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Ash Levine #2
Midnight Alley
Ash Levine, the top detective in the LAPD's elite Felony Special Squad, is called out to solve the murder of two young black men found shot to death in a Venice alley. The case is a high priority because one of the victims is the son of City Councilman Isaac Pinkney, a frequent critic of the LAPD. Searching for the killer throws Levine into the world of Los Angeles's Russian Mafia, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and Middle Eastern archeologists. Ash's history as a child of a Holocaust survivor gives him a unique perspective on murder, redemption, and justice. His background as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces, and his relentless, single-minded focus on his investigations make him a thoroughly absorbing character. As Ash closes in on the killer, the investigation becomes increasingly complex - and personal. Ash soon discovers that he is not just an investigator, but a target.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2012
115 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Miles Corwin
12 books29 followersMiles Corwin, a former Los Angeles Times reporter, is the author of three books. The Killing Season (1997) was a national bestseller. And Still We Rise (2000) was awarded the PEN USA West award for nonfiction. Homicide Special (2004) was a Los Angeles Times bestseller. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara and received his M.A. at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 25, 2012
He's an LAPD detective of the elite Felony Special squad.
His name is Ash Levine he not your usual cop protagonist he a Jewish boy at heart who would could easily deliver a lethal Krav Manga attack to his attacker and in his spare time prefer eating from Delis and not your usual dunking doughnuts. He's a cop who would quote from Torah for inspiration if he finds it tough to deal with the gritty streets of LA and will be determined to get the job done on duty or suspended from duty.
Ash is on the search for the killer of murdered veteran and soon finds himself caught up in a dangerous web of conspiracy to smuggle treasures, transportation of illegal aliens and sex slavery.
The one treasure that seems everyone is wanting is a mask of high value the type straight from Indian Jones movie and people are turning up dead on the search for it.
As the plot thickens he finds himself on manslaughter charges and has the Force Investigation detectives on his ass, he needs to find this mask and the killer and at costs.
I found I got to like the main protagonist detective Ash quite a bit and the story was thrilling and interesting.
There never was a drop in quality and just the right length of story.
When your writing with characters and scenes featuring the Russian underworld, archaeologists, missing treasures and veterans it can't be boring but be full of colorful events personalities and behaviors.
He has a detective here that he could successfully run for quite a few stories in the future if he keeps up the good writing.
He responded to a question in the story of what is a good Jewish boy doing in the police department...
"Tikkun olam," i said.(Ash)
She didn't respond.
You know what that means?" i asked.
"Of course. To heal or repair the world-- one of the six hundred thirty mitzvahs found in the Torah."
Thanks to David Ivester of Oceanview publishing for going to all the trouble to ship this and many other hardbacks and arcs. He really has outdone many publishers in his kindness and spending money in the courier charge across the world. In no way does this kindness make me want to like and influence my review of any of these books I have now.
Also @ http://more2read.com/review/midnight-alley-by-miles-corwin/
His name is Ash Levine he not your usual cop protagonist he a Jewish boy at heart who would could easily deliver a lethal Krav Manga attack to his attacker and in his spare time prefer eating from Delis and not your usual dunking doughnuts. He's a cop who would quote from Torah for inspiration if he finds it tough to deal with the gritty streets of LA and will be determined to get the job done on duty or suspended from duty.
Ash is on the search for the killer of murdered veteran and soon finds himself caught up in a dangerous web of conspiracy to smuggle treasures, transportation of illegal aliens and sex slavery.
The one treasure that seems everyone is wanting is a mask of high value the type straight from Indian Jones movie and people are turning up dead on the search for it.
As the plot thickens he finds himself on manslaughter charges and has the Force Investigation detectives on his ass, he needs to find this mask and the killer and at costs.
I found I got to like the main protagonist detective Ash quite a bit and the story was thrilling and interesting.
There never was a drop in quality and just the right length of story.
When your writing with characters and scenes featuring the Russian underworld, archaeologists, missing treasures and veterans it can't be boring but be full of colorful events personalities and behaviors.
He has a detective here that he could successfully run for quite a few stories in the future if he keeps up the good writing.
He responded to a question in the story of what is a good Jewish boy doing in the police department...
"Tikkun olam," i said.(Ash)
She didn't respond.
You know what that means?" i asked.
"Of course. To heal or repair the world-- one of the six hundred thirty mitzvahs found in the Torah."
