A Punishing Breed

by DC Frost

A Punishing Breed , the first in a series of novels featuring Detective DJ Arias, is a murder mystery that takes place in Los Angeles, the city of angels, freeways, Santa Ana winds, and honeysuckle slithering through chain-link fences and perfuming LA's dark streets and neighborhoods. Detective Arias hunts for a murderer on a liberal arts campus that prides itself on its progressive curriculum but is rife with jealousy, racial and sexual tensions, and a hierarchy as real and destructive as a medieval fortress. DJ Arias, good at his job because he sees the worst in people, is challenged by the college community, a neighborhood recluse, and a young Latino gardener he sent to jail ten years ago for a hit-and-run accident. Through the course of his investigation, Arias will find out no one is who they appear to be. He begins to reclaim his humanity by adopting a dog he names Evidence and finding the clues to a crime born from a dark secret not contained in the past but alive in the present, which will cast destruction and murder on the denizens of the small liberal arts campus.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.76 "inconsistent, quirky, soapy, mystery" stars !!!

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Canis Major books for an ecopy. This was released June 2024. I am providing an honest review.

I have a feeling deep in my gut that this author has oodles of talent. However, this debut mystery needs a heck of a lot of work. The story is very unique and is well laid out. The characters are varied but because there are so darn many they remain lightly sketched at best to caricatures at worst. The prose ranges from 4 star excellent to 2 star poor and most of it is in the good three star range. I disliked the femme-arrogance, the dated gender dynamics and the men are just awful vibe (when women are awful there is always a "trauma" excuse in this mystery) Lame ! I guessed the murderer halfway through but was always interested to see how this would transpire. Way too much here for the length of the book. Despite all my complaints, there is an undeniable charm although I will not be moving forward in the series. A fair to average reading experience rounded up to 3 stars for absolute potential.

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to think of this, but I'm very sure I won't finish this book. I requested it because of the blurb which looked interesting.
Alas, what I read was a rather chaotic story, in which a lot of people were introduced in a very short time. The story was shifting from POV to POV and every new character was introduced based on which other character they were trying to get into bed (not literally of course) with or with other character they already were in bed with. Not only that, a lot of characters were introduced who had absolutely nothing to do with the story. On the contrary, most of them were deceased or moved in with others.

Not my cup of tea, I'm sorry to say.

Thanks to Edelweiss for this review copy.

[Maxine Rosenfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one more than I thought I would. It's a straightforward police mystery with dialogue that could be transposed, verbatim, into an episode of SVU or NCIS. So in that way, it was corny. The pacing, however, was pretty great. It's what kept me reading until the end. The chapters were short and well constructed, and I enjoyed the frequent switching between POVs (every couple of pages). The flip side of the rapid pacing and large cast of characters, though, is that there were some characters/storylines that I connected with much more than others, and there were some characters that I think ought to have been given more time and attention. It's evident that this is meant to kick off a series centered around this detective (who, incidentally, is one of the least interesting characters).
I enjoyed the small liberal arts campus setting — though the writer is clearly so disdainful of those institutions and the people that attend them that it got kind of exhausting to read about. There are obviously many interesting and important things to look at in stories like these and institutions like the fictional Hesperia College, but the author went no deeper than "privileged snobby students and faculty vs. salt of the earth blue collar staff/surrounding community," which is a dynamic that has been done to death, and done ~much~ better in other novels.

[Melissa P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

🔍 Won in a giveaway 🔎

Most of this book kept me intrigued to keep reading on. It's a pretty strange and dark story. It has a couple murder mysteries and some other touchy subjects like assault, among others. I didn't relate to the characters. I will usually have at least a favorite but in this story, I didn't. (Wait, there's a dog named Evidence. She's my favorite!) The part about a possible monster sparked my interest. I didn't dislike the book, I just didn't feel too strongly about the people in it. It's conflicting feelings I guess 🤪. I would read another book by this author. Thank you to the author DC Frost, Canis Major Books and Goodreads for my signed copy of this book. Happy reading! 🪻🌷🛣🌱🌼

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I really enjoyed A Punishing Breed, a L.A. noir procedural published by a small press.

