Dickens & Rumi

book

The Game

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Laurie R. King · 2004

Is The Game appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Game by Laurie R. King. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Religious themes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 7 · Mary Russell and Sherlock HolmesSource checked

Where to get it

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Religious themes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 7 · Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
Recommendation3.5/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 30, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Religious themes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 8 · Locked roomsStrongest cautions: Death of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · The Beekeeper's Apprentice
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · A Monstrous Regiment of Women
    Alcohol or drugs4/5Frightening scenes4/5Religious themes4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  3. Book 5 · O Jerusalem
    Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 6 · Justice Hall
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 7 · The Game
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 8 · Locked rooms
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Religious themes1/5
    Gets gentler
  7. Book 9 · The Language of Bees
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Religious themes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  8. Book 10 · The God of the Hive
    Frightening scenes4/5Religious themes4/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  9. Book 11 · Pirate King
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  10. Book 12 · Garment of shadows
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  11. Book 13 · Dreaming Spies
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  12. Book 14 · The Murder of Mary Russell
    Death of a character4/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Romance2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  13. Book 15 · Island of the Mad
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  14. Book 16 · Riviera Gold
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  15. Book 17 · Castle Shade
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  16. Book 18 · The Lantern's Dance: a Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  17. Book 19 · Knave of Diamonds
    Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Frightening scenes2/5Romance2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Death is present as a consequence of the dangerous mission and historical context.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Minor mentions of injuries sustained in conflict, but not graphically described.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Includes period-appropriate language, some of which may reflect historical biases.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

Indian spiritual traditions and colonial Christianity meaningfully shape the setting, mystery, and themes, though the story is primarily an adventure investigation.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Features the established, mature relationship between Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Contains moments of suspense and danger within the Himalayan setting.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional references to tobacco or alcohol in a historical social context.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes scenes of historical conflict, shooting, and physical confrontations typical of an adventure novel.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Sexual content & nudity · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters exhibit significant bravery in dangerous environments.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Clever deduction and problem-solving drive the narrative.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Engages with a wide range of Indian characters and cultures, though within a colonial lens.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into 1920s India and references to literary history.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show empathy across cultural divides.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Themes of duty, cultural understanding, and integrity.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists display intellect, resilience, and curiosity.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Game would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Game, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.