River of Lies

Overview

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?

Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and Karin Slaughter

While the novels in the Emily Hunter Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:

Face of Greed
River of Lies

Reviews

"River of Lies is a rich, gripping crime novel. James L'Etoile writes with a deep understanding of both human nature and investigative procedure, a combination that keeps the pages flying past." -- Lou Berney, Edgar Award-winning author of Double Barrel Bluff

"River of Lies is a tour de force thriller by a talented and observant storyteller. It shines a light on the American poor at the hands of political and financial powers that control their fates. Brooding, heartfelt and powerful."
​-- T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times best-selling author

"River of Lies is a masterful blend of political intrigue and personal drama, weaving elements of true-life crime into a twisty, page-turning and compelling plot--with a climax and denouement that will shock you to the core. Enthusiastically recommended." -- Baron Birtcher, award-winning author

"James L'Etoile's River of Lies is every bit as twisty, unexpected, and compelling as his first Emily Hunter detective mystery, with everything that I love in a police procedural in spades: a smart and intuitive lead detective, an equally intuitive partner, and a high-stakes, ripped-from-the-headlines case that will challenge them both. When the second book in a series is even better than the first, you know you're going to be following these characters for a very long time." --Karen Dionne, USA Today best-selling author of The Marsh King's Daughter

Author Biography

James L’Etoile is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system, and he uses his twenty-nine years “behind bars” as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. His novels include Dead Drop, Black Label, At What Cost, Bury the Past, and Little River. River of Lies is the second book in his Emily Hunter Mystery Series, following the Lefty Award-nominated Face of Greed. L’Etoile lives with his wife outside of Sacramento, California. When he’s not writing, you can find him working with his Corgi therapy dogs.