The Janes by Louisa Luna
Book Review by Dawn Thomas

368 Pages
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: January 21, 2020

Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Kidnapping, Violence

Two girls, between the ages of 12-14 were found tortured then murdered in California near the Mexican border. When the second girl was found, she had a note gripped in her hand, Alice Vega is called into investigate. Alice listens to the government officials detail the findings and after negotiations decides to take the case. She gets help from a business partner, Max Caplan. She has unique ways of getting things done but she is a woman on a mission. Some may believe Alice doesn’t have any feelings. I think the way she is impartial gives her another way of looking at life. To me, she is an extremely deep character and I look forward to reading more of her series.

This book is intense and provides a lot of descriptions of characters and locations. It is written in third person point of view and moves quickly. Alice reminds me of the Samantha Brinkman character in Marcia Clark books.

Review by 2shay...............

Alice Vega is bada$$ bounty hunter with the same respect for the finer points of law as the skips she hunts, a trait that worries her partner, former policeman Max “Cap” Caplan. Worried or not, nothing keeps the hopelessly infatuated Cap from following wherever Alice leads. This time, Alice convinces him to help her with an off-the-books job for the San Diego Police Department. SDPD has two young, Hispanic Jane Does with similar death wounds and both with IUDs. The police suspect they’ve been held as sex slaves.

I loved Alice and Cap in their first book, Two Girls Down, released last year and reviewed elsewhere on this blog. I expected a lot of this book, and Louisa Luna delivered. With lots of action, plot twists and a couple of betrayals, Alice and Cap almost get in more trouble than they can manage! Whew. It was intense!

Much of the intensity of this story is the subject matter. The kidnapping of young women, some as young as thirteen, and offering them for sex to perverts is unsettling. They don’t all have a happy ending. But Alice and Cap do their best while battling for their own safety.

Plus! Alice and Cap get closer. Awww....! Pick up a copy and.....

Enjoy! ARC graciously provided by Doubleday Books and NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Vega, a private investigator is on a mission to discover the two Jane's that were murdered with no id - is this sex traffic?
Why were the girls murdered?
Jump along for the ride into dangerous situations as they discover the answer.

Sometimes you read a book that you simply don’t want to put down. This is one of those books.

Oh, it’s not going to be for everyone. We have heavy themes of sex trafficking of minors, immigration, and just what sometimes happens to children in cages. But we also have two terrific main characters, supporting characters to root for, and a whole host of villains that need their comeuppance.

It’s just a fast-paced, thrill ride of a book.

This is actually the 2nd book in the series, but it works as a standalone. I haven’t read book 1, but I’m going to. And I can’t wait for the next book!

*ARC Provided via Net Galley

At the request of the police and the FBI, private investigators Alice Vega and Max Caplan join the investigation into the deaths of two young women whose bodies, found on the outskirts of San Diego, remain unidentified. Suspecting a human trafficking ring could be active in the area, they want to find the person or persons responsible for the deaths of the two young Jane Does . . . and find the other missing girls.

Often gritty and, therefore, sometimes difficult to read, this human trafficking story unfolds with several unexpected plot twists and surprising turns that ratchet up the suspense and keep the tension building. The unfolding tale is as compelling as it is heartbreaking.

But, ultimately, Alice comes across as stereotypical, more of caricature than a well-developed character. Certainly, Alice is passionate, determined, stoic, and fearless. She is single-minded in her approach to the case, but her actions often feel too improbable, even with the reader’s suspension of disbelief. Nevertheless, the topic is timely and there is much here for readers to appreciate.

I really liked this book. Vega and Caplan make good partners. It was also newsworthy since human trafficking is so prevalent. I really have to go back and read the first Vega novel

I loved this book! It was thrilling and so full of mystery. I was hooked from the first page!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

The Police and FBI approach Alica Vega, a private investigator who has the reputation to find the missing when they discover the bodies of two teenage girls in the outskirts of San Diego. These found bodies have no names, no known IDs, and nobody looking for them. there is a possibility of a human trafficking ring.

This was my first Louisa Luna book. I am impressed by her style of writing. This was an amazing, captivating and engaging book. The characters are well established and the author has given proper attention to details. This is a kind of book you can not put down and you will want to read it in one go.

The protagonist Alice Vega is a very powerful character. She is smart, intelligent and magnificent. The plot is unique and it is a treat to read a book about such a strong female character.

