The Janes are just that: Jane Does found discarded on the fringes of San Diego, no apparent identities or grieving families looking for answers. Federal officers and local San Diego PD stretched thin; dreading the possibility of a human trafficking ring outsource the case to private investigator Alice Vega and by extension her partner Max Caplan. Vega is known for her knack of finding the missing but can she identify the two Janes found - and potentially other girls? With no holds barred Vega and Cap are determined to identify the Janes and find the others before their time runs out.
Although The Janes is the second novel in a series Two Girls Down isn't a required prerequisite. I do believe that the backstory and character interaction would potentially be more fleshed out if you had read both. Vega's character may have been more fleshed out in the previous novel but she just seems a little flat to me - there's the potential for her history to be known (possibly covered in the prior novel) but maybe the author doesn't want to share that just yet. That being said both Vega and Caplan have endearing and badass qualities you would positively hope to find in the people looking for your own kids. The journey Vega and Cap take in this book is a long winding one but it is fast paced and packed with action - finding information on girls that have nothing is no cake walk. The ending really made this book for me - not only for the shock of The Bastard but also Vega's actions.
I would recommend this book to readers who love suspense and thriller novels. The book does contain topics some people could be sensitive of that mainly involves minors: sexual abuse/rape, physical abuse, immigration and violence. I look forward to going backwards and reading the first novel in the series. A big thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the copy of The Janes to read and review.
Although The Janes is the second novel in a series Two Girls Down isn't a required prerequisite. I do believe that the backstory and character interaction would potentially be more fleshed out if you had read both. Vega's character may have been more fleshed out in the previous novel but she just seems a little flat to me - there's the potential for her history to be known (possibly covered in the prior novel) but maybe the author doesn't want to share that just yet. That being said both Vega and Caplan have endearing and badass qualities you would positively hope to find in the people looking for your own kids. The journey Vega and Cap take in this book is a long winding one but it is fast paced and packed with action - finding information on girls that have nothing is no cake walk. The ending really made this book for me - not only for the shock of The Bastard but also Vega's actions.
I would recommend this book to readers who love suspense and thriller novels. The book does contain topics some people could be sensitive of that mainly involves minors: sexual abuse/rape, physical abuse, immigration and violence. I look forward to going backwards and reading the first novel in the series. A big thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the copy of The Janes to read and review.