This police procedural is written by a Pulitzer Prize-nominated former journalist who covered a murder story for the San Diego Union-Tribune which resulted in a 2005 Edgar nomination for a true crime novel (Poisoned Love). In this work of fiction, she introduces Detective Ken Goode, who wishes he could transfer to the Homicide group from his current narcotics post.
He catches his big break when he stumbles across the body of a beautiful woman in an alley near the beach. Then the bodies keep mounting, the tales of drugs and sex and other bizarre goings-on keep complicating the solution of the cases. Are they separate or related? Also complicating Goode’s efforts are his own insecurities and apparent immaturities.
An almost throw-away character, a cub reporter who also is attempting to catch a big break is almost a caricature and completely unnecessary. And, of course, in the end, he has to come up with the gold ring, if only for his long suffering.
The novel is a workman-like effort. It moves along with all kinds of twists and turns and details expected from a crime reporter. It would appear that Goode is destined to be a continuing character.
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Theodore Feit