From Publishers Weekly
Los Angeles Times columnist Lochte deserves raves for his debut. This thriller outclasses, in many ways, the tales of Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald and other renowned California mystery writers. Raffishly funny incidents, grave dangers and touching moments are described alternately by Serendipity Dahlquist, 14, and Leo G. Bloodworth, a middle-aged private eye. Their search for Serendipity's stolen dog takes the two up and down the coast, into clashes with operators of cruel dog fights, inept hit men for Mexican gangsters and other menaces. Linked to the plot also are a pushy TV comic, Serendipity's hippie mother with her current companion, Leo's partner (who is one of several victims of a faceless killer) and the unsolved robbery of a Los Angeles bank. The novel's critical point occurs at a huge, mind-blowing punk-rock center where Serendipity lands in a trap set by the villain. Lochte astonishingly builds a host of disparate elements into a corker entertainment, uncontrived and satisfying. November 21
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Lochte's novel snagged the Nero Wolfe Award and was nominated for an Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Award when it debuted in 1985 not bad for a first novel. The author turns the PI partner concept on its ear by matching a precocious teen named Serendipity Dahlquist with Leo "the bloodhound" Bloodworth, a scruffy, aging investigator. Lochte offers the case from both points of view as the duo search for the kid's lost dog, Groucho.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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