Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King O Jerusalem (1999) Each Tuesday during this spring’s Twenty Weeks of Buzz , I’ll be posting about a different one of my twenty books, with remarks, reflections, and information about the writing process. (Click on the photos below to enlarge.) A historical mystery would appear to be a contradiction in terms: If something already happened, where’s the mystery in it? But more than merely the event in question, working in an historical setting permits the author to poke at the edges of then-and-now, and to find the reverberations of the present in the past. I once read a memoir about early twentieth century life in Jerusalem, which presented the image of a city cheerfully united under the oppression of the Turks. Muslim, Jewish, and Christian: equally poor, equally oppressed, equally squeezed by the Ottoman grip. The children of the three communities played together, the men worked together, the women marketed together—the author, a Muslim, recalled the tradition of the milk mother, when women with children of like ages would nurse the other’s infant, as a form of insurance in those pre-formula days. Life was far from idyllic, but the concerns that stemmed from the difference in religion were among the lesser barriers to peaceful life. And then came the Great War, and Allenby presenting his victory to the bled-dry British people as a Christmas triumph. The Ottoman Empire was gone from Palestine, leaving the British to extend their own, very different understanding of fair rule to a land with an entirely different history . O Jerusalem was written well before the events of 9/11, but even then it was clear the direction in which the world was moving. We have come far since Muslim and Christian women in Jerusalem nursed one another’s children. And sadly, a big step of that path was under the hand of the well- meaning British. Comments. Strawberry Curls says. This is one of my favorites (if I can choose a favorite, that is) of the Russell novels. The sense of the place, so foreign and so filled with history, just drips off the page and the story is just a rip snorting yarn on first read, then something much richer when you reread it. Thank you for these essays on your novels, Laurie, they are a treat to read. I remember my great excitement when this one came out. These are some of my favorite Holmes/Russell interactions. I think it’s one of my favorites of the series. (I am also excited for God of the Hive!) I, too, remember this one particularly – I think it was the second Russell I was able to buy as it was actually published, and so I was just beginning to read them in order. I recall (this was pre-internet days for me!) walking into Borders on Union Square in San Francisco on the first day of my holiday in summer 1999 and seeing this on the ‘new books’ stand – Joy! The perfect surprise for holiday reading, as I hadn’t known it was being being published. (NB while I love the anticipation now, I do miss the spontaneous ‘finds’ when walking into a bookstore this way and seeing something unexpected!) O Jerusalem and it’s successor are superb books indeed, Laurie does so much more than tell a story here. I blame Ms. King for my decsion to read a dual biography on T. E. Lawrence and Aaron Aaronshon. And for the one to watch “Lawrence of Arabia”. ENough said. Loved the book. But! Damned if I remember who Colonel Plumberry was. I don’t want to read it again as I have about 10 more of her books on hand to read at this moment. Can somebody help me out? Tari, I was in the same predicament. I downloaded a Kindle version from the Libby app and searched for “Plumbury.” O Jerusalem — Laurie R. King. With her bestselling mystery series featuring Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell, Laurie R. King has created "lively adventure in the very best of intellectual company," according to The New York Times Book Review. Now the author of The Beekeeper's Apprentice and The Moor --the first writer since Patricia Cornwell to win both the American Edgar and British Creasey Awards for a debut novel ( A Grave Talent )--unfolds a hitherto unknown chapter in the history of Russell's apprenticeship to the great detective. At the close of the year 1918, forced to flee England's green and pleasant land, Russell and Holmes enter British-occupied Palestine under the auspices of Holmes' enigmatic brother, Mycroft. "Gentlemen, we are at your service." Thus Holmes greets the two travel-grimed Arab figures who receive them in the orange groves fringing the Holy Land. Whatever role could the volatile Ali and the taciturn Mahmoud play in Mycroft's design for this land the British so recently wrested from the Turks? After passing a series of tests, Holmes and Russell learn their guides are engaged in a mission for His Majesty's Government, and disguise themselves as Bedouins--Russell as the beardless youth "Amir"--to join them in a stealthy reconnaissance through the dusty countryside. A recent rash of murders seems unrelated to the growing tensions between Jew, Moslem, and Christian, yet Holmes is adamant that he must reconstruct the most recent one in the desert gully where it occurred. His singular findings will lead him and Russell through labyrinthine bazaars, verminous inns, cliff-hung monasteries--and into mortal danger. When her mentor's inquiries jeopardize his life, Russell fearlessly wields a pistol and even assays the arts of seduction to save him. Bruised and bloodied, the pair ascend to the jewellike city of Jerusalem, where they will at last meet their adversary, whose lust for savagery and power could reduce the city's most ancient and sacred place to rubble and ignite this tinderbox of a land. Classically Holmesian yet enchantingly fresh, sinuously plotted, with colorful characters and a dazzling historic ambience, O Jerusalem sweeps readers ever onward in the thrill of the chase. O Jerusalem. We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method. Listeners also enjoyed. Justice Hall. A trail of ominous clues comprise a mystery that leads from an English hamlet to the city of Paris to the wild prairie of the New World. The trap is set, the game is afoot; but can Holmes and Russell catch an elusive killer, or has the murderer caught them? Best Holmes since Arthur Conan Doyle. Crocodile on the Sandbank. 