Well written and gripping, with intriguing characters. The plot is a timely one: a tale of corruption, greed, human trafficking, and the need for good people to make a stand against evil. Louisa Luna paces the action perfectly. This is the first book of her I've read, and it has made me eager to read more of her work.

This book had me on the edge of my seat!
I've never read Louise Luna until now, but I'll definitely be reading everything else she's written. She weaves a story so tightly the tension is palpable.
Vega & Cap are hired to find a group of missing girls after two murders are discovered in the desert. The search takes them across southern California to Mexico to confront powerful businessmen, human traffickers, cartel members, and even the authorities.
Right and wrong aren't so black and white as they unravel the mystery of the missing girls and fight to save their lives in the process.

A huge Alice Vega fan right here....was so excited when this book came to me, and it did not disappoint.
Alex and her partner Cap are never afraid to dive deep into cases nobody else will, and they have an unusual way of doing so.
This time Alex and Cap jump into the world of human trafficking, in a well told story that keeps you guessing.

Another winner for Louisa Luna! I love the Alice Vega series. She is a fearless vigilante kicking ass and righting wrongs that the justice system can't or won't. Great characters, fast paced plots and intriguing twists. Highly recommended

Alice Vega doesn't always play by the rules. She's a strong-willed, no-nonsense private investigator that specializes in finding people and is brought in to assist local police department and FBI when the bodies of two young women are found. Neither of these "Janes" have identification and no one has filed missing persons reports for them. Even worse, local PD and FBI are concerned about the possibility of human trafficking. Between Vega and her partner Max "Cap" Caplan, they begin to uncover just how deep and troubling this case is, and nothing will stop them from finding the truth,

I want to begin by saying I had no idea this book was part of a sequel. I read the entire book and still had no idea. Granted, I found it strange that the author didn't elaborate when references, I now know to be from the previous book, were mentioned, but I didn't find it necessary either because I was too captivated by the story of The Janes. In general, I found the characters to be a bit stereotypical however, I don't find that to necessarily be a bad thing. Alice Vega is a great character with complexities that I really enjoyed. The story is an interesting one that really highlights issues that are currently occurring in our country. Overall, I was entertained by The Janes and I really admire the author writing it in such a way that I didn't need to read the first book (Two Girls Down) to appreciate this one.

Thank you Netgalley, Doubleday Books, and most importantly, thank you Louisa Luna for an enjoyable story!

OMG! One of my favorite controversial, entertaining, smart couple is back! I’m not making my happy dance for celebration! I already hired Shakira and JLo perform for me before their Super Bowl Halftime show! I’m just clapping my hands and sipping my Chablis.

Yes, they are really back! I’m talking about one of the unique investigators Alice Vega, positions herself in the handstand every morning to think more clearly, doesn’t bother to get stoned during her interrogation, kicking asses of the dangerous villains. And of course ex-cop, now a private investigator, sarcastic, flexible, definitely likable, fitter ( who lost several pounds for the sequel, now he is more charming!) Mac “Cap” Caplan is back to help her to conduct their new mysterious investigation.

I’m so excited to see this duo and in my opinion I can happily read at least ten series of sequels to follow their upcoming adventures because the characters are complex, layered, flawed but so realistic, honest and easy to relate and truly love.

I only cut my one point this time because their new adventure’s story is well developed regular crime story and as I compare this one with the first book “Two Girls Down”, I found it a little solid, slow-burn paced, nothing surprising or shaking like the first book’s plot did to me. But I have to admit characters push you involve into story and hooks you from the beginning so you cannot stop reading even the book is a little longer because you want more pieces and more layers to peel from them , learn more about their pasts, their regular life routines.

And I have to admit I love Max and her daughter’s way of communication, friendly, honest and caring dialogues which are the most heartwarming parts of the story.

So the main theme of the story is “Sex Trafficking” that our couple needed to save all those Janes and fight against the dangerous organization. But they are all alone out there and their position seems like they have a real death wish.

Before climbing into their exciting, riveting, captivating journey, I suggest you to read the first book because you may connect so much better with the characters if you know their back stories and you won’t have to keep in the dark about the references the characters talk about from the first book’s events.

As I say before as long as Louisa Luna writes more books including my favorite duo (Vega-Caplan) I will keep so delightfully, excitedly devouring them.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday to share this fantastic thriller with me in exchange my honest review and enlighten my day!

3.5 stars

Alice Vega and her partner, Max "Cap” Caplan, are back (so is the Bastard, btw)! I LOVED the first book in this series [book:Two Girls Down|36136030] and was so excited to see what Louisa Luna had up her sleeve next for this duo.

The police and FBI reach out to Alice Vega when two bodies of teenage girls are discovered outside of San Diego. The young women are believed to be the victims of a sex trafficking ring. Alice Vega, a private investigator, is known for finding missing people and she is asked to determine the identity of the teens and the people responsible for their deaths. Cap is a retired police officer who now does private investigator work.

I found this book to be well written and captivating. Although, this one did not blow me away as much as the first book in the series, this was still a solid installment. Vega remains a mystery and she and Cap still have their dynamic. Both know the other and what the other is thinking which helps when they get in dangerous situations. Vegas is a tough chick who gives nothing away and Cap is still likable and entertaining.

This book would most likely work very well as a stand-alone novel but I highly recommend reading [book:Two Girls Down|36136030] first as it is fantastic and it does show Vega and Cap working together to solve another case. Plus, there is some character development here and some references to the case they solved from the first book. I look forward to the next book in the series and hopefully we get some insight into Vega’s past and get to see more chemistry between Vega and Cap.

**Sex Trafficking of underage girls is one of the themes in this book but thankfully there are no graphic scenes.

Who knew private detective work could be so dangerous!

Well written, thought provoking and captivating.


Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

THE JANES is a perfect follow-up to TWO GIRLS DOWN, one of the best thrillers I've ever read. Louisa Luna has created memorable and badass characters in Alice Vega and Max Caplan. While this sequel didn't quite live up to the debut, I still really enjoyed it and will certainly be reading more in this series if there are any.

This book can often be hard to swallow, as it is about human trafficking, immigration, and the ways in which people who are supposed to protect us fail completely. My only complaint was that I had a hard time following who everyone was, but that is probably my fault!

Louisa Luna doesn't go for the fluff with her topics. Her books are heavy, but so good! After reading Two Girls Down I couldn't wait to hear more for Alice Vega and Max Caplan. Miss Luna did not disappoint. The first book takes place on the east coast, but now Vega and Cap are in Vega's neck of the woods. Vega is brought in on a murder investigation when one of the Jane's is found with a scrap of paper in her had with Vega's name on it. Be aware, this book deals with human trafficking.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This follow up to Two Girls Down was just as thrilling as Luna’s first Alice Vega novel. Vega, a private investigator who specializes in finding missing people, is seemingly fearless. She and Cap, a retired cop, are enlisted by the FBI after two bodies are found in the desert outside of San Diego. The unofficial partners follow leads down a dangerous path in this gritty and gripping page-turner. Recommended for fans of Lisa Gardner and C.J. Box.

Private investigators Alice Vega and Max Caplan are hired to find the identity and killers of two very young Latina women who are believed to have been victims of sex trafficking. They’ve worked together before and have forged an almost eerie connection, even as Cap tries to disguise his attraction to Vega.

Vega and Cap make quick progress on the case—quicker than their employers anticipated and may have wanted. They soon learn not to trust all their higher-ups, once they are forced to escape from a hospital. (Vega tears out her own new stitches to create a distraction, which tells you all you need to know about her).

Fast-paced and breathtaking, THE JANES is full or unforgettable characters and a plot with timely repercussions.

The Janes by Louisa Luna is the second Alice Vega Novel and since I enjoyed the first one, I was eager for this one.

On the outskirts of San Diego, the bodies of two young women are discovered. They have no names, no IDs, and no family looking for them. Fearing the possibility of a human trafficking ring, the police and FBI reach out to Alice Vega, a private investigator known for finding the missing, for help in finding out who the Janes were--and finding the others who are missing.

Vega is called in when the bodies of two young Latina women are found with no identification and who have not been reported missing. When Vega is called in to help, she brings in Cap, her partner in the first book.

Maybe because women are so frequently victims of abuse, we enjoy having a kick-ass female protagonist in a take charge and take-em-down role. Are these women (Liz Salander, Jane Hawk, Livia Lone, Alice Vega) realistic? Not really. They have many stereotypical qualities, but they also have personality and the gumption, determination, intelligence, and a sense of justice that I have fun identifying with in the most ridiculous way.

Who are some of your favorite awesome, bad-ass female protagonists?

Read in July? Blog review scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020.

NetGalley/Doubleday
Mystery/Thriller. Jan. 21, 2020. Print length: 368 pages.