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Omerta
Fans of iconic LAPD homicide Detective Harry Bosch will feel right at home reading the adventures of homicide Detective Howard “Howie” Drew. Don’t miss Omerta , the first book in a brand new police procedural series set in the City of Angels.
For a homicide detective, a day on the job means hunting killers while trying not to get killed. If you’re a homicide detective in Los Angeles, it also means dealing with the most overwrought, desperate, and deluded criminals anywhere. When you’re a brand new homicide detective spending your days and nights in the gritty underbelly of the city that never sleeps with a tetchy veteran murder cop for a partner, you must keep your cool and your wits about you when the bodies start hitting the floor.
Putting the pieces together when someone shoots to death execution-style a semi-famous Hollywood screenwriter with mob ties is Howard Drew, recently promoted to Detective II and transferred into West Bureau homicide. Just when Drew and his veteran murder cop partner and mentor Detective Rudy Ortega think they are making progress in solving the murder, the leads dry up and the case goes cold. But on the mean streets of LA, there are always plenty more murders to investigate. Drew and Ortega quickly pivot to investigating the rape-murder of a twenty-two-year-old stripper and aspiring actress. They spend their days chasing down leads in West LA while at the same time battling the inefficient LAPD bureaucracy and trying to coax the support they need to solve cases from the department’s overworked and understaffed Scientific Investigation Division. From their squad room at West Bureau, they see the glamour city for what it a sprawling metropolis where the tedious is dangerous and the dangerous is tedious.
For a homicide detective, a day on the job means hunting killers while trying not to get killed. If you’re a homicide detective in Los Angeles, it also means dealing with the most overwrought, desperate, and deluded criminals anywhere. When you’re a brand new homicide detective spending your days and nights in the gritty underbelly of the city that never sleeps with a tetchy veteran murder cop for a partner, you must keep your cool and your wits about you when the bodies start hitting the floor.
Putting the pieces together when someone shoots to death execution-style a semi-famous Hollywood screenwriter with mob ties is Howard Drew, recently promoted to Detective II and transferred into West Bureau homicide. Just when Drew and his veteran murder cop partner and mentor Detective Rudy Ortega think they are making progress in solving the murder, the leads dry up and the case goes cold. But on the mean streets of LA, there are always plenty more murders to investigate. Drew and Ortega quickly pivot to investigating the rape-murder of a twenty-two-year-old stripper and aspiring actress. They spend their days chasing down leads in West LA while at the same time battling the inefficient LAPD bureaucracy and trying to coax the support they need to solve cases from the department’s overworked and understaffed Scientific Investigation Division. From their squad room at West Bureau, they see the glamour city for what it a sprawling metropolis where the tedious is dangerous and the dangerous is tedious.
238 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2021
4 people are currently reading
14 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 20, 2021
This is the 1st story that I have read from this author and he knocked it out of the ballpark. The story begins with two detectives, Ortega who is looking to retire and Drew his partner who Ortega is training. On this call they are called to a killing that occurs just before Christmas. They arrive at the scene and and Drew meets Lucy.
After they have left the scene and start their investigation, there are very little clues. The only source that they have will be through interviews with the decedents friends. After going through several interviews, Ortega believes that the killer is one person and Drew thinks it is someone else. Before they are able to close the case out, they are assigned another one that involves sexual assault. This case too is one with little evidence available. Again the case will be solved based on interviews conducted. While this case is being worked on, they haven't forgotten about the previous one and work it on the slack time.
Through good police work and having another crew take fingerprints at the second murder, they are able to close it out. On the 1st case they ultimately eliminate one of their suspects leaving just one. This individual has also been a person of interest in another case and that one has just been reopened. The individual has fled the state where it happened and disappeared. Through interactions with the detectives on the reopened case, Drew discovers that their suspect has been captured for another killing. After the charge was reduced, this individual served his time and then was released on probation. Drew was able to get an arrest warrant for this individual, but he vanished.
To find out how these cases wound up being solved, what the title "Omerta" referred to and exactly how Lucy plays in the story, then you must read this book. You won't be disappointed.
After they have left the scene and start their investigation, there are very little clues. The only source that they have will be through interviews with the decedents friends. After going through several interviews, Ortega believes that the killer is one person and Drew thinks it is someone else. Before they are able to close the case out, they are assigned another one that involves sexual assault. This case too is one with little evidence available. Again the case will be solved based on interviews conducted. While this case is being worked on, they haven't forgotten about the previous one and work it on the slack time.
Through good police work and having another crew take fingerprints at the second murder, they are able to close it out. On the 1st case they ultimately eliminate one of their suspects leaving just one. This individual has also been a person of interest in another case and that one has just been reopened. The individual has fled the state where it happened and disappeared. Through interactions with the detectives on the reopened case, Drew discovers that their suspect has been captured for another killing. After the charge was reduced, this individual served his time and then was released on probation. Drew was able to get an arrest warrant for this individual, but he vanished.
To find out how these cases wound up being solved, what the title "Omerta" referred to and exactly how Lucy plays in the story, then you must read this book. You won't be disappointed.
March 2, 2021
To start, omertà is a mafia reference to a code of silence. It may or may not point to where the investigations may lead, but follow homicide detectives Rudy Ortega and Howard Drew in their assigned cases and see if you can find a connection.
Howie Drew suffers from PTSD from his military years. He was recently promoted to Detective and is being mentored by Ortega who has been a detective for 25 years and is planning to retire at the end of the year. Their first call was the murder of a 48-year-old woman, Fiona Silverman. A neighbor had called it in when he saw one of her dogs wandering around outside and the back door wide open. Her purse was on the counter, still with credit cards and cash in it, so no obvious reason for the murder yet. Lucy Tomlinson was a patrol officer on the door getting signatures for the scene log. She smiled at Drew, commiserating that they got this case on Christmas Eve.
This is a good start to the new series, interesting and engaging enough to keep the reader curious. The facts were at times delivered somewhat staccato fashion rather than describing what is seen to make it feel more vivid to the reader who is trying to visualize everything. This may have been to make it more like a cop’s report than painting a visual of the scene in front of them. When the body was being examined, we were given information of what was being done, then Harrison would summarize what he found at each stage. That came across well since the reader knew what was examined and then learned what that meant. So the author did a good job including the reader throughout the investigation. Grab your copy and continue to experience their investigations as more murders come in and our detectives work with other precincts to figure out possible relationships in the cases. Crime-solving is hard work!
Howie Drew suffers from PTSD from his military years. He was recently promoted to Detective and is being mentored by Ortega who has been a detective for 25 years and is planning to retire at the end of the year. Their first call was the murder of a 48-year-old woman, Fiona Silverman. A neighbor had called it in when he saw one of her dogs wandering around outside and the back door wide open. Her purse was on the counter, still with credit cards and cash in it, so no obvious reason for the murder yet. Lucy Tomlinson was a patrol officer on the door getting signatures for the scene log. She smiled at Drew, commiserating that they got this case on Christmas Eve.
This is a good start to the new series, interesting and engaging enough to keep the reader curious. The facts were at times delivered somewhat staccato fashion rather than describing what is seen to make it feel more vivid to the reader who is trying to visualize everything. This may have been to make it more like a cop’s report than painting a visual of the scene in front of them. When the body was being examined, we were given information of what was being done, then Harrison would summarize what he found at each stage. That came across well since the reader knew what was examined and then learned what that meant. So the author did a good job including the reader throughout the investigation. Grab your copy and continue to experience their investigations as more murders come in and our detectives work with other precincts to figure out possible relationships in the cases. Crime-solving is hard work!
March 24, 2021
I received this arc for an honest review.
This story opens with two homicide detectives. Rudy Ortega who is getting ready to retire and the new guy he is showing the ropes to Howard Drew who they call “Howie’. You find out as you get into the story that Howie is suffering from PTSD which only affects a relationship that you the reader would like to work but you know it won’t for that reason among others.
Howie and Rudy work in Los Angeles so the area I am familiar with which for me the reader added to the experience in reading this book. The author takes you through the case where at the beginning of the murder with a few leads you are thinking they will be able to tie this up, especially with the pressure for the bosses. That is not to be the case. You see how the case goes cold and how Howie starts working other cases, how his life is going, what happens to Rudy. When suddenly a year later a break for Howie in in the first case.
I found this to be a wonderful story of the life of a detective and the people they come in contact with within and outside of their work members. The way the author describes each scene made me feel like I was there with the characters in Los Angeles. Liked all of the characters even the ones that only appeared for a short while. Overall a very good book and worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
This story opens with two homicide detectives. Rudy Ortega who is getting ready to retire and the new guy he is showing the ropes to Howard Drew who they call “Howie’. You find out as you get into the story that Howie is suffering from PTSD which only affects a relationship that you the reader would like to work but you know it won’t for that reason among others.
Howie and Rudy work in Los Angeles so the area I am familiar with which for me the reader added to the experience in reading this book. The author takes you through the case where at the beginning of the murder with a few leads you are thinking they will be able to tie this up, especially with the pressure for the bosses. That is not to be the case. You see how the case goes cold and how Howie starts working other cases, how his life is going, what happens to Rudy. When suddenly a year later a break for Howie in in the first case.
I found this to be a wonderful story of the life of a detective and the people they come in contact with within and outside of their work members. The way the author describes each scene made me feel like I was there with the characters in Los Angeles. Liked all of the characters even the ones that only appeared for a short while. Overall a very good book and worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
March 2, 2021
The author didn't disappoint. I admit it started out slow, but it picked up the pace when there were multiple cases.
This is my first book by Larry Darter. It reminded me of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, except that Harry isn't a newbie in the homicide department.
Howard "Howie" Drew is committed to being a homicide detective back when he was still in patrol.
While the book title is related to the mafia, there were a lot of homicide and other cases to throw off the reader. Well done on that but I stayed my path.
