Justice Hall [Hardcover]

It seems that Ali and Mahmoud aren't Middle Eastern at all. Their real names are Alistair and Marsh (Maurice). And they are not just British. Due to some heavy pruning of the family tree, Marsh is now to become the Seventh Duke of Beauville and is living in Justice Hall, the family mansion, with Ali residing down the road at Old Badger Place.

Holmes and Russell are invited to visit and are drawn slowly into the mysteries of the family and its bloodline. All of the classic British estate mystery novel cliches are here: the shot gone astray during a hunt, hidden staircases, obsequious servants, dressing for dinner, ne'er-do-well relatives, endless tromps through the estate grounds, and even a costume ball. Yet they seem vibrant and appropriate rather than tired and reheated.

Since this series is based on the author's claim of being an editor to a set of notebooks purportedly left by the mysterious Mary Russell, the reader expects these stories to be grounded in historic fact. Yet there seems to be no real Duke of Beauville, no Justice Hall, not even the local towns seem to exist in any online search. This is such a change from the previous book in the series, The Moor, where Russell and Holmes visit the very real Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould during his final year on earth. Also, when it turns out that Marsh's marriage was one of convenience for his lesbian wife, I kept waiting for Marsh and Ali to "come out" - which never happened. Instead we are left with them appearing to be sexless middle-aged Peter Pans wishing to return to their life or adventure rather than growing up.

It takes a while for a plot to develop, but for those patient enough to wait, the story is wonderfully rich and satisfying.

I only recently discovered the Russell-series, so I had the advantage to read all the books in short order. I would wholehearteadly say that I like Justice Hall most of all but not for Holmes, Russell or the interaction between the two of them.

I like it for another resson: Ali and Mahmoud or in this case Alistair and Marsh (and also in addition Iris) are the best "guest"characters Laurie R. King wrote in the whole series. They are vivid, believable, interesting and the relationshsip between them is just fascinating (a shame-marriage between Iris and Marsh on one side, a strong subtext between Marsh and Alistair on the other). I definitely hope there will be more of them in future books.

But there is too less Russell in the book and even lesser Holmes. And Holmes is - at least for me - the reason why I buy the series. I don't necessary expect him to be more involved in the mere "action", after all he si over 60 int hsi books. But at least he should reflect more on the events and persons involved. For example I would have liked to read his opinion about the relationship between Marsh, Iris and Alistair. But he only gives a smile as answer of Russells (therefore the readers) question. I miss his (and Russell's, too, to some degree)skills of observing and deduction.

At the first sight the plot seems exciting but on the second thought there are too many and too big wholes and contradictions in it. Mrs. King even seemed unably to remember the names she gave Ali and Mahmoud at their first mention in The Beekeeper's Apprentice (which were Albert and Mathew at this time not Alistair and Maurice called Marsh like now).

In the end things were rushed too much as in most of the series'installments and questions especially about the motivations behind the events remain unanswered (or are at least not satiesfying answered).

So my fazit are mixed feelings about the books: it's great for the "guest"characters but it misses a lot of things when it comes to the main protagonists and the plot as a whole. Neverthless: if you like the series or at least if you liked O Jerusalem you should read it.

I only recently discovered the Russell-series, so I had the advantage to read all the books in short order. I would wholehearteadly say that I like Justice Hall most of all but not for Holmes, Russell or the interaction between the two of them.

I like it for another resson: Ali and Mahmoud or in this case Alistair and Marsh (and also in addition Iris) are the best "guest"characters Laurie R. King wrote in the whole series. They are vivid, believable, interesting and the relationshsip between them is just fascinating (a shame-marriage between Iris and Marsh on one side, a strong subtext between Marsh and Alistair on the other). I definitely hope there will be more of them in future books.

But there is too less Russell in the book and even lesser Holmes. And Holmes is - at least for me - the reason why I buy the series. I don't necessary expect him to be more involved in the mere "action", after all he si over 60 int hsi books. But at least he should reflect more on the events and persons involved. For example I would have liked to read his opinion about the relationship between Marsh, Iris and Alistair. But he only gives a smile as answer of Russells (therefore the readers) question. I miss his (and Russell's, too, to some degree)skills of observing and deduction.

At the first sight the plot seems exciting but on the second thought there are too many and too big wholes and contradictions in it. Mrs. King even seemed unably to remember the names she gave Ali and Mahmoud at their first mention in The Beekeeper's Apprentice (which were Albert and Mathew at this time not Alistair and Maurice called Marsh like now).

In the end things were rushed too much as in most of the series'installments and questions especially about the motivations behind the events remain unanswered (or are at least not satiesfying answered).

So my fazit are mixed feelings about the books: it's great for the "guest"characters but it misses a lot of things when it comes to the main protagonists and the plot as a whole. Neverthless: if you like the series or at least if you liked O Jerusalem you should read it.