A Grave Talent

A Kate Martinelli Mystery, Book 1

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

THE EDGAR AWARD-WINNING NOVEL
THE FIRST KATE MARTINELLI MYSTERY

In Laurie R. King's Grave Talent, 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 handed a green partner, it's a difficult case that just keeps getting harder.

Then the detectives 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.

©1993 Laurie R. King (P)1996 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“A Grave Talent kept me reading deep into the night.” —The Boston Globe

“[An] amazing first novel with intelligence, intrigue, and intricacy...This work exhibits strong psychological undertones, compelling urgency, and dramatic action.” —Library Journal

a good mystery novel.

I liked the voice of the narrator, and the characters were surprisingly funny at times. I just wish romance was building with Kate rather than already in one

Good story,Good partners, Great start!

I like the interaction between Kate and her work partner, and her life. Tthe mystery was good, but not gripping. great narration.
Having read all but one Mary Russel novels I need a new mystery. This fit the bill nicely. Great characters and strong plot. It's modern take on the detective procedural. If you liked the Mary Russell novels you should not miss the Kate Martinelli series.

Great second read

Having read all but one Mary Russel novels I need a new mystery. This fit the bill nicely. Great characters and strong plot. Thank you Ms King.

EDGAR AWARD FIRST NOVEL DAZZELS BUT IS A BIT DATED

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

YES. I AM PICKY ABOUT MY MYSTERY NOVELS BUT AM WILLING TO CUT SLACK FOR FIRST NOVEL WRITERS. HOWEVER, THE MOST EGREGIOUS SIN OF THE GENRE IS TO TURN THE CLIMAX INTO AN IMPLAUSIBLE SCENARIO. THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS WERE TERRIBLE. BOTH IN PLOT AND WRITING.. I WAS VERY DISAPOINTED WIITH THE CHEESE-Y AND TOTALLY IMPROBABLE SCENARIO SET UP TOWARDS THE END..

What do you think your next listen will be?

I THINK I AM GOING BACK TO THE CLASSICS. MAYBE DOYLE OR SAYERS. OR SOME NON-FICTION.

Have you listened to any of Alyssa Bresnahan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

YES. I WISH YOU HAD HER AGE OF INNOCENCE BY EDITH WHARTON. SHE IS FANTASTIC. ONE OF THE TOP 5 NARRATORS IN MY EXPERIENCE. ACTUALLY IT WAS BECAUSE SHE WAS THE READER THAT I CHOSE THIS BOOK-- AS A FRIEND IS VERY FOND OF LAURIE R KING AND SUGGESTED I T RY IT AS AN AUDIO.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

HMMM. IF THE SCREEN WRITER CLEANED UP THE LAST SECTIONS OF THE BOOK. MADE THE ACTION TIGHTER AND MORE BELIEVABLE. WITH A GOOD SCREENWRITER, DIRECTOR AND CAST PICKS IT WOULD MAKE A GOOD THRILLER. WOULD IT BE SET IN THE PRESENT OR TAKE IT BACK TO THE LATE 80'S. THE SAN FRANCISCO OF TODAY IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE AIDS EPIDEMIC, FEMALES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, ETC.

Any additional comments?

I AM SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL REALLY ENJOY THIS BOOK JUST BECAUSE THE READER IS EXCELLENT. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE 2 DETECTIVES IS GREAT UNTIL THE END WHEN THAT ANGLE FIZZLES. I JUST HAPPEN TO BE PICKY ABOUT THE MYSTERIES IN WHICH I INVEST MY TIME.I KNOW ONE SUSPENDS BELIEF, BUT TO THEN BE ASKED TO SUSPEND IT AGAIN FOR THE TAIL END, WELL THAT'S JUST SLOPPY EDITING. HOWEVER, IT IS A FIRST NOVEL.

Kate Martinelli, Book 1

Different than most mysteries I’ve read/listened to. Hard to clarify without giving anything away. Character-and setting-driven. I’m willing to sacrifice pace for the development of personalities, less so for the richly detailed setting some readers feel lends authenticity. This story had both, so it should have dragged for me, and it did in places. The narrator’s performance and the quality of the writing made it work as well as it did. I think she narrated the second one as well. I”m hoping the author’s writing had tightened some because I definitely want to check it out. Published in 1993, somewhat dated, but that didn’t take me out of the story. One thing I love about these older books as that they’re not all written in the currently-fashionable first-person. I enjoy a story told, and characters described, from multiple viewpoints. The ending was excellent too.

Not the best choice of narrator, but that is fixable

I agree with the other reviewers who felt that this narrator was not a good pairing for this novel. However, I was able to get past that by using audible’s feature to speed her up. Once I did that, it was much more enjoyable.

(Minor spoilers below)

I really liked the story and characters, although the overused plot device of “our hero must keep the victim in her own home in order to trap the villain” has never made any sense to me - and this was no exception.

Looking forward to more books in the series!

A Slow Burn Firework of a Beginning.

If you could sum up A Grave Talent in three words, what would they be?

Art, Love, Danger.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved so many things about this book: the vivid landscapes and visuals, the complex and delicately written characters, the way King shows you without telling you - allowing you to engage with her characters one on one without her interpretations, the mystery was emotional and complex but believable. The climax was earned. I loved it.

What does Alyssa Bresnahan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The timbre of her voice gives Kate a depth; building tension by implying that she is edging away from secrets until they are revealed in a way that builds tension and gives the story life. Her voice is ever so slightly rough, but beautifully pitched and modulated; it is a voice that suggests past hardship and careful control, but also a tenderness for others. It is a guardian's voice: appropriate for Kate Martinelli.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh, my god, yes. I listen to my audio books while walking or driving; and I had many "drive way moments" and extra laps thanks to this book.

Any additional comments?

It's modern take on the detective procedural. If you liked the Mary Russell novels you should not miss Martinelli.

Worthy of the praise and awards it received.

Excellent narration. Excellent characters. An exciting and edge of the the seat mystery that gives life to a brilliant heroic woman and an almost evil to the core psychological evil man. Got a wee bit tired of the endless lauding of God like worship of Vaun and Lee. Difficult to believe any author could follow up on a book this good.

Don’t believe the hate on the narrator

Read all the Mary Russell series. Came here hoping Ms. King would be another home run and she did not disappoint. Beautifully crafted characters and a gripping story.

I was nervous about all the negative reviews of the narrator. I have had to quit too many audiobooks because I just couldn’t listen to certain readings, but Alyssa Bresnahan is great!! I can’t fathom anyone hating her version as much as so many people have. Maybe it’s a bit like the Mary Russell reviewers who get all bent out of shape that there’s a feminist perspective in Ms. King’s books… if that’s not what you came here for, move on! Listen to the sample. If you like what you hear there, you’ll enjoy the rest!

Am excited for the next one!

I've been consuming the Mary Russell books by Laurie King and decided to give this series a try and I"m hooked! Excellent.

SO much talent in one person. Thankful she's a writer.