Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collections
Publication
Crimeline (1995), Paperback, 368 pages
Description
Assigned, along with her new partner, to investigate the murders of three little girls, homicide detective Casey Martinelli closes in on a colony of mismatched people living in the wooded hills near San Francisco.
User reviews
LibraryThing member neotradlibrarian
My next excursion in rule breaking had no excuse from geography. King, whose Mary Russell series I admire greatly, sets Kate Martinelli firmly in today’s San Francisco. The cases are the kind of police procedural that so many write. I expected more from this series since I found so much more in
The series is very different, with the setting affecting the style, as it should. When Russell and Holmes cross swords, you expect verbal fireworks. When Kate and her cop partner spar, there are fireworks but the language is necessarily less lapidary. Not less well conceived, but less flamboyant. The book is an excellent start to a series, with great depth, which separates it from the run of the mill cop story. No emphasis of plot twists here, since the people are the plot and people don’t twist as easily. The book was even moving at times, which is very hard to accomplish in this genre. It is a sign of the strength and appeal of the characters King has created. In short, this is another series I will read start to finish. Grafton’s PI never caught my attention like this, nor the gory details of Cornwell’s medical detectives. I enjoy good police procedurals, but this is much more. It triumphs over my reading rules on the strength of the writing.
Thank you, Laurie King. I wish there were more like you.
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the Mary Russell series and hoped that she was able to maintain the level of writing.The series is very different, with the setting affecting the style, as it should. When Russell and Holmes cross swords, you expect verbal fireworks. When Kate and her cop partner spar, there are fireworks but the language is necessarily less lapidary. Not less well conceived, but less flamboyant. The book is an excellent start to a series, with great depth, which separates it from the run of the mill cop story. No emphasis of plot twists here, since the people are the plot and people don’t twist as easily. The book was even moving at times, which is very hard to accomplish in this genre. It is a sign of the strength and appeal of the characters King has created. In short, this is another series I will read start to finish. Grafton’s PI never caught my attention like this, nor the gory details of Cornwell’s medical detectives. I enjoy good police procedurals, but this is much more. It triumphs over my reading rules on the strength of the writing.
Thank you, Laurie King. I wish there were more like you.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
Bother. One of the best books I've read in a long time and half way through I find out the detective has a lifestyle I cannot support. I had my suspicions from the beginning. Laurie King style, all is understated and not graphic. It has pathos, character, and reality. But I simply can't read her
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other Kate Martinelli books. It's like reading Ayn Rand, they write so well they make unbiblical thinking seem sensible and right. Oh well. I'll stick to her Mary Russell mysteries. Those of you who are not bothered by lifestyle choices will love these books. Show Less
LibraryThing member siubhank
I've been a fan of Laurie King for years, but it's taken me until now to read any of her books besides the Sherlock-Russell novels. To my very pleasant surprise, this is a great book, not that I'm surprised Laurie wrote a good book, but the subject matter is one I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue.
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This book introduces Detective Kate Martinelli, just promoted to Homicide and paired with a seasoned cop who's less than thrilled to be handed a green partner. Kate also happens to be in a long-term relationship with another woman. This issue isn't forced, it just is. Very well done. Show Less
LibraryThing member dysmonia
I wanted to read this because I enjoy Laurie R. King's Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. I was curious to see what her other books are like.
King is a diverse writer. There is only one passage in A Grave Talent that reminded me of her Russell/Holmes books. Also, the actual mystery involved here
On a different note, sometimes I forget how long ago the early nineties were. To me, 1993 doesn't seem that distant, but when the main character's Big Secret is revealed --she's a lesbian -- I was pleasantly reminded of how far gay rights have come.
King is a diverse writer. There is only one passage in A Grave Talent that reminded me of her Russell/Holmes books. Also, the actual mystery involved here
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was much more developed, perhaps because there was far less need to focus on setting the scene and/or educating the reader historically. On a different note, sometimes I forget how long ago the early nineties were. To me, 1993 doesn't seem that distant, but when the main character's Big Secret is revealed --
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LibraryThing member John
My second King book, the first being The Beekeeper's Apprentice. This is entirely different, and I gather King's first series, based on homicide Detective Kate Martinelli. I much preferred it to the Holmes knock-off: better plot, more variety and better character development, better psycological
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underpinnings and development, a predictable but well managed climax. The plot centres on the separate murders of three young girls, all of whose bodies are found within a certain area, which points the finger directly at a woman who lives pretty much as a recluse, but who is in fact a world-famous painter (under another name), and who has served time for the murder of a little girl. She herself becomes the target of a poorly managed "suicide" which convinces Martinelli and her senior partner, Al Hawkin, that there are other forces at work. A fairly straight-line plot, but enjoyable and worth reading further in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member mldavis2
Having read all of the Sherlock Holmes pastiches written to date by Laurie R. King, I decided to try one of her contemporary mysteries. I'm glad I did. The writing is well done, descriptive, and leaves sufficient tension to keep the reader engaged throughout. The protagonist, Kate Martinelli, is a
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female detective, engaged in a lesbian relationship and working with a male detective partner. How this will develop in subsequent novels is anyone's guess. It works in this story and reveals a complex heroine who is also vulnerable to her job and her friends. Show Less
LibraryThing member acommonreader
#1 in the Martinelli Series. Her partner was a surprise. The detectives' logic in determining the murderer seems flawed, but the ending is alright, regardless. Liked the references to art.
LibraryThing member RoseCityReader
This mystery, the first of the Kate Martinelli series, does not have the most intricate plot, but the characters make it worth reading. Vaun Adams is a reclusive artist living in a neo-hippy community (not quite a commune) in the coastal mountains near San Jose. Because of her past troubles, she is
Like many "first in a series" novels, several characters are introduced with enough detail to make them interesting, but not filled out enough to make them really compelling. For instance, we learn a lot about Martinelli's personal history and private life, but we don't see her demonstrate any of the talent and intelligence that, supposedly, has made her a rising star in the San Francisco Police Department. She spends most of her time driving her partner or babysitting Vaun Adams. In Hawkins, on the other hand, we learn very little of his past or his personal life, but we see layers to his personality as he acts as a skilled interrogator, a compulsive workaholic, something of a ladies’ man, and both a boss and friend to Martinelli. Hopefully, the characters will develop further in the later novels.
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the first suspect when three little girls are found murdered in the isolated community. Martinelli and her curmudgeony partner, Al Hawkin, dig into Vaun's past and learn they may have the story turned around. Like many "first in a series" novels, several characters are introduced with enough detail to make them interesting, but not filled out enough to make them really compelling. For instance, we learn a lot about Martinelli's personal history and private life, but we don't see her demonstrate any of the talent and intelligence that, supposedly, has made her a rising star in the San Francisco Police Department. She spends most of her time driving her partner or babysitting Vaun Adams. In Hawkins, on the other hand, we learn very little of his past or his personal life, but we see layers to his personality as he acts as a skilled interrogator, a compulsive workaholic, something of a ladies’ man, and both a boss and friend to Martinelli. Hopefully, the characters will develop further in the later novels.
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LibraryThing member krsball
LOVED this book. Great series (Kate Martinelli) and one of my favorite authors.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
I like the stories and characters in these series, but have my reservations about the lesbian aspect. It's subtle but given my personal religious beliefs, it jars.
LibraryThing member elwyne
A good book, just too dark for my tastes.
LibraryThing member tehanu
This is my first non-dog-related book I've read in years, literally, and I enjoyed it! I read somewhere Laurie R. King being compared to P.D. James and I think I started reading it just to prove them wrong. She's not exactly P.D. James but I couldn't put the book down despite the fact that the
I like her characters and the intelligence they convey and her prose doesn't interfere with the plot's momentum.
I'll be reading more of her books.
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setting was San Francisco/Bay Area where I grew up (I prefer unfamiliar settings).I like her characters and the intelligence they convey and her prose doesn't interfere with the plot's momentum.
I'll be reading more of her books.
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LibraryThing member melwil_2006
After reading With Child I was anxious to read the other Kate Martinelli novels, which the lovely [info]lizbee helped me out with. Kate Martinelli begins as a 'different' character here - new to the job and her working partner, Al. Three girls are found dead, leading the detectives to the reclusive
Here as elsewhere, King's strength is the way she mixes the 'plot' with the lives of the characters. You want to keep reading, not just because you want to solve the mystery, but because you want to find out what happens to the characters. The mystery is good, however, and I really couldn't put it down.
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artist, Vaun.Here as elsewhere, King's strength is the way she mixes the 'plot' with the lives of the characters. You want to keep reading, not just because you want to solve the mystery, but because you want to find out what happens to the characters. The mystery is good, however, and I really couldn't put it down.
