Graphic and Haunting Story Set Against a Divisive Issue

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This is the second “Alice Vega” novel by Louisa Luna. The first being “Two Girls Down”.

While the main characters from this novel were introduced in the first one, this can act as a standalone read. There are some references to the first novel – the “Brandt” girls – however, the first novel isn’t required to be read to enjoy this one. Though it would be interesting to see how the characters were in the first novel.

Outside romance, I do enjoy crime fiction books. And, this seemingly fit my interests according to the blurb.

This will have some “trigger” warnings for readers depending on their views and experiences:

* Human Trafficking
* Child murder
* Child prostitution
* Illegal Immigration
* Graphic and Gratuitous Violence
* Potential Political Undertones

The bodies of two young “Jane Does” are discovered in the outskirts of San Diego. But, no one has reported the two young girls as missing.

Thinking it might deal with human trafficking, the police and FBI hire bounty hunter Alice Vega to help find out what happened. In addition, she is also trying to find the other “Janes” after a birth control device links the two deceased victims, with some of the sequential devices “missing”.

She teams up with former disgraced cop, Max “Cap” Caplan from Philadelphia to find the other “Janes” and bring them home. And, Vega will stop at nothing to do her job.

Luna sets the story against illegal immigration, trafficking, and border tensions in this fast-pace, high-action thriller, complete with police corruption.

The language is questionable with the “f” word used throughout and in different forms. This is a warning to those who might want a “cleaner” read.

The Alice Vega character, though admirable in her quest to help find the “Janes”, seemingly takes the law into her own hands in vigilante style – complete with breaking and entering, felony assault, and interfering in a police investigation.

As this is the second novel the character appears in, it is difficult to ascertain as to why she is the way she is. Perhaps this was addressed in “Two Girls Down”.

The “divorced” Cap is more or less along for the ride. Despite being a former cop, he is less violent than Vega. He has his own problems with his daughter, but she isn’t as bad as most teens. For that he is grateful, and he seemingly confides in her about the case.

Once I got past the “our girl” narrations, and not clearly finding out “who” is narrating those parts (which would’ve been interesting as to who and why) – the writing fell into the standard “third person” voice.

In an effort to clarify the narrator, I had to re-read the last chapter and slightly have an idea who “narrated” the beginning, but not sure how it was related. I know who was narrating the end – and it would have been interesting to see how this character related to everything. Perhaps that was also explained in the first novel.

Rather than bouncing between the good guys and bad guys, the story is told solely from the Vega/Cap point of views, in as I said before, in third person.

The action picked up around chapter 18. And, the ending was a complete surprise. I didn’t see it coming – nor could I have possibly have guessed who really killed “The Janes”.

It is a gritty crime/suspense/thriller. The plot seemed a bit overwhelming at times. It isn’t an easy read by any means.

I would recommend, though it isn’t required, for those interested in “The Janes” to also read “Two Girls Down” to get the complete picture. I found the first novel available at my county (7 copies; 5 available) and city (2 copies; both available) libraries. Availability was as of the writing of this review.

If you’re on the fence, wait until both books are available through the library.