Wambaugh's tale of Hollywood cops trying to solve the murder of a bigtime movie producer is, as usual, peopled with burnt-out cops along with various crooks and losers. It's also larded with black humor and an underlying nihilism best taken in small doses.
Within the smoke-filled disco-bar, cheap thrills carry a heavy price. Payday groupies rub against cops drowning in triple shots. And skull-cracking homicide detectives like Welborn and Mackey kick around cases from soft core porn to hardcore murder. How could a truly successful studio boss - a star-maker? = with a billion-dollar grin stop two .38 slugs with his face?
From the inside cover: "Within the smoke-filled disco-bar, cheap thrills carry a heavy price. Payday groupies rub against cops drowning in triple shots. And skull-cracking homicide detectives like Welborn and Mackey kick around cases from softcore porn to hardcore murder. How could a truly successful studio boss-a star-maker!-with a billion-dollar grin stop two .38 slugs with his face?"
The Glitter Dome is the watering hole of four sets of police partners. They work the amoral Hollywood scene. A major studio head is murdered. Very good book