The Role Of Collaboration In The Beekeeper's Apprentice

Over a century after the 1887 publication of A Study in Scarlet, Arthur Conan Doyle’s first novel staring Sherlock Holmes, fan authors continue to modify and build upon this highly celebrated mystery narrative. Laurie R. King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, for instance, investigates the concept of an older Holmes partnering up with a like-minded young woman named Mary Russell. The relationship that King develops between Holmes and Russell diverges in many ways from the original pairing of he and Dr. Watson, and it investigates the assets that each of them brings to the partnership. Their motivation, as well as their age, disposition and gender differ in ways which dictate their compatibility with Holmes, and the juxtaposition of these qualities
In the original Canon, John Watson has a non-confrontational disposition. It is his nature to resist sharing opinions and concerns with his partner, Sherlock Holmes, for fear of provoking unnecessary tension. This is made apparent shortly after the two of them move in together at Baker Street in A Study in Scarlet, when Watson interjects his narration with the comment, “I was still annoyed at his bumptious style of conversation. I thought it best to change the topic” (page 29). This tendency for Watson to avoid confrontation becomes a theme of his character that is carried throughout the entirety of Doyle’s short stories and novels. His disposition suggests an uncontested obedience to Holmes, which depletes the relationship of equality and mutual respect. Mary Russell, conversely, is forthright in her exchanges with Holmes, and she does not attempt to spare his feelings or ego in the process. In The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, she addresses Holmes as a human being who is capable of making mistakes, and she believes it is important to his well-being that he be reminded of this. She reveals her qualms with Holmes when she says, “I exercised my right to protect the partnership by putting a halt to your stupidity. Yes, stupidity. You believe yourself to be without the limitations of mere mortals, I know, but the mind, even your mind, my dear Holmes, is subject to the body’s weakness” (page 236). In this passage, Mary suggests that Holmes has suffered from delusions of grandeur which have put both of them at a disadvantage. She refers to his negligence as stupidity, which implies that he has acted irrationally and selfishly. In expressing her concerns with Holmes’ behavior, she exposes her deep commitment to the welfare and durability of the partnership they have cultivated. In addition to straightening out Holmes when he becomes