Product guide

Pirate King audiobook by Laurie R. King

Pirate King is an unabridged English audiobook by Laurie R. King, narrated by Jenny Sterlin. It follows Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes as a film production in Lisbon turns dangerous, blending a historical mystery with pirates and silent-film settings.

At a glance

The mystery moves from England's silent-film industry to rehearsals in Lisbon, where real buccaneers have been recruited for a film.
Mary Russell investigates a studio while Sherlock Holmes is also part of the story.
The plot combines historical mystery, adventure and humour.

Price

£4.99Save 63.76%

Reference price: ~~£13.77~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Unabridged format and a stated runtime of 11 hours and 14 minutes make the listening commitment clear.
Jenny Sterlin is named as narrator, and the listing specifies English-language audio.

Cons

Customer feedback notes that the story can take a long time to reach its main plot.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Audiobook details
Format	Audiobook
Listening length	11 hours and 14 minutes
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
Publication date	20 Mar. 2018
Publisher	W. F. Howes Ltd

Credits
Author	Laurie R. King
Narrator	Jenny Sterlin

What to know before buying

Customer feedback is divided on the plot and humour, with some finding the story adventurous or funny and others calling it unrealistic or contrived.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Listeners looking for a historical mystery featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.
Audiobook listeners interested in silent-film settings, pirates and an adventure-oriented plot.
Those who prefer an unabridged recording with a named narrator and stated runtime.

Less suited to

Listeners who want a fast start, given customer feedback that the main story takes time to develop.
Listeners who prefer a consistently realistic plot or humour, as feedback on these elements is mixed.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.1 / 5 · 1,373 ratings

5 stars49%49%
4 stars27%27%
3 stars15%15%
2 stars6%6%
1 star3%3%

Customer feedback highlights enjoyable rereads, good writing and character development, while reactions to the plot and humour vary. Some describe an adventure or find it funny, while others see it as unrealistic or contrived. Pacing criticism includes a report that the main story takes a while to arrive. For listeners choosing this 11-hour unabridged audiobook, that suggests a character- and setting-led build-up rather than a consistently brisk mystery. The overall rating is generally favourable but not unanimous, so it does not establish how any particular listener will respond.

Positive themes

Feedback praises the writing and character development, and some listeners enjoy returning to the book.

Negative themes

Some feedback criticises the pacing and says the main story takes time to get going.

Mixed feedback

Reactions to the plot range from adventure-filled to unrealistic. Humour is described as amusing by some and contrived by others.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote and narrates Pirate King?

The listing names Laurie R. King as the author and Jenny Sterlin as the narrator.

How long is the audiobook?

The stated listening length is 11 hours and 14 minutes.

Is this an abridged recording?

The listing identifies the version as unabridged.

What is the story about?

Mary Russell investigates a film studio in England. Rehearsals in Lisbon bring the cast into contact with real buccaneers, and the story also involves Sherlock Holmes.