When hypnotherapist Dr. Stephen Myrick is found bludgeoned to death in his home, there is no shortage of possible suspects. Myrick specializes in treating the obese and recovering drug addicts, and the police investigation immediately focuses on his young addict and former addict patients. The investigation becomes more complicated, however, when Santa Monica detectives Kellogg and Krug discover that Myrick has been recording the therapy sessions in preparation for a book he is writing, and some of the tapes have been erased. Some suspects disappear but turn up dead, and soon everyone involved is looking over their shoulders hoping that the cops will find the killer before they become the next victim. Rouse the Demons is a short book at 178 pages, which gives less room than in the other books for my two favorite features of the series: the interchange between likable young college-educated surfer ”dude” (not that they use the term in the 70s) Casey Kellogg and his tough, gruff older partner Al Krug and the well-drawn authentic picture of Santa Monica in the 70s, down to details like the white princess phone in the victim’s upscale kitchen. It is also missing an aspect that I liked a lot in the first two books of the series: an innocent character who is suspected of the crime and who gets the reader’s intense sympathy. However, the interplay and the atmosphere are still present, as well as plot and suspense intriguing enough to keep you guessing until Krug and Kellogg finally save the day.
I am delighted that the Krug and Kellogg series, which was originally published in the 70s (so NO anachronisms!), has been reissued. Regrettably, this is the third and last book in the series, but, if you have a source for old TV shows, you can watch the series The Streets of San Francisco, for which this series was the inspiration.
NOTE: These books need not be read in order.
Kellogg and Krug’s final case

Rouse the Demon is a straight murder-mystery/police procedural, and in this day and age that makes it refreshing. There are no gimmicks like weird pets or esoteric hobbies that are used in place of characterization. Al Krug is a gruff veteran and Casey Kellog is an idealistic young detective. These may be stock characters but there is a reason: they work.

This novel was originally published in 1976 and is a product of its time. There is grumbling about long haired youths and even (gasp) other races. Considering some are so sensitive they think we need to alter Mark Twain's text to be more in line with modern thinking, I decided to give a warning here. There is nothing overtly offensive and shocking, so if you are a grownup I'm sure you can handle it without fainting.

Rouse the Demon is the third and last in the Krug/Kellog series, but it was the first I've read and I had no problem jumping right in to the world. While a fairly basic example of the police procedural, it is well done and I plan to read the other volumes as well. 4 stars and recommended for fans of the genre.

I remember watching The Streets of San Francisco when I was younger so I was curious to see what the book was like. It was well written, but I had a hard time at first finding the book's rhythm. It jumped around a lot. There are many minor characters. They were developed nicely and you got a sense of each one, but it was a lot to keep up with. I didn't figure out the killer until the end and I don't think I would have figured it out from the clues given. All in all it was a pleasant short read. I received this book free from NetGalley for an honest review.

This was adapted for a TV show “The Streets of San Francisco”. The book setting is in Santa Monica but apparently “The Streets of Santa Monica” was not catchy enough. A very good stand-alone book, but for my generation it is like seeing Karl Malden and Michael Douglas on every page. Written at a time when the techno gadgets of today were not yet invented, thus a clean no nonsense style making for enjoyable reading entertainment. Imagine, there is even a drive in movie theater featured, how quaintly ancient. Sadly, Carolyn Weston passed away some years back but the works of good authors never go out of style. Kudos to Lee Goldberg and Joel Goldman of Brash Books Publisher, themselves best-selling authors, for reviving these many great crime novels and their authors, providing hours upon hours of reading enjoyment. Sure winners.