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Lomax & Biggs #1
The Rabbit Factory
The hilarious and suspenseful introduction of Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs.
Welcome to Familyland, an offshoot of Lamaar Studios. Once a small, Southern California animation house, it has grown into an entertainment conglomerate encompassing movies, television, music, video games, and a sprawling theme park.
When an actor portraying Familyland’s beloved mascot, Rambunctious Rabbit,
is brutally murdered on park grounds, Lamaar executives are worried that the idyllic image of �50s America represented in Familyland will be shattered. They ask Mike Lomax and his partner Terry Biggs, the LAPD detectives assigned to solve the case, to keep the circumstances surrounding the death of their mascot quiet.
When a second Lamaar employee is killed, Lomax and Biggs uncover a conspiracy to destroy Familyland and settle an unknown vendetta. Still under pressure to keep the case away from the public eye, the detectives are met with a third murder—and an outrageous Anyone who associates with Lamaar—employees, customers, anyone—will be killed.
Bringing a fresh duo of cops to the thriller set, The Rabbit Factory is both suspenseful and satiric; a taut mystery wrapped in sharp, comedic prose.
Welcome to Familyland, an offshoot of Lamaar Studios. Once a small, Southern California animation house, it has grown into an entertainment conglomerate encompassing movies, television, music, video games, and a sprawling theme park.
When an actor portraying Familyland’s beloved mascot, Rambunctious Rabbit,
is brutally murdered on park grounds, Lamaar executives are worried that the idyllic image of �50s America represented in Familyland will be shattered. They ask Mike Lomax and his partner Terry Biggs, the LAPD detectives assigned to solve the case, to keep the circumstances surrounding the death of their mascot quiet.
When a second Lamaar employee is killed, Lomax and Biggs uncover a conspiracy to destroy Familyland and settle an unknown vendetta. Still under pressure to keep the case away from the public eye, the detectives are met with a third murder—and an outrageous Anyone who associates with Lamaar—employees, customers, anyone—will be killed.
Bringing a fresh duo of cops to the thriller set, The Rabbit Factory is both suspenseful and satiric; a taut mystery wrapped in sharp, comedic prose.
574 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
350 people are currently reading
1,683 people want to read
About the author
Marshall Karp
43Ìýbooks546ÌýfollowersMarshall Karp is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a TV and screenwriter, documentarian, and playwright. Working with James Patterson, Marshall cocreated and cowrote the NYPD Red series. After six bestsellers, Marshall has carried the series forward on his own, beginning with NYPD Red 7: The Murder Sorority. Marshall is also the author of Snowstorm in August, as well as the critically acclaimed Lomax and Biggs novels, featuring LAPD Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs. For over twenty years he has worked closely with the international charity Vitamin Angels, providing tens of millions of mothers and children around the globe with lifesaving vitamins and nutrients.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
February 15, 2009
I wrote it, so ignore my review. What did I learn? Hey, I can write a book.
March 7, 2023
Having read a number of novels in which Marshall Karp is a collaborator, I thought I would take someone’s recommendation and try my hand at reading some of his solo work. A great police procedural series, full of strong detective work, dry wit, and wonderful pacing, Karp proves that he can easily stand on his own and entertain readers effectively. I am eager to continue my journey through the series, hoping that the rest of the books are as entertaining as this debut.
Familyland is the modern amusement park for all ages, part of Lamaar Studios. Growing from a small animation house, Lamaar Studios is now a massive entertainment collective, including movies, television, and especially a massive theme park. After one of the actors who portrayed the cornerstone character of the Studio is found murdered on park grounds, it’s time to call in the LAPD. While Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs are expecting something unique, nothing could prepare them when they found a massive Rambunctious Rabbit sprawled on the ground. While Lamaar Studios wants the case solved quickly, they are also keen to have the crime kept quiet, especially when it is discovered that the victim was a paedophile who fudged his records.
As Lomax and Biggs dig a little deeper, they learn that there is more to Lamaar Studios than meets the eye. This is solidified when a second employee is killed. It seems as though there has been a long-standing feud between some of the early members of the animation house, which could have everything come tumbling down if not handled properly. The killer gets bolder and soon kills again, with a demand that could put everyone in danger.
With a case like no other, Mike Lomax must also struggle to get his life in order. A recent widow with some unfinished business, Lomax tries to keep it together and prevent his slapstick partner from learning too much about life away from detective work. It will be a challenge, but Lomax has long been good at deflecting and keeping a work-home balance. A great series debut, showing that Marshall Karp has laid a wonderful foundation for a collection that is sure to garner many fans.
The key to a great detective story is to pull the reader in quickly and repeatedly throughout. Marshall Karp does this effectively in this debut, offering up a great set of crimes, strong characters, and a bit of dry humour to cut through some of the tension. Karp’s use of a strong narrative provides the reader with great guidance as they make their way through the novel’s many twists. Introducing the two protagonists early and often offers the reader a connection with those who are most important to the story. Mike Lomax is front and centre in this novel, which is a wonderful way to connect with the reader. I can only wonder if Terry Biggs will have added time in the limelight in subsequent books, but the personal side of the character offers a stronger connection and allows the reader to see the softer side, which may not be present in police procedurals. A handful of strong secondary characters also propel the story forward, offering the reader some lighter banter at times. Plot twists emerge throughout the book and help shape the larger story. This appears to be the longest and most intense of the series novels, perhaps Karp’s way of adding depth to his characters before offering up faster and more succinct crimes. Whatever it is, Karp proves not only that he has an handle solo writing, but that he is one author to keep on my radar, as I was fully committed from the opening pages.
Kudos, Mr. Karp, for this gritty police procedural that has me reaching for the next book.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
Familyland is the modern amusement park for all ages, part of Lamaar Studios. Growing from a small animation house, Lamaar Studios is now a massive entertainment collective, including movies, television, and especially a massive theme park. After one of the actors who portrayed the cornerstone character of the Studio is found murdered on park grounds, it’s time to call in the LAPD. While Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs are expecting something unique, nothing could prepare them when they found a massive Rambunctious Rabbit sprawled on the ground. While Lamaar Studios wants the case solved quickly, they are also keen to have the crime kept quiet, especially when it is discovered that the victim was a paedophile who fudged his records.
As Lomax and Biggs dig a little deeper, they learn that there is more to Lamaar Studios than meets the eye. This is solidified when a second employee is killed. It seems as though there has been a long-standing feud between some of the early members of the animation house, which could have everything come tumbling down if not handled properly. The killer gets bolder and soon kills again, with a demand that could put everyone in danger.
With a case like no other, Mike Lomax must also struggle to get his life in order. A recent widow with some unfinished business, Lomax tries to keep it together and prevent his slapstick partner from learning too much about life away from detective work. It will be a challenge, but Lomax has long been good at deflecting and keeping a work-home balance. A great series debut, showing that Marshall Karp has laid a wonderful foundation for a collection that is sure to garner many fans.
The key to a great detective story is to pull the reader in quickly and repeatedly throughout. Marshall Karp does this effectively in this debut, offering up a great set of crimes, strong characters, and a bit of dry humour to cut through some of the tension. Karp’s use of a strong narrative provides the reader with great guidance as they make their way through the novel’s many twists. Introducing the two protagonists early and often offers the reader a connection with those who are most important to the story. Mike Lomax is front and centre in this novel, which is a wonderful way to connect with the reader. I can only wonder if Terry Biggs will have added time in the limelight in subsequent books, but the personal side of the character offers a stronger connection and allows the reader to see the softer side, which may not be present in police procedurals. A handful of strong secondary characters also propel the story forward, offering the reader some lighter banter at times. Plot twists emerge throughout the book and help shape the larger story. This appears to be the longest and most intense of the series novels, perhaps Karp’s way of adding depth to his characters before offering up faster and more succinct crimes. Whatever it is, Karp proves not only that he has an handle solo writing, but that he is one author to keep on my radar, as I was fully committed from the opening pages.
Kudos, Mr. Karp, for this gritty police procedural that has me reaching for the next book.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
April 26, 2025
_________________________________
More fun than a ferret full of bunnies.
A Disneyesque entertainment company is under attack. The guy playing their iconic character, Rambunctious Rabbit, at the Familyland California theme park is murdered. The squeaky-clean actor who starred in the company’s recent hit movie is likewise dispatched. Then a random mother visiting the theme park is butchered in a manner most bloody. After that, things begin to escalate.
Rabbit Factory is wonderful meld of murder, mania, misery, and marvelous wit. The detectives manage to be hilarious while remaining believable, 3-D characters. The villain(s) is/are evil without being ludicrously Dr. No-ish. There is violence—it's not hyper-descriptive, let’s gross out the reader mayhem, but it's not Tom and Jerry either. This ain’t no cozy—it's a good way to increase your pulse rate. There’s even pathos, real pathos; you can truly empathize with the main character—a rarity in a comic novel of any genre.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars. I don’t know how Karp managed to stuff a hilarious novel; a truly interesting mystery; an actually thrilling thriller into one book, but he did it, but you should grab your shotgun and bag yourself wabbit. (Yes, I know; a mixed corporate metaphor, but don’t let that stop you—read this book.)
More fun than a ferret full of bunnies.
A Disneyesque entertainment company is under attack. The guy playing their iconic character, Rambunctious Rabbit, at the Familyland California theme park is murdered. The squeaky-clean actor who starred in the company’s recent hit movie is likewise dispatched. Then a random mother visiting the theme park is butchered in a manner most bloody. After that, things begin to escalate.
Rabbit Factory is wonderful meld of murder, mania, misery, and marvelous wit. The detectives manage to be hilarious while remaining believable, 3-D characters. The villain(s) is/are evil without being ludicrously Dr. No-ish. There is violence—it's not hyper-descriptive, let’s gross out the reader mayhem, but it's not Tom and Jerry either. This ain’t no cozy—it's a good way to increase your pulse rate. There’s even pathos, real pathos; you can truly empathize with the main character—a rarity in a comic novel of any genre.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars. I don’t know how Karp managed to stuff a hilarious novel; a truly interesting mystery; an actually thrilling thriller into one book, but he did it, but you should grab your shotgun and bag yourself wabbit. (Yes, I know; a mixed corporate metaphor, but don’t let that stop you—read this book.)
December 6, 2017
Onvan : The Rabbit Factory (Lomax & Biggs, #1) - Nevisande : Marshall Karp - ISBN : 1596921749 - ISBN13 : 9781596921740 - Dar 420 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2006
January 1, 2012
Wow what a first novel. Marshall Karp is a very gifted writer(not better than Hiaasen),sorry Mr. Patterson. That aside,wonderfully done book. Character developement gets an extra shout out,including backround characters. They were very fleshed out and believible. I could not put the book down. The two main characters Lomax and Biggs work very well with each other. It is like if this book was real life,I'd like to know these guys. I am currently in the process of reading book number 2 in this series Blood Thirsty so let the fun continue.
October 10, 2009
This book was over 600 pages long. Even Crime & Punishment wasn’t that long, and, believe me I am not comparing The Rabbit Factory with Crime & Punishment. There were too many side stories; Detective Lomax’s letters from his deceased wife; his father fixing him up with a nurse, and the subsequent romance; his brother’s illegal activities; and others. The story could have been more interesting if it were told in a more cohesive way - Maybe in 250 pages
August 9, 2020
Marshall Karp is definitely my favorite author after this book. No one does it with a better sense of humor, period. It's like James Patterson, just with better comic kicks. That is obviously expected of Marshall Karp considering he's already written 4 books with James Patterson: Kill Me If You Can, NYPD Red, NYPD Red 2, NYPD Red 3. All of which were beautifully written. This one, The Rabbit Factory was the first book of the Lomax and Biggs series, both of whom you're likely to fall in love with through the book. The story-line is deep and the kills are gruesome. I highly recommend this one.
March 8, 2016
Good, but a little longer than it had to be. It's the first book in the series, so maybe the next book will be shorter and more focused. I liked the humorous writing style and the characters. I'll be reading more by this author in the future.
January 19, 2016
What a great read! MK is a new author to me, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a straight forward mystery, with no magic or anything else not of this world. It was just Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs just trying to solve one of the biggest mystery of their professional lives. Someone just killed one of the most beloved characters in Familyland. A big white rabbit, named Rambunctious Rabbit. Though once Biggs and Lomax start digging, they discover that RR wasn't quite the good little rabbit he was suppossed to be. But once someone else dies at the park, Biggs and Lomax discover that they have a bigger issue on their hands than a dead rabbit with blood on his hands.
I so loved Biggs and Lomax, especially Mike Lomax he was a guy that loved his wife and was struggling to get over her death. The story had heart and I had tears in my eyes more than once, as Mike struggled through the letters that his wife had left him. I also loved Mike's dad, Big Jim...what a huge character. He almost took the story over more than once. If mystery isn't your thing, give this book a chance. There wasn't a lot of gore, it was really all about the mystery and how Biggs and Lomax put it together. If you like Carl Hiaasen then you might like MK, except without the really wacky characters that CH employees...sorry no Skink here, but still worth the read.
I so loved Biggs and Lomax, especially Mike Lomax he was a guy that loved his wife and was struggling to get over her death. The story had heart and I had tears in my eyes more than once, as Mike struggled through the letters that his wife had left him. I also loved Mike's dad, Big Jim...what a huge character. He almost took the story over more than once. If mystery isn't your thing, give this book a chance. There wasn't a lot of gore, it was really all about the mystery and how Biggs and Lomax put it together. If you like Carl Hiaasen then you might like MK, except without the really wacky characters that CH employees...sorry no Skink here, but still worth the read.
January 26, 2016
This book had me totally hooked. I had a hard time putting it down, and as soon as I could, I'd pick it back up again and continue reading! It had it all - emotion, humour, wise-cracks (Terry, you are my hero), mystery, cops, family & friends. A great 'whodunnit'! So glad I stumbled on this series.
May 1, 2021
audio Jenner & Schul. narration was enjoyable which allowed be to finish this long, long meandering story. I enjoyed the NYPD collab. until I didn't. Karp goes on my "I'll pass" list. If is what high rated books have become I blame the readers not the writers.
March 6, 2015
Marshall Karp may indeed be the Carl Hiassan of the West Coast. His work is funny and enjoyable (if you don't mind wading through all of the F bombs, that I did my best to tolerate and wade through)--- His two main characters Lomax and Biggs are encountering some of the strangest characters imaginable and everyone seems to have a secret.
It all begins when a beloved character is murdered in an underground tunnel in theme park of one of Disneylands biggest competitors (a fictional Disneyish group)-- The actor portraying the character is quickly revealed to be a registered sex offender\child molestor. But is the murder a revenge or is the park and the company itself the target?
This is a funny book and has a page turner of a mystery. I have to admit, though I have some minor issues with the book it was well-written, had an interesting, growing plot, and finally was chocked full of some of the funniest cop jokes, etc. I've ever read. Lomax and Biggs play well off of each other and those they meet. A fine read.
However, I have some minor quibbles with it. First, it is just too long. The author adds an unrelated subplot about Lomax's brother having trouble of his own. I didn't like that subplot and did not feel it added a whole lot to the story. In fact, it simply added distraction and I was glad it never tied into the main plotline.
Characterization is something I think is very important and often poorly done. Karp does a good job in presenting Lomax as a character who is dealing with the loss of his wife through cancer. She wrote him letters and asked that he opened one letter per month. When he read the first letter and the author gave us the text so we knew what it said, that created the subtext we needed. Later, when he read another-- the author provided another lengthy text, much of which added nothing to the story... He just went a little overboard with it.
The author also increased the length by letting us into the heart of the conspiracy.. Don't tell us what the bad guys are thinking.. let the heroes uncover than information. It spoiled the plot slightly-- but was highly unnecessary to hear these guys speaking and find out sort of what they had planned.
As he filled in the details, the author just provided way too much insight into his dead wife's mindset, the bad guys mindset.. which made the novel go on too long.. especially the final chapter wrap up.
I'll read more by this author to see if he gets better. He is funny and interesting.
It all begins when a beloved character is murdered in an underground tunnel in theme park of one of Disneylands biggest competitors (a fictional Disneyish group)-- The actor portraying the character is quickly revealed to be a registered sex offender\child molestor. But is the murder a revenge or is the park and the company itself the target?
This is a funny book and has a page turner of a mystery. I have to admit, though I have some minor issues with the book it was well-written, had an interesting, growing plot, and finally was chocked full of some of the funniest cop jokes, etc. I've ever read. Lomax and Biggs play well off of each other and those they meet. A fine read.
However, I have some minor quibbles with it. First, it is just too long. The author adds an unrelated subplot about Lomax's brother having trouble of his own. I didn't like that subplot and did not feel it added a whole lot to the story. In fact, it simply added distraction and I was glad it never tied into the main plotline.
Characterization is something I think is very important and often poorly done. Karp does a good job in presenting Lomax as a character who is dealing with the loss of his wife through cancer. She wrote him letters and asked that he opened one letter per month. When he read the first letter and the author gave us the text so we knew what it said, that created the subtext we needed. Later, when he read another-- the author provided another lengthy text, much of which added nothing to the story... He just went a little overboard with it.
The author also increased the length by letting us into the heart of the conspiracy.. Don't tell us what the bad guys are thinking.. let the heroes uncover than information. It spoiled the plot slightly-- but was highly unnecessary to hear these guys speaking and find out sort of what they had planned.
As he filled in the details, the author just provided way too much insight into his dead wife's mindset, the bad guys mindset.. which made the novel go on too long.. especially the final chapter wrap up.
I'll read more by this author to see if he gets better. He is funny and interesting.
August 18, 2008
First in a series featuring LA homicide detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs. When Eddie Elkins, the man inside the Rambunctions Rabbit costume at Familyland (a Disney wannabe) is found with his throat slit in the employees-only underbelly of the family-centered theme park, Lomax and Biggs are assigned to the case. When they discover that Eddie isn’t who he appears to be—that, indeed, he’s a convicted pedophile from back east—their obvious trail leads to who might have known this juicy tidbit of information and who had reason to whack him.
However, the little cartoon flip-book that is left with the body screams “serial killer,� and sure enough, when another person with ties to the owners of Familyland, Lamaar Stuidos, is murdered with a similar flipbook left on the body, the boys know they’re going to be spending many sleepless nights trying to track down the killer. It seems to be someone with a grudge against Lamaar, but who? Their corporate people are less than cooperatve with our erstwhile detectives, as they’re busy trying to keep the whole thing shushed up so their stock doesn’t end take a nose dive into the basement. But Lomax and Biggs persevere, and there is a bit of a surprise twist at the end.
I like Mike Lomax a lot—the book is told primarily from his POV, though that does change periodically. Karp handles the changing points of view well, though. Lomax is a recent widower, his wife Joanie having died of cancer about six months before. This book is almost like two stories, one detailing Lomax’s personal life and letting us get to know him and his family, and the other the murder case. I realize that a bit more detail is needed in introducing the main characters in the first book, but some judicious editing was definitely needed—the book was 632 pages in the hardcover edition! Granted, the author seems to write in the James Patterson style—very short chapters and lots of blank space—but still! Snip, snip, snip! LOL
It took me a good 50 pages before I warmed to the mystery and the characters, but I am glad I stuck with it, because it ended up being a great debut novel. I have the next one here and it seems to be a bit shorter, so someone must’ve hit Karp with a cluestick. LOL And I have to honestly say that I’m really looking forward to it, too! A-.
However, the little cartoon flip-book that is left with the body screams “serial killer,� and sure enough, when another person with ties to the owners of Familyland, Lamaar Stuidos, is murdered with a similar flipbook left on the body, the boys know they’re going to be spending many sleepless nights trying to track down the killer. It seems to be someone with a grudge against Lamaar, but who? Their corporate people are less than cooperatve with our erstwhile detectives, as they’re busy trying to keep the whole thing shushed up so their stock doesn’t end take a nose dive into the basement. But Lomax and Biggs persevere, and there is a bit of a surprise twist at the end.
I like Mike Lomax a lot—the book is told primarily from his POV, though that does change periodically. Karp handles the changing points of view well, though. Lomax is a recent widower, his wife Joanie having died of cancer about six months before. This book is almost like two stories, one detailing Lomax’s personal life and letting us get to know him and his family, and the other the murder case. I realize that a bit more detail is needed in introducing the main characters in the first book, but some judicious editing was definitely needed—the book was 632 pages in the hardcover edition! Granted, the author seems to write in the James Patterson style—very short chapters and lots of blank space—but still! Snip, snip, snip! LOL
It took me a good 50 pages before I warmed to the mystery and the characters, but I am glad I stuck with it, because it ended up being a great debut novel. I have the next one here and it seems to be a bit shorter, so someone must’ve hit Karp with a cluestick. LOL And I have to honestly say that I’m really looking forward to it, too! A-.
December 5, 2011
First Line: Eddie Elkins ambled down Fantasy Avenue.
Rambunctious Rabbit, known as Rambo to his millions of fans, is an American icon and a theme park's biggest draw. When Eddie Elkins (the actor inside the rabbit suit) and two other theme park employees are murdered, Los Angeles Police Department detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs must catch the killer before he can ruin an entertainment giant.
Karp's writing is hilarious as he introduces Lomax and Biggs. Lomax is the narrator, which is fitting since he claims that generations of his family suffer from diarrhea of the mouth. Karp gives him a conversational style that made Lomax feel as though he were my new best friend. See how he describes his mother:
"She was one of the top stuntwomen of her day and worked in over two hundred movies, five of them with John Wayne. Every now and then, Joanie and I would be watching an old video, and some woman would fall down a flight of stairs, jump off a bridge, or get hit by a truck, and I'd smile and proudly say, 'That's my Mom.'"
At first-- courtesy of Lomax's snappy wisecracks-- it would be easy to assume the two detectives are a modern-day version of the Keystone Cops, but you know what happens when you assume, don't you? Lomax's sense of humor hides a lot of pain. His wife died six months ago, and each month he reads one of the letters she left for him. His father is trying to get him dating again, and Lomax's brother is in deep trouble.
Once the first murder victim's background is revealed, the police waste precious time believing that it was a revenge crime, and it certainly doesn't help that Lamaar Studios' public relations people are trying to lock down all information about what's going on so the company shares won't take a hit on Wall Street. Events are fast-moving, however, and it doesn't take Lomax and Biggs long before they realize there's much more to this murder than first met the eye.
The satiric humor continues throughout the book, but Karp never lets it overshadow the investigation, which has plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. Well before I was finished, I stopped to see how many books there are in this series. I love Karp's humor, his cast of characters, and his devious plots. I want Lomax and Biggs to continue investigating crime for a good long time.
Rambunctious Rabbit, known as Rambo to his millions of fans, is an American icon and a theme park's biggest draw. When Eddie Elkins (the actor inside the rabbit suit) and two other theme park employees are murdered, Los Angeles Police Department detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs must catch the killer before he can ruin an entertainment giant.
Karp's writing is hilarious as he introduces Lomax and Biggs. Lomax is the narrator, which is fitting since he claims that generations of his family suffer from diarrhea of the mouth. Karp gives him a conversational style that made Lomax feel as though he were my new best friend. See how he describes his mother:
"She was one of the top stuntwomen of her day and worked in over two hundred movies, five of them with John Wayne. Every now and then, Joanie and I would be watching an old video, and some woman would fall down a flight of stairs, jump off a bridge, or get hit by a truck, and I'd smile and proudly say, 'That's my Mom.'"
At first-- courtesy of Lomax's snappy wisecracks-- it would be easy to assume the two detectives are a modern-day version of the Keystone Cops, but you know what happens when you assume, don't you? Lomax's sense of humor hides a lot of pain. His wife died six months ago, and each month he reads one of the letters she left for him. His father is trying to get him dating again, and Lomax's brother is in deep trouble.
Once the first murder victim's background is revealed, the police waste precious time believing that it was a revenge crime, and it certainly doesn't help that Lamaar Studios' public relations people are trying to lock down all information about what's going on so the company shares won't take a hit on Wall Street. Events are fast-moving, however, and it doesn't take Lomax and Biggs long before they realize there's much more to this murder than first met the eye.
The satiric humor continues throughout the book, but Karp never lets it overshadow the investigation, which has plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. Well before I was finished, I stopped to see how many books there are in this series. I love Karp's humor, his cast of characters, and his devious plots. I want Lomax and Biggs to continue investigating crime for a good long time.
December 2, 2015
The Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp is the first in the Lomax and Biggs series of novels.
Rambunctious Rabbit is the Bugs Bunny of Familyland, a Walt Disney World like theme park created by Lamaar Studios.
When the rabbit, or rather the actor inside the oversized bunny suite, is found strangled in the theme park grounds, the delicate investigation into the killing begins.
Lomax and Biggs must tread carefully as they are asked to keep the investigation quiet, so as not to destroy the family friendly reputation of the Lamaar Studio empire.
Unfortunately, keeping the investigation confidential becomes difficult when they discover that Eddie Elkins, the actor portraying Familyland’s famous mascot, is actually a convicted paedophile.
The reason seems obvious to why Elkins was killed.
However, when a second brutally murdered victim turns up who’s also linked to Lamaar Studios, it becomes less obvious, and even more difficult to protect the reputation of the Studio.
I first encountered Marshall Karp’s work a few weeks ago, when I read NYPD Red, which he co-authored with James Patterson. I thoroughly enjoyed that novel, and was eager to see if his own books were as good.
Considering this is Karp’s first novel, I’d have to say yes, they are very good!
Here’s why...
Firstly, there are some great main characters, each accompanied with plenty of background information to make them feel more real.
There's a great plot, and some very clever sub-plots, that keep your attention, from the very first page until the very last.
The book is packed full of humour, and raises at least one smile in nearly every chapter, of which there are many.
The chapters are short, giving the impression that something is happening all of the time, which is something I liked. The short chapters also encourage you to keep reading - just one more chapter before bedtime syndrome is definitely in evidence here!
The lead investigators are both likeable characters, which may not be important for some, but it definitely makes me want to keep reading about them.
Finally, and probably most importantly, it’s a very entertaining crime novel, that has a clever twist in the tail. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Rambunctious Rabbit is the Bugs Bunny of Familyland, a Walt Disney World like theme park created by Lamaar Studios.
When the rabbit, or rather the actor inside the oversized bunny suite, is found strangled in the theme park grounds, the delicate investigation into the killing begins.
Lomax and Biggs must tread carefully as they are asked to keep the investigation quiet, so as not to destroy the family friendly reputation of the Lamaar Studio empire.
Unfortunately, keeping the investigation confidential becomes difficult when they discover that Eddie Elkins, the actor portraying Familyland’s famous mascot, is actually a convicted paedophile.
The reason seems obvious to why Elkins was killed.
However, when a second brutally murdered victim turns up who’s also linked to Lamaar Studios, it becomes less obvious, and even more difficult to protect the reputation of the Studio.
I first encountered Marshall Karp’s work a few weeks ago, when I read NYPD Red, which he co-authored with James Patterson. I thoroughly enjoyed that novel, and was eager to see if his own books were as good.
Considering this is Karp’s first novel, I’d have to say yes, they are very good!
Here’s why...
Firstly, there are some great main characters, each accompanied with plenty of background information to make them feel more real.
There's a great plot, and some very clever sub-plots, that keep your attention, from the very first page until the very last.
The book is packed full of humour, and raises at least one smile in nearly every chapter, of which there are many.
The chapters are short, giving the impression that something is happening all of the time, which is something I liked. The short chapters also encourage you to keep reading - just one more chapter before bedtime syndrome is definitely in evidence here!
The lead investigators are both likeable characters, which may not be important for some, but it definitely makes me want to keep reading about them.
Finally, and probably most importantly, it’s a very entertaining crime novel, that has a clever twist in the tail. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
March 18, 2010
A fast-paced thriller taking place in Hollywood, the novel is a good read that kept me interested, not so much because of its plot but rather because of its extremely entertaining tone and humor.
The setting is appealing inasmuch as it takes us backstage of the family entertainment industry, a barely disguised caricature of the Disney empire. The series of murders is well thought out, and Karp avoids the formulaic pitfalls of repeated homicides. The novel is bulky and fills rather rapidly with the family entanglement and love life of the archetypal detective hero. This may be why the denouement seems hurried, somewhat hastily put together and therefore a little unconvincing.
Regardless of the fact that the ending lacks the imagination that makes the rest of the novel so entertaining, albeit easily forgettable, this is a fun read for any amateur escapist.
The setting is appealing inasmuch as it takes us backstage of the family entertainment industry, a barely disguised caricature of the Disney empire. The series of murders is well thought out, and Karp avoids the formulaic pitfalls of repeated homicides. The novel is bulky and fills rather rapidly with the family entanglement and love life of the archetypal detective hero. This may be why the denouement seems hurried, somewhat hastily put together and therefore a little unconvincing.
Regardless of the fact that the ending lacks the imagination that makes the rest of the novel so entertaining, albeit easily forgettable, this is a fun read for any amateur escapist.
August 5, 2009
Just about finished. Very good, albeit waaaay too long. Definitely could have used an editor -- there's no reason this needed to be 600 pages long. (If said editor were me, the entire subplot about the brother would have been the first one to go. Also, he sets up back stories and emotions for every random character and bit player. Interesting, well-written, but doesn't add much to the overall plot.)
A murder-mystery set in a Disney-like park. Starts off with a dead furry, and gets weirder from there. Very funny, and gets pretty violent towards the end. The author is a former tv and movie writer and it shows; he's got a great sense of LA and show business, and the book definitely feels like it could easily be a movie one day.
A murder-mystery set in a Disney-like park. Starts off with a dead furry, and gets weirder from there. Very funny, and gets pretty violent towards the end. The author is a former tv and movie writer and it shows; he's got a great sense of LA and show business, and the book definitely feels like it could easily be a movie one day.
July 5, 2015
This book is unusually long � 600+ pages � for a first novel. They tend to be short with later novels in the series growing longer with each entry. Here, the opposite is true. The remaining three novels are all around 300 pages.
Some of that length may be due to Karp providing lots of backstory about his primary characters, but he handles it so well, it doesn’t bog the story down.
Karp fills the whole novel with subtle humor while delivering a complex plot full of unexpected turns and several subplots that are equally compelling - one could have been a novel on it's own.
Mike Lomax is a fully developed main character.
The next book in the series is already on my ‘To Read� list.
Some of that length may be due to Karp providing lots of backstory about his primary characters, but he handles it so well, it doesn’t bog the story down.
Karp fills the whole novel with subtle humor while delivering a complex plot full of unexpected turns and several subplots that are equally compelling - one could have been a novel on it's own.
Mike Lomax is a fully developed main character.
The next book in the series is already on my ‘To Read� list.
June 2, 2019
Very well done book. So well done I did have a hard time putting it down. Further I annoyed family by laughing out loud in spots.
I’m usually good at seeing where things are going, but this author turned my assumptions and shocked me to the core.
The character building was great, disturbingly so in some cases.
Bottom line, I am very glad I actually opened this gifted book! It may not be the all time best I’ve read, but I am actively seeking out more by this author; especially Lomax and Biggs tales.
I’m usually good at seeing where things are going, but this author turned my assumptions and shocked me to the core.
The character building was great, disturbingly so in some cases.
Bottom line, I am very glad I actually opened this gifted book! It may not be the all time best I’ve read, but I am actively seeking out more by this author; especially Lomax and Biggs tales.
May 4, 2008
This book was funnier than i thought it was going to be. the plot is a bit complicated for the licks of me, with the many different ways that this story can go you can tell that this story is going to end up in tears.
there many twists and turns that sometimes i had to read and reread bit because i just couldnt belive what waas going on.
its a real page turned and i look foward to the next book Karp brings out.
there many twists and turns that sometimes i had to read and reread bit because i just couldnt belive what waas going on.
its a real page turned and i look foward to the next book Karp brings out.
October 15, 2010
I love crime thrillers, but sometimes I find the genre getting a bit old. Same old story lines, same washed up characters. Enter Karp. This is a fantastic read that will have you belly-laughing whilst glued to every word. Fast paced and well written, the characters are exceptional. There's plenty of behind the scenes irony and word-play. I would highly recommend this to fellow crime novel enthusiasts. I look forward to reading more of these books!
November 17, 2011
This was a great story with a lot of little stories going on within. The Mike character and his partner Terry (Bigg & Lomax)were very likeable. Mike is trying to recover from losing his wife to cancer at a young age and their story was wonderful. I already downloaded his others. This one was a long book, well anything that takes me 4 days is long LOL I am going to move on and look forward to another Lomax book
June 13, 2007
Incredible debut novel! It is not the who-dunnit that gets you it is what is happening in the lives of Biggs and Lomax. Mr. Karp's characters come right ouf the book and become a part of your life. This one is a little long and the subplot with the brother could have been left out but it does illustrate what a tight family Big Jim has made.
February 1, 2008
I may be a *bit* biased here -- but I was lucky enough to meet Marshall when he was on tour for The Rabbit Factory, his first Lomax & Biggs novel.
I didn't know what to expect from it -- but I know I generally like mystery novels. This was outstanding for two reasons. It was a great mystery and it was hilarious. *Highly* recommended.
I didn't know what to expect from it -- but I know I generally like mystery novels. This was outstanding for two reasons. It was a great mystery and it was hilarious. *Highly* recommended.
May 21, 2023
A suspenseful fast paced book. I found it hard to put down; the chapters are short, making it easy to tell yourself there is time for another. I thought I had it all figured out when a surprise twist was added. There were quite a few side stories that had nothing to do with the crime plot. I chaulked these up as character development for future books.
October 6, 2015
Funny, fast paced, imaginative and satirical look at the movie business and life in southern California. Someone is murdering people associated with an imaginary "Disney" like entertainment conglomerate.
May 31, 2011
I really liked this new series about two cops. There's a lot of humor, which I always enjoy, and the partners' relationships seems pretty stable which is a rarity in this genre. I look forward to reading more by this author.
March 25, 2016
Terrific read. Solid, intriguing mystery (thought I had it figured out a couple of times but I was always wrong!) with loads of laughs along the way. Totally did not see the ending coming, which made it even more amazing.
October 3, 2015
I'm not normally into crime fiction but this was an excellent read. Lots of interesting characters, funny moments and a genuine good read. I really didn't guess the way the book would pan out or any of the twists, which was refreshing
September 7, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. I flew through it and was reluctant to leave its world.
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