ending was especially great! I hope Russell and Holmes continue for many more books! They are a delight to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for alllowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Mary adored her uncle Jake, the black sheep of the family. After not seeing him for years he returns and want Mary to help him as he is supposedly involved in a theft of jewels. But can she help him? Should she? Another case for Mary Russell to solve!

The last couple of installments of the Mary Russell series have hearkened back somewhat to what I enjoyed at the beginning of the series--fairly straightforward narratives driven by the people in their inner circle, without too much foray into the international political intrigue that I find so dull in a novel of "suspense." No, in this one the plot hits much closer to home, and is all the better for it. Mary's long-absent Uncle Jack, the black sheep of her family, shows up to ask her help in a little matter relating to the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels.
I love that this theft is real history, sending me on a quick research dive to confirm that the basic details in the book were true to life. Always happy when I can be both entertained and informed.
The book is split among three narrative points of view, and the chapters are mostly short, which keeps things moving along nicely.