Hooker Avenue
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Published by: Level Best Books
Release Date: April 19, 2022
Pages: 374
ISBN13: 978-1685120825
Synopsis
Being a Good Samaritan can be deadly.
Single mom and attorney Jessie Martin learns that lesson the hard way.
During a violent spring thunderstorm, Jessie discovers an unconscious woman lying in a roadside ditch and dials 911 for help. Little does she know her compassion will propel her on a collision course with her estranged best friend, Detective Ebony Jones...and one of the most shocking mysteries in the Hudson Valley.
The badly beaten victim, Lissie Sexton, is a prostitute who claims she’s escaped from the clutches of a killer. She’s also a client of Jessie’s new boss, and former nemesis, Jeremy Kaplan, and fearing for Lissie’s life, he hides her away from everyone.
Ebony is investigating a series of cold cases, and the missing women’s profiles bear a striking resemblance to Lissie’s. She’s willing to stake her career on the hunch that the battered sex worker is the key to solving the serial crimes. However, Jessie is the major obstacle to her investigation—she won’t give up Lissie’s location.
Jessie’s in a bind. She wants to help Ebony, but she can’t compromise her client, her boss, or her legal ethics.
To catch the killer, can Jessie and Ebony put aside their past? Can they persuade Lissie to identify her assailant before he strikes again on HOOKER AVENUE?
Add on GoodreadsPraise
“A worthwhile beach read for summer vacation.”
—USA Today Network
“In this ambitious sequel, Millman certainly doesn’t skimp on the action – every page seems to reveal a new drama or explain an old one, and the tale’s pace never lags.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Hooker Avenue is a solidly intriguing mystery, and the author does an excellent job of creating compelling characters that draw the reader into the narrative.”
—The BookLife Prize
“Jode Millman’s second book in the Queen City Crime Series is an intriguing and suspenseful police procedural. It’s inspired by the crimes of serial killer Kendall Francois, christened the “Poughkeepsie Killer” by the press, who murdered eight sex workers before he was caught in 1998. Blending the genres of thriller, romance, and mystery with suspense, relationships, crime, office politics, courtroom drama, and high stakes, this book will keep you engaged and entertained while giving you a fascinating look into how these complicated investigations unfold.”
—Chronogram Magazine
“HOOKER AVENUE is great for anyone searching for a fast-laced crime novel....Full of action, mystery and the search for a serial killer, HOOKER AVENUE is ideal for fans of Law & Order and Criminal Minds.”
—Booktrib.com
“Loved it! Jessie Martin is an eager lawyer who wants to help those in need, but when a victim comes between her and a new job, something’s gotta give! Kudos, Madam Millman, for another great piece. You are evolving as the series progresses and I hope things continue to advance accordingly.”
—Matt Pechey@Reedsy.com
“ Just like in horror films, when the eerie music starts and the main character heads directly into the danger zone, author Jodé Millman delivers a spine-tingling opening chapter in Hooker Avenue. Hooker Avenue delivers a riveting thriller with solid characters ready to go the distance."
—NovelsAlive.com, FIVE STARS
“Sharp writing and well-honed characters make this nearly four-hundred-page read a one-sitting page-turner. From the police station to the courtroom to Hooker Avenue the suspense never slows as characters work to find footing in their personal lives while searching for a brutal serial killer.”
—Nesiesplace.com
“Hooker Avenue by Jode Millman intrigued me right from the word go. Written by an attorney, the story is based on a true crime committed a few decades ago. Jode Millman has brought all her experience to the table and written a highly credible story with believable, likable characters. This is a many-layered story and if you love police procedurals and true crime stories, you’ll love this one.”
—Readersfavorite.com
“I grabbed Hooker Avenue because I thought the promise was interesting and it is based on a true crime but I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d enjoy the story. Ms. Millman wove a great tale that leaves me ready to grab her her previous book while eagerly anticipating the next book in the Queen City Crimes series!”
—Hottbooks.com
“Calling all true crime and murder mystery fans! If you’ve been looking for your next fix, this book (HOOKER AVENUE) 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.”
– Thewritingbarn.com
“Jode Millman’s HOOKER AVENUE is a terrific follow-up to her first novel. With her intimate knowledge of the law and her meticulous eye for detail, Millman creates an immersive and unexpected story. If you love police procedurals, you'll devour this book!"
—Karen Dionne, USA Today and #1 International Bestselling Author of THE MARSH KINGS DAUGHTER
“So many skeletons are banging on the closet doors to be set free, in this heady mix of sizzle, punch, and danger. And, even more intriguing, it’s all based on a true crime.”
—Steve Berry, International and New York Times bestselling author of THE KAISER’S WEB
“Seemingly disparate storylines converge and surprise in Millman’s second Jessie Martin novel. This outstanding exploration of the legal system and those it leaves behind is also jam-packed with enough suspense and to keep you turning pages well into the night.”
—Edwin Hill, author of THE SECRETS WE KEEP
“Hooker Avenue is a satisfying and twisty tale of estranged female friends, one a lawyer and one a cop, who are forced to collaborate when a serial killer menaces their community. Jodé Millman atmospherically weaves a tale of two cities: today’s down-on-its-luck Poughkeepsie filled with bottom-rung prostitutes and their clients, and the grand boulevards and mansions of its former Dutch and French settlers. Crime fiction at its best!”
—Deborah Goodrich Royce, author of RUBY FALLS
"Dark, dangerous and deviously suspenseful, Hooker Avenue kept me turning pages late into the night. I adored the fascinating cast of characters and the rich Hudson Valley setting. A truly terrific book!"
— Alison Gaylin, USA Today Bestselling, and Edgar Award-winning author of THE COLLECTIVE
“Great sequel! Another fast-paced and entertaining procedural by Millman who is adept at creating beautifully flawed characters you want to root for despite their failings. Reading about the continuing journeys of Jesse, Hal, and Ebony was like visiting old friends. Can't wait for the next book in the series!”
—Jerri Williams, Retired FBI Agent, Author and Host of the “FBI Retired Case Review” Podcast
“There’s a lot of action in Hooker Avenue, and Millman does a fabulous job of keeping the pace going while educating the reader on police procedures, what’s ethical, borderline, and crossing into unethical territory. I highly recommend Hooker Avenue to anyone interested in a spellbinding and thrilling read.”
—Linda Thompson, host of The Author Show podcast
“You need to read this book and I don’t say that very often!”
—Fran Lewis, BlogTalk Radio
Excerpt
Chapter One
There was no doubt about it. Jessie Martin felt a storm brewing.
Without warning, the blue sky darkened to an ominous purplish gray. A blade of lightning sliced open the sky, releasing a sudden downpour, and illuminating the Hudson Valley landscape as though it were a grainy black-and-white photograph. Seconds later, a crack of thunder shook her car.
Staring ahead through the blurry windshield, Jessie gripped the leather steering wheel as her heart mimicked the rhythm of the windshield wipers battling the deluge. It felt as though the world was ending, and all she wanted to do was get home to her boyfriend, Hal Samuels, and her baby, Lily.