The story is set at Hesperia College, a small liberal arts school in Southern California. The book opens with the gruesome murder of Hesperia's head fundraiser. The news spread rapidly through this elite and insular college community, a group in which everyone knows everyone, yet the murderer could be anyone.

The book's narrative structure has an omniscient POV that dips into the minds of multiple characters, including that of the killer.

Denise Frost does an artful job at weaving in current campus social issues, juggling multiple suspects, and giving us a peek into the tense relationship between two men: DJ Arias, the prickly lead detective investigating the case, and Danny Mendoza, a former first-gen college student Arias put behind bars a decade ago. Many on the campus felt that Danny was railroaded for a terrible mistake, and he now works on the college landscaping crew.

If you like a noir procedural (and I do!) I'd definitely check this one out as I enjoyed it!

Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!

Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy for review!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well executed first book. It's obvious that Hesperia College is really Occidental College. The author works there in the Giving/Development Department. So it's no surprise that one of the main characters also has that job- and he's quite a sleazebag. A murder mystery in academia that is quite the page turner involving several characters seeking redemption and the danger of secrets. I don't get the title at all.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the claustrophobic confines of a liberal arts college, Detective DJ Arias navigates a treacherous landscape of hidden tensions, dark secrets, and murderous intent in DC Frost's gripping novel, "A Punishing Breed." The serene facade of the campus, with its progressive curriculum and idyllic setting, conceals a simmering cauldron of jealousy, racial and sexual fault lines, and a rigid hierarchy that harbors destructive forces. Arias, a seasoned detective whose grim outlook on humanity fuels his investigative prowess, finds himself pitted against a community seemingly united in its denial of the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of characters whose motives are as murky as the secrets they guard. From the enigmatic college community to the reclusive neighborhood loner and a young Latino gardener bearing the scars of a past encounter with Arias, each individual becomes a puzzle piece in the complex tapestry of deception. As Arias pieces together the fragmented clues, he discovers that appearances are but a veil, concealing hidden identities and twisted desires. The investigation becomes a personal journey of self-discovery for Arias, as he grapples with his own demons and the realization that his past actions have far-reaching consequences. The adoption of a stray dog, whom he aptly names Evidence, becomes a symbol of his transformation, a beacon of hope amid the encroaching darkness. The narrative builds momentum as Arias uncovers a crime rooted in a dark secret, not confined to the past but thriving in the present. This revelation sets off a chain of events that threatens to unleash destruction and murder upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of the campus. Arias races against time to decipher the intricate web of deceit, aware that failure could unleash a torrent of devastation. DC Frost's masterful storytelling and evocative prose paint a vivid picture of a community on the brink of collapse, where the pursuit of truth becomes a dangerous obsession. "A Punishing Breed" is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, delving into the depths of despair, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit. Frost deftly exposes the cracks in the facade of a seemingly progressive society, revealing the primal instincts that simmer beneath the surface. The novel is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, captivating readers with its intricate plot, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes.

[Larraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh

[Jessica Mather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Punishing Breed by DC Frost was a fun and interesting look into the diverse culture of Hesperia College. On the surface, it is a liberal arts college that encourages critical thinking from its students. But underneath it all, there is a dark history fueled by sex and alcohol.

Danny Mendosa is, understandably, nervous when he calls in a murder that occurs on campus. He was locked up for 10 years, and his arresting officer is the lead detective on the case.
Ferencia (Fern) Lake is attacked at night while she walks shamefully back to her dorm. The high pitched scream of someone telling her to run terrifies her.
DJ Arias remembers the case of the girl that was tragically struck down by a drunk college student. When he finds out that the same person called in the murder, he leans harder on Danny than any of the others. All the while he is trying to better his personal life. He sucks at it. His grumpy attitude and baiting tongue tends to piss a few people off. But he gets the job done. A dog comes into his life at the right time, and we see a definitive shift in DJ's personality.
With a wide cast and a multitude of suspects, this is a journey that needs to be read from start to finish.

My rating for this book was affected mainly by errors in spelling and format that took me out of the story, as there were quite a few. It had great potential as a book and I see a great future for the series.
The only other personal criticisms with the book I had were:
The over sexualisation of some instances. There were a lot of remarks about how sexy someone looked, in situations where I feel they weren't needed.
The constant use of both full names of characters, and cars. There are many times where, even if the character is having a conversation, the full name was used. It took me out of the story and I didn't enjoy it.

