A review by bb70
KOP by Warren Hammond

3.0

It's a noir mystery in a science fiction setting. But it could easily have been set in another place and another time, without losing anything of essence from the story. So I don't really want to classify this as science fiction.

The story illustrates the eternal struggle between the haves and the have-nots, and a cop who started out as an idealist wanting to make a difference but became bent by a difficult reality.

Juno is a cop at the end of his career, tasked with solving a politically sensitive murder, and partnered with a rich girl rookie. During the course of the investigation we learn more about his past, which makes the reader feel sympathy and understanding for what is by all accounts a crooked dirty bastard.

The story telling is good, with nice twists and a good pace. It is most definitely a noir mystery. I just wish the author had done more with the science fiction setting. Overall I found it enjoyable, but falling just short of deserving four stars.

I hear the second book in the series is better, so I am looking forward to reading that.