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Vegas Shadows #2
The Night Collector
Edgar nominee Victor Methos delivers the next high-stakes case for Detective Lazarus Holloway and Piper Danes, where a kidnapping at a Vegas chapel unveils a sinister plot that hits close to home.
The abduction of two teenagers from their Vegas wedding isn’t a case Detective Lazarus Holloway wants to take—it’s one he has to take. His only clue is a bracelet, etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance—two things the detective is familiar with.
With no other leads, Lazarus enlists the help of guardian ad litem Piper Danes. They’ve got a complicated history, but Piper shares his compulsion to save children in need, no matter the personal cost. Unfortunately, that cost gets higher with every new revelation.
As they tread further into the dangerous network surrounding the case, secrets from Lazarus’s past follow close behind. He soon finds himself entangled with the players in this game of life, death, and disappearances. And if he can’t figure out how he fits in, there may be no getting out…
The abduction of two teenagers from their Vegas wedding isn’t a case Detective Lazarus Holloway wants to take—it’s one he has to take. His only clue is a bracelet, etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance—two things the detective is familiar with.
With no other leads, Lazarus enlists the help of guardian ad litem Piper Danes. They’ve got a complicated history, but Piper shares his compulsion to save children in need, no matter the personal cost. Unfortunately, that cost gets higher with every new revelation.
As they tread further into the dangerous network surrounding the case, secrets from Lazarus’s past follow close behind. He soon finds himself entangled with the players in this game of life, death, and disappearances. And if he can’t figure out how he fits in, there may be no getting out…
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
1266 people are currently reading
3286 people want to read
About the author
Victor Methos
75 books2,100 followersVictor Methos is the Edgar Award nominated bestselling author of over forty novels. He has been a criminal and civil rights lawyer in the Mountain West, conducting over 100 trials, and produces two books a year with his dog Fraiser by his side.
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August 25, 2025
Victor Methos returns with the second book in the legal and crime thriller Vegas Shadows series.
The Night Collector
once again features Detective Lazurus Halloway who now works for the Las Vegas’s Criminal Intelligence Unit and Piper Danes, who was once an endangered youth and is now a court-appointed representative who acts on behalf of children or vulnerable adults in legal proceedings.
In this case, two teenagers are abducted from their Vegas wedding. It’s not a case Lazarus wants to take, but circumstances cause him to do so. He enlists Piper’s help to represent the bride-to-be, fifteen-year-old Keri Bines in her absence. Their first clue is a bracelet found at the crime scene etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance. As Lazarus and Piper investigate, secrets abound, including some from Lazurus’s past. Will the two teens survive? Will justice be served?
Piper is good at connecting with children and has a compulsion to save children in need. She’s empathetic with victims, smart, curious, kindhearted, and driven. She wants to prove that she and others can make a difference in the world. However, she is often guarded around adults and hates managing people. Lazarus is blunt, logical, sees the world as a puzzle to be solved, and passionate about his job. He finds patterns in data that others miss and is good at piecing together hidden connections and has a photographic memory. Judge Hope Dawson makes a return in this novel behind the scenes. She’s smart, has both a medical degree and a legal degree, and comes from a wealthy and influential family. A few other characters from book one return as well. Each of the main characters has flaws that make them more realistic and relatable, but not always likeable.
The fact that the lawyer (Piper) was neither the prosecutor nor a defense attorney added a different twist on the usual legal thriller. Much of the initial portion of the book is centered on the investigation. This is followed by the trial and aftermath. There’s also plenty of action and the seamless changes of points of view work well.
This medium-paced story gripped me from beginning to end with its well-crafted plot and great characterization. The author does a great job building suspense until it culminates in a volatile conclusion. Shocking scenes and information provide a counterpoint to the suspense, investigation and trial. It’s a story with plenty of layers, some of which are quite dark and disturbing. It’s unsettling at times and didn’t have the thoughtful moments to balance this as the first book in the series did. The book was a page-turner that kept me engaged throughout the storyline. However, I didn’t like the ending. While the case is resolved, I didn’t like some aspects of it and there is a major situation that is left up in the air.
Overall, this thriller was suspenseful, tragic, and intense. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Combining a police procedural, child advocacy, a mystery, charged and intense courtroom scenes, and an action-packed ending makes this novel a must read for those who enjoy legal and crime thrillers with a dark twist and characters that aren’t always likeable.
Thomas and Mercer and Victor Methos provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 16, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.13 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
In this case, two teenagers are abducted from their Vegas wedding. It’s not a case Lazarus wants to take, but circumstances cause him to do so. He enlists Piper’s help to represent the bride-to-be, fifteen-year-old Keri Bines in her absence. Their first clue is a bracelet found at the crime scene etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance. As Lazarus and Piper investigate, secrets abound, including some from Lazurus’s past. Will the two teens survive? Will justice be served?
Piper is good at connecting with children and has a compulsion to save children in need. She’s empathetic with victims, smart, curious, kindhearted, and driven. She wants to prove that she and others can make a difference in the world. However, she is often guarded around adults and hates managing people. Lazarus is blunt, logical, sees the world as a puzzle to be solved, and passionate about his job. He finds patterns in data that others miss and is good at piecing together hidden connections and has a photographic memory. Judge Hope Dawson makes a return in this novel behind the scenes. She’s smart, has both a medical degree and a legal degree, and comes from a wealthy and influential family. A few other characters from book one return as well. Each of the main characters has flaws that make them more realistic and relatable, but not always likeable.
The fact that the lawyer (Piper) was neither the prosecutor nor a defense attorney added a different twist on the usual legal thriller. Much of the initial portion of the book is centered on the investigation. This is followed by the trial and aftermath. There’s also plenty of action and the seamless changes of points of view work well.
This medium-paced story gripped me from beginning to end with its well-crafted plot and great characterization. The author does a great job building suspense until it culminates in a volatile conclusion. Shocking scenes and information provide a counterpoint to the suspense, investigation and trial. It’s a story with plenty of layers, some of which are quite dark and disturbing. It’s unsettling at times and didn’t have the thoughtful moments to balance this as the first book in the series did. The book was a page-turner that kept me engaged throughout the storyline. However, I didn’t like the ending. While the case is resolved, I didn’t like some aspects of it and there is a major situation that is left up in the air.
Overall, this thriller was suspenseful, tragic, and intense. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Combining a police procedural, child advocacy, a mystery, charged and intense courtroom scenes, and an action-packed ending makes this novel a must read for those who enjoy legal and crime thrillers with a dark twist and characters that aren’t always likeable.
Thomas and Mercer and Victor Methos provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 16, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.13 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
September 15, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book two of the Vegas Shadows series.
Today we celebrate the wedding of Keri and Blake! A young couple still in their teens, but determined to be married and start their lives together.
But during the festivities the wedding is crashed, and I mean that literally! A car plows through the venue where the wedding guests are seated, killing one person, then proceed to drag our bride and groom into the trunk of the car and speed off!
Detective Lazarus Holloway is tasked with helping in the investigation. But this kidnapping may hit a little too close for comfort for our detective.
Also assisting is Piper Danes, guardian ad litem assigned to Keri.
Will Lazarus and Piper find the newlyweds before it’s too late? The bigger question may be, was this a random kidnapping? Or were the teens actually targeted?
What I enjoyed:
🌵Both Lazarus and Piper’s characters were very well developed.
🌵The action was nonstop and the question of ‘to what end’ was constantly playing on my mind throughout the book.
🌵A book three on the horizon?
What left me wanting more:
🍃There were characters and side stories briefly mentioned but never fully presented. Just felt odd, as though something was missing. I kept waiting for them to make an appearance and they never did. (Strange.)🤷🏻♀️
🍃 The ending / final reveal. I expected a “wow” moment but only felt an “oh”.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
Book two of the Vegas Shadows series.
Today we celebrate the wedding of Keri and Blake! A young couple still in their teens, but determined to be married and start their lives together.
But during the festivities the wedding is crashed, and I mean that literally! A car plows through the venue where the wedding guests are seated, killing one person, then proceed to drag our bride and groom into the trunk of the car and speed off!
Detective Lazarus Holloway is tasked with helping in the investigation. But this kidnapping may hit a little too close for comfort for our detective.
Also assisting is Piper Danes, guardian ad litem assigned to Keri.
Will Lazarus and Piper find the newlyweds before it’s too late? The bigger question may be, was this a random kidnapping? Or were the teens actually targeted?
What I enjoyed:
🌵Both Lazarus and Piper’s characters were very well developed.
