Shane Scully, the L.A. homicide cop, isn't sure what's more challenging: his tricky new case or his flashy new partner. An old Hollywood mansion is the scene of a shooting that leaves three dead; evidence found at the scene seems to connect these crimes with a quarter-century-old murder-suicide. Shane and his new partner, a detective who sold one of his previous cases to the movies (and who seems interested in making sure this one turns out in a suitably Hollywood manner), dig into the old crime and uncover a modern mystery that puts both their lives at risk. Cannell has written several Scully novels, but he isn't anywhere close to using up the character, or to sinking into formulaic mediocrity. The novel is perfectly fresh, and it's a mystery why someone veteran film producer Cannell, for example hasn't brought Scully to the big or small screen. He's a great character, and this is another fine novel in the series.--Pitt, David Copyright 2010 Booklist

Cannell injects new life into his bestselling Shane Scully series by giving the LAPD homicide detective a new partner in his 10th outing (after The Pallbearers). Since Shane's regular partner is on leave, Shane teams with Sumner Hitchens, a handsome African-American detective widely disliked throughout the department. Hitch, who dresses like a menswear model, lives like the millionaire he has become as the result of selling the story of one of his homicide cases to the movies. This rubs Shane the wrong way, but after Hitch saves his life, Shane begins to see another side to the man. A quick resolution to a triple homicide they investigate-a famous movie director and two prostitutes shot dead at a party-leads them to another mystery that occurred 25 years before. Hitch and Shane are a powerful combination, both as characters and as detectives. Readers will look forward to seeing more of this dynamic duo. Author tour. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved