Illusion of Truth

Detective Emily Hunter Mystery, #3

by

James L'Etoile

Heart-pounding action and complex plot twists!

Illusion of Truth is the third book in author James L'Etoile's riveting Detective Emily Hunter Mystery series, and in this latest story, the tables are turned as Sacramento PD's finest become the target of a killer. When Emily's romantic partner, Sergeant Brian Conner, is severely injured in a targeted church bombing, her need for a swift and successful closure to the investigation is not only critical but personal. But as additional attacks on more officers and others continue, the clues seem to point to a vendetta against the particular officers themselves, and getting the answers she needs to find the bomber becomes harder and harder as one of their own is implicated. 

Emily is such a relatable woman. With her mother in memory care and her having mixed feelings about merging households with her significant other while holding down a crucial, tension-filled job, you can't help but root for her the entire time. No wonder she's blunt. In her shoes, who would have time to play games or pussyfoot around? I love her dedication to her job, but I moan over her keeping her thoughts to herself and not letting Javier know what she's thinking when she's on the track of a solution, although I enjoy their usual rapport. I understand both her having second thoughts about taking this next step with Brian and his disappointment that she didn't jump for joy at his suggestion. Brian's story is tragic, fraught with the pain of the initial injury, recuperations, and rehabilitation, and his natural and realistic concerns for his future: one that may be much different from the one he'd planned. Even partner Javier is facing tough decisions about his future due to his growing relationship with Jenny, who has been offered a spectacular opportunity in Portland's larger media market. 

The plot is well-paced and suspenseful as Sacramento PD officers are being stalked, manipulated, and attacked. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, a new twist would literally grab the plot and drag it in another direction. Not only did the story make me jumpy, wondering when the next attack would come and whether it would be against Emily or Javier, but the action and clever redirection kept me glued to the pages for hours at a time. I didn't want to put the book down until I knew what the resolution would be. This latest book may be my favorite of the series so far. 

I recommend ILLUSION OF TRUTH to fans of mysteries, thrillers, and suspenseful police procedurals. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.