Pacific Coast Highway

by Stephen Smoke

Book Overview

FINAL CUT Retired, no longer chief of detectives, Derek Cheney plans to lavish his time on his exquisite wife, Elizabeth. But then a wealthy neighbor asks Cheney to investigate a hit-and-run death that was no accident. A seductive reporter refuses to take no for an answer. A young woman is found viciously murdered. Then another...and another. Soon Cheney's marriage is slipping away as he follows the cold ten-year-old trail of a serial killer from...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1517706327
• ISBN13: 9781517706326
• Release Date: November 2015
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

B-Movie Script to A- Novel

Stephen Smoke according to the back cover of the MMP edition in addition to being a novelist, is a screenwriter and movie director. Hardly a surprise to a seasoned thriller reader like myself as the opening half of this novel reads almost like a novelized b-movie script. Sanford Jamieson's lovely younger wife is tragically killed in an apparant hit and run one night on the Pacific Coast Highway. Suspecting her death was no accident, the billionaire out of love for his departed wife, and a yearning for the truth hires former L.A.P.D chief of Detectives Derek Cheney. Cheney retired from the force relatively young in the hopes he could lavish more attention on his beautiful wife Elizabeth, however when late hours for Elizabeth leaves Cheney unfulfilled he agrees to look into the matter for his wealthy neighbour. As Cheney delves deeper into the question of whether her death was an accident or murder his friend and protege, the current chief of detectives is wrapped up in a steamy relationship with a reporter Kimberly who wishes to cover the case. To further propel the plot someone is murdering aspiring actresses. As mentioned this novel begins on a dubious note as far as quality is concerned. However as more and more of the mystery is uncovered Smoke deepens his characterization, and maintains the truthful dialogue. I felt myself compelled to read as the serial killer was unveiled about halfway through. Smoke pulls off a neat trick concerning this, the reader knows the killer without KNOWING the killer. The pace quickens as the plot as they say thickens and builds to an exciting climax and denouement. As said no great surprise at Smoke's credentials as this reads like a movie and if hasn't been optioned I am surprised as to why. But Smoke's real talent in this title is not only building strong "real" characters with all the complications of common perople, but in slyly spoofing Hollywood and the cut-throat business of movies. As well he examines, inviting the reader to question with him love, fidelity, and betrayal. This book is obviously far from perfect, but is a lot better than I expected.