Enemy Within I read constantly and I read many police/lawyer/crime novels. I was very disappointed with this one. Aside from the crucial chase/shooting scene, the book was so dull that I stopped reading it after 84 pages. It is so filled with mind numbing descriptions and conversations that I had to force myself to plow through the dialogue. Being a detective myself, I was also put off by the author's obvious feeling of superiority to cops that seems to permeate his writing. In addition, the author, being a lawyer, talks too much without making a point. I have read other novels written by attorneys and have enjoyed them, so I am not just attorney-bashing here. This is the first and last Tanenbaum novel for me.
DIRT IN THE DA'S OFFICE I DON'T REMEMBER READING ANY OF THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THIS SERIES SO THE CHARACTERS ARE ALL NEW TO ME.THE AUTHOR WORKED IN NYC AS HEAD OF THE HOMICIDE DIVISION SO I THINK HE KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF THE DA'SOFFICE.THE SHOOT OUT WITH THE DRIVER OF A STOLEN CAR STARTS THE PLOT. THE COP CLAIMS SELF DEFENSE BUT THE VICTIM HAD 10 SHOTS IN THE BACK WHILE HIS CAR WAS FACING THE POLICE CRUISER. AS A FAVORED COP HE IS NO BILLED BY THE GRAND JURY WHICH WAS PRESENTED WITH A CLEANED UP VERSIONOF THE CRIME.KARP IS THE HEAD OF THE HOMICIDE DIVISION AND SUSPECTS A COVER UP.HIS WIFE MARLENE IS A HIGHER UP IN A PRIVATE SECURITY AGENCY. LUCY IS THE 17 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WHO IS GIFTED IN LANGUAGES BUT HATES AND SKIPS SCHOOL DOING HER GOOD WORKS IN THE SOUP KITCHEN OF A CHURCH WHERE SHE IS ENAMORED OF A YOUNG PRIEST. THEY HANG OUT WITH THE HOMELESS MEN TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER WHILE LOOKING FOR THE SLASHER WHO KILLS THE HOMELESS MEN.THE STORY IS LONG AND AT TIMES BELABORED AS PERSONAL GOALS AREJUGGLED AROUND WITH DRINKING PROBLEMS, SUDDEN WEALTH, TOO MUCH TIME SPENT AT WORK AND LUCYS OBSESSION WITH HER RELIGION, SAINTS AND HER FEELINGS TOWARDS THE PRIEST WHO IS 10 YEARS HER SENIOR BUT SEEMS RATHER IMMATURE AT TIMES AND DISTRACTED WITH SOMETHING HE DOES NOT SHARE WITH ANYONE.THE COPS ARE LOOKING FOR A HOMELESS MAN BUT HE HAS DISAPPERED SO LUCY ET AL GO DEEP UNDERGROUND IN THE NYC SYSTEM OF OLD DRAIN PIPES AND SERVICE TUNNELS, TRYING TO FIND CANMAN TO SAVE HIM. NEARLY EVERYONE DOWN THERE GETS KILLED OR CLOSE TO IT.THE MYSTERYS ARE SOLVED, THE DA'S OFFICE IS CLEANSED AND KARP AND MARLENE TAKE UP A NEW OCCUPATION.I WOULD SUPPOSE A NEW BOOK WILL COME OUT IN THE SERIES BUT I AM NOT INTERESTED IN READING ANOTHER BELABORED BOOK.Disappointing.... This book is so boring, that I had to plow through it..I have enjoyed his previous books but not this one...it's like one big lecture, and no excitement..Marlene is over the edge...next time I will definitely check his out at the library....and if it is good I will then consider purchasing the next one after that one...the only reason I finished this one is because I had invested dollars from my "book budget"....
