...masterful, mysterious!

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Dreaming Spies: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #13 by Laurie R. King 

Mary Russelll and Sherlock Holmes are once again caught up in a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue. This time the puzzle stretches to the very pinnacle of Japanese Society.
Enroute by steamer to Califonia, via Bombay and southern Japan they encounter a young Japanese woman who agrees to explain to the Russell-Holmes and fellow guests the customs of Japan. Mary and Holmes take private language lessons as well.
The story stretches from the high seas, to the Emperor's court to the Bodleian library. Intriguing, made even more so by Mary and Holmes sojourn through parts of Japan. Certainly the Japanese landscape descriptions leap off the page, colourful and intense.
A story rich with hidden depths and hinted at underlying deceptions. Take nothing at face value.
Like a complex origami sculpture new layers are revealed by the unfolding of each piece.
The inclusion of haiku lines at the beginning of each chapter draws the mind deeper into the puzzle.
The relationship of Holmes and Russell is intriguing. A rich, tightly woven adventure that continues the tradition of this uncompromising yet very human duo. Brilliant word play just adds another level of enjoyment

 A NetGalley ARC

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