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Detective Elouise Norton #3
Trail of Echoes
Trail of the latest Elouise Norton novel from critically acclaimed writer Rachel Howzell Hall.
On a rainy spring day in Los Angeles, homicide detective Elouise "Lou" Norton is called away from a rare lunch date to Bonner Park, where the body of thirteen-year-old Chanita Lords has been discovered. When Lou and her partner, Colin Taggert, take on the sad task of informing Chanita's mother, Lou is surprised to find herself in the apartment building she grew up in.
Chanita was interested in photography and, much like Lou, a girl destined to leave the housing projects behind. Her death fits a chilling pattern of exceptional girls--dancers, artists, honors scholars-gone recently missing in the same school district, the one Lou attended not so long ago.
Lou is valiantly trying to make a go of life after her divorce and doing everything she can to avoid her long estranged father. She races to catch a serial killer, but he remains frustratingly out of her reach, sending cryptic cyphers and taunting clues that arrive too late to prevent the next death. This one is personal, and it's only a matter of time before he comes after Lou herself.
"Gives voice to a rare figure in crime a highly complex, fully imagined black female detective." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
On a rainy spring day in Los Angeles, homicide detective Elouise "Lou" Norton is called away from a rare lunch date to Bonner Park, where the body of thirteen-year-old Chanita Lords has been discovered. When Lou and her partner, Colin Taggert, take on the sad task of informing Chanita's mother, Lou is surprised to find herself in the apartment building she grew up in.
Chanita was interested in photography and, much like Lou, a girl destined to leave the housing projects behind. Her death fits a chilling pattern of exceptional girls--dancers, artists, honors scholars-gone recently missing in the same school district, the one Lou attended not so long ago.
Lou is valiantly trying to make a go of life after her divorce and doing everything she can to avoid her long estranged father. She races to catch a serial killer, but he remains frustratingly out of her reach, sending cryptic cyphers and taunting clues that arrive too late to prevent the next death. This one is personal, and it's only a matter of time before he comes after Lou herself.
"Gives voice to a rare figure in crime a highly complex, fully imagined black female detective." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2016
234 people are currently reading
1384 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Howzell Hall
34 books2,449 followersRACHEL HOWZELL HALL l is the critically acclaimed author and Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist for And Now She’s Gone, which was also nominated for the Lefty-, Barry-, Shamus- and Anthony Awards and the Audible Originals bestseller How It Ends. A New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister with James Patterson, Rachel is an Anthony-, International Thriller Writers- and Lefty Award nominee and the author of They All Fall Down, Land of Shadows, Skies of Ash, Trail of Echoes and City of Saviors in the Detective Elouise Norton series. Her next thriller, These Toxic Things, out in September 2021, recently received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, calling the novel ‘cleverly-plotted’ and ‘a refreshing take on the serial killer theme.’
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 23, 2016
The writing, the word skill and wit /flow of the prose, the use of language- clever to a 5. Precise to the emotive too. And also within Lou's thoughts and determinations, minute to minute spot on- that's a 5, as well. She truly can write zinger copy. Not only in the dialog. But especially in the dialog! Short phrases in which lethally pointed words or present trend colloquial memes' nuance hit the bulls eye. Before you even knew there was a target. OR a weapon.
There were several times, I did laugh out loud. And as quickly as she (Lou) discerned that the girl in the counselor's office, although barely 13, still knew her way "around a pole". Hall doesn't pull any punches.
The plot, with some nasty, nasty perps and serial atrocities of despicable nature. Dismal and horrific. Who is killing 13 or 14 year old girls?
This particular case progression and the mean girls conversations, if you want to call them conversations, were (for me) a 3. And the police "in bicker" periods now and again, also 3.
But the story of the newly divorced Elouise continues at a pace, as does her partner's nasty cold and persistent after cough. Lena added enough to make it a full 4. Her bracelets jangling all the way.
Good series, and I'll take #4 for the series as soon as it appears.
There were several times, I did laugh out loud. And as quickly as she (Lou) discerned that the girl in the counselor's office, although barely 13, still knew her way "around a pole". Hall doesn't pull any punches.
The plot, with some nasty, nasty perps and serial atrocities of despicable nature. Dismal and horrific. Who is killing 13 or 14 year old girls?
This particular case progression and the mean girls conversations, if you want to call them conversations, were (for me) a 3. And the police "in bicker" periods now and again, also 3.
But the story of the newly divorced Elouise continues at a pace, as does her partner's nasty cold and persistent after cough. Lena added enough to make it a full 4. Her bracelets jangling all the way.
Good series, and I'll take #4 for the series as soon as it appears.
August 29, 2017
Elouise Norton, how I love you and how excited I am that I've got another book about you waiting on top of my sewing machine at home. My only qualm with this is with all of the hints dropped throughout the book which Lou, a person who is living in a detective novel, ignored, annoying me, a person who is not. Instead of aha moments, I had too many "yes that was a clue and you guys should have figured that out already" moments. It's not often that my hatred for dudes leads me to guess correctly who the killer is so early in the book, but I guess it was nice to feel validated. On to City of Saviors!
January 6, 2017
I could not finish this book. I got as far as page 39. When the author,proof reader and editor mess up on simple basic physics I cannot believe any narratives regarding forensics or investigative techniques. Starting on page 38 and continuing on page 39 the author describes hearing thunder and then counting the seconds until Det Norton sees the lightning. Any high school senior should know that light travels faster than sound. Therefore she would see the lighting FIRST and then count the seconds until the thunder. Such a basic mistake ruined the authors credibility for me.
November 6, 2016
The ending was not worthy of the story that was told. I expected more out of Ms. Hall.
Read
May 22, 2021DNF at about 45% cus I can’t muster any sympathy for cops, even a Black woman cop.
July 31, 2017
Someone is killing talented black teenage girls from Detective Elouise (Lou) Norton old neighborhood. Lou is smart, witty and will definitely become your new favorite detective. You will often find yourself laughing out loud and saying "Lou said what?" I can not wait to read the 4th book in this series, City of Saviors.
July 3, 2016
One of the best mystery writers out there right now.
April 12, 2020
I really enjoy this series, which follows homicide detective Elouise “Lou” Norton in L.A. (If you want reviews for book 1 and book 2.) This time around Lou gets taken back to the building she grew up in when a thirteen-year-old girl is found dead at a park. Sadly, there’s a pattern of talented young girls who are disappearing, and soon someone is taunting investigators.
Lou is snarky, determined, refuses to take crap, and will not stop until she figures out who is responsible. You get the personal aspect of a case that hits close to home for the detective, her working with her new-ish partner Colin Taggert, her relationship with her boss, her awesome friendships, and her trying to date. Hall is very skilled at bringing to life communities that home different races and ethnicities while giving them many different voices. If you’re a fan of police detective procedurals, you should definitely pick this series up!
(TW rape, statutory/ discussion of suicide, attempts)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
Lou is snarky, determined, refuses to take crap, and will not stop until she figures out who is responsible. You get the personal aspect of a case that hits close to home for the detective, her working with her new-ish partner Colin Taggert, her relationship with her boss, her awesome friendships, and her trying to date. Hall is very skilled at bringing to life communities that home different races and ethnicities while giving them many different voices. If you’re a fan of police detective procedurals, you should definitely pick this series up!
(TW rape, statutory/ discussion of suicide, attempts)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
October 22, 2020
This, the third in the Detective Lou Norton series, continues Lou's personal and professional struggles, and introduces a serial killer into the mix. Although I spotted the bad guy much earlier than Lou did, I enjoyed the story very much.
March 8, 2018
Again, Lou is here dedicated to giving her full attention to the types of crimes that affect the Black community, specifically Black women, that rarely get much shine. All while her personal life is full of "WTF is happening?" lol I'm not big on reading book series' but I absolutely love this one.
May 30, 2016
Rachel Howzell Hall has done it again. Trail of Echoes is terrific, best one yet. As the third book in the series we continue to get insight into Detective Lou Norton. We see her strengths and vulnerabilities and can relate to her struggles. You are always rooting for her. Another girl is dead which leads to the discovery of a serial killer; a killer of young black girls that no one seems to care about. As Lou travels the trail of clues we are introduced to a variety creepy suspects and Rachel keeps you guessing until the very end. It makes you wonder how many potential predators (of varying levels) we interact with every day.
