L. A. Heat by P. A. Brown
BUY IT NEW
- $14.99 Online price$13.49 Member price(Save 10%)Limited Time Offer! Everyone receives the Member Price on books.
See Details
(Paperback)
- Pub. Date: January 2009
- 340pp
- Sales Rank: 214,687
Buy it Used: 4 copies from $10.98 See All Available
Customers who bought this also bought
Product Details
- Pub. Date: January 2009
- Publisher: MLR Press, LLC
- Format: Paperback, 340pp
- Sales Rank: 214,687
- ISBN-13: 9781934531853
- ISBN: 1934531855
Synopsis
When LAPD detective David Laine first encounters hunky party boy Chris Bellamere, it is to interrogate him about the murder of one of Chris's many sexual conquests. When Chris's efforts to prove his own innocence mark him as a victim, David steps in to save him, and finds himself falling in love with a man who might be a brutal murderer. P.A. Brown's debut is a gritty mystery set in LA's edgy, less glamorous East Side, where gangs co-mingle with gays, gunfire is heard after dark, and where a gay cop like David Laine could live undetected. At least until now.
P.A. Brown was born in Canada, but lived in Los Angeles for many years.
Biography
P.A. Brown was born in Canada and lived in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles for many years.
Customer Reviews
L. A. Heatby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
February 08, 2008: One of the things I liked best about this book was the realistic elements of the relationship between the two men. David Eric Laine, a LAPD homicide detective, is a no-nonsense type of cop. He's a very sexy, appealing and rugged kind of man without all that macho stuff that I so abhor in some men. A man that's sure of himself, until he gets around Chris - then he becomes a little off-balance, in a very amusing way. David is also in the 'closet' and his attraction to Chris causes a few conflicts - more professional than personal, because Chris is the main suspect. Christopher Bellamere is a player a young man who's sure of himself, who's open with his sexuality. With his good looks and casual personality he comes across as a very shallow person. David naturally judges Chris by his outer, superficial appearance. Chris is a well-paid IT specialist which causes an additional layer of conflict between the two men as they face their growing feelings for each other. There's a very revealing piece of dialog between the two men on pages 251/252 that beautifully defines their characters. Although this book has its romantic elements, this is most definitely a mystery. I started reading this and had a hard time putting the book down: intriguing characters, fast moving mystery, a few good false leads, plenty of tension and suspense with an edge of your seat ending. Chris and David's intimate scenes aren't explicit, but their initial attraction, sexual tension and eventual acceptance of their feelings are realistically and honestly written. And I love my secondary characters. The author did an excellent job of fleshing out the supporting cast *and* making them a vital part of the story. One of the interesting things I noticed about the descriptions in the book, especially describing the murders scenes, was the attention to detail. For example, 'skin sloughing off dehydrated muscles.' I have a friend that's a nurse and she gets a little 'visually descriptive' about her day. It was just an observation, not a criticism - because the visuals definitely added a gruesome and vivid element. But I didn't find any off the descriptions gratuitous. Another interesting part in this book is the relationship between the two detectives, David and his partner Martinez. Martinez comes across as a jerk early in the book, his reaction to David's 'outing' intolerant. As the story progresses we see Martinez trying to understand David, resulting in some very amusing dialog between the two. Despite Martinez's feelings, he will not tolerate any intolerance and is fiercely protective of his partner. I really liked the strong bond of friendship and loyalty between the partners. Martinez's wife Inez is a very small part of the story, but a delightful character that I adored. I'm hoping to see these characters again, especially Martinez and Inez.
L. A. Heatby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
February 24, 2007: I like murder mysteries, but my tastes run more towards the ?cozy? variety, you know the kind of who-done-it that Agatha Christie and Lillian Jackson Braun are famous for. I tend to avoid novels I perceive to be sadistic or gratuitously violent, where the murderer is a psychotic serial killer. I was going to pass on L.A. HEAT for this reason, but it came highly recommended by a friend and fellow reader whose opinion I greatly respect, so reluctantly I gave it a go. I am really glad I did. LA?s gay community is being stalked by one of the above mentioned monsters. Young, horribly mutilated male corpses are piling up, and it?s the job of Police Detective David Laine and his partner, Martinez, to solve the case and stop the killer before any more murders occur. David is a tall muscular bear of a man with a ruddy complexion and a big mustache, kind of an extra-large Tommy Lee Jones. He?s gay, and not surprisingly, firmly buried in the closet. Through the course of the investigation, David?s attention becomes focused on Chris Bellamere. Chris is a sharp, expensively dressed, California golden boy, and absolutely the most beautiful man David has ever seen, but Chris?s familiarity with more than one of the victims also makes him David?s prime suspect. David?s enamored of Chris, even though Chris might be a vicious killer, but he doesn?t think he?d stand a romantic chance with the built blonde head-turner. Chris, however, finds David extremely sexy in an unexplainable way, and decides to make a move, igniting a passion that leaves both men weak in the knees. P.A. Brown delivers a chilling, focused and incredibly satisfying thriller. Her fast pacing is top-notch, and her characters are well developed and believable. She provides enough red-herrings to keep even the most seasoned mystery reader guessing. I?m not going to rush right out and buy every gay murder/thriller available. As good as this novel is my tastes are still pretty much in tact. But, I will be first in line to buy any sequels Ms. Brown cares to offer, because L.A. HEAT is one terrific book.
loading...