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LibraryThing member libraryman_76021
The first time I read this book, I remember being completely shocked and surprised at the main character's "big secret": she's a lesbian and in a relationship with her "housemate" . And then I realized that the signs were there the whole time. But the story overall kept me riveted and wanting to get
Reading it now, several years after that first time, I was still completely engrossed by the story. And while the "big secret" didn't take me by surprise, I was still amazed at how cleverly written it is. After all, it's not easy to write a passage about someone and manage to seamlessly and effortlessly avoid using pronouns to describe that someone.
Anyway, this book is every bit as good as I remember. The two main characters -- Kate Martinelli and Al Hawkin -- seem to be mismatched and will have nothing in common, but they end up being a perfect foils for each other. Vaun Adams, an artist who is at the center of the whole mystery, possesses a gift that many -- including herself -- would call a curse.
The book was recognized by the Mystery Writers of America with the 1994 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and I can completely see why.
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to the end.Reading it now, several years after that first time, I was still completely engrossed by the story. And while the "big secret" didn't take me by surprise, I was still amazed at how cleverly written it is. After all, it's not easy to write a passage about someone and manage to seamlessly and effortlessly avoid using pronouns to describe that someone.
Anyway, this book is every bit as good as I remember. The two main characters -- Kate Martinelli and Al Hawkin -- seem to be mismatched and will have nothing in common, but they end up being a perfect foils for each other. Vaun Adams, an artist who is at the center of the whole mystery, possesses a gift that many -- including herself -- would call a curse.
The book was recognized by the Mystery Writers of America with the 1994 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and I can completely see why.
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LibraryThing member jlapac
This is the first in the series of Kate Martinelli mysteries and it sets the stage for the rest of the series. It is a complex story well written. Dead girls are turning up in a fashion similar to a murder of many years previous near where the convicted killer is living. The story has many twists
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and turns, but I found them believable, not forced. One interesting aspect about the book was to realize how much technology has progressed since its publication in the early 1990s; the reader notices evidence of the vast changes that have taken place in telecommunications and computers. Show Less
LibraryThing member maybedog
This was fine, a standard urban mystery with some danger although I wouldn't call it a thriller. Then again I read it years ago and barely remember it. Definitely not as good as the Mary Russell books. I remember something horrifying about a baby and that my feelings not being in line with the
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characters, and that's about it. Obviously not that memorable but not bad. Show Less
LibraryThing member simchaboston
Engaging, though King's Holmes/Russell series is still more my style (guess I prefer historical mystery fiction to contemporary ones). I also find whydunits less interesting than who- and howdunits, so the dynamics of the bond between the villain and the victim, though eloquently described, are not
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as gripping for me. Kudos to King for the tender and funny relationship between Kate and her significant other, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carol420
What's It About?
The unthinkable has happened in a small community outside of San Francisco. A series of shocking murders has occurred, the victims far too innocent and defenseless. For Detective Kate Martinelli, just promoted to Homicide and paired with a seasoned cop who's less than thrilled to be
Then the police receive what appears to be a case-breaking lead: it seems that one of the residents of this odd colony is Vaun Adams, arguably the century's greatest woman painter and a notorious felon once convicted of a heinous crime. But what really happened eighteen years ago? To bring a murderer to justice, Kate must delve into the artist's dark past...even if it means losing everything she holds dear.
What Did I Think?
All I can really say for the book is that it's a decent mystery with the potential to have been a great new series if not for a couple of things that are fairly important to me in any book. The book was well-written, but not a very interesting mystery. There was way too much description from the landscape to the farm machinery to what everyone had for breakfast. That in itself distracted from any meaningful story-line.
There was also a way too obvious suspect and not enough believable development of some of the main characters. I really liked the character of Martinelli...but her partner who is supposed to be tough and demanding turns into a wimp in a couple of pages and remains so for the rest of the book. The main suspect is constantly described as more remarkable and special than just about anyone else on the planet which I found rather odd praise for a man that goes around killing 5 year olds'.
It's not by any means a horrible book...it just didn't quiet live up to it's potential. I've read other books by this author and found them to be so much better. Perhaps it's just "first in the series syndrome".
The unthinkable has happened in a small community outside of San Francisco. A series of shocking murders has occurred, the victims far too innocent and defenseless. For Detective Kate Martinelli, just promoted to Homicide and paired with a seasoned cop who's less than thrilled to be
Show More
handed a green partner, it's a difficult case that just keeps getting harder.Then the police receive what appears to be a case-breaking lead: it seems that one of the residents of this odd colony is Vaun Adams, arguably the century's greatest woman painter and a notorious felon once convicted of a heinous crime. But what really happened eighteen years ago? To bring a murderer to justice, Kate must delve into the artist's dark past...even if it means losing everything she holds dear.
What Did I Think?
