Amateur City

A Kate Delafield Mystery, Book 1

By: Katherine V. Forrest

Narrated by: Kate Zane

Tough and demanding LAPD Detective Kate Delafield is the leader of the investigation into a high-rise office building murder. The case is intriguing but routine - until Kate interviews the only witness, Ellen O'Neil.

When Ellen O'Neil took her new job over the objections of her lover, she wasn't expecting to become embroiled in murder. The curiosity that Kate Delafield rouses is equally unexpected. But it is never far from Ellen's mind that she is merely a name on an interview sheet to the tight-lipped detective.

Kate's thin trail of clues are enough to convince her that she is looking for an amateur, and amateurs are notoriously unpredictable and dangerous. She finds her path increasingly intersecting with that of Ellen O'Neil, who is proving unpredictable and dangerous in a far more personal way.

©1984 Katherine V. Forrest (P)2022 Tantor

1984! I will listen to the whole series

Along with Kinsey Milhone here is another very interesting mystery from the 1980s. It really captured the zeitgeist of that era. Today’s readers may be shocked at all the racism and misogyny but that is the way it was as I remember.

I found it interesting in a historical sense because all of the civil rights issues we struggle with today are laid bare and out in the open with a particular focus on lesbian and gay persecution in this 1980s world. The same forces are still at work today but they are better camouflaged.

I was really struck by the wisdom in this book. The main character is solid relatable character in the spirit of the alphabet series (Kinsey Milhone) which for me is the gold standard for female sleuths. Why aren’t there more characters like this today?

There are so many more female sleuths written today but I’ve not found any that are likable like this character. The romance is usually over the top and nearly every one of them has been brutally raped and abused by men in their origin stories. Why is it today that strong women have to have been brutalized in order to show their toughness?

I liked the lesbian love story. It was interesting to see how the women came to love each other—it seemed very tender and a totally different feel than heterosexual love. There was no sense of one person (the man) coming into the other’s (woman’s) life like a freight train. After which the woman will obsess about her man forever after.

Also—this book has an accurate description of female climaxes (yes the body does stiffen)
Well let’s just say that women need certain types of touch and they can have many happy moments instead of just one. But in books is always just the man that causes all the pleasure completely hands free. That’s just not the way it usually works. Why don’t more books acknowledge this anatomical truth? With the right touch women can really have a good time—it’s not just one and done. This bothers me every time I read about heterosexual encounters—they’re never realistic.

It’s not fast paced and there is very little action which bothered me but this character was so refreshing. I was so relieved that I liked this character and I feel safe to listen to more because I feel like she represents my values and there won’t be anything happening that denigrates women. And I usually am afraid of the series in the sense that something very violent or offensive will happen to women and it will be treated as part of the fun.

So this is my second favorite series after the alphabet series.

3

This is not as interesting as some... I did like
listening to each person she interviewed-
very police procedural....

If you lived in 1984 nothing in this book would shock you

I know this time period I lived it grew up in it and the book may seem to others filled with a hate for many types of people. But if you know history or the time period the book was written you then know what it was like during that time. The book is set in the 80’s aids epidemic the Regan years and a people who want to be themselves. The MC is a former Marine and now a LAPD Detective going through her life doing her job as efficiently and precisely as possible. The people she sees and meets also struggle with there own life’s and rules of the game in corporate sales and getting up in the world. I personally grew up reading detective books and listening to radio shows and the this book did bring back a lot of that vibe. Harsh words despicable people and deep rooted heart loving people who have to hide because of the time period. The story is well done the narrator is great on all the different types of peoples voices she has to do. I like the fact that the writer is not shy in bringing out the truth of people and the in-depth way it is done in your face this is how it was. Then you are pushed to see how life has its moments of love and excepting. The part in the book when the MC is interviewing one of the Managers and how she deals with moving up in the corporate ladder and how her partner treats her when she comes home. It amazed me shocked me and yet I do know the 80’s. But what makes me really like this series of books is that it speakers and it gives no regrets to the way life is and was. I loved how the writer did give you subtle clues if you pay attention and gets you to think about how to figure out who did it. I have already listens to book 2 and 3 and will continue. I am not afraid of reading a book the brings out life reality and how it is. Some may say a book with such ruff words should not be written. But life and reality can not be hidden behind a curtain it would make for a dull or no reality of understanding of humans. Also the book does not go in a rampage of racial slurs it gives you the reality of who is who in the book. With out the understanding of the characters in the book by who they are how can you feel the anger or frustration of the MC and how she handles it. It is a quick mystery and it is a great listen and I like the MC and her style she definitely feels real.

I couldn't get a refund

I wanted a refund. Spent more time on describing the furniture and the building and people clothes than the story. Too much discrimination and racism. I almost threw up

What year?

I had to look up what year this book was written, 1984. The prejudice fits right with the time. Lots of hate towards black people, fat people and other non white people. I don't understand how these books were so popular. No I won't be reading anymore.
The narrator was good.

Awful narration

I could not focus on the story because of the husky narration. All the voices felt contrived and were distracting.

monotonous

I get descriptive writing, but this is ridiculous. Nobody needs to know the texture of EVERY SINGLE THING!

still a classic

I've read this book so many times my copy is losing pages. However, not having read it for a number of years, I was surprised by how much I'd forgotten about the open portrayals of misogyny, racism, and homophobia so prevalent during that time. The narration was quite good, but verrrrry "nasally". Next up the Nightwood Bar.