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Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell have just returned home after a case in Dartmoor (see The Moor). They have not even unpacked when a man appears at their door dressed in out-of-date clothing and injured. To their surprise he is Ali Hazr, one of their two close companions in Palestine four years earlier. Although they thought he was Arab, they learn that he is really Alistair Hughenfort, an Englishman. His cousin, whom Holmes and Russell knew as Mahmoud, is really Maurice (Marsh) Hughenfort who has just succeeded to the title Duke of Beauville. Marsh is miserable about this far preferring to roam the Palestinian desert and act as secret agent for Mycroft Holmes and the British government but since he is the last male he feels honor bound to assume the title. Alistair wants Holmes and Russell to try to persuade him otherwise. They travel to the farthest reaches of Berkshire, to the home of the Dukes of Beauville which is known as Justice Hall. They do not exactly know how to go about their task but they start looking at the events which left Marsh as the only male relative and find some very interesting information. They also eventually uncover one of the most distinctive methods of murder I have come across. The characters are indeed intriguing and authentic. Ms. King has created a human Sherlock Holmes, which is undoubtedly why many of those devoted to the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle cannot accept this pastiche. Doyle1s Holmes was never very believable, a machine of a man who rarely expressed any sort of feelings. This Holmes, older and more human, is also much more appealing. Russell tells the story and she is a perfect foil for Holmes. My major criticism, however, is that in this book she is just an observer, telling the story, and Holmes is often out detecting so we do not get to enjoy either of them as much. The most intriguing and commanding character in the book, however, is Justice Hall. It is a great stately home, and from the ancient basement, once part of the abbey upon which the house was built and containing a section of Roman tile, to the library stocked with important and substantial books, to the Great Hall it is a magnificent and splendid creation. Justice Hall forms the setting for a tale of family, an entangled group of people with secrets from each other and from the outside world. The story is wonderfully complex and layered with depth and subplots and back stories and side stories. It is truly a joy to read. The mystery is intriguing and compelling as is the question of how Holmes and Russell can convince Marsh to give up the responsibility and seize happiness. Although it takes place in 1923 there are views of World War I at its worst and most tragic. Marsh1s nephew died in the war and the circumstances of his death show the stupidity and blindness that plagued British leadership from the beginning to the last days of that war. It is not a pretty story but it is a captivating one. I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Sally A. Fellows, February 2002
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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