Customer Reviews

A Case of Loyalties

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It was just a joy ride. But when the car teenager Tricia "borrowed" is identified in a drive by shooting, all the evidence points to her despite her denials. Her mother and inspector Goldstein believe her and investigate further into the victim's strange boarding house and habits. Goldstein's partner keeps focusing on Tricia. The victim is universally hated in the neighborhood but alternatives to Tricia are hard to find.

I read this book primarily because 1) it won a MacCavity for best first novel in 1987 (in a tie with Faye Kellerman - who has gone on to fame and fortune)and 2) it's set in Oakland, my hometown. I find the award perplexing as this simply isn't all that great a book. The author can't seem to settle on a protagonist and 180 pages is too little time for any of the characters to emerge as interesting or sympathetic. Overall, the story is flat and fractured. Likewise, it lacks humor and warmth. The Oakland angle is also disappointing. She barely works it as a setting and what she does use is strictly guidebook level. Janet Dawson's series is much more interesting if you happen to be interested in Oakland (don't laugh).

Bottom line -- doubt I'll be reading the remaining two books in this series.

The mystery is engaging, but I really liked the characters. The two detectives are interesting duo, and the mother and her teen-age daughter rang so true! Interesting way to tell a story, too. I really enjoyed this book