Laurie R. King, "The Art of Detection"

The plot eventually involves a manuscript which is given to the detective. The manuscript might be a lost Sherlock Holmes story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which takes place in San Francisco. Eventually Kate begins to read it. When Kate begins to read it, a man's voice takes over the narration; and a vibrant, resonant English accent tells a story as if it is Sherlock Holmes telling a story in the first person. It is magnificent. I become totally engrossed. When Kate is interrupted, or stops to talk to someone, the woman narrator takes over. And when she begins to read the story again, the man's voice continues. The affect is powerful. This `method' also causes me to reflect. Kate has a hard time explaining how engrossed she is in the story to her partner or her fellow policemen. Since they are not reading it, they aren't relating to the story and easily make jokes. Mrs. King has utilized a very effective tool to operate on many levels, raising this `detective' story to a different height.