A Killing in China Basin
San Francisco homicide inspector Ben Raveneau has an ambitious new partner, Elizabeth La Rosa, who's thrilled when the pair is called to a murder scene in China Basin. A young woman has been found in a disused warehouse, bound and strangled. There's no identification on her, and although the warehouse is used by derelicts and druggies, the victim doesn't appear to fall into either category. A convicted killer from a years-old case, the murder of a fellow homicide investigator's wife, and a mysterious woman who's set up a charity to bring modern medicine to the world's poor all play roles in what turns out to be one of Raveneau's most memorable and challenging cases. A plot that's chock-a-block with red herrings and unexpected twists, an appealingly hard-bitten hero, and plenty of action make this solidly written police procedural a good choice for all fans of the genre. --Booklist, September 1, 2011San Francisco homicide detective Ben Raveneau has two cases holding his attention at the moment. There's the Jane Doe found strangled in an abandoned building. Then he's troubled by the death (suicide--not!) of a retired colleague who had told Ben he thought a newly released former felon was stalking him. Of course, the cases connect, and the death toll mounts. Ben is not so sure about his young partner, Elizabeth la Rosa--the feeling's mutual--but they build a tenuous trust out of necessity. Gradually, they piece together a chilling tale of credit fraud and identity theft that will have you second-guessing all the way to the dramatic end.  VERDICT With more twists and turns than Lombard Street, Russell's complex plot makes for a pulse-pounding police thriller. Since I devoured all of Russell's John Marquez (Redback) titles, I'm thrilled to meet his new protagonist in this series debut. Working the streets of SF, Raveneau brings old-school knowledge to investigations and learns a few new tricks himself  -- Library Journal, October 1, 2011