River of Lies

Arsonists attacking a homeless encampment sparks an investigation into the highest levels of city government in L’Etoile’s follow-up to Face of Greed. Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to the scene of one of the fires, and they quickly learn why when the dead body of the former mayor of Sacramento is found in the wreckage. A little girl whose mother got caught in the fire and hospitalized appears to be a witness. Emily feels protective of the little girl, and when she discovers that other homeless camps have been torched and the former mayor was dead before the fire even started, she realizes that the child might have a target on her back. L’Etoile juggles excellent, highly realistic characters with a terrific crime story that feels like the best of Michael Connelly. Readers will anxiously turn the pages while they are confronted with complex issues in the real world, such as how to compassionately help people experiencing homelessness and the trauma of trying to assist elderly parents who have Alzheimer’s. It’s unnecessary to read Face of Greed first to enjoy this novel, and to be honest, River of Lies is even better. With all the award nominations Face of Greed received, expect even more for this one.