But here is what I loved:
Warren was by far the most interesting character and I really liked him. I hope to see more of him in the series.
The book ended nicely, where some might think it doesn't need a series. It was wrapped up so tidily that one may forget a certain conversation that a key character had with themselves as things were coming to a close. This conversation made me think of any other mention through the book.
I really liked that it was logical, and throughout the book, the reason why the killer murdered who they did. It was there! And to those sleuths, there were even more clever clues hidden throughout the book to lead you to the killer. This was really smart and really enjoyable to look back on.

Overall I give A Punishing breed 3 stars.

[Violet Springs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective DJ Arias is a seasoned investigator based in LA, a city of diverse culture, freeways, and the mysterious Santa Ana winds. As the scent of honeysuckle wafts through chain-link fences, it also perfumes the dark streets and neighbourhoods of LA. Arias is assigned to a murder case that leads him to a liberal arts campus. On paper, it is a progressive curriculum, but beneath its surface a medieval fortress of jealousy, racial and sexual tensions, and a social hierarchy. Arias, adept at his job because he sees the worst in people, faces challenges from the college community and his past.

As the investigation goes on, secrets are revealed that no one is exactly who they seem to be. Arias adopts a dog named Evidence and uses his investigative skills to uncover a crime that exists not only in the past but continues to thrive in the present. This revelation sets in motion a series of events that will bring destruction and murder to the inhabitants of the small liberal arts campus.

It is a compelling and suspenseful murder mystery that skillfully combines an intriguing plot with a richly developed cast of characters. The novel immerses readers in the enigmatic world of Detective DJ Arias as he navigates the complex social dynamics of a liberal arts campus while investigating a murder.

The storytelling is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The LA backdrop adds depth to the narrative, providing a vivid sense of place. The characters, particularly Arias, are well-drawn, and readers will be drawn into their lives and motivations.

The novel explores human nature, secrets, and hidden tensions within a seemingly progressive environment as Arias peels back the layers of deception, the suspense builds, making it a page-turner for fans of mystery and detective fiction.

It is an excellent start to the Detective DJ Arias series. It offers a captivating blend of mystery, intrigue, and complex character dynamics, making it a highly recommended read for those who enjoy well-crafted detective novels set against the backdrop of a diverse and enigmatic city.

[Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fanatic first book from the writer DC Frost, one with an unusual set-up and setting. Yes, there's a world-weary, hardboiled Los Angeles detective who has to solve a brutal murder, but it's not on the city's mean streets or in a wealthy L.A. enclaves\, like Malibu or Bel Air, the typical places where such mayhem takes place in novels. This book is set in the world of a small liberal arts college campus in a rapidly gentrifying Los Angeles. neighborhood. As depicted by the author, the school is like a village, with its own suffocating customs, rituals, political pecking order, sexual intrigue, and ruthless rivalries, rivalries that might even cause some to take a life. The book also introduces readers to characters who usually don't get as much attention in other works of fiction set in academia, like the cadre of professional fundraisers who help keep colleges and universities afloat financially by courting wealthy alumni and blue-collar cleaning workers and gardeners who are crucial to keeping a school looking picture-perfect, but often remain invisible members of the campus community, despite all of the progressive talk about social justice and equity.

"A Punishing Breed" is great book to round out your summer reading. I look forward to future stories from DC Frost as she hones her craft and takes us on new sleuthing adventures with her protagonist, DJ Arias.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAPD detective D.J. Arias is a miserable man. Divorced and pining for his ex wife he is disagreeable and known for torturing his partners. Poor Detective Bobby Talbot is saddled with being D.J.'s latest partner. They are called out to a small liberal arts college where a notorious womanizing fund raiser is found murdered in his office. Will Bloom raises tons of money for the school and beds as many of his female colleagues as he can. But maybe Bloom is trying to change. He is "in love" with a woman he works with who is 40 years his junior. He has bought a dog for her and the little dog is found in Bloom's house. D.J. immediately takes to the dog and names her Evidence. I think the author did that to make D.J. more likeable. And, as the story progressed D.J. starts to recognize that his partner isn't an idiot. Most of the book is the details of all the tangled lives of Bloom's conquests. All the jealousies and gossip. The characters are all interesting. Thrown in with all the women Will Bloom has bedded and hurt is a man who D.J. sent to prison 10 years earlier, a campus co-ed who literally ran into the murderer, and a lonely disfigured local man. I found the story interesting and engaging. I will definitely read more of this series.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.A.-based detective DJ Arias is a miserable 38-year-old man; his wife divorced him 5 years ago, and he has a reputation for ‘torturing’ his partners. So, he is ‘less than thrilled’ to be called to investigate a murder at Hesperia College, a liberal arts school, versus the gangbanger crimes he normally deals with in Eagle Rock. Will Bloom, Vice President of Development, is found with a sword in his back. He and his partner, Bobby Talbot, have a laundry list of suspects to consider as Bloom was a flagrant boozer and womanizer.

Arias initially focuses on Danny Mendoza as Danny has just been released from a 10-year prison sentence for hitting, and killing, a pedestrian while drunk when he was just 18. [It was due to a Frat hazing.] However, it soon becomes clear that the groundskeeper could not have done such a heinous act. Meanwhile, Fern Lake was attacked while walking back to her dorm and was protected from serious harm by a ‘scarecrow-looking’ man. Who was this savior? And is this assault related to the Bloom murder in some way?

Frost has written an engaging thriller with plenty of twists and I look forward to reading the next offering.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a small liberal arts college in Los Angeles, the best fundraising officer has been found dead in his office. Detective DJ Arias is assigned the case. Arias is a veteran, not only somewhat hardened throughly experience, but frankly, kind of an asshole. The person who called in the murder is an ex-con who works in maintenance at the college, who Arias sent to prison ten years ago. Arias immediately suspects him.

But there's more than meets the eye happening on campus. The deceased was a well-known womanizer, so a lot of people have secrets to hide. Along with all of the other campus politics that are contained in the small school, Arias has a number of suspects to consider.

The author does a good job of keeping you both interested and in suspense, and includes some side stories that all tie in at the end. She does a good job of making Arias unpleasant, but maybe promising towards the end.

Having attended a small liberal arts college where my mother was a secretary in the Development Office, I can say that a number of the characters and setting were familiar in many ways.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los Angeles Detective DJ Arias is a wounded, angry man surrounded by people who have hurt him or are incompetent. But he needs help when a college professor is murdered and a student is attacked. The prime suspect is an ex-con, alongside numerous women the professor has harmed. Can the detective discover who actually committed the crime before more people are hurt?
This novel has several twists and turns. It's also loaded with sexual content and contains assault, abuse and profanity. Some of the plot lines are unbelievable, including a quick romance. I appreciated how the author explores how the past can come back to haunt us.
Detective Arias is not a likable man. But I felt more compassion for him as his story unfolds. And two characters I did like initially became less likable as the book progressed.
Evidence the dog stole the show. I would read more books in this series to find out what happens to her.

[Zuzu Burford · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a normal murder mystery, all possible villains would be eliminated one by one by the authorities, but this isn't the case in A Punishing Breed by Denise Frost.
Detectives Arias and Talbot are presented with the problem that almost no one regretted anything and that there was an endless line of people waiting to be chosen—it was just a matter of who and when someone would take the sword.
The main characters' collaboration between a Buddhist detective and a grumpy detective made for a compelling setup. The supporting cast members' backstories were gradually revealed, and they were also masterfully written.
When it comes to puppy love, the Evidence is undeniable.
An independent review for NetGalley / Canis Major Books .

[boogleloo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Police Procedural Mystery that follows multiple POVs, including a Los Angeles detective, in the aftermath of a liberal arts college fundraiser's murder.

1/5 stars: This is the first entry in Frost's Detective DJ Arias series, which is a Police Procedural Mystery that features multiple POVs, including a Los Angeles detective, in the aftermath of a liberal arts college fundraiser's murder and a student's attack on campus. Frost tackles some heavy subjects, so take care and check the CWs. Frost's writing and character work are nicely done. Unfortunately, this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 16%.

