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Lieutenant Luis Mendoza #36
Chaos of Crime: A Luis Mendoza Mystery
Luis Mendoza and the L.A.P.D. pursue a psychotic sex killer, a gas station heister with an unusual MO, and an escaped convict
- GenresMystery
190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Dell Shannon
157 books24 followersPseudonym of Elizabeth Linington.
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 11, 2023
In which Mendoza and Co. deal with one of the most fearful of crimes: the serial butcher.
Being a person who loves wolves, the opening line, "There was a man turned to wolf...." rather bothers me, but I can understand it. It's hard to describe this sort of monster without an animal reference. If this had been written in India, say, the line would probably have been, "There was a man turned to tiger...." Or in a more northern clime, "There was a man turned to bear...." Whatever happened to be the apex predator of the area. (I like to imagine a wolf pack dealing with a mad killer and saying to each other, "There's a wolf turned to man!")
This book is a rarity: we get to see the storyline from the killer's point of view, hearing his Voice, and going out into the night to obey....
We are then abruptly thrown into Killing #5, and introduced to the newest detective at Robbery-Homicide: Pat Calhoun. Things have shaken up around the office; with Sgt Lake gone, Rory Farrell is now manning the office full time, with Rita Putnam coming in on Sundays. In March, the Narco office lost two men and arbitrarily grabbed Henry Glasser. Following Mendoza's complaints of their own manpower shortage, they got Calhoun in April, which was actually pretty fast work.
Shannon is fairly restrained in her descriptions of the butcher's handiwork, compared to the sort of thing you could read today, but it's plenty bad enough, thank you very much. It put me in mind of an old photograph I once had the misfortune to see, of the remains of Mary Jane Kelly, the Ripper's final victim, which was barely recognizable as having once been human. The first victim had actually been a perfectly respectable young student, attacked while walking home. (The killer had apparently delayed too long in answering the Voice, and grabbed the first female he saw that night. Henceforth, his victims would be prostitutes, who had their own rooms, and therefore privacy and all the time he wanted.) Apart from the first attack, he strips prior to getting down to business, and carefully cleans up afterwards. At intervals in the book, we see more of the killer's past, how he first became aware of his inclinations after witnessing the aftermath of a grisly accident, and found himself excited rather than grossed out. Once he's living on his own, he starts experimenting with animals (this is something you will find happens with most, if not all, serial killers) but we don't know just when he started going after people. Presumably it was always women. At first, it seems as though he goes after prostitutes because they are easy prey, but later we learn that he has serious issues about "strange women". After the fifth case, Mendoza puts the information out on NCIC, and they learn that he has been operating for a number of years. Disquietingly, the intervals between victims is getting shorter and shorter. The killer is heading for the end; he knows that if people learn about him, he will be put away, but the urge to speak up and tell everyone is getting stronger and stronger, and the case concludes because of a Freudian slip.
Jack the Stripper is still at large, although everyone is wishing they had come up with a different nickname.
There's a gorgeous redheaded heister, with a partner that none of the victims pay any attention to, because they're so busy staring at her.
NCIS informs Mendoza that there is an escaped criminal heading their way. The man has a respectable brother, living a quiet life with his little chihuahua, Pancho. This one will lead to a frightening altercation.
A woman is found dead and naked in her bed at home. All the neighbors know her to be a nymphomaniac, bringing home different men practically every day. The husband worked days as a custodian at a local school. Which of her many partners killed her? Calhoun demonstrates how he made detective so fast by pointing the way.
This story, in fact, is packed with all kinds of interesting little cases, too many to enumerate (at least not in the time I have on the computer!) There is one where a cat provides an important clue!
On the personal side:
A book-long problem at the Mendoza household, starting with a simple invitation to a pool party for the twins. They enjoy themselves perfectly well, surrounded by a bunch of adults, until the host mother freaks out when she learns that they (GASP!) don't know how to swim. Alison is infuriated, but decides that it would be helpful for the twins to take lessons. This is all very well, but of course the twins are going to want to be able to swim at home....
The Landers' manage to actually find a sucker to buy their impossible house in Azuza.
More babies are popping out. The Piggots have a little girl, Ann Catherine, the Pallisers get a second son, Alan John, and the Galeanos have little Christine Maria.
I have to say, I'm not impressed with Calhoun. In today's world, he'd find himself in a great deal of trouble. He persistently addresses Wanda as "Beautiful" and implies that she's only there for decoration. Wanda actually agrees to go out with him, which, sorry, I think was stupid of her. Calhoun would like the chance to work with Rich Conway, somewhat on the shelf working the night shift, because he's heard that Conway is also interesting in "playing the field". I'm wondering if Shannon found that the character of Rich Conway wasn't turning out quite what she wanted, and therefore adding in Calhoun.
All in all, a pretty satisfying addition to the series.
Being a person who loves wolves, the opening line, "There was a man turned to wolf...." rather bothers me, but I can understand it. It's hard to describe this sort of monster without an animal reference. If this had been written in India, say, the line would probably have been, "There was a man turned to tiger...." Or in a more northern clime, "There was a man turned to bear...." Whatever happened to be the apex predator of the area. (I like to imagine a wolf pack dealing with a mad killer and saying to each other, "There's a wolf turned to man!")
This book is a rarity: we get to see the storyline from the killer's point of view, hearing his Voice, and going out into the night to obey....
We are then abruptly thrown into Killing #5, and introduced to the newest detective at Robbery-Homicide: Pat Calhoun. Things have shaken up around the office; with Sgt Lake gone, Rory Farrell is now manning the office full time, with Rita Putnam coming in on Sundays. In March, the Narco office lost two men and arbitrarily grabbed Henry Glasser. Following Mendoza's complaints of their own manpower shortage, they got Calhoun in April, which was actually pretty fast work.
Shannon is fairly restrained in her descriptions of the butcher's handiwork, compared to the sort of thing you could read today, but it's plenty bad enough, thank you very much. It put me in mind of an old photograph I once had the misfortune to see, of the remains of Mary Jane Kelly, the Ripper's final victim, which was barely recognizable as having once been human. The first victim had actually been a perfectly respectable young student, attacked while walking home. (The killer had apparently delayed too long in answering the Voice, and grabbed the first female he saw that night. Henceforth, his victims would be prostitutes, who had their own rooms, and therefore privacy and all the time he wanted.) Apart from the first attack, he strips prior to getting down to business, and carefully cleans up afterwards. At intervals in the book, we see more of the killer's past, how he first became aware of his inclinations after witnessing the aftermath of a grisly accident, and found himself excited rather than grossed out. Once he's living on his own, he starts experimenting with animals (this is something you will find happens with most, if not all, serial killers) but we don't know just when he started going after people. Presumably it was always women. At first, it seems as though he goes after prostitutes because they are easy prey, but later we learn that he has serious issues about "strange women". After the fifth case, Mendoza puts the information out on NCIC, and they learn that he has been operating for a number of years. Disquietingly, the intervals between victims is getting shorter and shorter. The killer is heading for the end; he knows that if people learn about him, he will be put away, but the urge to speak up and tell everyone is getting stronger and stronger, and the case concludes because of a Freudian slip.
Jack the Stripper is still at large, although everyone is wishing they had come up with a different nickname.
There's a gorgeous redheaded heister, with a partner that none of the victims pay any attention to, because they're so busy staring at her.
NCIS informs Mendoza that there is an escaped criminal heading their way. The man has a respectable brother, living a quiet life with his little chihuahua, Pancho. This one will lead to a frightening altercation.
A woman is found dead and naked in her bed at home. All the neighbors know her to be a nymphomaniac, bringing home different men practically every day. The husband worked days as a custodian at a local school. Which of her many partners killed her? Calhoun demonstrates how he made detective so fast by pointing the way.
This story, in fact, is packed with all kinds of interesting little cases, too many to enumerate (at least not in the time I have on the computer!) There is one where a cat provides an important clue!
On the personal side:
A book-long problem at the Mendoza household, starting with a simple invitation to a pool party for the twins. They enjoy themselves perfectly well, surrounded by a bunch of adults, until the host mother freaks out when she learns that they (GASP!) don't know how to swim. Alison is infuriated, but decides that it would be helpful for the twins to take lessons. This is all very well, but of course the twins are going to want to be able to swim at home....
The Landers' manage to actually find a sucker to buy their impossible house in Azuza.
More babies are popping out. The Piggots have a little girl, Ann Catherine, the Pallisers get a second son, Alan John, and the Galeanos have little Christine Maria.
I have to say, I'm not impressed with Calhoun. In today's world, he'd find himself in a great deal of trouble. He persistently addresses Wanda as "Beautiful" and implies that she's only there for decoration. Wanda actually agrees to go out with him, which, sorry, I think was stupid of her. Calhoun would like the chance to work with Rich Conway, somewhat on the shelf working the night shift, because he's heard that Conway is also interesting in "playing the field". I'm wondering if Shannon found that the character of Rich Conway wasn't turning out quite what she wanted, and therefore adding in Calhoun.
All in all, a pretty satisfying addition to the series.
December 23, 2017
One of the good old books. Shannon's Mendoza series must have been the model for McBain's 87th precinct.
November 3, 2015
An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews