Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Review: The Devil You Know by P.J. Tracy

 

The Devil You Know (Detective Margaret Nolan #3) by P.J. Tracy
Publication Date: January 17th 2023 by Dreamscape Media & Minotaur Books
Pages: 304
Audio Book Length: 7 hrs 12 mins
Narrators: Abby Craden
Source: Publishers
Rating: ½
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
Evan Hobbs a famous, wholesome type of actor is found dead in a beach cliff landside the day after a faked video showing him as a child molester. Is it an accident, suicide, or murder? Detective Margaret Nolan and her partner, Al Crawford are called to the scene to figure it out.

The blurb makes it sound like Evan’s agent, Seth Baum, is part of the investigation into the death of Evan, but while we do get his POV he’s not part of the investigation. He’s what you’d expect an agent in that cutthroat business in Hollywood, but he was one of the more likeable of the array of unlikable characters here.  The workings of the entertainment business featured in this case. The lengths people will go for fame and fortune is unsettling.

Sam Easton was also part of the story, but not featured in the investigation at all. There was some movement in his personal life, but to be honest his story wasn’t of much interest to me. Margaret’s personal life, her romance with Remy was on the backburner, but I didn’t mind that either, because I was more invested in the mystery anyhow.

I do enjoy a good police procedural, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous Monkeywrench series. Still, it was an entertaining mystery. I did figure out the main plot but there was a surprise at the end I wasn’t expecting!

I alternately listened to the audio version and read an e-copy. Abby Craden is a performer I’m familiar with and I enjoyed her performance of both male and female voices. I listened at my usual 1.5-1.75x normal speed.

3.5 Stars



Book Description:

Los Angeles has many faces: the real LA where regular people live and work, the degenerate underbelly of any big city, and the rarified world of wealth, power, and celebrity. LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan’s latest case plunges her into this insular realm of privilege, and gives her a glimpse of the darkness behind the glitter.

The body of beloved actor Evan Hobbes is found in the rubble of a Malibu rockslide a day after a fake video ruins his career. It’s not clear to Nolan if it’s an accident, a suicide, or a murder, and things get murkier as the investigation expands to his luminary friends and colleagues. Meanwhile, Hobbes’ agent is dealing with damage control, his psychotic boss, and a woman he’s scorned. But when his powerful brother-in-law is murdered, he and Nolan both find themselves entangled in a scandalous deception of deadly proportion that shakes the very foundation of Hollywood’s untouchables.


 

15 comments:

  1. I still haven't managed to read any of Tracy's books. I've had Monkeewrench on my TBR list for forever! It's getting embarrassing. ;D

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  2. At least the mystery part of the story caught your interest. I know if I am following a character through multiple books, I would like to see their life progress or see them grow in some way. That's me.

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    1. I would like that, too. In fact, that's usually my favorite part of a series, but for some reason I'm not really connected with the characters despite having read the previous two books, as well.

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  3. I'm glad it was at least a good read.

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  4. I am on a mystery binge at the moment. Bummer you didn't enjoy it as much as the previous series.

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    1. Yeah. I keep hoping the series will grow on me more based on my love for the last one.

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  5. I read Monkeewrench years ago and want to get back to that series. I like a book that can surprise you even if this one wasn't as good as the previous series.

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    1. Yes, I do enjoy a good twist. Loved the Monkeywrench series!

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall.

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  7. It's nice when a narrator can do both female and male voices well. Too many times when they try to do the opposite sex, it just sounds like...well, a woman impersonating a man's voice or vice versa. Inauthentic.

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  8. I enjoyed this but while it had layers they are not very well connected. As you say, Sam Easton's part is not very much part of things.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  9. I think I have tried and enjoyed that narrator before 😊

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  10. I really struggle when I feel like I can't connect with a main character. I'm 100% a character-driven reader so it definitely impacts my enjoyment.

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