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Tequila Midnight
On the U.S./Mexico border, people disappear…
Jessica Watts has gotten less picky about the booze she’ll drink and the jobs she’ll take. But when she’s asked to find the missing heiress of a shady Mexican business mogul, the quest hits close to home for someone who hasn’t seen her parents in years…
As she delves into the investigation, this amateur detective unravels a complex web of suspense and secrets, and it’s impossible to know who to trust—is she working with those who want to find the woman or falling into the hands of those who want to keep her hidden?
Each new lead draws her deeper into the complex web of suspense and danger. When a clue leads her to Central America, Jessica thinks she’s found the answer, and maybe the missing woman, until a surprising twist takes the investigation in a new direction and forces her to confront her own haunted past.
Tequila Midnight is an electrifying suspense novel with an R-rated edge. It marks the beginning of the thrilling Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series. If you enjoy heard-pounding mysteries with a strong, flawed heroine, then you won’t want to miss this book.
Join Jessica on her thrilling investigation into the mystery of a missing person's case in the first installment of this gripping series.
Jessica Watts has gotten less picky about the booze she’ll drink and the jobs she’ll take. But when she’s asked to find the missing heiress of a shady Mexican business mogul, the quest hits close to home for someone who hasn’t seen her parents in years…
As she delves into the investigation, this amateur detective unravels a complex web of suspense and secrets, and it’s impossible to know who to trust—is she working with those who want to find the woman or falling into the hands of those who want to keep her hidden?
Each new lead draws her deeper into the complex web of suspense and danger. When a clue leads her to Central America, Jessica thinks she’s found the answer, and maybe the missing woman, until a surprising twist takes the investigation in a new direction and forces her to confront her own haunted past.
Tequila Midnight is an electrifying suspense novel with an R-rated edge. It marks the beginning of the thrilling Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series. If you enjoy heard-pounding mysteries with a strong, flawed heroine, then you won’t want to miss this book.
Join Jessica on her thrilling investigation into the mystery of a missing person's case in the first installment of this gripping series.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2023
576 people are currently reading
3478 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 15, 2023
Is there ever enough Tequila in the world? I think not.
Tequila Midnight is the gripping and exciting first book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novels by Kathryn Dodson. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
It is a crime story with cleverly woven threads to keep you invested. The pace is just right, with enough darkness, lots of danger, high on drama, plenty of suspense and palpable tension to keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages.
The fast-paced engrossing storylines have mystery and grit. It feels believable and yet sometimes disturbing. There are betrayals, grudges, questionable behaviour and redemption. It is full of violence, alcohol, dangerous thugs and thrilling twists and turns that kept me guessing all the way through.
The characters are complex and well developed enough to be interesting and likeable or dislikeable.
Journey along as Jessica follows a twisted trail right into the hands of the shady, dark and dangerous underworld where she finds she will be lucky to remain alive. But that is not all she is running from.
If you like a riveting tale, take a chance you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!
Tequila Midnight is the gripping and exciting first book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novels by Kathryn Dodson. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
It is a crime story with cleverly woven threads to keep you invested. The pace is just right, with enough darkness, lots of danger, high on drama, plenty of suspense and palpable tension to keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages.
The fast-paced engrossing storylines have mystery and grit. It feels believable and yet sometimes disturbing. There are betrayals, grudges, questionable behaviour and redemption. It is full of violence, alcohol, dangerous thugs and thrilling twists and turns that kept me guessing all the way through.
The characters are complex and well developed enough to be interesting and likeable or dislikeable.
Journey along as Jessica follows a twisted trail right into the hands of the shady, dark and dangerous underworld where she finds she will be lucky to remain alive. But that is not all she is running from.
If you like a riveting tale, take a chance you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!
November 8, 2023
Very realistic female lead
This was a fast read that had me hooked to solve the mystery. Great steam level too. Hot in more ways than one. The main female character was a sex addict and an alcoholic portrayed very realistically. I loved the exotic locations in the book, and also the relationships between the main character and the boy next door that cared about her. It was like Homeland meets Narcos Mexico.
This was a fast read that had me hooked to solve the mystery. Great steam level too. Hot in more ways than one. The main female character was a sex addict and an alcoholic portrayed very realistically. I loved the exotic locations in the book, and also the relationships between the main character and the boy next door that cared about her. It was like Homeland meets Narcos Mexico.
July 15, 2023
This book is set in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Jessica has had a pretty horrible life. Her parents abandoned her when she was 16 and she was left with family friends to oversee her teenage years. A time when she needed her parents, especially her mother, she was left. Her dad was in a lot of trouble with a bad business deal and he wanted to escape those who were after him. He didn't consider the toll on his daughter.
Jessica is now grown up and is a real estate agent settling deals between the borders. When Tomas approaches her with a new job, she is ready to take it on, especially when she hears what the payout will be. She's not quite prepared for where it may take her though. Jessica deals with the angst in her life by drinking a lot of tequila and having one night stands in bar bathrooms. Then she goes home to her best friend Angus who's dying to save her from all this turmoil.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced read. There is a lot of action taking place throughout and many times I wanted to smack Jessica because of her poor decisions. Some may disagree with me but I felt that there was a tad bit of a cliffhanger there at the end. I'll be happy to read more books in this series.
Jessica is now grown up and is a real estate agent settling deals between the borders. When Tomas approaches her with a new job, she is ready to take it on, especially when she hears what the payout will be. She's not quite prepared for where it may take her though. Jessica deals with the angst in her life by drinking a lot of tequila and having one night stands in bar bathrooms. Then she goes home to her best friend Angus who's dying to save her from all this turmoil.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced read. There is a lot of action taking place throughout and many times I wanted to smack Jessica because of her poor decisions. Some may disagree with me but I felt that there was a tad bit of a cliffhanger there at the end. I'll be happy to read more books in this series.
July 13, 2023
Jessica is a character worth rooting for.
I alternately wanted to shake her, scream at her “No! Do not do that!”, cheer for her, cry for her. But always I was engaged with her.
A woman accustomed to handling cross-border real estate transactions, Jessica takes on a job outside her area of expertise: find the missing daughter of a rich Mexican. As her investigation progresses, she discovers she doesn’t know who to trust or believe and is thrown into situations that test her wits and courage. At the same time, Jessica is fighting her own personal battles in an effort to put her past behind her.
Fast paced, twisty, and a story that shows how strong women can be.
I received an advance reader copy - my thoughts above are my honest review.
I alternately wanted to shake her, scream at her “No! Do not do that!”, cheer for her, cry for her. But always I was engaged with her.
A woman accustomed to handling cross-border real estate transactions, Jessica takes on a job outside her area of expertise: find the missing daughter of a rich Mexican. As her investigation progresses, she discovers she doesn’t know who to trust or believe and is thrown into situations that test her wits and courage. At the same time, Jessica is fighting her own personal battles in an effort to put her past behind her.
Fast paced, twisty, and a story that shows how strong women can be.
I received an advance reader copy - my thoughts above are my honest review.
July 13, 2023
The book grabbed me from the very first page and I finished it in two days. Fast paced, gripping, the suspenseful narrative flows with interesting twists and turns and kept me glued until I finished it. Jessica, with authentic flaws is lovable, strong and brave. The lie she believed all her life about her immediate family is resolved wonderfully at the end and Dodson did the transformation of the character with great care. It was a fun read snd I highly recommend this new book.
June 18, 2023
Dodson weaves a colorful tale of family betrayals, grudges, and acts of redemption in the picturesque area of El Paso-Juárez. The glittering lights of the two towns, separated by the Rio Grande River, obscure the ever-present dangers of the criminal underworld operating in the area. Hair-raising twists and turns kept me guessing until the end.
October 2, 2023
A book that explores the darker side of Texas border town life along with the heroine’s internal darkness she’s attempting to outrun. Atmospheric and fast-paced, Tequila Midnight will keep you turning pages.
September 3, 2023
Jessica is playing with fire and she needs to be wary that she doesn’t get burnt . She’s gone from real estate to delivering “paperwork “ in dark dangerous places and she’s attracted the attention of some questionable characters ….also she has a taste for Patron , girl that stuff will put hair on your chest 🫣🤪
Jessica gets approached by Velasco to find his daughter , Doraliz and much like him I can’t help but wonder if she was taken or Jeff on her own accord , I mean hello she’s more of a commodity that anything else and if I were her I’d run and when Jessica starts asking questions people don’t like it and she gets friendly warnings to leave things well alone,but she’s like a dog with a bone ….
There’s more going on in Jessica’s life other than trying to find Doraliz , there’s the drama with her folks , Angus and his feelings , her sassy friends and her four legged non judgmental housemate 🐾😍As for Doraliz she’s safe and sound but I get where her heart is at .
