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Mike Turner Mystery #1
Internal Affairs
When Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Jim McGann goes out for his morning jog, he finds a car blocking his driveway. It's no ordinary car, though. It's a cop car and in the trunk is the naked, mutilated body of police officer Alexandra Williams.
For the LAPD brass, it's an unmitigated nightmare they're determined to clean up fast and keep from the public. For Mike Turner, the investigator for Internal Affairs who's assigned the case , it's a double edged sword --a chance to become a real cop again or have his career destroyed . For the reader, it's rare insider look into one of our country's most controversial police departments.
For the LAPD brass, it's an unmitigated nightmare they're determined to clean up fast and keep from the public. For Mike Turner, the investigator for Internal Affairs who's assigned the case , it's a double edged sword --a chance to become a real cop again or have his career destroyed . For the reader, it's rare insider look into one of our country's most controversial police departments.
- GenresMystery
277 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2009
34 people want to read
About the author
Connie Dial
11 books23 followersConnie 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.
She currently resides in Southern California with her husband, retired Police Detective Jon Dial and their two Yorkshire Terriers named Bogart and Bacall.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 11, 2018
Every summer, my library's book club has a crime-author panel. I always skip out, the genre not particularly interesting me. But this time, one of my librarians suggested I attend as one of the authors was a retired LAPD officer and detective, and the subject might be of interest to me. Reluctantly I agreed, thinking the book would probably just sit on my dresser until the due date came around.
My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to give the book a try. It wasn't bad. The pace was good and my interest in finding out who had done it kept me going. I have the same complaint that many readers had and that was that there were to many characters to keep track of and how they fit into the story, but the author cleverly inserted a list of key characters at the start of the book.
I'm sorry to say I missed the author panel due to unseen circumstances. I would definitely give this author another try.
My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to give the book a try. It wasn't bad. The pace was good and my interest in finding out who had done it kept me going. I have the same complaint that many readers had and that was that there were to many characters to keep track of and how they fit into the story, but the author cleverly inserted a list of key characters at the start of the book.
I'm sorry to say I missed the author panel due to unseen circumstances. I would definitely give this author another try.
February 12, 2010
Using the knowledge of her twenty-seven year long career in the Los Angeles Police Department, author Connie Dial develops a complicated yet fascinating story of the LAPD’s internal affairs. Sergeant Mike Turner is made the lead detective in an in-house murder investigation, when a young female officer is found dead in a car and the only real suspect is hot shot LAPD Deputy Chief Jim McGann. Turner is put on the case and almost immediately feels the pressure.
The story is thorough and the authors knowledge of the police department unbelievable apparent. A problem however falls upon the reader when words, phrases and abbreviations are constantly used to discuss police matters. I had to repeatedly remind myself or look up what things meant or stood for. The number of characters, which grow to become three or four entire branches of the police department, complicate things even further. If the story was told from one single point of view, it may be easier to follow. I found myself waiting for the chapters that were told by Sergeant Turner because I grew to like and trust him, while the other points of view grew tiresome.
If you can stay with the story, through the chaos and confusion of police jargon you will find a well weaved take of murder and corruption. The story is good it just takes some investigating of your own to stick with it. However, if you can, you will not be disappointed. Author Connie Dial writes what she knows and “Internal Affairs” benefits from her knowledge.
www.suspensemagazine.com
The story is thorough and the authors knowledge of the police department unbelievable apparent. A problem however falls upon the reader when words, phrases and abbreviations are constantly used to discuss police matters. I had to repeatedly remind myself or look up what things meant or stood for. The number of characters, which grow to become three or four entire branches of the police department, complicate things even further. If the story was told from one single point of view, it may be easier to follow. I found myself waiting for the chapters that were told by Sergeant Turner because I grew to like and trust him, while the other points of view grew tiresome.
If you can stay with the story, through the chaos and confusion of police jargon you will find a well weaved take of murder and corruption. The story is good it just takes some investigating of your own to stick with it. However, if you can, you will not be disappointed. Author Connie Dial writes what she knows and “Internal Affairs” benefits from her knowledge.
www.suspensemagazine.com
December 30, 2009
Reading this book, it was clear to me that the author has inside knowledge of how police departments work. The book is a gritty crime thriller that starts when an LAPD Deputy Chief finds a gruesome dead body in the trunk of a car blocking his driveway. An Internal Affairs investigator, Mike Turner, teams up with Robbery Homicide detectives to investigate the crime. The plot is interwoven with a greater picture of the politics and hierarchy of the LAPD with a very large cast of characters. Although the insider's view of the inner workings of the police department is interesting and authentic, in certain spots this caused the plot to drag a little bit. At the end of the day, however, the murder investigation and compelling characters made this a great read. I would like to read more books involving Mike Turner and his RHD partner, Detective Montgomery.
November 9, 2019
I read Fallen Angels by this author and enjoyed it well enough that I wanted to read more of her work.
I don’t quite know what to call this book. It’s not really a mystery although there are murders to be solved. It’s not mainstream because it wouldn’t appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.
Much of the story revolves around the machinations of the upper echelons of the LAPD - officers more concerned with advancing their careers, covering their asses, and preserving the image of the LAPD than uncovering the truth and solving the murder of a fellow officer. If this is a realistic portrayal of the LAPD, it paints a bleak picture of America’s largest police force and removes any wonder about why the city’s such a mess.
Dial brings too many characters on-stage too fast, primarily in the first chapter. It’s realistic but made it hard to keep them all straight especially when their names are similar (Paula and Patty, Sara and Sally, Mike and Mark, John and Jim for examples). The writing here, too, is very basic – mainly simple declarative sentences that give the story a choppy flow.
This book really didn’t merit 2 stars (okay). At best it is a 1½ star (disappointing) book.
Had this been the first Connie Dial book I read, I wouldn’t read another. However, since I liked the first book of hers I read, I’ll give her one more chance. But if that book doesn’t deliver, I’m done with her.
p.s., Ms. Dial: There is no such car as a Dodge Integra. It’s either Dodge Intrepid or Honda Integra.
I don’t quite know what to call this book. It’s not really a mystery although there are murders to be solved. It’s not mainstream because it wouldn’t appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.
Much of the story revolves around the machinations of the upper echelons of the LAPD - officers more concerned with advancing their careers, covering their asses, and preserving the image of the LAPD than uncovering the truth and solving the murder of a fellow officer. If this is a realistic portrayal of the LAPD, it paints a bleak picture of America’s largest police force and removes any wonder about why the city’s such a mess.
Dial brings too many characters on-stage too fast, primarily in the first chapter. It’s realistic but made it hard to keep them all straight especially when their names are similar (Paula and Patty, Sara and Sally, Mike and Mark, John and Jim for examples). The writing here, too, is very basic – mainly simple declarative sentences that give the story a choppy flow.
This book really didn’t merit 2 stars (okay). At best it is a 1½ star (disappointing) book.
Had this been the first Connie Dial book I read, I wouldn’t read another. However, since I liked the first book of hers I read, I’ll give her one more chance. But if that book doesn’t deliver, I’m done with her.
p.s., Ms. Dial: There is no such car as a Dodge Integra. It’s either Dodge Intrepid or Honda Integra.
May 1, 2021
Very credible rendering of the internal workings of the LAPD. I liked the diverse group of characters and rapid progression of the investigation which laid bare all the tribal loyalties and petty rivalries which all bureaucracies spawn. Connie Dial knows her ‘bad guys’ too. Good, engaging read.
May 18, 2009
In general, I'm more concerned with the story than the biography of the author telling it, but in this case, Dial's twenty-seven-year career in the LAPD is relevant because it lends tremendous credibility to her debut novel, a police procedural set in the sprawling bureaucracy that is the Los Angeles Police Department. When a female police officer, Alexandra Williams, is found dead in the trunk of a car parked outside Deputy Chief McGann's home, it's a foregone conclusion that the investigation is going to be a mess. No one wants to deal with it, but it must be dealt with. When it turns out that McGann had been having an affair with the dead officer, Internal Affairs launches an investigation into the illicit relationship, while a parallel investigation in the Robbery Homicide Division teases out Alex's other relationships. Burned-out Sergeant Mike Turner, serving his time in IA and waiting for a promotion, ends up working the murder investigation, re-igniting his passion for police work and jeopardizing his relationship with promotion-minded girlfriend Lieutenant Paula Toscano. Turner is afraid that the police chief will protect McGann at the expense of the truth, so he walks a fine line between doing the right thing and keeping his job.
