by Dell Shannon
Part of Lieutenant Luis Mendoza, book 24
First published 1973
Lt. Luis Mendoza faces a flood of perplexing cases that strain the LAPD's resources. A pharmacist and his entire family are murdered without apparent motive. A young man's death forces detectives to reexamine a cold case they thought was closed. A missing woman investigation takes an unexpected turn when her true financial status comes to light. Each case presents unique challenges that test Mendoza's investigative skills. The lieutenant and his team must navigate through seemingly unconnected crimes while searching for patterns and motives. As the cases multiply, Mendoza discovers that even routine investigations can lead to surprising revelations. The pressure mounts as the department struggles to solve multiple complex cases simultaneously. Dell Shannon delivers another compelling police procedural that combines methodical detective work with unexpected twists.
Genres: mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: methodical-detective-work, unexpected-twists
Setting: LAPD, Los Angeles
Period: 20th-century
211 pages · Hardcover · Morrow
Content warnings: murder, violence