I enjoyed this read and Jessica may have baggage but she’s bold and brave 😉
Jessica gets approached by Velasco to find his daughter , Doraliz and much like him I can’t help but wonder if she was taken or Jeff on her own accord , I mean hello she’s more of a commodity that anything else and if I were her I’d run and when Jessica starts asking questions people don’t like it and she gets friendly warnings to leave things well alone,but she’s like a dog with a bone ….
There’s more going on in Jessica’s life other than trying to find Doraliz , there’s the drama with her folks , Angus and his feelings , her sassy friends and her four legged non judgmental housemate 🐾😍As for Doraliz she’s safe and sound but I get where her heart is at .
I enjoyed this read and Jessica may have baggage but she’s bold and brave 😉
August 30, 2023
This book is phenomenal! It’s incredibly suspenseful, and unlike a lot of suspense stories it’s a situation that seems real and plausible. The main character also has a huge character arc, and it’s wonderful to watch her work through her struggles and deal with her pain throughout the book. Additionally, this book does a wondeful job portraying love, and how it can pour out unconditionally even during hard times. I will absolutely recommend this to people and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
March 12, 2025
As someone from El Paso, Texas, I absolutely loved this book! There was mention of famous landmarks in El Paso and the culture was played out nicely. It made me miss home!
The story itself was fast-paced, and Jessica was a strong FMC. She was flawed, but aren't we all! I loved her relationship with Angus and her friends. I can't wait to read the next book! If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, then this is for you!
The story itself was fast-paced, and Jessica was a strong FMC. She was flawed, but aren't we all! I loved her relationship with Angus and her friends. I can't wait to read the next book! If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, then this is for you!
July 15, 2023
Sleuthing, betrayals and suspense
This engaging suspense novel follows Jessica as she is hired to find a missing woman and discovers more than she bargained for. There are twists and turns that had me guessing right til the end. Very well written. Highly recommend.
This engaging suspense novel follows Jessica as she is hired to find a missing woman and discovers more than she bargained for. There are twists and turns that had me guessing right til the end. Very well written. Highly recommend.
July 31, 2023
Tequila Midnight (Southwest Suspense Novels Book 1) by Kathryn Dodson is a great suspense novel.
Texas. Jessica Watts is determined not to be harmed once more. The tough cross-border trader drowns her anguish in the bottle and closes off her heart, scarred by her parents' corruption and lack of affection. But when a Mexican tycoon with questionable ties begs her to find his missing daughter, the tough-as-nails woman softens. Jessica begins her investigation by speaking with the missing woman's acquaintances, but when her probing questions result in her being battered and drugged, she worries whether she has embarked on a fool's errand. Furthermore, the tenacious detective worries that finding her target may further exacerbate the dangerous situation given that the winding trail runs from Boston to Central America.
Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. The story really brings us into their world. I couldn’t put the book down.
Texas. Jessica Watts is determined not to be harmed once more. The tough cross-border trader drowns her anguish in the bottle and closes off her heart, scarred by her parents' corruption and lack of affection. But when a Mexican tycoon with questionable ties begs her to find his missing daughter, the tough-as-nails woman softens. Jessica begins her investigation by speaking with the missing woman's acquaintances, but when her probing questions result in her being battered and drugged, she worries whether she has embarked on a fool's errand. Furthermore, the tenacious detective worries that finding her target may further exacerbate the dangerous situation given that the winding trail runs from Boston to Central America.
Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. The story really brings us into their world. I couldn’t put the book down.
August 4, 2023
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Suspenseful, crime drama, lies, deceit.... gripping as I turn each page seeing what is going to happen next....this story was fantastic. The storyline had me at the edge of my seat and gave me plenty of twists and turns along the way. I cannot wait to see more from this series.....
Jessica Watts work dealings with some very shady people..feeling like this is her way to "deal" with life in general as her upbringing only brought her pain and feeling abandoned by her own parents and the yoyo relationship with her friend Angus, trying to sort out feelings. When Jessica's boss gives her a new job with a man that is known to be very powerful, Jessica feels like this is just a job that she has to do....all Velasco wants is to know where his daughter went......what happens when the layers are pealed back on the hunt for a missing daughter and the dangers of being tied to a very powerful man...
This story is highly recommended and hard to put down. I really loved this story.
Suspenseful, crime drama, lies, deceit.... gripping as I turn each page seeing what is going to happen next....this story was fantastic. The storyline had me at the edge of my seat and gave me plenty of twists and turns along the way. I cannot wait to see more from this series.....
