I am a skeptical reader, questioning the actions of every character (would someone really do that?), the plot (how likely is that?), and even the dialogue (does anyone actually speak that way?). It might come from reading too much high literature, but I doubt it. Could be a diet too rich in true crime and books on procedure. I don’t really know. But when I like a book, it's because the plot, characters, and dialogue either ring very true for me, or are so absurd, I can't help but dig it (read Christopher Moore for some of that).In any case, I just finished Rosenberg's novel Buried Evidence. It's clear the author knows law enforcement; in fact her bio reveals a 14-year stint with the New Mexico State police and Ventura and Dallas police departments.Buried Evidence is the sequel to Mitigating Circumstances(1993) but the book stands on its own just fine. Both novels are set in Southern California, feature spirited Lily Forrester, an assistant district attorney in the first book and a full-fledged D.A. in the second.Rosenberg has an excellent eye for plot. She weaves the thing like deadlocks, twisting this piece over here, tightening that one over there. It's suspenseful, sure, but she does it with personalities, actions, and circumstances. It's impressive and aspiring writers of thrillers would be well-served to have a look at how she combines so many elements yet leaves nothing unexplained or forgotten.I finished the book feeling fairly satisfied that it was time well-spent. Rosenberg's writing itself isn't by any means on the level of Elmore Leonard, but she makes up for her weaknesses in other areas. The characters are drawn very well. No one in the book is perfect or has one annoying supposed "character flaw" to redeem them. These characters are moody, snap at one another, show pain, fear, and love, just like you or me. Rosenberg explores the emotional elements of her characters with great (but not overpowering) detail and sensitivity.So what's the book about?Well… Lily Forrester, as I said before, is a D.A. That makes this book a legal thriller, technically, but since there's crime (and plenty of it!) I'm claiming it for Crime Stories.Lily's ex-husband has few likeable qualities, yet one feels sorry for him. That is, until he decides to blackmail Lily by threatening to reveal that she once gunned a man down in his own yard. Say what? Well, yeah, I know. Read the book, though, it's perfectly plausible when you see that the dead guy was a really bad dude. But wait, there's more. A violent rapist Lily put away is on parole now, back on the streets and stalking her and her daughter.And a cop Lily once crossed now has the opportunity, thanks to her ex, to get her back.It's a wild ride.
Difficult read - material okay - just the way it was written. I had to force myself to finish it. There are too many characters and the development was poor - too much detail - then not enough - threads hanging - I asked myself was Rosenburg trying to write a TV script? I've read other Rosenburg books that were GOOD - but this one makes me want to avoid her...
