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Garment of shadows

Garment of shadows

CrimeEspionage
Pages
416
Published
2012
Language
English

Synopsis

In the 1920s, Mary Russell wakes up in Morocco with no memory of who she is or how she arrived. While she navigates the dangerous streets of Fez to reclaim her identity, Sherlock Holmes searches for his missing wife amidst a brewing colonial uprising. The two must solve separate but connected mysteries to prevent a conflict that could engulf all of North Africa.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

TenseAtmosphericAdventurous
Multiple POVsSecret Identity

Genres

Crime Espionage Historical Fiction Mystery Amateur Sleuth History Political Thriller

About the author

L
Laurie R. King

Laurie R. King is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels and other works, including the Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes stories (The Beekeeper’s Apprentice was chosen as one of the “20th Century’s Best Crime Novels” by the IMBA.) She has won the Agatha, Anthony, Creasey, Edgar, Lambda, Macavity, Wolfe, and Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, has an honorary doctorate in theology, and is a Baker Street Irregular. In 2022, she was named Grand Master by Mystery Writers of Ame...

Characters

Mary RussellProtagonist
Sherlock HolmesProtagonist
All characters in Garment of shadows

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Garment of Shadows a standalone story?

    This novel is the twelfth installment in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. While it features a self-contained mystery, readers new to the series may benefit from starting with earlier books to fully appreciate the character development and ongoing relationship between Russell and Holmes.

  • Does this book feature a dual timeline?

    The narrative unfolds across two distinct time periods: the present day in 1920s Morocco and flashbacks to Mary Russell's earlier life and training with Sherlock Holmes. These interwoven timelines gradually reveal the origins of her amnesia and the deeper connections to the unfolding events.

  • How does this book connect to the real history of Morocco?

    The story is set against the backdrop of the Rif War, a real historical conflict in the 1920s involving Spanish and French colonial powers and the indigenous Rifian tribes. The political tensions and cultural dynamics of this period are integral to the plot and the dangers Mary Russell faces.