"Fascinating blend of author's Kate Martinelli series and Mary Russell mysteries."

By: Laurie R. King

Genres: Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Private Eye

Posted: May 6, 2006

San Francisco Inspector Kate Martinelli's previous experiences did not prepare her for the unusual crime scene. The murder victim, Phillip Gilbert's, home was an exact replica of Sherlock Holmes' residence down to the working gaslights. As the investigation proceeds, Kate receives an introduction to the eccentric world of Sherlock Holmes' devotees. Kate and her longtime partner, Al, struggle to find a motive for the murder, for Phillip lived a secret multilayered life.

Kate and Al unearth a possible new Conan Doyle manuscript that was in Phillip's possession. Reading the riveting Holmes short story, Kate finds that the death described in Doyle's tale matches Phillip's demise. Kate tries to untangle the clues and uncover any other similarities. As she attempts to discard the red herrings, Kate probes further into the club members' lives, hoping to rattle one into revealing their secrets.

Ms. King writes a well-plotted mystery while weaving fascinating San Francisco and Marin Headlands National Park history into the tale. Blending fact and fiction, she ingeniously crosses her Kate Martinelli novels with her Mary Russell mysteries, giving readers an added bonus.

Book Summary

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.

The Art of Detection by Laurie R. King

The Art of Detection

by: Laurie R. King

Kate Martinelli #5

Bantam
May 1, 2006
On Sale: April 20, 2006
Featuring: Kate Martinelli; Al Hawkin
368 pages
ISBN: 0553804537
EAN: 9780553804539
Kindle: B000GCFWPA
Hardcover / e-Book

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