The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Post 6)

Book Two
Chapters 5-7
Russell embarks on her first big case with Holmes. It involves the kidnap of a baby and a ransom has to be met in a couple of days. Russell mentions that she'll get to see the true Sherlock Holmes at his best. All the cases she's had were minor ones and now she'll be able to witness Holmes's true ability. Because Russell is attending college, Holmes has begun to embark on cases himself. The author seems to suggest that Holmes is very protective of his image. He wants to ensure that he is still the most intelligent and ruthless man in the world. He constantly has to keep up, so to speak, with the image that Watson has created for him. That's why he prefers to solve some cases by himself. He's overprotective of his cases and likes to work alone. He doesn't like the fact that he's being refered to as a "miracle worker." He's the last man that people go to when cases cannot be solved. This makes him mad sometimes. So I guess Mary Russell is a challenge for him because he's always worked alone. Holmes admits that he's never considered Watson as a true partner. He considers Russell to be his first real partner because she was able to solve the case on her own. She found her own way inside the house where the baby was and carried the baby to safety.

In addition, Holmes decided at first that he didn't want Russell to be a part of the case, but she demanded that she be involved and Holmes gave in. It seems that Holmes may be letting go of his fear and hatred women because of his relationship with Russell. Either that or he's just being nice. Also in this book, the author reveals more change in Holmes. She shows much more about him that I didn't see in the older version. Holmes actually showed compassion when he was speaking to the mother of the baby in order to get information from her. He comforted the mother and held her hand. Furthermore, he treats Russell like a daughter and appreciates her input and presence in the current case. However, he does mock Russell's inexperience. For example, they were trying to figure out how the criminals left the scene. She guessed by automobile but was completely wrong because there were no tracks.

Finally, by having Holmes take an apprentice, such as Russell, it brings out the human side of him. When the baby was finally reunited with her family, Holmes cried. I'm guessing he did because he blew his nose loudly. He also finally acknowledges Russell because she was able to make the right decisions and solve the case by herself without too much help from Holmes. Holmes also reveals his reason for using cocaine after a case-cases usually wear him out. He loses sleep and the body just shuts down and he's completely exhausted. Russell experiences it first hand at the end of the case. She sleeps for a day.