The Art of Detection

By: Laurie R. King

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan, Robert Ian Mackenzie

Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Laurie R. King captivates audiences with her irresistibly suspenseful novels. She has also won tremendous critical acclaim, earning Edgar, Creasey, Nero, and Macavity awards for her work. The Art of Detection is another spellbinding tale starring San Francisco homicide inspector Kate Martinelli. The victim is Sherlock Holmes aficionado Philip Gilbert, whose collection of priceless memorabilia is definitely worth killing for. It's up to Kate and her trusted partner Al Hawkin to follow the clues and bring a rather peculiar murderer to Justice.

©2006 Laurie R. King (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A tour de force and a great read." (Booklist)
"A fine, perceptive storyteller, King is particularly adroit at capturing the milieus in which her characters reside." (Publishers Weekly)

Wow! This is a wonderful intertwining of past and current and was enthralling!!!

Amen loved all the twists and turns and superimposed plot lines and characters! Would that I could read many more fashioned like this!

Wonderful find

This is the first Laurie King novel that I've read and it certainly won't be the last. And thank the goddess for the "pro-gay agenda" presented here. It was a refreshingly inclusive book. The story within a story aspect was quite well done. I am looking forward to reading more of her novels. Her characterization, humor and insight make the novel interesting and very believable. The mystery holds out until the very end unlike many current mystery novels.

Story within a Story

An inventive device of a story within a story defines "The Art of Detection". Enjoyable characters and a good narration make for a very entertaining murder mystery.

Holmes Story Saves the Novel

The Sherlock Holmes story inside the novel actually made it interesting. That part of the book is where Laurie R. King really shines. She truly understands how to create the perfect Holmes-style story. It was very believable, if easy to solve, and drew you into what was happening.

The overall detective story was okay, but this was a mindless listen for me. I've been through the entire novel and can't remember the main character's name. And figuring out the murderer was easy. As soon as the character was introduced, I thought, "It's him!"

Solid

This murder mystery brings the reader (listener, I guess) into the world of modern day Sherlockians, devotees of Sherlock Holmes, involving the murder of a leader of a Sherlockian cell. This aspect of the story provides much of the interest, in this otherwise "San Fransiscan policewoman detective solves the case" story. Well worth a listen

Sorry the series is done. Enjoyed this final book

This story involves the world of modern day Sherlockians, devotees of Sherlock Holmes, involving the murder of a leader of a Sherlockian cell. Kate again gets the case and solves the murder. There is a second story in this book, a book inside this story. very interesting concept. I truly enjoyed this series by Laurie King. The narrator Alyssa Bresnahan is very good. I will miss this series.

Lesbian mystery

very well written. Can't say enough about the detail and picture of this author drew in my mind's eye about the characters. The conclusion how she wrapped everything up made so much sense but the vivid portrait was amazing. I'm going to be looking for more books from this author.

Great narration

I enjoyed this story, incorporating Laurie R. King's two series in a plausible way and yet not letting the Holmes aspect take over Martinelli's tale. The characters are well composed, with as much attention on the supporting cast as with the main characters.

The use of the two narrators to follow what are essentially two separate stories seemed a bit odd at first, but it made sense after the first few minutes (an audiobook within an audiobook, as it were). Alyssa Bresnahan's narration won me over from the start - she injects a dash of wry humour into her reading that gives life to the story. A highly enjoyable and intelligent story to listen to.

Love this author

The characters, the plot, and the style are most enjoyable. I'm always surprised when I realise (again) that I've come to care about the Kate Martinelle and am touched by her feelings and conflicts.

Too much Sherlock Holmes

I have enjoyed the Kate Martinelli series very much. This book, unfortunately, dedicated FULL chapters to a story within a story about a Sherlock Holmes manuscript. I hate Sherlock Holmes, always have. I was very sad to see so much of a good storyline wasted on something that is so far from its base.