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The Pendulum
When a mother and her young daughter are found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in a car parked at an overlook off a Hollywood freeway, it appears they are victims of a culturally driven parent-child suicide. LAPD Detective Howard Drew faces his first real test as a new lead homicide investigator as he follows a twisted trail of clues to find the truth in his most challenging case yet.
The Pendulum is the second novel featuring Detective Howard Drew in a new fast-paced police procedural series set in Los Angeles that crime fiction fans won’t want to miss.
When a 3 A.M. callout sends West Bureau homicide Detective Howard Drew to an overlook above Hollywood Bowl, he finds an Asian woman and her six-year-old daughter dead inside a vehicle with a garden hose running from the exhaust pipe into a rear window. The initial evidence points to the cultural practice called oyako shinju in Japan, a ritual child-parent suicide committed after the woman was shamed by her husband’s adultery.
And as the truth emerges, it becomes more and more apparent that things may not be as they appear. Drew and his new partner, Detective Cici Ruiz, suspect they are being misled by someone very deceptive... very cunning... and very deadly who staged the scene to look like oyako shinju. As the detectives dig to uncover the truth, the pendulum of opinion swings back and forth. Was it child-parent suicide? Or was it a double-homicide staged to throw the homicide investigators off track?
Crime fiction author Larry Darter has created a dark, fast-paced suspense thriller filled with stark realism that cuts to the very core of the crimes real life LAPD homicide detectives face. Once you start reading, there’s no turning back.
The Pendulum is the second novel featuring Detective Howard Drew in a new fast-paced police procedural series set in Los Angeles that crime fiction fans won’t want to miss.
When a 3 A.M. callout sends West Bureau homicide Detective Howard Drew to an overlook above Hollywood Bowl, he finds an Asian woman and her six-year-old daughter dead inside a vehicle with a garden hose running from the exhaust pipe into a rear window. The initial evidence points to the cultural practice called oyako shinju in Japan, a ritual child-parent suicide committed after the woman was shamed by her husband’s adultery.
And as the truth emerges, it becomes more and more apparent that things may not be as they appear. Drew and his new partner, Detective Cici Ruiz, suspect they are being misled by someone very deceptive... very cunning... and very deadly who staged the scene to look like oyako shinju. As the detectives dig to uncover the truth, the pendulum of opinion swings back and forth. Was it child-parent suicide? Or was it a double-homicide staged to throw the homicide investigators off track?
Crime fiction author Larry Darter has created a dark, fast-paced suspense thriller filled with stark realism that cuts to the very core of the crimes real life LAPD homicide detectives face. Once you start reading, there’s no turning back.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2021
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Larry Darter
66 books31 followersLarry Darter is an author and retired police officer who enjoys writing crime fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. He was born in Oklahoma and lived in Dallas, Texas for more than a dozen years.
He is a veteran of the United States Navy and also served for more than ten years as an infantry officer in the United States Army Reserve, leaving military service at the rank of captain.
Larry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Larry’s first book, an Old West novel, The Highbenders, was published in 2011. He subsequently wrote and published several non-fiction books on diverse topics ranging from popular culture to personal finance. He is currently working on a crime fiction series set in Los Angeles, California.
Beyond writing, Larry’s other passions include spending time with his partner Suzanne, reading, watching baseball, running, and travel.
He is a veteran of the United States Navy and also served for more than ten years as an infantry officer in the United States Army Reserve, leaving military service at the rank of captain.
Larry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Larry’s first book, an Old West novel, The Highbenders, was published in 2011. He subsequently wrote and published several non-fiction books on diverse topics ranging from popular culture to personal finance. He is currently working on a crime fiction series set in Los Angeles, California.
Beyond writing, Larry’s other passions include spending time with his partner Suzanne, reading, watching baseball, running, and travel.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 20, 2024
The second book in an interesting series.
This is the second book in the Detective Howard " Howie" Drew series. I enjoyed the plot of a mother and her young daughter found dead of carbon monoxide poison it in a car. These deaths appears they are victims of a cultural driven parent-child suicide.
I enjoyed the investigation and other cases the detectives are called out on.
A little "too much Hollywood," however a good read.
The author did a good job with the characters. The price of the book is reasonable.
This is the second book in the Detective Howard " Howie" Drew series. I enjoyed the plot of a mother and her young daughter found dead of carbon monoxide poison it in a car. These deaths appears they are victims of a cultural driven parent-child suicide.
I enjoyed the investigation and other cases the detectives are called out on.
A little "too much Hollywood," however a good read.
The author did a good job with the characters. The price of the book is reasonable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review