The Dirt Peddler

Another strong entry in this mystery series set in LA sometimes in the late 80's early 90's. The plot is fast pace and tight. Show don't tell is well used here. The relationship between Dick and Jonathan is interesting not a page filler and makes a strong plot B tied to plot A. There's even a twist and a few red herrings.

Hardesty gets an despicable client who being blackmailed but ends up dead (along with an acquaintance of Hardesty) shortly after firing the private detective. This author of tell all scandal books disguised as fiction has a lot of enemies and blackmail was the least of his problems.