LAPD homicide detective David Eric Laine and his temporary partner Detective Jairo Garcia Hernandez are trying to solve the murder of a pregnant woman. When another and then another are found, they know something more sinister is at play. Jairo is eager to prove himself as a rookie detective and eager to get into David’s bed too. Trouble is brewing at home with his lover, Christopher Bellamere, and David is ashamed to admit that Jairo is a temptation. David’s plate is full trying to solve the murders while keeping Jairo’s advances at bay and keeping Chris from leaving him.

The tension and distance between David and Chris grows steadily in LA Boneyard,  along with the mystery of the murders and Jairo’s not so unrequited interest in David. Jairo is bold and persistent and while David is a big boy who should and does hold himself accountable for his actions, I still found myself growling a little every time Jairo so much as talked to David.  I grew increasingly more nervous with every page, hoping Jairo would back off and David would not let his wayward thoughts become actions. Jairo might be a good cop, but he isn’t a very good man and I resented him for the guilt David felt at the end.  P.A. Brown is an excellent storyteller. Her attention to detail and terrific characterization make her stories come to life. The graphic, edgy details of the crimes David solves and the gritty reality of being a homicide detective in dark streets of LA are riveting. While the angst nearly kills me, I can’t get enough of the LA series or P.A. Brown’s writing.