No Witness but the Moon
by Suzanne Chazin
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Pub Date Oct 25 2016 | Archive Date Dec 05 2016
Kensington Books | Kensington
Description
In this powerful novel from award-winning author Suzanne Chazin, a tense stand-off between a Hispanic police officer and an undocumented immigrant leads to the shooting death of one, the shattered life of the other, and the shocking connection between them. . .
On a clear, moonlit night in December, police detective Jimmy Vega races to the scene of a reported home invasion in an upscale New York community. As Vega arrives, he spots a Hispanic man who fits the description of the armed intruder, running from the victim’s estate. Vega chases him into the woods. When the suspect refuses to surrender—and reaches into his pocket—Vega has only seconds to make a life-or-death decision.
What begins as a tragic mistake takes an even darker turn when Vega uncovers disturbing links between the dead man and his own mother’s brutal, unsolved murder. Vega’s need for answers propels him back to his old Bronx neighborhood, where he is viewed as a disgraced cop, not a homegrown hero. It also puts him at odds with his girlfriend, Adele Figueroa, head of a local immigrant center, who must weigh her own doubts about his behavior.
When a shocking piece of evidence surfaces, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Vega to put all the pieces together—and is willing to do whatever it takes to bury the truth. Only by risking everything will Vega be able to find justice, redemption, and the most elusive goal of all: the ability to forgive himself.
A BLOSSOM OF BRIGHT LIGHT
“A literary mystery at its finest—captivating, smart, romantic, and impossible to put down.” —Jacqueline Sheehan
“A compulsively readable police procedural that builds to the pace of a thriller with an explosive ending.” —Hallie Ephron
LAND OF CAREFUL SHADOWS
"This is everything a great suspense novel should be. First rate and highly recommended.” —Lee Child
“What a wonderful read! Suspenseful, involving, peopled with colorful, engaging characters. . . This fine novel will touch your heart.” —Julia Spencer-Fleming
Advance Praise
Praise for NO WITNESS BUT THE MOON
“Chazin’s exceptionally well-written third Jimmy Vega mystery should be required reading.” - Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW
“Chazin’s heart-stopping stories that manage to delicately balance both classic mystery elements with timely elements of race relations continues with her latest novel. Once again, those relationships are explored in a delicate, but powerful way. With strong emotions and current tensions that exist outside of the world of the novel factored in, this proves to be a moving read.”– RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Chazin’s well-plotted mystery features a compelling cast of characters and a timely plot that will please fans of police procedurals and detective fiction by authors such as Michael Connelly and Richard Price.”– Library Journal
Praise for A BLOSSOM OF BRIGHT LIGHT
“Chazin’s latest again deftly weaves some difficult and topical subjects into a police procedural.”– Kirkus Reviews
“Well-paced…Fascinating, multidimensional lead characters.” – Publishers Weekly
“Chazin’s second entry in the Jimmy Vega Mystery series is as amazing as her first. Once again she tells a gripping story in a way that ensures that powerful topics such as race and hatred are still handled delicately. It makes an impactful statement about the underlying racism that can afflict any community – and how that can sometimes lead to unexpected tragedies.”– RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars Top Pick
“From the first riveting pages A Blossom of Bright Light
grabs you and won’t let go. In Jimmy Vega, Chazin has conjured a
realistic character with depth, strengths, and weaknesses the reader can
believe and celebrate.”
-- Terry Shames, author of A Deadly Affair at Bobtail Ridge, Seventh Street Books April 2015; Macavity Award winner for Best First Novel of 2014 for A Killing at Cotton Hill
“Suzanne
Chazin’s masterly woven mystery takes us into the world of undocumented
parents and children who are vulnerable to every sort of exploitation.
Jimmy Vega is the cop who must balance love, justice, and his own
heartbreaking background. This is a literary mystery at its finest,
captivating, smart, romantic, and impossible to put down. “
--Jacqueline Sheehan, New York Times bestselling author of The Center of the World
“The
most difficult jobs in our society require a fine balance of empathy
and emotional distance. In Suzanne Chazin’s new novel, a detective and
his activist girlfriend struggle to maintain order in a beleaguered
community threatened by an inconceivable horror. It is their efforts to
hang on to their humanity—and each other—that make A BLOSSOM OF BRIGHT
LIGHT unforgettable. This timely novel sets a taut mystery against a
compelling exploration of innocence, obligation, and the redeeming power
of love.”
--Sophie Littlefield, Anthony Award-winning author of The Guilty One
“Suzanne Chazin’s A Blossom of Bright Light is
terrific, a compulsively readable police procedural that builds to the
pace of a thriller with an explosive ending. Entertaining and much more
with characters who resonate as people and a story that explores complex
issues played out on a human scale.”
— Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of Night Night, Sleep Tight
"LAND
OF CAREFUL SHADOWS is that rare crime novel that gets the reader caught
up in the lives of beautifully-drawn characters and also in the larger
social issues that tangle the characters' lives. Add to those strengths
a fast pace and the author's gift for the telling image and you've got a
winner.”
-- S. J. Rozan, author of GHOST HERO
"This
is everything a great suspense novel should be - but it hits the
heart, too, not just the pulse, with people you come to care about.
First rate and highly recommended."
--Lee Child
“What
a wonderful read! Suzanne Chazin has crafted a tantalizing, keenly
moving and nuanced look at the little-understood immigrant community,
particularly the undocumented. Suspenseful, involving, Land of Careful Shadows is peopled with colorful, engaging characters. A memorable mystery, this fine novel will also touch your heart.”
- Julia Spencer-Fleming, NYT & USA Today bestselling author of THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS
"Suzanne
Chazin weaves an intriguing story readers won't want to put down.
Through her ensemble of memorable characters, she takes us into a place
where we are confronted with hard truths and heartbreaking realities. "
--Reyna Grande, author of The Distance Between Us (a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle award)
"Taut, suspenseful, and multi-layered, Suzanne Chazin's Land of Careful Shadows is
a finely wrought mystery that exposes the dark underbelly of
undocumented workers in the United States and the multiple indignities
and dangers they face every day. Detective Jimmy Vega does his best to
walk the line between being a good cop and a compassionate soul, his own
background giving him insights into the population of Lake Holly, New
York, that other officers don't--and don't want to--have. Just when you
think you know where this powerful story is going, it takes another,
unexpected turn, bringing a conclusion that left me stunned."
--Maggie Barbieri, author of Once Upon a Lie (Minotaur hardcover)
“This
timely and engrossing series opener from Chazin introduces… the
engaging, psychologically complex Vega [who] must confront unwelcome
aspects of his past as his investigation builds to a shocking
conclusion.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Chazin’s
novel is one of the most genuinely phenomenal examples of storytelling.
Full of twists and turns, the narrative leaves readers guessing, but it
also does a brilliant job getting them invested in the characters. The
reader truly cares for them and wants them all to avoid any kind of
danger. In addition to that, the novel also makes an affecting statement
about hatred and racism in a small town, and how the race lines drawn
in these settings can sometimes rip an entire population to pieces. It’s
a powerful read.”
– RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars Top Pick
“The intricate plot and the important social issues combine in this strong debut of a promising series.”
– Booklist
- The Latina Book Club
“It’s been a while since I stopped on sentences, allowing the beauty of the words and the wisdom of the writer to envelop me. Suzanne Chazin that rare writer. She has written an excellent mystery in Land of Careful Shadows. As with all well-done mysteries, the loose ends tie up and there’s a twist that should catch readers off-guard. But the best part of this book is that Chazin has brought to life, in very rich hues, people who so often go unnoticed. You will be rooting for them and the prose from this uncommonly talented writer.”
--Jersey.com
“Chazin’s respect for the courage and quiet determination of the immigrant community comes through in a nuanced story about race, class, and belonging. Chazin delves into different perspectives, movingly showing both sides to a story. A good choice for mystery book clubs.” --Library Journal
“Chazin has created a winning series, a police procedural with a three-dimensional cop who owns up to his imperfections.”– Booklist
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781496705174 |
| PRICE | $25.00 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Sharon B, Reviewer
This is a fantastic thriller, and so relevant for the world today. After mistakenly shooting a robber, Detective Vega has to face the consequences of his actions. The issue of race is a strong theme in this story. Detective Vega is also trying to solve his mother's murder. The author blends these story lines seamlessly. This is a mystery that will keep you reading into the night. Finished it in two settings! Highly recommend!
Beverly C, Reviewer
While we "think" we know the story of illegal immigrants No Witness but the Moon, gives us another perhaps more truthful look. From the mothers and fathers leaving their young children back in their native home, to the coyotes bring them across the desert into the US and robbing them. When the desire to better their children's lives makes them willing to risk their own. Causing chaos in one town within the police department and murders that go unsolved and a policeman accused of killing an innocent man. Where the only witness is the moon.
