Cold Shoulder

Rating:
Summary: HELLO LORRAINE PAGE
Review: After reading about so many male protagonists, it was finally nice to meet a female. The fact that she is a ex-police Lieutenant fighting alcoholism, drug addiction and many other demons certainly puts her in the same league as the others. While some readers might be put off by this, it made the character more of a survivor in my opinion. La Plante is an excellent author and definitely kept me turning the pages. The ending was a bit convoluted but I still look forward to the next book in this series Cold Blood.

Rating:
Summary: Great mystery, realistic heroine
Review: Enjoyed this mystery thoroughly. Not only was the plot well thought out and well written, portrayal of Lorraine Page and her life was realistic, gritty, and left no rock unturned. I didn't find this story depressing, I found it hopeful. I enjoy stories that don't sugarcoat the bad things that happen but also leave the reader hopeful that there are good, smart people who can overcome adversity and catch the bad guys! Her fellow compatriots, Rosie (sweet and optimistic) and Rooney (tough, unperfect cop with a big heart) are interesting as well. This is the kind of book you keep so you can read it again! If you like a good whodonit with realistic characters and an interesting plot, you'll like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great mystery, realistic heroine
Review: Enjoyed this mystery thoroughly. Not only was the plot well thought out and well written, portrayal of Lorraine Page and her life was realistic, gritty, and left no rock unturned. I didn't find this story depressing, I found it hopeful. I enjoy stories that don't sugarcoat the bad things that happen but also leave the reader hopeful that there are good, smart people who can overcome adversity and catch the bad guys! Her fellow compatriots, Rosie (sweet and optimistic) and Rooney (tough, unperfect cop with a big heart) are interesting as well. This is the kind of book you keep so you can read it again! If you like a good whodonit with realistic characters and an interesting plot, you'll like this book.

Rating:
Summary: cold, hard realism!
Review: I was familiar with Lynda LaPlante from the PBS series, Prime Suspect featuring Helen Mirren as Jane Tennyson. Ms. LaPlante does not disappoint readers with her first American character, Lorraine Page, who supposedly is based on the real-life story of a female LAPD officer. I don't know if that's true, or just publicity to help sell the book, but in any case, COLD SHOULDER is quite realistic.

Lorraine Page is an alcoholic and finds herself leaving on the streets of LA after her husband takes their children away from her. She goes into survival mode as she's fighting her way up from the depths of alcohol and drug addiction. She turns to prostituting herself, when one afternoon she has a quite unexpected run-in with a serial killer she is servicing. Not to give anymore away, but suffice to say her police training and instincts take over and the hunt is on!

The plot is full of twists and turns, the characters are well-written and the ending is gripping. The book is open-ended, so you know a sequel will follow. Overall, the realism is what makes the story work so well. Do yourself a favor and read a really strong female character's story. It's a nice change to see a woman detective who's as strong as any man in a mystery novel!!

Rating:
Summary: A Sometimes Dark and Depressing Thriller
Review: In Cold Shoulder, Lynda LaPlante takes Lorraine Page down about as low as it is possible to go. Alcoholic, thief, street-bum and occasional prostitute, Lorraine plumbs the depths of humanity after seemingly having it all. She has reached this point after a promising career in the police force, reaching the rank of lieutenant with two bravery commendations, the wife of an up-and-coming lawyer and the mother of two small girls.

While trying to straighten herself out, Lorraine manages to escape from a killer, making her a valuable witness in a serial killer investigation. Because of who she has become, she doesn't come forward to the police, preferring instead to use her almost forgotten police skills to track the man down. With limited resources, money and hold over her alcoholism, an investigation of sorts is conducted.

This is a dark and sometimes depressing book with little hope on the horizon for Lorraine Page. As a protagonist, Lorraine is a hard character to warm to. I think you just have to accept that she's a tough character who will occasionally succumb to her demons. It's these character flaws that make this an interesting story although, at times the going does get a little heavy as we wade through the morass of her life.