The Beekeeper's Apprentice

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (1994) is a historical mystery novel by American author Laurie R. King and the first installment in the best-selling Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. King, who won an Edgar Award for her debut novel, A Grave Talent, creates a literary pastiche that re-engages with Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes canon. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the novel introduces Mary Russell, a brilliant and independent 15-year-old orphan who becomes the protégée and intellectual partner of a retired Sherlock Holmes in Sussex. Their developing relationship explores themes including Creating Bonds That Transcend Societal Norms, Reconciling Logic and Emotion, and Disguise as a Means of Exploring Identity and Freedom. The story functions as both an homage to and a revision of the original series, presenting a modern, feminist protagonist who embodies the “new woman” archetype emerging from a period of profound social change.

This guide refers to the 2014 Picador e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of graphic violence, child abuse, gender discrimination, racism, emotional abuse, substance use, death by suicide, illness, and death.

Language Note: The source material uses the terms “gypsy” and “gipsy” to refer to Romani people, which is replicated in this guide only in quotes.

Plot Summary

In 1915, on the Sussex Downs in England, 15-year-old orphan Mary Russell nearly steps on a retired Sherlock Holmes while walking and reading. Holmes, now in his fifties, retired to the countryside and keeping bees, is impressed by the precocious girl’s intellect as they engage in a battle of wits. Af3ter Russell deduces his identity, Holmes invites her to his cottage for tea, where she meets his housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. A friendship forms between Holmes and Russell, who reveals that she lives in her late mother’s house under the guardianship of a controlling aunt, whose authority she frequently challenges.

Russell becomes Holmes’s apprentice, spending her days at his cottage learning the art of detection through puzzles and practical exercises. Mrs. Hudson becomes a maternal figure to Russell, while Holmes’s health and spirits, which had been in decline, improve dramatically with Russell’s companionship. Russell also meets Dr. John Watson, Holmes’s former biographer, and comes to appreciate his loyalty and kindness. The backdrop of World War I weighs heavily on Russell, who volunteers at a local hospital and questions the purpose of her studies until Holmes reassures her of the future need for their skills.

In 1917, Russell begins her studies at Oxford University. She befriends the vivacious Lady Veronica “Ronnie” Beaconsfield and joins a student theatrical group, where she hones her skills in disguise. In a notable prank, she successfully wears a disguise to pose as a male Indian student named Ratnakar Sanji. She excels academically in chemistry, theology, and mathematics while maintaining her connection to Holmes during holidays.

During her university breaks, Russell begins to assist Holmes on cases. In their first collaboration, they investigate the mysterious recurring illnesses of a government advisor, Richard Barker. They deduce that Barker’s butler is using a rare poison and its antidote, acquired in New Guinea, to incapacitate him while signaling government secrets from the manor’s tower. Later, Russell takes the lead in investigating a minor burglary at a local inn, the Monk’s Tun. Using deductive reasoning and a tracking dog, she identifies the thief and recovers the stolen goods, earning Holmes’s acknowledgment of her professional competence.

Their partnership is first tested when Holmes is called to Wales in August 1918 to investigate the kidnapping of Jessica Simpson, the young daughter of an American senator. Russell insists on accompanying him. Disguised as Romani people, they investigate the scene and deduce that the child was drugged and taken on horseback.* After finding clues Jessica deliberately left behind, Russell acts alone while Holmes creates a diversion. She infiltrates the kidnappers’ hideout, rescues Jessica, and escapes with her, solidifying her role as Holmes’s partner.

After the Simpson case, Russell returns to Oxford, but the lives of everyone connected to Holmes are soon threatened by a series of attacks. A bomb explodes at Holmes’s cottage, injuring him. Another is planted on the door of Russell’s Oxford lodgings, which Holmes, having arrived secretly beforehand, is able to disarm. A third bomb kills the bomber, a professional named John Dickson, at Dr. Watson’s empty house, but the evidence suggests that he is just a pawn, and a wealthy, intelligent, and ruthless female mastermind with intimate knowledge of Holmes is orchestrating the attacks.

To escape the immediate danger and lay a trap, Holmes and his brother Mycroft arrange for Holmes and Russell to flee England by boat. During the voyage, Russell confesses to Holmes her profound guilt over the car accident that killed her family years earlier. Holmes offers her comfort and absolution, deepening their bond. They travel to Palestine, where they undertake covert work for Mycroft. While there, they use a game of chess to devise a strategy to ensnare their adversary back in England, which requires them to stage a bitter and public falling-out.

Upon their return to England, they enact their plan. Holmes retreats to Sussex, feigning a severe physical and mental decline, while Russell returns to Oxford, projecting an image of cold, hard ambition. She soon realizes she is being followed by their enemy’s agents. While studying in the Bodleian Library, Russell deciphers a coded message left by the adversary on the slashed seat of a cab, which spells out “Moriarty.” She connects this to her former mathematics tutor, Patricia Donleavy, who had introduced her to Moriarty’s work on base eight theory, the key to the code. Realizing Donleavy is Moriarty’s daughter, Russell sees the trap closing.

Anticipating a final confrontation, Holmes secretly travels to Oxford. He and Russell drive through the night to his cottage, only to find Donleavy waiting for them in the laboratory, armed with a pistol. She reveals her identity and her plan for revenge against Holmes for her father’s death. She forces Holmes to sign a fabricated suicide note intended to destroy his reputation, shooting Russell in the arm to ensure his compliance. As Holmes prepares to sign, he verbally attacks Donleavy, goading her into a rage. As she raises her gun to kill him, Russell throws a heavy ink bottle, spoiling her aim. In the ensuing struggle, Donleavy is fatally shot with her own weapon, and the same bullet critically wounds Russell.

Russell endures a long, painful recovery from severe physical and emotional trauma while Holmes remains at her side, and their conversation reveals that even that final, violent confrontation was part of their plan. Her healing begins after she receives a heartfelt letter from Jessica Simpson. The ordeal concludes with Holmes inviting Russell to travel with him to France and Italy, their partnership now fully restored on a foundation of trust and equality.