richly painted viciously pastel that weaves his way from Mansions of Hollywood hills to the trailers of Visalia light before day is at once compelling piece of crime fiction with a cultural take on gay West Hollywood and it's dark undercuts it is in his most assured novel to date Christopher Rice skillfully reveals elaborate deadly secrets and horrified surprises each more shocking than last. like a yarn by Stephen King crossed with a tail of Edmond White the snow garden offers finally nuanced characters studies as its pages with by and it's chilling conclusion The advocate