Drew has blood underneath his nails, and no memory of what had happened in the previous twenty-four hours. He discovers that he is recovering from brain surgery performed to remove a tumor. The police are assuming that Drew has murdered Genevieve, a woman to whom he was once engaged. Because Drew has no memory of the previous day, he cannot say with certainty that he did not commit the crime, but he believes that he has been framed.

As luck would have it, the prosecuting attorney in the case is Katherine Harriman, an especially tenacious prosecutor. Drew's lawyer wants him to plead guilty by reason of insanity which he reluctantly does. The case is not over for Drew. He is positive he did not kill Genevieve and is determined to prove it. The method he chooses to prove he did not kill his ex-fiancee is simple. He will write a book about it. Through researching the book as he would for any novel, he will uncover the truth.

Hurwitz' novel incorporates the rough drafts of part of Drew’s manuscript. Preston, Drew’s editor, has made comments in the margins just as presumably Hurwitz' editor does for him. This process allows the reader a glimpse at the writing process for published authors. As Drew interviews people one learns how writers get the facts correct. How police interview people, what it is like to be an aspiring actor in California, details of forensic investigation, even a bit about brain surgery and tumors. Writer keep a cadre of sources to make sure the details of their story are an accurate representation of the real world.

The resolution of what Drew really did the night of Genevieve’s death, and subsequent charges hurled at him come at a price both to Drew and people close to him. It is not a scenario in which everyone lives happily ever after. Life deals some hard blows to most of the characters in this novel. How various people respond to difficulties provides life lessons as well as entertainment for the reader.

In some mystery novels, the setting is not of great importance. This novel exudes Los Angeles. The geography, terrain, the movie culture all play important roles in the plot. Hurwitz tosses off little gems like why palm trees not native to the area do so well in the city. He gives a realistic description of the life of a typical want-to-be actor. Acting would not be my first career choice. He appears brutally honest about the difficulties of writing as a career as well. Not only talent and luck, but also good marketing seem to be important to be a successful writer.

The Crime Writer is an outstanding read on several different levels. The plot itself is entertaining. It integrates the process of creative writing within the story. It expands knowledge of Los Angeles and the people that inhabit the city and its environs. It does all of the above in a novel way.

--Andy Plonka