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Merci Rayborn #2
Red Light
Two years after the conclusion of THE BLUE HOUR, Merci and her son are living with her father. She's also dating Mike McNally, a respected fellow officer. Merci and Mike are the golden couple on the force, and even if Merci doesn't passionately love him, there's a sort of comfortable inevitability to it all.
But everything explodes when a young prostitute is found brutally murdered and Mike emerges as the primary suspect. The lead investigator on the case, Merci must do the unthinkable—expose and arrest her lover. Sifting through the clues with a growing sense of panic and outrage in her gut, Merci has to work hard to balance where the truth is leading her against where her heart is telling her to go. Meanwhile, an old unsolved case from the sixties is thrown on her desk—the murder of Patti Bailey, another prostitute with ties to the force—and the two cases conspire to turn Merci's world upside down.
But everything explodes when a young prostitute is found brutally murdered and Mike emerges as the primary suspect. The lead investigator on the case, Merci must do the unthinkable—expose and arrest her lover. Sifting through the clues with a growing sense of panic and outrage in her gut, Merci has to work hard to balance where the truth is leading her against where her heart is telling her to go. Meanwhile, an old unsolved case from the sixties is thrown on her desk—the murder of Patti Bailey, another prostitute with ties to the force—and the two cases conspire to turn Merci's world upside down.
532 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 29, 2000
171 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
T. Jefferson Parker
99 books852 followersT. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of 26 crime novels, including Edgar Award-winners SILENT JOE and CALIFORNIA GIRL. Parker's next work is coming-of-age thriller, A THOUSAND STEPS, set for January of 2022. He lives with his family in a small town in north San Diego County, and enjoys fishing, hiking and beachcombing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
October 26, 2018
This is the second book in the series, and I am unsure exactly what references are made to the first book.
Merci is just getting her life back together, and has a new boyfriend when a prostitute is killed. Of course, her boyfriend is soon a primary suspect. Then there are links to a similar case in the 1960's. Merci is quickly in over her head.
Ok, but I don't think I'll seek out number 3 in the series.
Merci is just getting her life back together, and has a new boyfriend when a prostitute is killed. Of course, her boyfriend is soon a primary suspect. Then there are links to a similar case in the 1960's. Merci is quickly in over her head.
Ok, but I don't think I'll seek out number 3 in the series.
July 24, 2010
Excellent second outing in Merci Rayborn series !!
Parker's second book in the homicide sergeant (Ms) Merci Rayborn series (of three so far) is definitely a sequel to his earlier work, "Blue Hour" [which if you haven't read that, STOP HERE:]. At the close of that book, Marci loses her temporary partner and one-night lover, Tim Hess, to a bullet meant for her, only to bear his son nine months later. Skipping ahead in fictional time two years to this book, we find Merci not at all over her loss and the fears it has created, despite her unbridled joy in her young son. Her dad, retired cop and widower Clark Rayborn, has moved in to baby-sit as needed and create some semblance of family.
Against this backdrop, Merci is back at work with a new partner, Paul Zamorra, who has a somewhat minor role in the action since his wife is dying as we read of a brain tumor. They are assigned to investigate the murder of a hooker in her own apartment, where a seeming abundance of clues is at hand. Meanwhile, with year-end in the offing, the department annually hauls out its cold cases. Merci is assigned a 30-year old unsolved murder, coincidentally, of another hooker shot to death without ever a suspect. In her relentless, intense method of tackling these cases head-on, as she does just about everything in life, Merci begins to harvest "dirt" from both murders, both pointing at comrades and even her new boyfriend, cops all. The plot twists and turns through quite a few different scenarios, including finding some stunning new evidence, creating terrific suspense until the true stories eventually surface. Near the end, Merci needs to deal with some ethical issues about what she's discovered that pose some interesting questions to ponder for us all.
Parker manages to pull off a great deal of plot complexity with a relatively small number of characters. That skill means we get to know them well, relate to them and care for them, and really get caught up emotionally in much of the intrigue. We grow fonder of Merci with every passing chapter, as she seemingly matures (at age 36) before our eyes. And we also harbor a great deal of empathy for her struggling to advance her career fighting heinous criminals, while coping with a new son, the terrible death of his father, the personal tribulations of her new partner, and the advances of other men who see as much in Merci to like as we do.
To us, that all of that adds up to another top-notch effort: and on to Parker's Merci #3, "Black Water"!
Parker's second book in the homicide sergeant (Ms) Merci Rayborn series (of three so far) is definitely a sequel to his earlier work, "Blue Hour" [which if you haven't read that, STOP HERE:]. At the close of that book, Marci loses her temporary partner and one-night lover, Tim Hess, to a bullet meant for her, only to bear his son nine months later. Skipping ahead in fictional time two years to this book, we find Merci not at all over her loss and the fears it has created, despite her unbridled joy in her young son. Her dad, retired cop and widower Clark Rayborn, has moved in to baby-sit as needed and create some semblance of family.
Against this backdrop, Merci is back at work with a new partner, Paul Zamorra, who has a somewhat minor role in the action since his wife is dying as we read of a brain tumor. They are assigned to investigate the murder of a hooker in her own apartment, where a seeming abundance of clues is at hand. Meanwhile, with year-end in the offing, the department annually hauls out its cold cases. Merci is assigned a 30-year old unsolved murder, coincidentally, of another hooker shot to death without ever a suspect. In her relentless, intense method of tackling these cases head-on, as she does just about everything in life, Merci begins to harvest "dirt" from both murders, both pointing at comrades and even her new boyfriend, cops all. The plot twists and turns through quite a few different scenarios, including finding some stunning new evidence, creating terrific suspense until the true stories eventually surface. Near the end, Merci needs to deal with some ethical issues about what she's discovered that pose some interesting questions to ponder for us all.
Parker manages to pull off a great deal of plot complexity with a relatively small number of characters. That skill means we get to know them well, relate to them and care for them, and really get caught up emotionally in much of the intrigue. We grow fonder of Merci with every passing chapter, as she seemingly matures (at age 36) before our eyes. And we also harbor a great deal of empathy for her struggling to advance her career fighting heinous criminals, while coping with a new son, the terrible death of his father, the personal tribulations of her new partner, and the advances of other men who see as much in Merci to like as we do.
To us, that all of that adds up to another top-notch effort: and on to Parker's Merci #3, "Black Water"!
February 8, 2021
"Merci, who had once believed she had the answer to almost everything, realized again, to the embarrassment of her soul, that she had the answer to almost nothing."
An oceanfront condo on Pacific Coast Highway in San Clemente, California. Aubrey, a 19-year-old woman, has invited a man for dinner. A man whom she likes a lot. They eat, he leaves, but she expects his return. And yes, after a while, there is a knock on the door, and Aubrey feels happy that he is now in her control. But then
The above presents the excellent - well-written and captivating - setup of T. Jefferson Parker's Red Light (2000), an Edgar Award nominee for the best novel, which follows the author's outstanding The Blue Hour . I loved the realistic, vivid portrayal of Merci in the former novel. The new book does not add much to the characterization of the female detective; fortunately, neither does her depiction lose any believability. Aubrey's character is also written well and, to me, realistic. Of the two male protagonists, the portrayal of Paul Zamorra seems stronger. There is something slightly out of focus about Mike's characterization. Naturally, the ambiguity might have been intended by the author and misconstrued by this reviewer.
As always, Mr. Parker is strong on descriptions of Orange County landscapes. Mike lives in Modjeska Canyon, a charming place on the western slopes of Santa Ana Mountains, a place I know from several visits. Just a few sentences of the author's prose bring the images of the canyon to life. Another great aspect of Mr. Parker's novels, which is on clear display here, is his skill of showing the mechanisms of Orange County politics: the interconnected workings of county government and various business interests. For me, the most memorable fragment of the novel is the compelling story of farmer Jesse Acuna beaten by right-wing assailants.
Another highlight of the novel is the dramatic moment when Merci visits Det. Zamorra's wife in the hospital - the fragment is so well written that it made me sick for a few minutes. No histrionics there; instead an almost clinical account of human pain and fear. And then, the powerful scenes of Det. McNally's interrogation. Alas, almost as a rule, my wonderful memories of the novel are spoiled by a cliché ending. Considering the ending, I would not put this novel on the Edgar Awards' shortlist. I would definitely put The Blue Hour there. Well, that's why I am not a literary critic.
A great read, anyway.
Three-and-three-quarter stars.
An oceanfront condo on Pacific Coast Highway in San Clemente, California. Aubrey, a 19-year-old woman, has invited a man for dinner. A man whom she likes a lot. They eat, he leaves, but she expects his return. And yes, after a while, there is a knock on the door, and Aubrey feels happy that he is now in her control. But then
"[...] her smile died from the inside out and she formed her last thought: No."Sergeant Merci Rayborn, with the help of another homicide detective, Paul Zamorra, investigates the case. They quickly establish two facts: that the victim worked as a call girl and that she was seen with Merci's boyfriend, Mike McNally, a vice detail detective. Mike becomes the main suspect in the case. Moreover, Merci is given an old and unsolved case of a 1969 murder to work on. The two cases gradually become intertwined.
The above presents the excellent - well-written and captivating - setup of T. Jefferson Parker's Red Light (2000), an Edgar Award nominee for the best novel, which follows the author's outstanding The Blue Hour . I loved the realistic, vivid portrayal of Merci in the former novel. The new book does not add much to the characterization of the female detective; fortunately, neither does her depiction lose any believability. Aubrey's character is also written well and, to me, realistic. Of the two male protagonists, the portrayal of Paul Zamorra seems stronger. There is something slightly out of focus about Mike's characterization. Naturally, the ambiguity might have been intended by the author and misconstrued by this reviewer.
As always, Mr. Parker is strong on descriptions of Orange County landscapes. Mike lives in Modjeska Canyon, a charming place on the western slopes of Santa Ana Mountains, a place I know from several visits. Just a few sentences of the author's prose bring the images of the canyon to life. Another great aspect of Mr. Parker's novels, which is on clear display here, is his skill of showing the mechanisms of Orange County politics: the interconnected workings of county government and various business interests. For me, the most memorable fragment of the novel is the compelling story of farmer Jesse Acuna beaten by right-wing assailants.
Another highlight of the novel is the dramatic moment when Merci visits Det. Zamorra's wife in the hospital - the fragment is so well written that it made me sick for a few minutes. No histrionics there; instead an almost clinical account of human pain and fear. And then, the powerful scenes of Det. McNally's interrogation. Alas, almost as a rule, my wonderful memories of the novel are spoiled by a cliché ending. Considering the ending, I would not put this novel on the Edgar Awards' shortlist. I would definitely put The Blue Hour there. Well, that's why I am not a literary critic.
A great read, anyway.
Three-and-three-quarter stars.
September 14, 2008
Merci Rayborn returns in Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker. It's two years after Tim Hess died. She's dating Mike McNally - a fellow officer, has an 18-month-old son and lives with her father since her mother passed away. In this installment of the Rayborn series, a prostitute is murdered. But the catch is this prostitute has a tie to Merci's boyfriend, Mike McNally, and soon the evidence starts piling up against Mike as the murderer. Meanwhile, Merci has also been given a cold case to look into. The cold case is also a prostitute murder, this one from 1969, that starts to look like it too has ties back to the sheriff's department.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Anna Fields. She does a good job of projecting the dark tone of Parker's novel. She doesn't have a wide range of voices, though. I thought most all the female characters sounded one way and all the male characters another way, but not much differentiation within the genders. It was still a decent recording, though.
I predicted the outcome in this book pretty early. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading too much crime fiction these days and have it all figured out or if this particular book was just a bit on the predictable side. And yet, there's something about Parker's writing that just keeps me riveted. He's great with detail. I love how all the detail is essential in the plot. There isn't a bunch of superfluous "stuff." He doesn't try to be showy or extravagant. Rather, Parker is economical and makes full use of everything he puts in the book.
I have found so far with the four books I've read of his, Red Light included, I wouldn't recommend them if you're depressed! All four have had a very dark tone, and Parker doesn't have much in the way of comic relief.
I'm intrigued by Merci Rayborn. I can't say she's one of my favorite female characters, but I'm constantly trying to figure her out. She's a tough cookie, without a doubt. And she is a character with depth. But, in this book, more so than in The Blue Hour, I found some of her behavior out of character. It just didn't seem to fit, and I didn't buy into it.
The other thing that bothered me a bit about this novel was the handful of details I was picking up as the law-enforcement-ignorant-reader that Merci was NOT picking up as a veteran sheriff's detective. She would eventually get there, but I had a hard time believing it would take her as long as it did. Now maybe, being on the outside looking in changes things, but as an example, it took her until the end of the book to think of the possibility that the outside light might NOT have been turned on. They assumed that the light would have been on because the bulb was not burned out - the bulb's status was determined at the beginning of the novel. Wouldn't a veteran investigator consider all the possibilities of that bulb from the get-go? I mean, personally, I would think one of the first scenarios they would consider is that the murderer unscrewed the bulb so the victim couldn't see him/her through the peep hole. But, I could be way off base.
Overall, I enjoyed Red Light and it was a good audiobook to listen to in the car.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Anna Fields. She does a good job of projecting the dark tone of Parker's novel. She doesn't have a wide range of voices, though. I thought most all the female characters sounded one way and all the male characters another way, but not much differentiation within the genders. It was still a decent recording, though.
I predicted the outcome in this book pretty early. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading too much crime fiction these days and have it all figured out or if this particular book was just a bit on the predictable side. And yet, there's something about Parker's writing that just keeps me riveted. He's great with detail. I love how all the detail is essential in the plot. There isn't a bunch of superfluous "stuff." He doesn't try to be showy or extravagant. Rather, Parker is economical and makes full use of everything he puts in the book.
I have found so far with the four books I've read of his, Red Light included, I wouldn't recommend them if you're depressed! All four have had a very dark tone, and Parker doesn't have much in the way of comic relief.
I'm intrigued by Merci Rayborn. I can't say she's one of my favorite female characters, but I'm constantly trying to figure her out. She's a tough cookie, without a doubt. And she is a character with depth. But, in this book, more so than in The Blue Hour, I found some of her behavior out of character. It just didn't seem to fit, and I didn't buy into it.
The other thing that bothered me a bit about this novel was the handful of details I was picking up as the law-enforcement-ignorant-reader that Merci was NOT picking up as a veteran sheriff's detective. She would eventually get there, but I had a hard time believing it would take her as long as it did. Now maybe, being on the outside looking in changes things, but as an example, it took her until the end of the book to think of the possibility that the outside light might NOT have been turned on. They assumed that the light would have been on because the bulb was not burned out - the bulb's status was determined at the beginning of the novel. Wouldn't a veteran investigator consider all the possibilities of that bulb from the get-go? I mean, personally, I would think one of the first scenarios they would consider is that the murderer unscrewed the bulb so the victim couldn't see him/her through the peep hole. But, I could be way off base.
Overall, I enjoyed Red Light and it was a good audiobook to listen to in the car.
October 15, 2020
MY REVIEW FOUR STARS****
I finished reading this novel in the middle of October, the fall of 2020, and over two decades since the author wrote this second installment of his MERCI RAYBURN book series. A year ago this month I read T. Jefferson Parker's "kick off" to this series, penned in 1999, titled THE BLUE HOUR. It was without question, one of the most outstanding, and certainly the most chilling, serial killer thrillers/police procedurals I have ever read, period. In my opinion it is a timeless classic, and it ranked right up there with such greats as Lawrence Sanders' FIRST DEADLY SIN [dubbed "The most incredibly popular suspense thriller ever written ...the unforgettable story of a ruthless killer with a special hatred for women, and the dedicated cop who vows to track him down ..." It was also the most outstanding "police procedural novel" that I had ever run across at the time. You have to bear in mind that the solitary dogged detective who was methodically and meticulously tracking the (serial killer) in the 1973 classic was handicapped by mind-numbing hours of manually sifting through mountains of paperwork (not to mention an absence of manpower). Computer technology was after all in its infancy and forensic science as we know it today bore little resemblance to what it had become by the dawn of the millennium. Similarly, THE BLUE HOUR (1999) featured two dedicated detectives who were just as compellingly deliberate, plodding, and methodical in their examination and follow up of every single shred of evidence that was available to them. I daresay that it too would stand up against any currently penned police procedural written after its publication 20 years ago.
In THE BLUE HOUR the author also paralleled the genius of Sanders before him in his creation of a fictional serial killer, a sexual sadist who was so authentic, so convincingly real, that when I got into my car at night, dropped down into the driver's seat I actually felt a chill go down by spine. I could all too easily imagine that I was smelling a sweetish fragrance and feeling a breath against my face. This was the second point that the two novels, the first written nearly half a century ago, and the second two decades ago had in common. Both Sanders and Parker wrote convincingly about the reality of police procedurals, and both authors created flesh and blood serial killers whose twisted psyches were fleshed out and believable. I would go out on a limb (but feel safe) in saying that Parker is as skilled in the genre of police procedurals as the highly and widely acclaimed Michael Connelly. Prior to reading THE BLUE HOUR I must admit that when I heard the term "gritty police procedural" I thought of no other author in the same orbit as Connelly (I'm a huge fan of his). Similarly, Thomas Harris is generally considered to be the only true master of creating fictional serial killers who are authentic and genuinely make readers feel the chill. I will say right now that the only author I can think of to compare with Parker's expertise as an author in crafting a genuinely original and frighteningly serial killer IS Thomas Harris.
It would be unfair and also redundant to continue this shameless reiteration of my adoration of THE BLUE HOUR when obviously the task at hand is to offer up an intelligent opinion of its follow up RED LIGHT. That said, I would advise any reader who opens the first page of RED LIGHT to stop before reading the first sentence. That is if he or she has NOT read THE BLUE HOUR. The book picks up a couple of years following the events in THE BLUE HOUR. Our protagonist, Orange County, California Sheriff's Detective Merci Rayburn, is raising Tim, Hess's son, while living with her father. There are numerous references to the first book in general, and specifically to the horrors that Merci faced which left her both emotionally vulnerable, haunted, and still grieving for Hess in addition to reliving her life-altering mistakes with "The Purse Snatcher".
I am saying that no one should read RED LIGHT in a vacuum. Read the book that introduces Merci Rayburn, and only then in my opinion can a reader possibly comprehend the astonishing character arc of this righteous female cop when she confronts and grapples with the incredible ethical dilemmas and long embedded conspiracies within the very framework of the foundation beneath her feet. Secondly, anyone who passes up reading the first book in the series is really missing a truly outstanding police procedural, serial killer thriller, and psychological suspense filled emotional roller coaster ride.
I was not familiar with T. Jefferson Parker's works prior to 2017, but I must say that he is one of the most incredibly talented authors I've read. His rich characterization, the mastery of the metaphor that he wields in his persuasive prose, his strong and believable dialogue among the cast of colorful characters who populate his novels, but perhaps most of all his unwavering ability to reach me on a visceral and emotional level.
In this follow up novel, Merci finds herself in a tepid relationship with a vice detective in the sheriff's department. She is not "in" love, but cares for (Mike), and cherishes his companionship with her and Tim. It is obvious that Merci is still grieving for Hess two years after his death, and cannot forgive herself for her mistakes. The reader learns about the scars and the fears she carries, the night terrors, and the hard fact that she is no longer the same person that met Hess for the first time in the first novel.
Parker's mastery of the metaphor is almost magical. Merci thinks about her feelings at one point when she is confronted with the unthinkable:
"STRANGE HOW HER HEART FELT THEN, LIKE IT HAD BEEN WRAPPED IN AN IRON BLANKET AND DROPPED OFF THE EDGE OF A SHIP. SHE WALKED OVER AND FACED HIM."
And upon losing respect for Mike:
SHE FELT HER RESPECT FOR MIKE SLIDING AWAY IN HUGE MASSES, LIKE EARTHSLIDES AFTER WEEKS OF RAIN.
Parker is a master of metaphors, his narrative style creates an emotional response in the reader, one which is in tandem with the subject matter--fear, suspense, the whole spectrum of human feelings. He is an incredible talent in the roster of top crime fiction authors writing today
Merci reflects upon her fears and phobias that were gifts from "The Purse Snatcher":
"MORE LIKE A FREEZING RIVER THAT WOULD TAKE YOU WITH IT, SHUT YOU DOWN, SWEEP YOU UNDER FOREVER WHERE IT WAS TOO COLD AND DARK EVEN TO BREATHE".
When Merci feels that she has betrayed the trust of her friend and lover, and feels shame:
SHE IMAGINED A STAIN STARTING ON HER HEART, SPREADING OUT TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND.
Merci's lover Mike is brought in for police interrogation in the death of a call girl:
HIS FACE WAS PALE. HE SAT ON HIS HANDS. HE STARED AT THE CAMERA FOR A LONG BEAT, THEN STUDIED SOMEONE ACROSS THE ROOM FROM HIM WITH A NERVOUS DISDAIN, LIKE A RATTLESNAKE LOOKING UP AT A SHOVEL.
This book is actually emotionally gut-wrenching. I could actually feel Merci's angst and her pain as she frequently pondered and reflected upon the tentacles of residual fear that gripped her, the unending sadness and regret over Hess and the fatal errors she made that cost him his life. The thing is, this book is one outstanding police procedural, crime fiction drama, and a complex, tightly plotted who dunnit. The author gives us a compelling drama on top of the other layers which is simply writing at its best.
Readers will enjoy the murders of two prostitutes that were killed three decades apart, and how their individual stories intertwine in the police departments of Orange County California. Merci is handed a Cold Case circa 1969 when she is simultaneously investigating the shooting of a high priced call girl in present day. Her lover is rather quickly implicated in the present day murder, and she embarks on a course of action that will figuratively and literally tear her world (and those around) apart. This is one outstanding read.
One final point. I really thought about the conclusion long after I had figuratively closed the book (Kindle). No spoilers here. However, I would be interested in how other readers felt about Merci's ultimate course of action. I am left somewhat torn, and I am not sure what that says about me (smile).
I finished reading this novel in the middle of October, the fall of 2020, and over two decades since the author wrote this second installment of his MERCI RAYBURN book series. A year ago this month I read T. Jefferson Parker's "kick off" to this series, penned in 1999, titled THE BLUE HOUR. It was without question, one of the most outstanding, and certainly the most chilling, serial killer thrillers/police procedurals I have ever read, period. In my opinion it is a timeless classic, and it ranked right up there with such greats as Lawrence Sanders' FIRST DEADLY SIN [dubbed "The most incredibly popular suspense thriller ever written ...the unforgettable story of a ruthless killer with a special hatred for women, and the dedicated cop who vows to track him down ..." It was also the most outstanding "police procedural novel" that I had ever run across at the time. You have to bear in mind that the solitary dogged detective who was methodically and meticulously tracking the (serial killer) in the 1973 classic was handicapped by mind-numbing hours of manually sifting through mountains of paperwork (not to mention an absence of manpower). Computer technology was after all in its infancy and forensic science as we know it today bore little resemblance to what it had become by the dawn of the millennium. Similarly, THE BLUE HOUR (1999) featured two dedicated detectives who were just as compellingly deliberate, plodding, and methodical in their examination and follow up of every single shred of evidence that was available to them. I daresay that it too would stand up against any currently penned police procedural written after its publication 20 years ago.
In THE BLUE HOUR the author also paralleled the genius of Sanders before him in his creation of a fictional serial killer, a sexual sadist who was so authentic, so convincingly real, that when I got into my car at night, dropped down into the driver's seat I actually felt a chill go down by spine. I could all too easily imagine that I was smelling a sweetish fragrance and feeling a breath against my face. This was the second point that the two novels, the first written nearly half a century ago, and the second two decades ago had in common. Both Sanders and Parker wrote convincingly about the reality of police procedurals, and both authors created flesh and blood serial killers whose twisted psyches were fleshed out and believable. I would go out on a limb (but feel safe) in saying that Parker is as skilled in the genre of police procedurals as the highly and widely acclaimed Michael Connelly. Prior to reading THE BLUE HOUR I must admit that when I heard the term "gritty police procedural" I thought of no other author in the same orbit as Connelly (I'm a huge fan of his). Similarly, Thomas Harris is generally considered to be the only true master of creating fictional serial killers who are authentic and genuinely make readers feel the chill. I will say right now that the only author I can think of to compare with Parker's expertise as an author in crafting a genuinely original and frighteningly serial killer IS Thomas Harris.
It would be unfair and also redundant to continue this shameless reiteration of my adoration of THE BLUE HOUR when obviously the task at hand is to offer up an intelligent opinion of its follow up RED LIGHT. That said, I would advise any reader who opens the first page of RED LIGHT to stop before reading the first sentence. That is if he or she has NOT read THE BLUE HOUR. The book picks up a couple of years following the events in THE BLUE HOUR. Our protagonist, Orange County, California Sheriff's Detective Merci Rayburn, is raising Tim, Hess's son, while living with her father. There are numerous references to the first book in general, and specifically to the horrors that Merci faced which left her both emotionally vulnerable, haunted, and still grieving for Hess in addition to reliving her life-altering mistakes with "The Purse Snatcher".
I am saying that no one should read RED LIGHT in a vacuum. Read the book that introduces Merci Rayburn, and only then in my opinion can a reader possibly comprehend the astonishing character arc of this righteous female cop when she confronts and grapples with the incredible ethical dilemmas and long embedded conspiracies within the very framework of the foundation beneath her feet. Secondly, anyone who passes up reading the first book in the series is really missing a truly outstanding police procedural, serial killer thriller, and psychological suspense filled emotional roller coaster ride.
