Synopsis/blurb......
Stephen Schwartz's intensely nonstop thriller is about a LAPD homicide detective who must find a killer responsible for a series of murders that are directly related to him. Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective and former vice cop Hayden Glass is a sex addict. The addiction has ruined his marriage and irreparably damaged many of his relationships.
However, he has always been able to separate his behavior from his career. But, when a series of killings in the L. A. area seem to be meant as a sign just for him, his addiction threatens to ruin both his professional career and his life.
"Raw, twisted, and so hard-boiled it simmers from beginning to end." Robert Crais
Another read from a few months back and my first full length introduction to Stephen Jay Schwartz's cop character Hayden Glass. I've previously had a taste of both from reading the short story - Crossing the Line.
It's always interesting to me when an author portrays a main character that is not especially likable or sympathetic. It's quite a brave move, particularly in a debut novel. Hayden Glass is such a character. A competent, honest homicide cop with a dark side - an addiction to sex. Its ruined his marriage and here when he tackles a killer, the personal nature of the murders endangers his job.
"I am the evidence connecting these crimes."
He wondered if that was his ego talking. Everything revolved around him, of course. There were two things constant with every addict: they had low self-esteem and they were the center of the universe. Hayden remembered the saying that drew a familiar laugh from every addict who heard it - I am the piece of shit the world revolves around.
Dark, brutal, interesting, an often ugly story showing a dark side of LA that the city's tourist board wouldn't want to boast about. Murder, sex, addiction, friendship, broken relationships, attempts at recovery and relapse, and a murder investigation conducted by a damaged cop juggling a helluva lot of balls single-handedly.
I pretty much loved it, as did.......Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, T. Jefferson Parker, Brett Battles, Timothy Hallinan to mention a few.
4 from 5.
There's a second Hayden Glass novel - Beat which I'll be reading, as soon as I've scrubbed LA's grime from my skin!
Stephen Jay Schwartz has his website here.
Bought copy a couple of years ago.
Read June, 2016
You're right, Col; it does take skill and some bravery to create a protagonist who isn't an especially nice person. And yet, the story sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margot. I'd been looking forward to this one for a while and it didn't disappoint.
DeleteCol – If you liked it, I’ll probably like it, too. It is on my list.
ReplyDeleteElgin, I hope so. It probably won't be to everyone's taste but I liked it.
Deletea damaged cop juggling a helluva lot of balls single-handedly
ReplyDeleteAn interesting expression, in context.
I see what you mean - sex on the brain!
DeleteI thought I had this book, but I must just have it on a list to look for. This might be too brutal and ugly for me, but I will still be on the lookout for a copy. Great review. Convincing but you let me know what might be problematic for me.
ReplyDeleteTracy cheers. There's not too much sunshine in this one, but still I'd be interested to hear what you think if you do ever read it.
DeleteCol, I have seen this book around, probably on Twitter, I'm not sure, and I considered reading it. Hayden Glass sounds like an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteI think it was quite well known around publication, as it had some high profile crime fiction authors praising it.
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