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Peyton Brooks' Mystery #2
Murder in the Tenderloin
For years Peyton has struggled to put her father’s murder behind her, but her latest case brings it all back. When two hookers are found with the mutilated body of a notorious gangbanger, Peyton and her partner, Marco, are pulled into a world of violence, sex, and drugs that might engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war. And as Peyton comes to realize, sometimes the monsters we most fear are real.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
84 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Hamilton
114 books424 followersML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 28, 2015
very good book
This is the second book in this series I have read and so far the best
There is a lot of emotion in this one as Peyton has to deal with her past horrors. I really like how much emotion of true friendship is shared between Peyton& her friends Marco, Abe and Jake.
This book kept me turning the page not wanting to stop as these four deal with life in the cop world and bring down a cartel.
It is also good to see such s cop as Peyton to remind us that they are human too. They have hard decisions to make and big hearts that get hurt too.
Am looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
This is the second book in this series I have read and so far the best
There is a lot of emotion in this one as Peyton has to deal with her past horrors. I really like how much emotion of true friendship is shared between Peyton& her friends Marco, Abe and Jake.
This book kept me turning the page not wanting to stop as these four deal with life in the cop world and bring down a cartel.
It is also good to see such s cop as Peyton to remind us that they are human too. They have hard decisions to make and big hearts that get hurt too.
Am looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
January 24, 2025
Far better than the previous one!
October 5, 2015
Good mystery.
Peyton Brooks character is strong woman and has a big heart. Underage girls pushed into prostitution, but one with great faith. Cartels in war, greed and revenge.
Peyton Brooks character is strong woman and has a big heart. Underage girls pushed into prostitution, but one with great faith. Cartels in war, greed and revenge.
January 16, 2018
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
Book 2 in the Peyton Brooks' Mystery series is as involving as the first one. The plot evolves around a murder of a gang member so we get an insight into the brutality of life in areas where street gangs are a harsh reality. The dual narration - of the present, with the investigation going on, and of the past - told from the point of view of an innocent girl who got pulled into the world of prostitution, violence and drug trafficking - adds a lot of dynamics to the story and keeps the reader/listener involved emotionally into what is going on.
Peyton shows her more vulnerable side in this installment of her adventures, when she decides to somehow atone for what she and the police did to Jake (a murder suspect from Book 1) by offering him a new job and accommodation. She also turns out to have a very strong protective streak in her, which comes to the surface in some unexpected situations:)
Generally, it's a very good, fast paced police thriller with some great action moments but also some really emotional scenes (I admit, I shed some tears, too).
As for the narration, I have already mentioned a few times that I generally like Ms Hazen's way of reading, though I sometimes have problems with some of the voices she gives the characters from the book. This is one of such cases: some voices, both male and female this time, just sounded a little too strange and unnatural. Other than that, it's a very good interpretation, as usual.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Book 2 in the Peyton Brooks' Mystery series is as involving as the first one. The plot evolves around a murder of a gang member so we get an insight into the brutality of life in areas where street gangs are a harsh reality. The dual narration - of the present, with the investigation going on, and of the past - told from the point of view of an innocent girl who got pulled into the world of prostitution, violence and drug trafficking - adds a lot of dynamics to the story and keeps the reader/listener involved emotionally into what is going on.
Peyton shows her more vulnerable side in this installment of her adventures, when she decides to somehow atone for what she and the police did to Jake (a murder suspect from Book 1) by offering him a new job and accommodation. She also turns out to have a very strong protective streak in her, which comes to the surface in some unexpected situations:)
Generally, it's a very good, fast paced police thriller with some great action moments but also some really emotional scenes (I admit, I shed some tears, too).
As for the narration, I have already mentioned a few times that I generally like Ms Hazen's way of reading, though I sometimes have problems with some of the voices she gives the characters from the book. This is one of such cases: some voices, both male and female this time, just sounded a little too strange and unnatural. Other than that, it's a very good interpretation, as usual.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 2, 2024
Peyton Brooks is at it again! This time she and her studly partner, Marco, are investigating the murder of a notorious gangster. They almost don’t catch him because they are politically correct and refuse to look at a person of interest because of potential racial profiling.
So this story touches on young girls being trafficked into prostitution and how it can look from the inside.
It touches on the lure of easy money and peer acceptance to explain how easy it is to get a young man to exploit women, leading to them being trapped into prostitution.
It touches on the difficulty of law enforcement professionals in catching the bosses, and how difficult it can be for them to remain detached when confronted with the victims of trafficking and related crimes such as drug distribution etc.
Sometimes the problems seem overwhelming but with the support of the team of law professionals who make up the characters in this story, these intrepid individuals soldier on until either justice is served or the criminals kill each other.
Yay law, yay justice.
So this story touches on young girls being trafficked into prostitution and how it can look from the inside.
It touches on the lure of easy money and peer acceptance to explain how easy it is to get a young man to exploit women, leading to them being trapped into prostitution.
It touches on the difficulty of law enforcement professionals in catching the bosses, and how difficult it can be for them to remain detached when confronted with the victims of trafficking and related crimes such as drug distribution etc.
Sometimes the problems seem overwhelming but with the support of the team of law professionals who make up the characters in this story, these intrepid individuals soldier on until either justice is served or the criminals kill each other.
Yay law, yay justice.
July 5, 2020
Redemption is a big theme in this volume. Peyton seeks redemption for the destruction of an innocent man's life, which was huge for me because I reacted very negatively to the tactics used against him in the previous volume. Her father's killer seeks his own form of redemption for both the life he lived and his panicked decision to fire at Peyton's father. A pair of prostitutes seek redemption for their various sins. Only two will have happy endings, but even the two that don't have a feeling of closure to them. This was very well done.
In the process, we learn more about who Peyton is as a person. We see how close her friendships are, and we even get some insight into her Achilles' heel. She feels more and more like a real person, as do those around her. I'm even starting to like Maria, whose snark is clearly worse than her bite.
But I hate the Reverend. Read it - you'll know exactly what I mean.
In the process, we learn more about who Peyton is as a person. We see how close her friendships are, and we even get some insight into her Achilles' heel. She feels more and more like a real person, as do those around her. I'm even starting to like Maria, whose snark is clearly worse than her bite.
But I hate the Reverend. Read it - you'll know exactly what I mean.
June 20, 2021
#2 in the hard nose, caustic Peyton Brooks and her partner Marco D’Angelo San Francisco Police detectives mystery series.
For years Peyton has struggled to put her father’s murder behind her, but her latest case brings it all back. When two hookers are found with the mutilated body of a notorious gangbanger, Peyton and her partner, Marco, are pulled into a world of violence, sex, and drugs that might engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war.
A secondary issue is Peyton dealing with Jake Ryder a carry over from the previous Murder on Potrero Hill mystery. He was completely innocent, but when a wife is murdered, the husband is usually responsible, so Peyton and partner rush to judgement and completely destroy his life. Peyton feels guilty so seeks to help get get his life back together.
For years Peyton has struggled to put her father’s murder behind her, but her latest case brings it all back. When two hookers are found with the mutilated body of a notorious gangbanger, Peyton and her partner, Marco, are pulled into a world of violence, sex, and drugs that might engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war.
A secondary issue is Peyton dealing with Jake Ryder a carry over from the previous Murder on Potrero Hill mystery. He was completely innocent, but when a wife is murdered, the husband is usually responsible, so Peyton and partner rush to judgement and completely destroy his life. Peyton feels guilty so seeks to help get get his life back together.
June 5, 2025
3.5. The crime involves human trafficking of minors. There's nothing graphic, but the subject matter is there. Magdalena's story jumps around in the timeline more than was easy to follow. I didn't get completely lost, but I was confused. I'm not sure I understand who shot who when, but I'm noticing that details get shifted and not everything actually fits together.
Jake from the last book is back. He's a broke bank teller in this one. As he was exonerated in the last book, he would have received his wife's life insurance and probably her father's estate unless the man had relatives aside from his daughter, but this story needed him down and out so we're ignoring that.
We'll see what the next book focuses on. They are easy stories to fall into. Good flow. The clues keep coming, the ending is easy to see ahead of time, but you have to wonder how we're going to get there.
Jake from the last book is back. He's a broke bank teller in this one. As he was exonerated in the last book, he would have received his wife's life insurance and probably her father's estate unless the man had relatives aside from his daughter, but this story needed him down and out so we're ignoring that.
We'll see what the next book focuses on. They are easy stories to fall into. Good flow. The clues keep coming, the ending is easy to see ahead of time, but you have to wonder how we're going to get there.
July 31, 2021
Wow, what an action packed story!
Inspector Peyton Brooks comes face to face with her father’s murderer as part of her latest case. Prostitution, drugs, gangs... this case has it all. It might just be the case that breaks her.
I couldn’t put this book down. M. L. Hamilton kept the plot moving and the suspense kept me fully engaged.
Ms. Hazen once again gave a fantastic performance. I swear when I listen to her narrations, it’s like watching a movie in my head. She truly understands the characters and brings out their emotions and personalities perfectly.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Inspector Peyton Brooks comes face to face with her father’s murderer as part of her latest case. Prostitution, drugs, gangs... this case has it all. It might just be the case that breaks her.
I couldn’t put this book down. M. L. Hamilton kept the plot moving and the suspense kept me fully engaged.
Ms. Hazen once again gave a fantastic performance. I swear when I listen to her narrations, it’s like watching a movie in my head. She truly understands the characters and brings out their emotions and personalities perfectly.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
May 30, 2018
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and it was great. This is the second book in this series and I really enjoyed it. The character are unique and unpredictable with a fast moving plot. A call to the rough part of San Francisco get Peyton and Marco involved with the DEA and the man that murdered Peyton's father. They soon find out nothing is as it appears as the investigation advances. This series just grabs you and won't let go and you'll find yourself listening much longer then you intended. Looking forward to book three.
February 9, 2021
Murder in the Tenderloin (Peyton Brooks' Mystery #2) was a good read by M.L. Hamilton. Peyton has had a hard time putting her father's murder behind her. Unfortunately her new case brings it all back. Peyton and Marco are pulled into a world of violence, sex and drugs. This may all engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series.
December 17, 2021
De como uma garota de 14 anos, forçada a se prostituir, consegue detonar uma organização criminosa complexa e extremamente perigosa, e de como isso vai afetar a vida da protagonista, a detetive Peyton Brooks. Até agora, foi o livro da série de que mais gostei, apesar das tensões naturais deste tipo de narrativa.
October 13, 2023
I was lucky enough to have met the author at the State fair a couple of years ago. At that time I bought Murder in the Painted Lady, and the first in the Peyton Brooks series, Murder on Potrero Hill. I now have the full set and are looking forward to reading them all. The characters are great, and so are the storylines.
February 28, 2018
Brooks investigation takes into the drug Cartel, while trying to build a relationship with Devon the DA. Devon and her partner Marco are not crazy about her new roommate Jake who Brook feels guilty about how she has handled the investigation of his wife’s murder and ruined his life.
June 25, 2021
Enjoyed; nice to read about San Francisco as I lived there for several years. I have read some very graphic mystery novels, including the psychopathy graphic detailed ones. Nice to read a mystery without all the graphic details. Still a mystery and like his writing.
June 19, 2023
I admit that reading the first book in this series, I did not like the character Payton. Now that I've read this, the third book, I find that I like Peyton very much. The rest of the characters are good as well.
July 28, 2023
This was one heck of a vicious story. Mostly set in San Francisco and with the same characters from the previous books in this series, it included a Mexican cartel and makes the main character confront issues she doesn't want to confront but it also has a lot of redemption as a main theme.
February 28, 2025
Emotion packed
Hamilton writes a fast moving, action packed police procedural crime story enveloping readers in the seedy side of life in the SF tenderloin district. Inspector Peyton Brooks' emotions are torn between current loves and past grief impacted by gang horror.
Hamilton writes a fast moving, action packed police procedural crime story enveloping readers in the seedy side of life in the SF tenderloin district. Inspector Peyton Brooks' emotions are torn between current loves and past grief impacted by gang horror.
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June 1, 2020Look up the five Peyton Brook books
December 18, 2022
I really thought I hated the first book. I don’t know why I went ahead and read the second. All I can say is the first book sets up the second book and it was excellent. I am so glad I did.
June 16, 2023
This one was a better read by Hamilton and I think it's because of the compassionate characters she introduced in Venus and Magdalena.
September 26, 2020
Volume 2 of 0 - 7 Volume Set I am reading I won from Goodreads Giveaway on Amazon Kindle. I loved this book, did not want to put it down but I had to sleep! Would you believe Jake returns in this book! It also could be a warning when a teenager wants to run away from home and the horrible consequences it could have! GANGS are horrible! Mean, mindless people for money. Cartel from Mexico! BAD, BAD, BAD! All the characters return and are so fun!
March 26, 2019
I really started to get an interest in Peyton and Marco in this one. Got me wanting to read more.
June 21, 2014
Book #2 in The Peyton Brooks Mystery series was a tough one. The heroine is young, misguided. You can follow her demise as it happens. But her resurrection is stupendous. We begin in TENDERLOIN to really understand the impact of the character world vs. the mystery world in ML Hamilton's work.
This was my first series work and so the first time I was able to revisit characters and deepen their awareness of themselves and the world around them as well as their relationships to each other. I believe ML and I have grown together as these stories unfold.There is wry, worldly tone to the audiobooks that we think exactly reflects the lives and vision of the characters within.
I get lost in these stories as I record them and I believe you will too as you listen.
Catch a glimpse of the world of the San Francisco crime fighters with this excerpt on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/bruce-kelley-3...
This was my first series work and so the first time I was able to revisit characters and deepen their awareness of themselves and the world around them as well as their relationships to each other. I believe ML and I have grown together as these stories unfold.There is wry, worldly tone to the audiobooks that we think exactly reflects the lives and vision of the characters within.
I get lost in these stories as I record them and I believe you will too as you listen.
Catch a glimpse of the world of the San Francisco crime fighters with this excerpt on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/bruce-kelley-3...
December 25, 2021
I listened to this on audio book. Still not happy with the voices but this was moderately better than book one. This has a spoiler for book one.
Had a hard time keeping the bad guys straight. I don't know spanish and it all sounds alike.
This is probably a listening vs reading problem.
The plot was interesting, but I was unable to fathom how she managed to interview the San Quentin convict who killed her father.
Not believable. Your mileage may vary.
Had a hard time keeping the bad guys straight. I don't know spanish and it all sounds alike.
This is probably a listening vs reading problem.
The plot was interesting, but I was unable to fathom how she managed to interview the San Quentin convict who killed her father.
Not believable. Your mileage may vary.
February 11, 2015
really kept me wanting to know more.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews