by Dell Shannon
Part of Lieutenant Luis Mendoza, book 26
First published 1976
Lieutenant Luis Mendoza of the Los Angeles Police Department faces another complex case in the sprawling city. When bodies start turning up under suspicious circumstances, Mendoza must navigate the gritty streets and decode the criminal patterns that connect seemingly unrelated deaths. The investigation pulls him deeper into Los Angeles's underworld, where motives hide behind everyday facades and danger lurks in unexpected places. Working with his team of detectives, Mendoza pieces together clues that reveal a web of deception and violence. As pressure mounts to solve the case, he relies on his sharp instincts and methodical approach to police work. The pursuit of justice becomes personal as Mendoza confronts criminals who believe they can outwit the law. This police procedural captures the essence of detective work in a city where crime never sleeps.
Genres: mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, procedural
Setting: Los Angeles
Period: 20th-century
176 pages · Paperback · Pocket