California Bear: A Novel

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 207 ratings

Price: 19.1

Last update: 12-01-2024


About this item

This "fresh, exciting, and brilliantly unpredictable" thriller (James Patterson) from a "great storyteller" (Michael Connelly) follows four unlikely vigilantes who pit themselves against the villain behind California’s coldest case when they decide to take justice into their own hands.

NONE OF YOU ARE SAFE

“KILLER”: Jack Queen has been exonerated and freed from prison thanks to retired LAPD officer Cato Hightower. But when guilt gnaws at Jack, he admits: “I actually did it.” To which Hightower responds: “Yeah, no kidding.” You see, the ex-cop has a special job in mind for the ex-con…

THE GIRL DETECTIVE: Fifteen-year-old Matilda Finnerty has been handed a potential death sentence in the form of a leukemia diagnosis. But that’s not going to stop her from tackling the most important mystery of her life: Is her father guilty of murder?

GENE JEANIE: Jeanie Hightower mends family trees for a living, but the genealogist is unable to repair her own marriage. And her soon-to-be ex may have entangled her in a scheme that has drawn the bloody wrath of…

THE BEAR: A prolific serial killer who disappeared forty years ago, who is only now emerging from hibernation when the conditions are just right. And this time, the California Bear is not content to hunt in the shadows…

From two-time Edgar nominee Duane Swierczynski, California Bear is clever, moving, and surprising as it takes aim at the true crime industry, Hollywood, justice, and the killers inside us all.


Top reviews from the United States

Richard B. Schwartz
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect winter read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
Duane Swierczynski is incapable of writing a dull book. He is one of the most imaginative, clever and quirky writers working the crime field. In this case, he began with plans to write a sendup of true crime books, but the book developed with his personal experience with the illness of his daughter and he ended up with a dark comedy in the lighter Elmore Leonard vein.

There is a small handful of major characters: a man who has just been released from prison for a crime he did not commit (or did he?); the ex-cop who helped him get released; his (the killer’s) teen-aged daughter who is in the hospital being treated for leukemia (who wishes to become a crime detective); the ex-cop’s wife who does ancestry searches; and last but not least, the title character—a serial killer who is suddenly active again after decades of inactivity. And since this is L.A. there is a producer who has the Bear’s story in development (with hopes of utilizing the skills of the other central characters).

The perfect person to turn this putative stew into a confection is DS. Now living in southern California, DS knows the turf and utilizes the setting to great advantage. The characters are a yeasty mix, the theme of family and its importance is an eternal one, and the plot moves gingerly, with 3-5 pp. chapters and quick cuts between the doings of the principal characters.

This is just what I needed as the gray skies bestow a wintry mix and top flight crime writing is in relatively short supply. Five stars; enjoy it.
Lisa X
4.0 out of 5 stars More than I bargained for
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024
Not what I was expecting in this thrilling book. I was surprised multiple times while listening to this. At first I was not liking the way the author referred to the characters but after a while I got it. This is a twisty story but it is wildly entertaining as well. The characters are easily likable(most anyway) but some I just don’t understand their way of thinking. The narrative was well done and enjoyable to listen to.
Richard Drubel
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
Couldn’t put it down. If we are lucky this is the start of a new series set in LA. The girl detective is inspired by the author’s late daughter. She is a wonderful, captivating character who absolutely shines in this novel. So many twists and turns, my neck hurts. Welcome to the Swierczynskiverse, West Coast style! Can’t wait for the next installment.
The Literati List
3.0 out of 5 stars Serial killer thriller
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024
In this thriller an ex-cop, his genealogist wife, an ex-con, and his amateur sleuth daughter team up to try to find the legendary serial killer The California Bear, who got his name dressing up as a bear and slashing at his victims with a clawed bear paw glove. Suspense and plot twists ensue as the chapters rotate POV between several characters.

This is a typical thriller and I think fans of that genre will enjoy this book. However, the rotating POV makes it difficult to settle into any one character and leaves them all lacking depth, but it does work as a good plot device. The ending is a twist, but one I felt was fairly predictable. So while I found this an entertaining read overall, I wasn't wowed.

I would still recommend for any thriller fans looking for another serial killer fix.
Customer image
The Literati List
3.0 out of 5 stars Serial killer thriller
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024
In this thriller an ex-cop, his genealogist wife, an ex-con, and his amateur sleuth daughter team up to try to find the legendary serial killer The California Bear, who got his name dressing up as a bear and slashing at his victims with a clawed bear paw glove. Suspense and plot twists ensue as the chapters rotate POV between several characters.

This is a typical thriller and I think fans of that genre will enjoy this book. However, the rotating POV makes it difficult to settle into any one character and leaves them all lacking depth, but it does work as a good plot device. The ending is a twist, but one I felt was fairly predictable. So while I found this an entertaining read overall, I wasn't wowed.

I would still recommend for any thriller fans looking for another serial killer fix.
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Customer image
Carolyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-moving, enthralling story
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
I’m a true crime fan, but I hardly ever read fiction. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I really enjoyed it. The characters came to life and the story moved right along. What made it special was the characters themselves—from the heartwarming dad-daughter couple to the take-no-BS genealogist to the absolutely horrid antagonist. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
M Dodds
4.0 out of 5 stars Unpredictable Serial Killer Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
This was an entertaining and unpredictable thriller. I loved the premise and the characters. My favorite was the relationship between Matilda and Jack. It was fast paced and humorous at times.
Tina
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read that kept you from putting book down
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
My cousin David Peterson recommended the book knowing i like suspense. Never telling me his name would be be in the end as someone thanked. The story was funny as well suspenseful. Hard to put down. Loved it from beginning to end!
DK
4.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood and the Serial Killer
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024
California Bear is a fun send up of the true crime dramas that showcases a savvy and critically ill nearly 15 year old girl- The Girl Detective, her father The Killer, The Bear (the real Killer), and the genealogist, Gene Jeanie. There is a madcap adventure quality about this very serious topic of serial killers and victims.
Snappy and sarcastic dialogue, quick chapters, and funny scenarios propels the reader along this journey to find the serial killer that appears to be active again after a 40 year hiatus. Why is The Bear active again? And who would profit from his activities? All reasonable questions but when living in California and near Hollywood, specifically, there is always money to be made from someone's pain.

Reading the author's Afterword brings the whole book into perspective and my hats off to his being able to bring this tale to completion. I can see California Bear being adapted as a series on Netflix or HULU, a modern take on Get Shorty, if you will.

Thank you to Novel Suspects and Mulholland Books for an early copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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