In The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (C1498), Laurie R. King told a richly entertaining tale starring Mary Russell, a spirited American girl who becomes an apprentice to the famous English detective Sherlock Holmes. Now in this eagerly awaited sequel, Mary returns to solve—with the aid of Holmes, of course—a case of murder, mystery, and religion.

The case begins when a classmate from Oxford University introduces Mary to Margery Childe, the charismatic spiritual leader of the New Temple of God. Curious about Margery’s popular teachings, Mary begins attending temple meetings. But when Margery’s followers—all well-bred, well-heeled young women—become targets for murder, Mary senses something sinister lurking within the walls of the temple. With Holmes at her side, she plunges headlong into the most dangerous investigation of her life.