thain's review
4.0
Gripping and action-packed entry in this missing persons mystery series. The timely story revolves around a group of young girls trafficked from Mexico. I warmed up to Vega a bit more this time and I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her sometime partner, Cap.
acrossley's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
kasiabrenna's review
2.0
I thought the first one was okay, hoped the second installment would hook me. Sadly no, I’m out. The character of Alice Vega had potential but with no development is just a cliche of the enigmatic, troubled female detective. Her thin, muscular physique is oddly fetishized, especially in a book written by a woman. There is also a chubby character whose “girth”is mentioned as making certain things difficult, also off-putting. Predictable plot, poor pacing, no character development.
kbfrantom's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book! I hadn't read the first one in the series Two Girl Down before this one but it isn't necessary. As soon as I finished The Janes I had to read Two Girls Down and hope a third book comes along. I like the relationship between Alice Vega, confident, risk taking and former military private investigator, and Max Caplan, law abiding, cautious father and former police officer. Their differences make them a great team. When two unidentified young girls at the morgue have similarities, Alice calls Max to help her investigation. The case involves immigration, drugs and human trafficking.
boleary30's review
4.0
A good follow up to book one of the series. It got a little long winded toward the end. But it had all the good elements from the first book: Two great main characters that each have interesting characters in their personal life. A good step by step police (or in this case rogue PI's and police) procedural. A good plot that keeps you guessing until its conclusion.
darice's review against another edition
3.0
The second book in the series of Alice Vega starts much slower than the first one. Where in Two Girls Down you are immediately on the edge of your seat, the second book only gets exciting about the second half. For that, I give the book 3.5 stars.
The crime-fighting duo, Alice Vega and Max Caplan are back. This time Vega gets hired to investigate the murder of two teenage Jane Does. It's been months since the Brandt girls' case and Vega asks Max to help her out again.
While these two are perfect crime-fighting partners, I could do without the romantic interest between the two of them. I like Vega because she's a no-nonsense strong intelligent woman. But she's also a loner and lives by her own moral code. Max is a straight mostly by the book guy and lovable dad to his teenage daughter Nell. And it grinds me a bit that Max is like a worried puppy dog sometimes around Vega, while he knows exactly who she is. Like Max, the woman just beat up a guy twice her size with a bolt cutter, I think she can handle herself.
The plot of The Janes is based on the grim reality of the human trafficking of young girls and all the illegality on the border going on from both sides. I'm currently binge-watching Criminal Minds and to know all this gruesome fiction I'm watching and reading is actually going on daily..makes these stories a bit harder to process.
Looking forward to book #3 of Alice Vega
The crime-fighting duo, Alice Vega and Max Caplan are back. This time Vega gets hired to investigate the murder of two teenage Jane Does. It's been months since the Brandt girls' case and Vega asks Max to help her out again.
While these two are perfect crime-fighting partners, I could do without the romantic interest between the two of them. I like Vega because she's a no-nonsense strong intelligent woman. But she's also a loner and lives by her own moral code. Max is a straight mostly by the book guy and lovable dad to his teenage daughter Nell. And it grinds me a bit that Max is like a worried puppy dog sometimes around Vega, while he knows exactly who she is. Like Max, the woman just beat up a guy twice her size with a bolt cutter, I think she can handle herself.
Spoiler
Am I the only one who doubted Vega's decision to help the girl disappear? Vega concluded she murdered the other girls to save them from worse. It seems to me starting life like that she won't have a problem murdering again later in life. Although considering it was the Bastard aka Joy who created the new identity, I assume they'll keep an eye on her.The plot of The Janes is based on the grim reality of the human trafficking of young girls and all the illegality on the border going on from both sides. I'm currently binge-watching Criminal Minds and to know all this gruesome fiction I'm watching and reading is actually going on daily..makes these stories a bit harder to process.
Looking forward to book #3 of Alice Vega
erinevelynreads's review
4.0
Louise Luna’s The Janes is a tale of corruption, murder, human trafficking, and hope. It starts as a dark tale, opening on a fourteen-year-old girl living in an illegal brothel in California. When she sees a clip on TV of Alice Vega saving a small child from kidnappers, she becomes hopeful that Vega might be able to help her.
When the bodies of two girls are found outside San Diego, Alice Vega, a private investigator, is brought in to help the San Diego police and DEA investigate. Along with her partner, Cap, Vega uncovers a human trafficking ring and a trail of corruption but will stop at nothing to find the girls and ensure their safety.
I feel like I should start by admitting that I have not read Two Girls Down. I don’t feel like you need to in order to enjoy the Janes, however, it is clear that there is some backstory, especially regarding the relationship between Cap and Vega, that is covered in Two Girls Down.
That being said, after reading The Janes I can’t wait to pick up Two Girls Down and everything else by Louisa Luna. Luna creates the perfect lead in Vega. She’s a kickass heroine who rebounds from professional to hardcore seamlessly without pause.
The Janes is a powerful commentary on immigration and what people are willing to risk to come to America. It is at times very, very dark, and is potentially triggering, as sexual exploitation and trafficking are central to the story. But if you can stomach the gore, you’ll find an unpredictable page-turner, with a constantly shifting plot, and well-developed leads.
Thank you to Bookish First and Doubleday for the review copy!
When the bodies of two girls are found outside San Diego, Alice Vega, a private investigator, is brought in to help the San Diego police and DEA investigate. Along with her partner, Cap, Vega uncovers a human trafficking ring and a trail of corruption but will stop at nothing to find the girls and ensure their safety.
I feel like I should start by admitting that I have not read Two Girls Down. I don’t feel like you need to in order to enjoy the Janes, however, it is clear that there is some backstory, especially regarding the relationship between Cap and Vega, that is covered in Two Girls Down.
That being said, after reading The Janes I can’t wait to pick up Two Girls Down and everything else by Louisa Luna. Luna creates the perfect lead in Vega. She’s a kickass heroine who rebounds from professional to hardcore seamlessly without pause.
The Janes is a powerful commentary on immigration and what people are willing to risk to come to America. It is at times very, very dark, and is potentially triggering, as sexual exploitation and trafficking are central to the story. But if you can stomach the gore, you’ll find an unpredictable page-turner, with a constantly shifting plot, and well-developed leads.
Thank you to Bookish First and Doubleday for the review copy!
readyourworriesaway's review
3.0
I read Two Girls Down a couple years ago and loved it, so I was thrilled when I learned there was going to be a second book in the Alice Vega series!
When the bodies of two young women are discovered and they are unidentified, the police and FBI read out to private investigator Alice Vega. Vega brings on Max Caplan to help her with the case and together they are determined to find The Janes.
Likes
▪️Cap & Vega are a great duo
▪️plenty of mystery & twists
▪️references to the first book
▪️loved Cap’s relationship with his daughter
Dislikes
▪️a bit too long
▪️not as strong as the first book in the series
The Janes is a slow-burn crime thriller with a powerful duo that you will want to join for the ride.
When the bodies of two young women are discovered and they are unidentified, the police and FBI read out to private investigator Alice Vega. Vega brings on Max Caplan to help her with the case and together they are determined to find The Janes.
Likes
▪️Cap & Vega are a great duo
▪️plenty of mystery & twists
▪️references to the first book
▪️loved Cap’s relationship with his daughter
Dislikes
▪️a bit too long
▪️not as strong as the first book in the series
The Janes is a slow-burn crime thriller with a powerful duo that you will want to join for the ride.
mcipher's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man, this was so good and twisty and fast paced. I loved the way it all ended and I found myself just unable to put it down until I got there. Vega is a blast and the weird way her mind works and the unorthodox way she solves cases is just so awesome. I could 100% do without the romance but whatever, it’s minor. The difficult subject matter in this series is handled so well - it’s matter of fact, kind, and not sensationalized while still getting across the necessary facts. I can’t wait for the next in this series.
openmypages's review against another edition
4.0
I would put this mystery police procedural up there with some of the greats. Alice Vega and Cap are right up there with Harry Bosch, Alex Delaware or Alex Cross. When a bunch of underage Jane Does pop up in the morgue, the police department hires Alice and Cap as "consultants" on the case. The deeper they get and the more successful they are at solving the crime the more the heat is on. This novel has everything you want in a good detective novel.
I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.