Leine Basso, former professional assassin for a secret government entity known simply as the Agency, finds herself involved in desperate attempts to rescue Mara, a twelve-year-old runaway, before she’s trafficked into the sex trade. The topic is distressing, and you can feel that the author cares deeply about the issue. The victim is never shown in an exploitive scene, though often in danger, as she escapes her captors and struggles to stay free. Leine is once again working security in Hollywood, this time as a bodyguard for a naïve and gullible actor, Miles Fournier. He’s Mara’s idol, and after all the rough times in her life, all the betrayals by adults around her, she’s convinced he’s only the one she can trust to save her.

While Leine fights to protect Miles from apparent kidnappers and save Mara from the traffickers, she’s also haunted by false accusations about crimes she didn’t commit, and the temptation of a passionate relationship that should be off limits. Leine is tough as hell, a skilled fighter with weapons and in hand-to-hand combat, but she’s not heartless. Far from it. Berkom portrays Leine in all her complexity, including showing her as a mother.

The end is satisfying rather than too good to be true, happy for some characters and not for others. As always in Berkom’s books, the pace is compelling. She’s an author I can always count on, a master of her craft.

This is the newer cover, below.

I’ve been reading this series out of sequence, starting with book three, The Body Market, then the prequel novella A Killing Truth, and now book one. I recommend reading the prequel first. Although the books work well as stand-alones, and the author handles backstory well, giving short doses where needed, Leine Basso is a complicated woman with a complicated life. I understood this story better for having met some of the off-stage characters previously.

The other books I’ve read so far by this author (I’m also a fan of her Kate Jones series) are pure thriller. This one, due to the macabre nature of the villain and the crimes, has an element of horror, including the dark humor that’s often found in that genre. Leine is hired as security on the set of a reality TV show that pairs ex-cons with beautiful “bachelorettes.” The concept is bizarre, a satire on the culture of reality television. When one of the contestants is killed, the show’s ratings go up, and one of the contestants' reactions is the ultimate commentary on the loss of reality that can happen in this part of the entertainment industry. I wish I could share it, but it would be a spoiler.

Leine is a compelling, unique character. Her emotional life, her relationships, and her professional skills are drawn with finesse. She’s tough, but she’s multidimensional, not just an action figure with an occasional emotion. Detective Santiago Jensen is a perfect complement to her character, and their relationship feels real.

Berkom is an unpredictable author, in a good way. I can count on a riveting pace, but I don’t see her falling back on a formula the way some thriller writers do. Each book is different. I plan to keep moving through this series and to read book two soon.

DV Berkom’s characters are strong women who face dark and dangerous situations, and Kate Jones is put to the test in Vigilante Dead.

I love this amazing cover done by Deranged Doctor Designs.

There are definitely turbulent waters inside.

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

OMG, D! You have outdone yourself! Best one yet!

If you are looking for a strong female protagonist and a high octane thriller, look no further!

Every time I think DV Berkom can’t make a Kate Jones Thriller even more thrilling, she puts out a story like Vigilante Dead.

Kate has been running from her past for a long time, but now she has settled down. She is a private investigator and has a gorgeous man, Sam, at her side. He is a super guy who gives her space and time when she needs it and some lovin’ when she needs that.

When her sister ODs, the hunt is on…

Drugs, murder, vengeance…

I love books that make me think of our life choices. We all march to our own drummer and who knows what will work if we don’t explore our options. BUT, sometimes we get off course and the road we walk takes us down a dark and dangerous path. So does Kate.

Kate grows more complex with each story told, but danger follows her through each and every one. This time, D took her somewhere that totally blew my mind. Sometimes the character demands that you go there, go where the bad guy goes to get your answers.

DV Berkom’s characters are strong and bold, and sometimes I think they need to have a little more fear. I worry for them. Every time Kate went creeping around, staking out  places, I waited for the hammer to fall. I do love that she does things I only think about.

Kate fights the lows that wash over her when she thinks of all she has been through and lost by making mistakes in her youth. They left her with nightmares. Her rash actions and decisions can get her in difficult and dangerous situations.

Kate’s family pisses me off! and her wimpy dad is a huge disappointment to me. Am I being too harsh? You will need to decide.

And Angie, a badass assassin, you are a woman after my own heart, until…

You make a deal with the devil and you get burned.

I cannot quit reading, not for a second. I cannot wait to learn the ending of Vigilante Dead…thoughts are running through my mind, fed by the title. I am loving and hating what I am thinking.

The twists and turns DV Berkom has supplied in Vigilante Dead has ratcheted the suspense and my anticipation to a white knuckled, nail biting level. With all that is happening I am wondering where DV Berkom will leave Kate.

I am mentally yelling at her…DON’T DO IT!!!!!

Yet the little devil whispering on my shoulder says…

5 Stars

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A rich couple discover their teenage daughter Elise is missing possibly in a foreign country- Mexico. Elise had been partying with her boyfriend Josh  in Tijuana  Elise is seventeen and it was spring break. Leine kicks cartel butt and is a former assassin. But now Leine is trying to live a real life instead of just running off to the next assignment. Leine’s man is Santiago Jensen who is new to being with just one woman and tries to romance Leine Leine now works for SHEN-  Stop Human Enslavement Now. Santiago works for LAPD he is a homicide robbery detective. Leine would love to use hand grenades and flamethrowers on sex traffickers. Then Josh is found in the car and he has been murdered . Also Leine is getting threats from the cartel ‘Keep away or else’. Leine is determined to get to the truth. The FBI tells Elisa’s parents their hands are tied until they get a demand for ransom. But they had hired Elise and she won't wait she works differently than the agencies. Leine networks with people that can help her accomplish her mission.

I loved this story. Well not what Leine deals with but she does fight human trafficking and I loved that she was willing to risk her life to stop this horrible thing. She was also against organ selling.this is fast paced with a great plot. Definitely keeps your attention and had you at the edge of your seat a lot. It was quiet a red with all the twists and turns in it and I loved that I like that Elise showed some grit and fought for her life and didn’t just act like another spoiled rich kid. There was a lot to this story: suspense,  danger, cartel, twists and turns, retired female assassin , danger,  sex trade, threats, kidnapping, murder, intrigue, heat and even a new romantic relationship and a lot more. I loved the characters and all the twists and turns and the plot itself   and I highly recommend.