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mbpartlow's review
4.0
What I found interesting was the contrast between this and some other popular detective fiction. In this case, the detective investigates beyond the first apparent (and somewhat easy) answer, to go deeper into the larger problem. And she gets little support from her department to spend the time to find the truth. It seems like, in other writers' stories, the male detective is often encouraged (sometimes grudgingly) to find the truth.
I don't think I'm explaining this very well, but the investigation had a ring of reality to it, to my inexperienced ears. Also, there are some details in here that are NOT for the squeamish. A body is found in a hoarder's house in the middle of a heat wave. I didn't find the details to be too much, but your mileage may vary.
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed to me, BUT there was an awesome ticking clock, so that might just be my perception.
I don't think I'm explaining this very well, but the investigation had a ring of reality to it, to my inexperienced ears. Also, there are some details in here that are NOT for the squeamish. A body is found in a hoarder's house in the middle of a heat wave. I didn't find the details to be too much, but your mileage may vary.
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed to me, BUT there was an awesome ticking clock, so that might just be my perception.
jodiesackettbrown's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
katarinarogers's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I didn't realized when I picked this book that it was the last in the series but I makes me excited to read the other three. I enjoyed the way this played out and it really had the law of Law and Order feel to it.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review
4.0
Elouise Norton is a newly promoted LAPD Sargent, just returned from short-term disability and still suffering from PTSD, hiding her continued symptoms to avoid being put behind a desk. Her case is Gene Washington, an old man found dead in his house—full of trash, cats, and old food. Elouise, Lou, treats this as a murder investigation. The others disagree, but she’s the Sargent, so it is her call. The two lead suspects are his new, younger, girlfriend Bernice Parrish and his old friend Oswald Little, both of whom received significant bequests from his recent will. A third suspect is a local megachurch.
If you’re looking for a fast-moving mystery with lots of suspects and a few surprises, City of Saviors by Rachel Howzell Hall could be the book for you. Caveat: I started with number four of the series, so Lou’s personal life didn’t make much sense. I’d recommend starting at the beginning.
For my expanded report: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2019/04/city-of-saviors-by-rachel-howzell-hall.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
If you’re looking for a fast-moving mystery with lots of suspects and a few surprises, City of Saviors by Rachel Howzell Hall could be the book for you. Caveat: I started with number four of the series, so Lou’s personal life didn’t make much sense. I’d recommend starting at the beginning.
For my expanded report: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2019/04/city-of-saviors-by-rachel-howzell-hall.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
lisaeirene's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good but not as memorable or exciting as the other three books in the series. I still love the series and will keep reading.
tbsims's review against another edition
4.0
A thriller...with a insightful view of l.a.....an insightful view of female, black perspective in a man's world...that is smartly written!
Who else would reference infinite jest..HBCU..
Descriptive sentences like "hot-tub bookclub to discuss Ta-Nahisi Coates's latest book on the State of Us in America. "
Who else would reference infinite jest..HBCU..
Descriptive sentences like "hot-tub bookclub to discuss Ta-Nahisi Coates's latest book on the State of Us in America. "
tita_noir's review
4.0
Sigh. Now I have to wait in real time for the next Lou Norton book.
I loved the mystery in this one. Very twisty and actually kinda gross in places but it was fun to read through.
It was also nice to see Colin getting saltier and giving back full quips. *dashes away a tear* My goodness how the boy has grown since the first book.
The hardest thing to read, though, was Lou's personal issues. In the aftermath of the previous book -- which ended with her ramming her car into a truck to stop the serial killer of young girls who just so happened to be sitting in her passenger seat with a gun to her head -- Lou is going through some major PTSD. It is affecting her sleep, her relationships, and even more importantly her work. But she is under it all a great detective and despite getting a case that looks like nothing but a death by natural causes, hr instincts tell her there is more to what is going on. She is right of course and it leads to a twisty quagmire of insurance fraud, murder, identify theft and the aforementioned spoiler.
Not only does she get her perp in the end but she manages to wrestle many of her demons to the ground.
So yeah can't wait til the next one to see what happens next with Lou.
I loved the mystery in this one. Very twisty and actually kinda gross in places
Spoiler
cannibalismIt was also nice to see Colin getting saltier and giving back full quips. *dashes away a tear* My goodness how the boy has grown since the first book.
The hardest thing to read, though, was Lou's personal issues. In the aftermath of the previous book -- which ended with her ramming her car into a truck to stop the serial killer of young girls who just so happened to be sitting in her passenger seat with a gun to her head -- Lou is going through some major PTSD. It is affecting her sleep, her relationships, and even more importantly her work. But she is under it all a great detective and despite getting a case that looks like nothing but a death by natural causes, hr instincts tell her there is more to what is going on. She is right of course and it leads to a twisty quagmire of insurance fraud, murder, identify theft and the aforementioned spoiler.
Not only does she get her perp in the end but she manages to wrestle many of her demons to the ground.
So yeah can't wait til the next one to see what happens next with Lou.
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
City of Saviours is the fourth book in the series to feature Lou Norton but the first that I have read. Obviously, there is a lot of back story but it didn’t stop me enjoying the book and it was easy to read as a standalone. If anything, the back story has made me intrigued about what I have missed.
Lou is my new favourite heroine. A female, black police officer, she has to prove herself more than necessary that she can do her job. She does get respect from her immediate team, although she isn’t entirely trusting of them. There are a few in the force who would be happy to see her fail.
The murder is a strange one. Lou insists that it isn’t natural causes immediately and demands that the property and Eugene’s life is thoroughly investigated. It is when I read books like this that I am reminded that I would be useless working in forensics. With the vivid description of what they had to work through in the property, I could practically see, smell and taste everything. My skin was crawling at times even though living in the North West of England the weather was slightly different to a Los Angeles heatwave.
It wasn’t all about the crime, there was also focus on her private life, the relationship with her ex-husband, best friends and a tentative relationship with Sam. It was this part of the novel where I noticed the back story more.
It is a brilliant introduction to an established series that I plan on catching up with.
Lou is my new favourite heroine. A female, black police officer, she has to prove herself more than necessary that she can do her job. She does get respect from her immediate team, although she isn’t entirely trusting of them. There are a few in the force who would be happy to see her fail.
The murder is a strange one. Lou insists that it isn’t natural causes immediately and demands that the property and Eugene’s life is thoroughly investigated. It is when I read books like this that I am reminded that I would be useless working in forensics. With the vivid description of what they had to work through in the property, I could practically see, smell and taste everything. My skin was crawling at times even though living in the North West of England the weather was slightly different to a Los Angeles heatwave.
It wasn’t all about the crime, there was also focus on her private life, the relationship with her ex-husband, best friends and a tentative relationship with Sam. It was this part of the novel where I noticed the back story more.
It is a brilliant introduction to an established series that I plan on catching up with.