To Live and Die in L.A.

To Live and Die in L.A. follows Secret Service agent Richard Chance as he pursues a skilled counterfeiter in Los Angeles. The story draws from author Gerald Petievich's own experience as a Secret Service agent, lending authenticity to the procedural details and investigation methods. The novel presents a gritty, unvarnished look at both law enforcement and criminal enterprises in 1980s Los Angeles. Through its intense cat-and-mouse game between agent and counterfeiter, the book explores the high-stakes world of currency crime and the lengths agents will go to catch their targets. The story examines the blurred lines between right and wrong in law enforcement, raising questions about justice, morality, and the true cost of pursuing criminals at any price. Its influence on the crime genre led to a successful film adaptation in 1985.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of Secret Service work, drawing from Petievich's own experience as an agent. The procedural details and technical accuracy set it apart from typical crime fiction. Multiple reviews note the terse, straightforward writing style matches the intensity of the plot. Readers highlight the complex characters, particularly Chance and Vukovich, praising how their flaws and motivations feel true to life. Several point to the stark depictions of Los Angeles' criminal underworld as a strength. Common criticisms focus on uneven pacing in the middle sections and some underdeveloped secondary characters. A few readers found the ending rushed. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (22 ratings) "Gritty and authentic with none of the Hollywood glamour" - Goodreads reviewer "The technical details ring true but don't slow down the story" - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 The book inspired a critically acclaimed 1985 film of the same name, directed by William Friedkin and starring William Petersen, which expanded on several of the novel's key themes. 🔸 Author Gerald Petievich served for 15 years as a U.S. Secret Service agent in Los Angeles, bringing unparalleled authenticity to his portrayal of the agency's counterfeit investigations. 🔸 Counterfeiting in Los Angeles during the 1980s was a major concern for law enforcement, with the city being one of the largest centers for fake currency production in the United States. 🔸 The book's portrayal of the Secret Service's criminal investigations division shed light on a lesser-known aspect of the agency, which is often associated primarily with presidential protection. 🔸 The novel helped establish a new sub-genre of crime fiction that focused on the psychological impact of undercover work on law enforcement officers, influencing many subsequent works in the field.