I need the title of a book about Asian gangs in the San Gabriel Valley
area of L.A. County. The first two words are The Jade------. It is
written by a California woman

Hello.

I believe that you're looking for "The Jasmine Trade" (2001) by Denise Hamilton.

" Denise Hamilton ? The Jasmine Trade (2001)
... So begins this fascinating mystery about the secluded world of
Chinese immigrants living in L.A.'s San Gabriel Valley.
The story's protagonist, Eve Diamond, an Anglo reporter for the Times,
investigates Marina's tragic death and gradually uncovers an
underworld of crime and corruption, populated by powerful businessmen
and ruthless Asian gangs."

source: mysterinkonline.com
http://www.mysteryinkonline.com/jasminetrade.htm

Available from booksellers including Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786015233/

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search terms:
"san gabriel" gangs "her book"
"jasmine trade" "san gabriel" gangs

I realize that this book has "Jasmine" instead of "Jade" in the title,
but I'm reasonably confident that this is the book that you want. If
not, though, please let me know via the "request clarification"
feature. Thanks.