Jessica Watts work dealings with some very shady people..feeling like this is her way to "deal" with life in general as her upbringing only brought her pain and feeling abandoned by her own parents and the yoyo relationship with her friend Angus, trying to sort out feelings. When Jessica's boss gives her a new job with a man that is known to be very powerful, Jessica feels like this is just a job that she has to do....all Velasco wants is to know where his daughter went......what happens when the layers are pealed back on the hunt for a missing daughter and the dangers of being tied to a very powerful man...
This story is highly recommended and hard to put down. I really loved this story.
July 12, 2023
Hard livin’ woman in a hard-livin’ land
One in which systematic misogyny leads to femicide by toxic hyper-masculinity. And when Daddy has control issues…well, then hiring an out-of-control woman with Daddy issues to find his missing adult daughter might not end up as he expected.
This book reminded me of a saying about there’s a reason the windshield is larger than the rearview mirror. Jessica worries about and blames her past so much that she refuses to look towards her future. Sad…
Some sage insight from the author:
Be the one people talk about whose laughter brings joy.
‘You can discover a lot about yourself when you open yourself to new opportunities.’
Fave lines:
‘You were never a scout. And your honor is definitely questionable.’
‘A dive bar on a Thursday night could soothe the soul like nothing else.’
May we all be there for those in our lives who are hurting.
Next for me is a tequila-tasting trip in Jalisco ‘in the fields where the agaves grow’ as I await more Jessica in 2024. The author’s ‘The Podcast Chronicles’ is expected in October.
One in which systematic misogyny leads to femicide by toxic hyper-masculinity. And when Daddy has control issues…well, then hiring an out-of-control woman with Daddy issues to find his missing adult daughter might not end up as he expected.
This book reminded me of a saying about there’s a reason the windshield is larger than the rearview mirror. Jessica worries about and blames her past so much that she refuses to look towards her future. Sad…
Some sage insight from the author:
Be the one people talk about whose laughter brings joy.
‘You can discover a lot about yourself when you open yourself to new opportunities.’
Fave lines:
‘You were never a scout. And your honor is definitely questionable.’
‘A dive bar on a Thursday night could soothe the soul like nothing else.’
May we all be there for those in our lives who are hurting.
Next for me is a tequila-tasting trip in Jalisco ‘in the fields where the agaves grow’ as I await more Jessica in 2024. The author’s ‘The Podcast Chronicles’ is expected in October.
July 15, 2023
This is the first book in the Southwest Suspense novels series, and I look forward to reading the next one.
I really felt for the character of Jessica, she’s had it rough and is just trying to survive/cope as best she can. I was emotionally invested in her from the beginning and there were moments I wanted to scream at her and get her to stop or reconsider because I cared for her. A well-written character in my opinion.
The author created an action-packed story with twists and betrayal which I did not want to put down. The descriptions of the settings/scenery made me feel as if I had been there while it was happening, and the characters felt real.
I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I really felt for the character of Jessica, she’s had it rough and is just trying to survive/cope as best she can. I was emotionally invested in her from the beginning and there were moments I wanted to scream at her and get her to stop or reconsider because I cared for her. A well-written character in my opinion.
The author created an action-packed story with twists and betrayal which I did not want to put down. The descriptions of the settings/scenery made me feel as if I had been there while it was happening, and the characters felt real.
I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait for the next one.
July 27, 2023
A gripping, suspenseful crime drama which had me hooked from page one. Starting off in Texas, and Jessica Watts is determined not to get hurt again and so keeps people at arm’s length, whilst keeping the tequila near by. She’s still scarred from her parents corruption and lack of love, but the cross-border broker, known for being tough-as-nails, softens when a Mexican tycoon, with shady connections begs her to find his missing daughter. Jessica starts interviewing the missing woman’s friends but all this does is put her in danger, resulting in her being drugged and beaten.
However, Jessica is keen to carry on, even when the trail leads from Boston to Central America. Not only is she hunted by dangerous thugs but also by her own demons, but the deal maker turned detective is determined to succeed, and to survive to find peace. Jessica is a great main character, she’s stubborn, independent, tough, determined, but also haunted and drinks a bit too much tequila, all of which just makes her more likeable and relatable. The unique settings were brought vividly to life making me feel immersed in the story, whilst the fast paced storyline and plot twists kept me happily turning the pages!
However, Jessica is keen to carry on, even when the trail leads from Boston to Central America. Not only is she hunted by dangerous thugs but also by her own demons, but the deal maker turned detective is determined to succeed, and to survive to find peace. Jessica is a great main character, she’s stubborn, independent, tough, determined, but also haunted and drinks a bit too much tequila, all of which just makes her more likeable and relatable. The unique settings were brought vividly to life making me feel immersed in the story, whilst the fast paced storyline and plot twists kept me happily turning the pages!
July 12, 2023
I received this book as an ARC. I started reading it and I thought: oh no, I don't like it, this story is not for me. But I kept reading and I had to change my mind. It is a nice book. The development of the main character was good. I recommend it.
March 4, 2025
I was attracted to “Tequila Midnight” because the setting of the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez border where my mother grew up and came of age. A place with serious issues that would be ripe for a good novel. Plus, I had just finished a mid 19th century book of well over 600 pages and wanted something modern and short. At about 200 pages it still seemed it could have been shorter since it constantly repeats Jessica Watts, the main character’s, youth trauma, which we later find out she was a big contributor to. It also is repetitious on straightening up with her alcoholism and near nymphomania or not. She also vacillates constantly with her friend with benefits, Angus. The plot seemed to be propelled by her making constant bad decisions and temper. Why her circle of friends love her so much is a puzzle. Despite Jessica being 30 years old and her friends are at least that old or older, “Tequila Midnight” often reads like a YA novel with an almost miraculous YA “happy” ending. No need for AA or therapy, just hugs and a new job and career goal solves everything. Simplistic to say the least.
August 3, 2023
This was a gripping story that had me turning pages so fast. The author immediately draws you into the story and the action starts from the page. The main character Jessica is a strong determined woman but she is also hurting and carrying a lot of pain around from her childhood which she hides by drinking too much Tequila and one night stands. My heart went out to her but also to her best friend Angus who tries so hard to help her save herself and stop her destructive ways. As someone who has watched a loved one drown in drink it is part of the story I can't relate to.
Jessica is a Real Estate agent. She is used to crossing the borders and securing deals. So when she is offered a job of finding the missing daughter of a rich Mexican she thinks it will be an easy job with great payment.
As she starts to investigate she realises she knows nothing at all about this type of things and her investigating brings her to the attention of some very dangerous people. Can she find the missing girl? Will she pay for her searching with her life?
Add to this the constant battle she has already going on inside herself with demons from the past and this is because a fast paced story where Jessica doesn't know who she can trust, and who is spinning her lies.
I loved this story and I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. Jessica is an amazing character, I loved how strong and resilient she is, how determined she is to make things work and see things through no matter the cost. The author does an amazing job of showing the audience the internal struggle that Jessica goes through as she starts to fight and overcome her demons from her past.
Jessica is a Real Estate agent. She is used to crossing the borders and securing deals. So when she is offered a job of finding the missing daughter of a rich Mexican she thinks it will be an easy job with great payment.
As she starts to investigate she realises she knows nothing at all about this type of things and her investigating brings her to the attention of some very dangerous people. Can she find the missing girl? Will she pay for her searching with her life?
Add to this the constant battle she has already going on inside herself with demons from the past and this is because a fast paced story where Jessica doesn't know who she can trust, and who is spinning her lies.
I loved this story and I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. Jessica is an amazing character, I loved how strong and resilient she is, how determined she is to make things work and see things through no matter the cost. The author does an amazing job of showing the audience the internal struggle that Jessica goes through as she starts to fight and overcome her demons from her past.
July 21, 2024
Interesting.