I was not familiar with T. Jefferson Parker's works prior to 2017, but I must say that he is one of the most incredibly talented authors I've read. His rich characterization, the mastery of the metaphor that he wields in his persuasive prose, his strong and believable dialogue among the cast of colorful characters who populate his novels, but perhaps most of all his unwavering ability to reach me on a visceral and emotional level.
In this follow up novel, Merci finds herself in a tepid relationship with a vice detective in the sheriff's department. She is not "in" love, but cares for (Mike), and cherishes his companionship with her and Tim. It is obvious that Merci is still grieving for Hess two years after his death, and cannot forgive herself for her mistakes. The reader learns about the scars and the fears she carries, the night terrors, and the hard fact that she is no longer the same person that met Hess for the first time in the first novel.
Parker's mastery of the metaphor is almost magical. Merci thinks about her feelings at one point when she is confronted with the unthinkable:
"STRANGE HOW HER HEART FELT THEN, LIKE IT HAD BEEN WRAPPED IN AN IRON BLANKET AND DROPPED OFF THE EDGE OF A SHIP. SHE WALKED OVER AND FACED HIM."
And upon losing respect for Mike:
SHE FELT HER RESPECT FOR MIKE SLIDING AWAY IN HUGE MASSES, LIKE EARTHSLIDES AFTER WEEKS OF RAIN.
Parker is a master of metaphors, his narrative style creates an emotional response in the reader, one which is in tandem with the subject matter--fear, suspense, the whole spectrum of human feelings. He is an incredible talent in the roster of top crime fiction authors writing today
Merci reflects upon her fears and phobias that were gifts from "The Purse Snatcher":
"MORE LIKE A FREEZING RIVER THAT WOULD TAKE YOU WITH IT, SHUT YOU DOWN, SWEEP YOU UNDER FOREVER WHERE IT WAS TOO COLD AND DARK EVEN TO BREATHE".
When Merci feels that she has betrayed the trust of her friend and lover, and feels shame:
SHE IMAGINED A STAIN STARTING ON HER HEART, SPREADING OUT TO THE END OF THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND.
Merci's lover Mike is brought in for police interrogation in the death of a call girl:
HIS FACE WAS PALE. HE SAT ON HIS HANDS. HE STARED AT THE CAMERA FOR A LONG BEAT, THEN STUDIED SOMEONE ACROSS THE ROOM FROM HIM WITH A NERVOUS DISDAIN, LIKE A RATTLESNAKE LOOKING UP AT A SHOVEL.
This book is actually emotionally gut-wrenching. I could actually feel Merci's angst and her pain as she frequently pondered and reflected upon the tentacles of residual fear that gripped her, the unending sadness and regret over Hess and the fatal errors she made that cost him his life. The thing is, this book is one outstanding police procedural, crime fiction drama, and a complex, tightly plotted who dunnit. The author gives us a compelling drama on top of the other layers which is simply writing at its best.
Readers will enjoy the murders of two prostitutes that were killed three decades apart, and how their individual stories intertwine in the police departments of Orange County California. Merci is handed a Cold Case circa 1969 when she is simultaneously investigating the shooting of a high priced call girl in present day. Her lover is rather quickly implicated in the present day murder, and she embarks on a course of action that will figuratively and literally tear her world (and those around) apart. This is one outstanding read.
One final point. I really thought about the conclusion long after I had figuratively closed the book (Kindle). No spoilers here. However, I would be interested in how other readers felt about Merci's ultimate course of action. I am left somewhat torn, and I am not sure what that says about me (smile).
June 25, 2014
RATING: 4.25
T. Jefferson Parker has long written stand-alone novels that have been very well received by the crime fiction community. In The Blue Hour, Parker introduced his first series character, Merci Rayborn, a tougher-than-nails female homicide detective. In that book, the deep freeze that is her heart is penetrated; but due to an unfortunate series of events, she loses what she has just found.
Red Light picks up where The Blue Hour left off. Merci is balancing a tough work life with being a single mother. Fortunately, her father has come to live with her so that he can take care of her young son, Tim. She also has a serious relationship with a fellow cop by the name of Mike McNally. Although he professes to love her and wants the relationship to move to the next level, Merci just can't seem to commit herself emotionally. She's still recovering from the loss of her mentor and lover from The Blue Hour.
Merci's current case involves the investigation of the death of a prostitute by the name of Aubrey Whittaker. She quickly discovers that Mike may have been involved with Audrey. Putting aside her feelings of treachery, she uncovers evidence that points to Mike as the perpetrator, and he ends up in jail. Although he repeatedly asserts his innocence, every new fact that is uncovered points more strongly to his guilt.
Within the department, each detective is traditionally assigned a cold case at the end of the year to see if they can get it off the books before the new year. Coincidentally (or not?), Merci is assigned an unsolved murder dating to 1969 of another prostitute by the name of Patti Bailey. What she finds in that investigation has aftereffects which have tremendous impacts to the present day, involving leaders in the community, the police department and even people that she loves.
Parker excels at building a complex character in Merci, one who shows a lot of vulnerabilities that weren't evident in the first book, which made her more appealing to the reader. The plot is intricate; the past is woven into the present in a very convincing way with no stretches of credibility. Although I didn't care for the long drawn-out confession at the conclusion of the book, the ultimate conundrum that Merci faces at the end is well presented. Loyalty and love versus truth and justice--which would you choose to honor? The book is well written and will leave the reader anxious to jump into the third entry in the series, Black Water.
T. Jefferson Parker has long written stand-alone novels that have been very well received by the crime fiction community. In The Blue Hour, Parker introduced his first series character, Merci Rayborn, a tougher-than-nails female homicide detective. In that book, the deep freeze that is her heart is penetrated; but due to an unfortunate series of events, she loses what she has just found.
Red Light picks up where The Blue Hour left off. Merci is balancing a tough work life with being a single mother. Fortunately, her father has come to live with her so that he can take care of her young son, Tim. She also has a serious relationship with a fellow cop by the name of Mike McNally. Although he professes to love her and wants the relationship to move to the next level, Merci just can't seem to commit herself emotionally. She's still recovering from the loss of her mentor and lover from The Blue Hour.
Merci's current case involves the investigation of the death of a prostitute by the name of Aubrey Whittaker. She quickly discovers that Mike may have been involved with Audrey. Putting aside her feelings of treachery, she uncovers evidence that points to Mike as the perpetrator, and he ends up in jail. Although he repeatedly asserts his innocence, every new fact that is uncovered points more strongly to his guilt.
Within the department, each detective is traditionally assigned a cold case at the end of the year to see if they can get it off the books before the new year. Coincidentally (or not?), Merci is assigned an unsolved murder dating to 1969 of another prostitute by the name of Patti Bailey. What she finds in that investigation has aftereffects which have tremendous impacts to the present day, involving leaders in the community, the police department and even people that she loves.
Parker excels at building a complex character in Merci, one who shows a lot of vulnerabilities that weren't evident in the first book, which made her more appealing to the reader. The plot is intricate; the past is woven into the present in a very convincing way with no stretches of credibility. Although I didn't care for the long drawn-out confession at the conclusion of the book, the ultimate conundrum that Merci faces at the end is well presented. Loyalty and love versus truth and justice--which would you choose to honor? The book is well written and will leave the reader anxious to jump into the third entry in the series, Black Water.
June 20, 2012
My third T. Jeffereson Parker book and by far my favorite.
Still wish there were 1/2 star ratings. This book, in my estimation, was very close to five stars especially since I gave four stars to the other two. Had to recall those books I did give five stars to in order to back off down to four. In my mind though, four and one-half stars.
Marci Rayborn is the protagonist and she's a wounded soul. Young but carrying the burden of a person who has been through a number of reincarnations all of which left her with a burden heavier than the last one.
There are at least three storylines, all intersecting at the right moment. Wish I could say I've gotten better at determining the 'evil doer' but no, not so much. In this book especially, it still came somewhat of a surprise because I just couldn't figure how the murder occurred with the evidence presented. Wouldn't make much of a Sherlock Holmes, that's for sure.
It's clear entertainment for me and TJP is running really close to becoming a favorite author. His books are complex without being confusing. His characters are as complex as the storyline. And Marci definately has that moral complass which I love and appreciate in the main character, when, of course, he/she is the 'good guy.'
Look forward to reading the next chapter in Marci's timeline to become sheriff by the time she's 58. Make it or not, it's going to be a fine, very fine ride.
Still wish there were 1/2 star ratings. This book, in my estimation, was very close to five stars especially since I gave four stars to the other two. Had to recall those books I did give five stars to in order to back off down to four. In my mind though, four and one-half stars.
Marci Rayborn is the protagonist and she's a wounded soul. Young but carrying the burden of a person who has been through a number of reincarnations all of which left her with a burden heavier than the last one.
There are at least three storylines, all intersecting at the right moment. Wish I could say I've gotten better at determining the 'evil doer' but no, not so much. In this book especially, it still came somewhat of a surprise because I just couldn't figure how the murder occurred with the evidence presented. Wouldn't make much of a Sherlock Holmes, that's for sure.
It's clear entertainment for me and TJP is running really close to becoming a favorite author. His books are complex without being confusing. His characters are as complex as the storyline. And Marci definately has that moral complass which I love and appreciate in the main character, when, of course, he/she is the 'good guy.'
Look forward to reading the next chapter in Marci's timeline to become sheriff by the time she's 58. Make it or not, it's going to be a fine, very fine ride.
October 8, 2019
The murder of two separate prostitutes years apart should not be connected, but as Merci investigates the cold case she has been given, she finds links not only to the cases but to fellow cop and man she is dating, Mike McNally. Doing her job has caused her to hurt a man she cares about. Secrets unravel and the twist is both sad and desperate.
February 28, 2012
I love T Jefferson Parker. This was not up to the superior level of his others. The plot is great, but I had the impression that Parker was struggling to get through this book. I know I was, for sure. As much as he is a master at fleshing out his people, I had the impression that something else in Parker's life as he was working on this book, was commanding more of his emotional and mental focus. There were a couple of times I wanted to give up but I kept through, knowing that the next in this series will be better.... in fact it will be fantastic again.
April 23, 2013
This is one of Parker's novels I missed (thought I had read them all) and it features the main character Merci Rayborn who is a deputy sheriff for Orange County, CA like her father and his friends, before her. This book has to do with one cold case which happened in 1969 and one current case, both of them homicides of prostitutes or call girls. I found it fascinating the way the author wove the strands of both stories together to arrive at a logical and coherent whole.
January 24, 2013
It was a good read, a little long in some parts, but I didn't want to put it down.
September 15, 2025
Aubrey Whittaker, a 19-year-old high-end escort, dies in her home just days before Christmas, her Cadillac a stark reminder of her profession. Merci Rayborn, still reeling from the loss of a lover and a near-fatal encounter with a psychopath in the first book, teams up with her partner, Paul Zamorra, to investigate Aubrey’s murder. Alongside this, her boss assigns her a cold case—the 1969 killing of a prostitute. As you read, you’ll spot eerie parallels between Aubrey’s death and the decades-old crime.
As Merci digs into Aubrey’s case, evidence mounts against Mike McNally, a man she nearly loved, whose father served on the Orange County police force years ago. She searches for reasons to clear Mike, but each clue tightens the noose around him.
I struggled to connect with Merci’s character, yet something kept me reading. The ending delivers, and I suspect if you start this book, you’ll want to finish it. It’s worth the journey.
As Merci digs into Aubrey’s case, evidence mounts against Mike McNally, a man she nearly loved, whose father served on the Orange County police force years ago. She searches for reasons to clear Mike, but each clue tightens the noose around him.
I struggled to connect with Merci’s character, yet something kept me reading. The ending delivers, and I suspect if you start this book, you’ll want to finish it. It’s worth the journey.
April 20, 2013
I listened to the audio version on an auto trip. Having enjoyed The Blue Hour I picked up this second one featuring Merci Rayborn. Parker's mystery/suspense novels are multi-layered and this was as well - in fact my reason for deducting a star was I felt a bit of overburdened by the layers.
The present situation involves Merci's investigation of a murdered hooker who had a relationship with her on again/off again boyfriend. Layered on top are her relationships with her bosses and co-workers. her current partner's wife is about to die.
The past involves not only her father, but her boyfriend's father, former cops and pols and her onetime partner/lover now deceased who can still get in her head.
The future centers on her son and how she will provide for him.
Implicitly Parker asks us to consider what we would do in Merci's shoes and it's a question worth thinking about.
The present situation involves Merci's investigation of a murdered hooker who had a relationship with her on again/off again boyfriend. Layered on top are her relationships with her bosses and co-workers. her current partner's wife is about to die.
The past involves not only her father, but her boyfriend's father, former cops and pols and her onetime partner/lover now deceased who can still get in her head.
The future centers on her son and how she will provide for him.
Implicitly Parker asks us to consider what we would do in Merci's shoes and it's a question worth thinking about.
September 21, 2010
Homicide Detective Merci Rayborn is mourning the death of her former partner Tim Hess, who is the father of her two year old son Tim Jr. Her boss assigned her two murder cases, (1) cold case (unsolved case): a prostitute was murdered in 1969 who was found dead in an empty field, (2) a recent case: a young prostitute who was shot to death in her apartment.
The first case, few suspects were involved in the police department and influential people in Southern California's Orange County.
The second case, her boyfriend Sgt. Mike McNally is the prime suspect and who happens to be the close friend of the prostitute but admitted that he never had sex with her.
As Merci investigates her cases, she found out about political leaders and cops were dealing with corruption and political ambition that involves murder. She also struggles with her emotions between her lover and work.
"a very interesting read... i like the story, i will definitely buy the first series of this book.
The first case, few suspects were involved in the police department and influential people in Southern California's Orange County.
The second case, her boyfriend Sgt. Mike McNally is the prime suspect and who happens to be the close friend of the prostitute but admitted that he never had sex with her.
As Merci investigates her cases, she found out about political leaders and cops were dealing with corruption and political ambition that involves murder. She also struggles with her emotions between her lover and work.
"a very interesting read... i like the story, i will definitely buy the first series of this book.
January 10, 2013
Merci is an officer with the sherrif's department; her father was in law-enforcement before her.
She is still traumatized by the loss of her former partner and lover when they faced a serial killer together and the near loss of her young son in an accident on the water.
She finds herself investigating the murder of a prostitute and soon learns that her current gentleman friend might be the prime suspect in the young woman's murder.
I had a hard time keeping focused on this book. The writing was a bit simplistic at times and there were a good many errors, mostly of the sort that happens when you use spellcheck. but don't double check it.
A major sticking issue for me was that when merci found she was connected to the case, she wasn't immediately transferred off it. It seems like a huge conflict of interest to me and would be counter to the policy of any department I know of.
The characters were interesting, though and the story over all wasn't bad.
She is still traumatized by the loss of her former partner and lover when they faced a serial killer together and the near loss of her young son in an accident on the water.
She finds herself investigating the murder of a prostitute and soon learns that her current gentleman friend might be the prime suspect in the young woman's murder.
I had a hard time keeping focused on this book. The writing was a bit simplistic at times and there were a good many errors, mostly of the sort that happens when you use spellcheck. but don't double check it.
A major sticking issue for me was that when merci found she was connected to the case, she wasn't immediately transferred off it. It seems like a huge conflict of interest to me and would be counter to the policy of any department I know of.
The characters were interesting, though and the story over all wasn't bad.
November 28, 2017
My biggest problem with this book was I didn't really like any of the main characters. I found the main character Merci, to be whiny, and I didn't get a feel for her at all. By the end I was tired of the author constantly reminding us how sad and depressed she was over her lover's death and her confliction investigating her current love interest. I also was getting tired of the author constantly reminding us how sad and depressed her partner was because of his sick wife. Do we see a trend here? Oh, and her current lover? Also whining constantly about how Merci won't commit to him.
The story just seems to drag on, with the characters constant whining and takes forever to get to the end, with a conclusion that just seems to appear out of the blue. Even the secondary plot was dull and offered no real satisfying conclusion.
The story just seems to drag on, with the characters constant whining and takes forever to get to the end, with a conclusion that just seems to appear out of the blue. Even the secondary plot was dull and offered no real satisfying conclusion.
March 23, 2017
Three stars only because T. Jefferson Parker is a good writer.Parker writes of California with the good, the bad and the ugly. This was the second book in the Merci Rayborn series. Wasn't sure if I'd like Merci, a cop with the Orange County Sheriff,by page 250 I was almost certain I did not! I enjoy a dark mystery but this story had too many messed up people carrying guns,while making life changing decisions. I have never under stood that; "He's one of Our's" mentality among certain groups of people. This time around, police officers......Merci is trying to solve two murders of prostitutes. One, a cold case from 1969, and one in present time. Both having ties with cops. The latest murder points to a fellow police officer and Merci's lover.
March 11, 2015
I don't think this was as strong as books 1 &3 in this series. After awhile I get tired of reading about police corruption, but Parker does make a decent mystery out of this story. Merci works on two separate mysteries separated by thirty years. One mystery embroils her lover and the other one seems to have deep roots in the departments history.
As time goes on Merci slowly realizes that doing the right thing may hurt the people she loves the most. Parker does a fantastic job describing the dilemma and e turmoil.
On top of that, I love the way Merci and her partner keep looking back over the forensics. I love how Parker wraps this one up, though I think he forced it to go another thirty pages beyond what was reasonable.
A good story. A good plot. Worth reading.
As time goes on Merci slowly realizes that doing the right thing may hurt the people she loves the most. Parker does a fantastic job describing the dilemma and e turmoil.
On top of that, I love the way Merci and her partner keep looking back over the forensics. I love how Parker wraps this one up, though I think he forced it to go another thirty pages beyond what was reasonable.
A good story. A good plot. Worth reading.
June 5, 2015
Merci Rayborn an Orange County homicide detective is back after the
death of Tim Hess her partner and the father of her child. She has
put her life back together and is living with her father, a retired
cop and her son. She is dating Mike McNally a respected fellow officer.
A young prostitute is found murdered and Mike emerges as the prime
suspect. Now Merci must do the unthinkable expose and arrest her
lover. She must now shift through the facts and balance where the
truth leads her against where her heart is telling her to go. the
truth is taking her down some very strange alley's. From present
day Orange County to the late sixties and another unsolved
prostitutes murder. This is a taunt psychologically complex thriller
from around 2000.
death of Tim Hess her partner and the father of her child. She has
put her life back together and is living with her father, a retired
cop and her son. She is dating Mike McNally a respected fellow officer.
A young prostitute is found murdered and Mike emerges as the prime
suspect. Now Merci must do the unthinkable expose and arrest her
lover. She must now shift through the facts and balance where the
truth leads her against where her heart is telling her to go. the
truth is taking her down some very strange alley's. From present
day Orange County to the late sixties and another unsolved
prostitutes murder. This is a taunt psychologically complex thriller
from around 2000.
December 3, 2018
Brilliant!
I never fail to be amazed by T Jefferson Parker. He is a writer of the first order and this story is one of his best. The first book in the Mercy Rayborn series was outstanding and I couldn't wait to read this second one. I was not disappointed. The quality of the writing kept me enthralled all the way through and I didn't want it to end. If you like Michael Connelly, John D McDonald or the Matthew Scudder series you will enjoy these books. I have already ordered the third title in paperback as, unfortunately it is not available as an ebook. If you are a fan of engrossing storylines, excellent characterization and suspense up until the very end don't let this pass you by.
I never fail to be amazed by T Jefferson Parker. He is a writer of the first order and this story is one of his best. The first book in the Mercy Rayborn series was outstanding and I couldn't wait to read this second one. I was not disappointed. The quality of the writing kept me enthralled all the way through and I didn't want it to end. If you like Michael Connelly, John D McDonald or the Matthew Scudder series you will enjoy these books. I have already ordered the third title in paperback as, unfortunately it is not available as an ebook. If you are a fan of engrossing storylines, excellent characterization and suspense up until the very end don't let this pass you by.
June 22, 2009
A classic whodunit story with a lady detective as the leading character, who pieces together all the evidence she has and comes up with a surprising suspect. Along the way she also tries to solve a cold case, a murder from 1969. And both seem to have something in common.
Good thrillers I read within a few days because they are quite easy to read and you want to know what happens next. This was also the case with this book, although it wasn't a 'suspenseful' thriller where you have to be afraid when the culprit strikes next. The main action has already taken place (but there is a climax at the end!)
Good thrillers I read within a few days because they are quite easy to read and you want to know what happens next. This was also the case with this book, although it wasn't a 'suspenseful' thriller where you have to be afraid when the culprit strikes next. The main action has already taken place (but there is a climax at the end!)
February 3, 2013
It’s the second in a series of 3; I’m starting the 3rd tonight. It started slow and got better and better as the book goes along. It reminded me again how things do happened in law enforcement agencies that can sour a person on the whole legal system and what it stands for. I know how disappointing it was for me and how I had no idea that Cops would turn on Cops. Not all departments are like this but the one I was with for a brief time was horrible. I still have faith in the legal system and 90% of the people involved in it do the right thing but the other 10% sure can make things awful. Such is the case with this book.
November 29, 2009
The second on the trilogy of Merci Rayborn, homicide investigator. Now raising a son after her partner and lover was murdered, it looks like the man in her life has committed a murder. While investigating a cold case, an anonymous person feeds her tidbits of information that is pointing toward her father and friends of her father. It will be interesting to see how this wraps up in the final book.
December 13, 2014
Second in the Merci Rayborn series & although not as good as "Blue Hour" (book #1), this was a very enjoyable read. I thought it started veering off course about 2/3 of the way, but was wrapped up nicely. I LOVE the strong female that Merci is!I like how flawed she is, and how she really does not care what others think of her. I especially enjoy how she tries to grow as a detective & as a mom.
April 28, 2011
This book is full of dark intrigue and deep emotions. The characters and sense of place are so real.
September 7, 2012
Merci Rayborn book #2 was not as good as The Blue Hour - book #1. I'm hoping book #3 will have more focus.
May 26, 2013
Dark and gritty crime novel with deep character development and a strong plot. Lots of twists and turns. I never would have guessed the outcome.
June 4, 2018
slow and confusing in the beginning
enjoyed the middle and ending
enjoyed the middle and ending
February 17, 2024
Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker is the second book of the Merci Rayborn mystery series set in contemporary Orange County, CA. It's 1999, 2 years since Tim Hess died (be sure to read The Blue Hour first!). Merci has grown as a woman and a detective. She appreciates all she learned from Tim, and cherishes their son Tim Jr.; values him above all else. Gone is the frenzy to be sheriff by a young age. Her dad has moved in; together they are a family, raising Tim Jr.
Merci has a new detective partner, Paul Zamorra (medical disaster looms for his wife, so he's frequently away from duty). A rare humorous moment in their investigation: "Merci glared at the receptionist on her way past. The woman was blond, young, unreasonably beautiful. She smelled like free sample day at Macy's."
She's in a (lukewarm) romantic relationship with vice detective Mike McNally - until evidence in her current murder case implicates him.
Merci is also diligently ferreting out evidence in a "cold case", 30 years unsolved. "Her impression of the year 1969 was that everybody was loaded and disrespectful to authority. She was only four at the time"
A coincidence both her current case and the cold case are each about hookers shot to death? Nope.
Plot twists add suspense, uncover startling evidence, and raise ethical issues. An excellent sequel from a phenomenal author.
"To her mind, Merci had never had a routine case. She took each of them personally, which a cop wasn't supposed to do. Not so much the victims, more the perps. She took them very personally. She wanted to make sure they got a fair trial, then the needle, or thrown in a dungeon forever. It was a bad quality to have and she knew it. Hatred was a dirty fuel, but it was a fuel that burned hot and long."
Merci has a new detective partner, Paul Zamorra (medical disaster looms for his wife, so he's frequently away from duty). A rare humorous moment in their investigation: "Merci glared at the receptionist on her way past. The woman was blond, young, unreasonably beautiful. She smelled like free sample day at Macy's."
She's in a (lukewarm) romantic relationship with vice detective Mike McNally - until evidence in her current murder case implicates him.
Merci is also diligently ferreting out evidence in a "cold case", 30 years unsolved. "Her impression of the year 1969 was that everybody was loaded and disrespectful to authority. She was only four at the time"
A coincidence both her current case and the cold case are each about hookers shot to death? Nope.
Plot twists add suspense, uncover startling evidence, and raise ethical issues. An excellent sequel from a phenomenal author.
"To her mind, Merci had never had a routine case. She took each of them personally, which a cop wasn't supposed to do. Not so much the victims, more the perps. She took them very personally. She wanted to make sure they got a fair trial, then the needle, or thrown in a dungeon forever. It was a bad quality to have and she knew it. Hatred was a dirty fuel, but it was a fuel that burned hot and long."
October 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book for several reasons. It's a good murder mystery with lots of intrigue and characters who were or still are members of law enforcement and who could be the murderer(s) of the current victim and the victim of a cold case from 1969, since most of them are still around and active on the force. I found it interesting that it refers to some of the cops from the 1969 case as being "Birchers"...members of the John Birch society, a conservative group that is still active today, although they are now much more of an extreme far, alt-right group since Trump.
I still am not sure of how I feel about Merci Rayborn. I didn't like her much in Blue Hour, but she is growing on me. Now, off to read the third in this series, Black Water.
I still am not sure of how I feel about Merci Rayborn. I didn't like her much in Blue Hour, but she is growing on me. Now, off to read the third in this series, Black Water.
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