A tale of murder wrapped in family secrets, potentially incestuous relationships, and a diabolic plot to avenge lost love, this intriguing mystery is set in San Antonio, Texas—a traditional city where races and ethnic groups blend. When Estela Valenzuela appears at the funeral of the patriarch of one of the oldest, richest families in town, she fascinates Jerry Grohman, the son of the deceased. Through Estela, he ventures into parts of the city he never knew, even one part that doesn't exist—Milagro Lane—the street of the mind and of inspiration, where one can only go in rare, fulfilling occasions.
Jay Brandon (1953- ) grew up and his lived primarily in San Antonio, Texas. A graudate of the University of Texas, he also has a Master's degree from The Writing Seminars of Johns Hopkins University, and a J.D. from the University of Houston.
Brandon is the author of 15 novels and one book of non-fiction, as well as a number of short stories published in anthologies.
Brandon has also been a lawyer since 1985. His first job out of law school was at the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest criminal court in Texas. He then served as an assistant district attorney of Bexar County (San Antonio), Texas, and a staff attorney on the Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas, before going into private practice in 1990.
Brandon's 1990 novel FADE THE HEAT, his first legal thriller, was shortlisted for the Edgar Award and optioned by Amblin Entertainment. That and later novels have been published by more than a dozen foreign published, with worldwide distribution.
Brandon is married and the father of three children. He is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters and the American Crime Writers League (although he generally dislikes belonging to any group; just a natural prejudice).
