This novel was a unexpected hit with me. I happened across it while browsing one afternoon and took a chance on it. Crime thrillers featuring an ex-cop investigator aren't my go-to novels, but this was unusually addictive. Dylan Fisher is a former police officer, now a private investigator, who is contacted by his ex-wife Rose Doucette about a case she is working on. He notices that Rose isn't like her typical self and is startled to realize that she is afraid of something or someone. As she leaves their meeting, Dylan observes a car following Rose and so he tails them. The driver closes in on Rose aggressively and pulls up next to her in a parking lot, shooting her dead and almost running Dylan down.

The lead police detective investigating Rose's murder is an old enemy of Dylan's and very happy to pin her murder on him. Dylan undertakes the investigation on his own, along with Rose's current husband Tito, all the while trying to evade a group of professional hitmen on his trail.

The Life and Death of Rose Doucette is a crime thriller with a lot of heart. Dylan Fisher is a likeable character, and Tito makes a perfect sidekick. The story is action-packed with a brisk pace, but also has overtones of sadness and regret in the unresolved issues between Dylan and Rose. While Dylan and Tito are left haunted by the dark secrets that Rose kept from them, the conclusion is satisfying and provides some surprises for the reader. Fans of Harry Bosch would appreciate Dylan Fisher, so let's hope there is more to come.