Obedience

Some of L.A.'s sleaziest characters come to life on the pages of Hansen's taut novel, where Dave Brandstetter makes his 10th appearance as a now-aging private-eye. With a few tricks still in his bag, Brandstetter proves a formidable investigator whose reputation is enhanced by a Time magazine interview. This accolade to his credit, the public defenders' office hires him to probe the murder of a prominent Vietnamese businessman and clear their client, Andy Flanagan, a suspect in the killing. During the investigation, he stumbles onto two more murders in the Vietnamese community, linking them to a startling drug smuggling discovery in the dead importer's waterfront warehouse. Brandstetter's relationship with Cecil Harris, his housemate from Early Grave (1987) continues, this aspect of the story handled with intelligence and sensitivity. The mystery, though contrived, is fast-paced and literate, while revealing little-known facts about Indo-Chinese lifestyles in America. Hansen readers should delight in this latest caper. (Nov.)