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| Plot Summary of Justice Hall |
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"
Bantam, April 2002, 23.95, 334 pp.
ISBN 0553111132
Four years ago in 1919, Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell were in Palestine working a case. Their paths crossed that of two Arabs, Ali and Mahmoud Hazr, two agents of Mycroft who reported on German movement. These four people worked so closely together, breaking bread watching, each other's back and taking care of business that a bond was formed, closer than that of family.
In the present (1923) a knock on the door of Holmes and Russell's home reveals a wounded and desperate Ali who says he needs their help. It seems that the Hazr's are descendants from one of England's oldest families, one who came over with the Conqueror. Mahmoud is now the Seventh Duke of Belleville and he is on the family estate of Justice Hall. Duty forces him to come to England though his heart and soul yearn to be with Ali in Palestine. Mary and Sherlock must find out if there is anyone of the blood to take Marsh's place, a job that is fraught with danger and peril.
It's hard to imagine any author writing about Sherlock Holmes in a manner that is significantly different than his creator and having it come out fabulous but Laurie R. King makes the impossible possible. JUSTICE HALL is a rich multi-textured tale that is as much a historical mystery as it is a parable of the human condition. This book as well as the series is a must read for Holmes fans as well as anyone who wants to read something unusually good.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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"Justice Hall is the sixth in a series of Sherlock Holmes and his wife and partner Mary Russell.
Russell and Holmes have just completed a case when an old friend pays them a visit, a friend from an earlier novel, O, Jerusalem. His cousin has suddenly been called upon to take the place as Duke of a “big name” English family (the Hughenforts) as those in the succession line ahead of him have been dying rather unexpectedly.
They go with him immediately to Justice Hall—the manor home of the Hughenforts. Russell and Holmes investigate the hushed scandal around the Duke's nephew, Gabriel, and his death. It takes them back three years to 1918 and the French front against Germany. They also help the family determine whether there are other heirs.
The duke believes that his nephew was executed as a coward, but even Mycroft can't find records to say for certain what happened to him. Without ever getting maudlin, author Laurie King instills us with a sense of horror for the 300 children and men who were “shot at dawn.” "
Bridgette Redman, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Justice Hall |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 45%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- 1900-1920's
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 40%
- 60%
Special suspect?
- relative
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- "All in the family" murder
- solving long-past murder
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- british mystery (I say!)
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- searching for missing person
- feelings towards family/friends
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story?
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
- Female
Profession/status:
- private investigator
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
The antagonists are:
- government bureaucracy
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
- France
Misc setting
- fancy mansion
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 1st
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- very gorey descriptions deaths/dead bodies
How many deaths?
- 2
- hundreds or more
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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