5-STAR REVIEW: RIVER OF LIES by James L’Etoile

A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery: Book 2
Publication Date: January 7, 2025

Detective Emily Hunter must be the voice for the voiceless

The homeless camps spread throughout the city of Sacramento are a topic of heated debate among residents. They’re considered undesirable—a nuisance—an eyesore. But when the camps fall victim to a string of devastating arson attacks, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, dive into the investigation and become acquainted with the real people whose lives have been destroyed.

The attacks only begin to draw attention when two of the victims are identified as the city’s former anti-homeless mayor and a camp social worker—but rather than strengthening the push for justice, the movement to completely abolish the camps intensifies.

The investigation becomes politically charged when Emily discovers who stands to gain from burning the homeless out of their shelters. She struggles to balance the high-stakes investigation with caring for her Alzheimer’s-stricken mother, whose condition is rapidly deteriorating. The investigation uncovers an unlikely suspect and a reluctant witness standing between Emily and the shocking truth. Can Emily overcome resistance and her personal obstacles to halt the attacks?

When murder and arson sweep through the Sacramento homeless camps, investigators must put together random clues to expose the culprit.

Author James L’Etoile delivers the second installment in the Detective Emily Hunter mystery series with River of Lies. While it can easily be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the books in sequence to see the character growth.

Emily and Javier have a great rapport that allows their characters to work well together. Their close friendship is apparent in the humorous exchanges, of which there are many. Emily takes her role seriously, but she continues to face a decision about placing her mother in a memory-care home. This adds to the overall appeal, making Emily’s struggles relatable.

On the surface, it appears that someone is targeting homeless camps. Factor in the body of a well-known politician, and Emily and Javier start poking around city government. It’s a high-octane investigation as the body count rises and pressure mounts to find the culprit.

With this series, the author has delivered an exceptional cast of characters. Both of the main characters have love interests, so time will tell whether those relationships will be made permanent.

River of Lies features an intricate web of deceit that the detectives must unravel one strand at a time.

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, and director of California’s state parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, and the Public Safety Writers Award. River of Lies is his most recent novel. Look for Sins of the Father and The Red List, coming soon. He is the host of Authors on the Air, served as a board member of his local Sister-in-Crime chapter, sits on the Mystery Writers of America national board, and serves as the Director of QueryFest at ThrillerFest for International Thriller Writers.

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