Berkley Prime Crime paperback and ebook, April 2014
Winner of the T. Jefferson Parker Mystery Award
Bike cop Ellie Rush dreams of becoming a homicide detective, but it’s still a shock when the first dead body she encounters on the job is that of a former college classmate.
At the behest of her Aunt Cheryl, the highest-ranking Asian-American officer in the LAPD (a source of pride for Ellie’s grandmother, but annoyance to her mom), Ellie becomes tangled in the investigation of the coed’s murder—with equal parts help and hindrance from her nosy best friend, her over-involved ex-boyfriend, a smoldering detective, and seemingly everyone else in her extended family… only to uncover secrets that a killer may go to any lengths to ensure stay hidden.
“Readers will want to see more of Ellie, who provides a fresh perspective on L.A.’s rich ethnic mix.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Ellie is a detective of a different sort. Young and resolutely urban, she represents Los Angeles as it is, rather than as it was.”
—Los Angeles Times
“The most original mystery I’ve encountered in many years.”
—Sujata Massey, author of the Rei Shimura mysteries
“One of the warmest, most realistic characters to hit crime fiction in a long time.”
—Lee Goldberg, New York Times bestselling author
“A great series opener… Hirahara paints a mesmerizing portrait of the Los Angeles she knows so well.”
—Henry Chang, author of the Jack Yu mysteries
“Fast paced… Adventurous.”
—Steph Cha
“Delivers seamless writing, interesting characters, the right touch of romance, social commentary… the list goes on.”
—Sheila Connolly, New York Times bestselling author
“Hirahara delivers the goods in this first of what hopes will be many mysteries involving bicycle cop Ellie Rush.”
—Gary Phillips, author of the Ivan Monk mysteries
“From the first page, Ellie Rush and her world seemed real to me and I was glad for every moment I spent there.”
—S.J. Rozan, author of the Lydia Chin and Bill Smith mysteries
“Ellie Rush is a wonderful new protagonist, the plot is gripping and the book is a winner.”
—Denise Hamilton, editor of the Los Angeles Noir anthology
“I love this book!”
—Timothy Hallinan, Edgar-nominated author