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Detective Emily Hunter #1
Face of Greed
Greed, corruption, and betrayal—no murder is as simple as it seems
When a prominent Sacramento businessman is killed and his wife injured in a brutal home invasion, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to investigate. At first glance, it seems like a crime of opportunity gone horribly wrong, but Emily soon finds there might be more to both the crime and the dead man.
The high-stakes investigation also comes at a time when Emily is caring for her mother, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, and Emily struggles to balance her job with her personal life. The city's political elite seem to want the case solved quickly, but darker forces want it buried.
Could there have been a motive behind the attack, making it more than a random home invasion? Emily uncovers clues that cause her to reconsider her understanding of the crime. A deadly game of greed and deception pulls Emily deeper into the shadowy world of gang violence and retribution. She has to walk the razor's edge to identify the killer—without becoming the next victim.
When a prominent Sacramento businessman is killed and his wife injured in a brutal home invasion, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to investigate. At first glance, it seems like a crime of opportunity gone horribly wrong, but Emily soon finds there might be more to both the crime and the dead man.
The high-stakes investigation also comes at a time when Emily is caring for her mother, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, and Emily struggles to balance her job with her personal life. The city's political elite seem to want the case solved quickly, but darker forces want it buried.
Could there have been a motive behind the attack, making it more than a random home invasion? Emily uncovers clues that cause her to reconsider her understanding of the crime. A deadly game of greed and deception pulls Emily deeper into the shadowy world of gang violence and retribution. She has to walk the razor's edge to identify the killer—without becoming the next victim.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
51 people are currently reading
2174 people want to read
About the author
James L'Etoile
20 books351 followersJames L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system. He is a nationally recognized expert witness on prison and jail operations. He is a two-time Silver Falchion Award nominee and shortlisted for the Bill Crider Award for short fiction. His published novels include: Dead Drop( Lefty Award nominee), Black Label (Silver Falchion winner), At What Cost, Bury the Past, and Little River -The Other Side of Paradise. You can find out more at www.jamesletoile.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 12, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author and really enjoyed the fast-paced detective story. This book was full of crime, corruption and betrayal with gang related violence. An extensive research project had to be completed to be able to place the clues and detectives in the right places. Impressive writing!
Emily is the main character and a very strong competitor in a male dominated world of detectives. Her and her partner Javier are called to the scene of a very prominent businessman's death. Roger had been stabbed and shot. Roger's wife, Lori, had been hit over the head and unable to help with the scene investigation. There had been several gang-related home invasions that Sacramento had been known for, but the safe randomly scrambled through leaving some valuable items behind, and clues that it was not a random act of violence. The Twists along the way will have you second guessing who to trust.
As the investigation grows stronger, they meet resistance from the police force and political influence. Greed plays a huge role as the title suggests. "Money is the root of all evil." "Cell phones should be added to that statement." It appears to be the theme lately with political influence covering corruption.
I loved the character Emily and could feel sympathy for her struggles. Her mom and a caretaker live with her to help with her dementia. She coped well to balance all she had on her and always out to prove she was one of the best detectives and deserved recognition for always doing what is right.
Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Emily is the main character and a very strong competitor in a male dominated world of detectives. Her and her partner Javier are called to the scene of a very prominent businessman's death. Roger had been stabbed and shot. Roger's wife, Lori, had been hit over the head and unable to help with the scene investigation. There had been several gang-related home invasions that Sacramento had been known for, but the safe randomly scrambled through leaving some valuable items behind, and clues that it was not a random act of violence. The Twists along the way will have you second guessing who to trust.
As the investigation grows stronger, they meet resistance from the police force and political influence. Greed plays a huge role as the title suggests. "Money is the root of all evil." "Cell phones should be added to that statement." It appears to be the theme lately with political influence covering corruption.
I loved the character Emily and could feel sympathy for her struggles. Her mom and a caretaker live with her to help with her dementia. She coped well to balance all she had on her and always out to prove she was one of the best detectives and deserved recognition for always doing what is right.
Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
FACE OF GREED (A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery Book #1) by James L’Etoile is a gritty, intricately plotted, and fast paced crime thriller/police procedural set in Sacramento, California. This is the first book in a new series by this author with a pair of detectives that I already know I am going to love to follow in future books.
Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Detective Javier Medina are called to the scene of an apparent home invasion. They find the husband, a prominent Sacramento businessman, is brutally murdered and the wife injured, but alive. As they begin their investigation, they are hindered by political interference and the pressure for a quick resolution and a widow who seems to be not that upset by the murder of her husband.
With the death of the dead man’s lawyer, Emily and Javi soon find themselves embroiled in a case full of dirty money and cops, greed, gangs, and violence. Can Emily untangle the evidence before either herself or someone she loves wind up dead?
This story pulls you into the investigation and the lives of Emily and Javi to the point that I could not put it down. Emily is an intelligent and tough protagonist who doggedly follows the clues and walks a fine line at times, but while seeming to stretch it at times, there is always a reason, and she does not cross it. Emily is also dealing with a mother who has dementia and is no longer able to care for herself. Emily’s partnership with Javi feels realistically written and occasionally adds humor to the otherwise intense story.
Mr. L’Etoile’s writing is smart, realistic, gritty, and immersive. The crime plot is twisted and continued to surprise me. I always love this author’s books, and this one was no exception. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, River of Lies.
I highly recommend this crime thriller/police procedural!
FACE OF GREED (A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery Book #1) by James L’Etoile is a gritty, intricately plotted, and fast paced crime thriller/police procedural set in Sacramento, California. This is the first book in a new series by this author with a pair of detectives that I already know I am going to love to follow in future books.
Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Detective Javier Medina are called to the scene of an apparent home invasion. They find the husband, a prominent Sacramento businessman, is brutally murdered and the wife injured, but alive. As they begin their investigation, they are hindered by political interference and the pressure for a quick resolution and a widow who seems to be not that upset by the murder of her husband.
With the death of the dead man’s lawyer, Emily and Javi soon find themselves embroiled in a case full of dirty money and cops, greed, gangs, and violence. Can Emily untangle the evidence before either herself or someone she loves wind up dead?
This story pulls you into the investigation and the lives of Emily and Javi to the point that I could not put it down. Emily is an intelligent and tough protagonist who doggedly follows the clues and walks a fine line at times, but while seeming to stretch it at times, there is always a reason, and she does not cross it. Emily is also dealing with a mother who has dementia and is no longer able to care for herself. Emily’s partnership with Javi feels realistically written and occasionally adds humor to the otherwise intense story.
Mr. L’Etoile’s writing is smart, realistic, gritty, and immersive. The crime plot is twisted and continued to surprise me. I always love this author’s books, and this one was no exception. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, River of Lies.
I highly recommend this crime thriller/police procedural!
October 24, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James L’Etoile, and Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
New to the world of James L’Etoile, I eagerly reached for this police procedural. L’Etoile has a great way of setting the facts out in a blunt fashion and allowing the reader to digest things at the breakneck speed his narrative presents them on the streets of Sacramento. When a business tycoon is found murdered in his home and his wife is brutally attacked, Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina arrive at the scene to investigate. Things get off to a rocky start, as both the mayor and Chief of Police seek to rush the case to closing. Hunter and Medina do not work that way, pulling up any proverbial rugs to find all the dirt. While Hunter pushes back a little too hard, it will take her diligence to get answers in a case that runs far deeper than simple murder, L’Etoile shines with this novel and sets the scene for what could be a great series.
After being called to the scene of a brutal murder and attack, Sacramento Homicide Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina discover that money talks. Roger Townsend is in a pool of his blood, while his wife, Lori, is consoled by the mayor and Chief of Police. After taking some initial statements, both Hunter and Medina feel that there is more Mrs. Townsend is not sharing, but she plays the grieving widow and has powerful friends willing to play the shield. Neither detective is ready to let this go, though it is Hunter who pushes well past what some would call acceptable.
While trying to push through a case that the politically connected want closed as swiftly as they can, others hope to bury it by any means. Hunter and Medina are in the middle, trying to find justice and answer, as walls are built. Add to that, Hunter is trying to handle her ailing mother, whose mental acuity is becoming questionable.
When the detectives follow a lead that could open new motives, they are quickly shut down, especially when a homeless man is fingered as the murderer. Still, Hunter and Medina refuse to stand down and discover that there are gang ties and some crooked members of the legal community who are paving the way for a complete cover-up. As Hunter and Medina make some accusations, they find themselves threaten with suspension, though neither is concerned if it will bring about the truth. A great start in which James L’Etoile keeps the punches coming until the final reveal.
While I am not familiar with the author’s work, it did not take me long to get accustomed to his swift delivery. The narrative flows easily and quickly in a piece that evolves with every chapter. The momentum increases the more Detectives Hunter and Medina are stifled, making this one of the great police procedurals I have read in a long while.
Characters develop and evolve with ease throughout the piece adding flavouring to an already great story. I can see some great initial traits to Emily Hunter, who I surmise has a lot to offer readers should this flourish into a series. I am eager to see how things develop, as well as what Javier Medina brings to the larger series. He appears to have a great personality worth exploring as well.
The plot of a police procedural is usually quite easy to follow, though it is the stumbling blocks along the way that add greatness to the story. L’Etoile adds effective twists to keep the reader guessing and some sub-plots to entertain away from the gruesome nature of the central story. The reader can find something they enjoy and latch on, while things progress and regress throughout. I am eager to flow this series, should it happen, and will keep the author on my radar.
Kudos, Mr. L’Etoile, for being a shining beacon throughout this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/fa...
New to the world of James L’Etoile, I eagerly reached for this police procedural. L’Etoile has a great way of setting the facts out in a blunt fashion and allowing the reader to digest things at the breakneck speed his narrative presents them on the streets of Sacramento. When a business tycoon is found murdered in his home and his wife is brutally attacked, Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina arrive at the scene to investigate. Things get off to a rocky start, as both the mayor and Chief of Police seek to rush the case to closing. Hunter and Medina do not work that way, pulling up any proverbial rugs to find all the dirt. While Hunter pushes back a little too hard, it will take her diligence to get answers in a case that runs far deeper than simple murder, L’Etoile shines with this novel and sets the scene for what could be a great series.
After being called to the scene of a brutal murder and attack, Sacramento Homicide Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina discover that money talks. Roger Townsend is in a pool of his blood, while his wife, Lori, is consoled by the mayor and Chief of Police. After taking some initial statements, both Hunter and Medina feel that there is more Mrs. Townsend is not sharing, but she plays the grieving widow and has powerful friends willing to play the shield. Neither detective is ready to let this go, though it is Hunter who pushes well past what some would call acceptable.
While trying to push through a case that the politically connected want closed as swiftly as they can, others hope to bury it by any means. Hunter and Medina are in the middle, trying to find justice and answer, as walls are built. Add to that, Hunter is trying to handle her ailing mother, whose mental acuity is becoming questionable.
When the detectives follow a lead that could open new motives, they are quickly shut down, especially when a homeless man is fingered as the murderer. Still, Hunter and Medina refuse to stand down and discover that there are gang ties and some crooked members of the legal community who are paving the way for a complete cover-up. As Hunter and Medina make some accusations, they find themselves threaten with suspension, though neither is concerned if it will bring about the truth. A great start in which James L’Etoile keeps the punches coming until the final reveal.
While I am not familiar with the author’s work, it did not take me long to get accustomed to his swift delivery. The narrative flows easily and quickly in a piece that evolves with every chapter. The momentum increases the more Detectives Hunter and Medina are stifled, making this one of the great police procedurals I have read in a long while.
Characters develop and evolve with ease throughout the piece adding flavouring to an already great story. I can see some great initial traits to Emily Hunter, who I surmise has a lot to offer readers should this flourish into a series. I am eager to see how things develop, as well as what Javier Medina brings to the larger series. He appears to have a great personality worth exploring as well.
The plot of a police procedural is usually quite easy to follow, though it is the stumbling blocks along the way that add greatness to the story. L’Etoile adds effective twists to keep the reader guessing and some sub-plots to entertain away from the gruesome nature of the central story. The reader can find something they enjoy and latch on, while things progress and regress throughout. I am eager to flow this series, should it happen, and will keep the author on my radar.
Kudos, Mr. L’Etoile, for being a shining beacon throughout this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/fa...
January 19, 2025
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and James L'Etoile for granting me a digital copy of this book.
3,5 ⭐- this fast-paced book follows detective Emily Hunter and her partner Javier Medina as they investigate a home invasion and the death of a well known Sacramento citizen, who's friends with the mayor and takes care of the mayor's campaign. When the mayor is up for re-election, he makes an attempt to block every effort Emily makes to solve the case.
On a personal level, Emily's also dealing with her mother who has early Alzheimer's. Full of twists and turns, I was easily sucked into Emily's world and couldn't wait to find out what or rather who happened to the victim.
3,5 ⭐- this fast-paced book follows detective Emily Hunter and her partner Javier Medina as they investigate a home invasion and the death of a well known Sacramento citizen, who's friends with the mayor and takes care of the mayor's campaign. When the mayor is up for re-election, he makes an attempt to block every effort Emily makes to solve the case.
On a personal level, Emily's also dealing with her mother who has early Alzheimer's. Full of twists and turns, I was easily sucked into Emily's world and couldn't wait to find out what or rather who happened to the victim.
July 5, 2023
Thanks to the publisher and author for this ARC from Netgalley.
Emily Hunter and Javier Medina are detectives and partners investigating the home invasion and murder of Roger Townsend. Amidst this, Emily has to balance her personal and work life, she has a mom who has onset of Alzheimer's who needs care 24/7. It starts with one murder and as Emily and her partner continue to investigate, they find there is more to it than initially thought.
This is my first book from the author. I liked the female lead Emily who is very spontaneous and keen on her job. I also liked the way the story was told. It was like watching a crime/cop tv series in my head the whole time i read. and when you think you are done with the climax, there is another plot keeping you on the edge. The partnership between Emily and Javier was amazing, would love to see more of it coming if the author wishes to write a sequel.
Overall, the book was a page turner. I completed it in 1.5 days. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ shining stars.
Note:
-There is mention of s*x, p**n in few chapters and frequent usage of language throughout the book. (i am not a huge fan of this. but i am writing this note for anyone who would need this information as i did not find the content guide for this book)
- the book also has description of the cuts, postmortem reports and such which some may find triggering.
Emily Hunter and Javier Medina are detectives and partners investigating the home invasion and murder of Roger Townsend. Amidst this, Emily has to balance her personal and work life, she has a mom who has onset of Alzheimer's who needs care 24/7. It starts with one murder and as Emily and her partner continue to investigate, they find there is more to it than initially thought.
This is my first book from the author. I liked the female lead Emily who is very spontaneous and keen on her job. I also liked the way the story was told. It was like watching a crime/cop tv series in my head the whole time i read. and when you think you are done with the climax, there is another plot keeping you on the edge. The partnership between Emily and Javier was amazing, would love to see more of it coming if the author wishes to write a sequel.
Overall, the book was a page turner. I completed it in 1.5 days. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ shining stars.
Note:
-There is mention of s*x, p**n in few chapters and frequent usage of language throughout the book. (i am not a huge fan of this. but i am writing this note for anyone who would need this information as i did not find the content guide for this book)
- the book also has description of the cuts, postmortem reports and such which some may find triggering.
September 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy of the book.
This was an excellent, well-thought out book. From start to finish, the book was face paced with new information about the case to tracking down leads to getting reprimanded for trying to solve the case. There were some personal instances where you got to get to know Emily and Javier as well. Originally when starting the book, I thought I might have missed a book before this one as some of the details seemed to be missing. However, throughout the book more details were revealed and puzzle pieces came together for the mystery and the personal lives of Emily and Javier. I could definitely see a series made out of this book and these characters. I hope to see more of the characters; however, I will definitely enjoy reading more from the author.
This was an excellent, well-thought out book. From start to finish, the book was face paced with new information about the case to tracking down leads to getting reprimanded for trying to solve the case. There were some personal instances where you got to get to know Emily and Javier as well. Originally when starting the book, I thought I might have missed a book before this one as some of the details seemed to be missing. However, throughout the book more details were revealed and puzzle pieces came together for the mystery and the personal lives of Emily and Javier. I could definitely see a series made out of this book and these characters. I hope to see more of the characters; however, I will definitely enjoy reading more from the author.
November 9, 2023
Face of Greed is the first novel that I have read from author James L’Etoile and it certainly won’t be my last. And according to the forward from the publisher, Face of Greed is also the first novel in a new series — the Emily Hunter Detective series.
The novel is a police procedural that follows a whodunit as well as a whydunit trope. But it not so straightforward since there are a number of different, but interconnected plots. There are at least six different tangential stories going on at the same time so it got a little confusing. However, all of the stories coalesce toward the end for a satisfying finale.
There are a number of characters, and it did get a little overwhelming at times. But the main characters of Emily Hunter and Javier Medina, the primary detectives in the novel, really kept everything together. I loved spending time with them in the field. And it was such fun to observe their banter and witness the snarkiness of Emily. I would venture to say that Detectives Hunter and Medina are my new favorite characters next to Detectives Danny Reagan and Maria Baez.
The pacing for me was just right. There’s more than enough action and suspense that kept me engaged until the end. I can’t wait to read the second novel in the series. Four solid stars.
I received a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley and Edelweiss+. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
The novel is a police procedural that follows a whodunit as well as a whydunit trope. But it not so straightforward since there are a number of different, but interconnected plots. There are at least six different tangential stories going on at the same time so it got a little confusing. However, all of the stories coalesce toward the end for a satisfying finale.