Thanks to David Ivester of Oceanview publishing for going to all the trouble to ship this and many other hardbacks and arcs. He really has outdone many publishers in his kindness and spending money in the courier charge across the world. In no way does this kindness make me want to like and influence my review of any of these books I have now.
Also @ http://more2read.com/review/midnight-alley-by-miles-corwin/
November 3, 2012
The second Ash Levine investigation (following ` Kind of Blue') from former LA Times reporter Miles Corwin and a gripping police procedural packed with action from the outset. I'm a long time fan of Michael Connelly, Joseph Wambaugh and Elmore Leonard, so delighted that there is a new kid on the block, in terms of Los Angeles based crime fiction, and on the evidence of this, I think Corwin could be a worthy addition to these luminaries of American crime fiction.
This is a multi-stranded plot with a seamless transition between the every day grind of the LA police department, to a tale involving sex trafficking, the smuggling of a stolen Iraqi relic and a conspiracy involving the US military. The plotting and pace is superb throughout but what really impressed me about the novel was the depth of characterisation particularly in relation to the main character of Ash Levine. Levine is a breath of fresh air in terms of the depiction of the average American detective, being both Jewish and having served as a paratrooper with the Israeli Army, balancing his army training with the necessary demands of being an LAPD detective, sometimes to the chagrin of his immediate superiors. He is a dogged and determined character who will stop at nothing, despite having an Internal Investigation, hanging over him, to solve the case. Strongly influenced by his Jewish heritage, he has a high sense of morality influenced by the teachings of the Torah, but is equally at home in the day to day physicality of his detective role with a nifty grasp of Krav Maga. This is particularly evident in the storyline dealing with sex trafficking, and his determination to free a young Russian girl from her incarceration at the hands of the Russia Mafia. The scenes with Levine and his family at Hannukah, and particularly the overbearing attentions of his mother, are a joy, perfectly capturing the verbal sparring and tensions that occur in the average family during the holiday period. In a good little side line to the central plot, as is common in most crime novels, Levine has a broken marriage and his ex Robin, a successful lawyer, drifts in and out of the plot adding to his consternation and his hopes for a reconciliation, and of course his family have plenty to say about this too!
Having only previously read Corwin's non-fiction book `The Killing Season' he is definitely a writer I will return to on the strength of this novel, and will not hesitate to recommend fans of American police procedurals. I will definitely be seeking out a copy of `Kind of Blue', the first novel featuring Ash Levine, and am looking forward to following this series in the long term if `Midnight Alley' is indicative of Corwin's fictional prowess. A good find.
This is a multi-stranded plot with a seamless transition between the every day grind of the LA police department, to a tale involving sex trafficking, the smuggling of a stolen Iraqi relic and a conspiracy involving the US military. The plotting and pace is superb throughout but what really impressed me about the novel was the depth of characterisation particularly in relation to the main character of Ash Levine. Levine is a breath of fresh air in terms of the depiction of the average American detective, being both Jewish and having served as a paratrooper with the Israeli Army, balancing his army training with the necessary demands of being an LAPD detective, sometimes to the chagrin of his immediate superiors. He is a dogged and determined character who will stop at nothing, despite having an Internal Investigation, hanging over him, to solve the case. Strongly influenced by his Jewish heritage, he has a high sense of morality influenced by the teachings of the Torah, but is equally at home in the day to day physicality of his detective role with a nifty grasp of Krav Maga. This is particularly evident in the storyline dealing with sex trafficking, and his determination to free a young Russian girl from her incarceration at the hands of the Russia Mafia. The scenes with Levine and his family at Hannukah, and particularly the overbearing attentions of his mother, are a joy, perfectly capturing the verbal sparring and tensions that occur in the average family during the holiday period. In a good little side line to the central plot, as is common in most crime novels, Levine has a broken marriage and his ex Robin, a successful lawyer, drifts in and out of the plot adding to his consternation and his hopes for a reconciliation, and of course his family have plenty to say about this too!
Having only previously read Corwin's non-fiction book `The Killing Season' he is definitely a writer I will return to on the strength of this novel, and will not hesitate to recommend fans of American police procedurals. I will definitely be seeking out a copy of `Kind of Blue', the first novel featuring Ash Levine, and am looking forward to following this series in the long term if `Midnight Alley' is indicative of Corwin's fictional prowess. A good find.
