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Letty Valdez Mysteries #3
Daemon Waters
Chicana/Native American private investigator Letty Valdez is hired to look into the death an environmentalist who was studying desert springs when he was shot long-distance. Is his death a freak accident or was he intentionally murdered? An aggrieved wife wants Letty to find proof of her husband's infidelities. At the same time, Letty receives an urgent appeal to find two missing Army veterans. Both are reported to be in Tucson, Letty's hometown, in her latest adventure in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, Daemon Waters.
Despite the disparate crimes she's investigating, Letty finds tangled threads of deceit and violence that all lead back to each other. Her investigation becomes more urgent when a car bombing and an assassin's bullet take out two men. Who is behind the crimes and what do they really want?
Letty, herself an Army medic veteran of the Iraq War, takes on these jobs while struggling to fend off her own PTSD nightmares that have bedeviled her for years after leaving military service. She's also is thinking a lot -- maybe too much? -- about yet another vet, the one who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the one with the lop-sided grin that her dog found up in a tree. Letty is attracted to him, but at the same time, she is deeply concerned about keeping him safe from the assassin's bullet. She is helped by her new investigator-trainee, Frankie Miranda who is especially clever at solving crimes using a computer, as well as her family and friends, plus her two dog pals, Millie and Teddy
Despite the disparate crimes she's investigating, Letty finds tangled threads of deceit and violence that all lead back to each other. Her investigation becomes more urgent when a car bombing and an assassin's bullet take out two men. Who is behind the crimes and what do they really want?
Letty, herself an Army medic veteran of the Iraq War, takes on these jobs while struggling to fend off her own PTSD nightmares that have bedeviled her for years after leaving military service. She's also is thinking a lot -- maybe too much? -- about yet another vet, the one who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the one with the lop-sided grin that her dog found up in a tree. Letty is attracted to him, but at the same time, she is deeply concerned about keeping him safe from the assassin's bullet. She is helped by her new investigator-trainee, Frankie Miranda who is especially clever at solving crimes using a computer, as well as her family and friends, plus her two dog pals, Millie and Teddy
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2019
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Shane
23 books64 followersI'm an artist and a writer, and I alternate between writing and painting. My paintings are abstract landscapes in oil, and I also do mixed-media work. I write mystery-suspense: Letty Valdez Mysteries (4 in series), Cat Miranda Mysteries (3 in series), and Iron Horse Mysteries (5 so far).
Learn more and see my art here: http://www.cjshane.com/
I publish a monthly newsletter that covers Art, Books, and the Natural World. Sign up here: https://www.cjshane.com/contactnewsle...
And follow me on Facebook here:
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Learn more and see my art here: http://www.cjshane.com/
I publish a monthly newsletter that covers Art, Books, and the Natural World. Sign up here: https://www.cjshane.com/contactnewsle...
And follow me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/people/CJSha...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 15, 2019
I received an ARC of Daemon Waters in exchange for an honest review.
Based on the book's blurb, I was expecting a more intense read. While this was an easy read, I never felt that compelling tension of true high octane read. It was almost too fast in it's pacing, but I felt that was mostly due to too many convenient coincidences and overall lack of detail used to move the story over the many plot holes. While I found the characters likeable for the most part, they too felt sort of hollow to me.
2.5 stars
Based on the book's blurb, I was expecting a more intense read. While this was an easy read, I never felt that compelling tension of true high octane read. It was almost too fast in it's pacing, but I felt that was mostly due to too many convenient coincidences and overall lack of detail used to move the story over the many plot holes. While I found the characters likeable for the most part, they too felt sort of hollow to me.
2.5 stars
August 31, 2019
Letty Valdez is an Iraqi War veteran having served as a Combat Medic, who still suffers from episodes of PTSD and now works as a Private Investigator, having been trained by a now retired P.I. who took a chance on her after her return to civilian life. This is the third Letty Valdez Mystery in the series and is a great read with crime, investigation and mystery, but more importantly, on the suffering of many veterans with PTSD and other problems returning from modern day warfare, who may not be getting any help to overcome their symptoms. Letty is an impressive figure of a woman, six foot tall and a mix of Native American and Mexican cultures.
Her newest case starts with an unexpected female turning up at her office unannounced and wanting Letty to follow her husband as she suspects he is having an affair. She wants a divorce, but wants proof of his infidelity first to ensure she gets what she should from any divorce. She isn’t very forthcoming with details, but leaves payment and leaves abruptly. Letty asks her old mentor if he could take on the shadowing of the husband and he comes back with some interesting results. Letty is busy with her own cases of two missing veterans, one possibly living amongst other homeless veterans and another case about a murdered environmentalist.
