To Play the Fool - Softcover

King, Laurie R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553574558 ISBN 13: 9780553574555

Publisher: Bantam Books, 1997

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

"Beautifully written, with clearly defined and engaging characters."--"The Boston Globe
""Its characters, and its language, linger in the mind long after more conventional entries in the genre are gone."--"San Jose Mercury News
"

Beautifully written, with clearly defined and engaging characters. "The Boston Globe"

Its characters, and its language, linger in the mind long after more conventional entries in the genre are gone. "San Jose Mercury News""

Beautifully written, with clearly defined and engaging characters. The Boston Globe

Its characters, and its language, linger in the mind long after more conventional entries in the genre are gone. San Jose Mercury News

"

"Beautifully written, with clearly defined and engaging characters." --The Boston Globe

"Its characters, and its language, linger in the mind long after more conventional entries in the genre are gone." --San Jose Mercury News

From the Back Cover

Homicide detectives Kate Martinelli and Al Hawkin are back to investigate the death of a man whose cremated remains are found in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Implicated in the death is Erasmus, a wandering soul and latterday Shakespearean Fool.

Reluctant to take on another high profile case, Kate is too intrigued to walk away. As she begins to untangle the web of secrecy Erasmus has woven around his former life, she starts to doubt his guilt. But Erasmus will say nothing to point the investigation away from himself, and Kate must not only prove one man’s innocence, she must also nail the real killer.

A compassionate and complex novel, 'To Play the Fool' is rich in characterisation and highly original, more than living up to the promise of Laurie King’s acclaimed debut, 'A Grave Talent.'

“'To Play the Fool' is quite wonderful”
BOSTON GLOBE

“Original and Subtle”
T. J. BUNION, 'Evening Standard'

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0553574558
• ISBN 13: 9780553574555
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 286