Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"California Bear" by Duane Swierczynski is a gripping thriller that delves into the heart of the true crime genre, offering a fresh and compelling narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The novel follows four unlikely vigilantes on a quest for justice, intertwining their lives with the enigmatic and chilling figure of a serial killer who has haunted California for decades.

The story opens with Jack Queen, a man recently exonerated and freed from prison, grappling with the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future. His path crosses with Cato Hightower, a retired LAPD officer with a plan that could either redeem them both or plunge them further into darkness. Meanwhile, Matilda Finnerty, a fifteen-year-old girl battling leukemia, embarks on a personal mission to unravel the mystery of her father's alleged crimes, only to find herself entangled in the hunt for the notorious California Bear.

Swierczynski masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the pursuit of a cold-blooded killer as it is about the exploration of the human condition. The characters are richly developed, each with their own demons and desires, driving the story forward with a sense of urgency and depth. The novel's commentary on the true crime industry, Hollywood, and the concept of justice adds layers of complexity to an already intricate plot.

The pacing of "California Bear" is relentless, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Swierczynski's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a sun-soaked California that hides its shadows just beneath the surface. The book is a testament to the author's ability to weave together suspense, emotion, and social commentary into a seamless and riveting read.

"California Bear" is a standout thriller that entertains and challenges its readers to consider the implications of our fascination with true crime. It's a story of redemption, resilience, and the enduring quest for truth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Swierczynski has delivered a novel that is sure to resonate with the reader.

Finished reading in printed copy. I bought this when it came out as I lost track of time on this arc. It was a fun read with engaging characters and a good pacing on the plot. The rotating perspective was a great framing device.

Told from multiple viewpoints as the serial killer known as the California Bear appears to be active again. Jack Queen has just been released from prison for a wrongful conviction, despite having actually committed the crime, and he's dragged into retired officer Hightower's plans to uncover the California Bear who appears to be passing on his killing methods. Meanwhile, Jack's daughter Matilda has been living with her aunt and uncle and was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. While she's unsure about how her life will change with her dad being back, she is determined to help keep him out of the trouble he seems to have fallen into. Overall, an interesting mystery as the different viewpoints come together to solve who the killer is. The characters were the strong point of this book as they are each distinct and it leads them into some humorous situations.

If something is too good to be true, well guess what … it probably is. But ex-con Jack Queen, released for a murder that … yes … he actually committed, is grateful to retired LAPD officer Cato Hightower for all the time and energy he spent working on Jack’s case. The whole case hinged on one piece of physical evidence, and after the “expert witness” was “publicly exposed as a fraud (and a cokehead)” Hightower popped up, took on the case, and Jack’s conviction was overturned. Jack thinks the pay-off for Hightower will be a split of the “wrongful conviction settlement,” close to 73K–a sum he’ll get for spending all those years behind bars for a crime he now walks away from. But he’s wrong, Hightower’s plans for ‘repayment’ are far more complicated.

In the years since Jack’s incarceration, his daughter, fifteen-year-old Matilda Finnerty “the girl detective” has been living with her aunt and uncle, and Matilda has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukemia. From her hospital bed, she researches cold cases after promising her English teacher that “she’d solve a murder.” Meanwhile the 72-year-old serial killer named “The California Bear,” who has “eluded justice for close to four decades,” is growing restless.

Here are the main characters:

Cato Hightower, retired LAPD

Ex-con Jack Queen

Martha Finnerty, 15 years old and faced with a devastating diagnosis.

The California Bear–a sadistic serial killer who has maintained a life of “strict disciplined restraint,” but whose appetites can no longer be controlled (reminds me of BTK).

The California Bear’s wife–aka “The Queen of Mars” (according to her husband.) Her main aim in life is to hide the Nutter Butter cookies from her murdering diabetic spouse.

Jeanie Hightower, a genealogist.

I really had fun with the way the author created Hightower and the California Bear, both men who are anchored by their wives in very different ways. While The California Bear has “death fantasies” about torturing and murdering his wife, Hightower is in awe of his missus. Also there’s Jack, the ex-con who once out of prison just wants peace and quiet while Hightower smokes weed, boozes, and eats junk food. As is typical Swierczynski, there are twists and turns that you don’t see coming. If you are a fan of Westlake, then you should be a fan of Swierczynski.

Jack looked into the ex-cop’s eyes. “I did it.”

Hightower’s brow furrowed. “Come again?”

“I don’t mean to cast aspersions on all your detective work, or whatever paint-chip bullshit you pulled out of your ass. The last thing I want to do is insult you.”

“No insult taken.”

“But I did it.”

“Did what?”

“Did … it.”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“For fuck’s sake Hightower … I actually killed the guy they say I killed. I got drunk and heard where he was, and I ran him over with my car.”

“Yeah,” Hightower replied. “Of course you did. What, you think I’m an idiot.”

