The Pain Scale Long Beach Homicide #2 (2012) By: Tyler DiltsImpressions
The wife and children of a Senator's son are murder in the upscale Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach. Danny Beckett dealing with serious pain in his arm and this is his first major case after a year long recovery. His first instinct is that the senator's son did it, but there is little evidence to support that. As the case continues it becomes more long, twisted and political.
Rather than normal chapters, the chapter names rate Danny's pain as he feels it. I thought might get old, but it helped me keep Danny's differing pain in mind even when it wasn't specifically brought up. The case is certainly murkier this time around and there are some sections near the middle that get rather complicated as the detectives attempt to tie things together. Reading both novels back to back made me realize how much has become normal and are fading over the intervening two years. Facebook, Netflix, and iTunes are all featured prominently and are involved somewhat in the case or Danny's interaction with others.
Our Heroes
Danny Beckett is back and dealing with pain like the snarky jerk he is. The pain causes him to revert back to some of his worse tendencies in the first and go even further into his pit of loathing. Except this time he seems determined not to take anyone's advice on the subject. This aspect got a bit grating just before the end, but some other events softened my annoyance. However, he develops a new tech fetish that I found really amusing.
Jen Tanaka is house hunting while dealing with this case. With Danny keeping her at arms length through most of this book, I found myself missing the heavier use of her character from A King of Infinite Space.
Patrick is a computer analyst that got bumped up to homicide thanks to Danny's recommendation. He has been filling in for Danny while he's been away and is a great help to the squad. We get some great 'new guy' reactions that hardened officers like Danny and Jen don't blink at.
Old Man Observer
Harlan Gibbs is back with a much welcome part in this story. As he helps Danny deal with his pain, he also mends his own life and deals with his own illness. I especially loved his return and I wish he'd been included a bit more in the home stretch of the novel.
LB AtmosphereThe Long Beach setting is back and just as awesome as it was in the first novel. If you're a Southern California native you need to check this book out.
In the End
The end ties up most of the loose ends, but is certainly less satisfying than the last. The bittersweet end matches the rest of the novel's tone and puts the most realistic end you could hope to have on a case like this.
Overall
A great sequel that manages to bring back most of the cast from the first and effortlessly move them forward. Most of the strengths continue with the exception of the bonding moments with Jen. They seemed fewer and farther between in this novel. Also, there is a running hipster joke that got rather old near the end. This book is great for both continuing readers and new ones. If you're a fan of the police procedural, mystery or noir genres you should read this series.
8/10
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