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rick_k's review
4.0
This is my second Tyler Dilts book and before I get into the review I just want to acknowledge that Dilts' book titles are fantastic, lifted from brilliant quotes tied to the theme, and his music tastes are impeccable. If I ever write a book I want Tyler Dilts to name it and make me a mix tape.
Detective Danny Beckett is a thoughtful and diligent cop, haunted by the violence he has seen on the job and the loss of his wife. He can barely sleep for the nightmares and settles himself a little to frequently with vodka. Neither of these things are out of control, but you get the sense that Beckett is on the precipice and only the job and his partner, Detective Jen Tanaka, keep him from giving in.
Generally in a mystery/crime novel I get pretty disappointed if I can identify the killer in the first interview. While I think Dilts played his hand too early, this isn't a book which relies on the collar for the drama. The characters, especially Beckett, are so well written that it is the methodical, procedural working of the case that sells the story. The work is hard, slow, and takes its toll. I think it is easy to render a detective who stands as witness for the victim as a sap, or a tired trope of the genre, but Detective Danny Beckett's portrayal feels sincere. There is an honesty and integrity in the Long Beach Homocide novels which makes them well worth recommending.
Detective Danny Beckett is a thoughtful and diligent cop, haunted by the violence he has seen on the job and the loss of his wife. He can barely sleep for the nightmares and settles himself a little to frequently with vodka. Neither of these things are out of control, but you get the sense that Beckett is on the precipice and only the job and his partner, Detective Jen Tanaka, keep him from giving in.
Generally in a mystery/crime novel I get pretty disappointed if I can identify the killer in the first interview. While I think Dilts played his hand too early, this isn't a book which relies on the collar for the drama. The characters, especially Beckett, are so well written that it is the methodical, procedural working of the case that sells the story. The work is hard, slow, and takes its toll. I think it is easy to render a detective who stands as witness for the victim as a sap, or a tired trope of the genre, but Detective Danny Beckett's portrayal feels sincere. There is an honesty and integrity in the Long Beach Homocide novels which makes them well worth recommending.
sam_el's review
5.0
I don't read too many crime novels, but this one kept me interested from beginning to end. The characters are very real and the action is strong. It is also extremely realistic. Dilts has some fantastic descriptions in the book and has obviously done his homework on how detectives work.
misscandice's review
3.0
I hate it when I figure out who did it too soon in the book but despite that I enjoyed the book. I liked the main characters.
luckydory's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Child death and Death
arthurbdd's review
2.0
The Long Beach setting is evoked well enough, but otherwise this detective novel doesn't convince, not least because the culprit only remains ahead of the police as long as they do because all police work seems to mysteriously cease within a certain radius of their presence. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/kindlefluff-2-domesticating-brown-people-and-ignoring-murder-suspects/
julieb's review
5.0
Oh that was so, so good.
There are others? Based in Long Beach? These characters?
"Along the deepwater canals on both sides of us, cranes towered above worn docks, surrounded by thousands of multicolored containers that looked like huge rusted LEGOs, waiting to be snapped onto the flatbeds of trucks and trains. The unmistakable smell of the harbor—a mixture of engine oil, smog, and dead fish, carried on a fresh ocean breeze—blew in through the vents. At the other end of the bridge, we spent thirty seconds southbound on the Harbor Freeway and then headed up the hill into some of the priciest real estate in Southern California."
There are others? Based in Long Beach? These characters?
"Along the deepwater canals on both sides of us, cranes towered above worn docks, surrounded by thousands of multicolored containers that looked like huge rusted LEGOs, waiting to be snapped onto the flatbeds of trucks and trains. The unmistakable smell of the harbor—a mixture of engine oil, smog, and dead fish, carried on a fresh ocean breeze—blew in through the vents. At the other end of the bridge, we spent thirty seconds southbound on the Harbor Freeway and then headed up the hill into some of the priciest real estate in Southern California."
aych's review
1.0
A stereotypical boilerplate episode of a police procedural but with completely uninteresting detectives yet with just as convoluted motives for murder.
donnek's review
4.0
I really liked this book. More so because of the characters than the story. I figured out who the killer was about halfway through the book but I still enjoyed the dynamic and interactions between the characters.
One of the things I like about Danny Beckett was that the author gave him a great sense of humor. So often, the main characters in these cop/crime thrillers are way too serious and tortured and are so incredibly dark and gloomy. However, Danny was refreshingly funny at times with his sense of humor still intact. Loved that and it's probably the main reason I will continue with the series.
One of the things I like about Danny Beckett was that the author gave him a great sense of humor. So often, the main characters in these cop/crime thrillers are way too serious and tortured and are so incredibly dark and gloomy. However, Danny was refreshingly funny at times with his sense of humor still intact. Loved that and it's probably the main reason I will continue with the series.
bhalpin's review
4.0
Clever mystery that I read in a day. The plot is compelling and the characters are interesting,and if our alcoholic cop haunted by his past protagonist feels a little familiar, there's a real sweetness to this book that was completely unexpected. A nice treat.
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