There’s an afterword in which Swierczynski explains the genesis of the novel and its touching, personal connections to his life. With this novel, Swierczynski took his considerable gifts, creating an ending that should have been. To quote C.S. Lewis “You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Review copy.

This was an entertaining and unpredictable thriller. I loved the premise and the characters. My favorite component of the book was the relationship between Matilda and Jack It was fast paced and at times humorous!

I enjoyed this book. There's some humor, some good mystery, and a twist and turn in there I didn't expect. I thought the characters were easy to like, even the screw-ups, and I kind of want to read more of their adventures. If this ended up being the start of a series, I'd be game to sign up for at least another go-round. I don't think there was anything mind-blowing in the book, but it's a a fun, quick read. It's a solid 3.5 stars from me.

CALIFORNIA BEAR is everything readers have come to expect from a Duane Swierczynski novel. It’s a wild ride packed with twists and supercharged with heart. Musician Jack Queen has recently been sprung from prison on a murder charge thanks to crusading ex-cop Cato Hightower. Problem #1: Jack actually did it. Problem #2: Hightower knows it and doesn’t care, because he wants to rope Jack into another scheme. Bringing us to Problem #3: the titular serial killer, lumbering out a long hibernation to strike again. But Jack is distracted by the biggest problem of all: his brilliant fifteen-year-old daughter, dedicated to proving her old man’s innocence, has been diagnosed with leukemia. Swierczynski takes aim at a deserving target, the true-crime industrial complex. He does so in a tale steeped in L.A. atmosphere and bristling with “Wait, WHAT?” moments. More impressively, Swierczynski created this book out of a heartbreaking loss, which he writes about movingly in the afterword. CALIFORNIA BEAR makes for an unlikely and winning tribute.

I absolutely loved this book! The multiple POVs, morally gray characters, and West Coast setting combined together made for one wild vigilante story. I specifically liked how the individual POVs intertwined with one another as the story went on, and I really felt connected to these characters over time.

Highly recommend to fans of true crime & thrillers!

Please check trigger warnings for this one, as there are a handful of topics some readers may be sensitive towards.

Thank you to the author, @novelsuspects and netgalley for my e-copy of this novel to read and honestly review!

A fun, fast read, with punchy characters, terrific pacing, and tone-perfect humor. I might ding it an eighth of a star for flagging a little at the mid-ish point, when the plot takes a hard left turn, and another eighth for an essentially incompetent villain, but the heartfelt and utterly satisfying ending would make that stingy. Great read.

This book was a wild and enjoyable ride! I appreciated the funny moments and the opportunity to read about different types of characters. While the short chapters added to the propulsive feel of it all, at a certain point each plot pivot started to feel like the author being like "but what if THIS unexpected thing happened?!?!" in a way that felt a little Writing 101 to me; there are only so many crazy new sudden challenges you can throw at a character before it starts to feel like the Plot needs to take a breather. And although I see what Swierczynski was going for in terms of commentary on the modern true crime industry, it felt like those themes were sort of danced around without ever truly tackling them head-on.

Despite these quibbles I did find a lot to love about this book, and I would in fact go to war for the Girl Detective. If you can get through the afterword without crying you're a stronger person than me.

My thanks to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was really great -- excellent combination of the world of true crime, a noir-feeling protagonist (ex-con/jazz musician trying to provide for his sick daughter, teaming up with a corrupt(ish?) alcoholic ex-cop). The children's hospital scenes felt realistic to me, so did the LA traffic and the crime solving genealogist, and the teenage sleuth was kind of like a hacker version of Veronica Mars (or maybe Nancy Drew moved to the 21st century). Don't skip the Afterword.

I loved this fast-paced L.A. thriller. It was told by four different main characters in alternating short chapters, which held my interest and made the pages zoom by.

The storyline is about a serial killer that was active in the 1970s but was never caught. There is also a true crime series in the works in Hollywood about the serial killer, a "wrongly" accused killer just released from prison, a retired cop and his ex-wife who does genealogy research, and a newly diagnosed young girl with leukemia.

All of these pieces fit together into a compelling story that was great fun to read. I highly recommend it. I enjoyed it so much that I downloaded two of the author's other books to read - Canary and Revolver. I hope I like them as much.

I received this book from Mulholland Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.

I’m only two books into 2024 and, y’all this year is starting off with a BANG. My true crime loving heart could not have been more pleased to devour this!!! And devour it, I did!

What a fun, unique story this is! I absolutely love how it’s written. Short, engaging chapters that followed all of the main players. I love how well this pulled off having multiple points of view and picked the most interesting characters to lead us on this journey (my favs were definitely Matilda and Jeanie).

The middle was definitely my favorite bit. There’s a section around the 50% mark that was WILD (but also had me cackling???) What I loved most about this was that it very much felt like a true crime read but also had a great little comedy streak!

Overall, this was a wild, fun time! I really, really enjoyed this concept and the execution was flawless!! And after that ending, I would love to revisit this world and follow Matilda and Jeanie on more adventures! (Can this be a series please????)

And if you do pick this up, please read the author’s note at the end. What a touching tribute this was to a life lost too soon </3

Could not recommend this more highly! If you love a good mystery/thriller, please pick this up!! This was an excellent read to kick off the year!

And thank you to Novel Suspects, Mulholland Books & Net Galley for allowing me to read this gem!

California Bear by twice Edgar-nominated Duane Swierczynski is my first of Swierczynski’s books, but it won't be my last. I can't wait to read everything he’s written. The mystery begins when Jack Queen, who’s served ten years in prison for a supposed revenge killing of running over a man implicated in Queen’s wife's death, is released from prison. Cato Hightower, a wild ex-cop, spearheaded the effort to overturn Jack’s conviction and Hightower expects Queen to reward him by helping him blackmail the infamous “California Bear.”

The book begins with the Bear himself ruminating:
“The California Bear, a serial torturer-murderer who had eluded justice for close to four decades, wanted a cookie.

He really shouldn't. Not with the diabetes and all. And he knew his wife would kill him if she found out he had raided her secret stash. But what was life without the little indulgences?

The man was seventy-two years old. Back when he was the Bear, he liked to bind his victims with ligatures he found around their homes (extension cords, shoe laces, medical tubing) and beat them senseless with his meaty fists. But right now, all this man cared about was pushing aside the rows of grease-flecked cookbooks on the top shelf over the fridge to gain access to the motherlode: a family-size package of Nutter Butters—his wife’s favorite.”

Jack Queen’s only desire is to see his fourteen-year-old daughter Matilda who’s in the hospital after recently being diagnosed with leukemia. Matilda, a genius who refers to herself as “The Girl Detective,” doesn't know if her dad is a killer:
“And when the Girl Detective looked him in the eyes in a couple of days, she would ask him the question she’d been too young (and too frightened) to ask at the time of his trial:
Did you do it?
To truly believe him, however, and repair their fractured relationship, the Girl Detective would have to discover the truth for herself.”
Queen and Hightower are inept blackmailers and the California Bear seems likely to escape their “gang that can't shoot straight” attempts to get the money Hightower thinks the Bear possesses until a twist that only someone with Swierczynski’s talent and creativity could imagine takes place.

Each character in this tour de force is unique, entertaining, and like no other you've encountered. This phenomenal, intelligent mystery has enough plot twists, engaging characters, and “aha” moments filled with both compassion and desert-dry humor to please even the most discerning reader. And that ending: it's clever, kind, and exceptional. I’m begging Mr. Swierczynski for a sequel with Matilda in the starring role.

Rating: 5 Stars

Publication Date: January 9, 2024
Category: Fiction, Five Stars, Mysteries and Thrillers, Sushi with Green Tea Sorbet, Book Club
Author Blog: http://secretdead.blogspot.com/
What Others are Saying:

Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/california-bear-1802499
Publishers Weekly: http://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316382977
“This book was written straight from the heart and I won't ever forget it.” Eli Cranor, author of Don’t Know Tough and Ozark Dogs

I was so happy to see Duane return to novel work and this blew away even my highest expectations. I could feel the ache in his soul coming through those pages and just every note of it was pitch perfect.

I’m impressed, proud, awed, and excited by this book and I hope only good things happen with it.

Thank you to Novel Suspects and Mulholland books for the early review copy of California Bear. This was a strong read for me, an intriguing plot focused on a range of themes that will resonate with many readers: justice/vigilante themes, shifting themes on innocence and guilt, examination of the at times problematic fascination (or at least wrong emphasis) associated with true crime, and interwoven themes on the pursuit of answers to a long lingering predator case. A delightful range of characters, a general sense of fun despite the dark topic, a great father/daughter team, and a sense of appreciation for some tropes in cold case type stories as well as a commentary on true crime and internet sleuths.

What worked for me were a lot of these themes, I really enjoyed the scope of the story and the goals Swierczynski has for readers with the plot and themes. It's a win in terms of potential for thoughtful book discussions! My one reservation is a style one, multiple short chapter POVs sometimes work for me and other times don't... this was a case of it working less for me because I am a reader who likes to get into a story/plot, to get to know characters and short chapters make it harder for me to get into a rhythm of a book like this. I stuck with it though for the themes and overall I got into the story and the characters, it turned out to be a surprise win for me!

This book is unique in some of the best of ways. The author takes the serial killer novel and turns it on its head. He gives you the suspenseful thriller you would expect while giving you hilariously and sometimes tragically flawed characters, dark humor, and plot twists that keep you on your toes. You may think you know what’s going to happen, but you’re probably wrong. Part thriller, touch of detective, and a good amount of dark humor is a great combo here. Definitely worth a read.

