When a teenage girl's body is found hanging by a belt in the closet of an unfinished condo unit still under construction, the general consensus is suicide, but things don't look right about the scene to Los Angeles homicide detective Elouise (Lou) Norton. Even though her new partner, Colin Taggert, recently transferred from the police department in Colorado Springs, doesn't agree with Lou, he knows he has a lot to learn from this seasoned L.A. cop, who grew up in the neighborhood. The body is soon identified as 17-year-old Monique (Monie) Dowler, who lived close to the construction site. And it's soon determined the death was murder, not suicide.

When Lou learns the owner of the condominium project is Napoleon Crase, she's immediately suspicious. Over 30 years ago, Lou's sister Tori vanished shortly after being caught shoplifting in Crase's neighborhood store. Lou has always believed that Crase had something to do with Tori's disappearance and probable death. Now, she's even more convinced. As she starts her wide-ranging investigation into Monie's murder, she uncovers even more connections to all the people involved in this case. But a vicious killer is keeping close tabs on Lou as she gets ever closer to the truth of the connection between the two cases. But the person responsible has some shocking revelations for Lou. Will she be able to find justice for Monie and Tori before she loses her own life?

LAND OF SHADOWS is an outstanding crime thriller by Rachel Howsell Hall with a believable cast of characters and a gripping storyline with nicely developed plot twists. Knowledgeable narrative of L.A. neighborhoods gives readers a great sense of time and place in LAND OF SHADOWS. Hopefully, we can look forward to more intelligent investigations from the dynamic homicide detective Elouise Norton.

Book Summary

Along the ever-changing border of gentrifying Los Angeles, 17-year-old Monique Dowler is found dead at a condominium construction site, hanging in the closet of an unfinished unit. Homicide detective Elouise "Lou" Norton's new partner, Colin Taggert, fresh from the comparatively bucolic Colorado Springs police department, assumes it's a teenage suicide. Lou isn't buying the easy explanation.

For one thing, the condo site is owned by Napoleon Crase, a self-made millionaire…and the man who may have murdered Lou's missing sister, Tori, 30 years ago. As Lou investigates the death of Monique Darson, she uncovers undeniable links between the two cases. But her department is skeptical.

Lou is convinced that when she solves Monique's case she will finally bring her lost sister home. But as she gets closer to the truth, she also gets closer to a violent killer. After all this time, can he be brought to justice… before Lou becomes his next victim?