Reviews (3)

An Adventurous Romp!
Mark Richard's fifth installment in the prolific "Tom and Scott" mystery series does not disappoint; and while it may be slightly lacking in character study and development, the suspense is rock solid, and the mystery is actually semi-plausible. Disappointing - I felt cheated with the ending
My father told me that most of the old Sam Spade-type of books were of the same ilk as this one.They're certainly not bad, but they leave something to be desired."Death" seems to be written with great care and attention as the murder happens and the mystery begins, but then it just ends.It seems to me that the author was given a page limit and once he reached it, he simply "solved" the crime.The criminal isn't necessarily someone we've ever met before, it isn't someone integral to the plot, it doesn't make sense - it just is. SAY WHAT?
This is my favorite in the Tom and Scott series.For one thing the picture perfect (think Monette not Monet) couple actually QUARREL.Not just once, but intermittently.There are hints of jealousy, problems with communication--they almost seem human.Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball players    2. Carpenter, Scott (Fictitious c    3. Carpenter, Scott (Fictitious character)    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    6. Gay    7. High school teachers    8. Mason, Tom (Fictitious charact    9. Mason, Tom (Fictitious character)    10. Mystery & Detective - General    11. Mystery/Suspense    12. American English    13. Crime & mystery    14. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General    15. True crime   

Editorial Review

Science fiction writer Nicola Griffith, winner of the Nebula and Tiptree Awards,proves that good writing transcends genre. Read more

Reviews (43)

Hmm... not particularly good --
I had high hopes for "The Blue Place" -- it does have quite a few good reviews, but in the end all I can do is classify this novel as just plain silly. When you thought it just couldn't get anymore ridiculous, you found that yes, indeed it could get more ridiculous...bravo for Griffith.
It's good, not great, not horrible, but definitely good
This is a good book to pass the time. It's not a horrible book, but it's also not ground breaking. There really isn't any character development and the book progresses and ends just as suddenly and flatly as it began. Read it when there's nothing else to read. Because this book is with out a doubt just as average as they come.
great writing, characters, story
somehow I was lucky enough to spot this book while browsing in a book store....it is an exceptional piece of writing. Aud is a memorable character, one that does not come along very often. I hope the author writes a sequel. I want to know what happens to Aud after the end of this story.I found the sense of intelligence and of body that fills the writing compelling. The change in tone between the Georgia part and the Norwegian section is perfectly done.I have reread this story three times. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. General    4. Lesbian    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Fiction / Lesbian    7. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Lesbian    4. Literary    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Suspense    7. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (4)

Reader from Florida
Lucky Stiff is definitely the best of the Lillian Byrd series so far. The writing really snaps as the main character Lillian Byrd narrates with wit and precision. Sims digs a bit deeper into Lillian's personality and background in this one. The story is rather dark, with Lillian investigating the long-ago deaths of her parents in a bar fire. Sims does a good job making you feel the creepiness of old autopsy reports, the uneasiness of a jaunt through the aging neighborhood where she notices old scorch marks on the trees near the building that burned, and the off-kilter rationalizations of a battered wife who finally gets even. There's a subplot involving music improvisation, and another one involving the true-crime writer Minerva LeBlanc, who comes sexily back into Lillian's life to help--and to add a distressing twist. All the characters are convincing and unusual, like Lillian's childhood friend Duane, with whom she joins forces to try to solve the mystery, and a Buddha-like street musician named Blind Lonnie. Sims also does very well developing the character of Trix, the trash-talking barmaid. And as always, Todd the rabbit is charming. Oh, I almost forgot: Lillian is into reading a pulpy mystery series starring a supersleuth named Calico Jones, and her breathless accounts of Calico's adventures are hilarious. In general the humor in this book is a little more subtle than in the prior two, and perhaps more enjoyable because of it.

Best Lillian Byrd Crime Story Yet!
I didn't think it could get any better than Sims's Lambda Literary Award-winning DAMN STRAIGHT, but I was dead wrong. This book explores the mind and heart ofLillian through and through and provides an action-packed mystery to boot. It was especially wonderful to see the return of the intriguing Minerva LeBlanc (who first appeared in HOLY HELL). Five GIANT STARS for Sims's best page-turner to date. Keep 'em coming!

disappointed
Somewhere along the line Lillian Byrd seems to have lost most of her sense of humor.One of the things I enjoyed about the first two books is that Lil didn't seem to take herself too seriously.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Byrd, Lillian (Fictitious char    2. Byrd, Lillian (Fictitious character)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    9. Mystery fiction    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Women journalists    12. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General    13. Literature of special Lesbian interest    14. Modern fiction   

Reviews (3)

Great
This author has a gift for dialogue and plotting.She is also not afraidof the contentious and controverisal storyline.This is a very interestinginstallment in the Kate Brannigan series.Like all Kate Brannigan stories,you need to take it all a bit tongue-in-cheek, and just go along for thefun ride. Another cracking read from McDermid
I am a huge fan of McDermid's work, and the Brannigan series is my favourite. Blues Genes brings together all the great characters, with a special focus on Kate's best friend, the wonderful Alexis, who is caught upin creative procreation! Apart from well-structured plots and well-drawncharacters, I love the humanity and humour which these books have. Highlyrecommended.

Enchanting and intriguing!
The books about Kate Brannigan are all worth reading but in "Blue Genes" Val McDermid has really made it! Kate's life is changing in this book; her lover is gone, her partner wants to be bought out and her best friends are having a child.. However, in this particular case the parents of the child are both women-made possible by a doctor who appears to have her own strange ways...Something is wrong and Kate are going to sort it out. This book takes a grip at You immediately: Well written, intriguing and raising thoughts a- bout genetics and etics. Worth reading anytime ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Crime & mystery    6. Fiction / Lesbian    7. Literature of special Lesbian interest   

Reviews (2)

Enjoyable
I love this collection of books.Each page, each chapter kept me wanting more.I have read a few of William Tapply's books.Unfortunately I cannot get them locally.I have to buy them on line. I appreciate each and every one of them.This book will be added to my keep pile.Did I mention that I have a crush on Brady Coyne?

This man can write
I discovered William Tapply by accident and was delighted to find that he had written about sixteen novels.What a delight it was to catch up.Brady Coyne is a sole legal practitioner with a hand picked clientele.Fishing is his great love and solving murders comes a close second.I'm awaiting Scar Tissue with baited breath. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Legal    4. Lesbian    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery & Detective - Series    7. Mystery fiction    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Reviews (1)

Steady entertainment
If you've read any of the Carol Ashton series, you know the formula for the books.There is always a mystery, with some twists and turns, and Ashton is trying to figure out what kind of personal relationship she really wants, with Sybil or anyone else.Each successive book reveals more of her personality.The issue of whether or not to come out of the closet is becoming an important one by this point.If you miss one or read the books out of order, you might get lost in the relationships.This is a good serviceable addition to the series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths   

Reviews (2)

Therese knocks them dead again.
When Some Body Disappears is the latest book in this exciting series starring the very luscious Brett Higgins. The story is easy to get into and races along at a fair pace.Once I started it I couldn't put it down until I had reached the last page.The only disappointing thing was that the story was over before you knew it.It's a pity that the novels aren't a little bit longer.Anybody wanting to know about the plot will just have to buy the book which I can't praise highly enough.Roll on the next instalment -don't make us wait too long Therese!

A True Inspiration
Szymanski, once again showing her flair for writing gives the world one more masterpiece.This review is dedicated to the author, who has through her words inspired a fearful young woman to become strong, and proud.Thenovel not only exemplifies that true love can be found, and remain strongthrough her characters, but ads adventure, excitement and thrills to thereputation of a small town.Her writing provides an approach to captureany age.The novel that does not take on the political side of lesbianism,provides the enjoyment and reality that lesbians do exist.Szymanskishould be praised for her talent and inspiration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Detective and mystery stories    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery & Detective - Series    9. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Crime & mystery   

Reviews (3)

Learning the trade
Before she wrote her magnificent books like "Place of an Execution" and "Distant Echo",Val Mcdermid was learning her trade with PI novels.This is a very solid story,interesting and witty,with well drawn characters. Even so,I much prefer her later books and nowdays never miss any of her books.

Put this one on your list.
Kate is a tough PI, and not completely likeable.Richard, the boyfriend, is a marijuana smoking rock journalist and a wuss - I can't work out what she sees in him. It doesn't get better than this!
Crack Down is the 4th of the Kate Brannigan books I have read and by far the best.So many twists and turns, you never quite know what to expect. If you have read any of the other books starring Brannigan, you will not bedisappointed. Val McDermid continues to entertain, thrill, excite andenchant with this wonderful tale of intrigue. Definitely the best yet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Reviews (3)

WOW
Gotham Central: Half a Life is about Gotham cop Renee Montoya.Montoya comes from a traditional Hispanic family.Her parents own a grocery.Their constant concern is that their only daughter is not eating enough, and when is she going to get married and give them grandchildren?That is a big problem for Renee, who is a lesbian and secretly dating a female chef.
DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!
Half a Life is the second story arc of a continuing comic called Gotham Central. And Gotham has never looked this gritty since Miller left for warmer climates. Michael Lark, who deserves immense amounts of money for the unbelievable work that he does, provides artwork that is to die for. It's dark and taut and each panel is perfection. Greg Rucka provides us with a very, very excellent character in Renee Montoya. She is tough as balls, intense, and very human. This is powerful storytelling.
An Excellent Read
One of the best-written, most consistently entertaining mainstream comics on the shelves today, Gotham Central is the four-color cousin of popular TV police procedurals like Hill Street Blues, Homicide and NYPD Blue - telling stories of the DC Universe's toughest town from the perspective of the hardened detectives of the GCPD's Major Crimes Unit. Technically a Batman-family title, it is the one that is simultaneously the least and most reliant on the Dark Knight's presence, one that looms heavily over every story arc even if he himself rarely appears in them.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Fiction - Fantasy    4. Graphic Novels    5. Graphic Novels - Crime & Mystery    6. Graphic Novels - Superheroes    7. Lesbian    8. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. Fiction / Graphic Novels   

Reviews (2)

Gripping, & Remarkable!
Albany P.I. Donald Strachey and his lover, Timmy take a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit their friend Maynard, and to go see the AIDS Memorial Quilt.All goes well until they discover a panel for Maynard's ex-lover, who is alive and well, and whom Maynard had just seen two weeks ago while in Mexico.Now the action has begun.As this fast paced mystery continues, there's a drive-by shooting, and the police even suspect Donald and Timmy are involved.This is a gripping story that is filled with carefully crafted and unexpected turns, which kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them.This is the reason I look forward to these "Strachey" mysteries.They are intelligently written, and often laced with good-natured humor. Unique springboard for a mystery
My hobby is reading mysteries. The nice thing about a series is that if you liked the book, you are likely to enjoy the others. Richard Stevenson is my favorite author; His Donald Strachey books are my favorite series. His current, Strachey's Folly, contains all what I have come to expect: It is a real page turner; characters are believable; well crafted mystery; twists and turns keep you guessing. This story begins with the discovery that a memorial panel in the AIDS quilt is dedicated to someone who has been seen alive two weeks ago.The characteristics that really distinguish this book [and this author] from others are many.Humor, often rye, sassy, and ribald, sometimes subtle and ironic, fills the pages.Some times the humor, all in context and original, has me literally rolling on the floor. The author is socially conscious.His detective, Donald Strachey, has an ongoing personal & romantic relationship with his lover that provides foil to the main story l! ine and a secure base for the reader. Their interrelationship is fully developed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Albany    2. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    3. Fiction    4. Gay    5. Gay men    6. Mystery & Detective - General    7. Mystery/Suspense    8. New York (State)    9. Private investigators    10. Strachey, Donald (Fictitious character)   

Reviews (10)

GO-GO BOY-TOY PRIVATE DICK !!
JACKSON SQUARE JAZZ is a sequel offering to BOURBON STREE BLUES, and stars the erotically charged character Milton Scott Bradley.Scotty has decided to forego go-go dancing, and pursue a more "stable" profession as a private investigator.He becomes involved with a pre-Olympian figure skater, and from that intimate encounter, the entire story flows.Complex and complicated, the story takes the reader on a journey through New Orleans on a quest for a murderer, an historical treasure, passion, and mystery.Scotty is once again joined with his sometimes sex partners, Special Agent Frank, and the Cat Burglar Colin.Throw in the recurring characters of New Orleans Police Department Detective Venus, and Detective Blaine Tujague (2 characters that appear in both the Scotty Bradley and the Chanse MacLeod series), and one has a novel loaded with fun and adventure.Of particular note is the fact that Scotty is rather religious...imagine...but in a rather unconventional way.
One who likes to read
I found this book and his first one to be well writing. With info about New Orleans and what to look forward to for someone who has the chance to visit it during Decadance. Plus a little historical info as well. Scotty is the guy that if it could happen to someone it usually did. So it gave alot of eye opening info into the scene in New Orleans during Southern Decadance.It also brought out the good in a person (Scotty) to help someone (Bryce) who was in trouble and see it that he was taken care of.Plus Scotty had to deal with his own feelings about 2 guys who were both very interested in having a relationship with him.
Par for the course
I picked this up because my library had it labeled as Fiction, so I was disappointed to find it was yet another murder mystery, not my favorite genre.This one was better than most gay-themed mysteries as the author wasn't trying to dazzle us with his non-stop wit and writes competently.But like most mysteries, this was full of the coincidences and implausabilities that are the stock-in-trade of mystery writers.The protagonist is not particularly likable, just so attractive that he has to fight off "pretty boys" with a stick and treats his would-be boyfriends badly because he's just too hot to give up his promiscuous life.The voodoo visions and tarot card readings didn't help but were easily skipped, and by the 100th time he invoked his "Goddess" or his brother called him "my queen," I was quite ready to skim. I blame my local library for misrepresentation, since as mysteries go this was par for the course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. Gay    5. Gay men    6. Mystery & Detective - General    7. Mystery & Detective - Hard-Boiled    8. Mystery fiction    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. New Orleans (La.)    11. Noir fiction    12. Crime & mystery    13. Fiction / Gay   

Reviews (1)

ICE, ICE, BABY....
Albany's only gay P.I. takes on that city's political machine when he finds a murdered man planted in his car.Read more

Subjects:  1. Albany    2. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Gay    6. Gay men    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. New York (State)    10. Private investigators    11. Strachey, Donald (Fictitious c    12. Strachey, Donald (Fictitious character)    13. Crime & mystery    14. Fiction / Gay   

Reviews (6)

From mystery to sociology
I have been enjoying this series because the books work on many levels. They are all good mysteries with excellent characters. Can a quilt maker also be an S&M dominatrix?
To be truthful, I was reluctant to buy this book because of the S&M aspect of it but Kate Allen makes it funny! Allison Kaine is a cop whose vacation was ruined because some friends bowed out on her. Ever the optimist, Allison is determined to have a miserable week and goes off to sulk at a park where she meets Stacy, the goalie for a lesbian soccer team. The two of them hit it off and find that they both like to quilt. What Allison finds out rather quickly is what Stacy does for a living - she is a dominatrix giving women their S&M fantasies for a price. Allison is a bit confused by all of this and tries to find out what she can about it. Stacy is upset when she finds out Allison is not into leather - she is tired, as she says of giving lessons in S&M 101. However, their attraction to each other is undeniable. Meanwhile, while all of this is going on, several lesbians have been murdered, all of whom were clients of Stacy. Allison doesn't want to think Stacy is involved but her cop's mind can't let go of the possibility. Kate Allen is witty and funny and doesn't just have a go at S&M but also new age lesbians and back to nature lesbians and with all the people involved and everything going on, it still manages to make sense in the end. A good read and the ending is very exciting.

Tell Me What You Like
This book sizzled with enticement.It couldn't get to the part I really wanted between Stacy and Alison, but it was well worth the wait.Character development and actual ground work for the major plot were excellent.Katebrings you right on the set.The waiting is what makes a book good. Couldn't lay it down! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Denver (Colo.)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. General    5. Kaine, Alison (Fictitious char    6. Kaine, Alison (Fictitious character)    7. Lesbian    8. Lesbians    9. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    10. Policewomen    11. Popular American Fiction    12. Adventure / thriller   

Reviews (6)

A Must Read!!!
Ok, I have to admit, the only reason I picked up the first one (Holy Hell) was because of an email I received about Elizabeth getting the Lambda Literary Award for this one and the fact that she was a local grrl. I'm not normally into the "Lesbian Mystery" type books. An excellent sports focused story
I've been reading lesbian books for a long time and this is one of the best stories in a sports milieu.The fact that Lillian is a golfer (duffer to be sure)helps pull the reader into the "Dinah". The only problem I have (as I do with many other books) is Lillian's sureness that she is in love with Genie in two days. Really!We do get a solid picture of who Genie is and what golf means to her by the end of the book. An excellent read!

bursts of laughter intertwined with great intrigue
Best book I've read in awhile! I adore this fresh, bright character. Can't wait for the next installment of Lillian's adventures! Read more

Subjects:  1. Byrd, Lillian (Fictitious character)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. Lesbian    5. Lesbians    6. Mystery & Detective - General    7. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    8. Mystery fiction    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. Palm Springs (Calif.)    11. Women journalists    12. Crime & mystery    13. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General    14. General & Literary Fiction    15. Literature of special Lesbian interest   

Reviews (8)

Confronting Emotional Maturity: A Spectrum
Tom Nussbaum knows how to tell a story, how to develop characters that are visible and palpable, writes in a page-turning style that encourages finishing the book in a single sitting, and touches on many issues that confront not only his gay characters but all feeling people despite age or sexual orientation.His only problem is his need to tidy up every minute detail to the point of obsession and that dilutes the power of his story.
Disappointing
Rich, good-looking and good-hearted Rick Bradley runs into a homeless boy outside a bookstore in his hometown of Seattle and takes a shine to him, bringing him home, cleaning him up and trying to get him back on his feet. Unexpected consequences arise from his good deed, of course. The plot sounds more interesting than "The Boy in the Book" in fact turns out to be--Tom Nussbaum has written and published work before, according to the biography on the jacket, but on the evidence of this effort, still needs a good editor and some review of fiction-writing basics, such as: avoiding telegraphing characters' thoughts and emotions when they can easily be discerned by the reader from the narrative alone, using coincidences and adverbs with a sparing hand, and not using melodramatic incidents such as a man blowing his brains out to re-energize a flagging plot.

Good Plot; Needs an Editor
I had to struggle to keep reading this book. The plot is good, but the writing is so overdone, it was hard to get through. Every utterance is characterized by the author, rather than letting the character's words let us know what's going on with them. People never just "say" or "ask," they "philosophize," "blurt," "snap." It seems they are all over-caffeinated and under-medicated. It also seems that somewhere along the way, Nussbaum heard of the Ciceronian Triplet. Unfortunately, he didn't learn to use it sparingly. He often ends a sentence with three adjectives to provide emphasis. The effect works once or twice, maybe. Also, the whole "fate" theme is a bit heavy handed, but I've never been much into that idea. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Gay    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Sports    6. Crime & mystery   

Editorial Review

The fourth Todd Mills mystery offers the intriguing premise of dual investigations: one into the murder of a 17-year-old gay runaway, and the other into the sexual past and proclivities of Tim Chase, a movie star who has successfully sued a tabloid that claimed he was gay. Without pressuring his police officer boyfriend, Steve Rawlins, for more information than he can safely give, Minneapolis television reporter Todd Mills must try to uncover details about the boy's murder. At the same time, he is granted an exclusive interview with the glamorous Tim Chase, who immediately makes a pass at Todd in the guise of "research" for his next film. Is Todd's boyfriend hiding something important from him, something about Steve's own connection to the dead boy? And what about Tim Chase? Is he gay? And if so, how far would he go to protect his secret? Not especially fast-paced or complex, but absorbing and skillfully written, Read more

Reviews (7)

brillient, easily one of the best books he's written
this book is easily one of the best book he's ever written if not the best and though the facts may be inaccuarte this book is absolutly captavating, definit alnighter (after all your after a brillient read not the a-z of tv reporting) couldn't put the book down much to my mums enduring amusment, i would encourage everyone to read this book.

A story about love and trust wrapped up in a murder mystery
Superb writing and plot development as well as characterization. Then why not 5 stars? Maybe I'm being too snooty about my stars, but I have to reserve them for something truly wonderful, and there are just a couple hitches with this book. Better than following the news of Tom & Nicole!
I simply couldn't read this book fast enough!It was pure fun and kept me guessing from page to page. And oh so current ... involves a plot with an arranged Hollywood marriage involving America's biggest box office stud and his lovely actress wife.Much more interesting than today's National Enquirer headlines and ten times more fun to read.(And the TV reporter and his hunky detective partner are the stuff dreams are made of!) Read it today! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. Gay    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery & Detective - Series    7. Mystery fiction    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Reviews (3)

Kate Does it Again!
This book is another fine example of Katherine Forrest's writing, and Kate Delafield again solves an intriguing mystery.I always look forward to the next installment!

Sleeping Bones
Katherine V. Forrest just gets better and better, using some literary techniques in a sophisticated manner.Once again, KVF has done her research thoroughly, her plot is tight and makes sense, her characterdevelopment is superb, and her portrayal of lesbians is credible andsensitive.KVF is a long-standing feminist, a role model for the lesbianmovement, an icon in her time.She is talented, honest, and to be revered. Right on, woman!The world needs more strong voices like yours.

as the subplots thicken
Poor Kate. There are more twists and turns in this book then the race track at Watkins Glen. And that's what bothers me about this book. The basic plot, the basic murder mystery that Katherine Forrest writes so wellis here. But the additional subplots of the long-lost brother and Aimee'sbest friend's abusive ex detract from the main story line. Either one ofthe sub plots could and should work independently. The other sub plot,Kate's unexpected passionate embrace, in my mind, needed to be developedfurther. That would provide additional tension to the developing plot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Delafield, Kate (Fictitious ch    3. Delafield, Kate (Fictitious character)    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    6. Lesbian    7. Los Angeles    8. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    9. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Police    12. Policewomen    13. Crime & mystery    14. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths   

Reviews (4)

A New Delafield
Katherine Forrest has been writing the Kate Delafield mysteries for a couple of decades. For a while, they had become formulaic, but with Hancock Park, she has become a mystery writer worthy of the name. She's no P.D. James or Laurie R. King, but she has written a fine mystery with a surprise ending. Unlike some other writers, she shared all the clues with the reader, and still came up with an unexpected ending.
Classy lesbian detective story
This story marks a shift for Katherine V. Forrest's fine detective series featuring Kate Delafield. One thing I love about these books is that Kate actually grows older and goes through the emotional and psychological shifts people experience as they mature. In this story Kate is investigating the killing of Victoria Talbot whose ex-husband has GUILTY written all over him. But the case is not as simple as it appears. At the same time, Kate is going through a personal crisis that results in self-examination. Ms. Forrest does not depend on melodramatic language and over-stated character interactions to make her point. Readers who have gotten used to this from reading the works of less skillful writers might find her style fairly spare. I wasn't sure whether to give this 4 or 5 stars, because I like some of the earlier Dalafield novels better. But this one is every bit as good, it's just different. You might not like it if you want a lot of action and less thoughtfulness, but Hancock Park is well worth reading.

Another gem for Kate Delafield fans
What makes reading the book rewarding for me is the controlled, spare, concise prose that in its stark simplicity conveys the dynamics between two people -specifically, between two women - in a long-term relationship with depth and feeling.Unfortunately Ms. Forrest's calibre of writing is painfully absent from the majority of amateurish works flooding the market. Authors I would recommend as exceptional, especially if you're interested chiefly in reading work written about women by women include Laurie R. King (Martinelli series), Ellen Hart, Sandra Scoppettone, Nicola Griffith, and Jenifer Levin. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    6. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    7. Mystery/Suspense    8. Crime & mystery    9. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General    10. Literature of special Lesbian interest