In Duane Swierczynski's heart-pounding thriller 'California Bear,' none of you are safe as an exonerated convict, a determined girl detective, a struggling genealogist, and a chilling serial killer converge in a deadly dance of justice, redemption, and revenge. Brace yourself for a relentless narrative where confessions lead to chaos, leukemia diagnosis fuels a teenage sleuth's pursuit of truth, and a long-dormant predator, the California Bear, emerges from the shadows. In a tale where innocence and guilt collide, Swierczynski delivers a gripping rollercoaster of suspense, family drama, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Hold tight; this is a ride you won't forget.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mulholland Books for this advanced copy

I've been a fan of Swierczynski’s work for some time — I’m more familiar with his comics work than his prose, but I was nevertheless very much looking forward to reading California Bear. The publisher was kind enough to send me an early DRC of the novel, and it was my final read of 2023. It’s an intriguing serial killer mystery with a difference, and I very much enjoyed it.

California Bear takes clear aim at the true crime industry, Hollywood, and the American justice system — critiquing each of these to paint a pretty bleak picture of human nature. That being said, though, the unusual cast of protagonists end up being a beacon of light in this otherwise askew world — each in their own way, they are heroes who battle against great odds to tease out just a bit of justice.

Jack “Killer” Queen has just been released from prison, sprung due to a technicality. He’s now tied to Cato Hightower, a retired LAPD detective who has decided to dedicate his life to seeking justice for those who somehow dodged it. While Jack, a former jazz pianist, is pretty levelheaded and sensible (aside from a little bit of a rage issue), Cato has quite a few screws loose, while simultaneously nurturing his alcoholism with gusto. Matilda “Girl Detective” Queen, Jack’s daughter, has just been diagnosed with leukaemia, and spends the whole novel at LA’s Children’s Hospital. Despite this, though, the precocious teenage (almost 15, as she’s keen to remind many) is integral to the story and plot as it develops. As it turns out, Matilda is quite the sleuth, and has been looking into her father’s case, convinced he did not do what he was incarcerated for. Matilda is also the best character in the novel, with some of the best lines (especially when she’s talking to Cato). Along the way, Jack and Cato pick up a couple of other allies, each of which adds nicely to the story. It’s clear quite quickly that Swierczynski has a gift for writing characters, and each of them feels well-rounded and realistic, while not devolving into clichés (Hightower could have been a disaster, but there’s some nuance and sympathy for him, too).

While the protagonists are trying to navigate their various trials and challenges, Swierczynski also gives readers a pretty sinister antagonist: the titular “California Bear”. But who is he? Why did he stop his predations decades ago? Is he a solo killer, or does he work with someone else? And why is there a sudden resurgence in interest in the case?

Like many crime/mystery novels today, California Bear has plenty to say about the contemporary popularity of true crime, and the strange relationship many people/fans have developed with it — especially the ghoulish fascination in the predators, and the centring of the killers as opposed to the victims. The author does a good job of not allowing this to distract from the story, and instead sprinkles some amusing asides and observations into the story at choice moments. Connected is the commentary on Hollywood and the way it exploits others for financial gain (often behind the fake smiles of producers who claim to have your interests at heart).

It took just a little while for me to get into the rhythm of the novel — there are many, very short chapters, which can certainly accelerate the pacing, but also meant it felt like it took longer than expected to get to know the characters. Nevertheless, this issue wasn’t long-lasting, and I found myself rooting for Jack, Cato and especially Matilda quite quickly. As the story progresses, there are a few interesting twists and red herrings, some good reveals, and the author keeps the mystery going quite nicely.

The ending suggests the possibility of a sequel, and I for one am keen to spend more time with these characters. If you’re a fan of serial killer fiction, and crime/mystery fiction in general, then I think you’ll find plenty to like in this quirky take on the genre.

Recommended.

I went into this book with zero expectations and ended up reading one of my favorite books of the year. California Bear by Duane Swierczynski 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. Right off the bat, in my opinion, the best thing about this book is the characters. Since the book is written in first person, you learn how each main character thinks and you get inside the brain and the crazed thinkings of a prolific serial killer, a conflicted father and ex-con, a teenage girl fighting the battle of her life and a older woman just trying to make sense of what her almost ex-husband has reluctantly gotten her into. The Girl Detective was a very lovable character and her calm and focused personality resonated in a story full of manic characters. Side note: read the afterword and you will appreciate her character and the father/daughter relationship on a whole other level. Overall, while the story could be quite lacking in some areas such as the convenient plot movers and literally unbelievable twists, the characters, relationships between them and the writing style really carried this story. Thank you to Net Galley, Mulholland Books as well as Duane Swierczynski for the ARC of this book. I will definitely be picking up a copy when it is released to add to my collection.