There are a number of characters, and it did get a little overwhelming at times. But the main characters of Emily Hunter and Javier Medina, the primary detectives in the novel, really kept everything together. I loved spending time with them in the field. And it was such fun to observe their banter and witness the snarkiness of Emily. I would venture to say that Detectives Hunter and Medina are my new favorite characters next to Detectives Danny Reagan and Maria Baez.
The pacing for me was just right. There’s more than enough action and suspense that kept me engaged until the end. I can’t wait to read the second novel in the series. Four solid stars.
I received a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley and Edelweiss+. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 27, 2025
This is the start of the Emily Hunter series, and author James L’Etoile introduces us to a driven woman and police detective. She works hard, and is dismissive of officers higher in the hierarchy who are at the beck and call of the city’s political figures. She solves crimes, puts bad guys in jail, and can’t be bothered to clean up her language or kowtow to her supposed betters.
Emily also has a mother gradually losing her memories and abilities. Emily has employed a carer for her mother during working hours, but it’s becoming clear that her mother’s needs are growing and that Emily is out of her depth attempting to keep her mother with her, considering her work hours.
Emily’s detective partner Javier is an easygoing guy, who enjoys poking at Emily with humour, but is also a solid guy who has her back. He grew upon the foster system after his parents were deported, and luckily was adopted by a loving set of people.
Emily and Javier are called out to a home invasion case. On the surface, it looks like thieves broke in, beat up the couple, grabbed what they could from the office safe, then killed the man, Robert Townsend, a wealthy and prominent man in town who has contributed generously to political campaigns and charities.
His wife Lucy appears shaken but immediately Emily senses something is off. But, the Mayor quickly shoos Emily and Javier out, and their captain, whom Emily has no respect for, urges them to close the case fast. Just find some gang members, throw them in jail.
Emily, at times dragging the reluctant Javier along on her seemingly random inquiries, but who is actually pulling at different possible threads to lead her to what really is going on.
Along the way, L’Etoile has the pair find leads, run into obstacles, get shut down, then urged on again, but each time, they get closer to the real motive behind the murder. Of course, there is more violence along the way, and Emily must also deal with troubles with her mother, as well as ribbing by her partner when she meets an attractive fellow officer who seems equally interested in her. The case is eventually resolved after many reversals.
The story is interesting, though the writing was somewhat awkward, and did not always flow well. I enjoyed the story, nonetheless, and plan to check out the next entry in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Emily also has a mother gradually losing her memories and abilities. Emily has employed a carer for her mother during working hours, but it’s becoming clear that her mother’s needs are growing and that Emily is out of her depth attempting to keep her mother with her, considering her work hours.
Emily’s detective partner Javier is an easygoing guy, who enjoys poking at Emily with humour, but is also a solid guy who has her back. He grew upon the foster system after his parents were deported, and luckily was adopted by a loving set of people.
Emily and Javier are called out to a home invasion case. On the surface, it looks like thieves broke in, beat up the couple, grabbed what they could from the office safe, then killed the man, Robert Townsend, a wealthy and prominent man in town who has contributed generously to political campaigns and charities.
His wife Lucy appears shaken but immediately Emily senses something is off. But, the Mayor quickly shoos Emily and Javier out, and their captain, whom Emily has no respect for, urges them to close the case fast. Just find some gang members, throw them in jail.
Emily, at times dragging the reluctant Javier along on her seemingly random inquiries, but who is actually pulling at different possible threads to lead her to what really is going on.
Along the way, L’Etoile has the pair find leads, run into obstacles, get shut down, then urged on again, but each time, they get closer to the real motive behind the murder. Of course, there is more violence along the way, and Emily must also deal with troubles with her mother, as well as ribbing by her partner when she meets an attractive fellow officer who seems equally interested in her. The case is eventually resolved after many reversals.
The story is interesting, though the writing was somewhat awkward, and did not always flow well. I enjoyed the story, nonetheless, and plan to check out the next entry in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
November 30, 2023
So, so, so good! How do I even talk about this book without giving everything away? So many secrets, so many cover-ups, so much going on, and no one seems to be who they appear to be. And I can’t talk about any of this because it would give it all away. So, you’re just going to have to get this book and read it for yourself!
This author has a very easy style. Everything just flows so nicely. So easy to follow you really feel like you’re there every step of the way. This is like a "grab your coat and go along for the ride" type of book. The suspense in this one is through the roof! But there were also a few little giggle moments here and there.
Emily? Amazing! I love her. She’s sarcastic, strong, strong willed, gutsy, but also warm hearted when it comes to family and those she cares about. She gets things done. It may not be the correct way or the way you or I would do it, but she does get things done.
Her partner, Javi, is like the straight man in this duo. He’s kind of Emily's conscience in a way, but he also can't resist the chance to tease her once in a while. They make a wonderful team.
Great ending. This book was smart and clever. Full of suspense and excitement, one that kept me reading late into the night and starting again very early in the morning.
Yet another five star book from this author, in my opinion! This is the start of a great series and I will definitely be reading the next one.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
This author has a very easy style. Everything just flows so nicely. So easy to follow you really feel like you’re there every step of the way. This is like a "grab your coat and go along for the ride" type of book. The suspense in this one is through the roof! But there were also a few little giggle moments here and there.
Emily? Amazing! I love her. She’s sarcastic, strong, strong willed, gutsy, but also warm hearted when it comes to family and those she cares about. She gets things done. It may not be the correct way or the way you or I would do it, but she does get things done.
Her partner, Javi, is like the straight man in this duo. He’s kind of Emily's conscience in a way, but he also can't resist the chance to tease her once in a while. They make a wonderful team.
Great ending. This book was smart and clever. Full of suspense and excitement, one that kept me reading late into the night and starting again very early in the morning.
Yet another five star book from this author, in my opinion! This is the start of a great series and I will definitely be reading the next one.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
December 30, 2023
Face of Greed is a police procedural featuring detective Emily Hunter and her partner Javier Medina. They are called to the scene of the murder of a prominent business man. The Mayor and Chief of Police want this case wrapped up quickly, but Emily is determined to solve the case no matter where it leads.
I thought this was a really enjoyable mystery. There were a of of twists and turns. I had one of the suspects pegged from the start, but the rest of the story was a surprise. I read this in one sitting. I really liked Emily's character. She was a great detective because she was smart and took her job seriously. What I loved the most about the book was Emily's relationship with her partner Javier. Their banter was effortless and just really fun. I would definitely want to read more about this duo in future cases. I hope if there is a next book, we get to see more of Emily and Brian. That seems like it would be a cute relationship. I definitely recommend this one.
I thought this was a really enjoyable mystery. There were a of of twists and turns. I had one of the suspects pegged from the start, but the rest of the story was a surprise. I read this in one sitting. I really liked Emily's character. She was a great detective because she was smart and took her job seriously. What I loved the most about the book was Emily's relationship with her partner Javier. Their banter was effortless and just really fun. I would definitely want to read more about this duo in future cases. I hope if there is a next book, we get to see more of Emily and Brian. That seems like it would be a cute relationship. I definitely recommend this one.
January 22, 2024
I had stopped reading this ARC because I thought Emily the main character was over the top in her rebelliousness. But somehow I got sucked back in and it was a mediocre okay. Again cops doing things that they never would do in a 100 years annoys me. The trite banter not impressive. Kinda wish I hadn’t started it again but….
I was given a copy by NetGalley opinions are my own.
I was given a copy by NetGalley opinions are my own.
July 5, 2025
Face of Greed, the first book in James L'Etoile's Detective Emily Hunter Mysteries, is set in Sacramento, which is not too far from where I live. It's always fun reading about a city with which you are somewhat familiar, but the case being investigated is dead serious.
When a home invasion ends in the murder of a wealthy businessman who has organized the Mayor's last campaign, Detectives Emily Hunter and partner Javier Medina are dismayed to see that both the Police Chief and the Mayor seem to be at the beck and call of the man's wife, Lori Townsend, who was also injured in the invasion. They know this could hamper their effectiveness, but Hunter is determined to use their usual methods to investigate. Her style is abrupt and confrontational, even with her superiors, while Javi tries to get her to reel it in to keep both of them out of trouble. At the same time, Emily finds herself dealing with the welfare of her mother, whose dementia is progressing, making her more unpredictable every day.
The plot is deliciously convoluted, with multiple suspects connected to organized crime, but much of the focus is on Lori Townsend, the most interesting--and most over-the-top--character. The author's vast experience as a prison warden adds to the authenticity and makes this a solid police procedural, full of twists and turns. I'm happy to see that there is already a second book in the series, and a third coming in early 2026.
