Denise Hamilton - Savage Garden (2005)
Reviewed by David J. Montgomery
Over her first three books, the gifted Denise Hamilton earned a reputation as one of the brightest new stars in the mystery world. Her series featuring L.A. Times reporter Eve Diamond has featured some of the best writing the genre has seen.
Her latest, Savage Garden, continues that trend. The plot is another rich one for Hamilton, this time featuring Eve participating in the hunt for an actress missing on the eve of her triumphant return to the stage.
In her pursuit of the story, Eve is paired with an upstart reporter recently hired as part of the newspaper's affirmative action program. Eve is wary of the aggressive rookie's motives and ethics, especially when she steals a scoop out from under Eve.
With its combination of sharp characters, crisp prose and hot-button topics such as race and journalistic ethics, Savage Garden rises above the level of an ordinary detective novel to become a vibrant, powerful and relevant story.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Book Reviews | Permalink
