Laurie King: Art of Detection
March, 2013
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Born September 19, 1952, in Oakland, CA;. Education: University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., 1977; Graduate Theological Union, M.A., 1984. Addresses: Home: Freedom, CA. Agent: Linda Allen, Linda Allen Literary Agency, 1949 Green St., Ste. 5, San Francisco, CA 94123.
"KATE MARTINELLI" SERIES
● A Grave Talent, 1993.
● To Play the Fool, 1995.
● With Child, 1996.
● Night Work, 2000.
● The Art of Detection, 2006.
San Francisco detective Kate Martinelli receives a lesson in detection from the master sleuth himself when she investigates the murder of a Sherlock Holmes aficionado, who may have been killed for a century-old manuscript purportedly penned by Holmes.
"MARY RUSSELL" SERIES
● The Beekeeper's Apprentice; or, On the Segregation of the Queen, 1994.
● A Monstrous Regiment of Women, 1995.
● A Letter of Mary, 1997.
● The Moor, 1998.
● O Jerusalem, 1999.
● Justice Hall, 2002.
● The Game, 2004.
● Locked Rooms, 2005.
● The Language of Bees, 2009.
● The God of the Hive, 2010.
OTHER WRITINGS
● A Darker Place (suspense novel),1999, [published as Birth of a New Moon (London, England), 1999.]
● Folly (suspense novel), 2001.
● Keeping Watch (suspense novel), 2003.
● (Under pseudonym Leigh Richards) Califia's Daughter (science fiction novel), 2004.
Author’s website:
Read-alikes from NoveList
Atkinson, Kate
Laurie R. King and Kate Atkinson both write with elegant prose in layered novels featuring complex, character-centered investigations. -- Rebecca Sigmon
Fyfield, Frances
Suspense and Mystery novelist Frances Fyfield offers multiple similarities to King. In addition to her gripping, sinister, provocative novels of Psychological Suspense, Fyfield also writes contemporary Mysteries that should please King fans for their marked feminism, dark foreboding atmosphere, troubled personal relationships, and difficult cases, often driven by disturbing social issues. -- Krista Biggs
Helen West and Geoffrey Bailey mysteries: The Kate Martinelli and the Helen West and Geoffrey Bailey Mysteries are dark, foreboding, and sinister mysteries tinged with a bit of psychological suspense. Both series feature a willful female detective, her troubled personal life, and her job solving disturbing crimes that highlight social issues. -- Rebecca Sigmon
Muller, Marcia
Marcia Muller, another author of provocative character-centered mysteries, might be a good suggestion for King's fans. Her contemporary police detective Sharon McCone also lives and works in San Francisco. Muller, like King, portrays the moody San
Francisco background to perfection. -- Ellen Guerci
Sharon McCone mysteries: The Kate Martinelli and the Sharon McCone Mysteries are serious mysteries set in San Francisco, providing a glimpse of society's underbelly and socially-motivated crime. Both Martinelli and McCone are driven and intelligent detectives as well as compassionate and likable women. -- Rebecca Sigmon
McDermid, Val
Like King, Val McDermid offers strong characterizations, especially of women; provocative stories that explore abuse and other social ills; and darkly atmospheric tales suffused with drama and psychological undertones. -- Krista Biggs
Wilhelm, Kate
Another writer in several genres, Kate Wilhelm makes a good suggestion for fans of King's Psychological Suspense novels. Both authors' works feature elegant style, building suspense, intelligent plotting, and strong characterizations, not to mention feminist attitudes. -- Krista Biggs
Barbara Holloway mysteries: Readers who enjoy atmospheric, disturbing, emotionally-involved tales featuring a female detective might enjoy both the Kate Martinelli Mysteries and the Barbara Holloway Mysteries. Complex plots, defense of women, and a look at the protagonist's personal life also characterize these series. -- Rebecca Sigmon