March 10, 2013
My rating of 3 stars is in hopes that his next one will be higher. He surely try hard enough in getting the plot convoluted. Mentioned every freeway name by number with even a character that was confused by the local freeway numbering system here in Los Angeles. The tall tale starts off with a trip to Santa Barbara but a cell phone call turns him around and his attempt at another honeymoon with his x-wife is halted. For some unknown reason fiction writers (that used to work for the LA Times) put detectives in crappy cars. Yes, the Jewish super dick, is a surfer but does he need to drive a Saturn? I have seen plenty of BMW with surf racks. I even had a soft rack on my turbo Porsche once. Well after the phone rings in Rincon they head back south to drop his sweetie off in Malibu. All the nice touches are stuck in to fill the pages, tunnel, Santa Monica, Lincoln Blvd and of course Venice. Midnight Alley is a double murder with a micro history of Venice thrown in for measure.
I am an insidious fact checker. I really like it when the facts disagree with my personal memory of actual events and facts I have witnessed.
Skip to page 262 where the hero "craves a cheeseburger and fries". He calls Richie Power's cell. "you know the Apple Pan in West L.A.?"
"I've never eaten there."
"Let's meet out front, at Overland and Pico."
(a few lines later)
"I found it reassuring to visit the Apple Pan, a spot that had remained unchanged since I was a boy."
Then a detailed description of the Apple Pan follows and ends with (page 264) "When we climbed out of the booth, I slipped my jacket".
Three simple facts that Miles Corwin may not be aware of. If you read the Apple Pan menu it does not mention cheese burgers. They service steak burgers and hickory burgers and a slice of cheese is extra.
The Apple Pan is located on Pico but the cross street is not Overland which is two blocks away.
I started going to the Apple Pan in my parents 1948 Hudson and was a regular customer. Back then they had a juke box and put a slice of tomatoes on the burgers until the price of tomatoes became to expensive. The Hickory Burger then cost 40 cents.
The only thing close to a booth was the public telephone located next to the bathrooms.
Booths are on the next block over where the Jewish Deli were.
Why does an author put so much detail into a description that has nothing to do with the plot or crime and leave an obvious error???
I am an insidious fact checker. I really like it when the facts disagree with my personal memory of actual events and facts I have witnessed.
Skip to page 262 where the hero "craves a cheeseburger and fries". He calls Richie Power's cell. "you know the Apple Pan in West L.A.?"
"I've never eaten there."
"Let's meet out front, at Overland and Pico."
(a few lines later)
"I found it reassuring to visit the Apple Pan, a spot that had remained unchanged since I was a boy."
Then a detailed description of the Apple Pan follows and ends with (page 264) "When we climbed out of the booth, I slipped my jacket".
Three simple facts that Miles Corwin may not be aware of. If you read the Apple Pan menu it does not mention cheese burgers. They service steak burgers and hickory burgers and a slice of cheese is extra.
The Apple Pan is located on Pico but the cross street is not Overland which is two blocks away.
I started going to the Apple Pan in my parents 1948 Hudson and was a regular customer. Back then they had a juke box and put a slice of tomatoes on the burgers until the price of tomatoes became to expensive. The Hickory Burger then cost 40 cents.
The only thing close to a booth was the public telephone located next to the bathrooms.
Booths are on the next block over where the Jewish Deli were.
Why does an author put so much detail into a description that has nothing to do with the plot or crime and leave an obvious error???
February 9, 2025
Ash Levine is an interesting and complex character. The author has provided him with an interesting back story, and enough Jewish culture to make for an interesting character. He is one of those characters who is peristent in his quest for justice, but that persistence often takes a toll on his personal AND professional life.
The pressure is on for him to solve a double homocide, involving two black men, one of whom is the son of a city councilman. To add further pressure, the councilman is one of the LAPD's most outspoken critics. Levine goes through the motions with great zeal, only to uncover the fact that this homocide was more than just a gang killing or a random act of violence. His investigation stirs up a deeper, more intricate plot.
The most astute reader will just suddenly know who the head of the conspiracy actually is. I have to say that I had the inkling when the character was first introduced, but before he was revealed I knew who it was because the author "played fairly" with the reader-- dropping the big clue early enough for the reader to puzzle over it-- but only towards the end does the other shoe drop.
While Ash is a complex character, his desperation leads him to do some illegal things. Twenty years ago, I might have celebrated his rule-breaking. In the current climate of our society, in real-life rather than the fiction, I don't find joy in using brute force interrogation techniques and breaking and entering locations without a warrant. In fact, it keeps me from having respect for him. Police need to abide by the rules- even when it means justice isn't done. I understand that in the fiction world that doesn't always make for the most interesting reading, but it creates a conflict in me as a reader who wants to celebrate the victory of the hero, instead of feeling guilty about how that victory was attained.
This is a competently written mystery, but because of my concerns about the illegitimate methodology the hero uses- I won't actively seek other titles in this series-- might read one if I stumble onto it-- but I won't be ordering other titles through Amazon, etc.
The pressure is on for him to solve a double homocide, involving two black men, one of whom is the son of a city councilman. To add further pressure, the councilman is one of the LAPD's most outspoken critics. Levine goes through the motions with great zeal, only to uncover the fact that this homocide was more than just a gang killing or a random act of violence. His investigation stirs up a deeper, more intricate plot.
The most astute reader will just suddenly know who the head of the conspiracy actually is. I have to say that I had the inkling when the character was first introduced, but before he was revealed I knew who it was because the author "played fairly" with the reader-- dropping the big clue early enough for the reader to puzzle over it-- but only towards the end does the other shoe drop.
While Ash is a complex character, his desperation leads him to do some illegal things. Twenty years ago, I might have celebrated his rule-breaking. In the current climate of our society, in real-life rather than the fiction, I don't find joy in using brute force interrogation techniques and breaking and entering locations without a warrant. In fact, it keeps me from having respect for him. Police need to abide by the rules- even when it means justice isn't done. I understand that in the fiction world that doesn't always make for the most interesting reading, but it creates a conflict in me as a reader who wants to celebrate the victory of the hero, instead of feeling guilty about how that victory was attained.
This is a competently written mystery, but because of my concerns about the illegitimate methodology the hero uses- I won't actively seek other titles in this series-- might read one if I stumble onto it-- but I won't be ordering other titles through Amazon, etc.
September 12, 2020
The subplot with the ex-wife really was unnecessary. And the subplot with the stolen gun got dragged on too long I thought. Ash is a developing character. I expect that later books will move off the wife, the double-cross and the violence to move the plot forward.
November 1, 2018
Good detective read in the Harry Bosch mold (police procedural), also set in LA. Ash Levine is an interesting character and I'd like to read the first one Kind of Blue.
August 22, 2020
Decent. Not great, but worth reading.
August 21, 2021
A decent LA police procedural that goes down well whenever you've managed to get up-to-date on your Connelly.
March 12, 2013
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
I am around page 40 and have already noticed 2 inconistencies.The first has a tattoo apparently changing.It is described as having 4 clouds with one having a glaring man's face, one a silhouette of an eagle,one with the head of an ox, and the last is empty.But later the tattoo is said to have a lion and no eagle.The second problem has a girl being gagged.The gag is tightened. Then the girl starts talking.Not a good start especially when this is a mystery and changing details can keep you from figuring out who is guilty.
Around page 65, there seems to be some more confusion.Ash is told he has appointment with Teshay's coach before he has notified Teshay's mother that Teshay is dead.But when the coach sees Ash, the coach said he set up the appointment because Teshay's mother had called him about it.One last problem occurs on page 250 where they are talking about the witness who "tried to bribe" Ash.The witness would have been asking for a bribe or extorting Ash since a bribe is given to someone who wants something done not to the person who wants it done.
I also had a problem with the metal detector being used indoors.It is hard to imagine being able to scan anywhere in a house where you would not get a positive reading for metal.Also why would you even use a metal detector looking for an object that from its description is not made of metal?
Apart from these problems, the story was not bad.Asher Levine is not the most likeable character.The story, while not boring, is very convoluted and not the fastest paced.If you are a fan of police stories where the policeman is a lone wolf or cowboy, then this might be the book for you.
I would have given this book a rating of 2.5 stars if I could but since I can't I felt it was closer to a 3 than a 2.
I am around page 40 and have already noticed 2 inconistencies.The first has a tattoo apparently changing.It is described as having 4 clouds with one having a glaring man's face, one a silhouette of an eagle,one with the head of an ox, and the last is empty.But later the tattoo is said to have a lion and no eagle.The second problem has a girl being gagged.The gag is tightened. Then the girl starts talking.Not a good start especially when this is a mystery and changing details can keep you from figuring out who is guilty.
