Book Review: California Girl

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

California Girl     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
T. Jefferson Parker
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Thriller

As with previous books, Parker sets his story in Orange County California. Three brothers come of age in the mid 1960's, and by 1968 one is a cop, one a journalist, and the third a clergyman. A young woman whom all three have known for most of their lives is found murdered and decapitated. All three are drawn into the investigation of her death, and all three lives change dramatically as events unfold.

Working in the days before fingerprint identification could be completed by computer and before DNA analysis could be used for blood samples and other trace evidence, homicide investigator Nick has an uphill road, filled with classic police procedural tasks.

As with all Jefferson's books, this one is richly atmospheric of the conservative suburbs south of LA. Although he can't possibly be old enough to remember the time, Jefferson's research has allowed him to portray a vanished era, when society was struggling to come to terms with the reality of the conflict in VietNam, when the drug culture could still be viewed as childlike and innocent, and when young women still imagined that a beauty pageant was the end of the rainbow.

The three brothers are all believable and intriguing. Less successful is Jefferson's portrayal of their parents. The action moves slowly at times, but in all I enjoyed the read!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM