Groove by Paul Knobloch is a darkly comic crime novel that knows exactly what it wants to be and commits to being as such. The story takes place around Los Angeles and the Southern California desert. It follows Eddie, who has more than 6,000 old 78s and LPs, mainly of post-WWII blues and R&B that he keeps locked away in a deadbolted vault. He also has a drug operation going on while maintaining a comfortable, controlled life, with his wife Ginger, who serves drinks at the Pretty Titty. But Eddie’s life begins to unravel through his arrangements with Dr. Michael Tsu, a heroin-addicted physician. In exchange for black-tar heroin, Dr. Tsu provides him with oxycodone prescriptions. Frankie, a criminal associate and friend of Eddie’s, begins moving the pills through the Pretty Titty. His girlfriend, Sophie, also becomes involved in selling them. All of these characters’ worlds become increasingly complicated, as they are pulled further into their criminal mess.