🌵The action was nonstop and the question of ‘to what end’ was constantly playing on my mind throughout the book.
🌵A book three on the horizon?
What left me wanting more:
🍃There were characters and side stories briefly mentioned but never fully presented. Just felt odd, as though something was missing. I kept waiting for them to make an appearance and they never did. (Strange.)🤷🏻♀️
🍃 The ending / final reveal. I expected a “wow” moment but only felt an “oh”.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
October 8, 2025
1/10: 1⭐️ 😑.
Holy cow I hate to do that! I don’t even want to review this book even though I kind of have one written out. (Which I will most likely not end up using.)
I thought there was a depressing undertone to this book, but it wasn’t an undertone it was full blown just depressing. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t really like any of them.
I just deleted a bunch of stuff because this book put me in a foul mood and it was completely reflected in what I wrote. And that seems rather unfair to anyone that reads this. I don’t want to affect anyone’s mood with all of my negativity! But wow I should have dnf’d this and just skipped ahead to see if I was right about something. (I was). Shoot I just ugh.
That being said, I highly recommend the authors Desert Plain series!!! Those were really really good books!
I think I am a huge outlier with my rating. MAKE SURE TO LOOK AT OTHER REVIEWS!! I am not sure that I will come back to say anymore, so not much of a review, but you can look at my updates while reading to get more of my thoughts. I think I just want to forget about this book and move on so that maybe my mood improves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. . All opinions are my own.
Original rating and review posted: 9/1/25
Edited: 9/6/25, hate when I notice a missing word or spelling error or some other such thing that isn’t a big deal, but sticks in my head until I correct it 🤪.
10/8/25: included thank you to the publisher which I had forgotten to do in original post.
Holy cow I hate to do that! I don’t even want to review this book even though I kind of have one written out. (Which I will most likely not end up using.)
I thought there was a depressing undertone to this book, but it wasn’t an undertone it was full blown just depressing. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t really like any of them.
I just deleted a bunch of stuff because this book put me in a foul mood and it was completely reflected in what I wrote. And that seems rather unfair to anyone that reads this. I don’t want to affect anyone’s mood with all of my negativity! But wow I should have dnf’d this and just skipped ahead to see if I was right about something. (I was). Shoot I just ugh.
That being said, I highly recommend the authors Desert Plain series!!! Those were really really good books!
I think I am a huge outlier with my rating. MAKE SURE TO LOOK AT OTHER REVIEWS!! I am not sure that I will come back to say anymore, so not much of a review, but you can look at my updates while reading to get more of my thoughts. I think I just want to forget about this book and move on so that maybe my mood improves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. . All opinions are my own.
Original rating and review posted: 9/1/25
Edited: 9/6/25, hate when I notice a missing word or spelling error or some other such thing that isn’t a big deal, but sticks in my head until I correct it 🤪.
10/8/25: included thank you to the publisher which I had forgotten to do in original post.
June 28, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Victor Methos, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Looking for another great book by Victor Methos, I reached for this ARC to see what the author had planned. Two teens are kidnapped at their wedding and the violent attack has everyone on edge. Enter Detective Lazarus Holloway, who is coaxed into taking the lead. As he puts the pieces together, Detective Holloway is fuelled by a personal issue with this case and promises not to stop until the perpetrators are caught, but this may only be the start of a larger plot. Methos delivers a strong story that is sure to keep the reader guessing.
When two teens are abducted from the Vegas wedding chapel in which they are exchanging vows, chaos ensues. A bloody attack and getaway leaves everyone in a panic, providing Detective Lazarus Holloway with little on which to base his case. While he prefers not to take the case, he has little choice and must rely on a bracelet to open the door to a theory that cannot be ignored.
Detective Holloway is stymied with no other leads and must ask for the help of his lawyer friend, Piper Danes. While their past is riddled with complexities, Piper works as a guardian ad litem, so she is invested in young people. Her insight could prove essential in this case.
Treading as lightly as possible, Lazarus and Piper soon make a breakthrough, but it could be costly. Much of his past is sure to come up and Lazarus Holloway is nothing if not private. He must balance his job and personal impetus to solve this case, ensuring those responsible do not escape. Victor Methos delivers a strong piece that keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.
Victor Methos has always been able to capture the reader’s focus with a number of legal thrillers. The narrative flow of this piece proves addictive and insightful, propelling the reader to join the action. A different protatogonst from the series debut, Methos enriches the character development in new ways with this piece. Providing short chapters and numerous plot twists, the story sets a tone that cannot easily be forgotten or paused, leaving the reader to push onwards and solve things, if only for their piece of mind. A great series that has me curious as to where things are headed in Vegas.
Kudos, Mr. Methos, for another strong legal thriller with essential twists!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Looking for another great book by Victor Methos, I reached for this ARC to see what the author had planned. Two teens are kidnapped at their wedding and the violent attack has everyone on edge. Enter Detective Lazarus Holloway, who is coaxed into taking the lead. As he puts the pieces together, Detective Holloway is fuelled by a personal issue with this case and promises not to stop until the perpetrators are caught, but this may only be the start of a larger plot. Methos delivers a strong story that is sure to keep the reader guessing.
When two teens are abducted from the Vegas wedding chapel in which they are exchanging vows, chaos ensues. A bloody attack and getaway leaves everyone in a panic, providing Detective Lazarus Holloway with little on which to base his case. While he prefers not to take the case, he has little choice and must rely on a bracelet to open the door to a theory that cannot be ignored.
Detective Holloway is stymied with no other leads and must ask for the help of his lawyer friend, Piper Danes. While their past is riddled with complexities, Piper works as a guardian ad litem, so she is invested in young people. Her insight could prove essential in this case.
Treading as lightly as possible, Lazarus and Piper soon make a breakthrough, but it could be costly. Much of his past is sure to come up and Lazarus Holloway is nothing if not private. He must balance his job and personal impetus to solve this case, ensuring those responsible do not escape. Victor Methos delivers a strong piece that keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.
Victor Methos has always been able to capture the reader’s focus with a number of legal thrillers. The narrative flow of this piece proves addictive and insightful, propelling the reader to join the action. A different protatogonst from the series debut, Methos enriches the character development in new ways with this piece. Providing short chapters and numerous plot twists, the story sets a tone that cannot easily be forgotten or paused, leaving the reader to push onwards and solve things, if only for their piece of mind. A great series that has me curious as to where things are headed in Vegas.
Kudos, Mr. Methos, for another strong legal thriller with essential twists!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 15, 2025
"If life only gives you bruises, you don't know what to do with a gentle touch."
The second installment in this series was JUST AS BRILLIANT AS THE FIRST!! This can easily be read as a standalone, but why would you want to? 'The Silent Watcher' (book one) was OUTSTANDING and will give you background on the main characters. This time Lazarus is working a case of two teens that are violently snatched from their Vegas wedding; the perpetrators leaving behind a wake of destruction and blood. Naturally, Lazarus seeks Piper's help since she is a fierce advocate for children.
Once again this starts off with a BANG, and doesn't let up the entire time. Multiple storylines entwined to great effect and even I couldn't suss out where things were headed. There's some nasty baddies who are just as intriguing as world weary Lazarus, headstrong Piper and cunning Judge Dawson.
This is my first time listening to Saskia Maarleveld and she is now a favorite! Her performance is nothing short of brilliant and sounds like a full cast of narrators. Each voice is distinctive, not just with individual accents, but also cadence and intonation. I especially LOVED the way Saskia performed Lazarus, with a slow rumble and slightly bored tone as if nothing fazes him, except for when it DOES! If you're an audiobook fan, this one is a must!
THE NIGHT COLLECTOR is raw, gritty, atmospheric, intense and full of depth. Victor Methos manages not only to craft a tense mystery, but also blends taught crime fiction with a whip smart legal thriller. You can expect bad guys you love to hate, gripping courtroom scenes, immersive action and shocking moments! What more could you ask for?
____
Notable Quote:
"You know that people with depression score higher on tests of realism and IQ? High intelligence is indicative of mental illness and depression. When our minds understand reality too much, they try to destroy themselves.
____
Thank you to Victor Methos, Amazon Publishing & Brilliance Publishing for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
The second installment in this series was JUST AS BRILLIANT AS THE FIRST!! This can easily be read as a standalone, but why would you want to? 'The Silent Watcher' (book one) was OUTSTANDING and will give you background on the main characters. This time Lazarus is working a case of two teens that are violently snatched from their Vegas wedding; the perpetrators leaving behind a wake of destruction and blood. Naturally, Lazarus seeks Piper's help since she is a fierce advocate for children.
Once again this starts off with a BANG, and doesn't let up the entire time. Multiple storylines entwined to great effect and even I couldn't suss out where things were headed. There's some nasty baddies who are just as intriguing as world weary Lazarus, headstrong Piper and cunning Judge Dawson.
This is my first time listening to Saskia Maarleveld and she is now a favorite! Her performance is nothing short of brilliant and sounds like a full cast of narrators. Each voice is distinctive, not just with individual accents, but also cadence and intonation. I especially LOVED the way Saskia performed Lazarus, with a slow rumble and slightly bored tone as if nothing fazes him, except for when it DOES! If you're an audiobook fan, this one is a must!
THE NIGHT COLLECTOR is raw, gritty, atmospheric, intense and full of depth. Victor Methos manages not only to craft a tense mystery, but also blends taught crime fiction with a whip smart legal thriller. You can expect bad guys you love to hate, gripping courtroom scenes, immersive action and shocking moments! What more could you ask for?
____
Notable Quote:
"You know that people with depression score higher on tests of realism and IQ? High intelligence is indicative of mental illness and depression. When our minds understand reality too much, they try to destroy themselves.
____
Thank you to Victor Methos, Amazon Publishing & Brilliance Publishing for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2025
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Second book in the series, love this author and enjoyed this book thoroughly!!
Detective Lazarus Holloway and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Piper Danes team up again in this high stakes case. A kidnapping in Vegas where a teenage bride and groom are abducted from their ceremony isn’t what it seems at first.
A lone bracelet the only clue left behind and the stakes are raised at every turn. The kids are in danger, the criminals who have them are insanely dangerous, a trail of bodies is being left in their wake and time is running out.
The further they dig, the more personal this becomes and the more dangerous …. Can Lazarus and Piper find the kids before something worse happens then never seeing them alive again!!
This is the second novel in the Vegas Shadows Series and I will say that I love this author and I love this series. It was an immediate download for me on the read now category (thank you Thomas and Mercer) from NetGalley. I abandoned the book I was reading at the time and immediately began this one.
I wasn’t disappointed, however if memory serves me correctly I did like the first book better. That does not mean this was no good… it was excellent I just happened to prefer the first case. I really like that this is different, the GAL and Detective team up is a good one and they make a great team, even though they are both kind of loners with their own baggage. There appears to be no romantic or sexual tension they are literally just here to work a case together. They seem kind of friends but haven’t spoken since the events of the last book which haunt Piper.
You do not need to have read book 1 to enjoy this but I am a sucker for doing things in order and there is only one other… so I reckon do it. Its a good book and lays the foundation of these characters better than just diving in to book two but… you do you!!
I always love a Victor Methos book, they are written with a lot of action packed, and in a way that is easy to read and keeps you wanting to read long after your bedtime. Overall, I highly recommend this book and this series to just about anyone, with the exception of people who don’t like violence or read this genre, in that case… maybe not for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Detective Lazarus Holloway and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Piper Danes team up again in this high stakes case. A kidnapping in Vegas where a teenage bride and groom are abducted from their ceremony isn’t what it seems at first.
A lone bracelet the only clue left behind and the stakes are raised at every turn. The kids are in danger, the criminals who have them are insanely dangerous, a trail of bodies is being left in their wake and time is running out.
The further they dig, the more personal this becomes and the more dangerous …. Can Lazarus and Piper find the kids before something worse happens then never seeing them alive again!!
This is the second novel in the Vegas Shadows Series and I will say that I love this author and I love this series. It was an immediate download for me on the read now category (thank you Thomas and Mercer) from NetGalley. I abandoned the book I was reading at the time and immediately began this one.
I wasn’t disappointed, however if memory serves me correctly I did like the first book better. That does not mean this was no good… it was excellent I just happened to prefer the first case. I really like that this is different, the GAL and Detective team up is a good one and they make a great team, even though they are both kind of loners with their own baggage. There appears to be no romantic or sexual tension they are literally just here to work a case together. They seem kind of friends but haven’t spoken since the events of the last book which haunt Piper.
You do not need to have read book 1 to enjoy this but I am a sucker for doing things in order and there is only one other… so I reckon do it. Its a good book and lays the foundation of these characters better than just diving in to book two but… you do you!!
I always love a Victor Methos book, they are written with a lot of action packed, and in a way that is easy to read and keeps you wanting to read long after your bedtime. Overall, I highly recommend this book and this series to just about anyone, with the exception of people who don’t like violence or read this genre, in that case… maybe not for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 16, 2025
Book Review: The Night Collector by Victor Methos
Overview
The Night Collector is the second installment in Victor Methos’ Vegas Shadows series, a gripping thriller that plunges readers into the dark underbelly of Las Vegas. Methos, known for his razor-sharp pacing and psychological depth, delivers a story brimming with tension, morally complex characters, and twists that defy expectations. While the novel excels in suspense, it occasionally sacrifices character nuance for plot momentum.
Themes & Execution (4.5/5)
Methos masterfully explores themes of justice, obsession, and the shadows of human nature. The Vegas setting is more than a backdrop—it’s a character itself, oozing neon-lit danger. The moral ambiguity of the protagonist’s choices adds layers, though some philosophical musings feel truncated in favor of action.
Character Development (4/5)
The protagonist’s relentless drive anchors the story, with secondary characters adding texture. A standout is a morally gray antagonist whose motives blur the line between villain and victim. However, a few relationships lack the depth needed to make emotional beats land fully.
Pacing & Style (5/5)
Methos’ prose is lean and relentless, propelling the reader forward with cinematic urgency. Short chapters and cliffhangers make it nearly impossible to put down. The dialogue crackles, though occasional exposition dumps briefly stall the momentum.
Originality (3.5/5)
While the Vegas noir vibe feels fresh, certain tropes (e.g., the tortured detective, the cat-and-mouse chase) are familiar. Methos elevates them with unpredictable twists, but the framework isn’t groundbreaking.
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
A pulse-pounding thriller that cements Methos as a maestro of suspense. Though it leans on genre conventions, the execution is so polished that fans of crime fiction won’t mind.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and Victor Methos for providing an advance review copy. This critique reflects my unbiased evaluation.
Overview
The Night Collector is the second installment in Victor Methos’ Vegas Shadows series, a gripping thriller that plunges readers into the dark underbelly of Las Vegas. Methos, known for his razor-sharp pacing and psychological depth, delivers a story brimming with tension, morally complex characters, and twists that defy expectations. While the novel excels in suspense, it occasionally sacrifices character nuance for plot momentum.
Themes & Execution (4.5/5)
Methos masterfully explores themes of justice, obsession, and the shadows of human nature. The Vegas setting is more than a backdrop—it’s a character itself, oozing neon-lit danger. The moral ambiguity of the protagonist’s choices adds layers, though some philosophical musings feel truncated in favor of action.
Character Development (4/5)
The protagonist’s relentless drive anchors the story, with secondary characters adding texture. A standout is a morally gray antagonist whose motives blur the line between villain and victim. However, a few relationships lack the depth needed to make emotional beats land fully.
Pacing & Style (5/5)
Methos’ prose is lean and relentless, propelling the reader forward with cinematic urgency. Short chapters and cliffhangers make it nearly impossible to put down. The dialogue crackles, though occasional exposition dumps briefly stall the momentum.
Originality (3.5/5)
While the Vegas noir vibe feels fresh, certain tropes (e.g., the tortured detective, the cat-and-mouse chase) are familiar. Methos elevates them with unpredictable twists, but the framework isn’t groundbreaking.
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
A pulse-pounding thriller that cements Methos as a maestro of suspense. Though it leans on genre conventions, the execution is so polished that fans of crime fiction won’t mind.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and Victor Methos for providing an advance review copy. This critique reflects my unbiased evaluation.
September 23, 2025
RTC
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mencer for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release date : 16 September 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mencer for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Release date : 16 September 2025
October 10, 2025
4.5 stars, what a solid crime thriller.
October 12, 2025
Yikes
This story was crazy from the very beginning. The abduction scene was so intense. The pace never let up. The suspense that was built up from the race to save the teenagers had me on the edge of my seat. The abductors were so evil. It made me cringe. This story had so many wild twists and turns. It kept me fully engrossed. This was a great follow up to the first book in the series. I can’t to see what’s in store in the next book.
This story was crazy from the very beginning. The abduction scene was so intense. The pace never let up. The suspense that was built up from the race to save the teenagers had me on the edge of my seat. The abductors were so evil. It made me cringe. This story had so many wild twists and turns. It kept me fully engrossed. This was a great follow up to the first book in the series. I can’t to see what’s in store in the next book.
