These secondary plots detract from the main narrative, pushing Larry himself out of the story. We lose further insight into Larry's character. The author leaves loose ends. One character spies on another. We never learn the outcome of the spying.
Minor characters receive as much description as major ones.
The same confrontations occur over and over. The writing plods along. Even Larry, almost paralyzed after his wife and son's deaths, moves faster. Then, the author rushes to the finish. Nightshade constitutes a diatribe against drugs and the legal authorities' inability to stop this epidemic.