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HANCOCK PARK
by Katherine V. Forrest
Berkley, May 2004
256 pages
$22.95
ISBN: 0425195988


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Katherine V Forrest isn't the sparkiest of writers, but she is almost unrivalled for the intelligence and intensity she brings to her writing. Her Kate Delafield aren't crash, bang, wallop all-action blockbusters; rather, they're meticulously-written puzzles.

HANCOCK PARK is a welcome return for Kate, who is beset with both professional and personal problems. Victoria Talbot, a mother of three, has been found shot in her posh house in the equally exclusive suburb that gives the book its name. All evidence points to the victim's ex-husband Douglas having committed the crime. But as Kate investigates, she discovers this is one dysfunctional family.

Against the backdrop of Douglas Talbot's court case, Kate's partner Aimee has left her. And her estranged, homophobic brother has crawled out of the woodwork to beg Kate to track down the niece she has never met who has run away from home.

HANCOCK PARK at times seems a slight tale, as Forrest shuttles between the court case in the present time and the investigation in time past. But it's a classic case of what a heck of a lot of crime fiction isn't -- outstanding character-driven writing.

Forrest writes cool, understated prose, locked firmly into Kate's point of view. Like Joseph Hansen's PI Dave Brandstetter, Kate's an ordinary person who just happens to be gay. But, more so than Brandstetter, being homosexual also defines her and her actions.

Books like HANCOCK PARK reignite the debate as to whether readers want screeds of angst about the leading character's private life. I admit to dancing a small jig when Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware broke up with girlfriend Robin. And by the same token I won't be heartbroken if whining spoiled brat Aimee disappears into the sunset. In fact, I'll be looking for a hat-trick -- for No. 1 infuriating other half Rina Decker (creation of Faye Kellerman) to be abducted by aliens!

If you're not familiar with Forrest's work, this absolutely isn't the book to start with -- go for MURDER AT THE NIGHTWOOD BAR or LIBERTY SQUARE. But if, like me, you're a long-time admirer of Forrest, you'll appreciate precision writing that comes across like an immaculately inked-in miniature.

Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, April 2004

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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