L.A. Outlaws [Mass Market Paperback]

I'm a big fan of T. Jefferson Parker, but in his last two novels he seems to have changed his writing style for the worse. LA OUTLAWS is an entertaining, fast-paced romp of a book, but it isn't even remotely believable. While this short novel is certainly fun, it has a borderline silly quality, like a James Patterson potboiler.

Further, much of the nuanced characterization that Parker is well known for is absent here. The main character is more of a cartoon than a real person. She's amusing to read about, but I couldn't identify with her at all. As a result, I found this book less engaging than Parker's other work.

In short, LA OUTLAWS is worth reading, but it's far from Parker's best book. Personally, I strongly prefer Parker's earlier work, like SILENT JOE, THE FALLEN and CALIFORNIA GIRL, which had far more realistic plots and characters. Perhaps Parker is making some necessary concessions to the publishing marketplace, but I hope he returns to his earlier style of storytelling.

T. Jefferson Parker is an extraordinary writer. If you have not yet discovered his work, do yourself a favor and grab "Silent Joe", "California Girl", "Storm Runners", or start with "L.A. Outlaws"--I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. The rhythms of his writing are so subtly contagious that before you know it, time has melted away and you are 100 pages into the story.

Parker's work reflects spot-on character development and such stunning descriptions of Southern California locales that you immediately recognize the scenes if you have ever been there or feel like you are there even though you have never been there. He can certainly bring the gritty underbelly of LA to life while developing plotlines that never seem hackneyed or repeated. I always find refreshing nuances and new territory in a Parker novel.

In "L.A. Outlaws", the new territory includes a female protagonist who may or may not be a female Robin Hood character. Suzanne Jones is a school teacher and mother of three who lives near an indian reservation for her solitude, peace of mind, and privacy needed to cover her alter-ego, Allison Murietta. Suzanne claims to the media that she is a descendant of Joaquin Murrieta, a real life outlaw in California history who has been portrayed variously as a romantic Robin Hood character and as a murderous brigand.

In her Allison guise, replete with wig, deadly derringer, and fashionable mask, she holds up liquor stores, fast food establishments etc., and "boosts" high end automobiles for sale on the hot car international market. She is amassing quite a fortune but is quick to let the world know that she donates a significant part of her ill acquired gains to local charities. It seems Allison is bold enough to send filmed interviews and statements of her activities and plans to local media (and, by extension, to law enforcement). Additionally, she often "plays" to the security or bystander camera while being filmed in the commission of a crime. What is Suzanne's motivation for all this lawless behavior? Why does she tease the police and use the local media for her purposes?

Suzanne's games begin to falter when a planned diamond heist get sidetracked in a gun battle between rival L.A. gangs, the Asian Boyz and the deadly MS13. When Suzanne arrives at the scene, she finds 10 dead bodies and the missing diamonds. As she hurriedly escapes the area, she is spotted by Lupercio, a stone cold machete wielding killer who is the enforcer for his gangland boss, the Bull, who wants the stolen diamonds back. Lupercio gets a good look at Suzanne because she has been pulled over for speeding while leaving the scene of the massacre by sheriff's deputy Charlie Hood. Later, after discovering the grisly massacre, Charlie thinks she may be a witness to the crime.

This scenario sets in motion a chain of events that eventually sees Charlie and Suzanne engaged in a torrid affair, Lupercio closing in on Suzanne in his determined pursuit of the stolen diamonds, and Hood becoming more certain that Suzanne and Allison may be the same person. How does Charlie reconcile his passion for Suzanne with his deep sense of ethical behavior and honor? What does Suzanne ultimately want from Charlie?

Readers may initially be disconcerted by the multifaceted aspects of Suanne/Allison. She has never married, yet has 3 children by 3 different men...and lives with one of them while entering her intense affair with Charlie. She is a criminal, a tease, and not afraid to openly seduce Charlie. She flirts with her outlaw celebrity yet loves her family and does have principles. This reader fairly quickly warmed to her, however, and to the complex and tormented Charlie Hood. The fast paced action builds the suspense to an ultimately satisfying climax that leaves the reader breathless for more Parker.

It is so easy to be a criminal that everyone should do it. The main character, steals cars, shoplifts half the things she has, and sticks up 7-11's almost daily with never even a brush with the law. That is until a random cop sees her leaving the scene of a mass murder shootout where she steals a bag full of diamonds. Not to worry because he winds up loving her. Her personal life is actually a shambles but the author makes it sound happy and normal. Don't waste your time.