Another army vet has put his training and experiences to a different kind of work. A car bombing, two long distance sniper shootings and lots of inter-connecting crimes are all mixed into her cases. A client that is full of mirrors and lies, not following up with personal and financial details she was to provide on her husband and having her own agenda that she hasn’t informed Letty about. The setting in Tucson allows for visits to the desert and Letty’s roots with her Native American relatives on the Reservation. An important place for Letty when she returned from Iraq and was suffering from PTSD so severely.
Having family around that can help you in times of need is a great part of the storyline. Letty has a sense of justice, from her upbringing, her time in the military and now her current life. She likes to help others whenever she can. A new addition to her business is part of what she does and is giving a chance to one who needs it, same as she received when she started out. There is also the continuing romance with the good looking doctor, which is starting out and getting a little more of a proper relationship, as she lets him in past a lot of her defences.
Another great read in this series and you see Letty dealing with varied cases and facing danger yet again. A good intermixed storyline with lots of cases being involved with each other if you can find the links. Also a sympathetic look at returning military members and the help they may need, often not recognised nor affordable for all. Some keep it hidden, thinking they can’t pass their suffering onto their families and friends. A topic that definitely needs bringing to people’s attention in this day and age.
Great investigative story and lots of twists and surprises to keep it interesting and leaving you wondering what might happen next. I have loved each of the Letty Valdez stories I have read so far and look forward to many more. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Her newest case starts with an unexpected female turning up at her office unannounced and wanting Letty to follow her husband as she suspects he is having an affair. She wants a divorce, but wants proof of his infidelity first to ensure she gets what she should from any divorce. She isn’t very forthcoming with details, but leaves payment and leaves abruptly. Letty asks her old mentor if he could take on the shadowing of the husband and he comes back with some interesting results. Letty is busy with her own cases of two missing veterans, one possibly living amongst other homeless veterans and another case about a murdered environmentalist.
Another army vet has put his training and experiences to a different kind of work. A car bombing, two long distance sniper shootings and lots of inter-connecting crimes are all mixed into her cases. A client that is full of mirrors and lies, not following up with personal and financial details she was to provide on her husband and having her own agenda that she hasn’t informed Letty about. The setting in Tucson allows for visits to the desert and Letty’s roots with her Native American relatives on the Reservation. An important place for Letty when she returned from Iraq and was suffering from PTSD so severely.
Having family around that can help you in times of need is a great part of the storyline. Letty has a sense of justice, from her upbringing, her time in the military and now her current life. She likes to help others whenever she can. A new addition to her business is part of what she does and is giving a chance to one who needs it, same as she received when she started out. There is also the continuing romance with the good looking doctor, which is starting out and getting a little more of a proper relationship, as she lets him in past a lot of her defences.
Another great read in this series and you see Letty dealing with varied cases and facing danger yet again. A good intermixed storyline with lots of cases being involved with each other if you can find the links. Also a sympathetic look at returning military members and the help they may need, often not recognised nor affordable for all. Some keep it hidden, thinking they can’t pass their suffering onto their families and friends. A topic that definitely needs bringing to people’s attention in this day and age.
Great investigative story and lots of twists and surprises to keep it interesting and leaving you wondering what might happen next. I have loved each of the Letty Valdez stories I have read so far and look forward to many more. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 19, 2019
It was great to catch up with Letty Valdez again. She has to deal with some nasty characters this time around, including that classic of detective fiction: the attractive but unreliable client. A woman comes to Letty asking for help with her cheating husband and Letty gets drawn into a web of lies and violence, including car bombs and snipers. This time round she has to confront her past in the military head on, as her own, and other veterans PTSD is an important part of the story.
I must admit that Letty's personal journey to healing is my favourite part of these books, and catches my attention more than the crimes she's trying to solve. I love how she's making more connections - and I don't just mean the inconveniently attractive doctor. My favourite sub-plot is when she takes on a partner for her detective business. She really believes in paying forward the help others gave her in the past.
Much of the story reminded me of that Anais Nin quote: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" That is Letty all over. She is that rare character in fiction, a woman who is strong but not in a "kick ass" way. She's vulnerable and uncertain about herself and her own feelings, and she doesn't glory in the violence of her job.
I must admit that Letty's personal journey to healing is my favourite part of these books, and catches my attention more than the crimes she's trying to solve. I love how she's making more connections - and I don't just mean the inconveniently attractive doctor. My favourite sub-plot is when she takes on a partner for her detective business. She really believes in paying forward the help others gave her in the past.
Much of the story reminded me of that Anais Nin quote: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" That is Letty all over. She is that rare character in fiction, a woman who is strong but not in a "kick ass" way. She's vulnerable and uncertain about herself and her own feelings, and she doesn't glory in the violence of her job.
September 8, 2019
Daemon Waters is the third in the Letty Valdez Mystery series. In this story, CJ Shane deals with the difficult topic of PTSD among war veterans including Letty herself. Letty also has to deal with lies, danger, violence, and a bit of romance. I find that Letty is coming more into herself with each book, in this case trying to heal her heart and soul while confronting the ghosts of her past. The author handles these subjects well in her writing.
The descriptions of Tucson and Native American life in the desert bring you into the story with Letty as she continues on her journey for justice. A well-written story with excellent characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
The descriptions of Tucson and Native American life in the desert bring you into the story with Letty as she continues on her journey for justice. A well-written story with excellent characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
August 13, 2019
"Daemon Waters" is by far my favourite book in the Letty Valdez Mysteries series. There's a wonderfully tangled set of mysteries that get solved thread by thread; the characters bloom; the writing is so much more confident.
There are a lot of chuckles in this one... a couple of gasps... and near the end, I was laughing out loud with a tear or two trickling down my face.
I truly loved this one.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
There are a lot of chuckles in this one... a couple of gasps... and near the end, I was laughing out loud with a tear or two trickling down my face.
I truly loved this one.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
June 28, 2020
Daemon Waters is fast paced gritty realism with lots of mystery and intrigue. When. Letty Valdez, a Tucson private investigator, is tasked with finding a missing vet, the action gets explosive. As I was reading about a rogue vet designing a bomb, I wondered how the writer obtained her information and if she got flagged by the FBI. It is a good, fast, fun read.
August 11, 2019
Daemon Waters by C. J. Shane is the third book in her Letty Valdez, Private Investigator mysteries. I received an advanced review copy (ARC) and this is my honest review.
This time Letty is involved in looking for two vets who have disappeared from their families’ lives. Then there is the well-to-do woman who wants to know if her husband is cheating on her. A chemistry professor at the U of A hires her to investigate the shooting death of his friend, a retired High School teacher because the police think it was just a random shooting. His friends think otherwise. Add to this the budding romance between Letty and Doctor Dan Ennis and Letty hiring a young man who wants to become a forensic private investigator using his computer skills. It’s hard to see how all these disparate scenarios have something in common but leave it to Shane to bring it all together with many twists and turns and surprises, even to the end.
Glenda B. Anderson
This time Letty is involved in looking for two vets who have disappeared from their families’ lives. Then there is the well-to-do woman who wants to know if her husband is cheating on her. A chemistry professor at the U of A hires her to investigate the shooting death of his friend, a retired High School teacher because the police think it was just a random shooting. His friends think otherwise. Add to this the budding romance between Letty and Doctor Dan Ennis and Letty hiring a young man who wants to become a forensic private investigator using his computer skills. It’s hard to see how all these disparate scenarios have something in common but leave it to Shane to bring it all together with many twists and turns and surprises, even to the end.
Glenda B. Anderson
August 13, 2019
This book in the Letty Valdez Mystery series by C J Shane was a most enjoyable and interesting murder mystery story with several twists and turns as the story progresses toward its finale. The main characters were flawed but were able to survive and deal with their issues, which the book stressed repeatedly as a social statement concerning veterans. The book went on to show that there were of course good and bad people in this world, regardless of race or sex. Will definitely be looking forward to the next Letty mystery. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.
February 26, 2020
Another Winner
This is the 3rd book in this series and the story has gotten stronger and more interesting. Our detective and former combat medic in the Army has continued to grow in her profession. She is asked to investigate a suspected cheating husband and this leads to all kinds of interconnected mayhem. But this book; then get a tall beverage of your choice and read until you finish the book. You will be glad you followed my recommendation.
This is the 3rd book in this series and the story has gotten stronger and more interesting. Our detective and former combat medic in the Army has continued to grow in her profession. She is asked to investigate a suspected cheating husband and this leads to all kinds of interconnected mayhem. But this book; then get a tall beverage of your choice and read until you finish the book. You will be glad you followed my recommendation.
December 16, 2019
Letty Valdez Gets Better and Better
This third book in the Letty Valdez series it's the best bet. The author's knowledge of Tucson and the different ethnic groups in southern Arizona only adds to the authenticity of the story. And along the way, Letty gained new friends and new insights. Above all, though, is a very realistic story about a very good private detective.
This third book in the Letty Valdez series it's the best bet. The author's knowledge of Tucson and the different ethnic groups in southern Arizona only adds to the authenticity of the story. And along the way, Letty gained new friends and new insights. Above all, though, is a very realistic story about a very good private detective.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews