This, it should be stated, is not an easy book to read. It is, at the same time, completely compelling and nearly impossible to put down. An anomaly, it would seem.
The protagonist, LA Robbery-Homicide detective Hayden Glass, is many things: unpredictable, often exhibiting self-destructive behavior [if not actually harboring a death wish], fiendish impulses and extreme violence. It is sex-filled, as befits a tale whose protag is a sex addict. He has even named his dark side – his inner addict – Rufus, putting one in mind of Dexter’s Dark Passenger.
Glass’ recent history is daunting: He has received the Medal of Valor and then, off the record, ordered into a six-month medical leave with psychiatric care, talk therapy, and mandatory attendance at meetings for Sex Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step program similar to other such groups. His addiction has also caused the end of his marriage. On medical leave for two months as the book opens, Glass finds himself in San Francisco and obviously out of his jurisdiction. He is soon stepping on the toes of both the SFPD and the FBI as he searches for a girl by whom he is obsessed, a young prostitute apparently in the clutches of two different factions of the Russian mob. Police corruption soon becomes evident, and he doesn’t know who he can trust, and at first only succeeds in further endangering the girl.
Detective Glass made his first appearance in “Boulevard,” which I have not yet read. Since I assume it may be several months until a follow-up novel appears, I think I’ll need to get my next dose of Mr. Schwartz’ fiction well before that. It would seem that it’s very easy to fall prey to an addiction.
Highly recommended.
