By WB Intern Arub Butt
Summary: HOOKER AVENUE is the second book in the Queen City Crimes series which sees the return of attorney Jessie Martin in upstate New York’s Hudson Valley. Jessie is on her way home during a pop-up thunderstorm when she spots a woman drowning in a storm drain. She pulls over to save the woman — only to discover that no good deed goes unpunished.
Jessie’s former best friend, Detective Ebony Jones, responds to the scene. Ebony and her partner are investigating a string of disappearances of sex workers, and the assault matches the other crimes with one difference: The victim is still alive. Before Jessie can make amends with Ebony, she’s thrown into a dilemma. A former rival has offered her a job at his law firm, and as an unemployed single mother, she can’t say no. But this also means she can’t help Ebony with her case. Jessie’s employer is now the attorney of record for the victim, Lissie Sexton, and Lissie has gone into hiding, which places the two old friends on opposite sides of the law.
As the evidence builds, Jessie’s personal life goes into a tailspin. She’s being stalked by the killer she helped put away, and the man in her life is ready to take their relationship to the next level. With her allegiance being pulled in every direction and horrific revelations coming to light, will Jessie be able to figure out where her loyalties lie and stop another killer plaguing the Hudson Valley before her own life hangs in the balance?
Calling all true crime and murder mystery fans! If you’ve been looking for your next fix, this book is perfect for you. Inspired by a true story, the second installment of Queen City Crimes is a gripping, shocking tale that will leave you itching for more. Jodé Millman’s use of suspense and vivid imagery of the characters’ journeys allows for deep immersion and investment. Underlying tensions from the first novel are present throughout, giving the reader a sense of depth to the story and the characters from the first page — a feeling that is only expanded upon as the story continues.
We had the chance to read an early copy of Hooker Avenue thanks to author Jodé Millman. Her technique of ending each chapter on a note of suspense was essential in creating an atmosphere of mystery and tension. Watching the complicated relationships between each character crescendo into arguments, reconciliations, and confrontations that didn’t always end the way you anticipated was an interesting look at human nature, and the ways we can influence our relationships with others. The mystery of the case continued to build, pulling on little details throughout the story such as the character’s insecurities or their reasoning behind a certain habit, creating a pay-off that was at once surprising and satisfying.
Hooker Avenue is inspired by the true story of a serial killer who was active in Poughkeepsie in the late 90s. According to local news, over a span of three years, eight sex workers went missing in the Poughkeepsie area. The suspected killer, Kendall Francois, was only discovered after one of his victims, Christina Sala, was able to escape and tell her story, bringing an end to Francois’s horrific crimes.
Millman’s Hooker Avenue proceeds in a similar vein, where Lawyer Jessie finds a sex worker, Lissie, near drowning in a storm drain. After bringing Lissie in for her statement, the police’s attention is drawn to Lissie’s background and who she works for. In conjunction with Detective Ebony, Jessie’s former friend, who is assigned to the case, they piece together enough to open a cold case on the subject of missing women who were disappearing from Hooker Avenue, a street infamous for the sex workers that would populate the street. The story was also inspired by Millman’s own experience of women being trafficked outside of her law office and taps into that disturbing time in her life in order to create a riveting tale of mystery, intrigue, love, and loss.
As a massive murder mystery fan, this book ticked all the right boxes. Suspense, endless questions, compelling yet complex backstories, and a hint of romance tie the story together into an enthralling read. Being all too familiar with the “just one more chapter” complex until the birds are suddenly chirping in the early morning, this book was no exception — a classic page-turner that had me guessing until the end. I would recommend this book to my fellow murder mystery lovers, true crime aficionados, and anyone who is looking for a read that is sure to enrapture you.
Hooker Avenue will be released on April 19th, 2022! Information on where to buy a copy can be found here.
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About the blogger
Arub Butt has a BA in Political Science and History from Bryn Mawr College with a program concentration in children’s book writing. She’s from New Jersey, and when she’s not feverishly writing her next research paper she can be found doing photography, journaling, or ice skating.