Around page 65, there seems to be some more confusion.Ash is told he has appointment with Teshay's coach before he has notified Teshay's mother that Teshay is dead.But when the coach sees Ash, the coach said he set up the appointment because Teshay's mother had called him about it.One last problem occurs on page 250 where they are talking about the witness who "tried to bribe" Ash.The witness would have been asking for a bribe or extorting Ash since a bribe is given to someone who wants something done not to the person who wants it done.
I also had a problem with the metal detector being used indoors.It is hard to imagine being able to scan anywhere in a house where you would not get a positive reading for metal.Also why would you even use a metal detector looking for an object that from its description is not made of metal?
Apart from these problems, the story was not bad.Asher Levine is not the most likeable character.The story, while not boring, is very convoluted and not the fastest paced.If you are a fan of police stories where the policeman is a lone wolf or cowboy, then this might be the book for you.
I would have given this book a rating of 2.5 stars if I could but since I can't I felt it was closer to a 3 than a 2.
April 3, 2012
When I reviewed "Kind of Blue" I commented that Miles Corwin had written a book full of danger, excitement and secrets and "Midnight Alley" is more of the same. The reader learns more about Ash Levine, top detective in the LAPD's Felony Special squad. Ash is not an ordinary detective. He served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces and this experience gives him a little different outlook.
This second in the Ash Levine series puts Ash in charge of solving the murder of two young black men found shot to death in a Venice Alley. The timing could not be worse. Ash has just left for a weekend with his ex-wife Robin. When he received the call ordering him back to work, Robin understood, but Ash was very disappointed.
Raymond Pinkney, one of the victims, was the son of City Councilman Isaac Pinkney. Isaac has been a frequent critic of the LAPD. Ash is under heavy pressure to find the killer but the case is puzzling. Teshay Winfield, the other victim, had just returned from serving in the armed forces. The two victims had known each other when they were younger but had gone separate ways. What brought them together to be found dead in an alley? And what was the strange marking on Pinkney's bicep? And what does it mean? These are just a few of the many questions that leave Ash searching for answers.
Ash discovers that Teshay had returned to the States with a mask he discovered while serving overseas. Teshay had high hopes that the mask would bring him a lot of money. The more answers that Ash finds the more danger he is placing himself in.
This is a complicate story that reveals itself little by little until the surprising conclusion. It leaves the reader waiting for more about Ash Levine, his life, and the cases he investigates in a manner that is totally devoted to solving the puzzles presented to him.
This second in the Ash Levine series puts Ash in charge of solving the murder of two young black men found shot to death in a Venice Alley. The timing could not be worse. Ash has just left for a weekend with his ex-wife Robin. When he received the call ordering him back to work, Robin understood, but Ash was very disappointed.
Raymond Pinkney, one of the victims, was the son of City Councilman Isaac Pinkney. Isaac has been a frequent critic of the LAPD. Ash is under heavy pressure to find the killer but the case is puzzling. Teshay Winfield, the other victim, had just returned from serving in the armed forces. The two victims had known each other when they were younger but had gone separate ways. What brought them together to be found dead in an alley? And what was the strange marking on Pinkney's bicep? And what does it mean? These are just a few of the many questions that leave Ash searching for answers.
Ash discovers that Teshay had returned to the States with a mask he discovered while serving overseas. Teshay had high hopes that the mask would bring him a lot of money. The more answers that Ash finds the more danger he is placing himself in.
This is a complicate story that reveals itself little by little until the surprising conclusion. It leaves the reader waiting for more about Ash Levine, his life, and the cases he investigates in a manner that is totally devoted to solving the puzzles presented to him.
April 16, 2012
Review:Midnight Alley by Miles Corwin
4 STARS
This is a police detective story with lots of twists and turns in it. Police detective Ash Levine is on his way out of town with his almost ex-wife for a romantic weekend when he is called back into work.
Two Black young men shot and one of them is son of city councilman who distrusts police vocally.
After investigating for a short time realizes that the reason for the murder is the other blackman Teshay Winfield. He realizes that Teshay smuggled something home from Iraq.
Ash is Jewish and served it Jewish army. He does not listen to others telling him what to do. Instead of working the case he is called in to meet with councilman and milatary officers.
He has a lot of suspects and follows the different trails. Their are more deaths and Ash gets into trouble on many fronts.
I did not see the twists coming and guessed wrong who the guilty party was.
It kept my attention in the story. Would not mind reading more books with Ash in them.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
04/16/2012 PUB Oceanview Publishing
4 STARS
This is a police detective story with lots of twists and turns in it. Police detective Ash Levine is on his way out of town with his almost ex-wife for a romantic weekend when he is called back into work.
Two Black young men shot and one of them is son of city councilman who distrusts police vocally.
After investigating for a short time realizes that the reason for the murder is the other blackman Teshay Winfield. He realizes that Teshay smuggled something home from Iraq.
Ash is Jewish and served it Jewish army. He does not listen to others telling him what to do. Instead of working the case he is called in to meet with councilman and milatary officers.
He has a lot of suspects and follows the different trails. Their are more deaths and Ash gets into trouble on many fronts.
I did not see the twists coming and guessed wrong who the guilty party was.
It kept my attention in the story. Would not mind reading more books with Ash in them.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
04/16/2012 PUB Oceanview Publishing
February 8, 2014
Miles Corwin’s Midnight Alley is a fast-paced thriller from beginning to end. Detective Levine is an interesting character that pulls the reader in as he juggles work, an estranged wife, and his Jewish family. As a former IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) paratrooper, he has a way of looking at things and tackling situations differently from those around him. His methods are sometimes questionable, but he believes in getting the task done.
Although this is not the first Ash Levine novel, it could easily pass as a standalone book. I enjoyed the vivid imagery Corwin created. I felt like I could smell and see everything as clearly as if I were there myself. I could feel the handcuffs pinching my wrists or my heartbeat accelerating as the action unfolded. Midnight Alley is a fast and intriguing read that will keep you hooked for hours. Readers should be aware that there is some crude language. This is a story that mystery fans will want to check out.
Copy received via NetGalley from the publisher
Although this is not the first Ash Levine novel, it could easily pass as a standalone book. I enjoyed the vivid imagery Corwin created. I felt like I could smell and see everything as clearly as if I were there myself. I could feel the handcuffs pinching my wrists or my heartbeat accelerating as the action unfolded. Midnight Alley is a fast and intriguing read that will keep you hooked for hours. Readers should be aware that there is some crude language. This is a story that mystery fans will want to check out.
Copy received via NetGalley from the publisher
February 8, 2017
Still can't believe a publisher can turn out books with extremely noticable typos. Not as many as the first one, granted.
January 12, 2014
A good mystery dealing with the underbelly of LA. Levine is a police detective who is assigned the murder investigation of two young African American men. The author does a good job of bring race/ethnic issues up in the story without losing the fact that this is a mystery. Levine is Jewish and because of that his character has an interesting relationship with the Christmas holiday, while one of the murder victim's family believes that the LAPD is two racist to investigate the murder.
The mystery itself is very good with lots of twists and turns. It begins with the murder of two men and involves: the Russian mob, veterans of the US Army,and stolen antiquities. Levine uses solid police work and interviews to move his case forward.
The mystery itself is very good with lots of twists and turns. It begins with the murder of two men and involves: the Russian mob, veterans of the US Army,and stolen antiquities. Levine uses solid police work and interviews to move his case forward.
April 28, 2012
2.5
I was looking forward to this second in the Ash Levine series after the very solid debut last year, Kind of Blue.
Ash Levine is an interesting character and Kind of Blue was a police procedural in the Harry Bosch mold, including strong use of the L.A. environs (e.g.a Jewish cop who surfs).
This is not a "sophomore slump" book. It is in fact well written but deviates from the "Procedural" model and heads toward unrealistic Supercop "thriller" territory. A tired/cliched plot (complete with MacGuffin) and unrealistic personal realtionships don't help.
I would read another with this character but would prefer a return to the elements that the first book promised.
I was looking forward to this second in the Ash Levine series after the very solid debut last year, Kind of Blue.
Ash Levine is an interesting character and Kind of Blue was a police procedural in the Harry Bosch mold, including strong use of the L.A. environs (e.g.a Jewish cop who surfs).
This is not a "sophomore slump" book. It is in fact well written but deviates from the "Procedural" model and heads toward unrealistic Supercop "thriller" territory. A tired/cliched plot (complete with MacGuffin) and unrealistic personal realtionships don't help.
I would read another with this character but would prefer a return to the elements that the first book promised.
April 23, 2012
Thanks to Goodreads and Oceanview Publishing for selecting my name as a winner for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and reading about the exploits of Ash Levine and look forward to other books about this character.
The book was well written and kept me reading till I finished the book.
The life of a policeman is not easy as their lives are on the line every day. To be accused of shooting an unarmed man and the possibility of facing prison time would be devastating. Especially, when it was a matter of self defense because the man was armed. In this book, Ash faced this situation but found the truth and solved the crime.
The book was well written and kept me reading till I finished the book.
The life of a policeman is not easy as their lives are on the line every day. To be accused of shooting an unarmed man and the possibility of facing prison time would be devastating. Especially, when it was a matter of self defense because the man was armed. In this book, Ash faced this situation but found the truth and solved the crime.
October 11, 2012
A terrific novel in the tradition of a good police detective mystery. Real suspense and all the clues and
information to help you solve the crime right along with Ash Levine, Special Forces Police Unit.
On the side a little romance that adds to the intrigue and some family dynamics to give it all a sense of
reality and everyday life. A double homocide that seems pretty straight forward, but of course there are
false leads and dead ends that keep you and Detective Levine hunting and guessing about the real killers
and the real reasons til the end of the book.
information to help you solve the crime right along with Ash Levine, Special Forces Police Unit.
On the side a little romance that adds to the intrigue and some family dynamics to give it all a sense of
reality and everyday life. A double homocide that seems pretty straight forward, but of course there are
false leads and dead ends that keep you and Detective Levine hunting and guessing about the real killers
and the real reasons til the end of the book.
July 21, 2012
This story definetly has quite a few twists and turns. And i even had fun figuring out what was going on. A police detective is going out of town for a romantic weekend with his ex-wife. He gets called back into work to investigate these murders. 2 young men get shot and one of them is the cousilman's son. After investigating they find out that the other boy smuggled in something from Iraq. There are more deaths and many leads that Ash must figure out what is what.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2012
OK, readable, lots of local LA color and some insight into LAPD thinking. Jewish LAPD detective solves murder. This is almost precisely the same plot as Corwin's first Ash Levine book. And Levine threatens and/or tortures each witness to get the information to proceed. And this is presented as good, because he's solving the crimes. Plus, deus ex machina out of the blue to save him when he's in danger.
September 21, 2012
Asher Levine, is a detective with the Feleny Special, a special squad of the LAPD. A Los Angeles City Councilman's son is murdered along with a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and Ash is assigned the case. He is also trying to reconcile with his estranged wife. Ash discovers that the murder is not just a random killing. The deeper into the case the more complicated it gets. The story is fast paced and well written. Levine will be back in more stories, I'm sure.
June 28, 2012
I read this novel before Corwin's first and enjoyed the characters and story. A surfing, Jewish LA Detective made an intersting character. The story itself was interesting. After this book, though, I made the mistake of reading the first novel with the character Detective Ash and was extremely disappointed. I won't be reading the third.
April 22, 2012
Cannot wait - actually hope there's another Ash Levine in the works. What a compelling character! Fast paced story, well written, and interesting characters I actually cared and want to know more about. Write on Mr Corwin!
PS if there were half stars, I'd bump this up to 4.5!
PS if there were half stars, I'd bump this up to 4.5!
June 22, 2012
A good read. Pleasant characters. But the plot is overly complicated and there are too many subplots. The crime resolutions seem contrived. I prefer Corwin's nonfiction. Still, I would like to see more of Asher Levine.
May 3, 2015
Great Read
It was a great read. Not as good as the first book of this series. Kind of went off the path after half way through but by that time I was already hooked and wanted to know what was going to happen. Very fasted paced and some action.
It was a great read. Not as good as the first book of this series. Kind of went off the path after half way through but by that time I was already hooked and wanted to know what was going to happen. Very fasted paced and some action.
January 28, 2012
Watch for my review coming soon.
View all my reviews
View all my reviews
didn-t-finish
May 4, 2012I just couldn't get into it - read the first 9 chapters - didn't feel the urge to pick it up and kinda forgot some of the details in the chapters I read...maybe some other time.
June 13, 2012
Ash Levine is a character to watch. A lot like Harry Boshe. And the behind the scene looks at LA are exceptional from an author who's walked the walk.
September 24, 2012
I couldn't put this book aside. I liked it.
March 13, 2013
I enjoyed the neighborhood call outs for LA. I like the ethnic food references. I couldn't connect with Ash Levine.
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