These are two of a series of novels by Laurie R. King that feature Sherlock Holmes and his apprentice (and later wife) Mary Russell. The series begins with The Beekeeper's Apprentice and it is worth starting at the beginning and reading them in order. Having said that, these two are not in order, since O Jerusalem is #5 in the series and Locked Rooms is #8.
Any book concerning Sherlock Holmes fits into my reading profile. History. A concern for accuracy. This series has much more. Character based plot lines. Excellent writing. They are a pleasure to read (or listen to, as is the case for me).
O Jerusalem follows Russell and Holmes as they flee England and hide out in Palestine in the aftermath of WWI. Locked Doors takes them to San Francisco, where Mary must confront the earlier tragic deaths of her family. As Publishers Weekly said: "the narrative has real momentum, the characters are engaging and the prose, as always, is intelligent, evocative and graceful." A series that will attract a lot of readers, since it features history, a strong female detective, fluid writing and Sherlock Holmes.
