The Mercedes Coffin
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Part of the fun of reading Kellerman's early Decker-Lazarus mysteries is the infusion of Jewish tradition in the mix. In recent years, however, series entries have given Rina Lazarus, Decker's lively, clever wife, a decidedly minor role. Although that's certainly the case here, Kellerman compensates somewhat by writing with her usual zest, and telling the story almost exclusively in dialogue, which not only quickens the pace but also allows readers an intimate glimpse of how the detectives patch together the clues. The body of a music producer stuffed into the trunk of a Mercedes left parked in a remote spot attracts the attention of a millionaire businesswoman, whose favorite teacher, Ben Little, was similarly killed 15 years before. Wondering if the murders are linked, she promises a big payoff to the LAPD if Little's murder is solved. The pressure's on Lieutenant Peter Decker, and, of course, everyone he talks to has something to hide Little's wife, the gangbanger turned basketball coach, a musician gone crazy, even the cop who investigated Little's murder. Although Decker never ties up all the loose ends, he eventually answers enough of the questions to put bad guys behind bars, win over Miss Moneybags, please his boss and satisfy his many fans.--Zvirin, Stephanie Copyright 2008 Booklist

In bestseller Kellerman's uneven 17th novel to feature LAPD Lt. Peter Decker and wife Rina Lazarus (after 2007's The Burnt House), Decker must solve a 15-year-old cold case--the murder of saintly Bennett Little, a high school history teacher whose bound body the police found, with three shots in the back of his head, in the trunk of Little's Mercedes. When unscrupulous music producer Primo Ekerling turns up dead in the trunk of his Mercedes, Genoa Greeves, a wealthy computer mogul with fond memories of Little as a teacher, offers the LAPD a seven-figure charitable donation to reopen the case. Early in the reinvestigation, Decker is brought up short when one of the original cops on the case eats his gun just before a scheduled appointment with the lieutenant. Finding a link between Little and Eckerling won't prove easy. Fans may enjoy the interplay among Decker, Rina and their children, but newcomers would be advised to start with an earlier entry in this popular crime series. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.

When a Hollywood murder echoes the execution-style killing of one of her favorite teachers 15 years earlier, heiress Genoa Greeves convinces LAPD Lt. Peter Decker to start looking for clues. With a one-day laydown on August 12. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Part of the fun of reading Kellerman's early Decker-Lazarus mysteries is the infusion of Jewish tradition in the mix. In recent years, however, series entries have given Rina Lazarus, Decker's lively, clever wife, a decidedly minor role. Although that's certainly the case here, Kellerman compensates somewhat by writing with her usual zest, and telling the story almost exclusively in dialogue, which not only quickens the pace but also allows readers an intimate glimpse of how the detectives patch together the clues. The body of a music producer stuffed into the trunk of a Mercedes left parked in a remote spot attracts the attention of a millionaire businesswoman, whose favorite teacher, Ben Little, was similarly killed 15 years before. Wondering if the murders are linked, she promises a big payoff to the LAPD if Little's murder is solved. The pressure's on Lieutenant Peter Decker, and, of course, everyone he talks to has something to hide—Little's wife, the gangbanger turned basketball coach, a musician gone crazy, even the cop who investigated Little's murder. Although Decker never ties up all the loose ends, he eventually answers enough of the questions to put bad guys behind bars, win over Miss Moneybags, please his boss—and satisfy his many fans. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.

When a Hollywood murder echoes the execution-style killing of one of her favorite teachers 15 years earlier, heiress Genoa Greeves convinces LAPD Lt. Peter Decker to start looking for clues. With a one-day laydown on August 12. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Verdict: Flawed by uneven action, flat detective work, and a shortage of detail where it counts, Kellerman's latest Decker and Lazarus novel falls well short of the mark. For those who want a peek into the daily lives of the main characters but not those who hope to be gripped by a fierce crime drama and a thrilling plot. Large public libraries already collecting the series should consider, as well as those where the author has a strong following. Background: Kellerman returns to the lives of Rina and Peter Decker, as Peter is called in to investigate a 15-year-old murder. When a former student of Bennett Little reads details of a recent Hollywood murder, she is shocked by the similarities to the death of her beloved high school teacher. Because of a promised financial bonus for the precinct, Decker and his homicide team are pressured to reopen Dr. Ben's case and discover why two apparently unconnected men were both found shot, execution-style, in the trunks of their Mercedeses. Decker balances a difficult investigation with the needs of his family in order to find justice for Dr. Ben.--Jennifer Beach, Indiana State Lib., IN Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

In bestseller Kellerman's uneven 17th novel to feature LAPD Lt. Peter Decker and wife Rina Lazarus (after 2007's The Burnt House ), Decker must solve a 15-year-old cold case—the murder of saintly Bennett Little, a high school history teacher whose bound body the police found, with three shots in the back of his head, in the trunk of Little's Mercedes. When unscrupulous music producer Primo Ekerling turns up dead in the trunk of his Mercedes, Genoa Greeves, a wealthy computer mogul with fond memories of Little as a teacher, offers the LAPD a seven-figure charitable donation to reopen the case. Early in the reinvestigation, Decker is brought up short when one of the original cops on the case "eats his gun" just before a scheduled appointment with the lieutenant. Finding a link between Little and Eckerling won't prove easy. Fans may enjoy the interplay among Decker, Rina and their children, but newcomers would be advised to start with an earlier entry in this popular crime series. (Aug.)