A resident of one of LA’s toughest neighborhoods uses his blistering intellect to solve the crimes the LAPD ignores. East Long Beach. The LAPD is barely keeping up with the neighborhood’s high crime rate. Murders go unsolved, lost children unrecovered. But someone from the neighborhood has taken it upon himself to help solve the cases the police can’t or won’t touch. They call him IQ. He’s a … They call him IQ. He’s a loner and a high school dropout, his unassuming nature disguising a relentless determination and a fierce intelligence. He charges his clients whatever they can afford, which might be a set of tires or a homemade casserole. To get by, he’s forced to take on clients that can pay.
This time, it’s a rap mogul whose life is in danger. As Isaiah investigates, he encounters a vengeful ex-wife, a crew of notorious cutthroats, a monstrous attack dog, and a hit man who even other hit men say is a lunatic. The deeper Isaiah digs, the more far reaching and dangerous the case becomes.
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Isaiah Quintabe is a young man of considerable intelligence who lives in East Long Beach and provides investigative services to his community. In the debut, IQ is called upon to find out who is trying to kill a reclusive rap star. The story is expertly crafted, the characters crisp and believable, the dialogue sharp. It’s a smooth read from beginning to end. I am now the devoted fan of the author and will be on the lookout for his next book.
I adored the main character in this book — a month after reading this book I am still worried about him. This is a wonderfully different mystery.
I listened to this book in audio and didn’t want it to end. Fantastic world building, a unique main character, and incredible writing made this an entertaining, memorable read. I can’t wait for more books from Joe Ide.