When a home invasion ends in the murder of a wealthy businessman who has organized the Mayor's last campaign, Detectives Emily Hunter and partner Javier Medina are dismayed to see that both the Police Chief and the Mayor seem to be at the beck and call of the man's wife, Lori Townsend, who was also injured in the invasion. They know this could hamper their effectiveness, but Hunter is determined to use their usual methods to investigate. Her style is abrupt and confrontational, even with her superiors, while Javi tries to get her to reel it in to keep both of them out of trouble. At the same time, Emily finds herself dealing with the welfare of her mother, whose dementia is progressing, making her more unpredictable every day.
The plot is deliciously convoluted, with multiple suspects connected to organized crime, but much of the focus is on Lori Townsend, the most interesting--and most over-the-top--character. The author's vast experience as a prison warden adds to the authenticity and makes this a solid police procedural, full of twists and turns. I'm happy to see that there is already a second book in the series, and a third coming in early 2026.
November 20, 2023
4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5
This was a really good police procedural, and I really enjoyed reading it. It was fast-paced and had me completely invested in the story.
Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina of the Sacramento Police Department, are called to a crime scene involving a prominent businessman. He's found dead, and his wife has been injured. At first look, it appears to be a brutal home invasion, but as they dig deeper, they find there is more to the story. High-powered city officials want this case closed quickly and discreetly. What is everyone trying to hide? As Emily pursues leads, she's being dragged into gang related violence and a world of greed and corruption. How far will Emily go to find answers? Will she become the next victim? Meanwhile, at home, Emily is trying to deal with her mother’s early onset Alzheimer's. Can she find the balance between her job and her personal life?
This was my 1st book by the author, but I will definitely be reading more. It was very well written and kept me turning pages. Not to mention the fact that one of the characters drove a Porsche 911 GT3RS (one of my very favorite cars!) Emily Hunter was a strong female MC, and the other characters definitely made the book interesting. The story was full of mystery and was action-packed. It was extremely entertaining and I would highly recommend it.
This was a really good police procedural, and I really enjoyed reading it. It was fast-paced and had me completely invested in the story.
Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina of the Sacramento Police Department, are called to a crime scene involving a prominent businessman. He's found dead, and his wife has been injured. At first look, it appears to be a brutal home invasion, but as they dig deeper, they find there is more to the story. High-powered city officials want this case closed quickly and discreetly. What is everyone trying to hide? As Emily pursues leads, she's being dragged into gang related violence and a world of greed and corruption. How far will Emily go to find answers? Will she become the next victim? Meanwhile, at home, Emily is trying to deal with her mother’s early onset Alzheimer's. Can she find the balance between her job and her personal life?
This was my 1st book by the author, but I will definitely be reading more. It was very well written and kept me turning pages. Not to mention the fact that one of the characters drove a Porsche 911 GT3RS (one of my very favorite cars!) Emily Hunter was a strong female MC, and the other characters definitely made the book interesting. The story was full of mystery and was action-packed. It was extremely entertaining and I would highly recommend it.
January 3, 2025
The story in a few words:
Set in Sacrament, California the inspiration behind this series is drawn from experiences from murder cases.
It opens with a bang:
Homicide detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medica are called to the scene where Roger Townsend, a business tycoon was murdered and his wife Lori, brutally attacked. After an initial statement both detectives felt that Lori was hiding something. They followed leads but soon discovered that the case was politically connected and were quickly shut down. The detectives refused to do so and discovered that the case also had ties to gang and crooked members of the legal community……
We follow Emily and Javier navigate and find the truth…..
My thoughts:
This story is my introduction to James L’Étoile and I glad I was given the opportunity to get to know his style. I love police procedural and this story was a very exiting one. The author knows how to set facts in a blunt way with no fuzz and without unnecessary words to muddle the drama. This mystery moves at a breakneck speed and is one hard to put down…
I love how the author paints Sacramento, a city bursting with good cops and crooked cops, bad men and seductresses. This story is first class suspense thriller and the dialogue buzzes with authenticity. Mr. L’Étoile long career as criminal justice lends veracity to this page-turner.
Very well said and done
.I enjoyed passing time reading this mystery, I was so deeply immersed I actually didn’t see the time pass.
I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: thank you so much.
Set in Sacrament, California the inspiration behind this series is drawn from experiences from murder cases.
It opens with a bang:
Homicide detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medica are called to the scene where Roger Townsend, a business tycoon was murdered and his wife Lori, brutally attacked. After an initial statement both detectives felt that Lori was hiding something. They followed leads but soon discovered that the case was politically connected and were quickly shut down. The detectives refused to do so and discovered that the case also had ties to gang and crooked members of the legal community……
We follow Emily and Javier navigate and find the truth…..
My thoughts:
This story is my introduction to James L’Étoile and I glad I was given the opportunity to get to know his style. I love police procedural and this story was a very exiting one. The author knows how to set facts in a blunt way with no fuzz and without unnecessary words to muddle the drama. This mystery moves at a breakneck speed and is one hard to put down…
I love how the author paints Sacramento, a city bursting with good cops and crooked cops, bad men and seductresses. This story is first class suspense thriller and the dialogue buzzes with authenticity. Mr. L’Étoile long career as criminal justice lends veracity to this page-turner.
Very well said and done
.I enjoyed passing time reading this mystery, I was so deeply immersed I actually didn’t see the time pass.
I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: thank you so much.
December 27, 2023
This is my first novel by this author, but it intrigued me right from the start. The pragmatic main character was richly written and easy to love so rooting for her throughout every twist and turn written was an easy choice. I devoured this in one sitting because i needed to see it all the way through from start to finish. Excellent start to many more reads by Etoille
Thank you NetGalley for this arc.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc.
December 4, 2023
Detectives Emily Hunter and Javier Medina are assigned to investigate the brutal murder and attack on the wife of a well-connected Sacramento businessman. But at every turn they are met by orders from the Mayor to stand down. But they push on in the investigation and discover there may be going on than a simple home invasion.
In Face of Greed, James L'Etoile has provided a gripping, fast-paced, page turner mystery. This definitely is a candidate for my best book of the year. It's a textbook example of how to write a police procedural.
Transparency: I was provided a copy of the book by the author.
In Face of Greed, James L'Etoile has provided a gripping, fast-paced, page turner mystery. This definitely is a candidate for my best book of the year. It's a textbook example of how to write a police procedural.
Transparency: I was provided a copy of the book by the author.
November 21, 2023
Face of Greed is the first in author James L’Etoile’s Detective Emily Hunter Mystery series. I’ve read and enjoyed his earlier Nathan Parker and Detective Penley series. Readers who enjoy noir, thrillers, police procedurals, and suspense will enjoy his books. James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years as an associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system to add verisimilitude to the novel. His style is taut and fast-paced, and he wields red herrings like a knife-thrower.
Emily Hunter, the main character, is a detective competing in the male-dominated world of police detectives while struggling with a mother stricken with dementia. Emily and her partner Javier are called to the scene of a businessman's murder and have a hunch his grieving widow isn’t really as grief-stricken as she appears to be. Matters become complicated when the mayor of Sacramento gets involved and tries to keep detectives from questioning the widow. As the investigation progresses, the body count rises and the ring of crime spreads centrifugally from the first, involving local politicians, a RICO investigation, and the Aryan Brotherhood.
Emily Hunter, the main character, is a detective competing in the male-dominated world of police detectives while struggling with a mother stricken with dementia. Emily and her partner Javier are called to the scene of a businessman's murder and have a hunch his grieving widow isn’t really as grief-stricken as she appears to be. Matters become complicated when the mayor of Sacramento gets involved and tries to keep detectives from questioning the widow. As the investigation progresses, the body count rises and the ring of crime spreads centrifugally from the first, involving local politicians, a RICO investigation, and the Aryan Brotherhood.
November 23, 2023
An excellent police procedural novel with a strong female protagonist. Emily Hunter is a confident, sarcastic, tenacious police detective with the Sacramento police department. I hope this is the start of a new series because I love the characters, the fast paced plot, and the myriad of twists along the way to the dramatic conclusion. The characters are all fully developed and the plot is propelled along at a nice clip. Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
November 21, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ve had the chance to see him at book conferences recently and I love crime fiction so I was excited to dive into this book. The book opens right up with the crime scene so you jump right into it. I really hope this book is the first in a series because I found the lead detective, Emily Hunter, to be a great character and I want to read more about her. I’m really glad the author wrote this book and opened my eyes to his writings.
November 17, 2023
The Face of Greed by James L’Etoile is exciting on many levels. The police are smart and determined but nearly every direction their inquiries take them is blocked by a politician worried about his funding. The prime suspect taunts the detectives. Every piece of evidence points to the person they can’t touch. As the detectives uncover more crimes that link back to the same suspect they risk their jobs and lives to dig deep enough to find the truth. This is hard to read without shouting “What?” and “no way!” Enjoy.
November 21, 2023
Where to begin. This book was going so fast in so many directions I feel like I have whiplash. Fast read since you want to find out what is happening next. Great law and order style book (a bit more edgy though).
November 20, 2023
My husband read and rated this book. He described it as fast paced and entertaining and he is ready to read more by this author.
