Justice Hall
A lost heir, murder most foul, and the unexpected return of two old  friends start Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes--spouses and intellectual  equals--on an investigation that takes them from the trenches of World War I  France to the heights of English society. In this sixth entry in Laurie King'saward-winning series,  fans will find the Baker Street sleuth mellowed by age and marriage yet still in  possession of his deductive abilities and acerbic wit, and, in Mary Russell, a  surprisingly apt companion for the legendary detective.Justice Hallbrings back two colorful characters from earlier in the  series: Bedouins Ali and Mahmoud Hazr (now known as Alistair and Marsh), who  last appeared inO  Jerusalem. At their request, Holmes and Russell take up the trail of the  doomed heir to Justice Hall, who has been executed for cowardice in the bloody  trenches of France. As the detectives strive to make sense of his death and to  locate another heir to the family title, an attempt is made on the life of the  man who's soon to be welcomed as the new duke. Holmes and Russell soon realize  something sinister is afoot, and that they must untangle a web of deceit to  discover which of the many suspects is taking steps to shorten the line of  inheritance. Once again, King's satisfying tale stays true to the spirit of  Conan Doyle's original stories while extending them into new terrain.--Benjamin Reese