Nalven’s debut, thirty years in the crafting, offers a compelling exploration of a homicide detective’s life and work, as Rafael Mikozy—a man of complex heritage surprised when anyone pronounces his name correctly—investigates a series of deaths connected to a mysterious poison or toxin, alongside a young professor, Lisa Liu-Smythe, in a diverse and vividly drawn Los Angeles. Poisonade’s streets abound with Chinese tacos, multi-lingual street signs that are “a kaleidoscope of history,” mysterious businesses whose sources of profit are stubbornly unclear, and nostalgic cafes whose old-Hollywood celebrity iconography suggests “the new paganism” and the impulse to “bend your knees and pray to LA.” As he struggles to find time to read a seemingly crucial manuscript provided by Deputy Inspector Tomlinson, Mikozy and medical examiner Leslie Cianfrancuso (LC) face military interest in the case, and Nalven explores Mikozy's introspective moments, delving into his past and his contemplations on race, society, and the challenges of police work.

The plot turns on Mikozy—”that crazy street philosopher who knows way too much to be a cop”—uncovering the existence of an AI known as Distributed Integrated Terminal (DIT) and facing layered questions about the influence of Artificial Intelligence on law enforcement. As the case becomes a matter of national security, Nalven immerses readers into Mikozy's world, expertly balancing the complexities of forensic work with personal and professional challenges, plus surprises like the work of Jack London playing a key role. The author maintains narrative authenticity by engaging Mikozy in a myriad of tasks alongside the main investigation, attentive to Los Angeles streets, people, and the city’s history and restless, ever-shifting present.

That literary richness means that readers eager for procedural thrills may find the pace (and occasional page-long paragraphs) frustrating. But Nalven’s literary mystery smartly weaves together elements of romance, culture, and striking insights into technology, police work, and the city in which Mikozy was raised, with ample interest and empathy for a sweeping supporting cast.

Takeaway: Vivid, literary L.A. mystery plunging into a changing city’s heart.

Comparable Titles: David L. Ulin’s Thirteen Question Method, Naomi Hirahara’s Summer of the Big Bachi.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-