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Moth and Flame A Benjamin Justice Novel John Morgan Wilson 9780312309848 Books

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Moth and Flame A Benjamin Justice Novel John Morgan Wilson 9780312309848 Books

Benjamin Justice, a semi-retired journalist who often becomes a reluctant amateur private eye, is hired by the City of West Hollywood to finish a brochure about its historical buildings, following the apparent murder of the man originally entrusted with that job. Since his last run-in with crime, which cost him severe injuries including loss of one eye, Justice has vowed not to "get involved" in investigations, and relies on his daily dose of Prozac to keep him minding his own business.

But, as regular readers of the series are well aware, circumstances involve him. His best friend, LA Times reporter Alexandra Templeton, gets an exclusive with a scientist who presents a study that the police's suspect, a 20 year old Russian immigrant, may have beeen genetically predisposed to become a murderer. Benjamin meets the young man, and believes him to be innocent, although circumstancial evidence and his presence at a second murder seems to indicate otherwise. As Justice researches the brochure, he becomes deeply involved in the politically-charged battle between historical preservationists vs real estate developers, with both sides aggresively soliciting his support, and gets a deeper sense that these groups are somehow involved in the murders. He also keeps coming across the name of a handsome bisexual drifter who was involved with some of these people, and who disappeared thirty years before. When Alexandra stubbornly refuses to believe his theories, largely due to her involvement with the scientist who believes the young man is the murderer, Justice becomes an intentional thorn-in-the-side of some of these dangerous characters, to see if they reveal their roles.

With this, his sixth Benjamin Justice mystery novel, John Morgan Wilson seems to just get better and better. His books are uniformly well-written, original, intelligent in tone, offering realistic characters in first-rate mysteries. Author Wilson has a guest column in a current issue of the Advocate, commenting on the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of West Hollywood, his place of residence which is featured almost like a character in many of his Benjamin Justice novels, especially this one. His writing, both in the column and this book, reveal a genuine respect for the city's history, diversity and tolerance, as well as a wink at the colorful characters and celebrities who frequent its streets, shops and cafes. I consider this book his best in the series, and give it a plump five stars out of five.


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Moth and Flame A Benjamin Justice Novel John Morgan Wilson 9780312309848 Books Reviews

I always enjoy the plots and characters in John Morgan Wilson's 'Justice' series. I hope that he continues to write them. Most entertaining and fun.
I grew up and lived and worked in West Hollywood most of my life (I now live in Laguna Beach) and this is one of the very, very few books which captures the feel of the WeHo I knew. Mr. Wilson is a wonderful writer and this is the best of the Justice series. I don't know Mr. Wilson so this is a review from the heart. But it, you'll like it. Made me homesick... a little.
Having been thrilled by the harrowing misadventures of my favorite down-and-out journalist, Benjamin Justice, I've come to liken him to Job. How much punishment can one man take? In the first five novels of the series, Justice has been beaten, stabbed, carved up, raped, infected with HIV, and had an eye plucked out. As if all this misery wasn't enough to be getting on with, add Justice's being a recovering alcoholic who, as a boy, was victimized by a [...] priest. In my mind, the only thing left to do to Justice was to bump him off; put the man out of his misery.

With "Moth and Flame," however, readers will find a genteler, more reflective Justice. Prozac has reigned in his more pugnacious impulses, leaving him without much urge to come out fists first. At 45, Justice is feeling his age, has rejoined a gym, and seems to be making some effort to clean up his act. Still in disgrace in most journalistic circles, his talent remains unquestioned. He continues to eke out a living through freelance writing assignments.

The ill wind that brings Justice a much-needed writing commission is the murder of Bruce Bibby, a former child actor turned writer. Justice is to complete the final in Bibby's series of brochures on aspects of West Hollywood. Justice wants to write the brochure, collect his check, and get on with his life. Yet, harking to the novel's title, Justice finds his need to know the truth drawing him, like a moth to a flame, into learning who killed Bruce Bibby.

As much as I hate to jump on the five-star bandwagon, the Justice novels are sublime. At last, a detective series that continues to grow stronger with each successive installment. In the character of Justice, author John Morgan Wilson has created a multi-faceted, not altogether likeable, yet fascinating hero. Though the novels have an undeniable gay sensibility, it is hoped this quality will not narrow the audience of those who, like myself, will also find hours of pleasure in the novels' pages.
Benjamin Justice, a semi-retired journalist who often becomes a reluctant amateur private eye, is hired by the City of West Hollywood to finish a brochure about its historical buildings, following the apparent murder of the man originally entrusted with that job. Since his last run-in with crime, which cost him severe injuries including loss of one eye, Justice has vowed not to "get involved" in investigations, and relies on his daily dose of Prozac to keep him minding his own business.

But, as regular readers of the series are well aware, circumstances involve him. His best friend, LA Times reporter Alexandra Templeton, gets an exclusive with a scientist who presents a study that the police's suspect, a 20 year old Russian immigrant, may have beeen genetically predisposed to become a murderer. Benjamin meets the young man, and believes him to be innocent, although circumstancial evidence and his presence at a second murder seems to indicate otherwise. As Justice researches the brochure, he becomes deeply involved in the politically-charged battle between historical preservationists vs real estate developers, with both sides aggresively soliciting his support, and gets a deeper sense that these groups are somehow involved in the murders. He also keeps coming across the name of a handsome bisexual drifter who was involved with some of these people, and who disappeared thirty years before. When Alexandra stubbornly refuses to believe his theories, largely due to her involvement with the scientist who believes the young man is the murderer, Justice becomes an intentional thorn-in-the-side of some of these dangerous characters, to see if they reveal their roles.

With this, his sixth Benjamin Justice mystery novel, John Morgan Wilson seems to just get better and better. His books are uniformly well-written, original, intelligent in tone, offering realistic characters in first-rate mysteries. Author Wilson has a guest column in a current issue of the Advocate, commenting on the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of West Hollywood, his place of residence which is featured almost like a character in many of his Benjamin Justice novels, especially this one. His writing, both in the column and this book, reveal a genuine respect for the city's history, diversity and tolerance, as well as a wink at the colorful characters and celebrities who frequent its streets, shops and cafes. I consider this book his best in the series, and give it a plump five stars out of five.