suspense

On paper, Dave Zeltserman's 2008 novel "Small Crimes" has all the ingredients for a classic noir novel: A crooked cop trying unsuccessfully to mend his ways, an even-more-corrupt sheriff and a district attorney out to avenge himself on the cop, who maimed him eight years ago.

But "Small Crimes" lacks the spice that would make it sing. The result: A pale imitation of the real thing.