Fallen Angels

by Connie Dial

Kirkus Best Fiction of 2012

Captain Josie Corsino has seen plenty of dead bodies during her twenty-one years with the Los Angeles Police Department, but the discovery of Hillary Dennis's beautiful smiling corpse begins one of the most unusual and dangerous investigations of Josie's career. The troubled teenage movie star is found murdered in a Hollywood Hills party house, a notorious location for vice and drug orgies. While the investigation provides little evidence, there are plenty of suspects including a city councilman's son, several Hollywood police officers and even members of Josie's family.

As the case progresses, Josie realizes there aren't many of her subordinates or bosses she can trust other than homicide detective Red Behan and Lieutenant Marge Bailey, the vice supervisor; relying on them as she reluctantly takes charge of the homicide case, dodging interference and political pressure from both inside and outside her department. The situation isn't much better at home where her husband Jake and her talented but unemployed son David expose her to the sort of scrutiny that could damage or even terminate her career.

The brutal killing doesn't end with Hillary's death. Josie soon finds herself in those dangerous and deadly situations typically not considered suitable for an LAPD captain, but she's a tough cop who can run her station and still do solid police work. To catch a killer, she's willing to jeopardize her position as a commanding officer and risk losing her life - and possibly the husband and son she loves.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Connie Dial is 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Prior to joining the force in 1969, she worked as a journalist and a reporter/photographer for a chain of newspapers in the San Gabriel Valley.

She currently resides in Southern California with her husband, retired Police Detective Jon Dial and their two Yorkshire Terriers named Bogart and Bacall.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I must disclose that I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.***

Josie Corsino is struggling with the the same issue many working women struggle with, how to balance her job with being a good mother and a good wife. The only difference is, Josie's decisions can have life or death consequences and be the deciding factor in whether or not justice is served. Josie is Captain Josie Corsino of the Hollywood precinct of the Las Angeles Police Department.

When a teenage movie star ends up dead in a Josie's district, shot through the head in a Hollywood home, it is Josie's job to oversee the investigation. This takes a difficult turn when Josie finds out that her son is an acquaintance of the victim as well as close friends with the main suspect. She's also faced with a politician using his clout to sway the investigation and the possibility of police corruption within her own division. Can Josie solve the crime and ensure justice is served while also protecting her family and her own job?

Connie Dial is a wonderful writer, in the style of Tami Hoag. The writing is raw and blunt, filled with emotion without being overly dramatic. The storyline is quick paced without feeling rushed. Ms. Dial keeps you intrigued throughout without the occasional drag you often find in thrillers and mysteries. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

[Robbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An actress is found dead in a oft police raided party house in Hollywood. But there is an increasing number of connections to the department that grow increasingly questionable and disturbing. Off-duty policemen working closely with the deceased? Illegal activities, Hollywood dreams and seamy LA street life mingle effortlessly.

The focus is on Captain Josie Corsino. Disciplined and cynical, her personal life in chaos, Josie puts her all into her work. Josie’s son and her husband seem to be complications.

Behind the scenes of a police officer’s life never gets old. This action packed murder mystry remains a popular genre. This one is top form. Dial describes with intensity after-hours, police marriages, working off-duty, office politics and daily minutiae. Fallen Angels unravels in a slow, steady page-turner.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think it was closer to 3.5 but couldn’t go 4! Enjoyed the LA-ness of the book but found it fairly ordinary!

[Joe Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting Police procedural story featuring a strong, beautiful, intelligent woman who just happened to work herself up to the position of Captain in charge of the Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department where she has served for just under a year. She reports to a micro manager Deputy Chief Bright (nicknamed "Not So" by the unimpressed rank and file). Her boss directed his subordinates activities without the benefit of any street experience that might have made his directions somewhat meaningful and sane. Chief Bright's only skill was managing up, a skilled politician that always sided with the most popular opinions of his superiors regardless of how that fit the evidence, the abilities of his personnel to close cases or protect his employees. Despite the difficult work environment, Captain Josie Corsino loved her job and frequently spent long hours and late nights maintaining her division at the expense of her personal life with her District Attorney husband, Jake and her twenty two year old, unemployed musician/artist son. She is called into a homicide investigation of a young, beautiful girl that was shot in an expensive pad of a new lawyer that had recently moved from New York to Los Angeles. Captain Bright transfers the homicide case to another division to insure he can insulate the son of his mentor and councilman Eli Goldman, an acquaintance of the victim and consequently a suspect. Another murder occurs that seems connected as the victim is the talent manager of the first victim. Josie finds this investigation back in her division and marshals her forces and because of the connectedness, also involves her department in the first case. Josie's field detectives, Donnie Fricke and his partner Frank Butler shake down some snitches and discover strange ties between police officers, the management chain Josie reports to and a local Mafia boss that are also tied to the murder victims. Josie finds herself questioning who she can trust and limits her investigation reports to just those she has working the cases, eliminating all personnel except her direct reports that she trusts based on their mutual working history. Besides the impossible working environment, Josie's husband moves out citing difficulty "finding himself" after announcing his retirement from the D. A.'s office. Further, Josie's son blames her for the suicide of his friend, the councilman Goldmen's son after she and her officers finally questioned him. Josie throws herself into her work and starts the dangerous task of joining her officers in field work, putting herself and her officers in dangerous territory confronting the local Mafia contingent. Read this fast paced story to find out whether Josie can withstand the political storm in the L.A. Police Department and solve the multiple murders while trying to patch up the difficulties in her personal life. Tough girl with plenty of challenges! Disclosure: This book was made available through LibraryThing Earlier Reviewers program for the promise of a fair review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“By the time she wrapped up business at Avanti’s, it was too late to make the last couple of clubs. Josie was grateful. She was tired and out of condition for the grind of real police work. There was a time when she could stay up all night booking suspects, change her clothes and go to court the next morning. She still could if she didn’t have to run the whole damn division, but that was another life.”

I thoroughly enjoyed and more importantly appreciated the first two mysteries [Internal Affairs and The Broken Blue Line] written by Connie Dial. As with past novels, Connie Dial exposes corrupt police officers, shady dealings and poor police work. Her vast experience in narcotics, undercover surveillance and Internal Affairs surveillance glows through the pages. It makes the novel much stronger, deeper. Dial knows L.A. and police work rather intimately and it shows throughout this mystery. As soon as I got confused along came a sentence or paragraph to bring things back into focus.

“It was unheard of in the LAPD’s modern era for an area captain to be involved hands-on in a homicide investigation. She knew that but it didn’t matter. At the moment, Behan was the only subordinate except Marge she completely trusted.”

The case is that of a young starlet found dead in a notorious party house in the Hollywood hills. As detectives begin to work the case connections to the department grow increasingly questionable and compelling. Off-duty officers working closely with the deceased? Drugs, shattered dreams and gritty Los Angeles street life seamlessly mingle.

Dial focuses on a woman as main character, Captain Josie Corsino. Extremely disciplined despite disorder in her personal life, Josie puts all her effort and time into her work. Josie’s son is a not-so-far-successful musician and her husband, a former prosecutor, left to pursue private practice and personal space from their marriage. Many television shows revolve around the concept of accomplished professional women with disastrous personal lives [Ally McBeal, Damages]. Not new but should continue to be addressed, analyzed, discussed and written about. Interestingly Josie doesn’t know who major celebrities are/ doesn’t watch films yet she’s the police captain in Hollywood. Behind the scenes of a police officer’s life never gets old. Thus mystery/thriller remains a popular genre-- Law and Order and CSI remain highly watched television programs not to mention 48 Hours. Dial hits on after-hours, cops’ marriages, working off-duty, office politics and daily minutiae. Fallen Angels unravels in a slow, steady spiral.

appeared at Entertainment Realm

[Bonnie Brody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallen Angels by Connie Dial is a police procedural of the best kind. Written by a veteran police officer who spent 27 years with the LAPD, the author knows the in's and out's of the Los Angeles Police Department. The novel is written with Captain Josie Corsino at the center. She heads one section out of four of the Hollywood police department and she has a lot resting on her shoulders, shoulders that are weighed down with ethical decisions, problems at home and problems in the squad room.

The novel opens up with the murder of Hillary Dennis, a teen-aged actress and heroin addict who is found shot in the head at a party house in the Hollywood Hills. Hillary's agent is found shot in the mouth shortly after. Shockingly, Josie finds out that her son, David, knows both the prime suspect, Cory, who is the son of a councilman, and the actress's dead agent, Misty Skylar. Bringing David even closer to the crime is the fact that Misty is David's agent too, for David is a musician and artist who Misty signed on a few weeks before her murder. Josie is "trying not to panic about the avalanche of events coming perilously close to smothering her family."

