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Terrance Lewis, Mystery-L says:
Why (and how) did the laser show kill the performance artist? And
why does Jason Keltner, a burned-out musician/water inspector care?
First-time novelist Keith Snyder sets up what may become a period
classic, as many themes from the 90s (serial killers & stalkers,
cyberspace, coffeehouses, broken relationships, government coverups
and organized crime, and even Generation X ennui) intermix in a
nearly-noir presentation of life in Pasadena.
Although the plot twists are at times complex, once this novel gets
moving it's also very compelling. Jason had met the murdered
performer (Monica) shortly before her death. Going through a bad
divorce, unhappy with his music, bored with his day-job -- Jason is
ready to tackle any problem that will draw him away from his own
life, and revenging Monica fits his needs very well. While at
first his friends think Jason has gone perhaps past the merely
obsessive, when Jason is threatened, they rally round. With the
help of those friends, a mysterious stranger, and some very nasty
(and unwilling) individuals, Jason and crew set off to track down
Monica's killer.
Judged merely as a mystery, this novel is more than serviceable.
The author plays moderately fairly, and the twists and red herrings
keep the protagonist off-track at least as much as the reader.
This novel is certainly more about characterization and setting than
it is about the plot/puzzle, however. While readers who prefer
cozies, procedurals, or other traditional genres may wish to try
this as a good change of pace, this novel has definite leanings
towards noir and the old hard-boiled school of LA detectives.
Although the first full chapter presents us with most of the lead
characters a bit too abruptly, over the course of the novel they
should draw the reader into their own little world.
Although this is a change of pace for me, I can fully recommend
Show Control.
--Terrance Lewis
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