First and foremost, I did not realize when I selected this book, that it was the second in a series. I had not read the first book, so there were a few references that I didn’t understand. However, it did not take away from this story. “The Janes” is an intriguing story.
The main characters are well defined and provide the story with more depth. Vega was harder for me to like, but I think it was her no-nonsense attitude, whereas Cap was more likeable. We learn more of his backstory and personal life, so this made him more approachable.
There were parts of the story that I did not enjoy. Foul language, especially the “F” word being the biggest issue. The author did a great job of bringing to light many issues that plague our society today. Sex trafficking, and drugs being two of them. Thank you NetGalley, Louise Luna, and Doubleday for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Janes is a intriguing story. A real page turner that will grab you from page one. It has all the elements that will keep you reading until the end. Sev trafficking, corruption and cartels. The characters will draw you in. This book has lots of twists right up until the very last. Page.

Apparently the second of a series and I missed the first one! There are a few references that were not completely understood so it is readable as a stand alone. Fast paced, mystery, thriller that explores human trafficking and corruption. The characters get beat up a lot, so beware! Book description gives adequate detail of story and it doesn't get bogged down with a lot of detail. There are a lot of characters to keep up with and you just have to roll with it.
Overall a good read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Doubleday publishing and Louise Luna for this ARC in exchange for an honest review..This 2nd in the Alice Vega story didn’t grab me as much as the first book . There were a lot of characters to try and get hold of, and trying to stay up with.. Vega was her very bad ass self again and Cap maybe her sidekick in this story. I felt it just dragged in some spots, and wasn’t sure I was going to finish this book. But it did pay off in the end as to who the killer of the Janes was, that was a total shocker..so points there. I rated it 3.5 but gave 4 stars to even off.

4Stars
This held my attention and I wanted to know where things were going. A very good sign for a thriller/mystery.
We have unknown dead women tagged as the Janes...What does all of it mean and are they connected.

This worked for me.

Alice Vega is a smart, tough, no-nonsense PI called in to investigate the death of two young Jane Does found outside San Diego. The Janes have no ID and nothing to help identify them, but one of the dead girls does hold something of interest. In her small hand is a crumpled piece of paper with a name scrawled across it: Alice Vega. The DEA isn't sure about Vega or her ex-cop partner Max “Cap” Caplan, but they like the idea that Alice has a reputation for getting things done. Ten grand in cash to break up a sex trafficking ring with minimal publicity sounds like a good deal to them. Vega and Cap have their doubts, but they are sure more Janes will start turning up dead if they walk away from the case.

Unlike some reviewers, I didn't devour this book and I didn't take to Alice Vega until about halfway through the novel. Cap is immediately likeable, in part because of his relationship with his teenage daughter Nell and in part because he's just, well, likeable. You enter into his head and his heart enough to get a sense of his fundamental decency and loyalty, as well as his weaknesses. One of my favorite scenes comes late in the book when he makes a tough, utterly realistic choice that puts Vega in danger. Oddly enough, it was that scene that sold me on his feelings for her and brought into clear focus the hard questions the novel grapples with.

As for Vega, she isn't being paid off the books because she's a nice lady and the brutality of her methods sometimes bothered me. And readers don't get a lot of her inner life. I didn't read the first novel in the series but in The Janes there isn't much about her backstory, other than that she's not exactly the relationship type. But I don't think that's a bad thing and I don't think Luna would be upset by my misgivings about Alice. Which is why the novel grew on me and continues to stay with me even after I've put the book down. The Janes gives a glimpse into the shadowy landscape of underage sex trafficking, drugs, dirty cops and a justice system that's not always just. The plot is tight and well executed, with plenty of unexpected developments and excitement. Though the story is far from pretty, I came to appreciate its gritty realism. I would definitely like to read the first book in the series and look forward to future installments.

Much thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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 .

A great follow up to the first book in the series. Alice is hired to help track down the identities of two sex trafficking victims and their killers. With the help of Cap, they find out the answers and more. There are references to the current immigration situation at the southern border, but this book was gritty at the right times and lighthearted when necessary.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc.

The Janes is the second book in the Alice Vega / Max Caplan series. When Alice is called in as a consultant on a case where 2 Jane Doe's are found dead, she asks for help from her new friend Max Caplan (aka "Cap"). Vega and Cap begin to investigate and soon find that there is more to this case than they were originally told.

I love these characters and their chemistry. They are both witty, charming, and push themselves in to the danger zone, although I feel like Max takes fewer risks since he is always thinking of his daughter Nell. There are some heavy themes in this book - sex trafficking and exploitation of minors, but it is generally fast-paced with a lot of twists. It can be read as a stand alone book, but I would recommend reading the first book Two Girls Down first to really get in to the dynamics of Vega and Cap's relationship.

I was a little nervous to read this because I didn't realize it was part of a series but this author did a great job with the writing where you don't have to read the first one. I'm definitely going to be if it's just as good as this one. This book is why I love thrillers. So suspenseful and exciting. Great book but may not he for everyone.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Private investigator duo, Alice Vega and Max Caplan are hired to investigate suspicious deaths of two unidentified teenage girls dubbed Jane One and Jane Two in southern California. Important evidence is uncovered suggesting human trafficking originating from Mexico, then a twist: the hiring police department thanks them for their service and pulls their employment. Vega and Caplan are committed to resolving the case and solve it off the grid.