Tequila Midnight - Working in Mexico doing real estate and other legal errands while living in El Paso, Jessica unwillingly takes a job offering a big paycheck. Interesting and suspenseful story lines while showing Jessica's fight to survive in various situations, real and in her private life. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
La Paloma - My first read by this author. I enjoyed reading this introduction to Jessica and her life in El Paso, although I wanted to know what she did with the recording. Interesting story lines and characters made for a quick read. Source: Probably BookFunnel. 4*
El Diablo - Picks up two years after Tequila Midnight ends. Interesting, intriguing, and immersing story lines and characters as Jessica fights her demons and powerful people while investigating crimes her gut and her principles won't let her give up. Source: The author. 5*
Five Tries to Get It Right - Absolutely, a book worth reading. I enjoyed this heartbreaking and heartwarming story about two friends who grew apart but returned to their friendship when one needed help. While one friend did not have the professional skills to help her best friend, she had so much love that she tried her best and did not give up. They did not always work things out calmly but through the joy, the pain, the anger and the other emotions experienced, both grew and learned lessons. There is vulgar language and some sex but this is an interesting, well written and heartfelt story. Source: The author. 5*
Tequila Midnight - Working in Mexico doing real estate and other legal errands while living in El Paso, Jessica unwillingly takes a job offering a big paycheck. Interesting and suspenseful story lines while showing Jessica's fight to survive in various situations, real and in her private life. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
La Paloma - My first read by this author. I enjoyed reading this introduction to Jessica and her life in El Paso, although I wanted to know what she did with the recording. Interesting story lines and characters made for a quick read. Source: Probably BookFunnel. 4*
El Diablo - Picks up two years after Tequila Midnight ends. Interesting, intriguing, and immersing story lines and characters as Jessica fights her demons and powerful people while investigating crimes her gut and her principles won't let her give up. Source: The author. 5*
Five Tries to Get It Right - Absolutely, a book worth reading. I enjoyed this heartbreaking and heartwarming story about two friends who grew apart but returned to their friendship when one needed help. While one friend did not have the professional skills to help her best friend, she had so much love that she tried her best and did not give up. They did not always work things out calmly but through the joy, the pain, the anger and the other emotions experienced, both grew and learned lessons. There is vulgar language and some sex but this is an interesting, well written and heartfelt story. Source: The author. 5*
August 5, 2023
Jessica calls herself a fixer. If you need property, she's your girl. Documents delivered discreetly and prompt, she's your girl. Her only rule is no drugs.
When a rich tyrant hires her to find his missing daughter, it hits a soft spot Jessica didn’t even think she still had. Her parents abandoned her when she was only 15 years old and she has been on her own since. Jessica starts to look into the disappearance of the missing girl, meeting dead end after dead end. Things are looking grim in more ways than one.
Was the missing woman kidnapped? Murdered? Or did she just escape the clutches of her controlled life living under daddy’s thumb. Jessica will find out what happened to this girl if it’s the last thing she does, even when danger strikes.
I loved Jessica’s character from the beginning. Used to being on her own, she shuts everyone out, including people who love her and want to help her. She is closed off and drowns herself in alcohol and one night stands. I loved watching her grow into a stronger woman than she already was. The author did a great job describing an emotionally damaged woman who put walls up all around herself to prevent further hurt.
The plot was also a selling point, there was intrigue and mystery everywhere you turned. Danger around every corner with the main character diving in head first.
When a rich tyrant hires her to find his missing daughter, it hits a soft spot Jessica didn’t even think she still had. Her parents abandoned her when she was only 15 years old and she has been on her own since. Jessica starts to look into the disappearance of the missing girl, meeting dead end after dead end. Things are looking grim in more ways than one.
Was the missing woman kidnapped? Murdered? Or did she just escape the clutches of her controlled life living under daddy’s thumb. Jessica will find out what happened to this girl if it’s the last thing she does, even when danger strikes.
I loved Jessica’s character from the beginning. Used to being on her own, she shuts everyone out, including people who love her and want to help her. She is closed off and drowns herself in alcohol and one night stands. I loved watching her grow into a stronger woman than she already was. The author did a great job describing an emotionally damaged woman who put walls up all around herself to prevent further hurt.
The plot was also a selling point, there was intrigue and mystery everywhere you turned. Danger around every corner with the main character diving in head first.
July 15, 2023
Tequila Midnight is a fast paced, action-packed, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat, crime novel that will keep you riveted until the very end. The story centers around a tough as nails character named Jessica who works as a broker making real estate deals across the border. She has built hard walls around herself and has a hard time letting go of the painful past she had. Jessica’s trauma has affected her life and caused her to have a hard time moving forward. When she is asked to look for the missing daughter of a Mexican crime lord her true strength is put to the test. She finds herself having to rely on her strength, courage, and wits to survive the challenges that get thrown at her as she searches for the missing girl.
The storyline was engaging, the backdrop of the story was intriguing, and the character of Jessica was one that I found myself rooting for. Jessica’s past was painful, and because of her lack of love from her parents it affected her ability to love anyone as an adult. She learned to put up walls and be tough because she was given no other choice. This book had action, suspense, drama, danger, intrigue, love, loss, angst, betrayal, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end. I highly recommend!
The storyline was engaging, the backdrop of the story was intriguing, and the character of Jessica was one that I found myself rooting for. Jessica’s past was painful, and because of her lack of love from her parents it affected her ability to love anyone as an adult. She learned to put up walls and be tough because she was given no other choice. This book had action, suspense, drama, danger, intrigue, love, loss, angst, betrayal, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end. I highly recommend!
