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Lieutenant Luis Mendoza #37
Blood Count
the 37th volume in the much-praised, highly popular detective series featuring Luis Mendoza and his LAPD colleagues.
- GenresMystery
357 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
13 people are currently reading
31 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 1, 2024
Heavens, it's been a long time I since I've been here. Busy with various things, but also there was a strange reluctance to write the final review for this series (barring the short stories). It's like coming to the end of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy when Samwise comes home, sits down with his daughter on his lap, says "Well, I'm back", and there's the sad realization that it's all done; no more.
Perhaps Shannon was growing weary. This book was good, but nothing special.
One plotline that weaves through the book is the drunk driver who is driving an old Model A. As I understand it, even today you can find them on the road; it was a very well-made car. The team is on it because the drunk killed a little girl in a hit-and-run. More accidents occur, but in spite of the car being so noticeable, they can't seem to track it until Art Hackett inadvertently brings the case to an end.
The major case of the book involves a Louise Cannaday, in town for a brief visit and meeting death unexpectedly. The incident might have passed off as an accident if the killer had been just a bit more clever staging the scene. They take note of the fact that the injury that killed her did not do so right away; she might have been saved if prompt action had been taken. Several twists take them in various directions until they find the answer (along with the appalling backstory that led to the killing) through sheer serendipity.
Another rather appalling storyline involves a couple with a crying baby...who ominously stops crying and is never heard crying again. This one, like the Cannaday case, involves a callousness that is nearly unbelievable.
Another serious one involves a little girl, brutally raped on her way home one evening. Her precious keepsake necklace has disappeared, and was not found at the scene. A valuable piece of information is passed on by another little girl who has been taught to respect police. This is another head-shaking solution--come to think of it, that seems to be a theme running through this whole book.
Another case is heartbreakingly easy for Wanda to solve, with a little girl found dead outside an apartment, lying on the garbage cans. This is one where you want to reach into the book and bash someone's face into the wall.
A paramedic trying out his binoculars is startled to realize that he has just witness a murder over in the park. This one has a certain amount of humor added in by the victim's mother, who bursts into the Robbery-Homicide office rather like an opera diva.
There's a mugger who steals shoes--any shoes, regardless of size. This one is frustrating, but realistically so; we'll never know if Dell Shannon intended this to be her final book or if she meant to do more.
A dangerous heister who drinks and causes a great deal of trouble.
An incident that is really not so funny as it must have seemed back in the day--a man being physically abused by his wife.
There's a man beaten to death in his apartment, and a clear-cut suspect. Or is there?
A dead man who looks like a Skid-Row bum--except for his perfectly cared-for hands.
On the personal side of things--Alison has come through her unexpected pregnancy, producing another little girl. After carefully selecting a pretty name--Cecelia Anne, Alison is exasperated to find the twins referring to her as "Sissy". The twins will soon be seven years old, and will graduate to eating in the dining room with their parents.
We discover in passing that Wanda has, in fact, made detective rank; we were just never specifically told about it. After accepting a date with newcomer Calhoun, Wanda has the chance to size him up at close hand, and decides that he is strictly in it for fun. She's not, and so decides to to go out with him again.
Art Hackett loses his Monte Carlo. We can only hope that he will slip past Angel's pragmatic attitude, and get himself another gaudy, fun car.
I was disappointed because most of the team are kept well in the background, if they're even mentioned at all. We get no follow-up on all the new babies. The book ends with a laugh, which was nice, but all in all, it was a rather flat closing to what has been a marvelously entertaining series.
Ah, well. A couple more years, and I'll read 'em all through again!
Perhaps Shannon was growing weary. This book was good, but nothing special.
One plotline that weaves through the book is the drunk driver who is driving an old Model A. As I understand it, even today you can find them on the road; it was a very well-made car. The team is on it because the drunk killed a little girl in a hit-and-run. More accidents occur, but in spite of the car being so noticeable, they can't seem to track it until Art Hackett inadvertently brings the case to an end.
The major case of the book involves a Louise Cannaday, in town for a brief visit and meeting death unexpectedly. The incident might have passed off as an accident if the killer had been just a bit more clever staging the scene. They take note of the fact that the injury that killed her did not do so right away; she might have been saved if prompt action had been taken. Several twists take them in various directions until they find the answer (along with the appalling backstory that led to the killing) through sheer serendipity.
Another rather appalling storyline involves a couple with a crying baby...who ominously stops crying and is never heard crying again. This one, like the Cannaday case, involves a callousness that is nearly unbelievable.
Another serious one involves a little girl, brutally raped on her way home one evening. Her precious keepsake necklace has disappeared, and was not found at the scene. A valuable piece of information is passed on by another little girl who has been taught to respect police. This is another head-shaking solution--come to think of it, that seems to be a theme running through this whole book.
Another case is heartbreakingly easy for Wanda to solve, with a little girl found dead outside an apartment, lying on the garbage cans. This is one where you want to reach into the book and bash someone's face into the wall.
A paramedic trying out his binoculars is startled to realize that he has just witness a murder over in the park. This one has a certain amount of humor added in by the victim's mother, who bursts into the Robbery-Homicide office rather like an opera diva.
There's a mugger who steals shoes--any shoes, regardless of size. This one is frustrating, but realistically so; we'll never know if Dell Shannon intended this to be her final book or if she meant to do more.
A dangerous heister who drinks and causes a great deal of trouble.
An incident that is really not so funny as it must have seemed back in the day--a man being physically abused by his wife.
There's a man beaten to death in his apartment, and a clear-cut suspect. Or is there?
A dead man who looks like a Skid-Row bum--except for his perfectly cared-for hands.
On the personal side of things--Alison has come through her unexpected pregnancy, producing another little girl. After carefully selecting a pretty name--Cecelia Anne, Alison is exasperated to find the twins referring to her as "Sissy". The twins will soon be seven years old, and will graduate to eating in the dining room with their parents.
We discover in passing that Wanda has, in fact, made detective rank; we were just never specifically told about it. After accepting a date with newcomer Calhoun, Wanda has the chance to size him up at close hand, and decides that he is strictly in it for fun. She's not, and so decides to to go out with him again.
Art Hackett loses his Monte Carlo. We can only hope that he will slip past Angel's pragmatic attitude, and get himself another gaudy, fun car.
I was disappointed because most of the team are kept well in the background, if they're even mentioned at all. We get no follow-up on all the new babies. The book ends with a laugh, which was nice, but all in all, it was a rather flat closing to what has been a marvelously entertaining series.
Ah, well. A couple more years, and I'll read 'em all through again!
June 27, 2024
The last full length, Luis Mendoza mystery series. A bizarre series of murders —that of an unwanted newborn, a respectable middle-aged woman visiting from the Midwest, a hit and run with a Model A Ford— as well as the assault of a 12-year-old girl and a mugger who steals footwear, keep Mendoza and his homicide robbery squad busy. Shannon was among the first of police procedural crime stories., writing the Mendoza mysteries from 1960 to 1987. Her characters are somewhat cardboard, but her writing of police procedures is excellent.
July 27, 2021
Two stars might be pushing it. Very unmemorable cop novel with lots of plot lines, including a Model-T hit-and-run and couple covering up. Gave my copy away.
March 16, 2025
Boring :/
June 30, 2008
An enjoyable read, with many old friends in the storyline. Good characters that seem more realistic than the foul mouthed, corrupt and venal police in the media today.
Want to read
July 10, 200807/09/08 purchase from library used book sale room
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews