DI Joe Faraday is now working Major Crimes, an important new assignment for a boss he respects, where he wants to do well. He is faced with investigating the brutal murder of a prison guard, Sean Coughlin. The problem is, as the investigation reveals, Coughlin was a terrible person who had gone through his life bullying and brutalizing people and making any number of enemies who would be glad to see him dead. So which one, or ones, acted on that impetus is the question.

There is a subplot here as there always is in these books. Actually, two subplots. One involves DC Paul Winter and the continual reckless abandon and disregard for rules that he displays in doing his job. The only thing that saves him from summary dismissal is the inconvenient fact that he actually gets results. This time he is dead set on bringing in the "little scrote" who was responsible for killing one of Winter's informants.

The other subplot also involves Winter. His partner Dawn Ellis has made a seriously bad decision in regard to male companionship. She has taken on a recent transfer from the Met named Corbett who turns out to have some very kinky practices for which Dawn is made to suffer. Winter sets out to right things for her. The way his does it - which benefits both him and Ellis - makes for an interesting read.

Hurley is a good writer and he has mastered the telling of the police procedural. He maintains interest by telling his story from the different perspectives of his different characters. In the end, it all adds up to a satisfying conclusion.

This is well-written and believable series. I look forward to reading more of it.