Introduction

"A tremendous talent."--Lee Child

From award-winning author Suzanne Chazin comes a powerful novel of passion, bigotry, and murderous secrets in a homicide detective's picturesque hometown. . .

A body is found in a reservoir fifty miles north of New York City. The victim is young, female and Hispanic. In her purse, the police find a photograph of a baby they believe is her daughter--a little girl they can't identify. Or find. Where is the child? Is she still alive? And what is the meaning behind the disturbing note in the woman's bag? "Go back to your country. You don't belong here."

Arriving at the scene is homicide detective Jimmy Vega, who spent the better part of his childhood in the area and still carries the scars. A Latino himself, Vega knows all too well how hard it can be for an outsider to fit into a close-knit place like Lake Holly. Even now, as a respected officer of the law, he has to watch his step in an investigation simmering with ethnic animosities and steeped in local gossip. Both challenged and intrigued by Adele Figueroa--a passionate defender of immigrants' rights who reminds him uncomfortably of his own family's struggles--Vega must rethink everything he believes to uncover long-buried truths about his community, his loved ones . . . and himself.

Filled with drama, mystery and raw emotions, Land of Careful Shadows shines a nuanced and timely light on a small town's darkest secrets and deepest obsessions. It is not only a tour de force of literary suspense, but an intimate journey into the human heart.

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Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

It was the Day-Glo orange basketball sneakers that nearly got him killed. Adidas adizeroes with EVA midsoles. A hundred dollars on sale. You could have picked him up on a satellite transmitter as he swung his legs out of the open door of his black Escalade to untie the laces. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1) In the opening scene of the book, a rookie police officer points a gun at Jimmy Vega because he mistakes him for a criminal instead of a cop. Do you think such an encounter would alter your view of police? How is Vega able to deal with such incidents and still retain a good attitude about police work?

2. Guatemalan day laborer Rodrigo Morales crosses the border not once, but twice—the second time after having been deported. Do you think what he does is morally right? Would you do it if you were in his place?

3. How does the issue of illegal immigration complicate a police investigation?

4. What are some of the special difficulties that come with being undocumented?

5. Why do you think Adele has no difficulty embracing her Ecuadorian culture but Jimmy Vega struggles to do the same with his Puerto Rican culture?

6. Adele allows Jimmy Vega to look through her files at La Casa. Should the police have access to records of people in the country illegally? Should Adele have agreed to Vega’s request?

7. How do you feel about what Scott Porter did back in Iowa to ensure Olivia became his and Linda’s child? Do you agree that he “saved” Olivia? Why or why not?

8. If Maria had lived and demanded Olivia back, should the courts have given the child to her biological mother? Why or why not?

9. Different jurisdictions in the United States have different ways of handling undocumented immigrants. Some turn them over to immigration quickly and others do not. What do you think should be the policy if an undocumented immigrant is arrested on a misdemeanor charge such as trespassing, driving without a license or harassment? Should the local jurisdiction handle the problem? Or should the individual be turned over for possible deportation? What if the person has close family in the country (parents, children, spouse)? Should that alter the decision?

10. Near the end of the book, Jimmy Vega has to make a very tough decision about what to do regarding his daughter. Do you think he makes the right decision? If you were in his shoes, would you do the same? Why or why not?

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