L.A. Heat: A Novel by P.A. Brown Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of L.A. Heat: A Novel
Book Review: A great gay mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a strong new entry in the narrow niche of gay male mystery, and I hope the future brings more adventures for this sexy pair. P.A. Brown's LA is far from the sun-drenched paradise we've come to expect-- it's a city of dark shadows and darker motives. Highly recommended!Book Review: An amazing debut. A page turner.
Summary: 5 Stars
I love gay couple playing sleuth. This crime mystery about David, a closeted LAPD cop, and Chris, a hot party goer computer whiz, in hot pursue of a psycopath serial killer is one gripping and suspenseful thriller. The plot pulls you in from page one with never a dull moment The writer's description is vivid and one has to appreciate her effort on the details of the crime investigation.
Interweaved into the suspense is of course the budding romance between David and Chris, two very credible and likable characters. Their love story is believable and one could not help but cheer them on.
The last few chapters are heart pounding scenes as I find myself wincing at a few terrifying moments.
Definitely one of the best gay mystery & suspense I have read in a while and I hope P.A. Brown will give us more on this couple.
Book Review: Brutal, Thrilling, Romantic and HOT !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I like murder mysteries, but my tastes run more towards the "cozy" variety, you know the kind of who-done-it that Agatha Christie and Lillian Jackson Braun are famous for. I tend to avoid novels I perceive to be sadistic or gratuitously violent, where the murderer is a psychotic serial killer. I was going to pass on L.A. HEAT for this reason, but it came highly recommended by a friend and fellow reader whose opinion I greatly respect, so reluctantly I gave it a go. I am really glad I did.
LA's gay community is being stalked by one of the above mentioned monsters. Young, horribly mutilated male corpses are piling up, and it's the job of Police Detective David Laine and his partner, Martinez, to solve the case and stop the killer before any more murders occur.
David is a tall muscular bear of a man with a ruddy complexion and a big mustache, kind of an extra-large Tommy Lee Jones. He's gay, and not surprisingly, firmly buried in the closet.
Through the course of the investigation, David's attention becomes focused on Chris Bellamere. Chris is a sharp, expensively dressed, California golden boy, and absolutely the most beautiful man David has ever seen, but Chris's familiarity with more than one of the victims also makes him David's prime suspect. David's enamored of Chris, even though Chris might be a vicious killer, but he doesn't think he'd stand a romantic chance with the built blonde head-turner. Chris, however, finds David extremely sexy in an unexplainable way, and decides to make a move, igniting a passion that leaves both men weak in the knees.
P.A. Brown delivers a chilling, focused and incredibly satisfying thriller. Her fast pacing is top-notch, and her characters are well developed and believable. She provides enough red-herrings to keep even the most seasoned mystery reader guessing.
I'm not going to rush right out and buy every gay murder/thriller available. As good as this novel is my tastes are still pretty much in tact. But, I will be first in line to buy any sequels Ms. Brown cares to offer, because L.A. HEAT is one terrific book.
Book Review: Cops, heat and mystery!
Summary: 4 Stars
Chris appealed to me on many different levels. He is the kind of hero who does seem just a little morally ambivalent. But you forgive him because he has just not met the *one*... (god, I'm channeling the Matrix.ha!) He is just a boy, out having a good time and it's all about the nookie. He does have the odd moment when he wants something more but I felt there was a hesitance to commit as no one had really touched him emotionally. So, he's out looking, alot. Chis is also beautiful which got me thinking about this post here and the beauty of men.
David is a cop and firmly in the closet at work. He makes a trip every now and then to Palm Springs to indulge the smexin, and is out to his family but his colleagues are still in the dark. This made him seem very alone and he has walls to keep people, like Chris, out. He is older, darker and more of a strong silent type. A perfect foil for our other hero, who is more of the shiney, bright variety.
The mystery was well paced and had surprising twists and turns that kept me going till the end. Which was cool, because I am a shocker for deciding who did it and wrapping the crime up by page 10. It does not pull any punches in the violence department and some of the material about the crime and the killer was pretty graphic but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book.
The sex is very brief and not at all explicit. Kind of a kiss at the door and fade to black affair. But I was so wrapped up in the story I did not care. A shock, I know! I do love the sex in my books! But what you did read was enough and you just know it was hot (over active imagination).
I seriously have my toes, eyes and fingers crossed AGAIN, that this wonderful author has some more books coming soon. This was a perfect rainy night thriller and kept me up waaaay past my bedtime.
Check out my live and in color version on my blog.
Book Review: Fantastic first novel is a well-written, engaging, realistic gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
David Laine is a 37 year old veteran Los Angeles police detective, who first meets Chris Bellamere, a gay partyboy in his early 20's with a good job as a computer systems professional, as an investigative lead (and possible suspect) in an ongoing series of rapes, maiming and subsequent murders of young gay men. While David's instincts tell him that Chris isn't the killer (much to the frustration of David's detective partner, Martinez, who didn't hide his resentment of gays), Chris' "gaydar" tells him that David's interest in him isn't entirely professional. Yet, there seems to be some connection, as most of the victims frequented the same gay cruise bar that Chris did, and he had been seen with them by the bartender.
A fast-paced, action-packed impressive first novel by an author who intends to pair David and Chris in future installments as well. If done with the same skill, attention to detail and realistic characterizations and situations as this one, I may have a new favorite mystery series!