First seen in Jonathan Kellerman’s novel, Bones, Private Investigator Aaron Fox and LAPD Detective Moses Reed take center stage in this new book from the prolific novelist. Normally Kellerman writes about his series regulars, Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis, with occasional forays into standalone thrillers and other characters. In True Detectives, Kellerman manages to bring a little from all his worlds into a familiar concoction of murder and psychology.
Aaron Fox is half-black. Moses Reed is white. They share the same mother, and that’s about all. Except for a keen interest in murder investigations. Fox makes six figures a year as a private investigator working for high roller clients on sensitive matters. He’d been an LAPD policeman and hadn’t cared for the restraint offered by the job. The pay also couldn’t afford the luxuries he want, designer clothing and style of living to which he’s become accustomed.
Moses Reed has always carried a chip on his shoulder, always never sure if he was quite good enough to get everything right. He struggles every day for perfection, in mind and body, and hangs on every word from Detective Milo Sturgis.
For years, the two brothers have managed to keep their worlds mostly apart, despite the attempts of their mother. Even though the murder investigations overlap conveniently, because of Fox’s best client and because of a cold case Reed works, I went along with it. Something needed to bring the brothers together, and the kinks in the two investigations really worked for m.
Overall, Kellerman keeps the pacing up and the scenes flowing. The characterization seemed a little thin at times as he worked back and forth between the brothers and the ancillary characters, but they serve the needs of the plot and kept things moving. The action also tended to be a little introverted instead of on the page, and I would have liked a smidgen more bang with the ending.
Article comments
1 - NancyGail
Brothers? Sounds like one should be adopted or they would have a half or step family situation.