The Process of a Police Investigation/Motif

In the novel, procedures followed during a police investigation serve as a motif. Police have methods for solving a crime that follows specific formulas though it also varies depending on the case, the officer, and the resources available. In this novel, Detective Renee Ballard is working on two cases – the murder of a former gang member and a series of rapes – and she follows two different paths to bring both cases to a close.

One important element of Ballard's process is the resources available to her. The people who can help are among the most important resources. Former detective Harry Bosch plays a vital role in helping Ballard solve both of her cases, though he is retired and actually has a vested interest in only one of those cases.

Ballard begins investigating the murder of Javier Raffa shortly after midnight...