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She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime. Kate Morton (and Caroline Lee) does it again! Publisher's Summary. With her unerring flair for the dramatic, Laurie R. King packs this novel with bloodcurdling adventure, clever disguises, and layers of intrigue. Jenny Sterlin's superb voicing of the prickly Holmes and the fiercely intelligent Russell captures every nuance of their unconventional relationship. More from the same. Author. Castle Shade The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen A Monstrous Regiment of Women: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Narrator. Howl's Moving Castle The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen Doomsday Book. What listeners say about O Jerusalem. Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews. Audible.com Reviews. Amazon Reviews. pdxAlexa 05-06-09. O Jerusalem! What fun! Funny, witty and lots of thrills with Mary Russell and her favorite detective. A wonderful installment in Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes influenced series. As always, the narrator is a delight. All 30 voices of her! 8 people found this helpful. connie 08-24-09. if you like Russell as theologian. and like to imaginitvely explore the geography (physical and spiritual) of the holy land circa 1919, then you will love this. I agree with other reviewers that this is not for those who want a fast-paced, straight forward mystery. I love the narration; in fact, I don't think I'd enjoy reading this series. But I can see that the very distinctive style is one that listeners will either love or hate, especially if they discovered this series first in print. A bonus: This fiction can actually help you better understand the Middle East and the aftermath of WWI - It sent me to listening to "Paris 1919" once I'd finished. 16 people found this helpful. Sarz 01-10-14. Arguably my favourite Russell & Holmes book. Would you listen to O Jerusalem again? Why? I've listened to O Jerusalem several times. Jenny Sterling's narration bring all the characters to vivid life, and I shiver and laugh with them all through. I love the whole Russell / Holmes series but I think this is my favourite. I am so glad it appeared out of sequence! After "Monstrous Regiment", I felt that some of the sexual tension between Russell & Holmes disappeared . it was great to go back to the "old days" and feel that unspoken tension again. What did you like best about this story? This book has the very best final sentence of any book I've ever read. But do NOT cheat and skip to the last sentence without hearing the WHOLE book first! or it will mean nothing, and spoil it for when you do arrive there. 6 people found this helpful. Vicki 09-12-16. BORING. I really enjoy the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series but, seriously, this is one of the most boring books I've ever read. It's rare for me to give up on a book but I became a chore to listen to this one. I don't know what happened to them in the desert and I do not care. I usually love Jenny Sterlin's narration but her voice in this one just made everyone sound arrogant. 5 people found this helpful. Steve 02-04-11. I keep drifting off. First of all, I love Laurie King's writing and Jenny Sterlin is a remarkable actor. But I must admit, my mind wanders when listening to Oh Jerusalem. It's not the slower pace. I'm almost halfway and I still don't understand why Sherlock and Mary are wandering around Palestine. I feel a little lost. The book hasn't captured my interest. but. I will finish it. The Russell series is wonderful and I feel it's important to tough it out. 9 people found this helpful. Huckleberry 05-05-14. Best book I've listened to in quite a while. What made the experience of listening to O Jerusalem the most enjoyable? Everything was perfect from the narrator to the story. What was one of the most memorable moments of O Jerusalem? There are too many good points to really narrow it down to just one. Which scene was your favorite? The ending; which I wont spoil for anyone by posting here. Any additional comments? This is easily in one of the very best books I've purchased. I will most likely listen to it more than once. The story was absolutely perfect. 2 people found this helpful. Randall 06-19-10. Sherlock Holmes Done Well. Laurie R. King does an excellent job of continuing the Sherlock Holmes. As well as an excellent story the narrator, Jenny Sterlin, makes you not want to put the story down. 2 people found this helpful. Cracker1951 07-16-09. Love the series but give this book a miss. I love the Mary Russell series by Laurie King, but suggest people give O Jerusalem a miss. The circumstances and characters are just too far beyond believable (e.g., Sherlock Holmes & Mary Russell passing for Arabs) and the story drags endlessly, becoming more like an out-of-date travelogue than a solid story. The next book in the series, Justice Hall, fleshes out enough of the story line from this book. If you are new to the series, start w/ Beekeeper's Apprentice and don't let this one put you off. 9 people found this helpful. AC 08-02-20. I was told this was necessary. I’ve been listening to the books in order. That’s how I prefer to do things. *Mild spoiler- There is a foreword in this book staying this book relates somehow to the next book in the series. This foreword is the only thing that kept me listening.* The first half is extremely slow. Watching paint dry on an old ladies’ wall as she tells you (for the 30th time) that her brother had the blue ribbon hog at the 1948 Arkansas State Fair. Or that he should have had the blue ribbon if that good for nothing Medina O’Hara and her sisters didn’t flirt with the judges on the hottest day of the year slow. The book picks up halfway through, but not enough to salvage and not at all up to Ms. King’s standards. I found it interesting to learn about the history of Jerusalem, the people of Palestine, and the archeological finds of the region. I don’t think it was necessary to take half of the book to share this with the reader. Normally I rush to the next title - it’s going to be a few weeks before I go back to Russell & Holmes. Too bad really.