By Laurie R. King

There were several excellent pieces in this collection, and several that I’m not sure needed to exist. The good: “My War Journal” (this one inspired me to again speed read through Locked Rooms right in the middle of MWJ, which I thoroughly enjoyed), “Beekeeping for Beginners” (previously read, enjoyed again this time) and the same with The “Marriage of Mary Russell,” and “Stately Holmes”. Worth reading were “My Story, or The Case of the Ravening Sherlockians”, “Mary’s Christmas,” and a “Case in Correspondence.” A lot of reviewers seem to have a problem with the magical realism of the Ravening Sherlockians. To me it is Laurie King’s nod to the real Sherlockians who like to pretend to believe that Sherlock is a real historical person. I don’t have a problem with it. Besides, I love the way she incorporates fictional characters as if they are real in her novels which is kind of the same thing except kicked up a notch. Her whole series is written as if it were true, when we know it’s not. So why have a problem with Sherlock Holmes still alive in 1992? I actually kind of loved it! **3 out of 5 stars**

June 27, 2018