What is the author's style in The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais?

Since the perspective of the story is limited, the reader does not see certain events first-hand. The reader does not see Ellen's kidnapping or her experiences while she is being held hostage. The reader does not see Perry at all, except for a few brief glimpses, although recovering Perry is Elvis's main job through most of the novel. Ellen's experiences are told second-hand, when she relates what happened to her. This distances the reader from some traumatic events.