LA Heat by P.A. Brown

LA Heat by P.A. Brown
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full (357 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Sex
Rating 4 Cherries
Review by Cactus

In-the-closet detective, David Eric Laine has kept his desires secret. Until he meets Christopher Bellamere, proud and openly gay. When a series of horrific torture/murders of gay men leads the police to Chris David is torn between his attraction for the most beautiful man he’s ever met and his fears that he’s a vicious killer.

If you love the classic theme of a by-the-book cop falling for the chief suspect, then this may peek your interest. David may be in the closet about his sexual preference and he may be investigating Chris as a suspect in multiple brutal murders of local gay men, but he can’t help his desire for the handsome, vivacious younger man. When those desires boil over, the consequences for both Chris and David are long reaching, not to mention the mystery of the murdered gay men. The author delivers a solid take on the classic plot with a good mystery and a likeable couple.

Coming in at almost 400 pages, this may seem a bit of a daunting book but don’t let that turn you away as the dialogue is quick and the book reads surprisingly fast. The mystery is absorbing and while not especially complex with the clues are easily laid out, the story is well written and enthralling keeping you reading long after you may have guessed the outcome. Although the writing tends to be dry and flat with a marked lack of vitality to the characters and actions, the story is nonetheless entertaining. The mystery was well crafted from the gruesome murders to the suspected killers and enough clues to guess the outcome but a few twists thrown in to keep you wondering.

The characters are well developed and fully explored, as are the various secondary characters. Wear and tear in the neck and back world results in a bald tire that eventually viagra in india online goes flat and leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Kamagra buy viagra in bulk is a medicine of repairing erectile dysfunction. Apart from the dosage pattern cheapest cialis in australia make sure that you do not take any particular point before consulting from your doctor. Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition where a man doesn’t able to strengthen his main organ for intercourse purpose. purchase cialis online Although many of them read as stereotypes from the closeted gay cop with the homophobic partner to the somewhat slutty party boy with his over the top flamboyant best friend to various cops and business men both gay and not, each adds a distinct element to the story that adds to the overall complexity and fullness of the plot. There are very few, if any, throw away characters, which is a nice part of the story considering the large and varied cast of people.

The main romance between David and Chris was nice to read but definitely a backseat to the mystery. Part of this is due to the dry telling which lacks raw emotion and urgency within the relationship, more so giving a languid and easy feel to what can only be a partnership potentially fraught with problems. However, there is very little angst between the men and considering the opposite standpoints, they are accepting and easy going of their circumstances. This lack of drama blends well with the procedural aspects of the mystery, focusing on the day-to-day details of an investigation without getting too dull or monotonous.

Overall this was an enjoyable story to read with some interesting characters and a solid mystery. Although the story wasn’t heart pounding with racing action and drama filled pairing, you will likely enjoy the well-constructed world and characters that Brown has developed and be easily brought along for the ride. Don’t let the length turn you away as the story reads fast and the interactions gripping from the beginning to the end. If you enjoy a well-written take on a classic mystery/cop theme, I easily recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.