Skies of Ash

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Los Angeles homicide detective Elouise "Lou" Norton and her partner, Colin Taggert, arrive at the scene of a tragic house fire. Juliet Chatman perished in the blaze, along with her two children. Left behind is grieving husband and father Christopher Chatman, hospitalized after trying to rescue his family. Chatman is devastated that he couldn't save them. Unless, of course, he's the one who killed them.Neighbors and family friends insist the Chatmans were living the dream. But Lou quickly discovers the reality was very different. The flames of adultery, jealousy, scandal, fraud, and disease had all but consumed the Chatmans' marriage before it went up in smoke.Lou's own marriage hangs by a thread. Soured by the men in her life, Lou is convinced that Chatman started the fire. Her colleagues worry that her personal issues are obscuring her judgment. With very little evidence regarding the fire--and rising doubts about her husband's commitment to monogamy--Lou feels played by all sides. Was the fire sparked by a serial arsonist known as The Burning Man? Or by the Chatmans' son, who regularly burned his father's property? Searching for justice through the ashes of a picture-perfect family, Lou doesn't know if she will catch an arsonist or be burned in the process. Skies of Ash is another thrilling read from author-to-watch Rachel Howzell Hall.ReviewA racially explosive Los Angeles provides the backdrop for this exceptional crime novel…Dead-on dialogue and atmospheric details help propel a tale full of tormenting moral issues. Lou, a brave lady in a brave book, does the best she can. (Publishers Weekly, starred review on Land of Shadows) A fresh voice in crime fiction. Fast, funny, heartbreaking and wise . . . Elouise Norton is the best new character you'll meet this year. (Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author on Land of Shadows) About the AuthorRACHEL HOWZELL HALL is a writer/assistant development director at City of Hope, a national leader in cancer research and treatment. Her first novel, A Quiet Storm, received a starred review from Library Journal and was a featured selection for Borders' Original Voices program, as well as an alternate selection for Black Expressions book club. Skies of Ash is her second novel featuring Detective Elouise Norton. She lives in Los Angeles.