A Decker/Lazarus Novel (Decker/Lazarus Novels) - The Theory of Death

As always, an excellent story from Mrs Kellerman. I cannot praise her Decker/Lazarus novels too highly. I have been buying them as soon as they are published ever since I read The Ritual Bath, and have never been disappointed. I only have one complaint, and that is that they don't appear often enough.

I find the more current Decker/Lazarus novels a bit less interesting than the older ones. I miss the LAPD characters and the children's exploits! Still enjoyed this newest offering, The Theory of Death.

Faye Kellerman has once again produced a thumping good read in her latest Decker/Lazarus tale. One of the criticisms I read before reading this book mentioned the overuse of Fourier analysis as part of the backstory. I did not find it at all intrusive, and urge anyone who enjoys Kellerman's stories to read this one without trepidation. Her explanation of Fourier algorithms is simple, easily understood (unlike the algorithms themselves!). My only reservation is the way the (possible) suicide of a character is dealt with throughout the majority of the book. However, she manages to pull off a "last minute" save in the closing chapter, and wraps up that part of the story satisfactorily, even though a bit too neatly. Does not spoil the plot or progression. I did begin to wonder if she is concerned about the problems that come with growing older. (Wonder if her husband voices complaints or is prickly about aging the way Peter is?)

In any event, the book is another triumph, could not put it down, and therefore I highly recommend it.

I have read all of the Decker/Lazarus novels. Over the last couple of years, I have seen a drastic change in Decker especially. He has lost his edge. I have worked with and for LE officers for over 40 years. I have NEVER seen or heard any Homicide Detective act like Decker did in this story. Any officer I have ever known would have set McAdams in his place immediately and would have never taken the BS he dished out. Nor would any officer have allowed his witnesses/suspects to lead the discussions or interviews, or make the decisions on when or if they ended. Neither would the Detective's wives have EVER been part of the investigation on ANY level. I get it that there should always be room for fictional creation but if you are going to write mysteries that involve main characters that hold a position in Law Enforcement you should try to keep them somewhat realistic.

About the middle of the book it bogged down with too much focus on Math...seriously, who cares what Fourier analysis or eigenvectors are? We didn't need to know that much and especially not the next third of the book. All in all, this just wasn't one of the best....a rather slow read, didn't hold my interest, boring more than not, and not much if any excitement. I really am getting tired of Decker and McAdams relationship and the Decker's taking in every stray they come across up to and including in this book, one of their initial suspects/witnesses. There is no chance any Law Enforcement agency or Officer would allow a suspect/witness to show up at their home and then take them in, let alone let them hang out with the family and go on road trips. Seriously, get real.....

Boring. Lots of wordy explanation for math theory ultimately resulting in ennui for all the characters. I finally scrolled to the end to wrap it up and found that I just didn't care what happened nor whodunit. Sorry to end the series on such a negative note.