Night Work - Softcover

King, Laurie R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0002256908 ISBN 13: 9780002256902

Publisher: Collins Crime, 2000

Synopsis

Long-awaited new Kate Martinelli crime novel from the award-winning Laurie King: ‘One of the most literate and gifted writers the mystery world has seen for some time’ – Val McDermid

After her last harrowing case Kate Martinelli is more than ready for routine police work and her newfound serenity with longtime lover Lee. But then she’s called to the scene of a carefully executed murder, and everything changes. Half hidden in a clump of bushes lies a well-muscled corpse, handcuffed and strangled, with a candy bar in his pocket. The only person who might have wanted airport baggage handler James Larsen dead seems to be the wife he repeatedly abused, but her alibi is airtight.

Kate and her partner, Al Hawkin, are stumped. Then a second body turns up – also zapped, cuffed, strangled...and carrying a chocolate bar. It is that of Matthew Banderas, a software salesman convicted of one rape, suspected of many more.

Yet, despite the newspaper headlines, Kate and Al can establish no personal link between the victims, and cannot rule out coincidence. But in the midst of an unpromising investigation, Kate has another cause thrust upon her by her friend, feminist minister Roz Hall, that of a young Indian bride Roz is convinced was murdered. As Kate wrestles with the clash between her personal and professional life, a third killing draws her and Al into a network of pitiless destruction that reaches far beyond San Francisco, a hit list with shudderingly primal roots.

About this title

Review:

Kate Martinelli, heroine of Laurie R King's new thriller Night Work is a high-profile San Francisco homicide detective simply because she is the one out lesbian in the job; inevitably she spends much of her social life with other high-profile lesbians such as her own lover's ex, minister Roz, and is caught up in the tos and fros of the lesbian and gay political and artistic scene. When she finds herself investigating a series of vigilante killings of wife-beaters, rapists and child abusers, she has to ask herself serious questions about her loyalties, particularly when Roz is preaching powerful sermons about the vengefulness of God the Mother and pursuing what seems to be a case of bride-burning in the South Asian community. And are the killings the darker face of a series of feminist pranks against abusive man carried out by the guerilla group called the Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement? This is a serious-minded, but entertaining thriller about a conflict of duties and about some serious issues--when you know your cause is just, just how far do you go? Kate Martinelli is more than a poster-child lesbian cop; she is a sincere and passionate viewpoint character caught in intriguing puzzles and dilemmas. --Roz Kaveney

Review:

‘Brilliantly written... it is both intriguing and wholly absorbing’
T. J. Binyon, Evening Standard (of Birth of a New Moon)

‘Well-written and totally gripping’
Guardian (Birth of a New Moon)

‘Pacy, skilfully layered narrative, notable for its wit, affection and unflashy know-how’
Literary Review (of With Child)

‘Original, and subtle’
Evening Standard (of To Play the Fool)

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins Crime
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0002256908
• ISBN 13: 9780002256902
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352