I can see why every crime fiction fan kept recommending I read James Lee Burke. He and Michael Connelly really do stand out as the gritty realists who craft a great novel.
I can't give this 5 stars, however, as it is this gritty reality, the sense of not being able to make a difference do leave you feeling like you shouldn't have bothered reading it. "He won, but not really." I suppose in time that is why this appeals to fans of the genre, because it isn't just about entertaining, and will probably be why I revisit my ratings for Connelly and Burke, realising I sold them short.