Art of Deception by Laurie King

 

For some reason I cannot determine I am unable to merely start writing alongside the image of the book.  So I will just try this as I cannot spend more time trying to figure out WTH Blogger is doing now. 

 

This book was published in June 2006 but I recently picked it up at a used book sale for $1.  I have read novels by this author in the long ago past.  But after reading this mystery I am no longer interested in any more of her writings. 

Using the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes woven into a modern tale of a San Francisco police detective sounded interesting.  However, it  became too clear the fictional detective, Kate Martinelli is a lesbian in a partnership with her "wife" and together they are raising the wife's child.  Sorry but I am not interested in reading about 2 lesbians no matter the intrigue.  Too much information, culminating with them being the first 2 married in SF.  

The book further spreads the gay life style over the fictional life of Sherlock Holmes.  And describes a fictional group of Sherlockian enthusiasts who gather for dinner to discuss the detective.  This mystery centers on Philip Gilbert's finding  a manuscript  that might have been written by the late Sherlock.  Philip is a devoted fanatic of Holmes. So much that his apartment is done up in Sherlockian decor. and furnishings.  Philip is found dead and the crime investigation begins.  Martinelli will successfully solve this crime with the help of her partner on the force, Al Hawkins.

Inside cover flap

Besides too much gay lifestyle there is continuous description of the Battery area of SF, the Presidio, and oin and on.  I found that boring but kept reading as it did not taqke much concentration and I skimmed a lot of that.  

It could have been an ok mystery but I give this only *** and will not be reading anymore by this author.