Josie is also worried about her squad. She has some dead weight working for her and she also finds out that two of her squad members may have been involved with the actress prior to her death. Where is she to turn? There are very few members of her squad that she trusts. Her husband of 22 years, Jake, is leaving her to find himself - translation: there is another woman in the picture. He is in the midst of a mid-life crisis and Josie is left alone at home and at work. She understands "how politics worked in L. A. Money had the loudest voice in public policy decisions.

As Josie jeopardizes aspects of her life to remain a good Captain and police officer, the reader wonders what will happen to her? Will Jake return? Will they catch the bad apples on the force? What is David's role in the murder? Will HIllary and Misty's murderer(s) be found? As Josie navigates political pressures from all sides, she tries to retain her inner strength and north star, doing her job in the very best way she can. That is what makes this book exceptional. It examines the ethics, morals, and daily crises that Josie encounters and explores there impact on her decisions and her life.

My only problem with this book is that there are so many characters and so many side issues that it was difficult at times for me to keep things straight. I'd forget names and who was who. I think that the novel could have been written with more focus and less rabbit trails. Other than these concerns, the novel was interesting and a good read.

[David Freas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story well written, one that slips by easily. You start reading and before you realize it, you’re thirty or forty pages deeper into the story than when you began.

But if you’re looking for wild shoot-outs and running gun battles will be disappointed. Dial presents a very realistic picture of a police investigation, a task laden with slow steps forward, side trips down dead end alleys, sudden leaps in progress, and pressure to solve the crime quickly.

Dial included ‘stock’ characters and plotlines:
1/ Inept superior officers only interested in advancing their careers interfering in the investigation
2/ Untrustworthy subordinates
3/ One or two loyal fellow officers
4/ A model-gorgeous but foul-mouthed female character (This seems to be a requirement lately in all crime novels. Here it’s not the main character but one of the major ones.)
5/ Politicians trying to manage the investigation to cover their or their friends’ butts
6/ A spouse suffering a major mid-life crisis
7/ An under-achieving child who gets tangled in the investigation

It would be nice to see someone write a book without these standards seen in almost every police procedural.

Stock characters and plotlines aside, I’d like to read more of her works.

[Allison Ketchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

FALLEN ANGELS by Connie Dial: Captain Josie Corsino is a good detective who has turned into a good supervisor: "She hadn't been to roll call for a few weeks, and she knew the uniformed patrol officers liked to have her there so they could find out what was going on in their division, especially on mornings like this. Besides, a few minutes with them always left her energized. Half an hour later, she had answered every question she could about the morning's events and made a mental list of all the officers' complaints, including those problems she couldn't solve. It was important to make contact because their lives were tied to her." Out of the trenches since promotion, she stays connected to her subordinates, but a challenging case calling into question whom she can trust will push her further into danger than any captain should be. When a troubled young actress is found murdered in a well-known party house, Josie faces pressure from above to keep a councilman's son out of it, though he is at least indirectly involved. Hints of corruption leave her with few officers above or below her rank to trust, and she skirts the edges of procedure to solve the murder with its tentacles reaching into organized crime, off-duty cops, and local politics before those involved can undertake a cover-up.

Josie has been promoted as high as she wants to be: "Any rank above captain had nothing important to do except create meaningless projects and audits, or find other ways to annoy cops with real jobs." Her personal life is falling apart, her husband going through a midlife crisis and her twenty-two-year-old son tangentially involved in her current investigation. She can trust almost no one at work or even at home. Her balance of family and police work makes her a compelling character, and when the two come into conflict, her resolution rings true.

Dial uses her extensive experience in the LAPD to inform and ground this novel and give the fictional department a well-rounded feel. I've enjoyed her Detective Mike Turner novels, INTERNAL AFFAIRS and THE BROKEN BLUE LINE, and Josie, as a captain and as a woman balancing family and police life, brings a fresh perspective.

Source disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.

[Barbara Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAPD Captain Josie Corsino of the Hollywood Division has a boatload of problems in this great little novel written by a woman who worked for the LAPD for 27 years. First, a young movie star/celebrity is murdered and the chief suspect is a city councilman's son. The son just happens to be the best friend of Corsino's son. There are suspicions of police corruption, so she doesn't know for sure who she can trust nor does she know how high up the corruption might go. And to top it all off, her husband announces that he has resigned his job in the DA's office, opened a private practice, and needs some time to himself to think things through. Any one of those troubles would flatten some people, but Josie Corsino is not "some people."

