A riveting, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most elite, highly trained units of homicide detectives in the country Los Angeles is a town of dreamers--and of those who prey on them. The scene of innumerable bizarre crimes, it is also home to a unique police unit called Homicide Special, whose mandate is to take on the toughest, most controversial, and highest-profile cases. Now acclaimed writer Miles Corwin uses his unprecedented access to this legendary unit to portray six of its cases--and capture its newest generation at work. When a call girl from Kiev dies in the line of duty, detectives Chuck Knolls and Brian McCartin seek her killer among a circle of Russian women who have been sold unwittingly into white slavery. When a gangster's daughter, brought up in Las Vegas, takes a bullet, veterans Jerry Stephens and Paul Coulter trace clues scattered across the country to one of Manhattan's wealthiest real estate magnates. A cold case is reopened; a suspicious mother-daughter drowning and a baffling rape/murder case are solved. And finally, Corwin re-creates the investigation surrounding the late Bonny Lee Bakley--a woman driven, like her city, by the desire for fame--who was allegedly murdered by her actor-husband, Robert Blake. Compulsively readable, artfully written, and surprisingly redemptive, Homicide Special offers a thrilling insider's report on some of the nation's most high-profile and complex homicides--and the extraordinary men who solve them.
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"Excellent nonfiction crime book. The author did research in the field with one of the nations's toughest urban police forces. The cases he follows are compelling, as is the fine police work. Corwin is a fine writer and this work has more drama and intrigue than fiction."
— Sue (4 out of 5 stars)
" Miles Corwin's second book that I read did not disappoint! He is one of the best writers I have come across. His use of vocabulary and historical facts keeps you drawn into the book and he makes very complicated plot lines and characters easy to understand and enjoy. "
— Erika, 11/27/2013" I loved, loved, loved this book. Could not put it down and was so sad when I came to the end. More please! This is a must read for those who enjoy police procedural books - or anyone who just appreciates fantastic writing. I can't wait to try Miles Corwin's fiction. "
— Maryanne, 11/18/2013" Pretty good book. But I like these kinds of books. After the first story I found myself flipping ahead to find out how it ended. Then I gave up and read the entire thing through. Very visual writer. "
— JessIca, 3/11/2013" Proof of why OJ cast a horrible light on LAPD homicide "
— Matt, 2/19/2013" Overall, I loved the idea of this book but it seemed to drag on a bit... "
— Lisa, 12/17/2012" Excellent look at the Homicide Special squad at LAPD. I'd give it 5 stars, but I thought it lacked something that made it special. It is straight long form reporting on a great topic. It does seem to capture the flavor of cops. "
— Leo, 11/10/2012" No CSI BS. This is the way detectives really operate. Outstanding journalism from Miles Corwin. "
— Michael, 10/17/2012" Great book. Very detailed in the investigations. You really get to know characters. "
— Kelli, 6/28/2012" Great book if you are interested in police/ homicide investigations. "
— Eric, 5/15/2012" In my secret inner life I am a homicide detective. "
— Corinna, 3/31/2012" If you like David Simon... you'll be mildly entertained by Miles Corwin. "
— Katherine, 3/15/2012" I liked seeing what happens on a daily basis to homicide division of the LAPD "
— Pedro, 3/8/2012" This book followed several of the cases of the LAPD's elite homicide squad. It's right up my alley! Highly recommend it, even if you're not into this kind of thing. "
— Emily, 4/6/2011" Once again proving that Miles Corwin is a master journalist. <br/>Compelling, fascinating, and uplifting. You will kiss a police officer after reading this. "
— Rachel, 1/8/2011" Excellent look at the Homicide Special squad at LAPD. I'd give it 5 stars, but I thought it lacked something that made it special. It is straight long form reporting on a great topic. It does seem to capture the flavor of cops. "
— Leo, 2/12/2010" Miles Corwin's second book that I read did not disappoint! He is one of the best writers I have come across. His use of vocabulary and historical facts keeps you drawn into the book and he makes very complicated plot lines and characters easy to understand and enjoy. "
— Erika, 12/2/2008" This book followed several of the cases of the LAPD's elite homicide squad. It's right up my alley! Highly recommend it, even if you're not into this kind of thing. "
— Emily, 10/11/2008" A great police book that conveys the daily drudgery of crime solving and the frustrations of working in a system where there isn’t enough money to hire experts or pay overtime. "
— Lizzie, 6/12/2008" In my secret inner life I am a homicide detective. "
— Corinna, 5/25/2008" Great book if you are interested in police/ homicide investigations. "
— Eric, 1/24/2008" Proof of why OJ cast a horrible light on LAPD homicide "
— Matt, 12/3/2007Miles Corwin a former staff reporter at the Los Angeles Times, is the author of The Killing Season and And Still We Rise. He lives in Los Angeles.
Jonathan Davis has been inducted into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame. A three-time recipient and fourteen-time nominee of the Audie Award, he has earned accolades for his narration from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, the American Library Association, Booklist, the Audio Publishers Association, AudioFile magazine, and USA Today. He has narrated a variety of bestsellers and award-winners for top publishing houses. He also narrated over forty titles of the Star Wars franchise for Lucasfilm Ltd./PRH Audio, including several iconic movie tie-ins, has participated with Star Wars Celebration, and has built a significant fan base. His work as a narrator includes films and programming for National Geographic Television, NOVA, PBS, VH1, and Francis Ford Coppola. He grew up in Puerto Rico and speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew.