- Hardcover: 260 pages
- Publisher: St Martins Pr; First Edition edition (1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312119070
- ISBN-13: 978-0312119072
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14.7 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,026,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
A double murder among the people who congregate in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park catches the eye of Inspector Kate Martinelli (A Grave Talent, 1993), especially since the surviving members of the homeless community, headed by a mysterious leader calling himself Brother Erasmus, cremate the first victim, a dog named Theophilus, and try to do the same three weeks later to Theophilus's owner, John. Neither Kate nor her down-to-earth partner, Al Hawkin, can find out much more about John - or, for that matter, about Erasmus, who speaks only in variously responsive quotations from Shakespeare, Gilbert and Sullivan, and the Bible, and is therefore something of a trial in conversation. (Sample exchange at breakfast: "Omelette or Chinese?" "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you.") Realizing that Erasmus styles himself a Holy Fool, Kate digs for more information on this '60s-style spiritual movement. Her research brings her unexpectedly up against somebody who knew Erasmus when he had a job, a family, and a voice of his own, but these discoveries still don't explain who killed John or why - a mystery that will be solved only when Kate succeeds in getting Erasmus to talk to her. The effort to break Erasmus down is much more interesting than his final revelations. King's calculated disdain for the received conventions of the detective story, though, only confirms her status as one of the most original talents to emerge in the '90s. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Another excellent example of Laurie R King's ability to draw you into her fictional world. Her erudition and arcane knowledge produce a richly detailed and compelling novel.
Format:Paperback
The delivery was fast, the book was in prime quality and I am happy :-)
In other words: super duper!
I'll be back.
In other words: super duper!
I'll be back.
Format:Paperback
Laurie King also writes the popular series about Mary Russell, wife of Sherlock Holmes. This detective novel, set in modern San Francisco, with a lovely detective team and an intriguing plot, is enchanting, and I loved it.
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