August 4, 2023
The young woman in Tequila Midnight, Jessica, is one taut wire. Chased by a relentless drive to escape a heartbroken past, Jessica douses pain with tequila and sex when she’s not scraping together a living and a life. When the opportunity comes to make a lot of money by turning into a private eye to track down a missing young woman, she grabs it. The decision kicks the story into suspenseful highwired action. The surrounding cast of characters—from a patient true-love to feisty girlfriends to dangerous drug cartel—jostle Jessica toward finding truths: Why the young woman is missing. Why Jessica’s teen years took an abrupt turn. Why and what she’s been running from. It’s fast-paced, tense action in scene after scene for as much as Jessica’s been driven to escape, her search for the missing woman becomes a dogged search for herself. This story is a terrific achievement. It’s worth noting too that the backdrop of El Paso and Juarez as two of the book’s settings is written with a familiarity and love of place that must come straight from the author’s heart. Her details of smells and colors and light pierce the stereotype of our US/Mexico border as solely dangerous and desolate. In this story, like Jessica, it’s both rough and beautiful.
July 14, 2023
Jessica is an independent woman struggling with a hurtful past she tries to forget with booze and unattached sex with strangers she picks up in bars. She has people who love her around but refuses to let them in. She lives in El Paso, still very much like a college student despite being past that age. She's unafraid and built a reputation for brokering real estate deals for American companies across the border. But when the guy she usually works for asks her to find the disappeared daughter of a questionable business man from Ciudad Juarez, a city sadly famous for the femicide of young women trying to emancipate and challenging the macho mentality, everything changes. Jessica starts to track the daughter's movements but soon discovers things aren't as she thought when she accepted the job. A client who doesn't take no for an answer and sends his tugs to kidnap you forces Jessica to grow up, accept her responsibilities instead of whining, and mend the relationships that need to be mended. The author lived in both Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, and it shows in her realistic descriptions. Great page-turner, packed with twists and action.
July 23, 2023
Tequila Midnight
By: Kathryn Dodson
Oh my goodness, this is such an amazing story. I definitely did not want to put it down at all, I tried my best to read it in one sitting. Kathryn Dodson has created the perfect main character in Jessica Watts. Jessica Watts is quite honestly the perfect gritty heroine in my opinion. She keeps everyone at arms length and has a bit of a drinking problem. She was so relatable in so many ways to me. The setting of the borderlands is the perfect setting for this book, for Jessica Watts. It is gritty and filled with people who are escaping / hiding from something, including Jessica. She’s trying to hide from the pain of her past. She also has a dangerous job, working as a private investigator. She goes looking for a missing girl and definitely gets more than she anticipated. Jessica is the type of character that you find yourself rooting for, hoping for a happy ending, but knowing full well that you might not get it. I am glad to find out that there will be more books in this series as I truly loved this one. It had the perfect amount of suspense and grit and realism.
By: Kathryn Dodson
Oh my goodness, this is such an amazing story. I definitely did not want to put it down at all, I tried my best to read it in one sitting. Kathryn Dodson has created the perfect main character in Jessica Watts. Jessica Watts is quite honestly the perfect gritty heroine in my opinion. She keeps everyone at arms length and has a bit of a drinking problem. She was so relatable in so many ways to me. The setting of the borderlands is the perfect setting for this book, for Jessica Watts. It is gritty and filled with people who are escaping / hiding from something, including Jessica. She’s trying to hide from the pain of her past. She also has a dangerous job, working as a private investigator. She goes looking for a missing girl and definitely gets more than she anticipated. Jessica is the type of character that you find yourself rooting for, hoping for a happy ending, but knowing full well that you might not get it. I am glad to find out that there will be more books in this series as I truly loved this one. It had the perfect amount of suspense and grit and realism.
August 3, 2023
Tequila Midnight follows the journey of Jessica Watts, a real estate agent that deals in cross-border relations. The picturesque writing really sets the tone for the vastly dry desert that is El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Riddles with a dark past, Jessica takes on a job to locate Doraliz Velasco, the missing daughter of one of Mexico's richest tycoons. The case takes Watts all over the world, from Harvard campus to Belize, and back to Mexico. The journey comes at quite a price, as she is captured, beaten and drugged. While Jessica is pursuing the lost girl, she is also facing her own past demons. The only comfort she can find is at the bottom of tequila bottles and in the beds of strangers. The main character is a train wreck from the start, even before being commissioned on an impossible journey. Will she find the missing girl, and herself along the way? Will she find the answers she is looking for? Will she ever soften her heart and find love? I absolutely was drawn into this book and the constant swirl of drama and excitement over and over again. I am looking forward to reading the next one!
July 14, 2023
You won’t regret slugging back Tequila Midnight. Jessica is the quintessential hard-drinking, hard-living anti-heroine, with a strict moral code and a past she’s trying to eradicate. From the first page the reader is thrown into Jessica’s world of danger and high-stakes choices.
In the course of trying to locate a Mexican crime lord’s missing daughter, Jessica’s search takes her from El Paso to Mexico, then Belize and back. Never one to shy away from danger, Jessica’s sharp wits and courage sometimes lead her down some very murky paths and how she might find her way keeps the reader turning the pages. Equally engaging is Jessica’s personal journey: her parental issues and her unorthodox love life. Reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s lean prose Dodson’s style transports the reader to El Paso’s seedy underbelly while tempering the grimier scenes with gorgeous descriptions of the Texas landscape. I look forward to more compelling reads from this debut author.
In the course of trying to locate a Mexican crime lord’s missing daughter, Jessica’s search takes her from El Paso to Mexico, then Belize and back. Never one to shy away from danger, Jessica’s sharp wits and courage sometimes lead her down some very murky paths and how she might find her way keeps the reader turning the pages. Equally engaging is Jessica’s personal journey: her parental issues and her unorthodox love life. Reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s lean prose Dodson’s style transports the reader to El Paso’s seedy underbelly while tempering the grimier scenes with gorgeous descriptions of the Texas landscape. I look forward to more compelling reads from this debut author.
July 16, 2023
Tequila Midnight is a hard-edged mystery with lots of suspense and a memorable heroine.
Set in the borderlands, going between El Paso and Juarez, the harshness of the scenery reflects Jessica Watts’ hard-scrabble life. She’s been hurt by her parents' downfall and abandonment, and Jessica seeks to blunt the pain and find comfort tin all the wrong places — a dangerous job, the burn of tequila, and sex with strangers.
The vast harshness and dots of green hope littering the desert landscape mirror Jessica’s own journey. Will she choose the green oasis, the path of accepting her found family and love? Or will she languish in the hot as hell desert, resenting her parents, working a dangerous job that costs her more in self-worth than it will ever pay?
Watching her transformation through the novel is a joy. Pair it with suspense, a bit of grit, and scenery that jumps off the page, and Tequila Midnight is a fun read!
Set in the borderlands, going between El Paso and Juarez, the harshness of the scenery reflects Jessica Watts’ hard-scrabble life. She’s been hurt by her parents' downfall and abandonment, and Jessica seeks to blunt the pain and find comfort tin all the wrong places — a dangerous job, the burn of tequila, and sex with strangers.
The vast harshness and dots of green hope littering the desert landscape mirror Jessica’s own journey. Will she choose the green oasis, the path of accepting her found family and love? Or will she languish in the hot as hell desert, resenting her parents, working a dangerous job that costs her more in self-worth than it will ever pay?
Watching her transformation through the novel is a joy. Pair it with suspense, a bit of grit, and scenery that jumps off the page, and Tequila Midnight is a fun read!
November 26, 2023
Jessica left her home when she finished college thinking her Mom did not want her and choose to be with her Dad . Her Dad was accused of some crimes and had to wear a ankle bracelet. Most of the story takes place in Juarez and Mexica and El Paso.She worked at real estate and running important papers back and forth to Mexico. Then got a job hunting a rich mans daughter. She accepted the job due to the amount of money he was going to pay her.Angus a man who stood by Jessica no matter what. She kinda self destructed herself. With the drinking and men. Doraliz was missing.On her own or because someone held her against her will. So Jessica started out with not so good results. Then she goes to Mexico where there was a high rate of missing woman all the time. From there to get to other places out of the county. Cant really say much more or I will give to much away.The ending was finally her choice for her life.
July 16, 2023
This was such a great book and I am so excited to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Jessica was such a wonderful character. Initially she comes across as a kick-butt hard working woman, who takes what she wants and makes no apologies for her choices, but as the pages continued to turn, you slowly start to see the cracks in the armor she has built around her. The assignment she takes, to locate a missing woman, takes her on a journey of self discovery. Jessica has a lot of demons to contend with, both from her past and her current life. I loved that she had such an amazing support group of friends and I loved her pup Tela! This was definitely a fast paced story that I couldn't put down! It definetely held me in suspense and had so many twist and turns. A fantstic read with an awesome heroine!
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