Island of the Mad is the latest of Mary Russell’s memoirs, lovingly curated by Laurie R King. This adventure finds the intrepid sleuthing duo headed to Holmes’ least favourite place- Venice. Russell’s friend Veronica has asked her help in finding her aunt Vivian, who has gone suddenly missing, along with jewels and money that, to be fair, belonged to Vivian anyway. Veronica’s aunt, though quite young, was a long-term patient at the notorious asylum known as ‘Bedlam’. She had been granted a pass to go attend her brother’s birthday party, accompanied by an asylum escort. Sometime after they left Selwick, the pair disappeared. Russell’s initial digging hints at Venice as the place Vivian may have ended up. Of course, as long as Sherlock is going, Mycroft has work for him! As Russell gets acquainted with the Lido set, in hopes of news or sightings of Vivian, Holmes turns his attention to Cole Porter and his entertainments at the Ca’ Rezzonico. Their lines of enquiry will bring them into close contact with Mussolini’s Blackshirts, and take them to the plague island of Poveglia.
This has become my second favourite of Russell’s memoirs, after Justice Hall. I love the depth of history. There is much excitement in this story, as both Russell and Holmes are plunged into frenetic environments. Between Cole’s parties, and the Lido set, there’s no shortage of entertainment, and that’s aside from the mischief the pair get up to together. I felt as if I could step right into the gaiety. And Russell spearheaded a gate-crashing expedition. Too funny.
As part of their investigations, the pair visit the island of Poveglia, which just delighted me. Sensationalism aside, I find Poveglia fascinating because of its history, especially as a plague quarantine island. Around this point in time, the island housed an asylum (yes, asylums are a big theme of the book), and Russell and Holmes find a possible explanation for some of those tales of hauntings. Also slightly touched upon is Percy Fawcett, whose expeditions fascinate me, and who just may have been on to something after all.
Aspects of this story touched on issues of homosexuality in that era, in different cultures. It’s terrifying to think that in England you could have been locked up for it in a place like Bedlam, as well as being locked up simply for being an inconvenient woman. That happens in Venice later, too, sad to say. Then there is the attitude in Venice, where it is tolerated and more openly accepted. I loved that Holmes had the attitude that people should be who they are, as did Russell. In fact, they did a bit of cross-dressing for one of the little ‘flings’ later in the story, and my but wasn’t that whole set-up a bit of Loki-inspired mischief? Too bloody funny!
If you are a fan of the series, you won’t be disappointed! If you love Sherlock Holmes, and you’ve never read the series, what’s up with that?! Go now, and start! You’ve gotta lotta catchin’ up to do. Highly recommended.
Check out my other Mary Russell reviews:
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House/ Ballantine for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
