BROKEN MONSTERS-Not Altogether Great Crime/Thriller

BROKEN MONSTERS is a crime novel written by Lauren Beukes (b.  S.  Africa 1976.)  She sets her killer thriller in rotting Detroit with a gruesome murder/amalgamation.  The murderer is revealed towards the beginning but you'll be vested by Detective Gabriella's (Gabi) search for the killer before the killer strikes again.  The victims are mutilated & grossly reassembled using animal parts.  Oops, buzz kill - there are more victims.  This crime/thriller is engaging due to the relationships between Gabi & her daughter Layla & Layla's friendship with Cas.  Layla is a bright h.s. student struggling to fit into a new school & adjust to her parent's divorce.  At school, Layla is befriended by gorgeous, bumptious Cas and so begins a beautiful friendship.  We get a keen perspective into the lives of today's teens, & their obsessions with their iPhones & social networking.  Layla & Cas are not the only media casualties.  There are other media hounds consumed with creating their 15 minutes of fame.  The situations the 2 girls create for themselves & find themselves in are disturbing.  The setting in Detroit is a seedy backdrop of urban decay.  Det. Gabi's resolve to find the murderer keeps us interested the case.  Unfortunately, the dramatic climax is overblown & crumbles the credible build-up of intensity.  BROKEN MONSTERS is a quick read.  It provides a sharp look at today's teen culture & the distorted effects of our social media culture.  It falls short of being a very suspenseful & clever thriller.