La Plante, L. (2007). The red dahlia. New York: Touchstone/Simon & Schuster.

This is a police procedural. The murders are homage to the Los Angeles Black Dahlia murder.  On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short was discovered in a residential neighborhood.  Thus, began a mystery that has intrigued for decades. The details of the crime are beyond gruesome.  This is one of the coldest of unsolved cases.

Now, you have the backdrop for The Red Dahlia.  The countdown begins as we follow Detective Anna Travis as she races against time to capture a copycat killer. During the course of her investigation, she must work with her mentor, and one-time lover, Detective Chief Inspector, James Langton.  Their relationship is one of the subplots, but it’s not particularly interesting.

The writing is excellent, the pace quick.  LaPlante is skilled in character development and building suspense. My interest peaked when the investigation began to focus on an upper class family. The pattern of familial relationships is as chilling, if not more so, than the actual murders. I gasped outloud more than once reading about the Wickenham family.  Money may not buy happiness, but it certainly can maintain delusion.

If you like to read mysteries and have moved beyond cozies, I recommend Linda LaPlante.  She is the creator of the original BBC/PBS series, Prime Suspect and producer/creator of dozens of television shows and movies in the United Kingdom and United States.  Her books have captivated millions of readers around the world.  For more information about this exciting creative writer, producer, and entrepreneur go to www.laplanteproductions.com.