L.A. Heat: A Novel [Paperback]

P.A. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

When LAPD detective David Laine first encounters hunky party boy Chris Bellamere, it is to interrogate him about the murder of one of Chris's many sexual conquests. When Chris's efforts to prove his own innocence mark him as a victim, David steps in to save him, and finds himself falling in love with a man who might be a brutal murderer. P.A. Brown's debut is a gritty mystery set in LA's edgy, less glamorous East Side, where gangs co-mingle with gays, gunfire is heard after dark, and where a gay cop like David Laine could live undetected. At least until now.

P.A. Brown was born in Canada, but lived in Los Angeles for many years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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 Heat is far from the sun-drenched paradise we've come to expect it's a city of dark shadows and darker motives. Highly recommended! (refers to the hardcover version) Neil S. Plakcy

L.A. Heat is the kind of book that makes you wonder how this could be a debut novel. This suspenseful, carefully-plotted mystery has all the earmarks of some of the best (and more seasoned) mystery pros in the business. Its setting is realistic and at times seamy, its characters sympathetic and real, its attention to detail (especially police procedure) astonishing, and its pacing deft...definitely in the category of "can't put down." I look forward to more from P.A. Brown. She's a winner. (refers to the hardcover version) Rick R. Reed

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--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

P.A. Brown was born in Canada and lived in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles for many years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555839487
• ISBN-13: 978-1555839482
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,849,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

P.A. Brown wrote her first book at 17. She spent 8 years in Los Angeles where she formed an attachment to the city of Angels that endures to this day. After holding a host of jobs, at 40 she went back to school and became a Network engineer, which eventually landed her on the shores of Bermuda where she spent 2 years learning how to drink rum swizzles and battle hurricanes. Back in Canada, she buckled down and started producing books seriously resulting in a multitude of books coming out in the next year.

Books:
L.A.HEAT
L.A.MISCHIEF
L.A.BONEYARD
L.A. BYTES
BERMUDA HEAT
GEOGRAPHY OF MURDER
FOREST OF CORPSES
MEMORY OF DARKNESS
LYNX WOODS
MAN'S BEST FRIEND
FALL INTO THE NIGHT
BUTTERFLY GOD
PLACING OUT

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal, Thrilling, Romantic and HOT !!!, February 23, 2007

By 

Jak Klinikowski "justjak13" (El Paso, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L.A. Heat: A Novel (Paperback)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, good read, November 15, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L.A. Heat: A Novel (Paperback)

LAPD detective David Laine and his partner Martinez Diego are chasing a serial killer, known as the Carpet Killer, through the gay community of Los Angeles. Several men have been brutally killed and their bodies dumped.

All leads are pointing to Chris Bellamere, an openly gay playboy who knew the victims. In the eyes of the homophobic members of the LAPD, that means he must be their killer, and they look for evidence to prove it. Fortunately for Chris, David is also gay, though closeted, and will not allow Chris to be railroaded. But when David falls for Chris, he is determined to do whatever it takes to prove Chris' innocence.

Brown brings a new spin to the "cop falls for prime suspect" story. A high level of personal danger, a light dose of humor, and a respected cop coming out of the closet provide the emotional ties to well-defined characters that you can't help but care about. The ending will leave you breathless.

I can't wait to see more of this duo.

Armchair Interviews says: New and unique "character" twists for a mystery.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive debut, September 13, 2006

By 

Rick R. Reed "Author of IM and Orientation" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: L.A. Heat: A Novel (Paperback)

L.A. Heat is the kind of book that makes you wonder how this could be a debut novel. This suspenseful, carefully-plotted mystery has all the earmarks of some of the best (and more seasoned) mystery pros in the business. Its setting is realistic and at times seamy, its characters sympathetic and real, its attention to detail (especially police procedure) astonishing, and its pacing deft...definitely in the category of "can't put down." I look forward to more from P.A. Brown. She's a winner.