Author: K.A. Lugo
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: December 2020
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN
Description: Jack has coped through previous holidays, but this one feels different. It's been four years since he lost his family, and clues to finding those responsible have dried up. Hopelessness has him so tightly wound that he's often driven out of his claustrophobic apartment before the ever-present black dog of depression drags him to a place where there's no coming back from.
Jack wants to be left alone with his sorrow, but when he's offered double his fee by the wife of one of the city's most elite families, how can he refuse? She wants him to follow her husband, Franklin, as she suspects he's cheating and needs photos to get around the strict prenup. Franklin leads Jack across the city to The Majestic Lounge, the Castro District's most popular gay nightclub. By the time he finds Franklin, Jack is forced to break up a heated argument between him and club owner, Chad Lucas.
Lucas approaches Jack the following day, wanting to hire him for added security during the club's popular annual Drag Queen Extravaganza. The event's usual excitement is marred by the deaths of several of Lucas' friends that authorities are calling suicides. Lucas convinces Jack something more nefarious is going on and agrees to the job.
Does the city have another serial killer on its hands, one who's targeting the LGBTQ community? Can Jack find a witness? Surely in the crowded nightclub, someone must have seen something.
My Thoughts: K.A. Lugo delivers another intense thriller and a complex case for Jack Slaughter, one of the most interesting characters I have had the pleasure to get to know. Jack has not come any closer to discovering who murdered his daughter and dog or where his wife is, and I worry he may give in to his dark thoughts. I really like this character. He has suffered the worst kind of pain imaginable and it has cost him everything. In spite of that, he doesn’t take it out on those around him who care about him. He withdraws into himself and tries to stay busy taking long walks in sketchy neighborhoods at God-awful hours or have the occasional booze bender.
I really enjoyed this case Jack is hired to do, which goes beyond, way beyond, the typical husband cheating, wife needs proof so she can take him to the cleaners. I found the gay bar and drag queen backdrop very interesting and a little intriguing. Jack follows his client’s husband to The Majestic Lounge where he is known as Carol. After breaking up an argument between Carol and the club owner, Jack is hired by the club owner for security detail as several patrons of the club have died and the police are ruling them all suicides.
Jack and his former partner, Ray Navarro, team up once again to investigate these deaths as the clues and evidence do not point to suicide. This story really worked all of my emotions, anticipation, surprise, amusement and sadness and I loved seeing Ray and his wife, Maria with a sizable role in this book. You really can’t ask for better friends than these people and if Jack is ever going to find his way out of his depression, I believe these people will be part of the reason for that. The author did a brilliant job researching her subject matter and environment and gives the reader a lot to consider while putting the pieces together.
My Final Verdict: I highly recommend Witness to Slaughter to readers who enjoy intense thrillers featuring characters that are complex but easy to care about and relate to. I look forward to another adventure with Jack.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Witness to Slaughter from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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