Dial's police officers run the gamut from decent people who make decent cops to a self-involved Chief of Police, to a spineless Captain, to cops who abuse their power. She doesn't give all the women in her fictional LAPD a pass, either, and I found that aspect of the novel particularly interesting. Sally uses her sex appeal to go after promotions, Captain Connelly was promoted only because she's a woman and can't make a decision to save her life, Paula is determined and hard-working. I found Dial's portrayal of female police officers intriguing, and the diversity in quality really rang true.
This is the most illuminating police procedural novel I have ever read. Dial's long experience in various capacities with the LAPD puts the investigation in a solid context of bureaucracy that sometimes has to be finessed to serve justice. By the time Turner makes his decision to basically lie to his superior officer to keep working on the murder investigation, the reader understands why this is necessary to bring the truth to light. The particulars of the investigation detail dedicated surveillance, scanning of telephone records, and witness interviews that lead to the truth. This murder mystery is the perfect choice to make use of Dial's knowledge; since a cop is involved, Internal Affairs must be involved, complicating matters, and the department is caught between its mission of truth and justice and its desire to protect itself. The officers involved in the investigation have complex motives, and the backstabbing, promotion-mongering, and various relationships ring true. One wonders how many of these characters are based on real officers in Dial's past. She also portrays both sides of the bureaucracy; on the one hand, it provides the structure needed for such a massive organization to function, but it can also impede officers who are just trying to do what's right. Turner has to navigate the bureaucracy carefully, stepping outside it when necessary. Dial walks the civilian reader ably through the web of bureaucracy without being patronizing. An organizational chart and list of characters are very helpful to keeping the various departments straight.
There are certainly trade-offs in a novel that so elegantly portrays bureaucracy, organization, and structure. While I liked Mike Turner, I didn't feel particularly emotionally invested in him or the other characters. Part of the problem was a wandering point of view. Multiple points of view were necessary, but establishing Turner as the protagonist from the beginning would have been helpful. The novel begins from McGann's point of view, with Mike's point of view becoming dominant with the second chapter. Often, long sections of exposition substituted for more evocative scenes, especially when complex relationships were involved. Confrontations would be summarized instead of shown through dialogue, which would have been more powerful. Many of Turner's motivations are told, rather than demonstrated. In fact, when forty pages before the end, Turner is shown making an omelet for Paula and reflects that cooking relaxes him, I found myself wishing that more of these personal details had been revealed throughout the novel. I would have felt more connected to the characters as people, rather than as cogs in a wheel of bureaucracy.
That said, this was a cracking good read. The mystery was satisfyingly complex, with plenty of suspects and investigative threads that either didn't pan out or led to other clues. As the killer becomes more obvious, the focus shifts to Mike finding a way to prove it to the satisfaction of his boss, and that process, too, is interesting. I highly recommend this book to fans of police procedurals, anyone interested in an insider's look at the LAPD, and hard-boiled mystery readers. Available June 1.
Dial's police officers run the gamut from decent people who make decent cops to a self-involved Chief of Police, to a spineless Captain, to cops who abuse their power. She doesn't give all the women in her fictional LAPD a pass, either, and I found that aspect of the novel particularly interesting. Sally uses her sex appeal to go after promotions, Captain Connelly was promoted only because she's a woman and can't make a decision to save her life, Paula is determined and hard-working. I found Dial's portrayal of female police officers intriguing, and the diversity in quality really rang true.
This is the most illuminating police procedural novel I have ever read. Dial's long experience in various capacities with the LAPD puts the investigation in a solid context of bureaucracy that sometimes has to be finessed to serve justice. By the time Turner makes his decision to basically lie to his superior officer to keep working on the murder investigation, the reader understands why this is necessary to bring the truth to light. The particulars of the investigation detail dedicated surveillance, scanning of telephone records, and witness interviews that lead to the truth. This murder mystery is the perfect choice to make use of Dial's knowledge; since a cop is involved, Internal Affairs must be involved, complicating matters, and the department is caught between its mission of truth and justice and its desire to protect itself. The officers involved in the investigation have complex motives, and the backstabbing, promotion-mongering, and various relationships ring true. One wonders how many of these characters are based on real officers in Dial's past. She also portrays both sides of the bureaucracy; on the one hand, it provides the structure needed for such a massive organization to function, but it can also impede officers who are just trying to do what's right. Turner has to navigate the bureaucracy carefully, stepping outside it when necessary. Dial walks the civilian reader ably through the web of bureaucracy without being patronizing. An organizational chart and list of characters are very helpful to keeping the various departments straight.
