Book 5

"California Fire And Life" by Don Winslow

Okay, so the first thing I have to say is that four years ago on a trip to Bateman's Bay I bought "The Death And Life Of Bobby Z" and then spent the interveneing years in an on again, off again search for something else by Don Winslow. And I found it!

Basic story? Former sheriff's department arson investigator is now a claims adjuster/investigator for a big insurance company (California Fire and Life, as it happens) and has to investigate a suspicious fire. And boy is it suspicious. And boy did the guy do it. But why? Well, ye'll have to read it, won't ye?

The writing style sizzles. Elmore Leonard on a good day would write like this. It's sparse, practically rushed, but smooth and polished to a shine that almost hurts the eyes. Did I enjoy this book? Fuck yeah! Violence, sex (a litte, anyway), the Russian and Vietnamese mafia, crooked cops and judges and a whole bunch of shit hitting various fans. This was an excellent book, well plotted and really, really well written.

Any issues with the book? I thought the ending may have been a bit of a fizzle, and that the main character deserved better, but any more would really spoil it.

4.5 out of 5

I REALLY liked this book.