Mysteries and police procedurals have been my forte for many years. I had read most of the US based procedurals, and went to the UK, Ireland and Scotland included, and to Norway, Sweden, Japan, and Russia. This book by author, Brian Thiem, has brought me back home. This is the kind of police procedural/mystery that interests me. Intelligent protagonist, well read, keen insight and someone who can think on their feet. Of course, this person has issues, don't we all. I read his second book, 'Thrill Kill', first, but quickly found his first one.Oakland, California is often known as that small city next to San Francisco. However, we learn quickly that Oakland has many pluses and minuses. But, what they do have is an excellent Homicide Squad, and it is kept busy. Matt Sinclair is a man who did his time in the Iraq war, suffers from PTSD, has difficulty sleeping, and is returning to Homicide duty after a requisite time in rehab for his alcoholism, and on desk duty. Now is his time to once again prove himself. He is a Sargeant in the Oakland Homicide Squad, goes to AA, and tries his best every day to remain sober. He has been called the scene of a murder, and meets his new Sargeant Cathy Braddock as his partner. She took over when he was asked to leave and was mentored by Sinclair's old partner, Phil. This is a murder of a young teenage boy, found propped up on a bus stop bench. What we find out is that Sinclair cares about the people he meets, the people they once were, and the families. He will work hard to uncover the truth and find the murderers. No one is too poor for him to care. 'Red Line' Is a fast moving, at times riveting book. Many areas of interest are brought to the fore, young inexperienced teenagers, drugs, journalists, TV reporters, the 'higher ups' in the police force, and Sinclair's colleagues. We meet the murderer as he plans his next victims, and are with him as he follows them, and ...And, as the bodies start to pile up, there are very few areas that go unexplored.Recommended. prisrob 11-24-16The writing is precise, well turned phrases, the terms used by homicide and other departments explained as part of the story. The story is very well laid out and brings us to places we did not expect. Lots of room for more in this series.The private life of Matt Sinclair is explored, but as we know from book two, there is always more.