While making love in the predawn darkness, Hollywood homicide detective Mike Gallagher hears several people running past and shortly, frightened cries from the house across the street. His gut reaction is to investigate, but his lover assures him she hears strange sounds coming from that house all the time. His second reaction is that, with only two years left before he can retire, the last thing he needs is for his bureaucratic bosses to discover he’s been sleeping with a married woman. Mike chooses discretion over duty, but the sudden and curious, arrival of a police helicopter forces him to sneak away. In short order he learns five people had died in that home on Rainbow Drive.

At first glance the murders appear to be retribution for a theft by a group of drug dealers/abusers, but the reactions of his higher ups and that the Hollywood homicide division has been pointedly excluded from the investigation, leads Mike to think there may be powerful players involved, perhaps even the Feds.

What follows is perhaps the best detective mystery I’ve ever read.

The writing is tight and the characterizations detailed. While some of the characters fit stereotype, Mike and other key players display a panorama of raw emotion, a surprising depth of critical thinking and all too human reactions as the depth and breadth of the case unfold.

It is a convoluted story that takes off in unexpected directions, where everyone has secrets and Mike has no one he can trust, let alone those closest to him.

Thorp provides just enough supporting details to give the reader a strong assurance he knows what he’s writing about without getting buried in the inconsequential. The editing is professional and clean, and the story flows smoothly from one page to the next, making it not only one of the best who-done-its, but a truly enjoyable read.

I’m an avid reader and as soon as a finish a book I turn to the next, but that didn’t happen here. It has taken me a few days to digest this novel, allowing me to savor this story as no other. Once the true horrific nature of this tale unfolded I found it impossible to just dive into another. ( )