Rachel writes in such a way that is both accessible and paints the story so clearly in your mind you might be hard pressed to believe you didn’t watch the movie. Although, it is better than the movie because nothing is left out.
What I have always enjoyed about Rachel’s characters over the years is that they are very credible and identifiable in our own lives. It is precisely this that makes Rachel’s books stay with you and makes you take inventory in your own life; it is very reminiscent in this way of an earlier book, “No One Knows You’re Here.
Rachel writes in such a way that is both accessible and paints the story so clearly in your mind you might be hard pressed to believe you didn’t watch the movie. Although, it is better than the movie because nothing is left out.
What I have always enjoyed about Rachel’s characters over the years is that they are very credible and identifiable in our own lives. It is precisely this that makes Rachel’s books stay with you and makes you take inventory in your own life; it is very reminiscent in this way of an earlier book, “No One Knows You’re Here.
March 29, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
The third book in the Detective Elouise Norton series, ‘Trail of Echoes’ takes Lou back to the place of her beginnings as she and her partner, Colin Taggert, try to discover who is behind the murder of a talented young 13-year old girl. This case hits a little too close to home, as Lou finds herself investigating a crime with links to the apartment where she lived many years ago. Norton and Taggert are in a race against the clock to stop a serial killer before he can strike again.
Lou Norton is a smart, grounded detective who will grab and hold your attention as you follow in her footsteps as she pursues a murderer.
The third book in the Detective Elouise Norton series, ‘Trail of Echoes’ takes Lou back to the place of her beginnings as she and her partner, Colin Taggert, try to discover who is behind the murder of a talented young 13-year old girl. This case hits a little too close to home, as Lou finds herself investigating a crime with links to the apartment where she lived many years ago. Norton and Taggert are in a race against the clock to stop a serial killer before he can strike again.
Lou Norton is a smart, grounded detective who will grab and hold your attention as you follow in her footsteps as she pursues a murderer.
December 4, 2018
Rachel Howzell Hall's 'Trail of Echoes' is a nice addition to a series that has grown on me. The protagonist, Eloise 'Lou' Norton, is a detective in the rough part of LA who grew up in one of the local housing projects. She's tough, smart, race conscious (she's black), and has a rather mixed up home life. In this one, Lou tackles a murder that hits, literally, close to home. A young girl, who lived in an apartment in the same project in which Lou was raised, is found murdered in a nearby park. Strange clues are left at the scene, but no one can make any sense of them. Soon, other murders and kidnappings of similar girls are tied together and it's apparent a serial killer is on the loose. Suspects abound, yet as the detectives sift through their backgrounds and interviews no one has a direct link to the crimes.
In the meantime, Lou fights through her issues at home. She rooms with a reporter who may or may not be pumping her for information on the case, her father who abandoned the family years ago is trying to get in touch, she's divorced but 'in play' with 2 guys who are trying to date her, and the pressure of the case is getting to her. Normally I like when authors introduce sections about their characters' home life into crime novels since it tends to humanize them and develop their personalities a bit, but Hall overdoes it a bit in that regard. Although one of the relationships ends up being very germane to the solution, the constant moving back and forth between investigation and what's next at home for Lou was a little annoying. No big deal, just could've used a touch less of it.
The conclusion is a bit of a switcheroo, but not entirely unexpected. Solid police work and a bit of luck sends the team down a path that seems promising, yet it only yields a partial result. The end is a wreck, but pretty well done.
I've read this series from the beginning and have enjoyed how the characters have developed. Lou's a complicated person- initially it seemed she was totally dismissive of her assigned partner, Colin, simply because he's white and didn't grow up in the inner city. She has a number of other issues related to her marriage, family life, and friends that have been worked through since the start of the series, and her relationship with her partner has improved to the point where he isn't treated as so much of a clown anymore. And the police work is nicely done, including all of the interpersonal dealings with her superiors and cohorts. It's a nice mystery/crime series with an unusual lead character- check it out!
In the meantime, Lou fights through her issues at home. She rooms with a reporter who may or may not be pumping her for information on the case, her father who abandoned the family years ago is trying to get in touch, she's divorced but 'in play' with 2 guys who are trying to date her, and the pressure of the case is getting to her. Normally I like when authors introduce sections about their characters' home life into crime novels since it tends to humanize them and develop their personalities a bit, but Hall overdoes it a bit in that regard. Although one of the relationships ends up being very germane to the solution, the constant moving back and forth between investigation and what's next at home for Lou was a little annoying. No big deal, just could've used a touch less of it.
