Shane, the protagonist of this story, appears in other Cannell novels, and he's as good as any I've read. He's gritty, full of human foibles and just like life, he doesn't always come out on the other side unscathed. In Vertical Coffin, Shane gets the job of re-investigating the murder of a Sheriff's deputy who takes a bullet in the doorway (vertical coffin) of a home while serving a warrant. During this riveting ride through the alaphabet soup of ATF, LAPD, LASD, IAD, SRT, SEB, etc. we follow Shane as he starts at the beginning, the way he was taught by Jigsaw John, following the evidence trail. His temprorary partner, a good looking blonde named Jo, fights him most of the way. Finally, Jo, who hasn't worked many homicides but has good instincts, decides to follow Shane's lead.

As they make their way through the rubble of the first crime scene, a burnt out house; and through the rubble of life, they begin to trust each other and earn each other's respect. This leads them to discover that the perp isn't dead and puts them on the roller coaster ride that can only end in death, destruction, pain, and victory for many of the players. And, believe me, there are a lot of players in this novel. You'll have to read this thriller to find out who dies, who's wounded and how coming out on the other side isn't always the best deal. Cannell has a fine ear for gritty dialgoue and plot twisters. Never knowing exactly where you're headed, you'll follow Shane through a fast paced storyline full of flesh outed characters, family dynamics, and enough plot twists to keep you on edge. You won't want to put this one down til you know how it ends and yet you'll also not want it to end. As in real life, solving the case doesn't always bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction but it can bring growth and reflection. This book crackles with suspense and personality and Cannell doesn't take shortcuts--the mark of a true storyteller who seems to really enjoy his craft.

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