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L.A.P.D. Detective Peter Decker doesn't know quite what to make of Lilah Brecht. The beautiful, eccentric spa owner and daughter of a faded Hollywood legend, Lilah was beaten, robbed, and raped in her own home -- and claims to have psychic powers that enable her to see even more devastating events looming on the horizon. With his heart and mind on his pregnant young wife, Rina Lazarus, at home, Peter finds it hard to put much credence in the victim's outrageous claims, or to become too deeply involved with her equally odd brothers and aging film star mom. But when Lilah's dark visions turn frighteningly real, Decker's world will be severely rocked -- as the "false prophet's" secrets and obsessions entrap the dedicated policeman ... and point a killer toward Decker's own vulnerable family.… (more)
User reviews
While I have enjoyed this series, this one just seemed mediocre to me. The supporting characters didn't seem real enough. The end had a twist, but it was easy to figure out where things were heading. If you are a fan of the series you'll want to read it, but otherwise it's just an average mystery.
The story itself is not bad and could have worked but the cast of
On the Rina/Decker part - she expects their first child and is moody and almost invisible for the most part. Cindy (Decker's daughter) makes an appearance (for the whole summer), Rina's boys live with them and the family seems to be getting used to each other.
Not the best in the series but not a reason to drop the series - at least for me.
Peter answers a 911 call involving a lovely spa owner, Lilah Brecht, whom the public knows as the daughter of golden age movie star Davida Eversong. Lovely Lilah may be successful with her business and is Davida's favorite, but does her talk about her psychic powers mean she's not playing with a full deck?
Lilah's taken a fancy to Pete. Worse, she's not happy about the ground rules Pete lays out for her. There will be some unpleasant scenes with the overgrown spoiled brat. Pete will have to save her from what could have been a messy death.
I would pompously state that the less said about Lilah's family the better, but it's possible that one or more of her kin were involved with the break-in at her house that resulted in the lady being hospitalized.
Are the staff at Lilah's spa and house really devoted to her?
The investigation doesn't seem to be going anywhere when it turns into not one, but TWO murder cases. There's going to be a opening in homicide in the Devonshire area. If Pete's to get the job, he wants Marge to go with him. (His partner wants to work in homicide, too.) In fact, one of the murder cases requires consultation with a Devonshire homicide detective. Will he become a regular supporting character?
Another complication is the potential for publicity, given the Davida Eversong connection. The despicable March 3, 1991 police beating of Rodney King has Decker's boss publicity shy. Pete and Rina discuss that famous real-life case in chapter 8.
The twists and turns the plot takes grabbed me and refused to let go. What a ride!
Notes:
The Earl Darcy mentioned in chapter 3 was a character in MILK AND HONEY, the third book in the series.
Near the end of chapter 7, we learn that Pete has a gentle mare named White Diamond and that Cobra is the biggest stallion in his stable.
The infamous 'N' word is used in chapter 13, but it's in a scornful remark made by an African-American character.
Horse lovers might wish to skip chapter 14.
Pete's joking attempt at a policeman's rap is found in chapter 24. (I'm with Marge about the results.)
In chapter 25, Pete gives some thought to the two half-brothers with whom he's maintaining a relationship, and to his brother by adoption, Randy.
There's a comment about one of the murders on the front dust jacket flap that would be a bigger spoiler if there weren't more than two characters who fit the description. Sneaky.
The last chapter was the sweetest.
L.A.P.D. Detective Peter Decker doesn't know quite what to make of Lilah Brecht. The beautiful, eccentric spa owner and daughter of a faded Hollywood legend, Lilah was beaten, robbed, and raped in her own home -- and
It a compelling page-turner but somewhat ruined by a less-than satisfactory ending.