Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Merci, who had once believed she had the answer to almost everything, realized again, to the embarrassment of her soul, that she had the answer to almost nothing."

An oceanfront condo on Pacific Coast Highway in San Clemente, California. Aubrey, a 19-year-old woman, has invited a man for dinner. A man whom she likes a lot. They eat, he leaves, but she expects his return. And yes, after a while, there is a knock on the door, and Aubrey feels happy that he is now in her control. But then

"[...] her smile died from the inside out and she formed her last thought: No."

Sergeant Merci Rayborn, with the help of another homicide detective, Paul Zamorra, investigates the case. They quickly establish two facts: that the victim worked as a call girl and that she was seen with Marci's boyfriend, Mike McNally, a vice detail detective. Mike becomes the main suspect in the case. Moreover, Marci is given an old and unsolved case of a 1969 murder to work on. The two cases gradually become intertwined.

The above presents the excellent - well-written and captivating - setup of T. Jefferson Parker's Red Light (2000), an Edgar Award nominee for the best novel, which follows the author's outstanding The Blue Hour . I loved the realistic, vivid portrayal of Marci in the former novel. The new book does not add much to the characterization of the female detective; fortunately, neither does her depiction lose any believability. Aubrey's character is also written well and, to me, realistic. Of the two male protagonists, the portrayal of Paul Zamorra seems stronger. There is something slightly out of focus about Mike's characterization. Naturally, the ambiguity might have been intended by the author and misconstrued by this reviewer.

As always, Mr. Parker is strong on descriptions of Orange County landscapes. Mike lives in Modjeska Canyon, a charming place on the western slopes of Santa Ana Mountains, a place I know from several visits. Just a few sentences of the author's prose bring the images of the canyon to life. Another great aspect of Mr. Parker's novels, which is on clear display here, is his skill of showing the mechanisms of Orange County politics: the interconnected workings of county government and various business interests. For me, the most memorable fragment of the novel is the compelling story of farmer Jesse Acuna beaten by right-wing assailants.

Another highlight of the novel is the dramatic moment when Merci visits Det. Zamorra's wife in the hospital - the fragment is so well written that it made me sick for a few minutes. No histrionics there; instead an almost clinical account of human pain and fear. And then, the powerful scenes of Det. McNally's interrogation. Alas, almost as a rule, my wonderful memories of the novel are spoiled by a cliché ending. Considering the ending, I would not put this novel on the Edgar Awards' shortlist. I would definitely put The Blue Hour there. Well, that's why I am not a literary critic.

A great read, anyway.

Three-and-three-quarter stars.

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