I know that my granddaughter, Ellie, thinks that I’m a bit oblivious to what her mother, my daughter-in-law, thinks of me, but I’m not. I’m a crazy hakujin – that’s basically gringa in Japanese – who’s impetuous and man crazy. Well, I guess the latter is not that off-base.
I haven’t had a steady man in my life since my son, Gary, was born. And he’s now in his fifties. I’ve devoted my life to teaching high school Spanish and raising my boy on my own. Now is definitely my time to have fun.
Gary and his family, though, are my anchors. I worry the most about Ellie. She’s only twenty-three and smart as a whip. She graduated from college in three years, majoring in, yes, Spanish! (Her tiger mother, Caroline, wasn’t happy with the major.) Instead of being a teacher or diplomat, Ellie’s joined the Los Angeles Police Department, like her Aunt Cheryl. Instead of a squad car, she patrols downtown Los Angeles on a bicycle.
To be honest, I don’t trust Cheryl Toma. You might have heard of her; she’s an assistant chief of the department. She never seems real, you know. Always seems to spout out the party line. I don’t mention this to Gary, of course. I always try to keep things light and focused on my favorite subject, ME!
Earlier this year, Ellie was involved in a murder case. Her college classmate was found dead on Bamboo Lane in Chinatown. Now, her 1969 Buick Skylark, my legacy gift to her has been stolen right from her own driveway in Los Angeles. And then there’s this business with a gardener being pushed down the stairs of a downtown concert hall by the father of a celebrated Chinese cellist. Who was there at the crime scene? Ellie, of course.
I’m worried more than ever. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my little granddaughter. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but think . . . what kind of trouble will visit her now? And have I in some way contributed to it?
Find out more about Lita and the Rush family in the second Officer Ellie Rush mystery, Grave on Grand Avenue, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Murder on Bamboo Lane.
About Grave on Grand Avenue
While patrolling one of LA’s premier concert halls, Ellie stops for a chat with a gardener—and is shocked to discover him minutes later, clinging to life at the bottom of a staircase. The claim is that he was knocked down while attempting to steal a multi-million dollar cello, but Ellie has trouble believing that.
Ellie has issues of her own to deal with—like the curious theft of her car—but after the gardener takes his last breath and the cellist mysteriously disappears, it’s clear that she must act quickly before someone else falls silent. . .
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on April 17 for the chance to win a copy of Grave on Grand Avenue. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Naomi Hirahara is an award winning writer of two mystery series. The third in her Mas Arai series, Snakeskin Shamisen, won an Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original. The first in the Officer Ellie Rush series, Murder On Bamboo Lane, received the 2014 T. Jefferson Parker mystery award from the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. She also writes short stories and books for middle-grade readers. 1001 CRANES was recognized with honorable mention in Youth Literature by the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association. For more information, go to her website, www.naomihirahara.com. You can also contact via Facebook and Twitter (@gasagasagirl).
Thanks for the opportunity to win
Grave on Grand Avenue.📖📚
This sounds really different, would like to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a very atypical mystery novel. Could be intriguing, fun read. servedogmom@yahoo.com
I like having humor mixed in murder. Lots Rush sounds like she’s capable of many things.I am looking forward to reading “Grave on Grand Avenue.” Thank you for your giveaway.
This book sounds intriguing~I love the cover and the title! Thank you for the post and the contest!
I’d love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Love the cover. Like a chance to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
looks great and thanks for the chance 🙂
Sounds different from the usual cozies. Love to have a chance to read it soon. thanks
Sounds like a fun read , would love to read it
I’d love to read more about Lita!
Thanks for your interest, everyone! In a way, the Officer Ellie Rush series is different, and in a way, not. Ellie’s friends and family are very important to her. And she has the fattest Chihuahua mix, Shippo, by her side. Can I make downtown Los Angeles a true village? Read and find out!
You had me with the first two paragraphs! This is going to be good! Thank you for the chance to win!
Grave on Grand Avenue sounds very unique, and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Grave on Grand Avenue sounds captivating and fascinating.
I really enjoyed Murder on Bamboo Lane and am looking forward to Ellie’s further adventures!
Please don’t include me in the giveaway. I bought Grave on Grand Ave on the day it was released. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Murder on Bamboo Lane, and I’m looking forward to reading this book. I hope Ms. Hirahara plans more books in this well-written series.
A woman cop on a bicycle—interesting. I’d like to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Lita sounds like quite the character. I would like to know more about her.
Would love to read Grave on Grand
Avenue; thanks for the chance to
win.📖📚
I need to get to know this writer
I’m not familiar with this writer but this series sure sounds interesting. Thank you for highlighting Naomi Hirahara. Thanks for the chance to win.
Can hardly wait to read Naomi’s latest book!
Excited to see there is another one in the series! Thanks for the chance to win!
I really liked Murder on Bamboo Road and would love to win Grave on Grand Avenue. (If I don’t win I will definitely read it anyway!)
Sounds like a really good book
This book sounds wonderful, and I’d love to read it. Thanks for this chance to win it.
This sounds different from the usual cozy mystery. I would love to read it.
Sounds interesting.
I love the darkness of this cover…….
thank you for the giveaway!!
I’ll have to add this series to my reading list–sounds different from many others.
Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!
I’ve not read this series nor heard of it before. However, this intro & snippet have me very intrigued.
Could not wait to win this so bought it today and met Naomi. Love these local authors. Look forward to her two panels at the LA Book Festival next weekend. If you select me, Dru, perhaps you have an extra copy of Murder on Bamboo Lane.????
A new to me author and series. Thanks
Sounds like a good one.
OMGosh, the thrill of winning books makes my heart pitter-patter! What a wonderful chance at a great prize! Thank you!
Could have sworn I’d entered for this book…but I must have been dreaming!
sounds like a great series!
Looks like a great, fun adventure to get lost in:) Thank you for the chance at a new adventure.
contest is closed.