The conclusion is a bit of a switcheroo, but not entirely unexpected. Solid police work and a bit of luck sends the team down a path that seems promising, yet it only yields a partial result. The end is a wreck, but pretty well done.
I've read this series from the beginning and have enjoyed how the characters have developed. Lou's a complicated person- initially it seemed she was totally dismissive of her assigned partner, Colin, simply because he's white and didn't grow up in the inner city. She has a number of other issues related to her marriage, family life, and friends that have been worked through since the start of the series, and her relationship with her partner has improved to the point where he isn't treated as so much of a clown anymore. And the police work is nicely done, including all of the interpersonal dealings with her superiors and cohorts. It's a nice mystery/crime series with an unusual lead character- check it out!
January 20, 2019
Trail of Echoes is third in the series that began with Land of Shadows and opens in the middle of March as the rains repeatedly pound the Los Angeles area. Free from her marriage to Greg by court decree and yet not free from his allure or many other ghosts physical and otherwise, Detective Norton’s plans for a normal lunch crash and burn. Such is the life when you are homicide detective for the LAPD and a body has been found.
Thirteen year old Chanita Lords has been found in a bag in Bonner Park. A beautiful park surrounded by homes owned by wealthy African Americans, it also is the site for the body of Chanita Lords. A teen that came from the same housing project that Detective Norton called home all those years ago. The young teen is one of several in the local area that have gone missing in recent weeks Who killed her, why, and is her case linked to the other recent missing girls are just some of many questions to be answered in Trail of Echoes.
As in the previous books in this series, the personal plays a major role in this police procedural. That is true whether one considers Detective Norton’s relationship with her Mom, her relationships with female friends, her relationships with her police family, and others. Each novel builds on those relationships as they evolve and change over time while also giving Detective Norton a major case to solve. The result is a very complicated police procedural in each installment and an overall very complicated series that must be read in order.
Like the earlier books in the series Trail Of Echoes is very good and well worth your time.
Trail Of Echoes: A Detective Elouise Norton Novel
Rachel Howzell Hall
http://www.rachelhowzell.com
Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
http://www.tor-forge.com
May 2016
ISBN# 978-0-7653-8117-0
Hardback (also available in paperback and digital formats)
320 Pages
$25.99
Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2018
https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
Thirteen year old Chanita Lords has been found in a bag in Bonner Park. A beautiful park surrounded by homes owned by wealthy African Americans, it also is the site for the body of Chanita Lords. A teen that came from the same housing project that Detective Norton called home all those years ago. The young teen is one of several in the local area that have gone missing in recent weeks Who killed her, why, and is her case linked to the other recent missing girls are just some of many questions to be answered in Trail of Echoes.
As in the previous books in this series, the personal plays a major role in this police procedural. That is true whether one considers Detective Norton’s relationship with her Mom, her relationships with female friends, her relationships with her police family, and others. Each novel builds on those relationships as they evolve and change over time while also giving Detective Norton a major case to solve. The result is a very complicated police procedural in each installment and an overall very complicated series that must be read in order.
Like the earlier books in the series Trail Of Echoes is very good and well worth your time.
Trail Of Echoes: A Detective Elouise Norton Novel
Rachel Howzell Hall
http://www.rachelhowzell.com
Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
http://www.tor-forge.com
May 2016
ISBN# 978-0-7653-8117-0
Hardback (also available in paperback and digital formats)
320 Pages
$25.99
Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2018
https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
October 1, 2018
While I was early on in this one I accidentally read another review that says who the killer was. But while I wished I hadn't, it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book, because this series is just SO GOOD--there's a lot more there than just the whodunnit aspect. And that's mostly because of Lou--she's hands down one of my favorite fictional detectives, and I love the way Rachel Howzell Hall writes her. Lou is tough but emotional, is funny and sarcastic, feels deeply even though she doesn't always show it. She makes this series compulsively readable for me.
The mystery in this book is a heavy one--teenage girls from Lou's childhood neighborhood are being killed and left on a local park. As always, it takes Lou back to her sister's murder, and she wants nothing more than to protect the young women who are in danger. There are suspects aplenty, and she's also dealing with personal issues with Syeeda, Sam, and her long-lost father. This series is worth a read for anyone who enjoys police procedurals, but I recommend starting from the beginning and reading them in order.
The mystery in this book is a heavy one--teenage girls from Lou's childhood neighborhood are being killed and left on a local park. As always, it takes Lou back to her sister's murder, and she wants nothing more than to protect the young women who are in danger. There are suspects aplenty, and she's also dealing with personal issues with Syeeda, Sam, and her long-lost father. This series is worth a read for anyone who enjoys police procedurals, but I recommend starting from the beginning and reading them in order.
September 10, 2019
Another good book in the series. In this one, Lou and her partner Colin are investigating what turns out to be a serial killer who is kidnapping and murdering young, gifted, African American girls from the housing projects known as "The Jungle."
Lou's personal life is kind of a mess and she's struggling to keep it out of her professional life. Lou's dad is also trying to get back in her life. I didn't find this storyline quite as compelling, but the investigation of the murders was great.
Fast-paced, witty writing, smart and funny. Lou if a great character--tough but emotional and you can relate to her. Again, I kind of guessed the killer pretty early on but that didn't ruin the wild ride of the book. I still enjoyed it!
January 10, 2019
Why hasn't Hollywood turned the Detective Elouise Norton series into a tv show? Her exploits would make a great cop drama. As with the previous 2 books in this series, the author does a great job creating a compelling story. I was particulary impressed by how she subtly weaved various types of child predators into the story. I also like how the Lou Norton character is evolving. I'm looking forward to reading book 4.
January 12, 2019
I continue to love this series. Lou Norton and her supporting cast are interesting, the plot is fast-paced and the reading is good.
This time around, Lou is hunting a serial killer who is kidnapping and murdering talented young girls. Some of the girls went to Lou's old middle school -- and lived in her old apartment building.
She is juggling issues with men, her ex-husband, her father and her family and friends -- and trying to keep a step ahead of a killer who may now be targeting Lou.
This time around, Lou is hunting a serial killer who is kidnapping and murdering talented young girls. Some of the girls went to Lou's old middle school -- and lived in her old apartment building.
She is juggling issues with men, her ex-husband, her father and her family and friends -- and trying to keep a step ahead of a killer who may now be targeting Lou.
September 11, 2017
This series just keeps getting better. This was tense, gritty, and real with character growth that's a long time coming. And even though I knew who did it as soon as they graced the page, the cat-and-mouse game was relentless and engaging. I also really, really,
really
need for Lou and Colin to get together.
July 24, 2020
This is the third book I have read from this author, and I love the character, Eloise Norton. She is very well written. I also enjoy the dialogue and the way that it sounds natural. What I did not like about this book was the ending. I feel like the book just ends with no real lead up to the conclusion. She ended the last book this way too—it kind of fades out.
March 3, 2018
I'm still enjoying this series and Lou Norton. Three excellent stories so far.....looking forward to #4.
April 9, 2020
An accomplished mystery featuring a black female detective written by a black female. Authentic AF.
May 2, 2023
4.5⭐️ this is a SOLID, well written Black woman detective series! I’m here for whatever case Detective Norton has to solve next.
March 18, 2021
LOVED this book! The more of this series I read the better they get!
July 3, 2016
Rachel Howzell Hall's Elouise Norton series is now three for three. All three novels are fairly conventional police procedurals that are superbly executed. Their assets include: a vividly evoked South Los Angeles setting that seems exotic although I live less than 10 miles away; a funny, tough but vulnerable heroine/narrator in homicide detective Elouise Norton; and a prose style that completely sucks me in and makes the outside world disappear (fewer and fewer novels are doing this for me as I get older). Although the story is framed around the hunt for a serial killer, the best parts of Trail of Echoes are when Detective Norton peers into the private lives of South Los Angeles residents - especially the lives of young girls who are trying to get ahead despite the challenges of their home and social environments.