There are certainly trade-offs in a novel that so elegantly portrays bureaucracy, organization, and structure. While I liked Mike Turner, I didn't feel particularly emotionally invested in him or the other characters. Part of the problem was a wandering point of view. Multiple points of view were necessary, but establishing Turner as the protagonist from the beginning would have been helpful. The novel begins from McGann's point of view, with Mike's point of view becoming dominant with the second chapter. Often, long sections of exposition substituted for more evocative scenes, especially when complex relationships were involved. Confrontations would be summarized instead of shown through dialogue, which would have been more powerful. Many of Turner's motivations are told, rather than demonstrated. In fact, when forty pages before the end, Turner is shown making an omelet for Paula and reflects that cooking relaxes him, I found myself wishing that more of these personal details had been revealed throughout the novel. I would have felt more connected to the characters as people, rather than as cogs in a wheel of bureaucracy.
That said, this was a cracking good read. The mystery was satisfyingly complex, with plenty of suspects and investigative threads that either didn't pan out or led to other clues. As the killer becomes more obvious, the focus shifts to Mike finding a way to prove it to the satisfaction of his boss, and that process, too, is interesting. I highly recommend this book to fans of police procedurals, anyone interested in an insider's look at the LAPD, and hard-boiled mystery readers. Available June 1.
October 19, 2012
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I'm a big fan of the CSI, Law and Order, type shows and this book was in that genre (although not so much the CSI as the Law and Order).
It was clear to me the author knew what she was talking about (as an ex-cop herself this is not surprising, but I've seen others to put on paper in a good way what they know - Dial did not have this problem!).
I thought it got off to a slow start - not the plot per se, but the action. I was hoping for more action in the book, but once I got over that expectation, the story was a good one and I got fully invested in. I needed to see the end, the conclusion, and mostly who did it!
I will say, I caught a hint of racism in the book that I didn't so much like. And I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but I can't say more without giving away more than I want to. I'd like to add that it's not because of the writing, but the story line. I just wanted it to go another way!
Those things aside I really did enjoy the book. It is right up my alley and I recommend it for those who enjoy who-done-it's, police, etc type genres!
It was clear to me the author knew what she was talking about (as an ex-cop herself this is not surprising, but I've seen others to put on paper in a good way what they know - Dial did not have this problem!).
I thought it got off to a slow start - not the plot per se, but the action. I was hoping for more action in the book, but once I got over that expectation, the story was a good one and I got fully invested in. I needed to see the end, the conclusion, and mostly who did it!
I will say, I caught a hint of racism in the book that I didn't so much like. And I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but I can't say more without giving away more than I want to. I'd like to add that it's not because of the writing, but the story line. I just wanted it to go another way!
Those things aside I really did enjoy the book. It is right up my alley and I recommend it for those who enjoy who-done-it's, police, etc type genres!
October 5, 2009
I won this book from Goodreads. I wasn't entirely sure when I first started. The premise seemed interesting enough, but it was a little dry to start with. A bit had to get into because there were so many characters and police abbreviations, etc. But once I got used to that writing style and remembered who was who, I really began to enjoy the story itself.
I had a theory as to who murdered Alexandra, and I thought it kept getting stronger, but I was really surprised at the end! It turned out the person I thought did it wasn't involved at all. Quite surprising! Other reviewers have said they knew who it was all along, but I definitely didn't get that vibe. It wasn't a totally giveaway.
There were a few loose ends (Katy and the lawyer) that I kept wondering about. If there is a sequel, I'd definitely read it! I look forward to more books from Connie Dial. She really brings in her expert knowledge of the police system. I gained a lot of perspective from this book.
I had a theory as to who murdered Alexandra, and I thought it kept getting stronger, but I was really surprised at the end! It turned out the person I thought did it wasn't involved at all. Quite surprising! Other reviewers have said they knew who it was all along, but I definitely didn't get that vibe. It wasn't a totally giveaway.
There were a few loose ends (Katy and the lawyer) that I kept wondering about. If there is a sequel, I'd definitely read it! I look forward to more books from Connie Dial. She really brings in her expert knowledge of the police system. I gained a lot of perspective from this book.
August 24, 2009
As a fan of legal thrillers/murder mysteries I was hooked from page 1 even though I was somewhat confused with all of the different characters. Ms. Dial added a list of characters at the beginning of the book which I found myself referring to quite frequently during the first few chapters of the book. I think that the authors experience and insights into the LAPD added a lot of interesting twists and turns to the plot of the book. I was kept guessing at "who done it" and was surprised to learn the identity of the killer. I would be interested in reading more stories focusing on Mike Turner, the IA investigator who partnered up with the Robbery-Homicide Division to solve the murder. I was somewhat disappointed at the ending where it was revealed that Mike and Paula's relationship was possibly coming to an end. Thank you Goodreads for choosing me as a winner of this book.
September 1, 2009
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for introducing me to a new author. Ms. Dial has potential as a good police procedural author. She is definitely familiar with the procedures to be followed and the politics involved when investigating a fellow officer. Her desire to share her detailed knowledge can sometimes overwhelm the plot and slow down a good story. Inclusion of a list of characters and administrative departments at the front of the book was a good idea to save repetition & distraction within the text, especially after the reader became familiar with them.
Her characters were interesting and I'd like to get better acquainted with Mike & Paula as well as some of the other officers involved. It was relatively easy to decipher the gender: as usual men seemed to named by their last names, while women were identified more often by first names.
September 19, 2009
I won this book from Goodreads. It came while I was on vacation and I finally had a chance to read it.
I found it an enjoyable first novel. It provided an insight in to the staff interaction of the police force as only an insider could provide. Do be aware that the novel is more a study of interpersonal relations than a mystery. The murder is a sub plot.
I'll be interested to see how Ms. Dial develops as a writer and will certainly read her next effort.
I found it an enjoyable first novel. It provided an insight in to the staff interaction of the police force as only an insider could provide. Do be aware that the novel is more a study of interpersonal relations than a mystery. The murder is a sub plot.
I'll be interested to see how Ms. Dial develops as a writer and will certainly read her next effort.
August 8, 2014
This was a solid police procedural book. I was hooked on the plot from page 1. The insights into the workings of the LAPD and the female officers in particular added an interesting layer to the book. I'll admit I frequently consulted the cast of characters at the beginning of the book to keep me straight on who was who. I like romances, so I was a disappointed that Paula and Mike's relationship was cooling at the end of the book.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2009
I borrowed this book from my mother and finished it last night. I enjoyed this book and found that it was a quick, easy read. Pretty early in the book I thought I had figured out who murdered Alexandra, and found my theory growing as I read the book. There was definately no surprise once I got to the end. I was hopeing for something more out of the ending, meaning I was wanting something I was not suspecting. It was an enjoyable read none the less.
September 9, 2009
Honestly, I couldn't get into this book. There was a severe overdose of undeveloped characters thrown at me in the beginning and I just couldn't get drawn in. If there is a list of characters in the front of the book because it's that hard to keep straight, they're probably not all that well developed, and that's how I felt about (trying to) read this book. Sorry!
November 2, 2010
Longtime LAPD insider writes novel. The police procedural following the case of a murdered cop is fine and I liked the main character, IA detective Mike Turner. But Dial continually wants to "show off" her insider knowledge of LAPD politics and backbiting. It got old fast for me. I will try her next book but drop it quick if this continues.
August 11, 2014
Too much police procedural which slowed & interrupted the plot. The slower pace eliminated what could have been an engaging race to the finish. And the ending was too much "reality"...the result being a disappointing anticlimactic finish. Dial has loads of potential, so I'll try another of her books.
March 31, 2010
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I have no idea whether or not I'll ever finish this...I found keeping the characters straight to be too confusing, and I just wasn't engaged in the plot.
September 17, 2009
Questioned even marking this as read because I never made it past page 100. It was very dry and lacked much of a story that I could get into.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews