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Detective L.A. Franco Mysteries #6
Hold of the Bone by Baxter Clare Trautman
Things are great for LAPD Lieutenant Franco; she's sober, loved, eligible for retirement—and bored absolutely out of her mind. When her squad is called out to investigate a decades-old homicide, Frank happily volunteers to "get out of Dodge" and follow the clues north to a small town in the Salinas Valley.There, the evidence unexpectedly leads Frank into the untamed wilderness of the Santa Lucia Mountains where she confronts the victim's daughter, "Sal" Saladino. A recluse with uncanny healing abilities, Sal seems as much a part of the landscape as the enigmatic peaks and canyons that Frank finds herself increasingly drawn to. Returning again and again to Sal's remote cabin, ostensibly to discuss the investigation, Frank delves deeper into the land's secrets and her own burgeoning talents.Sal reveals new mysteries with each visit, and with each visit Frank is called upon to rely on instinct over logic and to trust the ancient counsel in the hold of her bone over modern reason. But how far can Frank trust Sal on this journey into the unknown when Sal might well be the best suspect in her case?Baxter Clare earned a master's degree in biology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and promptly turned her hand to writing. A practicing wildlife biologist, she lives in central California with her wife, dogs, cats, and chickens. Clare is a Lambda Literary Award finalist.
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First published February 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 20, 2015
I have read all the books in the Lt Franco series, all of them dark and gritty. This latest in the series, Hold of the Bone, is perhaps the finest example of author Clare Baxter Trautman's writing. Vivid descriptions create a sense of awe and wonder in the natural surroundings, and dialogue and characterizations are just as finely drawn.
Lt Franco, an LAPD homicide detective, is contemplating retirement, and rolls on a case of a body unearthed at a construction site. She takes on this decades-old case, and becomes intrigued.by the witnesses and possible suspects. Tracing the deceased's roots back to a small community in the Santa Lucia Mountains called Celadores.
The case is old. The trail is old, and Frank takes her visit to the mountains as a free vacation out of the city. Mountains, fresh air, no calls. Just ask a few questions of the surviving daughter of the victim, and this case might easily go into the cold case file.
The elusive and deliberately vague daughter, Diana Saladino. keeps deflecting the questions, and Frank keeps returning to the canyon in the mountains, staying overnight with Sal, even knowing that she might be a suspect, knowing she is not answering fully or truthfully.
Beautiful writing, Shot through with Frank's growing alarm at visions she has, the sense that she has been to this place before, and her unexplained connection to the mountains are disturbing. Diana Saladino encourages Frank to trust her feelings of deja vu and to open herself to more.
How many more times can Franco return to the mountains that speak to her, to the woman who intrigues her? How long can she put off wrapping up the case?
I never read such beautiful writing in a police procedural. Let's all hope for another in the FRanco series.
Lt Franco, an LAPD homicide detective, is contemplating retirement, and rolls on a case of a body unearthed at a construction site. She takes on this decades-old case, and becomes intrigued.by the witnesses and possible suspects. Tracing the deceased's roots back to a small community in the Santa Lucia Mountains called Celadores.
The case is old. The trail is old, and Frank takes her visit to the mountains as a free vacation out of the city. Mountains, fresh air, no calls. Just ask a few questions of the surviving daughter of the victim, and this case might easily go into the cold case file.
The elusive and deliberately vague daughter, Diana Saladino. keeps deflecting the questions, and Frank keeps returning to the canyon in the mountains, staying overnight with Sal, even knowing that she might be a suspect, knowing she is not answering fully or truthfully.
Beautiful writing, Shot through with Frank's growing alarm at visions she has, the sense that she has been to this place before, and her unexplained connection to the mountains are disturbing. Diana Saladino encourages Frank to trust her feelings of deja vu and to open herself to more.
How many more times can Franco return to the mountains that speak to her, to the woman who intrigues her? How long can she put off wrapping up the case?
I never read such beautiful writing in a police procedural. Let's all hope for another in the FRanco series.
September 17, 2023
The discovery of Frank Franco
I have been since 2000 an avid reader of the early books of detective and now Lt Frank Franco. I loved the gritty, near noir police investigations set in crime-infested central LA. The professional and love life of her was real, not always happy-ending and so well-written: characters, setting, story (note: the earlier books were published under Baxter Clare).
When I started #6 in the series I noticed from the outset a noticeable change: Frank is middle-aged and at a crossroad of her life. Although job, lover, the struggle with her personal demons are all fine and settled, she feels change coming. A well-told story of finding a second life, a new calling unfolds.
Frank is investigating a cold case and her investigation becomes a quest when she ventures north into mountains that call to her. It is a transition from the concrete, steel and broken glass of her urban precinct right into the wilderness, it is a transition from logic and reason to the mystic language of once native lands. I loved the huge nod to the traditions of those who first lived there.
The language esp. when it comes to the frequently interspersed descriptions of nature is lyrical, heartbreakingly beautiful and a delight to savor: „The scabrous sycamores bend and sway, dancing to the most ancient of songs. The wind, the clouds and trees, the grasses bowing at the storm’s approach, all seem uncannily alive, and Frank’s breath halts between wonder and fear.“
The love scenes capture the essence not the technique.
„Frank kneels and strokes, reaching and fondling. She kisses her lover’s pale mounts and plains, straddles an alabaster thigh as Caroline spreads to receive Frank’s palm, writhing atop it, panting, grinding hard into the bed. Burning slick against Frank’s upturned hand, they surge together, mare and rider become one, the climax of one spurring the other.“
So, if you are open to see a hard-nosed city cop venture into the realm of visions and return to her very roots, give this gorgeous story a chance and you won‘t regret it.
I have been since 2000 an avid reader of the early books of detective and now Lt Frank Franco. I loved the gritty, near noir police investigations set in crime-infested central LA. The professional and love life of her was real, not always happy-ending and so well-written: characters, setting, story (note: the earlier books were published under Baxter Clare).
When I started #6 in the series I noticed from the outset a noticeable change: Frank is middle-aged and at a crossroad of her life. Although job, lover, the struggle with her personal demons are all fine and settled, she feels change coming. A well-told story of finding a second life, a new calling unfolds.
Frank is investigating a cold case and her investigation becomes a quest when she ventures north into mountains that call to her. It is a transition from the concrete, steel and broken glass of her urban precinct right into the wilderness, it is a transition from logic and reason to the mystic language of once native lands. I loved the huge nod to the traditions of those who first lived there.
The language esp. when it comes to the frequently interspersed descriptions of nature is lyrical, heartbreakingly beautiful and a delight to savor: „The scabrous sycamores bend and sway, dancing to the most ancient of songs. The wind, the clouds and trees, the grasses bowing at the storm’s approach, all seem uncannily alive, and Frank’s breath halts between wonder and fear.“
The love scenes capture the essence not the technique.
„Frank kneels and strokes, reaching and fondling. She kisses her lover’s pale mounts and plains, straddles an alabaster thigh as Caroline spreads to receive Frank’s palm, writhing atop it, panting, grinding hard into the bed. Burning slick against Frank’s upturned hand, they surge together, mare and rider become one, the climax of one spurring the other.“
So, if you are open to see a hard-nosed city cop venture into the realm of visions and return to her very roots, give this gorgeous story a chance and you won‘t regret it.
June 12, 2015
I received a free ARC copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads, thanks!
The story begins with the main character, Lieutenant Franco (who is nicknamed Frank even though she is female) getting a phone call about some bones being discovered at a former tool and die shop. Once the police force determines who the victim is, Frank starts the investigation by talking to family members.
The name of the victim is Dominic Saladino. His daughter lives in the Santa Lucia mountain range. When Frank goes to talk to her, she seems to be drawn to the mountain range. In the course of the investigation, she seems to keep wanting to go back there, and even tries to avoid or make excuses to her girlfriend Caroline so she can spend more time up there.
She befriends the daughter of the victim, Diana Saladino (AKA Sal) and spends the night at her cabin a few times. She is in denial, but is getting very attached to the way of life up in the mountains, as well as to Sal, her dogs, and even her horses. When she discovers who killed Dominic, she is very upset but wants to help. (Sorry no spoilers in this review)
This book is a great read for many reasons, including the mysticism that Frank experiences through visions she receives, the way the mystery plays out, and the absolute beauty of the Santa Lucias described so amazingly. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!
The story begins with the main character, Lieutenant Franco (who is nicknamed Frank even though she is female) getting a phone call about some bones being discovered at a former tool and die shop. Once the police force determines who the victim is, Frank starts the investigation by talking to family members.
The name of the victim is Dominic Saladino. His daughter lives in the Santa Lucia mountain range. When Frank goes to talk to her, she seems to be drawn to the mountain range. In the course of the investigation, she seems to keep wanting to go back there, and even tries to avoid or make excuses to her girlfriend Caroline so she can spend more time up there.
She befriends the daughter of the victim, Diana Saladino (AKA Sal) and spends the night at her cabin a few times. She is in denial, but is getting very attached to the way of life up in the mountains, as well as to Sal, her dogs, and even her horses. When she discovers who killed Dominic, she is very upset but wants to help. (Sorry no spoilers in this review)
This book is a great read for many reasons, including the mysticism that Frank experiences through visions she receives, the way the mystery plays out, and the absolute beauty of the Santa Lucias described so amazingly. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!
May 3, 2015
I received this book as an ARC through Goodreads First Reads. I did not really like this book. I didn't find that it focused enough on the actual murder investigation as I would have liked. I also found some of the plot lines (such as the detective's interactions with one of the suspects) were a bit too far fetched for me.
August 3, 2015
Stunning. This story was a riveting read with a compelling mystery wrapped in a gauzy film of mystical imagery. I couldn't put it down, and when I finished, I couldn't leave Celadores. Well Done, Ms Trautman!!
September 27, 2015
I have been aware for a while that lesbian romances have become more popular than lesbian detective stories. I’ve always preferred the latter. I was wandering in my local library, browsing my favourite shelves, when my eyes spotted ‘Hold of the Bone’ by Baxter Clare Trautman. At last, something to relax over the weekend!
LAPD Lieutenant L.A. Franco, aka Frank, thinks she is happy. She’s been sober for five years, she has a girlfriend, she is eligible for retirement, homicide has gone down in her area. She has a good life. But what does she really want in life?
The corpse of a man long dead is discovered on a building site. Frank heads to the captivating Santa Lucia Mountains to talk to the deceased’s relatives and solve this cold case. There she meets Sal, the daughter of the dead man.
This lesbian crime novel is well written, light, mystical and detailed. It is a mixture of longing and search for fulfilment as far as Frank is concerned, but she is not totally aware of it. With guides, seen and unseen, and some unexpected ones, Frank eventually makes her decision. However there are twists and surprises along the way.
A fascinating read that might leave the readers wondering about their own lives and desires.
LAPD Lieutenant L.A. Franco, aka Frank, thinks she is happy. She’s been sober for five years, she has a girlfriend, she is eligible for retirement, homicide has gone down in her area. She has a good life. But what does she really want in life?
The corpse of a man long dead is discovered on a building site. Frank heads to the captivating Santa Lucia Mountains to talk to the deceased’s relatives and solve this cold case. There she meets Sal, the daughter of the dead man.
This lesbian crime novel is well written, light, mystical and detailed. It is a mixture of longing and search for fulfilment as far as Frank is concerned, but she is not totally aware of it. With guides, seen and unseen, and some unexpected ones, Frank eventually makes her decision. However there are twists and surprises along the way.
A fascinating read that might leave the readers wondering about their own lives and desires.
December 2, 2015
I have a rule about reading mystery series in order, but I broke it for Baxter Clare Trautman's Hold of the Bone, and I'm glad that I did. In addition, there's more than a little of the New Age/pagan in me, and I appreciate it when an author mixes that particular spice into their literary dish. I especially enjoy it when a character is blessed with psychic abilities but tries to deny them. Call me perverse, but there's something uniquely satisfying about seeing a cool, rational, calculating type begin to crumble under the force of that which they claim does not exist.
For me, Hold of the Bone is about transition. Lieutenant L.A. Franco is approaching retirement but is unsure of what will come after. In fact, much of her life, including her relationship with Caroline, her lover, appears to be poised for change. When an excavator unearths a skeleton, investigating the case takes Franco out of her familiar LA territory into the Santa Lucia mountains, where she will be tested in many ways.
I enjoyed making Lieutenant Franco's acquaintance, and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
For me, Hold of the Bone is about transition. Lieutenant L.A. Franco is approaching retirement but is unsure of what will come after. In fact, much of her life, including her relationship with Caroline, her lover, appears to be poised for change. When an excavator unearths a skeleton, investigating the case takes Franco out of her familiar LA territory into the Santa Lucia mountains, where she will be tested in many ways.
I enjoyed making Lieutenant Franco's acquaintance, and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
August 6, 2015
Well written. Same great hard boiled homicide lieutenant, Frank, on a new and transformative case.
December 12, 2015
i had low expectations for this book, not sure why... judging a book by it's cover perhaps? sometimes the dialogue was a bit cheesy, but all said it done it was a good story. i kept thinking about much better season 2 of true detective would've been had they adapted this story for television. i liked the whole visions and metaphysical, land energy, etc that this book had going for it.
May 14, 2025
Just ok
I have enjoyed this series until now. I loved Frank, the no nonsense LAPD Lieutenant who was a flawed alcoholic. She got herself together and became sober. She had a good thing with the coroner, until her cancer returned. There is a period of time that we don’t know the details until Frank is reminiscing about her past. She somehow ended up in bed with one of her former detectives, got pregnant, and had the baby after Gail died. I ABSOLUTELY HATED THIS! Why? What was the point of this? Frank is not maternal and basically gave up her daughter to Darcy. Makes no sense! Then she is having all of this supernatural stuff happening and she’s drawn to the mountains and Sal who she is supposed to be investigating, but she becomes totally inept of any morals or ethics or sense at all! Complete nonsense! She decides to retire and run away to the mountains! She breaks off her relationship and now she’s free, I guess to sleep with Sal! Which she does even though Sal committed murder, albeit by accident. Doesn’t make it right! This ruined this series for me! Now, I guess she’s going to be some healer and recluse! SO STUPID! Anyway, that’s my rant! This could have been one of the better series that I have read, but not anymore! Plus, I really wish the romantic moments (as few as they were in this series) were steamier!
I have enjoyed this series until now. I loved Frank, the no nonsense LAPD Lieutenant who was a flawed alcoholic. She got herself together and became sober. She had a good thing with the coroner, until her cancer returned. There is a period of time that we don’t know the details until Frank is reminiscing about her past. She somehow ended up in bed with one of her former detectives, got pregnant, and had the baby after Gail died. I ABSOLUTELY HATED THIS! Why? What was the point of this? Frank is not maternal and basically gave up her daughter to Darcy. Makes no sense! Then she is having all of this supernatural stuff happening and she’s drawn to the mountains and Sal who she is supposed to be investigating, but she becomes totally inept of any morals or ethics or sense at all! Complete nonsense! She decides to retire and run away to the mountains! She breaks off her relationship and now she’s free, I guess to sleep with Sal! Which she does even though Sal committed murder, albeit by accident. Doesn’t make it right! This ruined this series for me! Now, I guess she’s going to be some healer and recluse! SO STUPID! Anyway, that’s my rant! This could have been one of the better series that I have read, but not anymore! Plus, I really wish the romantic moments (as few as they were in this series) were steamier!
March 17, 2017
I was not sure what to expect with this novel as it was the first L.A. Franco series book that I have read. I was pleasantly surprised, first with the story, it was interesting, different and held my interest. I have read a couple of stories with lesbian relationships and was happy that in this one it was not the main plot as I don't like any romance, lesbian or heterosexual to be the main story. I would like to have seen Frank's "gift" developed a bit more as I felt she was just beginning to understand what was happening when the ending came. All in all a fun story to read! This book was a give away through good reads - thanks for the copy :)
July 18, 2017
Enjoyed. Good ending to the series.
February 7, 2021
This book progressed very smoothly. I enjoyed reading it.
April 21, 2017
Haunting and beautiful. It's not often I cry at the end of a book. This story will stay with me for a long, long time.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews