Reviews

The Art of Detection by Laurie R. King

rockinghaims's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

dfentriss's review

1.0

I didn't even finish this book. I like her Mary Russell series much more.

vireogirl's review

4.0

Probably my favorite of the Martinelli stories. A story within a story. Very through in the detective process. Crossover to Holmes. And fun to see the family development among the characters. Glad I read this series in order.

ljjohnson8's review against another edition

2.0

While I enjoyed visiting with Kate Martinelli once again, this story left me flat. It was overlong and unfortunately very much a book for readers interested in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle (which I am not).

hoosgracie's review against another edition

3.0

I am a big fan of King's Russell/Holmes mysteries, but have generally not found the Martinelli mysteries to my taste (I'm not a big fan of police procedurals). Since this one combines the two, it was recommended to me to read it. [return][return]Overall, I enjoyed the story - especially the Sherlock Holmes short story within - and the dynamics of the Sherlockian group. Recommended if you're a fan of the Russell/Holmes books since it ties in with those.

ms_kippes's review

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

lian_tanner's review

3.0

I'm a huge fan of Laurie King's Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, and also of her stand-alone thrillers. I tried a couple of the Kate Martinelli books years ago and they didn't click for me, though I generally like police procedurals if they are well written, and these certainly are, hence the three stars. But they still don't excite me, and I don't think I'll try again. No specific complaints - I suspect it's just a matter of taste.

finocchio's review

5.0

The best book in the series! A great job doing a story within the story -- with an audiobook it's even better!

nocto's review

3.0

I've been wanting King to write a new book featuring Kate Martinelli for years. It looks like I read the last one at the end of 2000. I was wondering if she'd given up on the series. Though actually when I saw this book was coming out I felt a bit disappointed that it wasn't a Mary Russell book as I've been enjoying that series too. You can't please me :-)

Anyway, this book turned out to be a bit of both. Mary Russell doesn't feature but King has put her Sherlock Holmes & Conan Doyle knowledge to work as the victim in this mystery is a rather obsessive Holmes fan & collector.

It's nice to meet up with old friends. Pretty good.

nobelpeachprize's review

3.0

1) I didn’t realize this was #5 in a series 😆
2) better than it could have been & I appreciate the ties to the Mary Russell books
3) but LORDDDD please give me Mary Russell over Kate any day 🤦🏻‍♀️ Laurie R King seems to have Doyle level difficulty writing any non sherlock-twin females 🙄