Inferno

Detective Lagarde #1

by Clara Lewis

Detective Angelina Lagarde is determined.

She’s been recently transferred to the Detroit Police Department, and she wants nothing more than to make a difference…in her community, and in her own life. Plagued by the memories of a mysterious tragedy that left her family dead, she’s ready to take on whatever the department throws her way.

But Angelina soon discovers that something terrifying is afoot. There’s a new case, one that looks eerily similar to the events surrounding the deaths of her family members. And though she’s chilled to the bone, she decides that she must get to the bottom of the case. Much to the surprise (and distaste) of her peers, she takes on the case.

As Angelina works hard to uncover the truth, she finds that there are far more secrets in her midst…and that some truths are more horrifying than she ever expected…

Will Detective Lagarde uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will she be burned by the evil that lurks behind her? Find out in the captivating, spine-tingling crime thriller, “Inferno”.

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2021

About the author

Author Clara Lewis has always been an avid fan of mysteries. As a child, she devoured the “Nancy Drew” and “Hardy Boys” series’s, which inspired her desire to write her own mystery thrillers. Though Clara’s journey took her in several different directions, she eventually published her debut series early in 2021.

Besides spending her time creating vast worlds and convoluted mysteries for her readers to divulge in, Lewis spends her time at her home in Portland, Oregon. As a mother and wife, she wears many hats, and can often be found baking and crocheting.

Lewis always had a passion for creating, and she wants nothing more than to provide the same thrills she loves to her readers. She loves to read (and smell) books just as much as she loves to write them! She has several projects in the works, and can’t wait to share them with her audience.

Connect with her at her:

Official website: https://claralewis.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorclaral...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorclara...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/clara...

Reviews

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something's Burning

Inferno, the first book in the Detective Lagarde Series, is a good attempt at a crime scene murder mystery. Clara Lewis creates a believable scenario with an almost closed case handled by new detective Lagarde.

What I liked about the story was the twists and turns at the end, I love when I can't predict the close of a book. It was obvious that this is probably one of Clara Lewis' first books in that the prose is self-conscious and she uses the same words and descriptors, such as "hence" and "her/his eyes widened when" but that will all get shaken out as she goes along.

I like that she has a good instinct for where to run her plot. I'm looking forward to reading more of Clara Lewis and watching her refine her craft. She's someone to keep an eye on.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Clara Lewis for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Angelina Lagarde is a detective in Los Angeles. She has been transferred to Detroit, a place she left behind a long time ago. Her parents and older brother died a horrible death when their family home burned down. She has demons in Detroit that haunt her because of that fateful day but she feels she is ready to come home and make a difference in the Detroit Police Department. When she is called to the scene of another fire that is eerily similar to the fire of her parents' home, she knows she must investigate further. No one believes there is any foul play involved including her partner. Everyone wants to close the case and mark it as an "accident". She is determined to prove it is arson. She discovers enough evidence for reasonable doubt that it was an accident to present to her boss. He gives her three weeks to prove her case. Betrayal, wickedness, greediness and evil abound in this book. This is a novella and you can read it very quickly, but you will be hungering for more to continue the story of Detective Lagarde. I loved the character engagement in the story and the plot itself.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in Detective Lagarde and it was good. It was a short read just enough to get you interested in Detective Angelina Largarde, both her past and her present. She moved to Detroit to continue her career as a detective. She had some bad memories of Detroit since she had lived there early in her life and lost all her family members in a fire. While she started her job Detective Rodges doesn’t seem to want to do anything but close cases and that’s what he wanted to do with the fire. Detective Largarde isn’t like that, she doesn’t just take a look and think the case is a dead end and close the case. Angelina wasn’t convinced the fire was just an electrical surge so goes on her own to solve the case even when she gets told to stop by her superior. I’m looking forward to more in the series and Detective Largarde

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good start to a new series, Detective Lagarde Series, featuring a smart female detective transferred from LA to Detroit. Angelina Lagarde is young and passionate about her work in homicide, with an impressive success record for solving her cases. Her first case in Detroit puts her at odds with her supervisor, Detective Rodgers, and it’s uphill work from there. She has her job cut out for her with the department's dismissal of many of her efforts. The story moves at a good pace and sets the tone for wanting to follow along with her on future cases. I received a free ARC copy of the book for an honest review.