Corsino is not superwoman though. I really like this character. For one thing, when she is in danger, she reacts like anyone else would. I have absolutely nothing in common with her except that we're both women, but I identified with her because she's sensible, has trouble coping sometimes, and is determined to do her job well, let the cards fall where they may.

The plot of this story and the police and local government characters are all believable and interesting enough to keep you turning pages. I enjoyed the character of Corsino's son, David, as well. An accomplished pianist, he is floundering a bit in his early 20s as he seeks his own way. The fact that his mother doesn't approve and wants him to go to a good music school, Julliard comes to mind, sounds just like what most mothers would do.

Through all the turmoil, personal and crime related both, Josie Corsino stays true to her beliefs and confronts each issue with the strength of her convictions. This is Dial's third novel, but I believe it's the first of the Josie Corsino stories. I'm definitely sold, and will certainly find Internal Affairs and The Broken Blue Line to read. I highly recommend this book which was sent to me by The Permanent Press.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a beautiful starlet is murdered in a Hollywood mansion and all the witnesses claim to have seen nothing, Captain Josie Corsino’s first thought is, why is the victim smiling. Investigation soon reveals a growing list of suspects, from hapless young men to possible prostitution rings and renegade cops. Meanwhile Josie’s son plays music in bars instead of going to college, and her husband flies into mid-life crisis, turning his and her futures on their heads.

Josie’s investigation plays out against a backdrop of betrayals large and small, personal and pervasive. Every step she takes involves decisions whose consequences might betray another. Every trust she places might end with trust betrayed.

The writing tugs the reader into Josie’s world and doesn’t let go. Whether you agree with her politics or not, whether you’d make the same demands of your children, whether you’d trust the same people or behave the same way, there’s no denying Josie’s thoughts, decisions and actions ring powerfully honest and true. The playing out of her life against a background of murder, police investigation and abuse of power provides a potent contrast between minor and major betrayals, and between honesty and brutal deception. The whole lends clarity to the bedrock of rules and law that underlie society. And the depiction of Los Angeles is so clear readers might almost feel they’re there.

The punishment may not fit the crime in the end, but the players fit their parts, and the reader is warmed by a knowledge that not all angels fall, and not all falls are fatal after all.

Disclosure: I received a free bound galley of this novel from the Permanent Press in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Police Captain Josie Corsino is notified of the death of a young Hollywood actress. This starts a confusing web of who she can and cannot trust. There are pressures coming from her boss to get the case solved and to keep the local Councilman and his son out of the investigation. Captain Corsino is juggling the political pressures with this case along with the pressures of her home life...her son knew the victim and her husband has just left her. Captain Corsino finds herself questioning everyone she has known for years.

This is the first Connie Dial book I have read. I found it to be fast paced and suspenseful. At the beginning of the book, I was anxious to find out who was guilty of the murders and how all the pieces fit together. By the half-way part of the book, I had a good idea of who I thought was guilty but I couldn't figure out the pieces to make it all fit. As I reached the end of the book, some of those pieces started to fall into place. Then they question a suspect and all the pieces are put together. What I was disappointed in was that the book was wrapped up so quickly. It felt like the end was rushed. They interview a suspect and in four pages the whole case is wrapped up with a bow on it. I felt that there needed to be more explanation as to how and what happens to the suspect(s). This will not prevent me from reading a future Connie Dial book but I hope the next one has a more thorough ending.

(This book was reviewed as a part of LibraryThing Early Reviewers.)

[Marthanap · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. I originally signed up for the book for something for my husband to read as I find police procedural books hit or miss. I decided to give this book a try and could not put it down after the first chapter.

Ms. Dial excels at characterization. Her characters are believable and you find yourself identifying with or empathizing with many of them. Unlike many policewomen in novels, the main character, Captain Josie Corsino does not need to be a "ball-buster" to lead. She uses her brains and understanding of the internal politics of the LAPD to accomplish her goals.

The book kept me guessing until the end about who was responsible for the crime. Ms. Dial's knowledge of the LAPD from her time working there is clear in all aspects of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will read more of her books in the future.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Disclosure: I received an Advanced Copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.***

I am a big crime drama fan on TV, so I knew that I would enjoy the style of this book. I did enjoy the way it was written. I watch Southland on TV and this book reminded me a lot of that show. The book is gritty and shows a non-glamourous perspective on police work. it comes across much more realistic in that way.

