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Lieutenant Luis Mendoza #1, 2, 3, 4
First Four by Shannon
Contents: Case pending. -- The ace of spades. -- Extra kill. -- Knave of hearts
In Lieutenant Luis Mendoza's first case, he is faced with a three-way mystery involving the senseless killing of Elena Ramirez, a blackmailing involving a below-the-radar adoption, and a young man's guilt. And when Mendoza connects Elena's death with that of another woman, and investigates two further hunches, he draws closer to a solution ... The Ace of Spades continues the case histories of Mendoza, the Mexican detective of the Los Angeles Police Department. Lt. Mendoza specializes in homicides ... he has brains, uncanny flair, wealth, a passion for justice and Abyssinian cats. He has a weakness for poker and Alison Weir, the central female character in his life. Mendoza's new case enters Homicide through the back door of Stolen Property ... in this instance the old fashioned jalopy, belonging to the redhead Alison Weir. The story fast becomes entrangled with importers, museums, and a mysterious Madam K.A chance scrap of paper begins as exciting, detective chain of events, quickly leading to high tension as Mendoza realizes that the life of the woman he loves is in danger. Lieutenant Luis Mendoza is tasked with solving a double murder, shrouded in strange rites. Acting on one of his famous hunches, he is drawn into the world behind the glitter of Hollywood and into the Temple of Mystic Truth. There he finds cultists Martin and Cara Kingman, who turn out to be less than spiritual ... Bad enough was Luis' violent quarrel with redheaded Alison Weir, the only woman who had ever given him the remotest thought of settling down. But also on his hands was the case of a rapist murderer who was terrorizing Los Angeles, one of whose crimes had probably already sent an innocent man to the gas chamber. Alison, meanwhile, through such well meaning friends as Sgt. Hackett and his bride, was subjected to a parade of suitors well meaning, no doubt, but such pallid fare after Luis ... Then one of Mendoza's famous "hunches" points the way toward a solution to the case but it points too close to home with none other than Alison herself heading inexorably toward disaster.
In Lieutenant Luis Mendoza's first case, he is faced with a three-way mystery involving the senseless killing of Elena Ramirez, a blackmailing involving a below-the-radar adoption, and a young man's guilt. And when Mendoza connects Elena's death with that of another woman, and investigates two further hunches, he draws closer to a solution ... The Ace of Spades continues the case histories of Mendoza, the Mexican detective of the Los Angeles Police Department. Lt. Mendoza specializes in homicides ... he has brains, uncanny flair, wealth, a passion for justice and Abyssinian cats. He has a weakness for poker and Alison Weir, the central female character in his life. Mendoza's new case enters Homicide through the back door of Stolen Property ... in this instance the old fashioned jalopy, belonging to the redhead Alison Weir. The story fast becomes entrangled with importers, museums, and a mysterious Madam K.A chance scrap of paper begins as exciting, detective chain of events, quickly leading to high tension as Mendoza realizes that the life of the woman he loves is in danger. Lieutenant Luis Mendoza is tasked with solving a double murder, shrouded in strange rites. Acting on one of his famous hunches, he is drawn into the world behind the glitter of Hollywood and into the Temple of Mystic Truth. There he finds cultists Martin and Cara Kingman, who turn out to be less than spiritual ... Bad enough was Luis' violent quarrel with redheaded Alison Weir, the only woman who had ever given him the remotest thought of settling down. But also on his hands was the case of a rapist murderer who was terrorizing Los Angeles, one of whose crimes had probably already sent an innocent man to the gas chamber. Alison, meanwhile, through such well meaning friends as Sgt. Hackett and his bride, was subjected to a parade of suitors well meaning, no doubt, but such pallid fare after Luis ... Then one of Mendoza's famous "hunches" points the way toward a solution to the case but it points too close to home with none other than Alison herself heading inexorably toward disaster.
- GenresMystery
654 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Dell Shannon
154 books23 followersPseudonym of Elizabeth Linington.
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 23, 2021
654 pages covering four of the best-selling author's books with a Forward by the author.
Includes Case Pending, the Ace of Spades, Extra Kill, and The Knave of Hearts.
Case Pending
This is the first novel in the Lt. Mendoza series and it introduces us to the dapper and extremely brilliant young police officer Lt. Luis Mendoza. In the course of the story we also meet many of the other LAPD Homicide staff who feature in the ongoing series such ad Detective Sergeant Hackett, Higgins, Gunn.
Luis meets Alison Weir, owner of The Sunset School of Charm, which is attended by one of the murder victims. Luis questions her and this is the beginning of their ongoing relationship. An interesting and well done side-plot involves blackmail and illegal adoption.
The Ace of Spades
Alison's car is stolen. Luis gets a new car -- a (p. 162) "custom-built gunmetal-colored Facel-Vega, a two-door hardtop sports coupe". Both cars play a big part in the ensuing mysteries: a mysterious coin is found in Alison's 13-year-old Ford "beater", a theft in the County Museum, drug peddling, insurance fraud. AND Luis cat Bast is going to have kittens!
Extra Kill
A rookie cop gives Luis Mndoza a speeding ticket! He also has evidence in a cop killing case. Mendoza finds a body buried under the crawl space of an apartment. In the course of investigating this murder and a related religious racket, Mendoza and Hackett meet a faded movie star and her daughter Angel, who will become a regular in the series as Hackett's wife.
Knave of Hearts
Luis and Alison have a savage break-up. A repentant woman confesses that she did not come forward to provide an alibi for a wrongly accused murderer who has already been executed. Meanwhile the real murderer is free to continue killing: a serial killer! Luis investigation culminates in a super-exciting, action packed, car chase scene with Luis in his Facel-Vega.... to rescue his Alison. GREAT ending but don't forget the box of tissues
Includes Case Pending, the Ace of Spades, Extra Kill, and The Knave of Hearts.
Case Pending
This is the first novel in the Lt. Mendoza series and it introduces us to the dapper and extremely brilliant young police officer Lt. Luis Mendoza. In the course of the story we also meet many of the other LAPD Homicide staff who feature in the ongoing series such ad Detective Sergeant Hackett, Higgins, Gunn.
Luis meets Alison Weir, owner of The Sunset School of Charm, which is attended by one of the murder victims. Luis questions her and this is the beginning of their ongoing relationship. An interesting and well done side-plot involves blackmail and illegal adoption.
The Ace of Spades
Alison's car is stolen. Luis gets a new car -- a (p. 162) "custom-built gunmetal-colored Facel-Vega, a two-door hardtop sports coupe". Both cars play a big part in the ensuing mysteries: a mysterious coin is found in Alison's 13-year-old Ford "beater", a theft in the County Museum, drug peddling, insurance fraud. AND Luis cat Bast is going to have kittens!
Extra Kill
A rookie cop gives Luis Mndoza a speeding ticket! He also has evidence in a cop killing case. Mendoza finds a body buried under the crawl space of an apartment. In the course of investigating this murder and a related religious racket, Mendoza and Hackett meet a faded movie star and her daughter Angel, who will become a regular in the series as Hackett's wife.
Knave of Hearts
Luis and Alison have a savage break-up. A repentant woman confesses that she did not come forward to provide an alibi for a wrongly accused murderer who has already been executed. Meanwhile the real murderer is free to continue killing: a serial killer! Luis investigation culminates in a super-exciting, action packed, car chase scene with Luis in his Facel-Vega.... to rescue his Alison. GREAT ending but don't forget the box of tissues
September 1, 2017
Loved this as a series. Mendoza is Hercule Poirot with a tempestuous sex appeal and nearly no humility. Sergeant Hackett would have been best friends with Ngaio Marsh's foil to Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Same stolid worth in plodding and consistency, same outlook of toleration for the boss's little ways of sensitivity....but Hackett is a tad more American: more outspoken, more challenging. Loved the spun tale of real romance, and the officers' uneasy dismissal of 'the head doctors' viewpoint, along with acceptance of some of the jargon.
September 23, 2018
I 1st discovered Dell Shannon (aka Elizabeth Linnington & Leslie Egan) in the 1970s. At one time, I owned all her books, but sad circumstances required I sell them about 15 years ago. Up until then, I'd re-read her books every couple of years. These are the 1st 4 Luis Mendoza books she wrote. It was wonderful spending time again with old friends - and amusing to see how much I take cell phones for granted these days: having characters have to find pay phone to call in................
June 14, 2008
This is a collection of the first four books introducing Luis Mendoza of the LAPD and his department. Originally a cop on the beat, Mendoza no longer needs to do the work he loves, but continues because of his finicky problem solving mind. Good characterizations of realistic people, unlike much of modern police procedural fiction. These are police you enjoy getting to know better.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews