Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed on 4/21/2020 + 1031 more book reviews

The 13th outing for Russell and Holmes, but set previous to #8 (LOCKED ROOMS). We start with a short prologue where Mary meets an unexpected guest. And then, in a long flashback, King sets the pair in a very leisurely travelogue before getting to the meat of the story. I did enjoy the travelogue, although it seemed only too easy for them to integrate into what was a pretty rigid culture. But no matter, we finally get where we're going, we've seen nice views of life on a cruise ship plus bits of Japan. Russell and Holmes agree to assist in the endeavour at hand only to find themselves superfluous. Flash forward, back to Oxford a year later, and it's the same job all over again. I find myself wavering back and forth here. On the one hand, it's interesting that they are not successful, that they are outsmarted several times by both the villain and the one they are supposed to be helping. On the other hand, they made no difference in this story. And it's not just that, I can't figure out why their help was even asked for, except maybe Holmes' safecracking skills? If there was a solid reason for the Satos to include them I missed it (quite possible - I read pretty fast), and it didn't seem to me they did anything important enough to warrant the gift they later received. But in the end the needle moves just slightly back to my first opinion, it was an interesting story and it shows they're not infallible.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details