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A review by cj_mo_2222
Murder on Bamboo Lane by Naomi Hirahara
4.0
San Francisco bicycle cop Ellie Rush is happy to have her job, but really wants to be a homicide detective. She gets her change to try out some of her detecting skills when she discovers a body on the job and realizes it’s someone she knows. She is unofficially assigned to help on the case because of her ties to the victim and connections with someone higher up in the LAPD.
Ellie’s personal and professional life is complicated and her various entanglements with an ex-boyfriend who knew the victim and a potential new boyfriend, who is also a co-worker, makes working on the case even more complex. In spite of the obstacles, Ellie is determined to prove to herself, her family, and her bosses that she has what it takes to solve this case and others.
I enjoy reading author Naomi Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries, so I was curious to see what this new series would be like. I think this series will appeal to a broader audience, but Ellie isn’t quite as likeable as the elderly Japanese gardener that is featured in her prior series. It takes a few chapters to connect with the character of Ellie and really get into the plot of the story. However, once I did, I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Like Hirahara’s first series, the book gives the reader an inside look at a different culture within Los Angeles with which many are unfamiliar. The book features a diverse group of characters in terms of personality and ethnic background which makes the story even more interesting and seems realistic for LA.
Ellie is at her best when she in on the case, doing whatever it takes to get to truth of the victim’s death, even when she learns things that are hurtful to her personally. One of the highlights of the book is Ellie’s friendship with her best friend Nay. They are very different, but they support, challenge, and inspire each other to be better people. I didn’t enjoy Ellie’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend as much and her family relationships are confusing, in terms of who is who and how the characters get along. There were a few points during the investigation when I wasn’t clear on some of the plot details, but it was enjoyable and there is an interesting ending to the case. I liked seeing how much Ellie learns about investigating and about people during her first case. It’s sad that she becomes disillusioned with some of the people in her life, but touching when she gains a new appreciation of her mother.
I think this book could be the beginning of an outstanding series. Although there are some confusing moments both in the background of the characters and the plot of the murder mystery, it is so unique, I still recommend the book. Readers who enjoy Sujata Massey’s Rei Shimura mysteries or Naomi Hirahara’s other books will enjoy this exceptional novel.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie’s personal and professional life is complicated and her various entanglements with an ex-boyfriend who knew the victim and a potential new boyfriend, who is also a co-worker, makes working on the case even more complex. In spite of the obstacles, Ellie is determined to prove to herself, her family, and her bosses that she has what it takes to solve this case and others.
I enjoy reading author Naomi Hirahara’s Mas Arai mysteries, so I was curious to see what this new series would be like. I think this series will appeal to a broader audience, but Ellie isn’t quite as likeable as the elderly Japanese gardener that is featured in her prior series. It takes a few chapters to connect with the character of Ellie and really get into the plot of the story. However, once I did, I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Like Hirahara’s first series, the book gives the reader an inside look at a different culture within Los Angeles with which many are unfamiliar. The book features a diverse group of characters in terms of personality and ethnic background which makes the story even more interesting and seems realistic for LA.
Ellie is at her best when she in on the case, doing whatever it takes to get to truth of the victim’s death, even when she learns things that are hurtful to her personally. One of the highlights of the book is Ellie’s friendship with her best friend Nay. They are very different, but they support, challenge, and inspire each other to be better people. I didn’t enjoy Ellie’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend as much and her family relationships are confusing, in terms of who is who and how the characters get along. There were a few points during the investigation when I wasn’t clear on some of the plot details, but it was enjoyable and there is an interesting ending to the case. I liked seeing how much Ellie learns about investigating and about people during her first case. It’s sad that she becomes disillusioned with some of the people in her life, but touching when she gains a new appreciation of her mother.
I think this book could be the beginning of an outstanding series. Although there are some confusing moments both in the background of the characters and the plot of the murder mystery, it is so unique, I still recommend the book. Readers who enjoy Sujata Massey’s Rei Shimura mysteries or Naomi Hirahara’s other books will enjoy this exceptional novel.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.