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bookchelf's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
San Francisco bicycle cop Ellie Rush is happy to have her job, but really wants to be a homicide detective. She gets her change to try out some of her detecting skills when she discovers a body on the job and realizes it’s someone she knows. She is unofficially assigned to help on the case because of her ties to the victim and connections with someone higher up in the LAPD.
Ellie’s personal and professional life is complicated and her various entanglements with an ex-boyfriend who knew the victim and a potential new boyfriend, who is also a co-worker, makes working on the case even more complex. In spite of the obstacles, Ellie is determined to prove to herself, her family, and her bosses that she has what it takes to solve this case and others.
I enjoy reading author Naomi Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries, so I was curious to see what this new series would be like. I think this series will appeal to a broader audience, but Ellie isn’t quite as likeable as the elderly Japanese gardener that is featured in her prior series. It takes a few chapters to connect with the character of Ellie and really get into the plot of the story. However, once I did, I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Like Hirahara’s first series, the book gives the reader an inside look at a different culture within Los Angeles with which many are unfamiliar. The book features a diverse group of characters in terms of personality and ethnic background which makes the story even more interesting and seems realistic for LA.
Ellie is at her best when she in on the case, doing whatever it takes to get to truth of the victim’s death, even when she learns things that are hurtful to her personally. One of the highlights of the book is Ellie’s friendship with her best friend Nay. They are very different, but they support, challenge, and inspire each other to be better people. I didn’t enjoy Ellie’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend as much and her family relationships are confusing, in terms of who is who and how the characters get along. There were a few points during the investigation when I wasn’t clear on some of the plot details, but it was enjoyable and there is an interesting ending to the case. I liked seeing how much Ellie learns about investigating and about people during her first case. It’s sad that she becomes disillusioned with some of the people in her life, but touching when she gains a new appreciation of her mother.
I think this book could be the beginning of an outstanding series. Although there are some confusing moments both in the background of the characters and the plot of the murder mystery, it is so unique, I still recommend the book. Readers who enjoy Sujata Massey’s Rei Shimura mysteries or Naomi Hirahara’s other books will enjoy this exceptional novel.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie’s personal and professional life is complicated and her various entanglements with an ex-boyfriend who knew the victim and a potential new boyfriend, who is also a co-worker, makes working on the case even more complex. In spite of the obstacles, Ellie is determined to prove to herself, her family, and her bosses that she has what it takes to solve this case and others.
I enjoy reading author Naomi Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries, so I was curious to see what this new series would be like. I think this series will appeal to a broader audience, but Ellie isn’t quite as likeable as the elderly Japanese gardener that is featured in her prior series. It takes a few chapters to connect with the character of Ellie and really get into the plot of the story. However, once I did, I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Like Hirahara’s first series, the book gives the reader an inside look at a different culture within Los Angeles with which many are unfamiliar. The book features a diverse group of characters in terms of personality and ethnic background which makes the story even more interesting and seems realistic for LA.
Ellie is at her best when she in on the case, doing whatever it takes to get to truth of the victim’s death, even when she learns things that are hurtful to her personally. One of the highlights of the book is Ellie’s friendship with her best friend Nay. They are very different, but they support, challenge, and inspire each other to be better people. I didn’t enjoy Ellie’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend as much and her family relationships are confusing, in terms of who is who and how the characters get along. There were a few points during the investigation when I wasn’t clear on some of the plot details, but it was enjoyable and there is an interesting ending to the case. I liked seeing how much Ellie learns about investigating and about people during her first case. It’s sad that she becomes disillusioned with some of the people in her life, but touching when she gains a new appreciation of her mother.
I think this book could be the beginning of an outstanding series. Although there are some confusing moments both in the background of the characters and the plot of the murder mystery, it is so unique, I still recommend the book. Readers who enjoy Sujata Massey’s Rei Shimura mysteries or Naomi Hirahara’s other books will enjoy this exceptional novel.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
cedrics_mom's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect segue for Naomi's latest book in the series, Grave on Grand Avenue. I'll be picking that one up very soon.
nonna7's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book after reading a review and really enjoyed it. This is the first in a series about Ellie Rush, a bicycle cop for the LAPD. She's young - just out of college - and eager to move up. She's also half Asian as a result of her American-born mother. Having an aunt who is in the hierarchy is both a blessing and a curse. Ellie isn't enjoying her bicycle cop status. For one thing people don't take her seriously. Most of her work involves keeping order at parades, patrolling farmers markets as well as doing community outreach. We also learn about her friends and a former boyfriend who broke her heart. A lot of her friends didn't understand why she wanted to become a cop. When one of her former college classmates is murdered, Ellie is drawn into it. Soon her high powered aunt asks her to assist with the investigation. This draws the ire of some of her fellow police officer who see her being treated differently because of her family connections. This is obviously the first in the series, and it's not as smooth as it could be. I really enjoyed the writer's description of different neighborhoods in LA including Little Tokyo. The reader also learns a lot about her family in the book as well. This is very different from what I've read which is why I really liked it. I look forward to the next book in the series. (The author also has another series involving a Japanese gardener names Mas Harai who came to California in the 1940's from Hiroshima.)
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because it was recommended by one of my favourite authors and features an Asian heroine.
Ellie Rush is half Japanese and half white. She is bicycle cop and struggles to be taken seriously. One day, she stumbles upon the dead body of her ex classmate, Jenny. She tries to put it aside but she gets sucked into the investigation and uses her connections to find out more about Jenny.
There is commentary on people of colour and lower income groups. They face discrimination and even in fighting within racial groups.
Ellie is not the same person she is at the end of the boo after she discovers the politics that occurs with the high level players like her aunt who is the assistant chief of police. I thought the maybe romance between Cortez and her was weird.
The writing was good and flowed. The mystery was alright and the relationships interesting. I like the friendship between Ellie and Nay. Oh and Shimpo is a real cute dog.
Ellie Rush is half Japanese and half white. She is bicycle cop and struggles to be taken seriously. One day, she stumbles upon the dead body of her ex classmate, Jenny. She tries to put it aside but she gets sucked into the investigation and uses her connections to find out more about Jenny.
There is commentary on people of colour and lower income groups. They face discrimination and even in fighting within racial groups.
Ellie is not the same person she is at the end of the boo after she discovers the politics that occurs with the high level players like her aunt who is the assistant chief of police. I thought the maybe romance between Cortez and her was weird.
The writing was good and flowed. The mystery was alright and the relationships interesting. I like the friendship between Ellie and Nay. Oh and Shimpo is a real cute dog.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
One of the reasons I enjoy mysteries is because they let me immerse myself into other cultures and places. Generally, if I end up liking them, they also include a character that I enjoy rubbing along with for a while. This series has both -- a great immersive view of an Asian protagonist in Los Angeles -- a perspective I am completely unfamiliar with, both geographically and culturally, and a great main character, Ellie Rush, who may be flawed, but is certainly putting the hard work in to grow up well. I like that she's already a strong character, but I like even more that we're seeing her at the beginning of her law enforcement career and she is learning some hard lessons. It's interesting to see how the work will shape her. I like that she has both integrity and ambition.
luffy79's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe it's the 20/20 hindsight talking, or else perhaps I'm too aware of the author's budding career, but this book felt like a first draft. Sometimes the author seems naive, other times she's too laid back, confident, and easily pleased with what she's written. The book feels like a rough copy.
Like many other authors before her Naomi Hirahara is eager to include many characters in the book so that it becomes impossible to guess the murderer's identity. I'm always humbled when I can't remember what's going on. This may mean, with most people, that the fault is mine. I disagree. The fault of obscure and convoluted writing always lies with the writer. I believe that.
I've realized that most people who rate this type of book do so for very precise and superfluous reasons...such as the constant harping to the attractiveness of non white characters, or the age, job, or dilemmas of the heroine, or simply the recognition of the setting of the location (this time it's Los Angeles). It's always something unfair that tips the balance for a few readers. The mystery here was quite ho hum and wouldn't hook armchair sleuths in. The only reason I've not given this book 1 star is that it was fairly good in the beginning and I didn't find a single unlikable person.
Like many other authors before her Naomi Hirahara is eager to include many characters in the book so that it becomes impossible to guess the murderer's identity. I'm always humbled when I can't remember what's going on. This may mean, with most people, that the fault is mine. I disagree. The fault of obscure and convoluted writing always lies with the writer. I believe that.
I've realized that most people who rate this type of book do so for very precise and superfluous reasons...such as the constant harping to the attractiveness of non white characters, or the age, job, or dilemmas of the heroine, or simply the recognition of the setting of the location (this time it's Los Angeles). It's always something unfair that tips the balance for a few readers. The mystery here was quite ho hum and wouldn't hook armchair sleuths in. The only reason I've not given this book 1 star is that it was fairly good in the beginning and I didn't find a single unlikable person.
elfit's review against another edition
3.0
This was a different genre for me and perhaps my second or third mystery book. I liked the concept and the geography of L.A., the mini twist, and the fact that the main character is a half Japanese female. (I'm half Japanese and it's great to find something on that level to relate to the character with. Not something that happens often for me.)
Sometimes her antics made me roll my eyes and sometimes her friends made me wonder why she hung out with them but for all it's worth I enjoyed this light read, and the doggies.
Who I didn't really like was Detective Williams. He didn't seem very appealing to me but according to all the characters he is a looker and pretty fast at getting the main character interested.
In the end I will probably read the next book to see what new trouble Ellie will get into.
Sometimes her antics made me roll my eyes and sometimes her friends made me wonder why she hung out with them but for all it's worth I enjoyed this light read, and the doggies.
Who I didn't really like was Detective Williams. He didn't seem very appealing to me but according to all the characters he is a looker and pretty fast at getting the main character interested.
In the end I will probably read the next book to see what new trouble Ellie will get into.
lauraellis's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. A good story about a young cop at the start of her career who finds herself involved in the investigation of a young Vietnamese American, who went to the same college she did. I thought her judgment was sometimes questionable, as she told her friends, not cops, a lot about what she was finding or thinking about the investigation.
I’m looking forward to the next Ellie Rush mystery.
I’m looking forward to the next Ellie Rush mystery.
chonkeyhong's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0