# To Play the Fool: A Novel \(Kate Martinelli Mystery, Book 2\)

Novel Book: To Play the Fool is Laurie R. King’s second Kate Martinelli mystery. Inspector Kate Martinelli and Al Hawkin investigate the apparent murder of a homeless man whose enigmatic associate, Brother Erasmus, communicates through quotations.

- [Original product page](https://best-deals.pro/product/to-play-the-fool-kate-martinelli-mystery-book-2)
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- Market: US
- Language: en-US
- Currency: USD
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 3.99 USD
- Previous price: 20.99 USD
- Discount: 81%
- Price checked: 2026-11-11T11:57:05.188Z
- Rating: 4.4 / 5
- Reviews: 709

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## At a glance

- A Kate Martinelli mystery centered on Inspector Kate Martinelli and her partner, Al Hawkin.
- The investigation follows clues involving Brother Erasmus, a disbanded cult, and long-buried secrets.

## Pros

- The premise combines a homicide investigation with an unusual witness who communicates through quotations.
- The San Francisco setting and focus on a homeless victim give the mystery a defined social context.

## A good fit for

- Readers looking for a character-led police mystery with an unconventional, enigmatic witness.
- Readers of the Kate Martinelli series seeking its second book.

## Customer feedback

The listing shows an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, but provides no review count or customer comments. The rating alone does not reveal what readers liked or disliked, so it offers limited guidance on whether the book’s premise or series context suits a particular reader.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which book in the Kate Martinelli series is To Play the Fool?
The supplied listing identifies it as the second Kate Martinelli mystery.
### What is the mystery about?
Inspector Kate Martinelli and her partner investigate the apparent homicide of a homeless man, a puzzling figure known as Brother Erasmus becomes central to their inquiry.

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## Images

![To Play the Fool: A Novel \(Kate Martinelli Mystery, Book 2\) — 1](https://best-deals.pro/i/cl2bYvyDA6px_zYINfJjhBZQnrb8xycLSgp9Xe1lFiWyekl0p1hSt91KwT9Xlr7gyVxXjO3Us7WN08HG_ivnkmLDoVhs5Mx97Xwa5AeXl7PY_S-nnKsb.jpg)