All I can really say for the book is that it's a decent mystery with the potential to have been a great new series if not for a couple of things that are fairly important to me in any book. The book was well-written, but not a very interesting mystery. There was way too much description from the landscape to the farm machinery to what everyone had for breakfast. That in itself distracted from any meaningful story-line.
There was also a way too obvious suspect and not enough believable development of some of the main characters. I really liked the character of Martinelli...but her partner who is supposed to be tough and demanding turns into a wimp in a couple of pages and remains so for the rest of the book. The main suspect is constantly described as more remarkable and special than just about anyone else on the planet which I found rather odd praise for a man that goes around killing 5 year olds'.
It's not by any means a horrible book...it just didn't quiet live up to it's potential. I've read other books by this author and found them to be so much better. Perhaps it's just "first in the series syndrome".
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LibraryThing member kmajort
Understand why this won awards... not formulaic, quite captivating, excellent character development - looking forward to the next.
LibraryThing member stephanie_M
Thoroughly enjoyable as a storyline and novel. I loved the characters and the premise. And while I wavered around a three star feeling for most of the audiobook, the last few chapters really got to me, and now it's a four star read for me.
Alyssa Bresnahan is the narrator, and she has a very precise
4 stars, and recommended for anyone with a love for police procedural novels with a heart.
Alyssa Bresnahan is the narrator, and she has a very precise
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way of speaking that enunciated every word, in a way that was different from other narrators. It wasn't a bad different, and it seemed to work. I hope they stuck with Bresnahan throughout the audiobook series.4 stars, and recommended for anyone with a love for police procedural novels with a heart.
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LibraryThing member mirihawk
It was amazing, and so real that I had a nightmare last night after finishing it and drifting off to sleep. The characters are so real, so plausible, one feels as though we know them by the end.
LibraryThing member sageness
Very satisfying.
Tags are for disabled characters (positive depictions!), feminism, empowered women & discussion thereof, & lesbian main characters.
Tags are for disabled characters (positive depictions!), feminism, empowered women & discussion thereof, & lesbian main characters.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
The first Kate Martinelli mystery begins when she is newly promoted to Inspector and assigned to Al Hawkin as his new partner. Al is also new to the SFPD after a successful career in Los Angeles. He isn't pleased with a rookie partner who seems to be assigned to the new case mainly because she's a
As Al and Kate investigate the people who live along the Road to try to find out the connection to the deaths of the little girls from San Francisco, they discover that one of the residents is Vaun Adams who is a famous artist and also a convicted murderer. She was convicted of strangling the six-year-old girl she was babysitting when she was eighteen. She has served her sentence, built a new life, and just wants to be left alone. But the killer isn't finished with her.
The story was a fascinating. I enjoyed learning about Kate's past and how she met her partner Lee and learning how they are building their relationship. Having read later books in the series, I wasn't surprised to learn that Kate's partner Lee was another woman though it wasn't revealed until later in the book.
This was a good police procedural. I liked the way they tracked the murderer through thorough investigation. I thought the villain was super creepy and was pleased when our heroes were finally able to find evidence to arrest him for his many crimes.
I liked the way the story was told in sections and covered quite a bit of time. I liked seeing the growth of Al and Kate's partnership and Kate's growth as a person who comes to accept who she is.
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woman. The case is that of the murder of three children who are left near The Road which is part of a private compound filled with eccentric people near San Francisco. As Al and Kate investigate the people who live along the Road to try to find out the connection to the deaths of the little girls from San Francisco, they discover that one of the residents is Vaun Adams who is a famous artist and also a convicted murderer. She was convicted of strangling the six-year-old girl she was babysitting when she was eighteen. She has served her sentence, built a new life, and just wants to be left alone. But the killer isn't finished with her.
The story was a fascinating. I enjoyed learning about Kate's past and how she met her partner Lee and learning how they are building their relationship. Having read later books in the series, I wasn't surprised to learn that Kate's partner Lee was another woman though it wasn't revealed until later in the book.
This was a good police procedural. I liked the way they tracked the murderer through thorough investigation. I thought the villain was super creepy and was pleased when our heroes were finally able to find evidence to arrest him for his many crimes.
I liked the way the story was told in sections and covered quite a bit of time. I liked seeing the growth of Al and Kate's partnership and Kate's growth as a person who comes to accept who she is.
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Subjects
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1994)
Anthony Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1994)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Winner — 1995)
Language
Original publication date
1993
Physical description
368 p.; 6.92 inches
ISBN
0553573993 / 9780553573992
Local notes
OCLC = 950