The Janes

by Louisa Luna
Published by Penguin Random House
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

Tavia Gilbert reprises her narration of Luna’s thriller series featuring private investigators Alex Vega and Max “Cap” Caplan. The duo reunite on a case involving murdered young Latinx girls in San Diego. Hired covertly by the police department, the investigators become embroiled in layers of intrigue as their search descends into the bowels of human trafficking. Gilbert translates textual cues into keen portrayals of both protagonists and the supporting cast, connecting listeners with an authenticity that amplifies the emotional stakes involved with the case. Vega’s calm efficiency paired with Cap’s less reserved reactions balance weighty emotional content and difficult subject matter. The pacing increases as the story approaches the climactic final scenes. Though the case achieves resolution, the answers are far from easy.—AudioFile Magazine