It's understandable that the veteran detective would accuse someone so obvious.
Don't expect much romance here. Sure, there's a love interest but it's always mentioned in passing. If I didn't know any better, it seemed awkward.
I liked the pace of the story too. I can't wait to see the series unfold.
This is my first book by Larry Darter. It reminded me of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, except that Harry isn't a newbie in the homicide department.
Howard "Howie" Drew is committed to being a homicide detective back when he was still in patrol.
While the book title is related to the mafia, there were a lot of homicide and other cases to throw off the reader. Well done on that but I stayed my path.
It's understandable that the veteran detective would accuse someone so obvious.
Don't expect much romance here. Sure, there's a love interest but it's always mentioned in passing. If I didn't know any better, it seemed awkward.
I liked the pace of the story too. I can't wait to see the series unfold.
March 25, 2021
Omerta by former police officer Larry Darter focuses on the day-to-day work of two L.A.P.D homicide detectives. Detective Ray Ortega is about to retire but wants to finish mentoring his new partner Howard Drew. The detectives catch a dead body found in the victim’s house in Beverly Hills. A short time later it is determined to be a homicide. The victim was a screenwriter who had fallen on hard times. She had numerous friends and acquaintances which make the case difficult to solve. The real-life work of the detectives is enlightening while it reveals how difficult it is to satisfy the numerous requirements necessary to bring a case to a successful conclusion. Readers will bask in the grime, guts, bullets, and minutiae as Omertà speeds to a satisfying conclusion.
February 18, 2021
This was the first in a promising new series of police procedurals featuring Drew a PTSD haunted LA detective and his introduction the murder squad. What struck me was the accuracy of the description of policework and tradecraft and LA itself and the frustrations involved in solving a series of murders.
The book is never less than engaging and is a good read. In my opinion it just lacks a bit of heart and soul. I liked the main characters but I never really felt involved with them. Hopefully as the series develops it will really catch fire as it is a promising start.
The book is never less than engaging and is a good read. In my opinion it just lacks a bit of heart and soul. I liked the main characters but I never really felt involved with them. Hopefully as the series develops it will really catch fire as it is a promising start.
February 13, 2021
My first impression is that the sentence structure isn't very good, and I find that very irritating. I guess there aren't any good software for this, but experienced authors should be able to put words in the right order.
Then it gets worse, with a weak and messy plot, strange procedures, and cases solved by luck and not by brilliant police work.
This is a readable book, but very entertaining it's not.
Then it gets worse, with a weak and messy plot, strange procedures, and cases solved by luck and not by brilliant police work.
This is a readable book, but very entertaining it's not.
October 4, 2024
Another author I will add to my must read list.
I was surfing Amazon for a new police procedural thriller and I found Larry Darter. I noticed he published a Detective Howard Drew series, who is a LAPD homicide detective.
OMERTA is book one in the series and I read a sample of this book. I immediately ordered the book after reading the sample.
The plot was exciting. The characters are engaging and well drawn.
I enjoyed the book and plan on reading the series.
I was surfing Amazon for a new police procedural thriller and I found Larry Darter. I noticed he published a Detective Howard Drew series, who is a LAPD homicide detective.
OMERTA is book one in the series and I read a sample of this book. I immediately ordered the book after reading the sample.
The plot was exciting. The characters are engaging and well drawn.
I enjoyed the book and plan on reading the series.
August 5, 2021
The book title 'Omerta' which means silence had nothing to do with the storyline which was very slow. Further, I really didn't like the 2 main characters -- overall they seemed very flat. I don't recommend this book.
March 2, 2021
Omerta - a review by Rosemary Kenny
LAPD homicide cops, Drew and Ortega, are on duty in the city on Christmas Eve, when a murder is called in. It seems the victim was the semi-famous autobiographer daughter of a Mafia gangster. Yet a week into the investigation, things have virtually come to a standstill.
How can Ortega and Drew progress the case?
As resolution continues to evade the partners, they're assigned to another homicide, then a third.
Frustration and PTSD flashbacks, stymie combat veteran Drew's burgeoning romance with Lucy, who's also a cop.
Can the detectives catch a break?
Omerta is a riveting police-procedural by Larry Darter, that keeps you guessing right up to the last page. Grab your copy today and see if you can work out 'whodunit' before Ortega and Drew!
LAPD homicide cops, Drew and Ortega, are on duty in the city on Christmas Eve, when a murder is called in. It seems the victim was the semi-famous autobiographer daughter of a Mafia gangster. Yet a week into the investigation, things have virtually come to a standstill.
How can Ortega and Drew progress the case?
As resolution continues to evade the partners, they're assigned to another homicide, then a third.
Frustration and PTSD flashbacks, stymie combat veteran Drew's burgeoning romance with Lucy, who's also a cop.
Can the detectives catch a break?
Omerta is a riveting police-procedural by Larry Darter, that keeps you guessing right up to the last page. Grab your copy today and see if you can work out 'whodunit' before Ortega and Drew!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews