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Sex, violence, drugs and no rock and roll, infuse this police novel. It moves with authority through the politics of Miami and those of its police department. Brutal multiple murders at a sex party kick off the novel. We' re never in doubt as to the identity of the murderers, or the reasons for the crimes. The tension and suspense is therefore based on the personal entanglements of the detective in charge and in the resolution of the case. The book has a great deal of authority because the author is a former homicide investigator. All of the intense police scenes, and there are many, ring with authenticity. The book is less successful when it plumbs the interpersonal relationships between the cops and their families, the victims and witnesses, and their close relations. The author's task was to make us believe in those conversations, those actions and to hold us to wonder what the outcomes would be. While the ending is largely satisfactory, the author foreshadows the ultimate resolution of the personal and political maneuverings that are necessary with too much emphasis, leaving almost no surprises at the end. In addition, the rather lumpy style, that on the one hand feels authentic, on the other hand makes some of the logic difficult to follow. More judicious editing might have solved some of these difficulties. Still, Dire Straits, is a fun read.
Reviewed by Carl Brookins, February 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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