LA Confidential was Ellroy going into overdrive. Stylistically clipped, allergic to the definite article, psychologically compressed to the point of claustrophobia and psychosis, it has a massively complex plot that's tightly controlled under all the fireworks, but those fireworks to spray the story wide and loud. Ugly violence, characters that are near-universally loathesome (softened considerably in the iconic adaptaion) with the exceptions being largely compromised and/or weak and ineffectual. The Bloody Christmas beatings and the Nite Owl Massacre unleash consequences and investigations that tear at the underbelly of LA like the wolverines in The Big Nowhere. Jack, Ed and Bud are an unholy unheroic trinity enmeshed in violence, corruption and cowardice, united, eventually, only by a destire to solve the case, whatever the cost. Toxic masculinity rules - literally, it's everywhere and it's in charge - occasionally they feel bad about something horrific they've done, and while the book doesn't exonerate, it sure as hell isn't interested in the victims. Buzz Meeks checks out early, probably for the best. Still compelling and propulsive, though.