‘Illusion of Truth’ by James L’Etoile; Oceanview; $19.99; 392 pages
James L’Etoile’s authentic procedurals mix police work with politics, revenge and the personal lives of detectives.
The superb “Illusion of Truth,” L’Etoile’s third novel about detective Emily Hunter, moves at a brisk pace as it delves into various aspects of life in Sacramento, California.
On the personal side, Emily and police officer Brian Conner are in love, but their relationship stalls when she refuses to move in with him, as the commitment scares her. Their professional lives take a turn when a bomb goes off shortly after Brian and his partner arrive at a church, responding to a 911 call that’s later found to be fake. Both officers survive, but Brian is left with a traumatic brain injury. Unknown to Emily, Brian listed her as his next of kin and health care proxy. That’s a bigger commitment than moving in together, as now she is in charge of his future.
As Emily deals with Brian and her often-agitated mother, who is in a memory care center, she also is pulled into the investigation as more police officers are victims of bombings, lured to the scene by fake 911 calls. An ambitious politician uses the bombing to advance his anti-police agenda, hampering the investigation.
L’Etoile realistically shows how complicated police investigations can be. “Illusion of Truth” is filled with believable cops who are not perfect but devoted to the job. Conversation flows naturally as they use banter to relieve stress, even as they stay laser-focused.
L’Etoile keeps the labyrinthine plot tightly focused, while the police officers’ personal lives add a balance to the story. Emily’s strong personality and her respect for her colleagues work well. This is a series that keeps growing.
A VALENTINE TO READING
‘All My Bones: An Old Juniper Bookstore Mystery’ by P.J. Nelson; Minotaur; 352 pages; $28
The joys and frustrations of living in a small town, the value of friends and the challenges of rebuilding one’s life meld into a humorous and light but also poignant “All My Bones,” the second in P.J. Nelson’s Old Juniper Bookstore Mystery series.
Nelson adds a wide swath of humor and seriousness to the highly entertaining “All My Bones,” which also serves as a valentine to reading and book selling.
Madeline Brimley needed a new role after her long, fairly successful career as an actress in New York and Atlanta had pretty much its course. Acting had been all she wanted to do since majoring in theater at Florida State University— but now that’s part of her past.
She has found satisfaction both professionally and personally since she’s been running the Old Juniper Bookshop, which her late Aunt Rose left her. Bookstore business is going well, with sales on the rise, no mean feat in her hometown of Enigma, Georgia, population 1,251. She’s also reconnected with friends and has found a love interest.
Madeline has been sprucing up the Victorian that houses the bookstore, but her attempts to fix up the front yard have a different outcome. Madeline and friend Gloria Coleman find a human skull while digging, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation rules that a murder has occurred.
The body is that of Beatrice Glassie, known for being a troublemaker who’s been missing for months. It’s hard to find anyone in Enigma who liked Beatrice, let alone didn’t want to kill her. But when Gloria is arrested, Madeline and other friends start their own investigations to prove her innocence.
“All My Bones” moves at a brisk clip, helmed by the strong, intelligent Madeline.
Enigma, a terrific name for a small town populated by close friends and lifelong feuds will remind readers of Cabot Cove, the villages of “Midsomer Murders” and other small towns where many meet untimely deaths.
You may not want to live there, but you would buy a few books at Old Juniper while visiting.
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