Loved Louisa Luna’s Two Girls Down and was highly anticipating the next Alice Vega. The Janes met my expectations and accede them. Can’t wait to read more about Alice Vega.

4.25 STARS

In this second installment to author Louisa Luna’s Alice Vega series, “The Janes” reunites Cap and Vega in a murder investigation involving underage girls, sex trafficking, and corruption. The story unfolds slowly—a bit too slow for my personal liking—but eventually picks up speed, revealing a multi-layered story that ultimately pulled me in and kept me engaged right up until the very end.

As with the first book in this series, Alice Vega is a total badass, and her counterpart, Cap, is still the voice of reason. So, it came as no surprise to me that this quirky duo would ultimately prevail. I continued to enjoy the unique dynamic between these two and their oddly endearing relationship. Only now, I have hope that this isn’t the last we’ll see of Cap, as he is the perfect yin to Vega’s yang.

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 did indeed work as a standalone as the case wrapped up with a dark, gritty ending that was well done and 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 spend time solving cases with.

You can read my full review on January 20th at Caffeinated Reviewer. Link provided.

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 Caplan pair up to solve the murder of two unidentified Jane Doe children. The quest to find the missing underage immigrant children who were smuggled into America along with the dead girls is suspense, mystery and psychological thriller all wrapped into one great story.

Loved the strong female heroin. A little Jessica Jones: witty, brooding and courageous.

Max is the perfect balance of ex-cop: follows the rules, loves his daughter, methodical; mixed with vulnerable, strong and able to follow a strong female without being a douche.

Immediately picked up Two Girls Down for more Alice Vega!

Thanks to #NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
#TheJanes #LouisaLuna

Vega and Cap are back and I am HERE for this dynamic duo! I love the camaraderie between these two characters! This was such a fabulous, on the edge of my seat ride! I loved the mystery and the character development. The plot was well paced and gave just enough nuggets to keep me frantically turning pages. This series has become a must read for me and this installment did not disappoint! Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

OMG! I cannot even tell you how much I loved this!!
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Even though I have never read about Vega and Cap before, I can honestly say that I am addicted. So much so that I have already purchased the first book so I can get to know them from the beginning.

This is the first time I’ve read this author and I absolutely love the characters that she has created. Vega and Cap are two opposites that know how to work together and do their work a wee bit, okay, pretty far outside of legal parameters.

Finding lost children is Vega’s specialty and this story is one that you could expect to read in headline news today. It’s a sad yet startling look at sex trafficking and the fact you never know who can be involved.

The tale is intricately woven and Luna gives us a taste of Vega’s badassery. I think I’m a little in love with her, LOL. She certainly knows how to fight dirty, so be prepared for the blood and gore.

Cap holds his own with her and he is just a wee bit in love with her too. It should be interesting to see where that situation goes and how it develops in future stories.

Amazing detail with intense action and twists keep this story moving along at a quick pace. I love the fact that you really never knew what to expect, and while some details are gruesome and harsh, somehow I have no issue justifying it, given the story line.

As I mentioned before this is not the last book I’m reading by this author. I can’t wait to see what else she delivers in the future!

One looping thought: I love Alice Vega. I want to be just like her but since I can’t I want to read more books about her. That sums up how enthralling the lead character of this book is. This is a follow-up book to “Two Girls Down”, which I haven’t read but that didn’t detract from enjoying this novel (although now I HAVE to read the first novel to get my fix).
Alice Vega is a well-disciplined machine; eating and drinking only to survive, showing minimal facial expressions, with solemn and quiet thought processes. Her partner, private investigator Max Caplan is the total opposite. This creates such an amazing chemical reaction between them as they think, do, eat and sleep.
They’re hired by the police and the FBI to investigate a possible human trafficking crime. Alice digs in and becomes one with the evil: how would they think, what would they do next, etc. Max is the human element keeping Alice alive and somewhat well through the process. Together they’re quite the team, with so much more going unsaid that said.
Excellent plot, engrossing writing style, and absolutely amazing lead characters! Must have more!
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for making it available.)

Wow, wow, wow! That’s what you get when I find a book that completely keeps me up all night! Alice Vega is one bad-ass heroine whom I must find out about! - That means I’m going to go backwards to find Two Girls Down, Book 1 - to see what I can find out about her past because she is one enthralling character!

Two bodies have shown up and local police have called in Alice Vega to help them on the case. Right off the bat - police calling in PI’s? How much are they paying? Off the books? Something just doesn’t feel right but Vega’s got a reputation for finding the missing and these two Janes have NOT been identified YET! Still…..

Well, you get the picture, so Alice calls in another PI, Max Caplan, whom she knows and works well with. Together they begin to realize things aren’t necessarily adding up.

Alice fearing the case leads to human trafficking is determined to find the answers to – who these girls were and find any others before they have more Janes showing up dead in the deserts!

Absolutely a dynamite duo from this author of intelligent crime fiction!

Marilyn Rondeau