Sleeping Bones: A Kate Delafield Mystery [Paperback]

Katherine V. Forrest (Author)

Book Description

Series: Kate Delafield | Publication Date: July 12, 2000

When an elderly man is brutally slain at the La Brea Tar Pits, LAPD Detective Kate Delafield finds herself digging up startling information that could uncover humanity's ancient past, and at the same time, expose the city's corrupt present. With more at stake than just a pile of bones, Kate has to rebuild the pieces of a timeless puzzle, and make sure they all fit--before a remorseless killer decides to make her a part of history...

"Katherine V. Forrest is a pioneer in lesbian literature." --Lambda Book Report

"Few mystery writers combine such an intelligent take on issues with such solid storytelling." --Publishers Weekly

"Kate Delafield...plies her trade with admirable efficiency and more hard-to-come-by integrity." --New York Times Book Review

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lambda Award-winner Forrest seems to have lost some of her luster in her latest Kate Delafield mystery (after 1997's Apparition Alley). The usually cool Delafield, an LAPD detective, is unnerved when she and her new partner, rookie Joe Cameron, are called in to examine the body of well-known anthropologist Herman Layton, who has turned up dead at the famous La Brea Tar Pits with a puncture wound near his kidney. When Delafield and Cameron notify the victim's next of kin, they find out that Layton's daughter, Peri, is herself a world-renowned paleoanthropologist, whose career promises to surpass that of her mentorsAthe infamous Leakey family. The case takes an unusual turn after the discovery of a jawbone that resembles that of the two-million-year-old Peking Man, whose remains were lost nearly 30 years ago. Later, Delafield and Cameron learn of Herman Layton's involvement in the U.S. government's covert attempt to move the Peking Man from China for safekeeping after the Japanese invasion of WWII, an episode that left the adventurous anthropologist ostracized by his colleagues. The link between Peking Man and Layton's murder seems ironclad after CIA agent Nicholas Whitby appears and begins meddling in the case. Meanwhile, Delafield grapples with a shocking family secret revealed by her Aunt Agnes. Though the book has many action-packed scenes, Forrest fails to convincingly develop her various story lines, and several of the climaxes are far-fetched. Delafield remains an engaging protagonist, but the novel's turbulent events leave her, surprisingly, unchanged. Agent, Charlotte Sheedy. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Los Angeles homicide detective Kate Delafield's latest adventure takes her to the famous La Brea tar pits, where she breaks in new partner Joe on a bizarre case of murder. An excellent novel by a two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Mystery.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (July 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425174840
• ISBN-13: 978-0425174845
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars as the subplots thicken, December 22, 1999

By 

linda (daytona beach, fla) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleeping Bones: A Kate Delafield Mystery (Kate Delafield) (Hardcover)

Poor Kate. There are more twists and turns in this book then the race track at Watkins Glen. And that's what bothers me about this book. The basic plot, the basic murder mystery that Katherine Forrest writes so well is here. But the additional subplots of the long-lost brother and Aimee's best friend's abusive ex detract from the main story line. Either one of the sub plots could and should work independently. The other sub plot, Kate's unexpected passionate embrace, in my mind, needed to be developed further. That would provide additional tension to the developing plot.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleeping Bones, January 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleeping Bones: A Kate Delafield Mystery (Kate Delafield) (Hardcover)

Katherine V. Forrest just gets better and better, using some literary techniques in a sophisticated manner. Once again, KVF has done her research thoroughly, her plot is tight and makes sense, her character development is superb, and her portrayal of lesbians is credible and sensitive. KVF is a long-standing feminist, a role model for the lesbian movement, an icon in her time. She is talented, honest, and to be revered. Right on, woman! The world needs more strong voices like yours.

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, October 14, 2009

By 

Booklover "LA" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sleeping Bones: A Kate Delafield Mystery (Paperback)

Katherine V. Forrest is supposedly one of the best lesbian writers ever.

Sleeping Bones, however, is a poorly written book. The subplots go nowhere. For that matter, the plot is poorly constructed and implausible.

The dialogue isn't realistic. Furthermore, there are some awfully written passages that a good editor should have caught.

The main character isn't strongly written or, for that matter, likeable. The other characters are largely stereotypes.

Maybe this was just one bad outing, but I was expecting better quality from "a pioneer in lesbian literature."