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Publication Order of Detective Elouise Norton Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Publication Order of Never Tell Collection Books
Publication Order of Anthologies
Rachel Howzell Hall is a noteworthy author from Los Angeles, The United States, who is famous for writing thriller, mystery, literature & fiction, and crime fiction novels. She has written 7 critically acclaimed novels in her career, which include the books of the Detective Elouise Norton novel series. The 3rd book of this series was the receiver of the coveted Kirkus Star. One more book from the same series was included in the list of the Los Angeles Times’ top books to read in the summer. The New York Times has praised the chief protagonist of the series, Elousie Norton, by describing her as a formidable fighter and a person that everyone would want to have by their side. In addition to writing this popular book series, author Hall has collaborated with James Patterson for writing the novel, The Good Sister. Hall is known to be a featured writer on the acclaimed series of the NPR. Author Hall has also served in AWP’s Writers’ Program in the role of a mentor. Currently, she is serving on the panel of the board of directors of the MWA. Hall is happily married and resides with her lovely daughter and her loving husband in Los Angeles. Author Hall says that she was always inspired to become a writer of mystery books by going through the popular works of authors like Stephen King, Joe Simpson, and Toni Morrison. Besides these personalities, the Los Angeles’ city’s Education Board has also inspired her a lot. Author Hall was born in Los Angeles, California. During her childhood days, she used to always keep a pen with her and used to write everywhere, especially the places she felt like writing on. Hall used to fill her notebooks, loose leaf papers, her brother’s yearbook, and in church bulletins. She never used to write on freeway overpasses, buildings, or walls as she used to consider it as graffiti. For a period of 4 years, author Hall has lived in Santa Cruz.
Hall obtained her degree in American Literature and English during this period. In 1992, Hall moved out of Santa Cruz and returned back to Los Angeles. Since then, she has lived there and tried her hand at a variety of jobs. This included working for famous organizations like PEN Center, Southern California Union of the American Civil Liberties, Action Network of Pancreatic Cancer, and City of Hope. When author Hall made her debut in the writing world in 2002, her work was greatly noticed. She received excellent reviews from Publishers Weekly, O Magazine, Library Journal. Following her dream debut, author Hall wrote and published a couple of e-novels. In 2014, the first book featuring Elouise Norton came out and it also received a great review from Publishers Weekly as well as from the LA Times. With the tremendous success of the book, author Hall went on to pen a few more books in the mystery book series. The success of the Detective Elouise Nortin series has helped author Hall establish herself as a prominent author of the mystery novels. She says that she took up writing as a career because she believes that she has the ability to write and produce something worthy of reading for the readers. Her efforts to do so have brought great results for her so far and allowed her to become a successful writer over the years.
The Detective Elouise Norton series written by Rachel Howzell Hall is comprised of 4 novels in total, which were released between the years 2014 and 2017. Each and every book of this series features Elouise Norton as the lead character, working as a detective in Los Angeles. The debut novel of this series is entitled ‘Land Of Shadows’. It was released by the Forge Books publication in the year 2014. The important characters mentioned in the story, apart from Elouise Norton, include Colin Taggert, Monique Darson and Napolean Crase. At the start of the book’s story, it is depicted that a 17 year old girl’s dead body is found from a construction site near the border region of Los Angeles. The body was hanging in a condominium’s closet. When homicide detective Norton is asked to work on the case she begins by trying to establish the identity of the girl. Norton is referred to by her colleagues as ‘Lou’. She is joined in the investigation by her new partner named Colin Taggert. Colin thinks that the case is just another teenage suicide and wants to close it soon. But, Lou does not buy his easy explanation. She suspects the involvement of Napoleon Crase in the murder, who is the owner of the site and a self made millionaire. Napoleon is also the man who Lou thought murdered her missing sister around 30 years ago. It is later found out that the girl’s name is Monique Darson. The investigation helps Lou uncover a shocking link between the 2 cases. Lou believes that once she solves Darson’s case, she will be able to unravel related to her sister as well. But, with her investigation, she seems to be getting too close to a brutal killer. Lou has to bring the killer to justice before she becomes the next victim.
The second book of the series is called ‘Skies of Ash’. It was also released by the Forge Books in 2015. At the beginning of this book, it is depicted that Lou Norton and Colin Taggert arrive at a house completely burned with fire. They come across the body of Juliet Chatman, who died in the tragic incident along with both her children. Juliet’s husband, Christopher, is admitted to the hospital after receiving injuries while trying to save his family from the fire. Now, he is left devastated and grief-stricken. Upon inquiring with the family members, friends, and neighbors of the Chatmans, Lou Norton learns that they were living a pretty happy life. But, she later discovers that the truth was something very different. The marriage of Juliet and Christopher was consumed with the flames of jealousy, fraud, adultery, disease, and scandal. On the other hand, the marriage of Lou Norton is also on the cards. But, Lou is more worried about solving the case of the Chatmans. She seems very much convinced that Christopher began the fire in his house. But, when her colleagues learn what she has in her mind, they think that her judgement is obscured by some personal issues. As there is not much evidence found by her related to the fire, Lou believes that she is being played from all the sides. Lou does not stop attempting to get nearer to the truth and catch the arsonist. However, she also worries about being burned in her attempt of catching the killer and therefore, she appears to be seemingly careful about her safety.
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3 Responses to “Rachel Howzell Hall”
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Hi! I really, really liked “See How They Run.” I live in the Zion area, and I’ve been a Zion guide for 28 years so I was super excited to read this. I think it really delivered big-time! One tiny issue, in all my years of guiding, through all seasons, I’ve never seen, heard, swatted or been bitten by a mosquito! The dryness of the desert in this area keeps the population down to near zero. My friends who are guides agree with me. But still a very good novella!
I just discovered you, Rachel! I’m thrilled to have stumbled across And Niw She’s Gone; I couldn’t put it down! I love your style of writing and can’t wait to get my hands on another one of your books.
Your newest fan – Priscilla
I love Eloise Norton!! I binge read her series. I’m going to miss her. Thank you Rachel for your wonderful writing.