law-enforcement, Los Angeles, veterans, consultant, murders, crime-fiction, crime-thriller, noir, friends, friendship, triggers, toxic-people, psychological, suspense, threats, lies, procedural, investigations, abduction, tense, high-finance, criminal-element, twisty, series, drugs-issues, relationship-issues, relationships, stress, PTSD, family-drama, family-dynamics, famous-persons*****

More suspects than kibbles in a bag of pet food. The investigations into the murders and abduction are full of incredible twists and sneaky additions, as are the entwined lives of detectives in Homicide division in LA. Not a book to read for relaxation, but one to exercise the mind in attempt to solve it from the lawn chair.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you. ( )

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

When a fatal carjacking proves to be a murder, Los Angeles Police Detectives Margaret Nolan and Al Crawford find themselves thrown into the middle of a twisted case. The victim, Bruce Messane, was the founder, president, and CEO of Peppy Pets, a pet food company which he was in the process of selling to Wilder Foods.

The next day, their case takes a strange turn when Nicole, the wife of Messane’s former business partner, Doctor Rome Bechtold, is kidnapped. When hints of drugs and financial mismanagement arise, the detectives find themselves with more questions than answers.

Who killed Bruce Messane? And why? And what does Nicole’s kidnapping have to do with the case?

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Fourth in the author’s Detective Margaret Nolan series, “City of Secrets” there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series and for the book to work as a standalone. The suspenseful plot pulls readers into the telling of the tale from the outset.

The plot is complex and intriguing; unexpected revelations and plot twists keep readers guessing as the unfolding narrative takes some clever turns. With all the expected characters in place, readers are sure to be pleased with the continuing developments in the detectives’ personal lives.

Readers who enjoy police procedurals will find much to appreciate in this absorbing tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#CityofSecrets #NetGalley ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

A man has been shot in his car in a rough area of town and then his former business partner's wife is kidnapped. This is mainly Nolan and Crawford doing the investigating, but there are a wide selection of other police officers, including Remy, Nolan's love interest. I like the way the author is developing their relationship. I have slightly lost track of Sam and Melody, but if you remember them from previous instalments they are here too.

I found the plot well paced and the story as a whole a page-turner. It managed to be realistic without being unduly violent and there is a fair amount of humour too. There were a couple of plot points I might quibble about - would audits etc really have missed what was going on at the pet food company? what was with that decision taken by one of the police officers at the end? - but overall, recommended. ( )