I usually agree with the Amazon reviewers, but not this time, so maybe it's just me. Lawrence was not a sympathetic character like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder or John Connelly's Charlie Parker. In fact, I can't think of one character in the book that I didn't think was a total loser, including the dog. Lawrence lies on a police report because he's convinced by the mayor and chief of police that it's the best thing for the town; of course, it doesn't hurt that he's being promised a promotion. From then on, he whines about his situation and is constantly asking for help or borrowing money from his semi-girlfriend who is annoying as he is. And then he wonders why his ex-wife won't let him see their little boy anymore.