Rosemary S, Librarian
Detective Jimmy Vega has to make a split second decision that will change his life forever. Called to the scene of a home invasion in a wealthy New York suburb, Vega sees a Hispanic man fitting the description of the robber running away. Vega chase him into the woods and when he commands the man to stop, the suspect puts his hand in his pocket. Jimmy feels he has no choice and fires his weapon in self defense. Of course, that’s not the way everyone else sees it, even in his own neighborhood he’s seen as a bad guy rather than a cop doing his job. Vega’s own girlfriend wonders about his motives. With no one to vouch for him, it becomes obvious to Vega that he’ll have to work this case on his own and that’s when he uncovers a link to the dead man and his own mother’s unsolved murder. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to hide the truth and if Vega gets in the way, his murder will be the next one splashed across the headlines. Gritty and realistic, this book showcases the danger cops are in every day and the choices they have to make in a heartbeat.
Reviewer 257731
What a great debut novel and an author to keep you eye on. Full of twists and turns when you are guessing to the very last page. The characters are the people you see everyday. Like them or not. There is a line between hatred and racism in the this town and it's up to you to choose what side (if you side) you want to be on. It is a worthy read.
Marianne D, Reviewer
Absolutely fantastic!! Powerful and timely ... Hispanic police detective kills unarmed alleged robber, also Hispanic ... and we are thrown into the maelstrom of detective Jimmy Vega's turmoil ... his anxiety, his constant memory of the incident, his recall of his mother's murder, and his relationship with his girlfriend who is an advocate of immigrants' rights ... mix into this a dash of a publicity driven immigrant civil rights movement and community leader ...
I read Suzanne Chazin's first two books in the Jimmy Vega series and was hooked. She now has a lifetime follower.
I received an ARC edition for an unbiased review from Net Galley.
Evelyn J, Librarian
Undercover officer Jimmy Vega is on his way home and gets involved in a reported home invasion. He chases a suspect into the woods and end up shooting him before the local cops arrive. It turns out the man was an illegal and unarmed and the media fueled rage against him is escalating by the minute. Even his daughter and girlfriend (who runs an immigrant outreach center) don't think he's innocent.
Then Jimmy learns the man he shot was the super in the building where his mother was murdered two years ago. Can he learn what happened without sacrificing himself or his career?
This fast-paced story has a timely theme of police shootings and public rage. Chazin also gives a voice to many of the lesser known areas of social injustice involving illegal immigration. Although it is part of a series, I didn't feel as though I had missed anything by not reading the previous books.
Thanks to Netgalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sharon M, Reviewer
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This is the first book by this author that I have read - I've been missing some good reads obviously! I'm sure that the reading of this latest installment in the Jimmy Vega series would be even better had I read the previous books, but I still found this one a thrill ride.
Jimmy Vega is an upstate New York detective who also deals with the undocumented in his corner of the world. He's involved with Adele, who is head of an organization dealing strictly with immigration issues. When Vega shoots and kills a suspect, it sets both of their worlds and their relationship on fire.
This book and its subject matters are so prevalent in today's volatile environment between police and society. It really gives you a look from the other side - definitely one that isn't talked about enough. When an officer kills someone in the line of duty, they are never the same.
So a great mystery, relevant subject - just a really good read!
Diane P, Reviewer
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What a great and intense story. It is also so relevant to today and the issues going on. I loved Vega. A man who is dedicated to his job and struggles with his convictions. This book did such a great job showing the cop's perspective and the suffering community. Very well written.
Laurie B, Reviewer
This was a great read. first time to read this author and I would read more of her books. Kept me reading and wanting to find out what was going to happen next. Cop responds to a routine break in, but his evening takes a turn for the worse. Our main character Vega has to get people on his side to help him prove that he is innocent and hasn't intentionally killed the man he was chasing through the forest. would absolutely recommend as a must read.
Barbara T, Reviewer
Suzanne Chazin did it again. After having read A Blossom of Bright Light I was happy to find her new book on Netgalley. It fully satisfied my expectations. She has a unique way of weaving together suspenseful crime with deep psychological insight and the backdrop of hispanic immigrants.
This backdrop is as important and as painful as the main characters and she describes it in a way that puts the reader right in the middle. I didn't feel like an outsider looking on from a distance. My heart broke for these people.
Vega and Adele are loveable main characters deep in conflict, both just trying to do the right thing without hurting the other, a seemingly impossible task.
This is an open-minded and courageous novel that cleary takes the side of illegal immigrants and at the same time the side of a cop who shoots one of them supposedly in self-defense.
I found myself feeling compassion with Vega's guilt and regret, his struggle to cope with what he has done.
This alone would be reason to love this book.
But there's more to it. The fast pace and the excellent writing kept me glued to my kindle. This sure is one of my favorite reads this year.
I want to thank Netgalley and Kensington for this thrillling ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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