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“Pulling back the curtain in Hollywood . . . twisty enough to tie you in knots, exciting enough to keep you guessing, and smart enough to make you think."—Ilana Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow
A Shadow of Jaguars by D.C. Frost is a gripping cross-border noir thriller that follows Detective DJ Arias as he navigates murder, Hollywood intrigue, and immigrant struggles across Mexico City and Los Angeles, blending fast-paced suspense and richly drawn characters.
In Mexico City for a family funeral, Detective DJ Arias encounters a group of Robin Hood-style thieves who call themselves the Jaguars. Their activities reach across the border into Los Angeles with a Hollywood murder that entangles LA's elite and the nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners who serve them, and threatens DJ's own loved ones. A sequel to the mystery A Punishing Breed, A Shadow of Jaguars finds DJ and partner Bobby Talbot struggling to untangle a murder where Hollywood, wealthy powerbrokers, and an immigrant population struggle to coexist and survive. Throughout it all, his faithful dog Evidence is by his side.
"Propulsive, nuanced, with brightly drawn characters, DC Frost's A Shadow of Jaguars grabs you from the very first page where Detective DJ Arias finds himself zip-tied to the woman of his dreams— and not in a good way. This richly layered and immersive thriller is a love letter to Los Angeles, to Mexico, and to the gritty underbelly of Hollywood, and deserves a place on the shelf next to the finest of noirs."
—Susan Coll, author of The Literati
“At once humorous, gripping, and poignant, A Shadow of Jaguars will pull you in and make you fall in love with Detective Arias all over again. Pulling back the curtain in Hollywood, Frost's story is so much more than a whodunit— it gives voice to the immigrants who power the powerful, is twisty enough to tie you in knots, exciting enough to keep you guessing, and smart enough to make you think."
—Ilana Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow
A Punishing Breed Featured in the Shelf Unbound list of 2024 Indie Summer Reads
"The campus murder mystery...explores grievances turned deadly. I particularly enjoyed one of the latest examples, DC Frost's A Punishing Breed."
—Sarah Weinman, The New York Times
"In this mystery debut novelist DC Frost takes us through the lush world of a tiny liberal arts college and its murderous undergrowth. Masterfully moving between voices, the plot and the psychological twists push us forward, keeping us compulsively reading to the very last page."
—Désirée Zamorano, author of Human Cargo and The Amado Women
"VERDICT: Readers who like campus mysteries and intriguing, gruff detectives with a few redeeming qualities will enjoy this first book in a planned series."
—Liz French, Library Journal
"DC Frost does an artful job of weaving in current campus social issues, juggling multiple suspects, and giving us a peek into the tense relationship between the two men who form the heart of the story."
—Jen Ryland, Jen Ryland Reviews
DC Frost is a second-generation Angeleno whose debut novel, A Punishing Breed (2024), was reviewed by The New York Times. She has also published several literary short stories in journals including Westwind, UCLA’s literary magazine. Before turning to writing full-time, DC had a long career in nonprofit fundraising. She draws inspiration from Southern California’s rich blend of class, culture, and natural beauty. Frost lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of rescue dogs.