POSSIBLE MILD SPOILER AHEAD (and a bit of fun). In the reviews I've been reading, there have been many complaints that the killer was easy to identify early on. I felt similarly , but I could deal with it. If the killer is prematurely recognized, it's because we as readers are familiar with the conventions of mysteries. On the other hand, Elouise Norton doesn't realize that she is in a mystery novel; she is under the illusion that she lives in the real world (we wouldn't want it any other way in this genre). In the rules of the real world, it's entirely believable that Detective Norton wouldn't make the appropriate connections, and we as readers are held in suspense over how she will figure out the truth and as to just how vulnerable she will make herself to the perpetrator.
POSSIBLE MILD SPOILER AHEAD (and a bit of fun). In the reviews I've been reading, there have been many complaints that the killer was easy to identify early on. I felt similarly , but I could deal with it. If the killer is prematurely recognized, it's because we as readers are familiar with the conventions of mysteries. On the other hand, Elouise Norton doesn't realize that she is in a mystery novel; she is under the illusion that she lives in the real world (we wouldn't want it any other way in this genre). In the rules of the real world, it's entirely believable that Detective Norton wouldn't make the appropriate connections, and we as readers are held in suspense over how she will figure out the truth and as to just how vulnerable she will make herself to the perpetrator.
November 4, 2018
As usual another great police procedural featuring Lou Norton, an African American female police lieutenant in a LA.
Like the first book, this one focuses on a series of young black girls who go missing and end up dead. It turns out the perp is a true serial killer who leaves notes and taunts Lou. He targets really bright really talented young women who come from lower income families. These are the girls who excel and would be expected to go to college and excel life and whose brains and motivation could be their ticket to move up and away. Out of the poverty and grind of their current lives. This kinda made me sad. I generally dislike stories where children are in jeopardy anyway. But targeting the killing the best and brightest in this situation is doubly heinous. It deprives everyone of whatever contribution they could have made. It hurts not to see potential lived, and it hurts me especially when it is young black girls the ones being snuffed out. Even if it is only fiction.
I figured out the identity of the perp really quickly. I wonder if were supposed to because the clues were all there, glaringly so. But Lou didn't cop to it til very late in the game.
Even though I was a little bummed at the cases, the book is just a delight to read. This writer! Ah! I love her way with words. I love Lou's snappy dialogue and her witty clap-backs her tough girl banter with her suspects, and her inner voice. The dialogue is just the best.
That ending though. I am glad that I have the next book already queued up. Even though the case is solved and Lou is a big damned hero in the end, she is not in a good place.
Ready for the next one.
Like the first book, this one focuses on a series of young black girls who go missing and end up dead. It turns out the perp is a true serial killer who leaves notes and taunts Lou. He targets really bright really talented young women who come from lower income families. These are the girls who excel and would be expected to go to college and excel life and whose brains and motivation could be their ticket to move up and away. Out of the poverty and grind of their current lives. This kinda made me sad. I generally dislike stories where children are in jeopardy anyway. But targeting the killing the best and brightest in this situation is doubly heinous. It deprives everyone of whatever contribution they could have made. It hurts not to see potential lived, and it hurts me especially when it is young black girls the ones being snuffed out. Even if it is only fiction.
I figured out the identity of the perp really quickly. I wonder if were supposed to because the clues were all there, glaringly so. But Lou didn't cop to it til very late in the game.
Even though I was a little bummed at the cases, the book is just a delight to read. This writer! Ah! I love her way with words. I love Lou's snappy dialogue and her witty clap-backs her tough girl banter with her suspects, and her inner voice. The dialogue is just the best.
That ending though. I am glad that I have the next book already queued up. Even though the case is solved and Lou is a big damned hero in the end, she is not in a good place.
Ready for the next one.
March 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The characters in the book are likable right off the bat and they are well developed. The story itself is very well thought out and is really a collection of smaller stories all intertwined around the main story with all of the characters being interesting. The story is also very relevant - it turned out the characters in the book were talking and betting over March Madness and I just happened to be reading the book at the exact same time as the story takes place (March 19th - March 24th) - this brought a whole new fun dimension to the book for me. For those of you who aren't sports lovers - don't fear - the references to March Madness aren't prevalent. The mystery is not predictable as I for sure thought I knew who the main suspect was and I was dead wrong - I loved that I was wrong! I had not read Hall's previous books but it turned out it wasn't necessary as this book stands on its own even though it is part of a series. There were some things alluded to that made me believe maybe they could have been covered in prior books but they weren't critical to the story. However, now I think I might be hooked and will need to go back and read the two other books that feature the homicide detective, Lou! If you are looking for a great mystery with lots of depth - look no further as you'll find it on the Trail of Echoes!
For transparency, I should say that I did win a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
For transparency, I should say that I did win a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
June 14, 2016
Train of Echoes was one of the most authentic books that I have ever read. It felt like I was watching actual detectives working on real cases. The dialog was right on. It never felt fake or speechy. It just sounded like real people talking among themselves. The characters, therefore, came alive. Great dialog makes for a great book. Many authors have built their careers on writing authentic dialog. Hopefully Ms. Hall’s other books continue in the same vein.
The only complaint I had with this book was that it was too easy to decide who the serial killer was. It wasn’t that there was too many clues, it was more a wonky feeling that I had about the character. You may not even get the same feeling that I did. But anyway, this early guess didn’t spoil the story for me in any way, it was just a little unexpected, since I usually am left guessing right until the end of most mystery books.
Ms. Hall is a strong voice and knows how to portray the explosive climate in the African-American community of Los Angeles. She writes accurate dialog and makes the most of believable settings. I am thoroughly impressed and plan on reading the first two books in this series.
I give Trail of Echoes 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are ready to take on a new type of female detective, give Trail of Echoes a try. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The only complaint I had with this book was that it was too easy to decide who the serial killer was. It wasn’t that there was too many clues, it was more a wonky feeling that I had about the character. You may not even get the same feeling that I did. But anyway, this early guess didn’t spoil the story for me in any way, it was just a little unexpected, since I usually am left guessing right until the end of most mystery books.
Ms. Hall is a strong voice and knows how to portray the explosive climate in the African-American community of Los Angeles. She writes accurate dialog and makes the most of believable settings. I am thoroughly impressed and plan on reading the first two books in this series.
I give Trail of Echoes 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are ready to take on a new type of female detective, give Trail of Echoes a try. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 14, 2016
This is the third outing for Rachel Howell Hall's female homicide detective Elouise Norton and her still green, but growing country boy partner Colin Taggert.
In this novel, the main plot deals with missing teen females from the same subsidized housing where Elouise Norton also grew up. The novel also deals with Norton's almost, non-existent dating life and the return of her father, who abandoned her and her family many years ago.
Hall is quite adept at police procedural novels, especially when one remembers that this is just the third book in the series. Frankly, I would put her police procedural writing on par with that of Michael Connelly.
Any complaints I have with aspects of the story are minor and I'm hoping that future installments will avoid villains, i.e. the diabolically, brilliant serial killer, that have become too prevalent in today's crime fiction genre.
Overall, Hall provides readers with a decent main plot and developing characters, especially with views and experiences different than what are typical in police procedural novels.
In this novel, the main plot deals with missing teen females from the same subsidized housing where Elouise Norton also grew up. The novel also deals with Norton's almost, non-existent dating life and the return of her father, who abandoned her and her family many years ago.
Hall is quite adept at police procedural novels, especially when one remembers that this is just the third book in the series. Frankly, I would put her police procedural writing on par with that of Michael Connelly.
Any complaints I have with aspects of the story are minor and I'm hoping that future installments will avoid villains, i.e. the diabolically, brilliant serial killer, that have become too prevalent in today's crime fiction genre.
Overall, Hall provides readers with a decent main plot and developing characters, especially with views and experiences different than what are typical in police procedural novels.
June 8, 2016
I read this series because the author gives voice to characters you don't read about in other books. Not many books are set in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw district. It's worth reading this book just to learn about all the forces dragging down gifted girls in this area.
The killer is telegraphed very early, but that's not the main reason for reading the book.
I was irked by an episode later in the book where a girl goes to the library to learn about Pluto for a report to her school's Astrology club. Astrology or astronomy? Do astrologers care whether Pluto is a planet or a plutoid? I thought that is in the realm of astronomy.
Did anyone else find that reference to astrology strange?
The killer is telegraphed very early, but that's not the main reason for reading the book.
I was irked by an episode later in the book where a girl goes to the library to learn about Pluto for a report to her school's Astrology club. Astrology or astronomy? Do astrologers care whether Pluto is a planet or a plutoid? I thought that is in the realm of astronomy.
Did anyone else find that reference to astrology strange?
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