Night Work

Starred review from January 31, 2000
The multitalented King (O Jerusalem, etc.) has not published a Kate Martinelli novel since 1996's With Child, so fans aplenty have been waiting for the next installment in this acclaimed series. San Francisco police detective Kate and her partner, Al Hawken, first introduced in the Edgar-winning A Grave Talent, have been called in to investigate the murder of a man who turns out to have a long record of beating up his wife. The wife, who took refuge at a battered women's shelter, has a rock-solid alibi and there are no other obvious suspects. Meanwhile, a group of feminist vigilantes called the Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement has been exacting wickedly funny acts of minor revenge against men who physically abuse women. Kate has a sneaking sympathy for the work of the Ladies, but when more bodies of abusive men start turning up, it looks as though someone--some woman--in San Francisco has taken the ultimate step in vengeance. King brings her theme of women's rage against abusive men together with a focus on goddess worship, especially in Indian religions. Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and creation, figures largely in this dense and suspenseful tale. As in her powerful thriller A Darker Place, King's ability to turn esoteric religious concepts into key narrative points makes this a highly unusual--and memorable--novel. It suffers a bit from talkiness, but even so, it's a compelling, effective piece of writing.

February 15, 2002
King is a versatile writer: while her Mary Russell mysteries take place in the days of Sherlock Holmes, Night Work, the fourth in a series starring police detective Kate Martinelli, is a contemporary novel set in San Francisco. Known abusers of women are turning up dead with candy in their pockets. A group of vigilante women who call themselves Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement are suspects, as is Roz Hall, a feminist minister. Woven into the plot are discussions of women's rage and vengeful goddesses including the Hindu goddess Kali. The idea that some vindictive women are committing serial murders is chilling, but the surprise ending is somewhat disappointing and seems unlikely. Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan handles the characters well. Recommended for all public libraries. Patsy E. Gray, Huntsville P.L., AL

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.