I received this eARC thanks to Red Hen Press, Canis Major Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Danelle The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. There were some formatting issues with my Kindle copy which definitely detracted from the book. Pros- the character of Danny was someone I wanted to root for- to get a second chance at life and atone for his mistakes. I liked the fact that for a while I really wasn’t sure who did it! I also liked Warren and I am rooting for him too. Pro/con- DJ Arias. I would like to know more about his back story and why he is kind of an asshole. I did like his character arc with the dog, Evidence. Although the book is the beginning of a a series with DJ Arias, I hope we get to see Danny and Warren again.
Would I read the second book in the series? Yes, I would give it another chance. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

[Anonymouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

The New York Times reviewed this book in June and I thought I would give it a try. What a mistake. I don't know what the reviewer was drinking but this book is not worth 20 minutes of your time. I haven't read such as misogynistic book in decades. There isn't a single women who is self-aware and autonomous. There isn't a single man who is not either a gloating, sometimes vicious, predator or a nice guy who infantilizes women. The main detective is a thorough jerk till he adopts a female dog. Made me gag.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.

[Stephanie Roller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say really 3.5 stars. This one started off slow at California college campus. The murder happens, but then there's a bit of a lull when it comes to the excitement. The interview process was very detailed. There is a cute rescue dog, so that's a plus. There is also some character development which is always great! You can piece it together, but it doesn't ruin the story when you do. Plus the ending is like a nice bow on top.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Punishing Breed By Denise Frost follows DJ Arias, a rough LAPD detective. I immediately loved his character and felt transported into LA following him and his partner, Detective Talbot. The author infuses humor throughout and gives little nuggets throughout at the right time for the reader to feel like they’re working to follow the evidence to solve the case. A bonus is the dog that DJ inherits from the case and aptly names Evidence.

A fun read!

[Alice Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much longing in this book, among the detectives, suspects, heroes, and antiheroes. While I normally don't enjoy serial killer themes, DC Frost had me invested in her characters, and I found myself rooting for detectives and suspects alike. I liked the play of class and culture, but the story line was not overly burdened by either. Instead, it added depth and created room for character growth...and for hope. I loved the portrayal of the insular nature of academia as well.

[Carol Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept hoping for more from this book, the creepy imagery felt ready to take off and take flight, but there were an unnecessary amount of POVs. Not everyone needs a backstory on how their mother/cousin/ex-wife made them the horrible, horny person that they are today (even if I agree that liberal arts colleges are dens of inequity). The pacing kept running into that fickle territory of too much going on inside the characters' heads, slowing down their interactions with the murder.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of the brooding, substance abusing, bad tempered detective but DJ has his redeeming qualities which were evident as the plot progressed. The pace was fast and kept me glued. I liked the characters, even the despicable ones- well drawn and believable. The ending was satisfying, but not a fairytale ending- many of the resolutions were pleasing yet open ended- I would read more of these detective novels with DJ Arias.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent California noir, with a diverse cast of characters all centered around a nasty murder at Hesperia College that only gets scarier as the toxic atmosphere of a small liberal arts college smothers good intentions, principles, deeds and intentions. A thoughtful, insightful and wry look at the social, economic and political considerations driving much of the conflicts not just in academia but the greater world.

[Corny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t believe I finished this book. That was my mistake. Full of cliches, repetitiveness and generally badly written, this book went on for 400 pages, creeping at a snail’s pace. Totally absurd plot. Characters are wooden and one dimensional. And the lead detective is bringing a dog to field work? I better stop here and just say I emphatically don’t recommend this book!

[Karen C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay. The author attempts to emulate LA noir from the 40s but doesn't quite make it. The main effect is that the detective DJ Arias is a very unattractive, unlikeable character. I personally found the plot to be over complex and unrealistic. I figured out the identity of the murderer about 2/3 of the way through and skipped to the end to confirm. Can't really recommend.

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 4 out of 5]

This start of a series makes curious for the next one. There are enough suspects to make the mystery interesting. The characters range from naive to eccentric, some less damaged, others more. But the best thing is the writing style. I just loved the beautifully crafted sentences.

[Chris Elam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won a signed copy if this book. It was very well written with a lot of twists and turns and some humor at times. Sometimes I didn't know if I liked or disliked the protagonist but did in the end. It ended well and I will be reading more from DC Frost

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3 ½ stars. But kept me engaged. Don't know whether it fits description as 21st century L.A. noir but is there an actual definition yet?. Didn't really like many of the characters but maybe that's the point.