A review by patrickkanouse
KOP by Warren Hammond

4.0

I started KOP because I was led to it by an article about science fiction noir that I have, alas, forgotten. KOP is thoroughly noir, thoroughly science fiction. I was hooked immediately. Juno Mozambe is a dirty cop working for the Koba Office of Police (KOP), which he and his friend and chief, Paul, took over years ago. Koba is the primary city of the sweaty, dirty world of Lagarto.

When an army officer on leave winds up dead in an alley, Juno--a vice cop who has given up his enforcer ways--is called by Paul to investigate. We witness a grim jungle world where crime is rampant. The novel has many stock noir scenes and characters, but within this richly imagined world, they feel fresh. Besides, I was rooting for Juno and Paul so quickly, it didn't matter.

Warren Hammond has crafted a fast-paced, finely written novel. His characters are crisp and engaging, and the story takes unexpected but logical twists. A few of the science fiction bits bothered me, but they are quibbles. Hammond gets far more right than wrong.

I am very much looking forward to reading the second novel, Ex-KOP.