The Disposables: A Novel
This novel gives off heat. It tells the story of a black Los Angeles ex-cop, once a member of an elite—read brutal—crime-fighting unit, who’s been wronged and suffered prison time. But Bruno Johnson is not out to clear his name; he’s trying to stay alive as his ex-partners work to trap him in a complex scheme involving a serial killer who sets his victims afire. And he’s no angel: his desperate circumstances lead him to hijack valuable computer parts off a moving train. If this has a seen-this-before flavor, give it a chance; there are a number of unique and startling plot twists. But what really recommends the book is the high-octane presentation. Odd, because the occasional clunky sentence doesnt detract. Rather, they add somehow to the sense of urgency and authenticity, the feeling that this is the real deal, set down by somebody who was there and still hasn’t gotten over it. The SWAT-like assault on the crime house is an impressive set piece. --Don Crinklaw