http://booklog.molehill.org/2009/05/1... ( )

The basis for the Academy Award winning movie, this book is much more complex and involved that could ever be portrayed on the screen. Bud White is more than just a thug cop with a need to punish men who beat women. Dudley Smith is much more deceptive and manipulative. Jack Vincennes is tortured and trying to redeem himself and Ed Exley is haunted by the shadow of his father (who still lives in the book). These characters are much more fully drawn that those in the movie (not to take anything away from the movie) and the stories actually blend together in a complex and almost unbelievable way.This is a book that is so densely written and complex, it will probably take two or three readings to catch everything. ( )

Writing with an almost brutal style, Ellroy tells a complex story about corruption, obsession, brutality and in a couple of cases, redemption. The main characters are complete and fleshed out, mixed in with historical characters from L.A.'s shady police past, Ellroy grabs you from the opening pages and doesn't let you go until the end of the book. Only because there is nothing coming next.

A terrific book that caused me to lose sleep. I *had* to know what happened next. ( )

Corrupt cop combo comeback.

The cozy power structure in place in Los Angeles, involving Hollywood, the local police force, and the captured media is interrupted by the son of a previous servant deciding to try something a little different.

A rather good crime novel taking an extended look at the sleazy Los Angeles of the time.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/03... ( )

I love this book. It's so complex, with intertwining plots and subplots, and intricate backstory, and more atmosphere than it knows what to do with.

LA in the 50s, where the cops are often as corrupt as the criminals they're policing. Ed Exley is a straight arrow, living in the shadow of his father and older brother, and a deceitful past; Jack Vincennes is a 'star' cop, working on a television show, pulling down celebrity busts, but with a past he can't allow to be known; Bud White is a thug, the one called in when a confession needs to be beaten out of a suspect.

I won't try and describe the plot(s), because a quick summary won't do them justice; suffice it to say that you have to pay attention to what's going on, or you'll be sitting there saying 'wha?' halfway through. The plot's great - but what really makes it is a) Ellroy's writing style, clipped and terse, and at the same time amazingly descriptive, and b) the characters.

They're extraordinarily well-drawn, utterly believable; the fictional characters blend seamlessly with the historical figures - Johnny Stompanato, Mickey Cohen - and the historical events that Ellroy 'borrows' mix just as smoothly.

Amazingly good reading. ( )