telerit's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up. There were some factual errors that should have been caught in the editorial process. And, not more thoroughly investigating all the persons at a crime scene sounds like sloppy police work.
lisaeirene's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book in the series. In this one, Lou and her partner Colin are investigating what turns out to be a serial killer who is kidnapping and murdering young, gifted, African American girls from the housing projects known as "The Jungle."
Lou's personal life is kind of a mess and she's struggling to keep it out of her professional life. Lou's dad is also trying to get back in her life. I didn't find this storyline quite as compelling, but the investigation of the murders was great.
Fast-paced, witty writing, smart and funny. Lou if a great character--tough but emotional and you can relate to her. Again, I kind of guessed the killer pretty early on but that didn't ruin the wild ride of the book. I still enjoyed it!
tbsims's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book with an awesome strong (and weak, in great ways) female protagonist.
Two days ago was MLK day, and today a female of color becomes VP of the USA.
The book highlights the divisions, among women, but particularly among colors, all the colors of skin. Maybe talking about it, bringing it into focus, is the first step of making some progress. On hundreds of years of American racism.
Two days ago was MLK day, and today a female of color becomes VP of the USA.
The book highlights the divisions, among women, but particularly among colors, all the colors of skin. Maybe talking about it, bringing it into focus, is the first step of making some progress. On hundreds of years of American racism.
mstammyreads's review against another edition
3.0
This is the third book I have read from this author, and I love the character, Eloise Norton. She is very well written. I also enjoy the dialogue and the way that it sounds natural. What I did not like about this book was the ending. I feel like the book just ends with no real lead up to the conclusion. She ended the last book this way too—it kind of fades out.
kgraham10's review against another edition
4.0
Serial killer genre. There was no mystery -- I knew who the killer was on page 10.
And there was no motivation? Or new character development. Nothing to save this from cliche.
And there was no motivation? Or new character development. Nothing to save this from cliche.
curiously_curly's review
4.0
The Lowdown: My favorite LAPD homicide detective Lou Norton is back in the third book in the series. This time Lou is chasing the "muse" serial killer who is targeting talented and gifted young black girls in Lou's old L.A. neighborhood "The Jungle."
The Good: I'm sooo glad this series exists! A black woman detective series that is well written, sharp and a page turner. I really enjoy Lou's character - she's witty, smartly drawn, yet vulnerable and real. This series focuses largely on telling the stories of the underrepresented and the underbelly of Los Angeles. The series also focuses on Lou's personal life - the resolution of the murder of her oldest sister Tori, her failed marriage and the re-appearance of her long lost deadbeat father. In this series Lou begins dating again!
The Bad: I figured out who the killer was pretty early and this book didn't have as many twists and turns as the previous two installments. The denouement felt rushed and resolved too quickly. Howzell Hall also uses a lot of pop culture references and some slang that could read dated in a few years.
You should read this if:
-You enjoy well-written detective series featuring POC
-You enjoy a strong female protagonist, twisty plot lines and snappy dialogue
Don't bother if:
-You dislike too many pop culture references or think they unnecessarily age a book
-You like your police procedurals and mysteries with a heavy dose of forensic science
Overall, 4 stars based on the enjoyability of the main character and the series overall. I can't wait for Book #4!
The Good: I'm sooo glad this series exists! A black woman detective series that is well written, sharp and a page turner. I really enjoy Lou's character - she's witty, smartly drawn, yet vulnerable and real. This series focuses largely on telling the stories of the underrepresented and the underbelly of Los Angeles. The series also focuses on Lou's personal life - the resolution of the murder of her oldest sister Tori, her failed marriage and the re-appearance of her long lost deadbeat father. In this series Lou begins dating again!
The Bad: I figured out who the killer was pretty early and this book didn't have as many twists and turns as the previous two installments. The denouement felt rushed and resolved too quickly. Howzell Hall also uses a lot of pop culture references and some slang that could read dated in a few years.
You should read this if:
-You enjoy well-written detective series featuring POC
-You enjoy a strong female protagonist, twisty plot lines and snappy dialogue
Don't bother if:
-You dislike too many pop culture references or think they unnecessarily age a book
-You like your police procedurals and mysteries with a heavy dose of forensic science
Overall, 4 stars based on the enjoyability of the main character and the series overall. I can't wait for Book #4!
tksimmons02's review against another edition
3.0
Obvious killer
I love Detective Norton. U fortunately, the killer was obvious in this one. He practically wrote it in the sky. The ending was terrible too. It left nothing but dangling ends. I hope the next one is better.
I love Detective Norton. U fortunately, the killer was obvious in this one. He practically wrote it in the sky. The ending was terrible too. It left nothing but dangling ends. I hope the next one is better.
tita_noir's review against another edition
4.0
As usual another great police procedural featuring Lou Norton, an African American female police lieutenant in a LA.
Like the first book, this one focuses on a series of young black girls who go missing and end up dead. It turns out the perp is a true serial killer who leaves notes and taunts Lou. He targets really bright really talented young women who come from lower income families. These are the girls who excel and would be expected to go to college and excel life and whose brains and motivation could be their ticket to move up and away. Out of the poverty and grind of their current lives. This kinda made me sad. I generally dislike stories where children are in jeopardy anyway. But targeting the killing the best and brightest in this situation is doubly heinous. It deprives everyone of whatever contribution they could have made. It hurts not to see potential lived, and it hurts me especially when it is young black girls the ones being snuffed out. Even if it is only fiction.
I figured out the identity of the perp really quickly. I wonder if were supposed to because the clues were all there, glaringly so. But Lou didn't cop to it til very late in the game.
Even though I was a little bummed at the cases, the book is just a delight to read. This writer! Ah! I love her way with words. I love Lou's snappy dialogue and her witty clap-backs her tough girl banter with her suspects, and her inner voice. The dialogue is just the best.
That ending though. I am glad that I have the next book already queued up. Even though the case is solved and Lou is a big damned hero in the end, she is not in a good place.
Ready for the next one.
Like the first book, this one focuses on a series of young black girls who go missing and end up dead. It turns out the perp is a true serial killer who leaves notes and taunts Lou. He targets really bright really talented young women who come from lower income families. These are the girls who excel and would be expected to go to college and excel life and whose brains and motivation could be their ticket to move up and away. Out of the poverty and grind of their current lives. This kinda made me sad. I generally dislike stories where children are in jeopardy anyway. But targeting the killing the best and brightest in this situation is doubly heinous. It deprives everyone of whatever contribution they could have made. It hurts not to see potential lived, and it hurts me especially when it is young black girls the ones being snuffed out. Even if it is only fiction.
I figured out the identity of the perp really quickly. I wonder if were supposed to because the clues were all there, glaringly so. But Lou didn't cop to it til very late in the game.
Even though I was a little bummed at the cases, the book is just a delight to read. This writer! Ah! I love her way with words. I love Lou's snappy dialogue and her witty clap-backs her tough girl banter with her suspects, and her inner voice. The dialogue is just the best.
That ending though. I am glad that I have the next book already queued up. Even though the case is solved and Lou is a big damned hero in the end, she is not in a good place.
Ready for the next one.