Hooker avenue

Hooker Avenue

Stress and anguish can lead you to reacting to situations that can embroil you and cause you even more anxiety. Driving in anger in the pouring rain Jessie Martin spots something she decides to explore. Getting closer and and trying to see who or what fell down a roadside ditch. Calling for help she learns her name is Lissie Sexton a local prostitute with a crass and brash attitude and personality. Claiming her client was responsible for her injuries plus her abusive boyfriend taking all of her money, she presents an unusual picture and yet for some reason Jessie wants to help her. Taking her to the hospital and hoping to get her to safety but just when she thinks the situation is under control Lissie disappears. Jessie is a criminal defense attorney newly hired by Jeremy Kaplan and becomes enveloped in more than just finding Lissie but in the disappearance of 2 others. A past friendship would unravel her life as her former teacher, mentor, and friend, Terrence betrayed her costing her accused her of violating his attorney-client privilege. It impacted her license and Kyle had called the police and admitted it under oath at the pre-trial hearing to dismiss the charges against Terrence. She was exonerated but her job was gone. Kyle her fiancee gone too and possibly her life and almost her child. 

Jessie becomes involved in the case through her lifelong friend Ebony the detective on the case. Hoping to question Lissie, she’s gone. With her partner Zander, and the phones and laptops plus other evidence they find, Ebony and Zander go on a quest to find Lissie. Lizzie feels she’s wrongly accused and her answers and timeline of events are off. Jessie’s mother needles and is close to Kyle and wants her to go back to him. He’s controlling and demanding which is why she is seeing Hal the DA and perfect for her but tensions rise and her new job might create a chasm between them. Added in we have Jessie’s daughter and now her relationship with Ebony hoping to solve what happened to the three victims of this serial rapist. 

But, Ebony is right on the mark but gets a dress down from her boss who finally might see the light. 

What he setting is Mid Hudson Valley towns Poughkeepsie, Milbrook, New Paltz and New Hyde Park. Resources in the police department are sparse and how does the police or upper powers decide on the manpower and resources to search for a serial killer where the workers or victims are prostitutes. Placed in a hardcore place both Jessie and Ebony face moral and ethical issues but how will they join forces to find the missing girls? Based on a real life case from 25 years ago the author created a true yo life heartbreaking plot line that enveloped readers into the lives of both Jessie and Ebony, the jobs and restrictions, personal relationships and the terrifying thought that Terrence might try and take it all away from Jessie again if she does not get help from someone . 

The scenes that follow are tension filled as Hal takes on the mayor, chief, Jessie,Jeremy and the police detectives in order to establish a task force to find this serial rapist:killer as evidence comes to light about more victims and more cases. Will they finally allocate the staff and funds but what Jessie does next will turn the investigation in a whole new direction as threats are made if she does not reveal where Lissie is to the police but her boss stands firm but her actions take it in a whole different direction. Will Lissie testify and what does Jessie do to get the upper hand and will her wild demands be met? Author Jode Millman takes us deep inside the mind of this young woman who’s street smart, naive about real life and yet smart enough to outfox the man trying to keep her down and determined to bring her rapist and attacker to justice and more. 

With Lissie’s testimony and identification of the killer what happens next is bone chilling as they question the suspect and his words are cold, heartless and defends his actions blaming it on the girls he raped and justifies his motives and more. But someone wants Hal out if the way and her job back will he take her down? Where does Jessie go from here and will Lissie find her path? 

The ending and what happened to the victims is horrifying and the evil killer is where he belongs but Jessie has more demons to put to rest and both Ebony and Zander’s time together might come to an end when changing directions might be in their future. What about Jessie and Hal? What changes are taking place as some endings are new beginnings . The author brings yo light the importance of understanding that abused and violated women need to be treated and protected and professional ethics, morals and sticking to your convictions and not backing down as Jessie and Ebony begin to asses their actions, motives and friendship as the killer is brought to justice to those who lost their lives on Hooker Avenue. Told through many voices Jessie, Lissie and those whose voices were silent yet heard when they were found in horrific ways, the author brings to light the importance of parents staying aware of their teens interactions and whereabouts as this book was based on a real life case from 25,years ago. 

Fran Lewis just reviews