The Book Frog

Forced evacuations during one of Los Angeles's many wildfires lead to the discovery of a man who's been dead for several days, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot. Found near the body: a "memory book" with graphic photos of seven murdered women, photos that could only have been taken by the killer himself. Two years earlier evidence discovered by Elvis Cole helped to clear this man of the murder of one of the women...and two of the murders have taken place since then. Elvis Cole, although he knows that his evidence was good, proven by a time-stamped security tape, is compelled to take up the case on his own--sometimes in concert with and sometimes in opposition to the LAPD--to find the real killer. Joe Pike is, of course, along for the ride (and how much more deeply we can appreciate this character, after last year's The Watchman, which was Pike-centric), as are several LAPD uniforms and detectives we know from Elvis Cole outings past. As always, Crais constructs a tight, well-written thriller, driven by his PI's need to reach the truth. Crais loves L.A., and his descriptions of this sprawling city shine. Chasing Darkness is highly recommended, and not only for those who've read other Elvis Cole novels. Any good series with a recurring character allows you to pick up anywhere, and Crais is among the best.