I enjoyed that this book is set in my town, San Diego, and specifically in the southern border area where I grew up. The story was not all that compelling, mostly resolved due to the screwups by the loser miscreants, rather than solutions by the forces of good. Dunno if Wambaugh's other books are like that but he probably wouldn't have the reputation he has if they were. ( )

Just didn't get my attention. Stopped reading it ( )

I love the scene with the fruit knife. I believe I laughed for 15 minutes. But I used to be a sergeant in the Marines. Those who have not had that experience might not find the fruit-knife scene funny at all. Regardless of the readers' real-life experience, however, they're sure to find the rest of the book a highly entertaining and action-packed read. ( )

old detective (want to be actor) killing, toxic waste — good mystery

Seeking two truckers hauling a drum of lethal chemicals, San Diego detective Finbar Finnegan joins forces with two strong-willed female cops to investigate a deadly toxic waste scam.

Joseph Wambaugh's writing has changed. Finnegan's Week more resembles Carl Hiaasen. It's very cynical, filled with dark humor.

The plot's not terribly suspenseful: two truck drivers for a corrupt toxic waste hauler steal some shoes from a U.S. Navy warehouse to sell in Mexico. Their truck contains a fraudulently manifested drum of Guthion, a terribly toxic chemical that gets spilled and kills a child and another thief The owner of the waste disposal company, fearful that he will be caught for forging the manifest, plots to kill the employees after they threaten to blackmail him. In the meantime, two middle-aged detectives, one a San Diego cop and another an environmental crimes detective, and a U.S. Navy overactive female detective named Bobbie! (and nicknamed Bad Dog!) team up to solve the crime and their personal problems.

Wambaugh's middle-aged cynicism is fun. ( )