Thanks to the author and publisher for the Goodreads giveaway.
Thanks to the author and publisher for the Goodreads giveaway.
September 5, 2023
Ambition, corruption, political and greed collide in Face of Greed, a police precedural/thriller by James L’Etoile. When Detective Emily Hunter and her partner Javier Medina arrive at the scene of a deadly home invasion, they find the body of a prominent businessman, philanthropist and political fundraiser dead on the floor. His throat has been slashed and his wife is being comforted by an overly familiar Mayor. Although Hunter and Medina find links to other cases, their investigation is quickly shut down. However, they continue and what they discover is far worse than they could imagine.
Face of Greed is a page turner and, I hope, the beginning of a new series. I liked the relationship between Hunter and Medina. Emily’s problem’s with her mother’s memory loss makes her a sympathetic character, one I would like to see more of. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley
Face of Greed is a page turner and, I hope, the beginning of a new series. I liked the relationship between Hunter and Medina. Emily’s problem’s with her mother’s memory loss makes her a sympathetic character, one I would like to see more of. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley
September 9, 2023
It's tough enough to work a complicated case, but when crooked politicians ( especially the mayor) tell the police chief how to manage the case and the detectives working it there is so much more. It isn't as though Detective Emily Hunter doesn't have enough problems at home with her mother's AD worsening. Fortunately her partner Detective Javier Medina's mother is great help. The case would be a nightmare even without the political hindrances, but the due diligence and a few helpful connections do help. A great read that will make an addictive series.
I requested and received an EARC from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received an EARC from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 22, 2023
The same old cleche I couldn't put the book down mindset is served up in Face of Greed.
Beginning with a couple of bizarre killings, the story quickly turns into a hectic read with no stopping.
Strong overall characters, a faultless narrative, tension maintained right up until the very end, and a guessing game for the readers—James L'Etoile will win many fans with Face of Greed.
An independent review for NetGalley/Oceanview Publishing
Beginning with a couple of bizarre killings, the story quickly turns into a hectic read with no stopping.
Strong overall characters, a faultless narrative, tension maintained right up until the very end, and a guessing game for the readers—James L'Etoile will win many fans with Face of Greed.
An independent review for NetGalley/Oceanview Publishing
December 23, 2025
Last year I read At What Cost, James L’Etoile’s debut novel. He has nearly thirty years of criminal justice experience and you can tell that he utilizes every bit of knowledge he has to tell his stories and it carries over into Face of Greed, book one in the Detective Emily Hunter series. I’d had this book on my radar but I purposely picked it up as my next read because I had actually won a Kindle copy of book three in this series thanks to a Goodreads giveaway!! (Thank you Oceanview Publishing!!!) I’m not one to jump into a series without the proper knowledge and backstory when it comes to characters so I wanted to start with book one.
I loved that right off the bat it feels like we’ve been in Emily Hunter’s world before. The story starts off with Emily arriving home to find her front door wide open. Being a detective and with her line of work this immediately sets off alarm bells. She worries about her mother, Connie, as she’s exhibiting signs of early onset dementia. It turns out that she had gotten out of the house away from her caretaker and walked to the park down the street but is now back home safe. James L’Etoile didn’t waste a lot of time diving into this story headfirst with the personal problems in Emily’s life. Even when it came time to meet Javier Medina, her partner, it felt as if we’d known them for quite some time already. A part of me wonders if James may have wrote more to open the story, so to speak, but for his own sake as to get more familiar with his own characters and the setting simply because of how the story flowed so well with where us readers start.
Emily and Javier are requested at the Townsend residence where a break-in and murder has been reported. Lori Townsend is being comforted by the mayor. His presence, along with the police chiefs, immediately raises Emily’s suspicions. She knows that this case is going to be different than most due to outside influences that will undoubtedly come into play. Lori’s husband, Roger, is dead with a gaping neck wound and a bullet in his back. Lori has a bump on the head. She explains that she came home, saw him lying on the floor and was then knocked out from behind.
The pacing of this story was fantastic. There were never any lulls unless you can count little blurbs describing the interiors of offices and homes, and building architecture in Sacramento as a lull. For a while it’s a battle between Emily, Javier and the higher ups, namely the mayor, due to Lori calling him for help after she’s sought out by the detectives who are hoping to get some questions answered. They know that she knows more than she’s letting on but she keeps her walls up. During their investigation they find that Roger’s lawyer has been killed the exact same way, and his office was ransacked just as badly. Whoever committed the murders were obviously looking for something and whether or not they got what they came for is what Emily and Javier need to figure out.
The inclusion of the Aryan Brotherhood, Nazism, and white power/supremacy is not something I was expecting but given James L’Etoile’s time working in the prison system I can totally understand why such a group was utilized as an antagonist for this story. Especially since those in the AB who are in prison and living on the outside seem to have the same resources when it comes to having eyes and ears everywhere to carry out hits and get messages sent to and from the inside and outside. Emily and Javier quickly realize that there’s a massive web of lies and deceit spun around this entire case.
I wouldn’t say that this book was action packed. Some reviewers may use that phrase generously to describe books and when I read that I expect action scenes every other chapter, not just once every act. In Face of Greed there are a few action moments and damn if they’re not super well written to the point that I could effortlessly see it playing out in my imagination! From gunfights to explosions and the gritty details the first ones on the scene see afterwards, it’s once again a sign that this is being written by someone with firsthand experience in this realm. The driving around and questioning and investigating takes up a majority of the story, naturally, but like I said above it never lulls nor gets boring and a big reason as to why, for me, was because of how likable the main characters were.
The friendship and banter between Emily and Javier was an excellent highlight! I loved them. Emily is a no-nonsense, we’re gonna do it this way and hope for the best, trust me we’ll be alright, character you can’t help but root for, and Javier is the kind of partner anyone would be lucky to have in such a line of work. He keeps bugging Emily about a fellow officer who seems to have the hots for her who is hilariously nicknamed Officer Booty Bandit due to how he always carries an emergency set of shoe covers for crime scenes.
By the end, Face of Greed ended up being a freaking perfect title and I loved that! Both of James’s stories that I’ve read so far have felt very real and raw, a sort of shake up from the usual police procedural mystery. At least for me anyway. It makes me all the more excited and ready to check out book two in this series, River of Lies, before getting to the giveaway copy I received for book three, Illusion of Truth!
I loved that right off the bat it feels like we’ve been in Emily Hunter’s world before. The story starts off with Emily arriving home to find her front door wide open. Being a detective and with her line of work this immediately sets off alarm bells. She worries about her mother, Connie, as she’s exhibiting signs of early onset dementia. It turns out that she had gotten out of the house away from her caretaker and walked to the park down the street but is now back home safe. James L’Etoile didn’t waste a lot of time diving into this story headfirst with the personal problems in Emily’s life. Even when it came time to meet Javier Medina, her partner, it felt as if we’d known them for quite some time already. A part of me wonders if James may have wrote more to open the story, so to speak, but for his own sake as to get more familiar with his own characters and the setting simply because of how the story flowed so well with where us readers start.
Emily and Javier are requested at the Townsend residence where a break-in and murder has been reported. Lori Townsend is being comforted by the mayor. His presence, along with the police chiefs, immediately raises Emily’s suspicions. She knows that this case is going to be different than most due to outside influences that will undoubtedly come into play. Lori’s husband, Roger, is dead with a gaping neck wound and a bullet in his back. Lori has a bump on the head. She explains that she came home, saw him lying on the floor and was then knocked out from behind.
The pacing of this story was fantastic. There were never any lulls unless you can count little blurbs describing the interiors of offices and homes, and building architecture in Sacramento as a lull. For a while it’s a battle between Emily, Javier and the higher ups, namely the mayor, due to Lori calling him for help after she’s sought out by the detectives who are hoping to get some questions answered. They know that she knows more than she’s letting on but she keeps her walls up. During their investigation they find that Roger’s lawyer has been killed the exact same way, and his office was ransacked just as badly. Whoever committed the murders were obviously looking for something and whether or not they got what they came for is what Emily and Javier need to figure out.
The inclusion of the Aryan Brotherhood, Nazism, and white power/supremacy is not something I was expecting but given James L’Etoile’s time working in the prison system I can totally understand why such a group was utilized as an antagonist for this story. Especially since those in the AB who are in prison and living on the outside seem to have the same resources when it comes to having eyes and ears everywhere to carry out hits and get messages sent to and from the inside and outside. Emily and Javier quickly realize that there’s a massive web of lies and deceit spun around this entire case.
I wouldn’t say that this book was action packed. Some reviewers may use that phrase generously to describe books and when I read that I expect action scenes every other chapter, not just once every act. In Face of Greed there are a few action moments and damn if they’re not super well written to the point that I could effortlessly see it playing out in my imagination! From gunfights to explosions and the gritty details the first ones on the scene see afterwards, it’s once again a sign that this is being written by someone with firsthand experience in this realm. The driving around and questioning and investigating takes up a majority of the story, naturally, but like I said above it never lulls nor gets boring and a big reason as to why, for me, was because of how likable the main characters were.
The friendship and banter between Emily and Javier was an excellent highlight! I loved them. Emily is a no-nonsense, we’re gonna do it this way and hope for the best, trust me we’ll be alright, character you can’t help but root for, and Javier is the kind of partner anyone would be lucky to have in such a line of work. He keeps bugging Emily about a fellow officer who seems to have the hots for her who is hilariously nicknamed Officer Booty Bandit due to how he always carries an emergency set of shoe covers for crime scenes.
By the end, Face of Greed ended up being a freaking perfect title and I loved that! Both of James’s stories that I’ve read so far have felt very real and raw, a sort of shake up from the usual police procedural mystery. At least for me anyway. It makes me all the more excited and ready to check out book two in this series, River of Lies, before getting to the giveaway copy I received for book three, Illusion of Truth!
June 17, 2023
Very well written. This book allowed me to read it without being familiar with the characters. The story will draw you in and keep you guessing. Medium paced and worth a read.
January 27, 2025
Author James L’Etoile began his long tenure in corrections as a probation officer in a juvenile facility. He subsequently became a correctional counselor and was promoted to the position of associate warden of a maximum-security prison. His career culminated with a stint as the director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
His duties included drafting release reports for judges. One day, after retiring, it occurred to him that he wrote crime stories throughout his career. Drawing on his experience and knowledge, he decided to pursue a new career writing fiction. Black Label, his first published novel is a stand-alone psychological thriller dealing with big pharma and featuring a female protagonist. He next launched his Detective Nathan Parker series with Dead Drop, set in the Southwest and dealing with the immigration crisis and those caught in the middle of it. Devil Within is the second installment in that series.
Face of Greed is the first offering in a new series. Inspiration for the story came from one of the first murder investigations in which L’Etoile participated. Three gang members broke into a home and forced the homeowner to open a safe before executing him. The perpetrators claimed the homeowner “was a drug dealer and was rumored to keep large quantities of product and cash in his safe” and owed them money, L’Etoile recalls. The jury rejected their proffered defense. The shooter was sentenced to death and the other two criminals received long prison sentences. L’Etoile says that case “always stuck with me” and prompted him to pen a story in which he “asks what if there was more going on in that home invasion?”
Face of Greed introduces readers to Emily Hunter. She has been a Detective with the Sacramento Police Department for five years. When asked why he opted to craft the series around another female protagonist, L’Etoile reveals that it puts him “on edge” and prevents him from making assumptions, permitting him to “get into [the story] a little more.” Crafting a believable female law enforcement professional also makes him work harder. “You can’t just put the character in a dress,” he notes. L’Etoile, whose own daughter is in law enforcement in addition to being one of his beta readers, believes that women in what is still a male-dominated profession don’t yet receive the recognition they deserve. “They still have to work harder than men to be recognized” and are often expected, like their male peers, to conceal their feelings while performing duties that frequently invoke strong emotional reactions. L’Etoile acknowledges that law enforcement is evolving and more resources are being offered to employees to help them cope with job stressors.
Emily is single and committed to her job. She is also a loving daughter, devoted to ensuring that her seventy-year-old mother, Connie, is safe and well cared for. Connie, a retired teacher, is afflicted with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and no longer able to live independently so four months ago, Emily insisted that Connie move in with her. She has enlisted a caregiver, Sheila, to watch over Connie while she works, but her schedule is anything but predictable and she often works long hours, so the logistics have thus far proven challenging. Indeed, as the book opens, she arrives at home to find that Connie has wandered off again, prompting Sheila to suggest that Emily consider relocating Connie to a secure facility where she can receive a higher level of care. But Emily has no time to debate the subject with Sheila because she is immediately called back to work by the Watch Commander. It’s a high-profile case in which the Chief of Police and Mayor are taking a personal interest and the unusual step of responding to the scene.
Emily and her partner of six months, Detective Javier Medina, arrive at a stylish home on 46th Street in the heart of one of Sacramento’s most prestigious neighborhoods, known as the “Fabulous Forties.” Roger Townsend, a fifty-year-old power player in California political circles, has been murdered in his home, “his throat slit from ear to ear.” His glamorous wife, Lori, interrupted what appears to have been a home invasion robbery and suffered minor injuries. The floor safe in Townsend’s home office is open but there is no evidence suggesting that it was forced open. Lori insists that only her husband knew the combination to the safe and he kept only a modest amount of cash and some papers in it. A small amount of light-colored powder is visible on the bottom of the now empty safe. Lori quickly retreats to the Townsend estate in Granite Bay, and the coroner’s examination soon reveals that Townsend was also shot in the back . . . and was terminally ill.
As Emily and Javier begin investigating, their efforts are thwarted by Lori’s close friendship with the Mayor. Their interview with the Managing Partner and In-House Counsel of Townsend and Associates leads to more questions about the nature of Townsend’s business dealings and holdings, as well as why a sleazy criminal attorney operating out of a J Street storefront was Townsend’s personal lawyer. They follow clues that will hopefully provide insight into the motivation for Townsend’s killing, but more crimes, including another murder, yield more suspects and complicate their efforts. The Chief is anxious to wrap up the investigation, claiming that the case has been solved and the killer taken into custody. Emily risks an insubordination charge as she seeks to avoid a confrontation with him and the Mayor because “[o]nce politics infects a case, common sense disappears.” But it becomes increasingly apparent that politics are impeding Emily and Javier’s efforts to unravel a mystery that grows increasingly complex and convoluted, involving another detective, ex-convicts who served time in Pelican Bay (one of California’s most dangerous and notorious prisons), members of the Aryan Brotherhood, and even an Assistant United States Attorney.
Emily is a compelling character. She is a competent and determined detective, savvy and respected by colleagues who are willing to aid her efforts with leads and tips. She is willing to take risks to uncover the truth, and skates dangerously close to derailing her career when she refuses to capitulate to the political machinations of her superiors and the interference of the Mayor in her investigation. Her partnership with Javier is both collegial and affectionate, characterized by often hilarious and believable bickering and teasing. It is evident that Javier, the junior member of the team, is not threatened by Emily or in any way uncomfortable being subordinate to a female detective. On the contrary, they have a great deal in common, not the least of which is their love for and appreciation of their mothers.
L’Etoile’s riveting story is both fast-paced and cleverly plotted. As the investigation proceeds, each piece of evidence uncovered seems to inspire more questions rather than provide answers, and lead Emily and Javier in unexpected directions. L’Etoile deftly keeps readers guessing about whether and in what configuration all the various threads of the mystery will eventually pull together, but Lori repeatedly emerges as the common denominator. She is demonstrably connected to and involved with a vast group of intriguing supporting characters, some of whom are quite dastardly and mercenary. Is she innocent? Or did she play a role in her husband’s demise? If so, what would motivate her to harm the man who, by all outward appearances, afforded her a lifestyle and access to power she could not have achieved on her own?
The procedural and political aspects of the story are both credible and plausible, the latter providing dramatic tension and frustrations that inspire Emily to forge ahead despite the obstacles erected by her powerful superiors and potential adverse consequences for her career. L’Etoile expertly utilizes the setting — the city of Sacramento and surrounding areas — to maximum effect. His familiarity with the region is evident as his characters visit landmarks like the famed Renaissance Tower. Housing the fictional Townsend and Associates, the downtown behemoth is known as the “Darth Vader” building because of its modernistic design that is at odds with the structures surrounding it, including California’s beloved domed Capitol. They also proceed to the William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building, another architectural oddity; the county jail; and the aforementioned “Fabulous Forties” and J Street. L’Etoile provides descriptions and wry commentary that transform the city into an integral character in the tale, illustrating its incohesive and contradictory nature for readers who are unacquainted with it. “Such was Sacramento, a city in search of an identity” with a fictional mayor intent on transforming it into a cultural center and travel destination.
Face of Greed is an absorbing, entertaining, and uniquely creative mystery, at the heart of which is the empathetic and relatable Emily. She is determined to simultaneously be the best detective, daughter, and partner she can be. Thus, she is both comfortably familiar and endearing. Readers will find themselves quickly invested in her success and moved by her relationship with her mother. She is keenly aware that their time together is limited, as Connie’s memories and cognitive abilities fade. And there is a black cat who is not hers, but keeps showing up expecting to be fed so Emily accedes to its demands. Hopefully, L’Etoile will further explore the various challenges that make Emily such a fascinating protagonist in subsequent volumes, while providing her with more mystifying cases to solve in California’s River City.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for an Advanced Readers' Copy of the book via NetGalley in conjunction with Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
His duties included drafting release reports for judges. One day, after retiring, it occurred to him that he wrote crime stories throughout his career. Drawing on his experience and knowledge, he decided to pursue a new career writing fiction. Black Label, his first published novel is a stand-alone psychological thriller dealing with big pharma and featuring a female protagonist. He next launched his Detective Nathan Parker series with Dead Drop, set in the Southwest and dealing with the immigration crisis and those caught in the middle of it. Devil Within is the second installment in that series.
Face of Greed is the first offering in a new series. Inspiration for the story came from one of the first murder investigations in which L’Etoile participated. Three gang members broke into a home and forced the homeowner to open a safe before executing him. The perpetrators claimed the homeowner “was a drug dealer and was rumored to keep large quantities of product and cash in his safe” and owed them money, L’Etoile recalls. The jury rejected their proffered defense. The shooter was sentenced to death and the other two criminals received long prison sentences. L’Etoile says that case “always stuck with me” and prompted him to pen a story in which he “asks what if there was more going on in that home invasion?”
Face of Greed introduces readers to Emily Hunter. She has been a Detective with the Sacramento Police Department for five years. When asked why he opted to craft the series around another female protagonist, L’Etoile reveals that it puts him “on edge” and prevents him from making assumptions, permitting him to “get into [the story] a little more.” Crafting a believable female law enforcement professional also makes him work harder. “You can’t just put the character in a dress,” he notes. L’Etoile, whose own daughter is in law enforcement in addition to being one of his beta readers, believes that women in what is still a male-dominated profession don’t yet receive the recognition they deserve. “They still have to work harder than men to be recognized” and are often expected, like their male peers, to conceal their feelings while performing duties that frequently invoke strong emotional reactions. L’Etoile acknowledges that law enforcement is evolving and more resources are being offered to employees to help them cope with job stressors.
Emily is single and committed to her job. She is also a loving daughter, devoted to ensuring that her seventy-year-old mother, Connie, is safe and well cared for. Connie, a retired teacher, is afflicted with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and no longer able to live independently so four months ago, Emily insisted that Connie move in with her. She has enlisted a caregiver, Sheila, to watch over Connie while she works, but her schedule is anything but predictable and she often works long hours, so the logistics have thus far proven challenging. Indeed, as the book opens, she arrives at home to find that Connie has wandered off again, prompting Sheila to suggest that Emily consider relocating Connie to a secure facility where she can receive a higher level of care. But Emily has no time to debate the subject with Sheila because she is immediately called back to work by the Watch Commander. It’s a high-profile case in which the Chief of Police and Mayor are taking a personal interest and the unusual step of responding to the scene.
Emily and her partner of six months, Detective Javier Medina, arrive at a stylish home on 46th Street in the heart of one of Sacramento’s most prestigious neighborhoods, known as the “Fabulous Forties.” Roger Townsend, a fifty-year-old power player in California political circles, has been murdered in his home, “his throat slit from ear to ear.” His glamorous wife, Lori, interrupted what appears to have been a home invasion robbery and suffered minor injuries. The floor safe in Townsend’s home office is open but there is no evidence suggesting that it was forced open. Lori insists that only her husband knew the combination to the safe and he kept only a modest amount of cash and some papers in it. A small amount of light-colored powder is visible on the bottom of the now empty safe. Lori quickly retreats to the Townsend estate in Granite Bay, and the coroner’s examination soon reveals that Townsend was also shot in the back . . . and was terminally ill.
As Emily and Javier begin investigating, their efforts are thwarted by Lori’s close friendship with the Mayor. Their interview with the Managing Partner and In-House Counsel of Townsend and Associates leads to more questions about the nature of Townsend’s business dealings and holdings, as well as why a sleazy criminal attorney operating out of a J Street storefront was Townsend’s personal lawyer. They follow clues that will hopefully provide insight into the motivation for Townsend’s killing, but more crimes, including another murder, yield more suspects and complicate their efforts. The Chief is anxious to wrap up the investigation, claiming that the case has been solved and the killer taken into custody. Emily risks an insubordination charge as she seeks to avoid a confrontation with him and the Mayor because “[o]nce politics infects a case, common sense disappears.” But it becomes increasingly apparent that politics are impeding Emily and Javier’s efforts to unravel a mystery that grows increasingly complex and convoluted, involving another detective, ex-convicts who served time in Pelican Bay (one of California’s most dangerous and notorious prisons), members of the Aryan Brotherhood, and even an Assistant United States Attorney.
Emily is a compelling character. She is a competent and determined detective, savvy and respected by colleagues who are willing to aid her efforts with leads and tips. She is willing to take risks to uncover the truth, and skates dangerously close to derailing her career when she refuses to capitulate to the political machinations of her superiors and the interference of the Mayor in her investigation. Her partnership with Javier is both collegial and affectionate, characterized by often hilarious and believable bickering and teasing. It is evident that Javier, the junior member of the team, is not threatened by Emily or in any way uncomfortable being subordinate to a female detective. On the contrary, they have a great deal in common, not the least of which is their love for and appreciation of their mothers.
L’Etoile’s riveting story is both fast-paced and cleverly plotted. As the investigation proceeds, each piece of evidence uncovered seems to inspire more questions rather than provide answers, and lead Emily and Javier in unexpected directions. L’Etoile deftly keeps readers guessing about whether and in what configuration all the various threads of the mystery will eventually pull together, but Lori repeatedly emerges as the common denominator. She is demonstrably connected to and involved with a vast group of intriguing supporting characters, some of whom are quite dastardly and mercenary. Is she innocent? Or did she play a role in her husband’s demise? If so, what would motivate her to harm the man who, by all outward appearances, afforded her a lifestyle and access to power she could not have achieved on her own?
The procedural and political aspects of the story are both credible and plausible, the latter providing dramatic tension and frustrations that inspire Emily to forge ahead despite the obstacles erected by her powerful superiors and potential adverse consequences for her career. L’Etoile expertly utilizes the setting — the city of Sacramento and surrounding areas — to maximum effect. His familiarity with the region is evident as his characters visit landmarks like the famed Renaissance Tower. Housing the fictional Townsend and Associates, the downtown behemoth is known as the “Darth Vader” building because of its modernistic design that is at odds with the structures surrounding it, including California’s beloved domed Capitol. They also proceed to the William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building, another architectural oddity; the county jail; and the aforementioned “Fabulous Forties” and J Street. L’Etoile provides descriptions and wry commentary that transform the city into an integral character in the tale, illustrating its incohesive and contradictory nature for readers who are unacquainted with it. “Such was Sacramento, a city in search of an identity” with a fictional mayor intent on transforming it into a cultural center and travel destination.
Face of Greed is an absorbing, entertaining, and uniquely creative mystery, at the heart of which is the empathetic and relatable Emily. She is determined to simultaneously be the best detective, daughter, and partner she can be. Thus, she is both comfortably familiar and endearing. Readers will find themselves quickly invested in her success and moved by her relationship with her mother. She is keenly aware that their time together is limited, as Connie’s memories and cognitive abilities fade. And there is a black cat who is not hers, but keeps showing up expecting to be fed so Emily accedes to its demands. Hopefully, L’Etoile will further explore the various challenges that make Emily such a fascinating protagonist in subsequent volumes, while providing her with more mystifying cases to solve in California’s River City.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for an Advanced Readers' Copy of the book via NetGalley in conjunction with Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
December 19, 2025
Real Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Greed, corruption, and betrayal—no murder is as simple as it seems
When a prominent Sacramento businessman is killed and his wife injured in a brutal home invasion, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to investigate. At first glance, it seems like a crime of opportunity gone horribly wrong, but Emily soon finds there might be more to both the crime and the dead man.
The high-stakes investigation also comes at a time when Emily is caring for her mother, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, and Emily struggles to balance her job with her personal life. The city’s political elite seem to want the case solved quickly, but darker forces want it buried.
Could there have been a motive behind the attack, making it more than a random home invasion? Emily uncovers clues that cause her to reconsider her understanding of the crime. A deadly game of greed and deception pulls Emily deeper into the shadowy world of gang violence and retribution. She has to walk the razor’s edge to identify the killer—without becoming the next victim.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: I was inspired to pick this book for a review by Luigi Mangione's case developments...most state charges dismissed, the fate of the evidence prosecutors wish to present uncertain. This novel predates that alleged crime by several years but still has resonances with it...powerful people want a conviction, other forces don't want any such thing for intense, irreconcilable forces each competing for their purpose to prevail.
As a procedural, Emily and Javier lead us through the maze of conflicting evidence. Their detecting seems to be run on vibes, the leads they follow up assessed and occasionally dismissed based on things I found unconvincing. In the end, Author L'Etoile crochets it all into one big design that was, once you've seen it, inevitable; it just takes a shift of your idea of the violent thing that happened to see.
Emily, as our lead detective and primary PoV, gets the majority of the development in the story. Her personal life is complicated by a mother with early-onset dementia and the urgently needed carer for mom living in her house. It adds stress to her already stressful life. In a lot of ways I felt Emily was responding to some...irregularities...in a key witness's account of what seems on the surface to be a terrible but random act with her own pent-up frustrations. Equally it can be argued that her pushback against what's clearly an attempt to shut her and Javier's fact-finding down before embarrassing truths are revealed is sharpened by that frustration.
Author L'Etoile moves the story along at a solidly even clip. I was no more done with emotionally processing a domestic event of Emily's than a key piece of evidence is suddenly...shifted...like playing
Uno when the reverse card smacks you. It's deft, it's handled well, and it exemplifies his chops as a writer and plotter of mysteries. I was always ready to dismiss the case because it's clearly not one the PTB think needs a real resolution just a speedy end. It turns out Emily has a lot of stiffness of spine. She needs it as a woman in a misogynistic world and as a support for an increasingly dependent mother.
Quite a lot of cussin' and discussin' of women in sexualized terms happens. It's not presented in a way meant to titillate but in a matter-of-fact evocation of the milieu the characters inhabit. It will bother some, so be prepared for it or make your decision to read accordingly. I think the grittier edge it gives is both appropriate and within ordinary peoples' boundaries.
As is often the case with procedural stories, the whodunit bit of the story is almost less important than the whydunit bit. The motives for this crime are in the title; the blowback from Emily and Javier following leads is in the title; it was very clear, when I got to the proper perspective point in the story, why this particular man was killed.
Can't say I'm sorry to know he's dead. I suspect you won't be either.
The Publisher Says: Greed, corruption, and betrayal—no murder is as simple as it seems
When a prominent Sacramento businessman is killed and his wife injured in a brutal home invasion, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, are called to investigate. At first glance, it seems like a crime of opportunity gone horribly wrong, but Emily soon finds there might be more to both the crime and the dead man.
The high-stakes investigation also comes at a time when Emily is caring for her mother, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, and Emily struggles to balance her job with her personal life. The city’s political elite seem to want the case solved quickly, but darker forces want it buried.
Could there have been a motive behind the attack, making it more than a random home invasion? Emily uncovers clues that cause her to reconsider her understanding of the crime. A deadly game of greed and deception pulls Emily deeper into the shadowy world of gang violence and retribution. She has to walk the razor’s edge to identify the killer—without becoming the next victim.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: I was inspired to pick this book for a review by Luigi Mangione's case developments...most state charges dismissed, the fate of the evidence prosecutors wish to present uncertain. This novel predates that alleged crime by several years but still has resonances with it...powerful people want a conviction, other forces don't want any such thing for intense, irreconcilable forces each competing for their purpose to prevail.
As a procedural, Emily and Javier lead us through the maze of conflicting evidence. Their detecting seems to be run on vibes, the leads they follow up assessed and occasionally dismissed based on things I found unconvincing. In the end, Author L'Etoile crochets it all into one big design that was, once you've seen it, inevitable; it just takes a shift of your idea of the violent thing that happened to see.
Emily, as our lead detective and primary PoV, gets the majority of the development in the story. Her personal life is complicated by a mother with early-onset dementia and the urgently needed carer for mom living in her house. It adds stress to her already stressful life. In a lot of ways I felt Emily was responding to some...irregularities...in a key witness's account of what seems on the surface to be a terrible but random act with her own pent-up frustrations. Equally it can be argued that her pushback against what's clearly an attempt to shut her and Javier's fact-finding down before embarrassing truths are revealed is sharpened by that frustration.
Author L'Etoile moves the story along at a solidly even clip. I was no more done with emotionally processing a domestic event of Emily's than a key piece of evidence is suddenly...shifted...like playing
Uno when the reverse card smacks you. It's deft, it's handled well, and it exemplifies his chops as a writer and plotter of mysteries. I was always ready to dismiss the case because it's clearly not one the PTB think needs a real resolution just a speedy end. It turns out Emily has a lot of stiffness of spine. She needs it as a woman in a misogynistic world and as a support for an increasingly dependent mother.
Quite a lot of cussin' and discussin' of women in sexualized terms happens. It's not presented in a way meant to titillate but in a matter-of-fact evocation of the milieu the characters inhabit. It will bother some, so be prepared for it or make your decision to read accordingly. I think the grittier edge it gives is both appropriate and within ordinary peoples' boundaries.
As is often the case with procedural stories, the whodunit bit of the story is almost less important than the whydunit bit. The motives for this crime are in the title; the blowback from Emily and Javier following leads is in the title; it was very clear, when I got to the proper perspective point in the story, why this particular man was killed.
Can't say I'm sorry to know he's dead. I suspect you won't be either.
November 19, 2023
Recently on my blog, Aubrey Nye Hamilton reviewed Face of Greed: A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery by James L’Etoile. If you have read her review, you know she liked it a lot. After setting up her review, I went looking for it at my local library with no luck. I went looking at NetGalley where I remembered seeing it recently offered. Oceanview Publishing still had it listed and so I requested it. Thankfully, it was instantaneously available with no gatekeeper delay, and I was soon hooked.
Detective Emily Hunter and Detective Javier Medina are working in Sacramento, California. In recent years she has been assigned to the Detective Bureau of the Sacramento Police Department. She is on call one evening when Lieutenant Ford, Watch Commander, calls her with an assignment. One is dead, one is injured, at what according to the initial report, is some sort of home invasion gone very wrong.
If that was not enough, both the Mayor and Chief of Police are already on scene. That means politics, powerful people, and probably pressure to get results quickly and quietly from on high. It is a cold evening this night in April and the neighborhood is clearly upscale where a murder just does not happen. But, it did this night, and Rodger Townsend is very much dead.
The deceased was fairly wealthy and had donated a considerable sum of money to Mayor Stone’s last campaign. Not only that, but Ridger Townsend was also the campaign manager. Those facts at least partially explain why the Mayor is involved. The Mayor makes it clear from the start he expects how the investigation is to be done and that includes leaving the widow, Lori Richardson, alone.
Something Detective Hunter is not willing to do as she follows the evidence and believes that Lori is involved all the way up to her beautiful face and then some. That puts her and her partner on a repeated collision course with the Mayor and her own internal police chain of command. She enjoys poking the bear with people of power and intends to do it regardless of how much it could cost her professionally or how it reflects on her partner.
At the same time, she is dealing with a serious issue at home as her elderly mother has dementia. Connie Hunter is 74 and slowly getting worse. How Emily Hunt will help her mother and whether she can or not she can is a major secondary storyline in the book.
An entertaining read, Face of Greed: A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery by James L’Etoile is a good police procedural. As Aubrey pointed out in hew review, it relies significantly on the trope of a smart good cop beset by incompetent supervisors. A hallmark of police procedurals and one that is long familiar to readers.
Despite that issue, the overall read is fast moving and highly entertaining. According to the note in the beginning of the digital ARC, there is a second one coming in the pipeline. I very much look forward to the read.
As noted in the review, my reading copy came from the publisher, OceanView Publishing, by way of a NetGalley ARC.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
Detective Emily Hunter and Detective Javier Medina are working in Sacramento, California. In recent years she has been assigned to the Detective Bureau of the Sacramento Police Department. She is on call one evening when Lieutenant Ford, Watch Commander, calls her with an assignment. One is dead, one is injured, at what according to the initial report, is some sort of home invasion gone very wrong.
If that was not enough, both the Mayor and Chief of Police are already on scene. That means politics, powerful people, and probably pressure to get results quickly and quietly from on high. It is a cold evening this night in April and the neighborhood is clearly upscale where a murder just does not happen. But, it did this night, and Rodger Townsend is very much dead.
The deceased was fairly wealthy and had donated a considerable sum of money to Mayor Stone’s last campaign. Not only that, but Ridger Townsend was also the campaign manager. Those facts at least partially explain why the Mayor is involved. The Mayor makes it clear from the start he expects how the investigation is to be done and that includes leaving the widow, Lori Richardson, alone.
Something Detective Hunter is not willing to do as she follows the evidence and believes that Lori is involved all the way up to her beautiful face and then some. That puts her and her partner on a repeated collision course with the Mayor and her own internal police chain of command. She enjoys poking the bear with people of power and intends to do it regardless of how much it could cost her professionally or how it reflects on her partner.
At the same time, she is dealing with a serious issue at home as her elderly mother has dementia. Connie Hunter is 74 and slowly getting worse. How Emily Hunt will help her mother and whether she can or not she can is a major secondary storyline in the book.
An entertaining read, Face of Greed: A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery by James L’Etoile is a good police procedural. As Aubrey pointed out in hew review, it relies significantly on the trope of a smart good cop beset by incompetent supervisors. A hallmark of police procedurals and one that is long familiar to readers.
Despite that issue, the overall read is fast moving and highly entertaining. According to the note in the beginning of the digital ARC, there is a second one coming in the pipeline. I very much look forward to the read.
As noted in the review, my reading copy came from the publisher, OceanView Publishing, by way of a NetGalley ARC.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
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