L.A.Noir: The Lloyd Hopkins Trilogy - "Blood on the Moon", "Because the Night", "Suicide Hill" (Paperback)

If you are not familiar with James Ellroy it is worth noting that his prose style does not find universal favour. He writes in very short, punchy sentences - personally I find it an effective and entertaining style but it does irritate others.

It is interesting to note that in his introduction Ellroy claims that he wrote the second and third parts of the trilogy because after completing the first part he read Red Dragon by Thomas Harris which he acknowledges as a far superior book and felt he need to do better. On one level he is correct, Red Dragon is a superior book and Will Graham is a superior and more interesting 'hero'. However, he is harsh on himself - these are still very good books.

As is usual in Ellroy novels he concentrates on the psychological motivation of the main characters (sometimes, slightly simplistically, tying the whole personality back to a defining moment from childhood). Ellroy has the skill to carry this off and it works well (although he does flirt with caricature).

Overall, very good and certainly well worth reading although, in my opinion, not the place to start if you are new to Ellroy

It's just a shame that the concluding two thirds of the trilogy left me empty. For the character of Lloyd Hopkins, when it's bad it just keeps getting worse. The stories seems more fanciful and contrived, plot comes second to Hopkins. Hopkins problems drive the character, becoming more important than showing any real growth or development.

In the end I was disappointed, everything that marks Ellroy as one of the truely great crime writers is here, but the elemts just didn't end up working together. The experience hasn't stopped me reading Ellroy, or loving his work. This trilogy just ends up being below his usually high excellent standard.

The central protagonist, Lloyd Hopkins, is a flawed LA cop. The type of character seen so often in numerous made-for-TV cop films. The difference being that Hopkins as presented by Ellroy is one of the most believable, tarnished quasi anti-heroes of modern literature.

The world of the three books is the sort of bustling, big city where every dark corner hides a twisted character. Even the bit players are thoroughly memorable.

The stories themselves see Hopkins' character grow and alter in response to horrifying crimes and self-destructive personal decisions. Ellroy never ceases to provide a deft turn of plot or an unexpected denouement.

Fans of Thomas Harris will be surprised and impressed by the first story's take on a serial killer equally as chilling as a certain Doctor and many years his predecessor.

In summary: James Ellroy again proves he is the master of the dark crime story. Providing us with a morally chilled 80's LA and one of the strongest central characters in modern crime fiction.

A book (or three) that you won't put you down till the end. A noir masterpiece.