September 21, 2025
2.0-3.5 stars. Mixed range of feelings here. The Night Collector is similar to bk 1 in its dark, gritty, ick feeling. Once again, I needed to ease in rather than dive. Here, the first 60% was depressing as hell. It's the dark seedy side of Las Vegas. Sex trafficking, child slavery, etc. Unsavory characters. Grungy scenes with too many drunk or high, the rooms smelling of cigarette smoke, drugs, vomit, rotten food. Blah! Felt like I needed a shower. Contemplated pulling the plug on this one.
I love this author. Gave it a day, decided to skim the ick, and just read the character dialog. I gave a HUGE sigh of relief after hitting that 60% mark. The story gets MUCH better and is more of what I've come to expect from this storyteller.
Loads of mystery, action, and suspense. Left with some unanswered questions and suspicions for what's going on behind the scenes, there's gotta be a book 3 on the horizon.
I love this author. Gave it a day, decided to skim the ick, and just read the character dialog. I gave a HUGE sigh of relief after hitting that 60% mark. The story gets MUCH better and is more of what I've come to expect from this storyteller.
Loads of mystery, action, and suspense. Left with some unanswered questions and suspicions for what's going on behind the scenes, there's gotta be a book 3 on the horizon.
September 9, 2025
Wow! This one starts off with a bang, literally, and doesn’t let up until the very last page!!!
Two kids got married in Vegas, with their parent’s permission (15&16 respectively)… but, as this is happening, a man bursts in and kidnaps them! Wait. What??? Oh… and kills the minister… right in front of everyone.
THIS IS THE OPENING OF THE BOOK!
So, where do you go from here? I mean, this. Is. Crazy!
And well, it really just goes off the rails. But, where else can it go???
Everyone is looking for these kids. The parents are a wreck. The police are going crazy too. And then the plot twists. And on and on it goes….
Just when you think you might be getting a handle on the situation…. Nope. You’re wrong!
And did I mention that the kidnappers are nuts?? Well, they ARE!
Lots of gore. Lots of blood. Lots of surprises. Some things I kind-of saw coming, but most I did not! And the twists, well they just keep coming….
My mouth was HANGING OPEN at several points in this book! Is that good? You tell me!
#TheNightCollector by @VictorMethos. Narrated nicely by @Saskia Maarleveld.
** Of Note: This is book #2 in the series. I was not able to find book 1 and I read this as a stand-alone and did fine! **
4 psychotic, crazy, bright 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
*** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON!! RELEASE DATE IS 9/16/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley #BrillianceAudio and #BrillianceBooks for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Two kids got married in Vegas, with their parent’s permission (15&16 respectively)… but, as this is happening, a man bursts in and kidnaps them! Wait. What??? Oh… and kills the minister… right in front of everyone.
THIS IS THE OPENING OF THE BOOK!
So, where do you go from here? I mean, this. Is. Crazy!
And well, it really just goes off the rails. But, where else can it go???
Everyone is looking for these kids. The parents are a wreck. The police are going crazy too. And then the plot twists. And on and on it goes….
Just when you think you might be getting a handle on the situation…. Nope. You’re wrong!
And did I mention that the kidnappers are nuts?? Well, they ARE!
Lots of gore. Lots of blood. Lots of surprises. Some things I kind-of saw coming, but most I did not! And the twists, well they just keep coming….
My mouth was HANGING OPEN at several points in this book! Is that good? You tell me!
#TheNightCollector by @VictorMethos. Narrated nicely by @Saskia Maarleveld.
** Of Note: This is book #2 in the series. I was not able to find book 1 and I read this as a stand-alone and did fine! **
4 psychotic, crazy, bright 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
*** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON!! RELEASE DATE IS 9/16/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley #BrillianceAudio and #BrillianceBooks for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
January 24, 2026
What a way to follow up on The Silent Watcher!! This book was so good and constantly kept me on my toes. I love Lazarus and Piper's dynamic and their friendship. I wish more people had a heart like Piper in the real world. Her kindness and innocence matched Lazarus' no bs attitude is everything to me. I don't trust some people (I won't spoil so this is all I'll say) and I can't wait for book 3 to see if my theories are right!
Overall: 4.75⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me to opportunity to read this arc!
Overall: 4.75⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me to opportunity to read this arc!
July 10, 2025
The Night Collector is the second book in this series featuring hardened Detective Lazarus Holloway and guardians attorney Piper Dane. When two teenagers are kidnapped while getting married in a Las Vegas chapel, the duo are thrown into an investigation of child trafficking, and the case becomes personal for Holloway, increasing the pressure to find the kidnappers. This is an interesting pairing, with the rough and grizzly Holloway and the gentle, introspective Danes an unlikely combo, but the partnership works well, each playing off each other’s strengths. There’s quite a few surprises in this one, the book moves at a rapid pace, and the violence quotient is high. A cliffhanger of a finish ensures another book in this series, eagerly anticipated. Can be read as a standalone, but reading the first book gives you some insight into the main characters, and you won’t be disappointed. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2025
I've really become a fan of Victor Methos over the last couple years, and I know I can turn to him for a solid and engaging mystery when I need a book pick-me-up. I read this one via audio (which was well narrated), and it took my a bit to settle in with all of the characters and places. I think it would have helped me to initially start in print, but I did enjoy the audio once I was able to track all of the characters. This one is full of action and twists, and you will fly through it quickly. I love that Methos' characters are not perfect, and I love how their flaws make them more relatable and the story more engaging. If you haven't checked out Methos yet, do yourself a favor and add him to your TBR.
January 14, 2026
The Night Collector proves once again that Victor Methos knows how to deliver gritty, dark crime fiction. As the second book in the Vegas Shadows series, it brings back Detective Lazarus Holloway and Piper Danes, a pairing I absolutely love.
Lazarus remains one of Methos’s most compelling characters. He’s deeply flawed and morally gray, which makes his contrast with Piper especially effective. Piper’s fierce advocacy for children and strong moral compass differs from Lazarus’s darker instincts, and their complicated history adds real tension to every scene they share.
The Vegas backdrop is a standout, leaning hard into the grit beneath the neon. The case itself is high stakes and personal, pulling Lazarus into a dangerous web of kidnappings, secrets, and figures connected to his past. While this one took a little longer to fully pull me in compared to some of Methos’ other books, the ending absolutely delivered and made the slower build worthwhile.
I’m fully invested in this duo and can’t wait for more from this series. If you enjoy crime fiction with complex characters and a dark Vegas edge, this one is well worth picking. So binge worthy!
Lazarus remains one of Methos’s most compelling characters. He’s deeply flawed and morally gray, which makes his contrast with Piper especially effective. Piper’s fierce advocacy for children and strong moral compass differs from Lazarus’s darker instincts, and their complicated history adds real tension to every scene they share.
The Vegas backdrop is a standout, leaning hard into the grit beneath the neon. The case itself is high stakes and personal, pulling Lazarus into a dangerous web of kidnappings, secrets, and figures connected to his past. While this one took a little longer to fully pull me in compared to some of Methos’ other books, the ending absolutely delivered and made the slower build worthwhile.
I’m fully invested in this duo and can’t wait for more from this series. If you enjoy crime fiction with complex characters and a dark Vegas edge, this one is well worth picking. So binge worthy!
October 12, 2025
Really liked the first book and went right into the second and it held my interest… then chapter 90 and end
Please tell me there is more to the story?!
Rating reflects my WTH feeling at the end.
Felt like here is this intense and compelling story and then stop… times up… publish now
Please tell me there is more to the story?!
Rating reflects my WTH feeling at the end.
Felt like here is this intense and compelling story and then stop… times up… publish now
September 30, 2025
I need a third book immediately!
September 10, 2025
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review!
I love the way Victor Methos tells a legal thriller. It's like he knows so much about the law, you're forced to learn about loopholes, tricks, and random ways to win a case. I didn't read the blurb for this book, I just saw the author's name and assumed this would be another legal thriller. While there are some legal aspects and a small part of the story takes part in a courtroom, this was not what I was expecting. The main character, Lazarus, is in law enforcement (though i wouldn't label this a police procedural either), and he seems to have a somewhat shady past. The book starts with a kidnapping at a wedding, and it turns out that Lazarus has a connection to one of the victims.
