The Island of the Mad

The Island of the Mad
Laurie R. King
Pub date: 12 June 2018

Book Blurb:
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are back in Laurie R. King’s New York Times bestselling series—“the most sustained feat of imagination in mystery fiction today” (Lee Child).
With Mrs. Hudson gone from their lives and domestic chaos building, the last thing Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, need is to help an old friend with her mad and missing aunt.

Lady Vivian Beaconsfield has spent most of her adult life in one asylum after another, since the loss of her brother and father in the Great War. And although her mental state seemed to be improving, she’s now disappeared after an outing from Bethlem Royal Hospital . . . better known as Bedlam.

Russell wants nothing to do with the case—but she can’t say no. And at least it will get her away from the challenges of housework and back to the familiar business of investigation. To track down the vanished woman, she brings to the fore her deductive instincts and talent for subterfuge—and of course enlists her husband’s legendary prowess. Together, Russell and Holmes travel from the grim confines of Bedlam to the winding canals and sun-drenched Lido cabarets of Venice—only to find the foreboding shadow of Benito Mussolini darkening the fate of a city, an era, and a tormented English lady of privilege.

I have been a fan of the Russell books for many years.  The last few, however, seem to be lacking something - I didn't even read all of the last book.  This one I felt was closer to some of the earlier ones.  A little mystery, some disguises, with the threat of Fasist Italy in the background.  It still lacked some of the lovely Holmes - Russel moments that the earlier books had, but at least they were working on the same case.

The story starts with Russell and Holmes still adjusting to the changes from the last book, but soon they diverted to a case when Russell receives a phone call from an old friend: Ronnie Beaconsfield.  Now. Ronnie Fitzwarren with a young son, Ronnie is worried about her aunt who has disappeared after a family gathering heading back to Bethel Hospital, aka Bedlam, the insane asylum. Russell of course agrees to take the case.  After breaking into the famous mental hospital, Russell realizes that the the aunt and her nurse have headed to Venice.  From there, Russell and Holmes continue their investigation, leading their paths to cross with Elsa Maxwell and Cole Porter along the beauty and extravagance of the Lido.

The real star of the book was Venice.  As with many of her books, Ms. King excels at capturing the sprit of a location, and Venice is no exception. It's quite lovely.  

My major complaint about the book is also a common one I've found with some of the Russell adventures: it just ends.  If felt like it needed another chapter or so to wrap up a few things - let Ronnie know the fate of her aunt, for example, or hear how Ronnie's mother takes the news. I also felt it was a bit contrived that it took Russell so long to figure out the cause of the aunt's madness. There were also some hints about Holmes being concerned about his marriage to Russell that are never resolved. And as I mentioned above, it would be nice to see some of those tender moments between Russell and Holmes that we see in earlier books.  

Overall, a very enjoyable read.  Highly Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley and voluntarily chose to review.