Face of Greed, the latest mystery by James L’Etoile, coming November 7! Pre-sales available now.
Book Review + Book and Author Info + #NotMyCat
Face of Greed by James L’Etoile
When a prominent Sacramento businessman is killed and his wife injured in a brutal home invasion, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to investigate. At first glance, it seems like a crime of opportunity gone horribly wrong, but Emily soon finds there might be more to both the crime and the dead man.
The high-stakes investigation also comes at a time when Emily is caring for her mother, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, and Emily struggles to balance her job with her personal life. The city’s political elite seem to want the case solved quickly, but darker forces want it buried.
Could there have been a motive behind the attack, making it more than a random home invasion? Emily uncovers clues that cause her to reconsider her understanding of the crime. A deadly game of greed and deception pulls Emily deeper into the shadowy world of gang violence and retribution. She has to walk the razor’s edge to identify the killer—without becoming the next victim.
To purchase Face of Greed, click any of the following links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Bookshop.org / Books a Million / Kobo / Face in a Book / Book Passage / Target
My Thoughts on Face of Greed
Always a terrific writer, James L’Etoile reaches even greater heights with his latest release.
Emily Hunter is exactly the kind of protagonist readers can get behind. Not only a great detective, she’s also a complex person with flaws and challenges in her personal life, making her relatable and easy to root for.
The novel takes place in Sacramento, a town we don’t see a lot in crime fiction. Despite being the capitol city of California, it often lands in the shadows of its famous siblings, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. It’s fun to get to know this location while we chase clues with Emily and her partner Javier Medina.
The relationship between Emily and Javier is another plus in this knockout mystery. Though only partnered for the last six months, their easy camaraderie is a break from the seriousness of the crime scenes and the larger investigation. Both characters have family lives, which intersect with their jobs and each other. Emily faces caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s, a heartbreaking situation to watch as she struggles to do what’s best for herself and her mom.
Along with the high profile case, the deceased is a local businessman with friends in positions of power, the duo has to deal with office politics and a mayor who is a little too interested in the outcome of their investigation. With her actions under a microscope, Emily and her partner are also blocked from above by the machinations of the local elite.
Fast moving, intricately plotted, and engaging to the final line, fans of strong female sleuths and compelling police procedurals will be lining up for the next Detective Emily Hunter mystery.
… and as an added bonus … everyone in love with #NotMyCat is in for a treat!
Read my cat Coal Train’s interview with #NotMyCat, click the link here.
James L’Etoile, Author of Face of Greed
Author James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system. He is a nationally recognized expert witness and consultant on prison and jail operations.
L’Etoile’s crime fiction work has garnered the Silver Falchion award and Dead Drop was a 2022 Lefty and Anthony Award nominee in the Best Mystery Novel of the Year category. Look for The Devil Within and Face of Greed, both releasing in 2023.
Major social themes weave through his work, including the world of human trafficking, black market organ transplants, homelessness, domestic terrorism, immigration policy, political corruption, and the pharmaceutical industry.
James is represented by the Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.
To learn more about James, click any of the following links: Website, Facebook, TwitterX & Instagram
Thanks so very much, Elena! SO happy to hear you enjoyed Face of Greed. I loved creating Emily’s character and I’m glad she came across as the complicated, snarky person she is. Thank you! And #NotMyCat sends her love for recognizing her in her debut!
The pleasure was mine! Can’t wait for it to be out in the world (and my love back to #NotMyCat!)