Grave on Grand Avenue

February 23, 2015
In Edgar-winner Hirahara’s delightfully original follow-up to 2014’s Murder on Bamboo Lane, Ellie Rush, an LAPD bicycle cop, is on routine patrol on Grand Avenue, near the Walt Disney Concert Hall, when gardener Eduardo Fuentes is critically injured after falling down a flight of outdoor stairs. Eduardo later dies in the hospital. His family accuses Fang Xu, the father of classical musician Xu, who had been performing at the Disney Concert Hall, of pushing Eduardo down the stairs. Fang claims he was trying to prevent Eduardo from stealing his son’s cello, worth $5 million. Xu is an international star of major importance to China. Although seasoned investigators soon supplant Ellie, she can’t help getting involved in the case. Meanwhile, she has her car stolen, helps bust a bicycle-theft ring, and hunts the elusive Old Lady Bandit. Readers will look forward to seeing more of the ambitious Ellie, who both impresses and frustrates her superiors. Agent: Allison Cohen, Gersh Agency.