However, just as on TV seem plots get too complex, the same happened in this book. At the end, it seemed like there were still many questions and loose ends that were lying around. The characters were interesting but needed a bit more development.

All in all, this was a good book, and I enjoyed reading it, but was not as gripped by the story as I would have liked.

[Pegysue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads and I really enjoyed it. The main storyline of the book is that of a teenaged movie star who has been murdered and during the course of the investigation by Los Angeles Police Department's Captain Josie Corsino and her fellow officer and friend Homicide Detective Red Behan links between the murder victim and numerous high profile names are found, possibly even some police officers from their own department. It is also a story about relationships and how everyday life and jobs affect the people we love.

The author is very detailed on the inner workings and relationships of the police department and also of the investigative procedures. Also the characters are very real; you end up feeling like you actually know them.

[Sarah Flood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Dial writes about police work tells you that she knows exactly what she's talking about. main character Josie has a matter of fact outlook on her whole life from her family to her fellow police officers. It is clear, however, that she is a cop with feelings. It is this blend of business with humanity that make Josie a lovable character and gives her the ability to solve the case. The scene towards the end where there is a shootout, I won't say much else so as not to spoil anything, reading that scene was like watching a movie. Each moment was clearly played out in my head because of how intense it was.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Connie Dial has been compared to Joseph Wambaugh for her realistic portrayal of cops in the Los Angeles Police Department. Dial herself was a police officer for 27 years and the reader wonders how much of Dial herself is in the character of Captain Josie Corsino. In “Fallen Angels,” a young B-movie starlet is murdered in a notorious party house, and there a plenty of suspects. A city councilman’s son is implicated, and Josie’s boss wishes the whole case would just go away. Dial does a great job showing how the police investigate crimes, despite political and internal department pressures.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A win from Good Reads. The book centers around a female police captain who has to go against the “good ole boy” mentality that a woman doesn’t belong in the police department. She proves that she is a good police officer and helps solve the murder investigation. This book was well written and I plan to read others written by Connie Dial.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first fiction I have read written by Ms. Dial and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed learning about the political and inter-departmental workings during a crime that most fiction never shows; it honestly portrays that police have unscrupulous members. Vesry well written and enjoyable.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad that I gave this author another try. Her first book in the series had far too much police procedural . As result both the character development and plot suffered. This book was far more enjoyable. The characters were interesting and sufficiently developed. And the plot moved along more smoothly with a pace that escalated toward a satisfying finish.

[Mysteryfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A minor starlet is murdered and LAPD Hollywood Division must solve the case. There's political fighting and some surprising misdeeds come to light. It is well written, with the tone of authority that comes from her years of experience with LAPD. I kept thinking Harry Bosch (Michael Connolly's character) would work well with her. It's the first I've read by the author, but it won't be the last.

[David Holtzclaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating indoctrination into the Hollywood crime scene, with a number of interesting twists, along the way. I found it to be a delight to read, & look forward to more from Ms. Dial. I also received this book free, from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading a good crime mystery every now and then. I try to figure out who did it before the end of the book, and of course I am never right. Needless to say I wasn't right with this one either. Maybe next time. Thanks for selecting me as a first reads winner of this book.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting how all the characters intertwined - from politicians to police officers. Nothing extraneous or unnecessary to the story. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to try a new author. I enjoyed this author's writing style. I enjoyed all the twists and turns in the story. I found this story to be a very intersting read. I will seek out this author again in the future.

[Patricia Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Connie Dial is a retired LAPD Police Captain and her obvious insider knowledge of the workings of the LAPD makes this a good read. Her main character is interesting and the plot was intriguing but her writing is not as compelling as that of Michael Connelly or Peter Robinson.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was gripping. It takes you on a trip into the complexities of law enforcement, solving a murder and family ties.

[Barbara Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the books I won! :) I thought it was pretty good. I enjoy a good mystery and am now going to be looking for more books by Connie Dial.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!
Review to follow...

[Carolyn Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAPD police procedural mystery featuring a woman captain. See my review at New York Journal of Books at: http://nyjournalofbooks.com/review/fa...

[Signora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie Dial's first novel. Very authentic story of corruption in the LA PD.