L. A. Heat (A David Lane and Chris Bellamere Mystery Book 1)

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Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Five years ago in September , I after recently reading something else by this author l was looking forward to this book. I was a little surprised that the violence in this book was a lot more explicit than the sex.

I love gay couple playing sleuth. This crime mystery about David, a closeted LAPD cop, and Chris, a hot party goer computer whiz, in hot pursue of a psycopath serial killer is one gripping and suspenseful thriller. The plot pulls you in from page one with never a dull moment The writer's description is vivid and one has to appreciate her effort on the details of the crime investigation.

Interweaved into the suspense is of course the budding romance between David and Chris, two very credible and likable characters. Their love story is believable and one could not help but cheer them on. The last few chapters are heart pounding scenes as I find myself wincing at a few terrifying moments. Brown will give us more on this couple. David Laine is a 37 year old veteran Los Angeles police detective, who first meets Chris Bellamere, a gay partyboy in his early 20's with a good job as a computer systems professional, as an investigative lead and possible suspect in an ongoing series of rapes, maiming and subsequent murders of young gay men.

While David's instincts tell him that Chris isn't the killer much to the frustration of David's detective partner, Martinez, who didn't hide his resentment of gays , Chris' "gaydar" tells him that David's interest in him isn't entirely professional. Yet, there seems to be some connection, as most of the victims frequented the same gay cruise bar that Chris did, and he had been seen with them by the bartender. A fast-paced, action-packed impressive first novel by an author who intends to pair David and Chris in future installments as well.

If done with the same skill, attention to detail and realistic characterizations and situations as this one, I may have a new favorite mystery series!

Heat is the kind of book that makes you wonder how this could be a debut novel. This suspenseful, carefully-plotted mystery has all the earmarks of some of the best and more seasoned mystery pros in the business. Its setting is realistic and at times seamy, its characters sympathetic and real, its attention to detail especially police procedure astonishing, and its pacing deft I believe the mystery portion was well thought out Good twists, and turns Excellent use of red herrings Story line, however, had one dimension that was a little frustrating I felt that the two protagonists were surrounded by more antigay coworkers, friends and family than Westboro baptist church family reunion This book was so good it goes right into my favorites.

The characters are fabulous who wouldn't want a big,tough,rugged cop.

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David is delicious and Chris is smart and interesting. The storyline is solid and I couldn't put it down. Read it you will love it and recommend it to all your friends. Brown's debut is off to a wonderful start with the introduction of two new characters in Chris Bellamere and Detective David Lane.

Chris,handsome,well off and never without a lack of male partners meets and falls for a smart,plain bear of a detective. But this relationship won't be easy for Chris as he has many obsticles in his way-1 The detective in question has not come out to his fellow cops 2 Chris's old flames are turning up dead at an alarming rate. What's a guy to do? I read this book in one day. The writing style was very well done, with mystery, action and romance all rolled into one. I especially liked that David was not considered a hunk, but still manages to catch the eye of a handsome guy. You can't help but cheer for David.

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. Brown for a delightful tale, I was guessing and on pins and needles as to the outcome of the story til the very end. Give this story a try, you will not be disappointed. One person found this helpful. Very good story with a very good plot. I enjoyed it very much! Detective David Eric Laine is no stranger to violence and brutality, but even he is taken aback at the sheer viciousness of the murder of two pregnant Ukrainian women. Thi From a shallow grave in Griffith Park, to the bucolic streets of West Hollywood into the dark heart of the gang-infested streets of East L.

This is just the beginning of a baffling case which leads from their shallow grave to a bungalow community in West Hollywood, tree-lined and tranquil, on to the heart of the gang-infested streets of East Los Angeles, and points in between. And what of Jairo Hernandez, David's new, young partner? The attraction between them was immediate and intense and growing by the day. Would this be a threat to David's settled life?

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Feb 09, Kassa rated it really liked it. Police procedural aspects are kept current and engaging, carrying the intricate plot. The relationship between David and Chris is a nice addition and adds more complexity to both men, although clearly taking the backseat to the murder mystery.

The resolution to the murder is well crafted, yet the emotional pay off is too easy and short after dragging on for so long. Not without its problems, LA Boneyard remains a great, entertaining read for those that like the hard boiled, detail driven cop books. Detective David Laine is called in to investigate a half buried body in Griffith Park.

He discovers not just the one body but another as well.

The burial site causes immediate problems sending David working overtime as a rift starts to appear between him and Chris. The plot is rather complicated as it weaves four almost separate murders together into a large, complex mystery involving slave trading, black market gun running, baby selling, prostitution, and child pornography. Given the numerous elements, Brown does a superb job keeping the plot moving with a minimum of confusion. This is a minor detail as there are very few dropped threads, but there are several elements that could have been dropped without adversely affecting the story.

For the most part, the skillful weaving of details and careful, thorough police work creates an interesting story even as body after body and a plethora of seemingly random connections are introduced. Following step by step as he works to solve the murders while simultaneously trying to save his relationship with Chris. This helps humanize David and shows the personal side of his personality, a side that is rarely ever shown during his investigation.

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Although the relationship drama and fidelity test are welcome and very nicely drawn, none of these scenes really offer in depth characterization. All of the characters introduced are given enough outline to be recognized, but nothing goes further than at best a two dimensional characterization. Part of this problem ties into the too easy resolution for the relationship aspect.

Given this happened after pages of police drama, I can understand wanting to wrap up the remaining emotional issue nice and easy, but it lacked any real romantic satisfaction. Hopefully the next book will even the focus on both men and give both men the additional depth and characterization they deserve.

The pace is mostly even with a lot of action and prolonging suspense. However stick with it as the book evens out and the murders slowly start to form a common thread. The additional fourth murder and its implications could have been dropped entirely in my opinion and I would have rather seen David deal with all the problems without such an easy out but this is definitely a personal preference.

However, these minor qualms do not take away from the book. Overall this is another solid installment in the police procedural series and I look forward to the next one. Even if the story gets slightly confusing, stay with it and the plot will weave itself together very well. Jan 01, Ami rated it really liked it Shelves: Brown writes crime and police procedure very well, that this should be classified more than just "gay mystery". The issue with human trafficking, molestation, force of prostitution is very good.

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The answer of the murder is a very good twist. And the last scene with the bad guy feels like an action movie. And now ont the relationship part I'd like to think that this is David's book. How he deals with temptation in form of a new partner. I'm not justifying his action, it IS crossing the border of infidelity.

I'm happy that Chris confronts him and not easily accept his apology like a doormat. But at the same time, I'm glad that this happens. Because it's not just happily ever after. I'd say that this brings David and Chris to a different level in their relationship. They talk about it, they face the issue, and they can triumph over it. So, even if I'm so annoyed at David -- I'm satisfied with the ending. A solid book and I definitely find a new favorite author. Can't wait for book 3 L. Bytes because I think that one will be Chris's book.

Aug 07, Trisha Harrington rated it it was ok Shelves: Doesn't get one because I liked the next two a bit more I hate cheating though. View all 7 comments. Sep 28, Tj rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a good read. The characters were solid and real. I thought the conflict that developed actually helped their relationship and finally pushed David into total commitment.

He always seemed to hang on to that little bit of shame. The plot was well written.

The twists and turns of the case were unexpected. I felt for David even while calling him an idiot, to me this marks a well executed character. A very enjoyable read: Oct 24, SA rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was a really creepy murder mystery, on par with any CSI episode. I was surprised at how strong the forensic science is in this and the subsequent book--Brown really gets her stuff. And Chris was a pissy bitch, which actually is believable but made me want to skip ahead to the part where he wasn't changing the locks because some dude he didn't know lied to him.

I'm of two minds on this series, because I like David and Chris and the homicide mysteries are detailed and actually a bit surprising, there's never enough emotional development to make me believe what the main characters do in their relationship. You spend three hundred pages driving a wedge through your characters after stating they've been together and happy for four years, and then have them go through something massively traumatic and then David proposes and it's all magically better?

Maybe that's a fundamental suspension of disbelief I'm missing for a quasi-romance novel, but if there had been at least five pages of actually discussing their relationship and resolving their problems instead of wham-bam-marry-your-man it would have made it significantly more believable and enjoyable.

Still not a bad series for the genre, though, whether you're talking about gay fiction or homicide mysteries. Dec 09, thelastaerie rated it really liked it. I am struggling between 4 stars and 5 stars rating here, because as a police procedural mystery, this sequel is even better than LA Heat. The plot more complicated and tightly plotted.

However, since I spent the larger part of the book being angry with the main hero David, I admit I feel a bit let down by the romance part of it. It's just an very angsty ride. It doesn't help that David was b I am struggling between 4 stars and 5 stars rating here, because as a police procedural mystery, this sequel is even better than LA Heat.

It doesn't help that David was being tempted by his new partner, Jairo, who is rather nasty in some parts of his character. Having said that, PA Brown again created excellent flawed characters.

Jairo is a good cop and eager to learn, while at the same time, he's almost malicious in his attempt to ruin David and Chris' relationship. I am very invested in both David and Chris, so it's hard not to wish bad things happen to Jairo View all 3 comments. Dec 29, jules rated it liked it Shelves: I think the problem with this book was that it was set four years after the last one.

Now, while that's a perfectly fine leap in time for a third book normally, this series hasn't show the growth in the MC's relationship that's needed to really wring an emotional response from the reader. Infidelity is gutting for me to read, particularly when I like the characters, but I was more 'meh' about it here. I figured out that it was because the characters - David, especially - were still in the same m I think the problem with this book was that it was set four years after the last one.

L.A. Boneyard

I figured out that it was because the characters - David, especially - were still in the same mindset they were in the last book four years earlier. Normally, couples grow together but they seemed to have stagnated here so David cheating wasn't all that big of a surprise. The crime story didn't hold my interest this time either, and I was annoyed by the ending, tbh.

The best part about this story was the friendship between Des and Chris. I would have really liked to see Des recover and move on though, and was sad we missed out on that. Mar 02, DaisyGirl rated it really liked it Shelves: Now that's what I'm talkin' bout! This installment blew my socks off, which is saying a lot considering the view spoiler [super-close- borderline -actually-over-the-line infidelity issue hide spoiler ].

I loathed David's poor judgment and weakness albeit not total failure in staving off temptation. I wanted to strangle the shit out of Lothario Jairo sometimes. And, my heart bled for Chris. It all worked out in the end although I was sad for view spoiler [ Lothario Jairo and 4.

It all worked out in the end although I was sad for view spoiler [ Lothario Jairo and his family hide spoiler ] but I did feel that David got off a little easy How can one begin to think to rebuild trust on a lie. I'm sorry but that's fucking retarded. I can't find it anywhere!!!

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View all 5 comments. Apr 26, Matthew Vandrew rated it liked it. This one was better than the previous installment. The case David was working on was as much dramatic as the crisis in his relationship with Chris. However, both main protags and Jairo were the same - selfish, stupid, unable to communicate and when it comes to sex, reduced to drooling zombies.

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How was I supposed to like them? The ending killed it for me, too. Jairo's out of picture and there is a huge and teary reconciliation brought to a completely new level in the final chapter. I re This one was better than the previous installment. I really didn't buy it. Still, the book is well-written with very thorough research although I really doubt Ukrainians would ever root for Russians in a soccer match; they would root for ANY team EXCEPT Russians and I enjoyed the crime aspect much more than the romance subplot. Mar 06, Betryal rated it really liked it. Wow a 4 year time frame jump from the last book.

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