A Monstrous Regiment of Women

A Monstrous Regiment of Women

  - Laurie R. King

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I fairly liked the first book in the series, but have mixed feelings about this one, bordering towards negative.

First, what I liked - it is well written, and the language as well as the plot flows well (unlike most of the contemporary "cozy mystery" books whose language and storyline feels juvenile). I am no scholar of religion, but I liked and appreciated the theological discussions between the characters, particularly with regard to women's role and rights. I also found insightful the religious and social doctrine against women (that's where the title comes from), and the role of women in London and Britain during and after the WW1.

Now, to the issues, which were too big to overlook. The core theme of the mystery is a plot that has been used time and again (I particularly remember one Poirot story). Though the author gives it a small twist, and it is engaging enough to continue reading to find out how it unfolds, it still feels a letdown.

The biggest problem I have though (and as I see, many other readers do too) is the relationship between Russell and Holmes. After reading the first one, I looked at the blurbs of some of the subsequent ones and found that they get married. I found it creepy and didn't want to continue, but some member of my reading group convinced me that there is a good reason for it and I would enjoy the series. After reading this, I found that my apprehensions were correct. Description of a growing physical attraction between them is extremely distasteful - not only because of the age difference of 40 years, or because it seems totally out of character, but most significantly due to the way their relationship started. Mary is 15 years old when she first meets Holmes, and for 5 years, looks upon him as a mentor and father figure. So, when at the end of the book, Holmes states that he has wanted to kiss her since he first saw her, it is too dramatic and downright creepy.