The God of the Hive

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The God of the Hive
God of the Hive.jpg
2010 first edition (US)
Author Laurie R. King
LanguageEnglish
Series Mary Russell
Genre Detective fiction
Publisher Bantam Books (US)
Allison & Busby (UK)
Publication date
2010
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages354
ISBN 0-553-80554-1
Preceded by The Language of Bees  
Followed by Pirate King  

The God of the Hive is a 2010 mystery novel by American author Laurie R. King. [1] [2] [3] [4] Tenth in the Mary Russell series, the story features married detectives Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. The novel begins almost immediately after the close of King's preceding novel, The Language of Bees .

Contents

Plot summary

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are each on the trail, seeking to expose a ruthless villain and ensure the safety of Holmes' artist son, Damian Adler, and Adler's half-Chinese daughter, three-year-old Estelle. The search involves the British practitioners of a religious cult called The Children of Lights with roots in Shanghai, China.

The plot picks up in the summer of 1924 near an ancient circle of standing stones on Orkney Island, shortly after religious fanatic Thomas Brothers, who seeks to unleash psychic energies through human sacrifice, shot Holmes's artist son, Damian Adler. Holmes's search for medical help to save his son's life takes him to Holland, while Mary travels through Britain in an effort to keep Estelle safe from Brothers and his allies.

Brothers' shadowy connections have led to a conspiracy deeply entrenched in the highest echelons of government. Mycroft Holmes finds himself questioned and under suspicion and the family members are actively pursued by Scotland Yard. In the process a modern-day Robin Goodfellow emerges to lend aid to Mary and her kin.

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References

  1. "The God of the Hive: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King". Publishers Weekly . March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. "The God of the Hive" . Booklist . February 15, 2010. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  3. Magnus, Ilysa (August 2010). "The God of the Hive". Historical Novel Society . Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  4. Woog, Adam (March 4, 2010). "'The God of the Hive': Another smashing good Sherlock Holmes-Mary Russell tale". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.