Header
​
​
E&A Investigations
Hot House
Author: Lisa Towles
Genre: Private Investigator | Thriller
Series: E&A Investigations | Book One
Page Count: 282
Word Count: 70,272
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021951697
​
ISBNs
Hardcover: 978-1-64456-425-7
Paperback: 978-1-64456-421-9
Mobi: 978-1-64456-422-6
ePub: 978-1-64456-423-3
AudioBook: 978-1-64456-424-0
Private investigator Mari Ellwyn brings on a partner
to investigate the blackmailing of a federal judge
When a former CIA operative and private investigator Mari Ellwyn starts digging into the blackmail case of a federal appellate judge, she becomes targeted by a van following her, threatening notes in her mailbox, and a breach of her home. Teaming up with seasoned investigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pair begin looking into the wrongful death of a mentally-ill college student, Sophie Michaud, as well as two journalists – one dead, one missing, who were writing a story on the dead college student with allegations of her connection to the federal judge. The two investigators must uncover the truth about Sophie Michaud before her killer makes them their next target. But more importantly, Mari needs to find her missing father and reconcile her broken past and family.
EARLY REVIEWS
​
"Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale." - Kirkus Reviews
​
"The page-turning twists keep coming as do welcome doses of humor. Fans of bantering sleuth duos will be eager for the next book." Publishers Weekly
​
“Towles does a fantastic job of pacing the storyline so that the reader hangs on to every clue as it is discovered. I recommend this for fans of crime fiction writers Baldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review
​
"It is no surprise that Towles has won recognition with numerous awards bestowed upon her work. The novel is masterfully crafted with well-defined characters and an engaging plot. Towles is a gifted writer with a real talent for building suspense." US Review of Books RECOMMENDED REVIEW
​
“Award-winning author Lisa Towles delivers again and again with her gripping thrillers, and HOT HOUSE, the first in her new series, tops the list as my latest favorite. This original lightning-paced and layered tale delivers nuanced characters uncovering truths and discerning lies step in step with readers. It’s all delivered with snappy dialogue, sexy chemistry, high-stakes danger and fun! This reader is ready for #2 in the series!”
- Sarah Lovett, Bestselling author of Dangerous Attachments and Dante’s Inferno
​
"Hot House is an intricate maze of blackmail, surprise and suspense delivered by quirky characters, pithy dialog and LOL humor. Another hit by my favorite thriller writer, Lisa Towles." Ana Manwaring, author of the JadeAnne Stone Mexico Adventures
​
"The plot is propelled forward by the clever use of suspense, measured action, and ingeniously written conflict. It is a moving and delightful read with cinematic scenes and characters that will stick with readers for a long after they turn the last page." - The Book Commentary
​
Fans of investigative thrillers and mysteries will be the audience for Hot House, but its ability to craft a sassy, fun series of dialogues and inspections... creates an exceptional read with a powerfully unexpected conclusion, leaving the door more than ajar for a follow-up. This will attract audiences both within and beyond the thriller and mystery genres.
- Midwest Book Review
​
“Towles has produced a knockout novel with Hot House. Towles’s plot is as twisted and unpredictable as you would ever want a thriller to be. It’s this kind of action that will keep readers engaged in this suspenseful crime novel. Nowhere will thriller fans find a more engaging keep-you-on-your-toes read.” - Literary Titan, 5 Star Review, December 2021
​
“A dark, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended!” Chanticleer Reviews
​
"This meticulously constructed, remarkable mystery deftly explores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hidden workings of the world. A fast-paced and psychologically astute thriller." Prairies Book Review
​
"Hot House is one of those books that pries your eyelids open and doesn't relent until you've reached the end. There's drama, intrigue, humor, suspense and damn near everything else you could want in a thriller. Good luck getting Mari out of your head. I hope there's a slew more coming from Towles and these characters!" - Benjamin Bradley, author of Trouble Afoot, Welcome to the Punkhorns, and the forthcoming Running Scared.