Sis

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelina Lagarde gets transferred to Detroit where she was brought up. A fire breaks out nearby and she is on the scene shortly. Her partner says the case needs to be closed. Angelina thinks her partner is too rash and more investigation is needed. Her chief wants her off the case because he thinks it is personal due to what happened to her parents when she was a child. Her partner is against it, but the chief sides with her and gives her 3 weeks to solve the case one way or another. Angelina is not about to give up but does she have enough time?. Well worth reading.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy for my honest review. Detective Angelina Lagarde has just transfered from Los Angeles to her hometown Detroit. Her family was killed by an arsonist when she was a child and the killer was never caught. She begins investigating a new case involving a fire and is not convinced it was accidental. Her colleagues believe she's not able to think clearly because of how her family died. The similarities between her family's deaths and the new victims fuels her investigation. This was a fast paced book and it kept my attention the whole way through.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of this series is exciting. Detective Angelina Lagarde has been transferred to the Detroit Police department and she is willing to help her community to the best of her ability. Her first case brings back memories of what happened when she lost her family. She is determined to solve this case and prove that she is a good fit for the department. The suspense starts from the first page and keeps your heart pounding until the end. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Dee Hough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review and opinion.
For me, it is written in a more Miss Marple way, as opposed to Mr King. It does have some gritty detail but is softer in the overall narrative and has some unneeded repetition. That said, it has a good plot. The characters are well portrayed, with very different personality traits, that work well together. The ending leads seamlessly into the next book in the series , which I am looking forward to reading.

[Gwen Tatum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC book for an honest review. It was a good read. I look forward to reading more of the Lagarde series. I liked the plot and the fact Ava found out about her parent's deaths and why, sad though it was. She is a tenacious detective which should lead to some more good plots. The length of the is good because I can read it quickly but still get a good feel for the characters.

I have guess as to who the rogue cop is, but look forward to finding out for sure.

[Amber Pickerill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelina is a fighter, she never backs down from a case. Losing her family at a younger taught her to keep looking for answers so when everyone else was ready to close the case, blaming electric fire, she thought to keep looking as it could be arsin.
I love how Clara Lewis writes these bad ass women who won't back down! I look forward to reading more about Angelina and her next case.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelina Lagarde is returning to Detroit as a detective. It is bittersweet as her family had perished here, in a fire when she was a child. One of her first cases is a fire but the police department here seem to want to sweep cases under the rug. Angelina has to work on her own to handle the case. I don’t think her new colleagues are liking her enthusiasm, but I did.

I received this book as an ARC for a honest review.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me quickly as a female detective returns to Detroit to assist with the case overload, but the first case gets her attention because of her own past. She works to solve the case despite resistance from her superior. The ending left me ready to read the next book.

I enjoy Clara Lewis's concise writing style. This quick read is very entertaining.

I received an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Lourdes Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this amazing story. The characters are interesting and entertaining as well as the story line. This story is full of mystery and adventure. The characters are brought to life and make the journey of discovery very interesting. I love the way it all turns out to an absolutely amazing journey. Excellent written. Highly entertaining and recommend reading this amazing story. Congratulations! Looking forward to the next adventure.

[mary arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in series of a detective who just moved into the Detroit area. Legarde grew up there. She is smart and thorough, a good thinker. She doesn’t like to mark a case as closed until she puts the work into it. I look forward to learning more about her as the series progresses. I received an ARC copy for this honest review.

[Teresa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true Clara Lewis style this new series does not disappoint. It is quirky, exciting, and keeps you wanting more!
The main character, Detective Angelina Lagarde is quiet (until she isn’t), determined, and smart.
I look forward to her many adventures!
I received a copy of this book as an ARC member and this is my honest review.

[Amanda Balsdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out Detective Ava Locke there is another smart and brave young detective on the scene and her name is Detective Angelina Lagarde! Once I started Inferno I didn't stop reading until I finished the book. Well written and it was like I was on the journey with her and feeling what she felt. Can't wait to read the next book in the series, Subway!

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short read introducing Detective Lagarde. She is a detective in a precinct where her superior officer chooses to close cases rather than putting in the time to determine if more is involved. Detective Lagarde fights to be allowed to investigate a fire more thoroughly and proves she is correct in doing so.

[Dawn J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for next book! Received this book free, for an honest review. Well written and characters are likable. Has an ending, sort of. But continues. Hard to read a book with no ending. This one has one! But leaves you wanting more. A definite addition to my reading series.

[Lynn Mcdonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of a new series. Was a well written, entertaining short story that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a arc copy of this book for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

Amazing story. Couldn't put it down, it was so intense! Lewis is an exceptional writer with a amazing way of intertwining stories and characters. She makes then interesting and quirky

[Michael Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as ARC, Good story, with interesting characters. Dialog was too stiff. Everyone seemed too formal in their conversations.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arson??? Add to that a ‘partner’ who doesn’t partner!!! There is still more, isn’t there??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.

[S.campbell8655yahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good suspense series !

[Ellen C Kozminsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is stilted and amateurish. There is no character development. I will not read anything else written by this author.

[Vicki robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth it

Quick read. Easy to follow. Likeable heroine.
I'm moving right on to book 2. I expect a good story line.

[Lonny Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting way a detective returns home and thru working at it finds how her parents were killed.

[Denzel Struchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice novella

Fast paced and interesting.. The ending was open ended as the case was not fully developed and closed. Great as an opening to a new series