What a disappointment. This would have made a tight, suspenseful short story, but is stretched way too thin to be a successful novel. Nearly a hundred pages given to a subplot involving a drug shootout and the neurotic exploits of a cop's wife? Come on, was that really necessary? This subplot has no bearing whatsoever on the remainder of the story. The plot was unfolding in Montana not in LA. No, it didn't even lend itself to advancing character development since the characters are very boring and stilted (Ed being the exception). I found myself skimming through much of the first half of the novel. I believe this book is a good example of cut-n-paste editing in order to meet a deadline.