Sugar Skull

by Denise Hamilton

Book Overview

Denise Hamilton, whose phenomenal debut,The Jasmine Trade,was an Edgar Award finalist that Michael Connelly hailed as gripping...intriguing...more than a good crime novel," brings back her tenacious heroine, Eve Diamond, in an electrifying new novel of suspense.When a distraught father breaks past security to beg for her help,Los Angeles Timesreporter Eve Diamond can't refuse. His daughter, caught up in the rough "squatter" lifestyle, is missing --...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743482212
• ISBN13: 9780743482219
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Pocket Star Books
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Superb Story of Secrets and Clashing Worlds

Vincent Chevalier's upset. So upset that he barges into the Los Angeles Times office and begs reporter, Eve Diamond, to help him find his missing fifteen-year-old daughter, Isobel. After a quick background check, Eve cautiously follows Vincent to the squat his daughter's been known to frequent with a kid named Finch. They find Isobel's body, but there's no sign of Finch. Eve's sympathy for Chevalier, and the potential for a good story, prompt her to explore the world of homeless teens and the rich kids who hang with them. Eve's research leads her to one of Isobel's friends, Paolo, whose father is running for mayor. But the murder of Paolo's mother turns this subplot into an intriguing story itself. Eve's also been assigned to write an article about the Aguilar family who run a Mexican All-Star Rodeo. She winds up with more than she bargained for when Ruben Aguilar is shot and Eve becomes a little too involved with his brother, Silvio. Part of this novel focuses on the different ways family members cope with the sudden loss of loved one. But SUGAR SKULL is much more than this. It's a well-crafted, thought-provoking story about people, rich and poor, doing whatever it takes to get what they want, or need. Author, Denise Hamilton, does a terrific job of showing us what happens when the worlds of rich and poor collide. One of the most striking aspects of this book is that every character, including Eve, is far from perfect. The question becomes what price do they pay for exposing these darker traits? To find out, read this superb novel.

engaging investigative tale

Los Angeles Times reporter is working on the weekend homicide count when a flustered angry man races into the newsroom accusing the cops of indifference towards the disappearance of his daughter. To calm the father Vincent down, reporter Eve Diamond agrees to make inquiries into the vanishing of Isabel Chevalier.However, as Eve starts looking into the disappearance and finishing her cataloguing the thirty plus known murders, the killing murder of socialite Dellaviglia Langdon sends shockwaves throughout the city. Dellaviglia's spouse Carter is running for mayor and his wife's body floating in her pool provide him a tremendous lift towards winning the race. Overnight he has become the overwhelming favorite as everyone sympathizes with the grieving politician. That is everyone except Eve who via a pair of Speedo sees links to the promise she made to the distraught father and to another dead person that leads to corruption at the highest level of the city and could change the dynamics of the mayoral race.This is an engaging investigative tale that displays how a high profile case can overwhelm anything else on the plate. The store line is very invigorating as Eve paints a vivid but somewhat ugly picture of the mean streets of Los Angeles that interconnect. Eve makes the tale work as she tries to clean up her home city even when her bosses, the police, and the mayor demand she back off.Harriet Klausner

Excellent! Fabulous writing!

I, too, could not put this book down. Ms. Hamilton's writing style (one of the best), coupled with the great plot and interesting descriptions of Los Angeles (I also live in the L.A. area) were great. I look forward to reading much more of Eve Diamond's adventures.

I couldn't put this one down!

I'm not a big reader of mystery novels, especially American mysteries, but I will always read Hamilton's works because I believe in supporting local writers. Eve Diamond's home is just over the hill from me, and Hamilton writes of areas that are all too familiar to me. I think this is why I loved this novel; you can relate so readily to its familiar suroundings. The Jasmine Trade was good, but this novel is far more accomplished and much more intricately plotted, also, you'll just never guess how the murder mystery plays out. Los Angeles is portrayed as a city so diverse, and so disparate in so many ways. And Hamilton has such an indelible handle on what makes Los Angeles "tick" as a city. I'm looking forward to reading some more adventures of Eve Diamond, for Hamilton has created an exciting, passionate and gutsy protagonist.An entertaining and very enjoyable read!Michael

Great addition to this series!

Denise Hamilton takes you on an extraordinary ride through Los Angeles from its seamy underside to the opulent estates, into the territory of WASPs and yuppies and on east to the teaming streets of the Latinos. It is evident that Hamilton knows these streets well and she can turn a phrase equally as well. For this trip alone 'Sugar Skulls' is worth your time. Hamilton has also created an astute and gritty protagonist in Eve Diamond the LA Times investigative reporter we first met in 'Jasmine Trade'and her story which ties together three unrelated deaths that occur in the one weekend is suspenseful and compelling.In addition to the murders she must resolve Eve is caught up in the sordid underground lives of street kids, in particular one lost girl, Scout, whom she befriends and the wealthy teenagers who enable them. She is also attracted to the Latino businessman whose brother's death may be the connection to the other murders. Hamilton's understanding of investigative procedure and her care in detailing Eve's complex background and personality make this story fascinating and enjoyable.