The Mercedes Coffin: A Decker and Lazarus Novel

by Faye Kellerman

Book Overview

Billionaire Genoa Greeves believes the L.A.P.D. should finally solve the fifteen-year-old execution-style murder of her favorite teacher, Bennett Little--especially now that Hollywood music producer... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061227374
• ISBN13: 9780061227370
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Faye Kellerman Mercedes Coffin

This book was received in a timely manner - and in the condition I paid for.

Glad I did not read the reviews first!

I am a big fan of Faye Kellerman's books, with the Peter Decker/Rina Lazuras continuing characters being my favorite. While this is a fast paced intriguing who done it, I was fascinated with the current day exploration of a case tied to the past. Ms Kellerman's plots and characters are always fresh, with current events tied in appropriately. Her research and authenticity ring true for me. I also find it a real treat to try to get a small glimpse into the beliefs and observances of an orthodox jewish family. And, I enjoy the real family values that these characters portray, especially in this day and age. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that is exciting, a bit philosophical and has a great underlying message about the importance of family. I applaud this effort and greatly appreciated this book.

The Mercedes Coffin

Great story. This is the first Faye Kellerman I've read but I will definitely read more of her work.

Well-crafted page turner

Faye Kellerman's latest novel features the engaging Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus duo she created in The Ritual Bath. Pete's challenge in this novel is a fifteen year old very cold case revived by an eccentric billionaire, Genoa Greeves. Money talks, and the department snaps to attention to work on the execution-style slaying of the only teacher who gave words of encouragement to the awkward nerd during her high school years. Genoa was struck by the similarity of a current case to the one that took the life of her teacher. Initially the cases don't appear to be related, but as the novel progresses, the relationship between the cases grows and fades and grows as Peter, his crack team of Marge Dunn and Scott Oliver, and his daughter Cindy Kutick, follow the clues through a forest of music producers, gamblers, former detectives and rappers to solve the crime. Along the way, the detectives working the current case and Peter and his team clash over territory, with Cindy, the newly minted detective, caught in the middle. The mystery is well-crafted, but the relationships of Rina, Peter, Cindy and Hannah don't receive as much attention as in prior novels. Rina, in particular, has been relegated to a supportive wife role rather than the active part she has played on occasion in the past. Hannah is growing up, learning to drive and plays a minor role in the novel. Cindy receives more attention since she works with the detectives assigned to the current case and provides information to help her Dad sort out the connections with the cold case. Although the character of Genoa Greeves spurs the plot into action, she only appears a couple of times later in the book after being featured in the first chapter. Kellerman captures the sound and the rhythm of the rappers speaking in her dialogue, and differentiates the voices. The characters are very diverse and well developed, and range from a gambling ex-wife, a street kid rescued by his grandmother, a former detective that "eats his gun" and more. It's a great read for the beach!

Money Talks

Money can't buy everything, but a billionaire can try. When she reads about a murder, Genoa Greeves is reminded about her high school guidance counselor who suffered death by the same MO fifteen years earlier, and she is prompted to do something about it. So she makes a deal with the LAPD, offering a million-dollar endowment if the original case is revived and solved. Who can resist such an offer? Certainly not the cash-strapped police department. So, the stage is set for another Peter Decker-Rina Lazarus novel. And a marvelous tale it is, complete with the customary references to the couple's orthodox Jewish beliefs and culinary tastes. Lt. Detective Peter Decker is assigned to the task, and he quickly becomes involved in both cases (with a little assistance from his detective daughter Cindy). The task becomes complicated with additional murders, especially those of one of the original detectives. As entertaining as the novel is, it is intriguing in its composition, keeping the reader perplexed amid the lies, deceptions and relationships among the cast of characters. It is an exciting read, among the series' best. And the twist at the end is as tasty as a raisin challa. Highly recommended.