|
"Sometimes homicide can be a lot of fun," reflects LAPD homicide detective Mike Lomax, on the way to investigate the murder that opens Marshall Karp's stellar debut novel, THE RABBIT FACTORY. And thanks to the wickedly funny pen of Karp, Lomax has gotten it just about right. Even when things look bleakest for Lomax and his partner Terry Biggs, Karp's satirical outlook and spot-on dialogue prevent this mystery from taking itself too seriously.
At the novel's opening, Lomax and Biggs are on their way to Lamaar Studio's Familyland, a Burbank amusement park that's a blatant rip-off of Disneyland. Eddie Elkins, the man behind the mask of Rambunctious Rabbit, the theme park's mascot (and the Lamaar corporation's signature character) has been strangled in the park's underbelly while sneaking a smoke. When a background check reveals that Elkins is a pedophile and sex offender, the case seems to point to one of Elkins's former victims or their families. But when more and more individuals with ties to Lamaar show up dead, Lomax and Biggs realize there's a much bigger story going on here.
The detectives' job is made much more difficult by Lamaar's executives, including the extremely annoying but undeniably sexy Director of Corporate Communications, who are determined to keep the murders under wraps. Then there's Lamaar's powerful CEO Ike Rose, who may have his own agenda; the mayor of Los Angeles and the governor of California, who have their own political axes to grind; and the FBI, who can't wait to prove that the LAPD is a bunch of buffoons when they finally get a piece of the action. Not to mention, the killer (or killers?) seems to have the assistance of an international team of assassins, maybe even the Mob. It's a wonder that Lomax is able to make any headway at all.
In the meantime, Lomax is struggling with his own personal life. He's still mourning the loss of his beloved wife to cancer, and he's tormented by his love-hate relationship with his dad, who's determined to put him back in the saddle again. When Lomax's mixed-up younger brother shows up, claiming there's a contract out on his life, Lomax's personal life threatens to eclipse even the tragedies besetting the Lamaar corporation.
Marshall Karp is no stranger to Hollywood --- his credits include screenwriting and advertising. It's no surprise, then, that THE RABBIT FACTORY's satirical take on the Los Angeles lifestyle, Hollywood politics, and big corporate culture seems spot on. With its show business setting and big money players, THE RABBIT FACTORY has more than its share of sex, drugs and corruption. What's more surprising is that this quirky, off-kilter novel also has a really big heart. Even amidst all the wisecracks and smart-aleck remarks traded by Lomax and his partner, the book never sinks to the level of pure slapstick. It still has an emotional core that will make readers care about these tough but vulnerable crime fighters and keep them hoping for a sequel.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
 Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.
© Copyright 1996-2009, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
