I love reading about crime thrillers and police procedurals so I was really excited to find this upcoming release. Featuring a detective in LA, I was looking for some fabulous action.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author so I was not familiar with the ongoing series. But that did not prove to be too limiting in the enjoyment factor. Continue on for my full review.
The Devil You Know by P. J. Tracy
Publisher : Minotaur Books (January 17, 2023)
ISBN-13 : 978-1250859945
OVERVIEW:
Los Angeles has many faces: the real LA where regular people live and work, the degenerate underbelly of any big city, and the rarefied world of wealth, power, and celebrity. LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan’s latest case plunges her into this insular realm of privilege and gives her a glimpse of the decay behind the glitter.
Beloved actor Evan Hobbes is found in the rubble of a Malibu rockslide, a day after a fake video ruins his career. It’s not clear to Nolan if it’s an accident, a suicide, or a murder, and things get murkier as the investigation expands to his luminary friends and colleagues. Meanwhile, Hobbes’s agent is dealing with damage control, his psychotic boss, and a woman he’s scorned.
The Devil You Know by P. J. Tracy Review
I really enjoy reading a great detective story especially when it’s a female lead. The authors tend to give us all of the issues that come with a position like that for a woman. That usually involves discrimination, working twice as hard, recognition issues, and more.
This one followed that theme to a degree with the detective a very likable woman who is smart and well-versed in her craft. The story brings us an unlikely murder which quickly becomes multiple murders, all with very mysterious and suspicious connections.
Tracy allows the characters to dive deep into the story as a chunk of the storyline involves points of view from the family of the victims and surrounding characters. The police procedural seemed less front-focused to me. I would have enjoyed more from Maggie’s and her partner’s POV.
The Devil You Know is a gripping tale that is interesting and complex in many ways. But there are a lot of characters involved. So much so, that I kept getting lost in who is who.
I would definitely read another installment in the series. This one was easy to follow as a stand-alone and I was connected with the detective and her works. I just wanted more from her.
3 STARS!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.