ILLUSION OF TRUTH
by James L’Etoile
January 5 – 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery
Illusion of Truth takes Emily by the throat when her cop boyfriend, Brian Conner, responds to a disturbance only to be lured into a church bombing. Seriously wounded, Emily worries if he survives, will he be the man she knew? One-by-one, other officers linked to a crime years earlier are targeted. Was it covered up? Was Brian part of it? Emily discovers truth depends on who’s left to tell the story.
Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly
Praise for Illusion of Truth:
“Illusion of Truth is a real deal police-eye view of the mean streets. Bosch and Ballard, make room for Emily Hunter. She’s brash, bold, but with a soul and a heart for justice.”
~ Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author
“An absolutely relentless thriller… in ILLUSION OF TRUTH, we find Detective Emily Hunter at her very best: Smart, sharp, and willing to do whatever it takes to solve the case of a renegade bomber. With a frightening, ripped-from-the-headlines story of attacks on her fellow police, and a cast of characters with emotional depth, perseverance, and spouting the best cop talk, L’Etoile has penned another hit in this top-notch series.”
~ J.T. Ellison, NYT bestselling author of LAST SEEN
“A high-voltage, high-stakes police procedural, ILLUSION OF TRUTH is crisp and fast-paced, as cinematic as a Michael Mann thriller. On full display here is the unique storytelling sensibility that’s made James L’Etoile’s books beloved among mystery readers: a badass, rock-solid investigation plot with precinct veracity, hostage negotiation expertise, and deep empathy. ILLUSION OF TRUTH is a remedy for cynicism, a throwdown to wake up and follow the clues, to pay attention, to believe in a better tomorrow. The world is unfair, yes, and it might feel broken sometimes, but, as Emily Hunter reminds us: ‘We’re all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put the pieces together that counts.'”
~ Margot Douaihy, bestselling author of Scorched Grace, Blessed Water, and Divine Ruin
“Like the best of Michael Connelly, L’Etoile has created characters readers care about while also crafting a twisty and compelling story. Fans of police procedurals and heart-stopping thrillers should consider L’Etoile an essential addition to their reading pile.”
~ First Clue Reviews
“Everything you read police stories for is here, and much, much more.”
~ STARRED Kirkus Review
“Rich in character and full of humanity, James L’Etoile’s writing shimmers with authenticity, with what Raymond Chandler called the “tangled woof” of real life. These are the procedurals that last: gritty, suspenseful and deeply satisfying.”
~ Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of El Dorado Drive
Book Details:
Genre: Police Procedural with a Thriller Edge
Published by: Oceanview Publishing
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 366
ISBN: 978-1608096497 (1608096491)
Series: A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery, #3
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview
The Detective Emily Hunter Mystery Series
 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview |
 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview |
 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview |
Author Bio:
James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, Macavity, and the Public Safety Writers Award. River of Lies and Sins of the Father are his most recent novels. Look for Illusion of Truth coming in 2026. James also serves as the Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America.
Catch Up With James L’Etoile:
www.jamesletoile.com
Prison to the Page Newsletter:
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @crimewriter
Instagram – @authorjamesletoile
Threads -@authorjamesletoile
X – @JamesLEtoile
BlueSky – @jamesletoile.bsky.social
Facebook – @AuthorJamesLetoile
Tour Participants:
Tour Host Info:
Book Formats: ePub, Print, Edelweiss
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the author Illusion of Truth does not include: Excessive Strong Language, Graphic Violence, Explicit Sexual Scenes, or Rape. However, readers may encounter content that is considered to be another trigger situation. Generally the content is considered to be no more than R-rated content. At this time, PICT staff have not yet read this book and cannot give additional information.
