This is a Kate Delafield crime novel – one of a series, falling somewhere in the middle. It was chosen for offering a police procedural from the point of view of a lesbian central character. On reading it became clear it was also a legal trial tale – and in many ways the trial was the more compelling part of the story.
Overall, the group felt the exploration of a “homosexual panic” defence to a murder charge was the most interesting part of the book let down by style and poor characterisation. Slight gender split over this book – the guys were very unimpressed; the gals found it a little more enjoyable and were also more convinced by the scenes of friends meeting at the (lesbian) bar while agreeing it was an idealised version of such a setting and group of friends. Also unconvincing as far as this audience was concerned was the central character's relationship and the completely unnecessary sex scene (maybe added to meet some publishers requirement?) which added nothing to the enjoyment of the book.
There was a general feeling that the plot had a major flaw – a crucial item of evidence was singularly un-examined in order to allow the “issue defining” defence to continue to drive the book forward. If the characters (police and lawyers) portrayed in the book really didn't investigate this point until near the end of the trial, they were not very good at their jobs!
No one was curious to read further books in the Kate Delafield series, having been uninspired by this offering. That said, the idea that this defence has in fact been used in court (successfully somewhere in the States) does fascinate and could benefit from a stronger fictional treatment.
Verdict – book created to discuss a point rather than provide a true novel.
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