What makes this series stand apart are PI Alice Vega and disgraced former cop, Max Caplan. The two make the perfect team. Smart, thoughtful, witty, and unique these two made me laugh, cringe, drop my jaw, cheer and smile like a fool.

Now the case they tackle is dark begins with the murder of two young Jane Does approx 12 years in age; sex trafficking. Cartel, crook agents and more await you in this suspenseful thriller. Through it all Alice and Cap keep their cool and investigate. Professionally they click and behind the scenes there is this slow burning, subtle sizzle. Well, I will let you discover that for yourself.

Luna’s case is tightly woven, and realistic with just enough twists and surprises to keep me guessing. The story regarding the young girls felt authentic and shed light on an all too realistic reality. While the author wasn’t graphic, she didn’t hide from the ugly truth of these heinous crimes.

While this is the second novel, it worked as a standalone and the case wrapped up with a dark, gritty ending that satisfied. I added this series to my must read list.

The Janes, was a suspenseful, thought provoking and addictive thriller with engaging characters you’ll want to solve cases with.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

Another Alice Vega, and she's as bad ass as she was in the first. I like this duo and hope there are more.

Thanks to Negalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review .

The second Alice Vega tale is a propulsive and compelling thrill ride: bounty hunter Vega is hired under the table to assist a California police department solve the mystery of two dead -- and very young --Mexican women ('The Janes") believed to have been sex workers. Disgraced but capable ex-cop Max Caplan helps her again, and the humanity of these two very different but admirable investigators adds immensely to a complicated plot. This one was hard to put down: couldn't turn pages fast enough! If you relish a strong and mysterious female protagonist, this is hard to beat. [Not a spoiler, but a heads-up: if you thought the role of 'The Bastard,' Vega's behind-the-scenes cyber specialist was a bit of a weak plot point in this and in the first Vega tale, 2018's "Two Girls Down," just wait til you get to the last chapter of this book! I hadn't seen that coming.]

Three stars. It was a good book and stood alone -- I did not read the first book in the series and I was not lost since this was a completely separate case.

Alice Vega is back and committed to fighting evil. She's spent the time since her last adventure brushing up on her hand-to-hand combat skills, while Max Caplan has settled into a regular gig back in Pennsylvania. When Alice gets tapped to investigate the murders of two Jane Does, she calls up Cap and the two dive into the underground world of human trafficking. A solid second act in the Alice Vega series, but this would work as a stand-alone as well.

Alice Vega and Max "Cap" Caplan are back! When Vega gets hired for an off-the-books assignment in San Diego, she calls in her former partner for backup. The case: Two Jane Does were found murdered and their bodies dumped on the outskirts of the city. It's not pretty - sex trafficking, torture, police corruption - but Vega and Cap are on the case, and they never let up. The chemistry between these two is undeniable. They seem to know what the other needs without ever stating it, and this makes for the perfect partnership, one with trust at the center. I could read Vega and Cap novels all day every day, so here's hoping for more adventures!

And if you haven't already read Two Girls Down, it's worth a read first. You get more backstory of our main characters. Plus, it's another great mystery thriller.

4.5 stars! I thought it was better than her first Alice Vega book.

3 1/2 stars

This is a harrowing tale (the second in the Alice Vaga series, but I didn’t read the first) about finding some young women who are being trafficked.

I was a little confused when they found “the Janes” about half way through the book – but nothing is as simple as one even when human trafficking is involved. Especially when they are young girls (ages 12 to 16) who are being kept in a house, tortured, sold into sex slavery, and killed.

The actual killer won’t surprise you, but I don’t think you’ll see it coming. I didn’t, but I wasn’t surprised.

The author does a great job highlighting the issue of human trafficking while retaining the dignity of the young girls, which I really appreciated. Not a ‘cozy mystery’ by any means, but well done!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vega and Cap are back! The people finder and the disgraced former cop are in California working a human trafficking case that takes a shocking and disturbing turn. A new favorite duo.