This book is set in the late 70's Los Angeles real-estate scene, and Jacobs does an amazing job of writing you right into the scene. You can almost smell the ashtrays and upholstery in the old cars and offices. His work in writing the story of Richard and Jerry made it feel like it was happening right now in your living room, and not some bygone era. The secondary "cast of characters" almost defies reality in their absolute caricature of bad-guy-ness, and I laughed out loud several times at the totally crazy schemes and ineptitude of the players. If this book had been sold as a fiction crime-noir/dark comedy I think it would have been just as easily believed!
*Spoilers ahead!* I think that where the story goes a little off, in my opinion, is after Garrett gets charged with murder and the trial starts. It turns more from being a story into being an informational writing. The author seemed to insert his opinions more, and it felt a little biased. Obviously, it is part of the story that is relevant, you couldn't just leave it out, but the writing felt a little more mechanical in this section, and tempered some of the enjoyment of the book.
*Spoilers ahead!* I think that where the story goes a little off, in my opinion, is after Garrett gets charged with murder and the trial starts. It turns more from being a story into being an informational writing. The author seemed to insert his opinions more, and it felt a little biased. Obviously, it is part of the story that is relevant, you couldn't just leave it out, but the writing felt a little more mechanical in this section, and tempered some of the enjoyment of the book.