Title: Pirate King
Author: Laurie
R. King
Publisher: Random
House
ISBN-10:
0553807986
ISBN-13:
978-0553807981
Price: $13.99
hardcover; $12.99 Kindle
Author’s
website: www.laurierking.com
About the
series:
I have long
loved Laurie R. King’s books, from my first taste of her writing in THE MOOR, to Kate Martinelli’s dark mysteries, including
A GRAVE TALENT. Without fail, I preorder each new
release, looking forward to the hardcover arrivals to treasure and store on my
bookshelf. Lately, I’ve also ordered the Kindle versions, just to have the
books close at hand when a stray chance to read presents itself.
Mary Russell,
originally an apprentice to Sherlock Holmes and now his wife and partner in
solving puzzles around the world, is featured in these books with her erudite
and delightful husband, in a world of high culture and gentle civility. Of
course, things are not quite so civil when they run across villains. When that
happens, all bets are off.
The series is
most appealing because of its intellect combined with delectable humor,
particularly shown through the pithy dialogue of husband and wife. Mary Russell’s
voice is strong – profound, most definitely British, and delightfully
independent. Her relationship with Holmes, while they dash across the globe to
solve mysteries and rescue innocents, is what hooked me from the beginning,
particularly its dry humor and subtle eroticism.
What amazes me
most about this author is her ability to set a story in the voice and time of the
early 20th century, in such a way that readers feel an integral part
of that era. And yet, she also has perfected the art of writing contemporary genre
crime stories, such as TO PLAY THE FOOL and the other Kate Martinelli mysteries.
I’ve loved them all, including the standalones, but what astounds me the most is
King’s ability to switch between these distinct and very different writing
styles so effortlessly. Both series have garnered high awards in the literary
world, and both have found space on my bookshelf.
About the new
book:
In THE PIRATE KING, the eleventh Mary Russell book, Russell
is challenged to uncover secrets in a nest of villainous characters spanning
the misty shores of Lisbon to the heady-scented harems of Morocco.
Inspector Lestrade
of Scotland Yard convinces Russell to go undercover in the film company, posing
as an assistant to the director. What happened to the missing secretary? Why
were her shoes found near a ledge, but no suicide note? And what about these rumrunners,
cocaine dealers, and arms sellers who seem to be linked with every silent Fflytte
film that’s ever been produced?
With Holmes unavailable,
Russell is rushed undercover in this colorful, crazy world of silent filmmaking,
where she is immediately put in charge of a bevy of blonde actresses and is the
primary peacekeeper and runner of errands.
A band of real
pirates is hired in Lisbon to act in “the film about a film about pirates” loosely
based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. (Although quite complex,
the story within a story didn’t bother me, since one of my own books involves a
deeply layered story with multiple actors, their roles in a musical, and the
story behind the story that inspired the musical. I was used to thinking in
these convoluted terms!)
Vibrant
characters, subtle hints, questions that layer one upon the other, they weave a
tight and fascinating tapestry. Suffice it to say that a complete plot
description would take up too much room here. You can read more details in the
product description on Amazon, or on King’s website at http://www.laurierking.com.
As an aside, I
did have one minor complaint about PIRATE KING. I missed Sherlock Holmes in the
first two-thirds of this book. Mary writes letters to him, but he doesn’t write
back, so we don’t hear his voice or see him for much of the story, and I yearned
for their witty repartee. He does finally show up, however, and it’s at that
point where the suspense and action really pick up. Yes, PIRATE KING has a
different feel from the previous novels, but is enjoyable in its own right.
Mary Russell’s
voice is distinct and unique; it’s what stamps the eleven books with King’s
signature, book after book. As an example, see the following excerpt from a letter
penned to Holmes.
“It may not have escaped your notice that this missive
contains a dearth of data concerning the true reason for my presence, namely, a
missing secretary and the illicit selling of cocaine and firearms. Perhaps that
is due to the circumstances of my employment, which is rather that of a person
attempting delicate surgery whilst standing in a hurricane.
I shall persist.”
It is Russell’s
sardonic wit exemplified in lines like this that always make me laugh out loud.
Some of the
lovelier aspects of PIRATE KING—aside from the fun of meeting all of the
actors, pirates, and staff—are the delicious descriptions of Lisbon and
Morocco. Exotic and intriguing, the sights, sounds, and aromas tantalize. It’s
clear that the author has been in these locales (you can read about it on her
Mutterings blog at www.laurierking.com).
In addition to
the intricately woven plot, King paints delightful portraits of her featured
characters, such as Mr. Pessoa, based on a real Portuguese poet from the same
time in history.
“All this talk about pirates had made Mr. Pessoa’s gaze go
far away. Two lengths of ash had dropped unnoticed as his monologue unfurled.
Then he looked at me as if in expectation of an answer, to a question I could
not begin to recall. I felt an absurd urge to lay my head down on the table and
go to sleep. Or to weep.”
One aspect of
King’s writing that thrills me is the use of certain verbs, such as “…his
monologue unfurled.” How appropriate (since we’re reading about sailing and
sails unfurling), and what pure poetry. I love the thought of words unfurling from a poet’s lips.
Russell’s humor
continues, never failing, even in the most dire situation.
“It was getting on to eleven o’clock; I had not slept a
full night since leaving London; I had not eaten a full meal in that same time.
I was exhausted and cold and so hungry that the plate of fly-specked objects on
a shelf (pies? Boiled eggs? Bundled stockings, perhaps?) made my mouth water.”
I still laugh
when I picture whatever it was on that shelf. Eggs, pies, or stockings?
My favorite line
in this entire story, however, again comes from one of Russell’s letters to
Holmes.
“Holmes, I am awash in a sea of megalomaniacs.”
And indeed, she
was. Surrounded by film directors, actors, pirates, poets, and spies, this
staunch and feisty young woman took on more than her share and made Holmes and her
readers very proud.
If you begin to
read the book and wonder where the threats are, where the mystery is, when the
action will start, don’t despair. Although the first section is a bit different
from other Mary Russell books (albeit enjoyable in its own right), the last pages
will woo you with dazzling tension, heart pounding action, and wonderful imagery.
I’ll never forget the image of Russell hanging outside a Moroccan jail cell on
a silk rope thirty feet above the cobblestones below, having in-depth
conversations with the prisoner inside; it was sheer delight.
If you haven’t
read a book by Laurie King, please check them out now. Whether you’re a modern
day crime aficionado or a British mystery fan, both genres will fill your days
and nights with superb writing and entertainment. You can find all the books on
her website.
***
Aaron Paul
Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries, Moore
Mysteries, and Tall Pines Mysteries enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate
New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their grandkids and dogs,
grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys.
Visit his
website at www.legardemysteries.com
and watch for his upcoming Twilight Times Books releases, FOR THE BIRDS (2011),
ESSENTIALLY YOURS (2012), TERROR COMES KNOCKING (2011), FOR KEEPS (2012), DON’T
LET THE WIND CATCH YOU (2012), and the author’s preferred editions of DOUBLE
FORTÉ and UPSTAGED (2012).
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