I have a real soft spot for IQ. He's a product of his tough LA neighborhood who is haunted by his older brother's death and determined to find out why his brother died. In this second installment of what I hope is a long series, IQ closes in on what happened to his brother while also trying to protect the family of the woman both he and his brother loved. Mayhem, a minor gang war, and a budding maturity on IQ's part ensue.

Joe Ide's follow up to last year's breakout debut IQ is a knockout. Long Beach's own Sherlock Holmes, IQ as he is known, solves crimes in his downtrodden neighborhood. Missing cats, stolen jewelry seem to be his specialty. In this latest book, alternating chapters have IQ looking into the murder of his older brother who, eight years ago, was run over by a car in a hit and run as well as helping his late brother's girlfriend's sister get out of a complicated caper in Las Vegas. Full of wit, fast pacing, and great dialogue, Righteous is one of my favorite books this year.