Two Girls Down is a mystery-crime-thriller novel about an investigation into two girls who went missing from a car when their mother was in shopping.      With no leads the mother hires a bounty hunter – detective, Alice Vega.    With a police department unwilling to work with her, Alice hires ex-cop Max Caplan, who has lots of contacts.

They work together, following faint clues, false leads, and possible connections.     The dialogue between the two investigators is lively, although Alice’s character is a bit cliched.

“She had a high tolerance for pain, and a low tolerance for bullshit.”

There is lots of drama and tension which holds the reader’s interest and on the whole the story is accessible and enjoyable.    This was the first in the Alice Vega series (The Janes and Hideout followed) and sometimes the writing lacks sophistication, but if not great literature, it is an entertaining read.

Recommended on these terms.   4.2 out of 5.0 stars4.2

An audiobook sample is provided for those who may be interested: