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Fugitive Nights
Joseph Wambaugh returns to glamorous Palm Springs to give us a suspense novel rich in astonishing plot twists, fascinating characters, and penetrating humor.When a bald, burly man descends from a private airplane in the middle of the California desert, knocks out a police officer in the tiny airport bathroom and disappears, the police swing into action. But it will be three mismatched people who become involved in the trail of the elusive, dangerous man.Breda Barrows is a beautiful ex-cop private investigator who enlists the aid of Lynn Carter, a cynical, hard-drinking, soon-to-be-ex detective waiting for his disability pension to kick in. Breda and Lynn's search for the solution to their own case veers them on a collision course with Nelson Hareem, a loose cannon. Hareem, an awesomely over-eager policeman stuck in a sweltering desert town, dreams of the shade and a job with the Palm Springs police force.The trail leads all three from remote desert canyons to the golden boulevards of Palm Springs for an action-packed ending.
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First published February 1, 1992
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About the author
Joseph Wambaugh
52 books762 followersJoseph Aloysius Wambaugh Jr. was an American writer known for his fictional and nonfictional accounts of police work in the United States. Many of his novels are set in Los Angeles and its surroundings and feature Los Angeles police officers as protagonists. He won three Edgar Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. Before his writing career Wambaugh received an associate of arts degree from Chaffey College and joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1960. He served for 14 years, rising from patrolman to detective sergeant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 25, 2026
The style seems quite appropriate to Raymond Chandler, a sort of humor and a non-heroical main character, both of them included.
The plot is an awkward one and the bad guy isn't bad at all, characters have some deepness. there is a twist in the final, which let us think about life and human kindness. A decent book, but not a memorable one...
The plot is an awkward one and the bad guy isn't bad at all, characters have some deepness. there is a twist in the final, which let us think about life and human kindness. A decent book, but not a memorable one...
October 8, 2019
Sigh. This was my last Wambaugh book left to read. Crossed another author off the list! Anyways, this is a humorous soft hearted tale with a threesome of quirky characters and a good ending for all :) It has the typical Wambaugh humor which you really don't see anymore as it isn't "politically correct".
April 1, 2015
What do I think? I think it's one of the best things he's ever done. In the middle of gore and vulgarity he's got me laughing my head off. There are very few authors where all you need is their name to purchase the book. If it says Joseph Wambaugh, I'll buy it. So, get a copy of Fugitive Nights, drive to Starbucks, order a coffee or green tea and read a great story.
May 24, 2017
Author Wambaugh seems to have slipped a bit in his move from LA to Palm Beach. The cop humor is still there, but the novel is somewhat episodic and seem forced.
Police Novels - The plot centers around PI Breda Burrows, a former LAPD detective, and three cops: hard-drinking Lynn Cutter, waiting for approval of his disability pension and retirement; Jack Graves, whose life and career were ruined when he killed a 12-year-old boy by mistake; and Nelson Hareem, an ambitious and aggressively manic young officer hoping for reassignment from the county outskirts to Palm Springs. Burrows hires Cutter to determine why the wealthy elderly husband of her client has apparently made a donation to a local sperm bank. Meanwhile, as Graves works to redeem himself, Hareem tracks a mysterious fugitive--perhaps an international terrorist-- who beat up a cop at a desert airport, stole a truck and disappeared.
Police Novels - The plot centers around PI Breda Burrows, a former LAPD detective, and three cops: hard-drinking Lynn Cutter, waiting for approval of his disability pension and retirement; Jack Graves, whose life and career were ruined when he killed a 12-year-old boy by mistake; and Nelson Hareem, an ambitious and aggressively manic young officer hoping for reassignment from the county outskirts to Palm Springs. Burrows hires Cutter to determine why the wealthy elderly husband of her client has apparently made a donation to a local sperm bank. Meanwhile, as Graves works to redeem himself, Hareem tracks a mysterious fugitive--perhaps an international terrorist-- who beat up a cop at a desert airport, stole a truck and disappeared.
December 19, 2025
Wambaugh's books just got worse and worse, the novels at least. It is incredibly embarrassing that I even read this fucking thing.
January 25, 2021
Read in 1992. A suspense novel rich in astonishing plot twists, fascinating characters and penetrating humor. One of my favorites that year.
November 22, 2024
What a great book
March 15, 2025
Another fantastic novel by Wambaugh.
September 25, 2022
Classic Wambaugh. Excellent.
January 6, 2013
I always enjoy Joseph Wambaugh's books with his insight into the working of the minds of the common people and his vivid descriptions. I had no idea how this story would pan out. It turned out that none of the ideas I had about the fugitive were on target. Good climax!
February 26, 2012
Cops, ex-cops, Palm Springs, "suspected terrorist," golf cart chase scene = Fun!
August 25, 2018
Good crime novel
October 29, 2025
Fugitive Nights is a quirky and eccentric book. That doesn't make it bad-- for it is carried on a tide of quirkiness, smartaleck remarks, and a crazy brawl in a mortuary.
Lynn is a policeman on disability leave, awaiting approval of his permanent disability pension. While on leave he fills his life with his primary hobby- drinking alcohol.
Breda is a female private investigator-- she's the most normal of the characters.
Nelson is a patrol officer dying to get transferred to the Palm Springs police department because Palm Springs has shade to protect from the desert heat. He's perhaps the least normal character-- he's a lot like a big, immature kid-- full of the enthusiasm of youth-- the type of enthusiasm which normally gets him in trouble while he is on patrol... and which earned him an exile to a desert posting. His commander has warned him that if he gets in trouble once more his next posting will likely be in the Sahara desert with the French foreign legion.
Mr. Devon (Clive?) is a rich guy whose wife hires Breda to find out about an odd deposit to a sperm bank he has made. I won't spoil this one, but if you don't figure this one out before its reveal then you weren't paying attention. He's not a normal rich guy-- willing to give people a hand-- and when he gives a ride to "the fugitive" Nelson, Breda, and Lynn are pulled into a plot to determine exactly what the fugitive is up to and how does it relate to their client's husband.
The mystery fugitive gets on law enforcement's radar when his plane lands at an out of the way rarely used airport, a cop enters the bathroom where he is at (to do his business) and the fugitive decks him and goes on the run. For most of the book we are left to wonder if he is a drug smuggler or a terrorist.
I enjoyed this one even though it was far from great. It was a quirky change of pace.
Lynn is a policeman on disability leave, awaiting approval of his permanent disability pension. While on leave he fills his life with his primary hobby- drinking alcohol.
Breda is a female private investigator-- she's the most normal of the characters.
Nelson is a patrol officer dying to get transferred to the Palm Springs police department because Palm Springs has shade to protect from the desert heat. He's perhaps the least normal character-- he's a lot like a big, immature kid-- full of the enthusiasm of youth-- the type of enthusiasm which normally gets him in trouble while he is on patrol... and which earned him an exile to a desert posting. His commander has warned him that if he gets in trouble once more his next posting will likely be in the Sahara desert with the French foreign legion.
Mr. Devon (Clive?) is a rich guy whose wife hires Breda to find out about an odd deposit to a sperm bank he has made. I won't spoil this one, but if you don't figure this one out before its reveal then you weren't paying attention. He's not a normal rich guy-- willing to give people a hand-- and when he gives a ride to "the fugitive" Nelson, Breda, and Lynn are pulled into a plot to determine exactly what the fugitive is up to and how does it relate to their client's husband.
The mystery fugitive gets on law enforcement's radar when his plane lands at an out of the way rarely used airport, a cop enters the bathroom where he is at (to do his business) and the fugitive decks him and goes on the run. For most of the book we are left to wonder if he is a drug smuggler or a terrorist.
I enjoyed this one even though it was far from great. It was a quirky change of pace.
August 30, 2020
Palm Springs' Lynn Cutter, Breda Burrows and Nelson Hareen is the trio we need! It all started with an offer by Rhonda Devon asking for the help of PI Burrows to investigate in his husbands affair regarding the secret deposit at a sperm bank. Lynn was then asked for his assistance regarding the matter which mostly involves badge-flashing (it's illegal because he's a soon-to-be retired cop, waiting for his pension!). Meanwhile at the airport, a bald man with an accent have attacked a police officer after only been trying ask about him. Upon knowing about the airport incident, Nelson Hareen is eager to go after the fugitive successfully, for the promotion to become a member of the Palm Springs Police Department, a very different situation from what he's been going through right now. When hiking at the desert, Clive Devon, Rhonda Devon's husband, together with a girl and a dog, the bald man known as the fugitive at the airport got to them and together they rode towards the phone stand. What are they up to? What's it gotta do with the discovered secret deposit at a sperm bank? The so-called officers in charge take it seriously and goes through a roller coaster ride crossing each other's path unwilling to give up not until the case is solved.
Funny, witty, blended with seriousness — Joseph Wambaugh is a man on a mission. Suspenseful and socially capable...
Funny, witty, blended with seriousness — Joseph Wambaugh is a man on a mission. Suspenseful and socially capable...
October 16, 2023
I don’t know how to review this book. It mostly happens at high speed no matter what your book player reflects. The dialogue is super snappy and funny if you remember the ‘90s. I don’t know whether Wambaugh captures the thought processes of cops in that decade, but it feels authentic enough that he probably does. Let me try to explain it briefly this way:
Private Detective Breda Burrows has an unusual client. The woman doesn’t care about any of her husband’s dalliances. She just wants to know why a bald 63-ear-old would patronize a local sperm bank. Clearly, she needs some male help to figure out what if anything goes on in that sperm bank. She hires newly retired cop Lynn Cutter to help her. They ultimately run into another young cop who is gung-ho to get a job with the Palm Springs police department. He’ll stop at practically nothing.
This was almost more slapstick than I wanted in my books, but the dialogue was entertaining enough that I stayed with the book, and it went by quickly.
Private Detective Breda Burrows has an unusual client. The woman doesn’t care about any of her husband’s dalliances. She just wants to know why a bald 63-ear-old would patronize a local sperm bank. Clearly, she needs some male help to figure out what if anything goes on in that sperm bank. She hires newly retired cop Lynn Cutter to help her. They ultimately run into another young cop who is gung-ho to get a job with the Palm Springs police department. He’ll stop at practically nothing.
This was almost more slapstick than I wanted in my books, but the dialogue was entertaining enough that I stayed with the book, and it went by quickly.
December 12, 2020
Excellent cast of characters
The best part of this story, which didn't really end how I thought it would at first, is the characters and their interaction. The dialogue between all of them is totally believable ... Classic! The story line has different personalities coming together to solve a couple of different mysteries, but ultimately, it's the characters that carry the book. I was laughing at the barbs between Breda and Lynn ... Which makes their relationship all the more endearing! And Nelson, odd duck that he is, just adds that extra person who creates strife and adventure to any situation he comes across, tho he 's got a single objective that keeps him just a little clueless to the bigger picture around him. Truly entertaining even if the story line is less important than character. Some really poignant observance about aging and loneliness is also brought out. I recommend this book for anyone needing an uplift of spirit.
The best part of this story, which didn't really end how I thought it would at first, is the characters and their interaction. The dialogue between all of them is totally believable ... Classic! The story line has different personalities coming together to solve a couple of different mysteries, but ultimately, it's the characters that carry the book. I was laughing at the barbs between Breda and Lynn ... Which makes their relationship all the more endearing! And Nelson, odd duck that he is, just adds that extra person who creates strife and adventure to any situation he comes across, tho he 's got a single objective that keeps him just a little clueless to the bigger picture around him. Truly entertaining even if the story line is less important than character. Some really poignant observance about aging and loneliness is also brought out. I recommend this book for anyone needing an uplift of spirit.
February 2, 2019
Joseph Wambaugh did a fine job with 'Fugitive Nights'. His characters are sassy, flawed and fascinating. Breda Burrows is an ex-cop turned PI in the ritzy world of Palm Springs. She mixes it up with police officer Lynn Cutter who is trying to get disability. And then there is cop Nelson Hareem who tries way too hard and as a result finds himself in hot water--over and over again. Wambaugh can always be counted on for his fast-paced dialogue and over-the-top situations that keeps a reader turning each page. A really fun story told as only Wambaugh can tell it!
March 9, 2022
Despite my opinion that Wambaugh’s non-fiction is much better than his novels, I enjoyed Fugitive Nights. There were some funny lines (although way too many exclamation points) and the contrast between today’s and yesterday’s Coachella Valley was especially interesting to someone who has observed the changes occurring gradually. And given my predilections, the motivation of one of the significant characters was particularly touching - simultaneously sweet & naive. Recommended for readers who like Wambaugh best when he’s less gory.
October 9, 2018
It has been awhile since I last read Wambough, and I forgot his sense of humor and use of language. I thought the characters in this story were fun and am surprised there wasn’t a sequel. The one think I appreciated most was the fact that though you knew, sort of, who the “bad guy” is, your not sure what he’s truly up to to make him the “bad guy” until late in the book.
March 13, 2023
Fugative nights
Typical Wambaugh ,
Humorous dialogue in every paragraph , fast moving, hilarious characters & predictably tragic figures & circumstances. I lived in Rancho Mirage and am very familiar with the area. Only critique is all the characters have the same sense of humor, (wambaughs)
Typical Wambaugh ,
Humorous dialogue in every paragraph , fast moving, hilarious characters & predictably tragic figures & circumstances. I lived in Rancho Mirage and am very familiar with the area. Only critique is all the characters have the same sense of humor, (wambaughs)
June 8, 2017
I'm rounding up from 3.5. Good writing funny and smart but not a page turner and the story is just so so.
April 17, 2019
I have not read anything of Wambaugh's in some time and had forgotten how funny he can be. This is a fun, quick read with plenty of odd ball characters and humor that rivals Carl Hiassen's books.
February 21, 2021
This is not The Onion Field, The Choirboys, or the Hollywood Station quality, but an average Joseph Wambaugh book is better than most everything else out there.
December 28, 2021
Decent writing, and a nice twist at the end, but this one didnt grab me like most of Wambaugh’s do.
February 3, 2022
I’ve enjoyed the Hollywood Station books but this one blew me away . It was such a fun read and the characters were sooo colorful and wacky ! I just hope he brings them back .
June 22, 2022
Wasn't my cup of tea.
April 12, 2023
Took a long time for any action to occur. Difficult for me to stay interested, finish.
August 24, 2023
Another book set outside LA, Wambaugh weaves a good story in the Palm Springs of celebrities and regular folks just wanting to have fun.
January 30, 2025
Joseph's style of writing is like nothing ive read before. And his characters are quirky and very well written.
May 27, 2025
Joseph Wambaugh uses just the right amount of humor to weave a well written story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews