Peak Picks & Reviews

Brothers and we still don’t look much alike. An old cop and an old reporter. There used to be four of us Becker boys. Raised some hell. Just three now. Introduction  T. Jefferson Parker’s California Girl is more than just a murder mystery; it’s a deeply moving story about family, change, and the challenges of doing the right thing in a world that’s rapidly shifting. Set in the late 1960s against the backdrop of Southern California’s citrus groves, the book combines the intrigue of a classic whodunit with a thoughtful look at the social upheavals of the era. Parker’s vivid prose and nuanced characters make this story both gripping and emotionally resonant, drawing readers into the sun-soaked yet shadowy world of Orange County. Synopsis  The story kicks off with a haunting discovery: the body of Janelle Vonn is found in the abandoned SunBlesst packinghouse. Her death becomes the center of a mystery that unravels through the perspectives of the Becker brothers—Nick, a cop; David,...

Eyes open, mouth shut. You might learn something. Introduction  T. Jefferson Parker’s novel, Silent Joe, stands out as an intricately layered crime thriller that is as much about the scars of the past as it is about the complexities of justice and identity. In this Edgar Award-winning novel, Parker crafts a compelling narrative around Joe Trona, a deputy sheriff with a haunting past and a unique, enigmatic demeanor that stems from severe childhood trauma. Set against the backdrop of Southern California's political and criminal landscapes, Silent Joe explores how one’s upbringing and relationships shape their path, revealing as much about personal resilience as it does about societal and moral decay. Synopsis  Silent Joe Trona, orphaned and scarred as a young child, was adopted by a wealthy and influential man named Will Trona. Raised in a home that encouraged discipline and inner strength, Joe became an exceptional, though reserved, individual who found solace in structure, lo...