Customer Reviews

Liberty Square (Kate Delafield Mysteries)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My Hobby is mystery reading. I think Liberty Square is one of the best mysteries I have ever read. Katherine V. Forrest, this two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Mystery, continues to surprise me. The best part of the book is the expertly crafted mystery itself. I kept asking myself: "How can this be?" But in the end the solution of the mystery sounds extremely plausible and satisfying. Trust me, you will not guess the solution yet the author keeps nothing hidden. The characterization is well done; the personal banter of Kate Delafield, the detective, is an exciting complement to the mystery; the author's descriptions of locale pull one into the story. In addition to reading a very satisfying mystery, I always learn a lot about life when I read a Katherine V. Forrest book. I have never reviewed a book before but this is one I can't let go.

Aimee Grant, Kate's partner, and a friend from Vietnam, Melanie conspire to get Kate to attend a 25th anniversary of people who worked together in Vietnam in 1968-1969, the most difficult time of the war. From previous Kate Delafied books, we know that Kate is reluctant to talk about this time, which puts a strain on her personal life. Even with Aimee, she can't talk about it. She wants to shelter her from the horrors and horror it is. If you know nothing about Vietnam, which I didn't this book is an education, especially about the contribution made by the women which is belitted even by the men who worked with them. In this book, we also get some insight into Aimee, which I found very interesting and I ended up liking Aimee even more than I did in Delafield's two previous books in which she appeared, "The Beverly Malibu" and "Murder by Tradition". Kate can't see that by not sharing with Aimee she is not protecting her but shutting her out. Although all the clues are there, the solution of the murder will probably be a surprise. The ending where Kate and her friends and Aimee visit the Vietnam War Memorial is very moving. Another fine selection in the Delafied series and a bit more insight into Kate's life, fears and experiences.

Perhaps I haven't read too many books, but this is the first book I've read that mentioned a same sex relationship. I thought I was reading the wrong words at first. It was really interesting. I wasn't too comfortable with it at first, then later on I got used to it. I give the author all the props for such a different approach. The mystery itself isn't bad either. It wasn't putting me to sleep. The beginning was catching my attention already, it wasn't one of those typical boring openings. It was a good book.

I think this book is absolutely the best of Katherine Forrest's work. It is well-written, emotionally engaging, the mystery is engrossing, and it gives attention to the role that women played in VietNam -- a rare subject in US literature of any genre.

Those looking for Katherine Forrest's standard fare of lesbian erotica superbly couched in a believable mystery will be disappointed by Liberty Square. Sex is barely mentioned here -- but what does "come out", so to speak, is an in-depth look at the character of Kate Delafield. Why did she go to VietNam (a part of her past only alluded to in other Delafield mysteries)? What was the impact of that experience on her life as a police officer? As a lesbian? As a woman? Who were the influences of her early adulthood?

Taking place over the course of an evening, Liberty Square is a psychological study of Kate Delafield and the people who helped her become the woman she is. Forrest displays her considerable talent for character development, creating believable dialogue and plenty of tension. The actual murder is almost secondary; like Amy, Kate's lover, we finally are allowed into the mind and heart of this formidable detective. Liberty Square deepens the character of Kate Delafield and answers many questions raised in earlier pieces.

Katherine Forrest has done good work in Liberty Square -- but not, I think, her best work. The basic premise of the murder is strained at best -- but not unbelievable. The night-long converstion, while necessary to provide clues to the murder, can become tiresome, especially to those who have not been wondering who Kate Dealfield really, really, REALLY is. And finally, some of the secondary characters seem a bit one- or two-dimensional; a necessity, to be sure; but somehow disappointing from Forrest, a master at character development.

All-in-all, Liberty Square is an entertaining read for those who appreciate in-depth character development. I would suggest, however, that one should read all the Kate Delafield mysteries in order to receive the full effect of Forrest's revelations.

I was mildly disppointed in the fifth Kate Delafield mystery. Unlike the four previous volumes, Liberty Square did not always keep me on the edge of my seat. The main problem, it seems to me, is that a full 25% of the book is devoted to -- literally -- Old War Stories. On the up side, the plot twists that do occur are clever and unexpected, and Forrest's depictions of realistic lesbian characters and relationships continue to ring true.

All in all, this material would have made a great novella or short story, but with page after page about how tough it was back in Nam, it doesn't make a very good mystery novel, or at least not as good as the previous installments. Read the stunning "Murder at the Nightwood Bar" instead! Or, better yet, start at the beginning and read the entire series in order, and by the time you get to "Liberty Square" you'll be so involved in the characters that you won't mind that it's a little slow-paced.

This is the book that made me want to read everything I could find by Katherine V. Forrest, and propelled LAPD homicide detective Kate Delafield to the top of the heap of my favorite fictional heroes.

There are no new John D. MacDonald or Lawrence Sanders novels, and it can be a long wait for a new J. A. Jance or Lawrence Block or Elmore Leonard or Tony Hillerman. So, like every avid reader, I have to go mining for other gems and--luckily--stumbled on "Liberty Square."

This is a story about memories and reunion, and--of course--murder. It's a set piece, like a classic Christie, but the memories of these Vietnam vets are still raw and painful. Forrest said that she needed to explore Kate Delafield's military background, and in so doing, she brought to life the many experiences of the men and women--especially the women--who served in that, or any other, misbegotten hellhole. I'm glad she did.

If you haven't read anything by Katherine V. Forrest, you're cheating yourself. And I highly recommend you start with "Liberty Square."

This book was not one of my favorites in the series but was a must read to keep up with the on-going plot line of Delafield's life. Nice historical references.

Liberty Square was a good idea squeezed into too few pages. Memories of the war in Vietnam weren't really fleshed out, leaving me with the feeling that Forrest was rushed or over edited. The plot twists held a good number of surprise, but I would have liked to see the other characters (especially the male characters) more fully drawn. I've only read one other book by Katherine Forrest so her references to past events in Kate Delafield's life left me both curious and frustrated. I don't mind reading past books, but I don't think it should be necessary in order for me to understand what motivates the main character or where she is in her life. Especially if that past is vital to the story.

I must say that this lady is one of the best authors ever to hit the creative writers industry