The Chapel of Retribution

Detective Robert Lui #1

by Glenn Burwell

Robert Lui, a detective with the Vancouver Police Department, has left the Gang Taskforce to return to the duller but supposedly safer work of the Major Crimes Unit. Assigned to the benign west side of Vancouver, he didn't expect to be breaking up fights between developers or finding body parts in the ponds of local horticultural attractions. Nor did he expect to be entangled in a revenge drama playing itself out across the city's southside. Motives are hard to fathom and victims have nothing in common, leaving Robert's small team perplexed. They are also learning to be wary if they ever scrape up enough money to enter the housing market. At least they are spending time in one of the nicer environments in the city, even if circumstances might be deadly.

308 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2023

Reviews

[D.A. Brown]

Robert Lui has his plate full of unusual occurrences in his job with the Vancouver Police Department. First there’s the unusual lobster bisque with the unexpected ingredient. Then other mysteries and bodies start piling up, all of them linked somehow to a new restaurant development in downtown Vancouver. But how? Can Robert find the answers before any more die?

And is there enough good coffee to see him though?

Robert has just transferred from the gangs department into regular detective work. He’s glad of the transfer, hoping this means his two teenaged children will be safe—he’s received threats about them in the past. But this means he’s in the same department as Camille, someone who is in his thoughts more than he thought she’d be. After all, he is still grieving his wife’s death. But it’s been two years…

A fast-paced thriller noir, set in developers Vancouver. The author’s knowledge of the wheeling and dealing in this world comes through very clearly, and adds depth to the story. Fascinating and timely. Most violence occurs off screen though there are brief references to it.

The Chapel of Retribution is part of an ongoing series. I’m looking forward to seeing the next one published!

[Lynne]

An interesting mystery story.
My first read by Glenn Burrwell, and I hope to read more by him

[Eadie Burke]

Robert Lui, a detective with the Vancouver Police Department, has left the Gang Taskforce and joined the Major Crimes Unit. Revenge is the main theme of the story. Glenn Burwell uses his job of almost 40 years as a registered architect in writing this book. He writes about the local development industry and how it affects the lives of people living in Vancouver. The bodies of two people and one dog are found and needs to be solved by Robert Lui and his team. The characters are well-drawn and the plot allows the reader to read to the surprise ending of the book. This is a great debut book of a good series for the author and I will be awaiting another book by him soon. If you like mystery novels, then you will love this book.