An Animated Death In Burbank: A Detective Sandra Cameron Mystery

Detective Sandra Cameron #1

by Michael Joens

Each novel in this compelling new series about Los Angeles cops will deal with a unique and fascinating Los Angeles milieu. In her first outing, Detective Sandra Cameron finds out that drawing cartoons can be deadly, especially when you are as orignial and unorthodox as cartoonist extraordinaire , Patrick Stewart. When the talented but deceased Mr. Stewart is found lying next to a note reading, "That's All, Folks," most people assume he committed suicide.

Detective Sandra Cameron and her colleague Detective Sergeant Tom Rigby suspect Mr. Parker met a much darker demise, one that included some unasked-for assistance. They are even more suspicious after a beautiful dead girl, another cartoon-industry insider, is found floating in her tub. The two cops decide to combine forces, and their relationship teeters on the somewhat fluid boundary between their professional and personal lives. Tom has just been betrayed by an ex-wife, and he is distressed by his feelings for Sandra. She, on the other hand, has her own very comfortable life. She has to ask herself whether romance on the job is ever a good idea--does she really need a man in her life?

What she has in her life is a cold-blooded murder, and as Tom and Sandra struggle with their personal demons, including the ongoing unsolved case involving Sandra's brother, a devilish killer is concocting some chilling scenarios.

Genres: Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2004

Reviews

[Don Simkovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique concept centers around murder and cartoons, part of the entertainment industry that is typically overlooked. A nice connection evolves into a love interest between Detective Sandra Cameron and Detective Tom Rigby. I kept reading to find out "what happened" but got lost in some of the descriptions of places like Sandra Cameron's house.

Overall, an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to find out more.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting series of murders has occurred, all of the victims are employed in the animation business. Detective Cameron works with her partner and two detectives from another unit to investigate when it appears that the murders may just be related. The story is interesting and the characters seem so natural that after just a few pages of reading I felt that I had known them for years.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - had its moments - the investigation was surprising, but the rest so so…