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Kristin Ashe Mystery Series #1
A Safe Place to Sleep
Kristin Ashe is a successful young entrepreneur who does investigative work for women in her spare time. Destiny Greaves, a well-known activist and the "most famous lesbian in Denver," comes to her with an unusual request. She wants Kristin to find her childhood.
When Destiny was four, she lost both parents in a car accident. Because she has no memory of them, or of herself as a young girl, she asks Kristin to reconstruct her life through other people's memories. This seemingly simple task becomes increasingly complex as Kristin finds herself hunting for the missing pieces of her own childhood as well.
180 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1992
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2019
3.75 Stars. For Fallback Friday this week I decided to go with the first book in The Kristin Ashe Mystery Series published in 2006. Actually this book was originally published in 1992 then re-released by Spinsters Ink in 2006. I tried to figure out if the book was supposed to actually take place in 92 or if it was revised for 06. The only clue I got was Bush was president. But considering Bush 1 was in 92 and Bush 2 in 06, I still have no idea when this book takes place.
The main premise is about a successful entrepreneur named Kristin who owns her own business. To keep her mind busy with new challenges, she helps women with PI type services on the side. When Destiny Graves, a local celebrity for lesbian and women’s rights, asks for help, Kristin knows this won’t be an easy case. Destiny was adopted and can’t remember anything before her new parents at the age of four. The reason Kristin is worried about this case is because she herself can’t remember what happened before the age of seven. She’s worried digging up Destiny’s childhood might unearth why her own is buried. But Destiny needs her help and Kristin won’t let her down.
As you might be able to tell this is not a common type mystery. There is no murder to solve. But this is still a mystery and I was complete hooked into the story. I do want to be quite clear that this is not an easy book to read. There are parts that tore at my heart and others that made me feel sick. I’ll put the trigger warnings behind a . But even with this being a tough book to read it didn’t feel gimmicky. The hurt and pain these women went through felt so damn real, tough to read but real.
There is no romance in this book but there is a big connection forming. Both women need to heal before jumping into a relationship so I was glad they stayed in the friend’s zone. It would not have felt realistic otherwise. However, this is a series with quite a few books so I’m excited to see how their relationship might develop since it is starting on a strong foundation.
When it comes to this books age, it is noticeable. No cell phones and certain detective work of finding people could have so easily been done on social media nowadays. But it didn’t bother me. I actually like that a little more leg work has to be done to solve this mystery than just using your smart phone.
There really was only one part I didn't care for. Jordan would give little teasers about what was to come. Didn't happen all the but she did do it a handful of times. It was just odd and there was no need for it. This book held my attention without needing to warn me something big was about to happen.
Besides this being a more serious and dramatic book, I have to say I was impressed with a major twist. I did not see it coming a mile away and I think my mouth hung open a little. I like when authors can get a big twist by me. I actually don’t think you have to be a mystery fan to enjoy this read. It’s not a regular mystery at all. I would suggest this book more to drama fans who can handle some tough subjects. This was better than I expected and I’ll absolutely be reading book 2.
The main premise is about a successful entrepreneur named Kristin who owns her own business. To keep her mind busy with new challenges, she helps women with PI type services on the side. When Destiny Graves, a local celebrity for lesbian and women’s rights, asks for help, Kristin knows this won’t be an easy case. Destiny was adopted and can’t remember anything before her new parents at the age of four. The reason Kristin is worried about this case is because she herself can’t remember what happened before the age of seven. She’s worried digging up Destiny’s childhood might unearth why her own is buried. But Destiny needs her help and Kristin won’t let her down.
As you might be able to tell this is not a common type mystery. There is no murder to solve. But this is still a mystery and I was complete hooked into the story. I do want to be quite clear that this is not an easy book to read. There are parts that tore at my heart and others that made me feel sick. I’ll put the trigger warnings behind a . But even with this being a tough book to read it didn’t feel gimmicky. The hurt and pain these women went through felt so damn real, tough to read but real.
There is no romance in this book but there is a big connection forming. Both women need to heal before jumping into a relationship so I was glad they stayed in the friend’s zone. It would not have felt realistic otherwise. However, this is a series with quite a few books so I’m excited to see how their relationship might develop since it is starting on a strong foundation.
When it comes to this books age, it is noticeable. No cell phones and certain detective work of finding people could have so easily been done on social media nowadays. But it didn’t bother me. I actually like that a little more leg work has to be done to solve this mystery than just using your smart phone.
There really was only one part I didn't care for. Jordan would give little teasers about what was to come. Didn't happen all the but she did do it a handful of times. It was just odd and there was no need for it. This book held my attention without needing to warn me something big was about to happen.
Besides this being a more serious and dramatic book, I have to say I was impressed with a major twist. I did not see it coming a mile away and I think my mouth hung open a little. I like when authors can get a big twist by me. I actually don’t think you have to be a mystery fan to enjoy this read. It’s not a regular mystery at all. I would suggest this book more to drama fans who can handle some tough subjects. This was better than I expected and I’ll absolutely be reading book 2.
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June 19, 2020I probably made a mistake when I started reading this version of A Safe Place to Sleep, because I suspect it was considerably spruced up before it was reprinted by Spinster’s Ink. Not that it had lots of spelling and grammatical errors—I didn’t see a single one—but because the book as a whole seemed ill-thought-out and somehow incomplete.
Kristin Ashe owns a successful marketing business, but moonlights as a private investigator dealing with crimes against women. But it is a surprise to her when her newest client is not only the most famous lesbian in Denver, but also her best friend’s new girlfriend. The client, Destiny Greaves, who was adopted, wants Kristin to investigate her past—to find out why she can remember nothing before the age of 4. Her revelation makes Kristin’s blood run cold, as it turns out that Kristin herself can remember nothing before the age of 7. What a coincidence.
So the book becomes kind of a psychological drive through their dark tunnels of time, with each new revelation more devastating to the psyches of both women than the last. And, of course, there is the problem of their growing mutual attraction as they begin to trust each other with their old secrets. The final piece of Destiny’s puzzle is indeed a unique one, and would be a reason in itself to write the book. But there are some things missing that make it thin and ultimately unsatisfying.
For one, although we learn more about Kristin’s and Destiny’s past than we could ever want, we don’t hear enough about their present. Destiny may be the most famous dyke in a large city, but we never hear—or better yet, see—what she does. We hear that she helps people and does a lot of good, but not exactly what her skills are. And although the author goes to great lengths to explain why Destiny doesn’t just look for her family on her own, I never really believe it. It is just a literary ruse to make it possible for Kristin to interact and discover her own missing past. And yes, yes, everything in literature is a ruse of some kind, but it shouldn't' be obvious.
Another literary device that doesn’t always work is that a lot of Kristin’s and Destiny’s conversation doesn’t ring true. Kristin might fly into a rage at a time that would seem to call for a more rational approach. Ditto Destiny. I know that rediscovering one’s past life can often be brutally painful, but I get the feeling that the amount of anger and shouting that the author puts her characters through are simply to jazz up the moment—to make something seem more important than it actually is. Having said that, I have never been victimized the way Kristin was so I can’t really say whether she acts appropriately or not. The motivation just doesn’t seem to be there.
One more quibble. Jordan has the unfortunate habit of teasing the reader about what is about to happen--maybe because she feels she is being boring. For instance, "Before I was done with this case, I would have found parts of Destiny's four years and pieces of my own seven. Both of our lives would be shattered." And she does this at least five times (check pages 17, 33, 55, 114, and 156 if you don't believe me).
From glancing at the blurb for the second book in this series, Existing Solutions, I gather that it is simply the second half of the first book. In other words, Kristin and Destiny are unable to come to a decision about their relationship, Destiny finds her long-lost mother but not her father, and Kristin only begins to remember some of the awful things that happened to her as a child without resolving anything. All this we can look forward to in the next volume.
The professional prose and the error-free text, along with the snappy and unpredictable ending make this book one with a lot of potential. It is possible that the Spinster’s Ink edition of A Safe Place to Sleep has resolved at least a few of my reservations. I’ll give this particular version a 3 but recommend that if you decide to read it, read the Spinster’s Ink edition. And let me know what you think.
Note: I read the first printing of this book published by Our Power Press.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
Kristin Ashe owns a successful marketing business, but moonlights as a private investigator dealing with crimes against women. But it is a surprise to her when her newest client is not only the most famous lesbian in Denver, but also her best friend’s new girlfriend. The client, Destiny Greaves, who was adopted, wants Kristin to investigate her past—to find out why she can remember nothing before the age of 4. Her revelation makes Kristin’s blood run cold, as it turns out that Kristin herself can remember nothing before the age of 7. What a coincidence.
So the book becomes kind of a psychological drive through their dark tunnels of time, with each new revelation more devastating to the psyches of both women than the last. And, of course, there is the problem of their growing mutual attraction as they begin to trust each other with their old secrets. The final piece of Destiny’s puzzle is indeed a unique one, and would be a reason in itself to write the book. But there are some things missing that make it thin and ultimately unsatisfying.
For one, although we learn more about Kristin’s and Destiny’s past than we could ever want, we don’t hear enough about their present. Destiny may be the most famous dyke in a large city, but we never hear—or better yet, see—what she does. We hear that she helps people and does a lot of good, but not exactly what her skills are. And although the author goes to great lengths to explain why Destiny doesn’t just look for her family on her own, I never really believe it. It is just a literary ruse to make it possible for Kristin to interact and discover her own missing past. And yes, yes, everything in literature is a ruse of some kind, but it shouldn't' be obvious.
Another literary device that doesn’t always work is that a lot of Kristin’s and Destiny’s conversation doesn’t ring true. Kristin might fly into a rage at a time that would seem to call for a more rational approach. Ditto Destiny. I know that rediscovering one’s past life can often be brutally painful, but I get the feeling that the amount of anger and shouting that the author puts her characters through are simply to jazz up the moment—to make something seem more important than it actually is. Having said that, I have never been victimized the way Kristin was so I can’t really say whether she acts appropriately or not. The motivation just doesn’t seem to be there.
One more quibble. Jordan has the unfortunate habit of teasing the reader about what is about to happen--maybe because she feels she is being boring. For instance, "Before I was done with this case, I would have found parts of Destiny's four years and pieces of my own seven. Both of our lives would be shattered." And she does this at least five times (check pages 17, 33, 55, 114, and 156 if you don't believe me).
From glancing at the blurb for the second book in this series, Existing Solutions, I gather that it is simply the second half of the first book. In other words, Kristin and Destiny are unable to come to a decision about their relationship, Destiny finds her long-lost mother but not her father, and Kristin only begins to remember some of the awful things that happened to her as a child without resolving anything. All this we can look forward to in the next volume.
The professional prose and the error-free text, along with the snappy and unpredictable ending make this book one with a lot of potential. It is possible that the Spinster’s Ink edition of A Safe Place to Sleep has resolved at least a few of my reservations. I’ll give this particular version a 3 but recommend that if you decide to read it, read the Spinster’s Ink edition. And let me know what you think.
Note: I read the first printing of this book published by Our Power Press.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
August 24, 2018
Two insomniac hard workers.
Kristin Ashe (Kris), young and successful entrepreneur, and a private investigator for wimin in her spare time.
Destiny Greaves, lesbian activist, who has no memory of her life before the age of four.
This is a mystery like no other, lightly written, but touching on serious subjects. It should have been simple. Kris would meet Destiny's adoptive parents, interview them and find out about the birth parents.
But the assignment turns twisted and tangles with Kris's own forgotten childhood memories.
There is also the growing attraction between Kris and Destiny.
Jennifer L. Jordan writes with humour, intelligence, realism and a kind heart. And this is only the first mystery involving the methodical and sleep-deprived Kristin Ashe.
Kristin Ashe (Kris), young and successful entrepreneur, and a private investigator for wimin in her spare time.
Destiny Greaves, lesbian activist, who has no memory of her life before the age of four.
This is a mystery like no other, lightly written, but touching on serious subjects. It should have been simple. Kris would meet Destiny's adoptive parents, interview them and find out about the birth parents.
But the assignment turns twisted and tangles with Kris's own forgotten childhood memories.
There is also the growing attraction between Kris and Destiny.
Jennifer L. Jordan writes with humour, intelligence, realism and a kind heart. And this is only the first mystery involving the methodical and sleep-deprived Kristin Ashe.
June 23, 2019
I ordered (Kristin Ashe Mystery, #2)
May 23, 2021
I was hooked!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews