This series follows a lesbian homicide detective navigating the complex cases of San Francisco. Alongside her partner, she delves into investigations that often expose the darker aspects of human nature. Known for its suspense, psychological depth, and vivid portrayal of city life, this collection offers compelling crime narratives. Readers can expect intricate plots and richly drawn characters within each installment.
In a town outside of San Francisco, a series of shocking murders has occurred, each victim a child. For Det. Kate Martinelli, just promoted to homicide, and her seasoned partner, a difficult case just keeps getting harder. It seems the only clue is an elderly woman, arguably the century's greatest painter, once convicted of strangling a little girl.
Celebrated author Laurie R. King dazzles mystery lovers once again in this, her second Kate Martinelli mystery. The story unfolds as a band of homeless people cremate a beloved dog in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. When it comes to incidents like this, the authorities are willing to overlook a few broken regulations. But three weeks later, after the dog's owner gets the same fiery send-off, the SFPD knows it has a serious problem on its hands. Other than the fact that they're dealing with a particularly grisly homicide, Inspector Kate Martinelli and her partner, Al Hawkin, have little else to go on. They have a homeless victim without a positive ID, a group of witnesses who have little love for the cops, and a possible suspect, known only as Brother Erasmus. Kate learns that Erasmus is well-acquainted with the park's homeless and with the rarefied atmosphere of Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union, yet he remains an enigma to all. It's apparent that he is by no means crazy--but he is a fool. Kate begins the frustrating task of interrogating a man who communicates only through quotations. Trying to learn something of his history leads her along a twisting road to a disbanded cult, long-buried secrets, the thirst for spirituality, and the hunger for bloody vengeance.
Set against a backdrop of intrigue and suspense, this installment of the Kate Martinelli Mystery Series follows the titular detective as she navigates complex cases and personal challenges. With a blend of psychological depth and thrilling plot twists, the story delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the search for truth. As Kate confronts her own demons while solving a gripping mystery, readers are drawn into a richly woven narrative that keeps them guessing until the very end.
Kate Martinelli, heroine of Laurie R King's new thriller Night Work is a high-profile San Francisco homicide detective simply because she is the one out lesbian in the job; inevitably she spends much of her social life with other high-profile lesbians such as her own lover's ex, minister Roz, and is caught up in the tos and fros of the lesbian and gay political and artistic scene. When she finds herself investigating a series of vigilante killings of wife-beaters, rapists and child abusers, she has to ask herself serious questions about her loyalties, particularly when Roz is preaching powerful sermons about the vengefulness of God the Mother and pursuing what seems to be a case of bride-burning in the South Asian community. And are the killings the darker face of a series of feminist pranks against abusive man carried out by the guerilla group called the Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement? This is a serious-minded, but entertaining thriller about a conflict of duties and about some serious issues--when you know your cause is just, just how far do you go? Kate Martinelli is more than a poster-child lesbian cop; she is a sincere and passionate viewpoint character caught in intriguing puzzles and dilemmas. --Roz Kaveney
In this thrilling new crime novel that ingeniously bridges Laurie R. King’s Edgar and Creasey Awards—winning Kate Martinelli series and her bestselling series starring Mary Russell, San Francisco homicide detective Kate Martinelli crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes–in a spellbinding dual mystery that could come only from the “intelligent, witty, and complex” mind of New York Times bestselling author Laurie R. King…. Kate Martinelli has seen her share of peculiar things as a San Francisco cop, but never anything quite like this: an ornate Victorian sitting room straight out of a Sherlock Holmes story–complete with violin, tobacco-filled Persian slipper, and gunshots in the wallpaper that spell out the initials of the late queen. Philip Gilbert was a true Holmes fanatic, from his antiquated décor to his vintage wardrobe. And no mere fan of fiction’s great detective, but a leading expert with a collection of priceless memorabilia–a collection some would kill for. And perhaps someone did: In his collection is a century-old manuscript purportedly written by Holmes himself–a manuscript that eerily echoes details of Gilbert’s own murder. Now, with the help of her partner, Al Hawkin, Kate must follow the convoluted trail of a killer–one who may have trained at the feet of the greatest mind of all times.