Taking a brief but much needed reprieve from “Bookseller” I dove headlong into a new book by one of my favorite authors knowing it would be an easy read that was sure to please. After first falling in love with the main characters, two half-brothers Aaron Fox and Moses Reed, in “Bones”, I immediately wanted to read more of their story.
In “True Detectives: A novel” Jonathan Kellerman takes you on a crime solving journey with the brothers who somehow manage to both irritate and intrigue in equal measure. The novel is a study of extremes both character and setting wise—moving from the elite of Hollywood to the dregs of society whereby both equally exploit and abuse those in which they come in contact.
Veering away from the usual, Jonathan Kellerman has Dr. Delaware and Det. Sturgis make only cameo appearances in the novel. Although their time is brief, it still proves to be nonetheless crucial to the development of the story.
Aaron Fox, an African American retired police officer-now well to do (and very well dressed) private detective, must join forces with his rough shod, homicide detective half brother Moses Reed, in order to find there whereabouts of missing 20 year old Caitlin Frostig.
To say that in spite of the constant bickering and “one-up-manship” between P.I. Aaron Fox and Det. Moses Reed, crimes are solved would do a great disservice to the other fine attributes to the story. While not the best paced novel, the story itself is as interesting as they come. The cast of characters are indeed a sordid lot with the only thing more wretched than their existence is the squalor in which most of them live. As per his usual, Jonathan Kellerman sheds light on the fact that not all criminal activity occurs in the under belly of society. At times, there are many secrets that await unfolding in the most palatial of mansions in the most unlikely of neighborhoods.
In total, this second novel featuring the brothers was successful in bringing forth new characters to the fold while providing history and touching on the delicate relationship that exists between a mother and her sons and between the brothers. It proves just irritating enough to make you want to yell “Grow Up!” and yet intriguing enough to make you crave more from them.
