Sanctuary

A Thornton Mystery

by C. L. Tolbert

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Pub Date Jul 14 2022 | Archive Date Oct 25 2022

Level Best Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction

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Description

Emma Thornton is back in Sanctuary, C. L. Tolbert’s third novel in the Thornton Mystery Series. This time, she’s agreed to represent a former client accused of killing the leader of a suspicious cult in New Orleans.

James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, is found dead one late afternoon, his body draped over an iron fence in the courtyard of the nineteenth-century house where he and several cult members work and live. Although they initially presumed the fall was an accident, police investigators quickly discover that James received a lethal dose of a drug before he was pushed from his office balcony.

The next day the police discover a syringe and a substantial amount of the drug which killed James in Stacey Robert’s bedroom. The nineteen-year-old cult member is brought in for questioning, which leads to her arrest. Emma, who had represented Stacey when she was a sixteen-year-old runaway, agrees to take the case. Convinced that she is innocent, Emma begins an investigation into the cult and its members. Emma’s questions uncover dangerous secrets, illicit activities, and the exploitation of innocent victims. Emma’s suspicions lead her to the killer’s trail and the case’s final resolution.

A Note From the Publisher

Also Available as an Ebook

Advance Praise

“Brace yourself. Deadly personalities, hidden agendas, and long-buried secrets threaten law professor Emma Thornton after she agrees to defend a terrified young woman accused of murdering the charismatic leader of an oppressive cult. The dark heart of New Orleans has never felt so dangerous.”
— Roger Johns, Author of the Wallace Hartman Mysteries

“The lies stack up as fast as bodies in this latest thriller from C.L. Tolbert. Law professor Emma Thornton returns as the tenacious and fearless defender of New Orleans’ downtrodden. An enthralling mystery, Sanctuary explores the seedy underbelly of the Big Easy.”
— Bruce Robert Coffin, award-winning author of the Detective Byron Mysteries

“A shady religion, shadowy deals, and twisted family relationships come together in the atmospheric world of New Orleans to create a captivating mystery. Emma Thornton is an attorney with a heart of gold.”
— Liz Milliron, Author of The Laurel Highlands Mysteries and The Homefront Mysteries

“Sanctuary explores the seedy side of the French Quarter complete with cults and drugs as Attorney Emma Thornton races to clear the name of a young runaway. Author C.L. Tolbert takes the reader along on a heart-pounding journey into the dark underbelly of New Orleans.”
—Annette Dashofy, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Zoe Chambers Mysteries

“Brace yourself. Deadly personalities, hidden agendas, and long-buried secrets threaten law professor Emma Thornton after she agrees to defend a terrified young woman accused of murdering the...