I enjoyed this story even though it's not what I was expecting. I haven't read the first book (it's in my Kindle library, I just haven't gotten to it yet), and I think this was fine as a standalone. However, if you plan on reading the whole series, you should probably read them in order. There were things mentioned in this book that are probably spoilers for the first one.
If you have enjoyed other books by Victor Methos, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. The narrator was fine, although there were some words that were mispronounced it didn't ruin the story or anything like that. You'll probably enjoy this book in any format that you prefer.
I love the way Victor Methos tells a legal thriller. It's like he knows so much about the law, you're forced to learn about loopholes, tricks, and random ways to win a case. I didn't read the blurb for this book, I just saw the author's name and assumed this would be another legal thriller. While there are some legal aspects and a small part of the story takes part in a courtroom, this was not what I was expecting. The main character, Lazarus, is in law enforcement (though i wouldn't label this a police procedural either), and he seems to have a somewhat shady past. The book starts with a kidnapping at a wedding, and it turns out that Lazarus has a connection to one of the victims.
I enjoyed this story even though it's not what I was expecting. I haven't read the first book (it's in my Kindle library, I just haven't gotten to it yet), and I think this was fine as a standalone. However, if you plan on reading the whole series, you should probably read them in order. There were things mentioned in this book that are probably spoilers for the first one.
If you have enjoyed other books by Victor Methos, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. The narrator was fine, although there were some words that were mispronounced it didn't ruin the story or anything like that. You'll probably enjoy this book in any format that you prefer.
December 26, 2025
2.5 to 2.75
Ok. I get why Batman irks people. Because this book is what would happen if everyone had a Batman complex... talking about rot... decay.... and how they are the only ones who understand the system, who can use the system, broken as it may be, who are convinced of their own righteousness.
Go pound sand or touch grass or both.
Everyone in this book has either anti social aspergers, a literal psychosis like the ones the diagnose pyschopaths with, or a super tanker worth of trauma. We reconvene with Piper Danes, Guardian Ad Litem, Lazardous Hollow and Judge Hope Dawson. But with the... nope, including Piper, everyone is Sad and Mournful and With Big Feelings.
Judge Hope Dawson, the billionaire medical Judge is almost at the peripherary of the story and, inexplicably becomes a B Tier villian pulling strings. To further the Batman metaphor, I would 100% see her as the Martha Wayne Joker. All it takes is a majestic unhinged cackle. All we get for her motivation is " her brothers are stealing her inheritance". Ok? Why after promoting rationalism and common sense is she suddenly a See You Next Tuesday?
Piper is honestly, super weakly written. Full stop, I understand trauma. I understand things hurt and you need time to grieve and that it's not linear. But good God, for a lawyer focused book she does like.... two minutes of lawyering. I understand that its drama and fiction and fiction- describing- real life but good god, I left this book feeling sorry for her.
Lazardous is still an enigma but like... an 8th grader discovering metaphors enigma, written in thick blocky charcoal letters of " hOw MUchA lOaNEr" he is! There was a series in this boom that I'm like " oh yeah, that makes sense how much he has messed up" but its just presented as a battle of wills and how quirky he is, not the actual judicial conflicts that would arise.
I felt sympathy for Riley the massive mountain of a cop but then he just got through the ringer. No satisfaction, no redemption, no conclusions, just a loose end to tie up.
This novel was Bleak. and Bleak to the point of distaste. I get Bleak I get noir. But Noir needs a small spark of light at the base. This is just " everything is objectively terrible, from young love to families, to the criminal justice system, to the police, to life". And while noir would prove that justification again and again, this is content to bury you in a shallow grave in the desert and then return simply to urinate on said grave.
Was very close to a non finish
Ok. I get why Batman irks people. Because this book is what would happen if everyone had a Batman complex... talking about rot... decay.... and how they are the only ones who understand the system, who can use the system, broken as it may be, who are convinced of their own righteousness.
Go pound sand or touch grass or both.
Everyone in this book has either anti social aspergers, a literal psychosis like the ones the diagnose pyschopaths with, or a super tanker worth of trauma. We reconvene with Piper Danes, Guardian Ad Litem, Lazardous Hollow and Judge Hope Dawson. But with the... nope, including Piper, everyone is Sad and Mournful and With Big Feelings.
Judge Hope Dawson, the billionaire medical Judge is almost at the peripherary of the story and, inexplicably becomes a B Tier villian pulling strings. To further the Batman metaphor, I would 100% see her as the Martha Wayne Joker. All it takes is a majestic unhinged cackle. All we get for her motivation is " her brothers are stealing her inheritance". Ok? Why after promoting rationalism and common sense is she suddenly a See You Next Tuesday?
Piper is honestly, super weakly written. Full stop, I understand trauma. I understand things hurt and you need time to grieve and that it's not linear. But good God, for a lawyer focused book she does like.... two minutes of lawyering. I understand that its drama and fiction and fiction- describing- real life but good god, I left this book feeling sorry for her.
Lazardous is still an enigma but like... an 8th grader discovering metaphors enigma, written in thick blocky charcoal letters of " hOw MUchA lOaNEr" he is! There was a series in this boom that I'm like " oh yeah, that makes sense how much he has messed up" but its just presented as a battle of wills and how quirky he is, not the actual judicial conflicts that would arise.
I felt sympathy for Riley the massive mountain of a cop but then he just got through the ringer. No satisfaction, no redemption, no conclusions, just a loose end to tie up.
This novel was Bleak. and Bleak to the point of distaste. I get Bleak I get noir. But Noir needs a small spark of light at the base. This is just " everything is objectively terrible, from young love to families, to the criminal justice system, to the police, to life". And while noir would prove that justification again and again, this is content to bury you in a shallow grave in the desert and then return simply to urinate on said grave.
Was very close to a non finish
May 9, 2025
I read Book 1 in this series (and loved it) and recommend starting there first.
*Possible spoiler ahead*
However, I didn’t realize The Night Collector would finish with such a cliffhanger, which I normally don’t mind, but I feel like it abruptly stopped. I went on a long slow burn journey and then the story ended with many loose ends. So many things were going on in this book, and I don’t feel as if got closure to any storyline.
The Night Collector continues to follow Piper, Detective Lazarus Holloway, and Judge Hope Dawson. The book starts action packed, with Lazarus working undercover, then jumps to a young couple getting kidnapped at their wedding. I had so many questions, from how the police were handling the case to Pipers civilian involvement. With about thirty percent left, some of those questions get asked, but again, the story ends in a cliffhanger, so I’ll have to wait and see if a third book ties everything up.
*Possible spoiler ahead*
However, I didn’t realize The Night Collector would finish with such a cliffhanger, which I normally don’t mind, but I feel like it abruptly stopped. I went on a long slow burn journey and then the story ended with many loose ends. So many things were going on in this book, and I don’t feel as if got closure to any storyline.
The Night Collector continues to follow Piper, Detective Lazarus Holloway, and Judge Hope Dawson. The book starts action packed, with Lazarus working undercover, then jumps to a young couple getting kidnapped at their wedding. I had so many questions, from how the police were handling the case to Pipers civilian involvement. With about thirty percent left, some of those questions get asked, but again, the story ends in a cliffhanger, so I’ll have to wait and see if a third book ties everything up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
After reading The Silent Watcher I was eager to continue the Vegas Shadows series, and The Night Collector did not disappoint. Victor Methos delivers another gripping thriller that blends a dark police procedural with a tense legal drama, creating a story that is both chilling and compulsively readable.
Detective Lazarus Holloway returns, now with the Criminal Intelligence Unit in Las Vegas, and once again he crosses paths with Piper Danes, a guardian ad litem who has dedicated her life to protecting vulnerable children. Their working relationship is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. Lazarus is blunt, logical, and driven by his relentless need to solve puzzles, while Piper balances him with her empathy, insight, and fierce dedication to giving a voice to those who are often silenced.
The case at the heart of the book is both shocking and emotionally heavy. Two teenagers, Keri Bines and Bradley Lowe, are abducted during what should have been one of the happiest days of their lives, their Las Vegas wedding. The only clue left behind is a bracelet etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance. As Lazarus and Piper investigate, the case quickly becomes darker and more twisted than they could have imagined, touching on themes of human trafficking, corruption, and vengeance.
Methos does an exceptional job of weaving together an intricate plot while also deepening the development of his main characters. Lazarus continues to wrestle with his past and the ghosts that drive him, while Piper’s background as a former endangered youth adds layers of poignancy to her role as an advocate. Supporting characters, including Judge Hope Dawson, add richness to the narrative and expand the world Methos is building within this series.
The pacing is sharp and relentless, with each chapter pulling the reader further into a labyrinth of secrets and danger. The courtroom scenes are intense and deliver the kind of legal drama that Methos is known for, but they are balanced by gripping investigative work and moments of raw human emotion. The writing captures both the grittiness of Las Vegas’s underbelly and the emotional stakes of two young lives hanging in the balance.
While the story is undeniably dark and at times disturbing, it is also layered with suspense and surprising twists that keep the pages turning. Methos creates villains that are frighteningly realistic and situations that feel uncomfortably close to reality, which makes the book even more compelling. The conclusion is tense and explosive, though it leaves certain threads unresolved, hinting at more to come in future installments.
Overall, The Night Collector is a powerful continuation of the Vegas Shadows series. It combines police procedural grit, compelling legal drama, and complex, flawed characters to deliver a story that is both emotionally resonant and impossible to put down. Readers who enjoy crime thrillers with moral depth and relentless suspense will not want to miss this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Victor Methos for providing an advanced copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
Detective Lazarus Holloway returns, now with the Criminal Intelligence Unit in Las Vegas, and once again he crosses paths with Piper Danes, a guardian ad litem who has dedicated her life to protecting vulnerable children. Their working relationship is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. Lazarus is blunt, logical, and driven by his relentless need to solve puzzles, while Piper balances him with her empathy, insight, and fierce dedication to giving a voice to those who are often silenced.
The case at the heart of the book is both shocking and emotionally heavy. Two teenagers, Keri Bines and Bradley Lowe, are abducted during what should have been one of the happiest days of their lives, their Las Vegas wedding. The only clue left behind is a bracelet etched with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance. As Lazarus and Piper investigate, the case quickly becomes darker and more twisted than they could have imagined, touching on themes of human trafficking, corruption, and vengeance.
Methos does an exceptional job of weaving together an intricate plot while also deepening the development of his main characters. Lazarus continues to wrestle with his past and the ghosts that drive him, while Piper’s background as a former endangered youth adds layers of poignancy to her role as an advocate. Supporting characters, including Judge Hope Dawson, add richness to the narrative and expand the world Methos is building within this series.
The pacing is sharp and relentless, with each chapter pulling the reader further into a labyrinth of secrets and danger. The courtroom scenes are intense and deliver the kind of legal drama that Methos is known for, but they are balanced by gripping investigative work and moments of raw human emotion. The writing captures both the grittiness of Las Vegas’s underbelly and the emotional stakes of two young lives hanging in the balance.
While the story is undeniably dark and at times disturbing, it is also layered with suspense and surprising twists that keep the pages turning. Methos creates villains that are frighteningly realistic and situations that feel uncomfortably close to reality, which makes the book even more compelling. The conclusion is tense and explosive, though it leaves certain threads unresolved, hinting at more to come in future installments.
Overall, The Night Collector is a powerful continuation of the Vegas Shadows series. It combines police procedural grit, compelling legal drama, and complex, flawed characters to deliver a story that is both emotionally resonant and impossible to put down. Readers who enjoy crime thrillers with moral depth and relentless suspense will not want to miss this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Victor Methos for providing an advanced copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
November 9, 2025
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this eARC.
Victor Methos’s The Night Collector is a gritty, emotionally charged thriller that plunges deep into the shadows of Las Vegas, where justice is personal, and every clue cuts close to the bone. It’s a story of obsession, redemption, and the haunting cost of unfinished business.
Detective Lazarus Holloway returns in this 2nd installment of the Vegas Shadows series, and he’s immediately thrust into a case that feels surreal yet deeply personal: two teenagers are abducted from their wedding chapel, leaving behind only a cryptic bracelet etched with a Mayan symbol of death. Holloway, already carrying the weight of past failures, is forced to confront a chilling pattern that suggests the abductions are part of something far more sinister—a network of exploitation and vengeance that stretches beyond the neon lights of Vegas.
Methos crafts Holloway as a deeply conflicted protagonist—tough, intuitive, and haunted. His moral compass is intact, but it’s constantly tested by the city’s underbelly and his own history. The return of Piper Danes, a guardian ad litem with her own scars and a complicated relationship with Holloway, adds emotional depth and tension. Their shared compulsion to protect vulnerable children becomes the novel’s beating heart, even as the cost of that protection grows heavier with each revelation.
The pacing is relentless, with short, punchy chapters that propel the reader through twists and emotional gut-punches. Methos doesn’t rely on shock value; instead, he builds suspense through character psychology and the slow unraveling of a conspiracy that feels disturbingly plausible. The Vegas setting is more than a backdrop—it’s a character in itself, seductive and cruel, offering both escape and entrapment.
Thematically, The Night Collector explores the intersection of trauma, justice, and the ethics of vengeance. Methos asks hard questions: What happens when the system fails those who need it most? Can redemption be earned through violence? And how far should one go to protect the innocent? These questions aren’t answered neatly—they’re wrestled with, making the novel as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.
Methos’s prose is lean and evocative, with dialogue that crackles and scenes that linger. He balances procedural grit with emotional nuance, allowing the reader to feel the stakes without ever losing narrative momentum. Holloway’s internal struggle—between duty and desperation, law and instinct—makes him one of the more compelling detectives in contemporary crime fiction.
For fans of character-driven thrillers that blend psychological depth with high-stakes mystery, The Night Collector delivers. It’s a novel that doesn’t just entertain—it unsettles, challenges, and stays with you long after the final page.
Victor Methos’s The Night Collector is a gritty, emotionally charged thriller that plunges deep into the shadows of Las Vegas, where justice is personal, and every clue cuts close to the bone. It’s a story of obsession, redemption, and the haunting cost of unfinished business.
Detective Lazarus Holloway returns in this 2nd installment of the Vegas Shadows series, and he’s immediately thrust into a case that feels surreal yet deeply personal: two teenagers are abducted from their wedding chapel, leaving behind only a cryptic bracelet etched with a Mayan symbol of death. Holloway, already carrying the weight of past failures, is forced to confront a chilling pattern that suggests the abductions are part of something far more sinister—a network of exploitation and vengeance that stretches beyond the neon lights of Vegas.
Methos crafts Holloway as a deeply conflicted protagonist—tough, intuitive, and haunted. His moral compass is intact, but it’s constantly tested by the city’s underbelly and his own history. The return of Piper Danes, a guardian ad litem with her own scars and a complicated relationship with Holloway, adds emotional depth and tension. Their shared compulsion to protect vulnerable children becomes the novel’s beating heart, even as the cost of that protection grows heavier with each revelation.
The pacing is relentless, with short, punchy chapters that propel the reader through twists and emotional gut-punches. Methos doesn’t rely on shock value; instead, he builds suspense through character psychology and the slow unraveling of a conspiracy that feels disturbingly plausible. The Vegas setting is more than a backdrop—it’s a character in itself, seductive and cruel, offering both escape and entrapment.
Thematically, The Night Collector explores the intersection of trauma, justice, and the ethics of vengeance. Methos asks hard questions: What happens when the system fails those who need it most? Can redemption be earned through violence? And how far should one go to protect the innocent? These questions aren’t answered neatly—they’re wrestled with, making the novel as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.
Methos’s prose is lean and evocative, with dialogue that crackles and scenes that linger. He balances procedural grit with emotional nuance, allowing the reader to feel the stakes without ever losing narrative momentum. Holloway’s internal struggle—between duty and desperation, law and instinct—makes him one of the more compelling detectives in contemporary crime fiction.
For fans of character-driven thrillers that blend psychological depth with high-stakes mystery, The Night Collector delivers. It’s a novel that doesn’t just entertain—it unsettles, challenges, and stays with you long after the final page.
September 8, 2025
3.5 Stars
I have been pleasantly surprised by the books that I've recently read by Mr. Methos. This book is the second book in a new series that features MMC Detective Lazarus Holloway and FMC Guardian ad Litem Piper Danes. The last book was actually the first time I'd ever read about a "guardian ad litem" and it was an interesting profession to learn about (I always love reading and learning new things). Lazurus and Piper are definitely an odd pairing in that they are not together romantically, and their personalities are completely and 100 percent different.
With that being said, this was the first book that I had a hard time with. There are the requisite "bad guys". In this case it is a bad "couple" - kind of in the same vein as Bonnie and Clyde. The bad guys are truly bad. They are both vile and definitely have every single one of their screws loose. The woman is way worse than the man, in my opinion. She ENJOYS the hurting and killing.
The storyline revolves around the kidnapping of a couple of young kids, stolen from the church on their wedding day. When I say young, they are both 15 years old....see, very young. Where I started having problems was with the actual foundation of the plot. Why exactly were the kids taken? Why those particular kids? See, we go through the entire book thinking there was a particular reason, that we would tie it all together at the end, but that didn't happen for me. Yes, I understood the general outline of the characters in particular, but when you have to basically explain everything at the end - something went wrong.
Then there is the supposed "tie" of one of the children to Detective Lazurus. I don't know, to me everything felt FORCED. It didn't flow like it should have and I had a hard time becoming invested because of it. When you do not tell the father of your child that he has a child, but you then tell the child that their father didn't want them and actually left the mother because of them - that's a big deal. And when the father and child are eventually reunited for the very first time, and the father lets the mother off the hook by saying, "it's no big deal" - well to me, that doesn't quite ring true. He missed out on FIFTEEN years of her life. There was a lot of that in this book, where things just didn't FEEL like they should have.
Anyway, the story itself was full of action and drama - so there is that. For the most part, I am usually a huge fan of Mr. Methos so it is okay for everyone to have a bad day. I'll wait for his next book and I'm sure it will be great.
This story was narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who did a wonderful job with the narration. I especially loved her portrayal of Lazarus - it was a deep, slow and gritty portrayal and I loved it. She is a narrator that is extremely consistent and has become a favorite of mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book will be out for publication on September 16, 2025.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the books that I've recently read by Mr. Methos. This book is the second book in a new series that features MMC Detective Lazarus Holloway and FMC Guardian ad Litem Piper Danes. The last book was actually the first time I'd ever read about a "guardian ad litem" and it was an interesting profession to learn about (I always love reading and learning new things). Lazurus and Piper are definitely an odd pairing in that they are not together romantically, and their personalities are completely and 100 percent different.
With that being said, this was the first book that I had a hard time with. There are the requisite "bad guys". In this case it is a bad "couple" - kind of in the same vein as Bonnie and Clyde. The bad guys are truly bad. They are both vile and definitely have every single one of their screws loose. The woman is way worse than the man, in my opinion. She ENJOYS the hurting and killing.
The storyline revolves around the kidnapping of a couple of young kids, stolen from the church on their wedding day. When I say young, they are both 15 years old....see, very young. Where I started having problems was with the actual foundation of the plot. Why exactly were the kids taken? Why those particular kids? See, we go through the entire book thinking there was a particular reason, that we would tie it all together at the end, but that didn't happen for me. Yes, I understood the general outline of the characters in particular, but when you have to basically explain everything at the end - something went wrong.
Then there is the supposed "tie" of one of the children to Detective Lazurus. I don't know, to me everything felt FORCED. It didn't flow like it should have and I had a hard time becoming invested because of it. When you do not tell the father of your child that he has a child, but you then tell the child that their father didn't want them and actually left the mother because of them - that's a big deal. And when the father and child are eventually reunited for the very first time, and the father lets the mother off the hook by saying, "it's no big deal" - well to me, that doesn't quite ring true. He missed out on FIFTEEN years of her life. There was a lot of that in this book, where things just didn't FEEL like they should have.
Anyway, the story itself was full of action and drama - so there is that. For the most part, I am usually a huge fan of Mr. Methos so it is okay for everyone to have a bad day. I'll wait for his next book and I'm sure it will be great.
This story was narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who did a wonderful job with the narration. I especially loved her portrayal of Lazarus - it was a deep, slow and gritty portrayal and I loved it. She is a narrator that is extremely consistent and has become a favorite of mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this Audio ARC. This book will be out for publication on September 16, 2025.
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December 28, 2025THE NIGHT COLLECTOR is certainly one rollercoaster of a book, and the ride will take you on a variety of intense emotions, as you maneuver deeper into the book. Victor Methos has definitely outdone himself with book two of the Vegas Shadows series, and anyone who opens the book will have trouble closing it until the final pages.
It begins with a most interesting abduction of two teenagers, who are about to get married in Vegas. All seems fine until a couple wearing skull masks enter the chapel, and not only viciously abduct the pair, but also slit the throat of the man presiding over the wedding. The two are tossed into the trunk of the car, heading for parts unknown.
The teens are Keri and Brad, having no idea why they were targeted. This brings Detective Lazarus Halloway onto the scene. He works for the Las Vegas Criminal Investigation Unit. Lazarus gets the assistance of lawyer Piper Danes, who is a court representative for youth who find themselves in dangerous situations. The pair who abducted them are Carlito and Denver, two apparent lovers who will do anything for profit. It seems that the two teenagers are about to be sold into sexual slavery. Lazarus discovers he has an even more intense stake with regard to Keri, because it seems she could be the daughter he never knew he had. Her mother never told the truth about the daughter, and now Lazarus knows he must work extra hard to make sure he meets her for the first time.
For much of the book, Carlito and Denver are figuring how to keep the teens from bolting on them, so they can make the deal for them. There are a lot of very tense moments in the book as Lazarus knows times is running out, and the teens may be shipped to parts unknown sooner that they think. But when one of the teens perishes in an attempt to escape, that leaves the other fighting to make sure they do not suffer the same fate.
When the story is resolved in a manner of speaking, a court case ensues for one of the abductors. It seems a cut and dried case of certain guilt, but things are not always they seem in courtroom thrillers, because there is still much danger for everyone involved, and the survivors soon are fighting for their lives. It makes THE NIGHT COLLECTOR a book you must collect and add to your list for “must read” books. Victor Methos truly creates a masterpiece, making us most anxious to read future books in the series.
It begins with a most interesting abduction of two teenagers, who are about to get married in Vegas. All seems fine until a couple wearing skull masks enter the chapel, and not only viciously abduct the pair, but also slit the throat of the man presiding over the wedding. The two are tossed into the trunk of the car, heading for parts unknown.
The teens are Keri and Brad, having no idea why they were targeted. This brings Detective Lazarus Halloway onto the scene. He works for the Las Vegas Criminal Investigation Unit. Lazarus gets the assistance of lawyer Piper Danes, who is a court representative for youth who find themselves in dangerous situations. The pair who abducted them are Carlito and Denver, two apparent lovers who will do anything for profit. It seems that the two teenagers are about to be sold into sexual slavery. Lazarus discovers he has an even more intense stake with regard to Keri, because it seems she could be the daughter he never knew he had. Her mother never told the truth about the daughter, and now Lazarus knows he must work extra hard to make sure he meets her for the first time.
For much of the book, Carlito and Denver are figuring how to keep the teens from bolting on them, so they can make the deal for them. There are a lot of very tense moments in the book as Lazarus knows times is running out, and the teens may be shipped to parts unknown sooner that they think. But when one of the teens perishes in an attempt to escape, that leaves the other fighting to make sure they do not suffer the same fate.
When the story is resolved in a manner of speaking, a court case ensues for one of the abductors. It seems a cut and dried case of certain guilt, but things are not always they seem in courtroom thrillers, because there is still much danger for everyone involved, and the survivors soon are fighting for their lives. It makes THE NIGHT COLLECTOR a book you must collect and add to your list for “must read” books. Victor Methos truly creates a masterpiece, making us most anxious to read future books in the series.
November 22, 2025
The Night Collector by Victor Methos
Vegas Shadows #2
~ Impactful, intense, immersive story that gripped me from beginning to end ~ Riveting read ~ Can’t wait for the next book ~
What I liked:
* Piper Danes: lawyer, difficult backstory (in first book), Guardian ad Litem, raised by grandmother-now deceased, puts her clients first, attractive, bright, caring, grieving, intriguing, look forward to learning more about her
* Lazarus Holloway: Criminal Intelligence Unit Detective, photographic memory, sees “shadows”, has his own moral compass, has interesting backstory (in first book), sleep issues including sleep paralysis, has health issues, may have hidden depths that I look forward to hearing about
* Detective Riley: found out in book one that he was SWAT & Robbery detective, marriage on the rocks, has children, quiet, big, staunch friend, grieving and a bit broken
* Kerri Bines: bride-to-be, with Brad, kidnapped from the wedding, hasn’t had it easy, might learn who her father is
* Brad Lowe: sixteen, groom-to be, in love with Kerri, protective, selfless, a good person, kidnapped from the wedding
* The police procedural aspects of the story as well as the court scenes
* The tight intricate plot, perfect pacing, setting in Las Vegas, descriptive and engaging writing
* The character development and how invested I became in the characters
* Being able to thoroughly dislike the “bad guys” and hope Karma would visit upon them
* The twists and turns and surprises and now having MORE baddies on the list to watch in book three
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about corruption, blackmail, and the harm done by human traffickers, manipulating evildoers, and those who are inherently evil ~ There are some truly evil characters in this story
* The pain and suffering of more than one of the characters experienced
* Having to wait for book three.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
Vegas Shadows #2
~ Impactful, intense, immersive story that gripped me from beginning to end ~ Riveting read ~ Can’t wait for the next book ~
What I liked:
* Piper Danes: lawyer, difficult backstory (in first book), Guardian ad Litem, raised by grandmother-now deceased, puts her clients first, attractive, bright, caring, grieving, intriguing, look forward to learning more about her
* Lazarus Holloway: Criminal Intelligence Unit Detective, photographic memory, sees “shadows”, has his own moral compass, has interesting backstory (in first book), sleep issues including sleep paralysis, has health issues, may have hidden depths that I look forward to hearing about
* Detective Riley: found out in book one that he was SWAT & Robbery detective, marriage on the rocks, has children, quiet, big, staunch friend, grieving and a bit broken
* Kerri Bines: bride-to-be, with Brad, kidnapped from the wedding, hasn’t had it easy, might learn who her father is
* Brad Lowe: sixteen, groom-to be, in love with Kerri, protective, selfless, a good person, kidnapped from the wedding
* The police procedural aspects of the story as well as the court scenes
* The tight intricate plot, perfect pacing, setting in Las Vegas, descriptive and engaging writing
* The character development and how invested I became in the characters
* Being able to thoroughly dislike the “bad guys” and hope Karma would visit upon them
* The twists and turns and surprises and now having MORE baddies on the list to watch in book three
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about corruption, blackmail, and the harm done by human traffickers, manipulating evildoers, and those who are inherently evil ~ There are some truly evil characters in this story
* The pain and suffering of more than one of the characters experienced
* Having to wait for book three.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
August 28, 2025
Title: The Night Collector
Author: Victor Methos
Series: Vegas Shadows #2
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: September 16, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars!
Pages 368
We once again find Detective Holloway and guardian ad litem (GAL) attorney Piper Danes working together.
. (Piper was once a vulnerable youth herself, and a GAL gave her hope when she needed it most. Now she’s committed to paying it forward.)
Lazarus is asked to help with the kidnapping of a teenage couple –Keri Bines and Bradley Lowe who were taken at their Vegas wedding. A bracelet is left with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance—Lazarus is familiar with this and it is believe the couple were taken to be sold for human trafficking- used as slaves for sex.
Story gets very involved- as well as dark and disturbing. .
I was pulling for Keri and Brad so was glued to the story.
With author Methos background as a criminal and civil right lawyer I was looking forward to some courtroom drama.
This is the second in the “Vegas Shadows” series however Victor Methos has written over forty novels, as I mentioned he is a lawyer, he conducted over 100 trials. He currently resides in southern Utah.
I read The Silent Watcher first in this series as well as two other Victor Methos stories and were all page turners.
He is praised for his gripping legal thrillers – that his exceptional storytelling has earned him several outstanding awards.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 16, 2025.
Author: Victor Methos
Series: Vegas Shadows #2
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: September 16, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars!
Pages 368
We once again find Detective Holloway and guardian ad litem (GAL) attorney Piper Danes working together.
. (Piper was once a vulnerable youth herself, and a GAL gave her hope when she needed it most. Now she’s committed to paying it forward.)
Lazarus is asked to help with the kidnapping of a teenage couple –Keri Bines and Bradley Lowe who were taken at their Vegas wedding. A bracelet is left with a Mayan symbol of death and vengeance—Lazarus is familiar with this and it is believe the couple were taken to be sold for human trafficking- used as slaves for sex.
Story gets very involved- as well as dark and disturbing. .
I was pulling for Keri and Brad so was glued to the story.
With author Methos background as a criminal and civil right lawyer I was looking forward to some courtroom drama.
This is the second in the “Vegas Shadows” series however Victor Methos has written over forty novels, as I mentioned he is a lawyer, he conducted over 100 trials. He currently resides in southern Utah.
I read The Silent Watcher first in this series as well as two other Victor Methos stories and were all page turners.
He is praised for his gripping legal thrillers – that his exceptional storytelling has earned him several outstanding awards.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 16, 2025.
May 28, 2025
Thank you to both #NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of Victor Methos's latest #legalthriller, The Night Collector, in exchange for an honest review.
#TheNightCollector is the second installment in the Vegas Shadows series. When the leads on an abduction case involving a pair of Vegas teenagers being snatched by masked gunmen during their own wedding ceremony grow stale, Detective Lazarus Holloway contacts GAL Piper Danes to advocate for the victims' families. Similar to the first installment, the unlikely duo soon find themselves mired in a criminal matter linked to a corrupt overarching force; one who is single-handedly proving the moniker 'Sin City' was well-earned and still relevant in present day.
Fast-paced and entertaining, the short chapters will have readers flipping pages long after midnight, as well as eagerly awaiting the next installment. While not entirely necessary since the case itself is secondary to character development, it is recommended that the series be consumed in consecutive order or else readers risk missing some crucial background details. Plus, the plot of the first novel is better crafted and much more exciting, which is part of the reasoning behind the assigned rating.
Another reason is that the writing in the first half of the novel felt clunky, not up to the author's usual standard. Even in instances where I'm indifferent to the main case, I tend to grant high ratings for his novels due to the strength of the writing. For whatever reason, this installment felt off; particularly, the redundant points made in short passages, and more importantly, the characters lost some of their traits and depth. In other words, unlike the first book, the already introduced characters read as two-dimensional here.
Finally, when compared to the first, the horror and suspense was nowhere near as captivating in this sophomore installment. Although I stand by the statement that it is a page-turner, it read akin to a filler episode before the big finale. Given the underlying subplot was barely touched upon this time, I am holding out hope that all the suspense pays off in the third release.
#TheNightCollector is the second installment in the Vegas Shadows series. When the leads on an abduction case involving a pair of Vegas teenagers being snatched by masked gunmen during their own wedding ceremony grow stale, Detective Lazarus Holloway contacts GAL Piper Danes to advocate for the victims' families. Similar to the first installment, the unlikely duo soon find themselves mired in a criminal matter linked to a corrupt overarching force; one who is single-handedly proving the moniker 'Sin City' was well-earned and still relevant in present day.
Fast-paced and entertaining, the short chapters will have readers flipping pages long after midnight, as well as eagerly awaiting the next installment. While not entirely necessary since the case itself is secondary to character development, it is recommended that the series be consumed in consecutive order or else readers risk missing some crucial background details. Plus, the plot of the first novel is better crafted and much more exciting, which is part of the reasoning behind the assigned rating.
Another reason is that the writing in the first half of the novel felt clunky, not up to the author's usual standard. Even in instances where I'm indifferent to the main case, I tend to grant high ratings for his novels due to the strength of the writing. For whatever reason, this installment felt off; particularly, the redundant points made in short passages, and more importantly, the characters lost some of their traits and depth. In other words, unlike the first book, the already introduced characters read as two-dimensional here.
Finally, when compared to the first, the horror and suspense was nowhere near as captivating in this sophomore installment. Although I stand by the statement that it is a page-turner, it read akin to a filler episode before the big finale. Given the underlying subplot was barely touched upon this time, I am holding out hope that all the suspense pays off in the third release.
September 19, 2025
This novel delivers a pulse-pounding blend of suspense, psychological tension, and shocking twists that will leave readers breathless. The premise alone is haunting—two teenagers kidnapped on what should have been one of the happiest days of their lives—and Victor Methos wastes no time pulling the reader straight into their nightmare.
What makes this story stand out is not only the relentless pacing but also the chilling portrayal of the villains. The “bad guys” in this book are some of the most ruthless and unsettling characters I’ve read in a while. They operate with zero remorse and an unnerving single-mindedness, caring for no one and nothing outside of their twisted bond with each other. Their unpredictability keeps you constantly on edge, never knowing what they’ll do next or how far they’ll go.
Methos excels at creating a suffocating sense of dread that only builds as the story progresses. The tension is heightened by the emotional weight of the situation—the fear, desperation, and resilience of the victims paired with the cold, calculated cruelty of their captors. It’s this emotional push and pull that makes the suspense hit even harder.
Just when you think you might have figured out where the story is heading, Methos drops another shocking twist. The final revelations are both unexpected and jaw-dropping, the kind of ending that leaves you stunned and replaying the story in your head long after you’ve turned the last page.
Dark, twisted, and utterly riveting, The Night Collector is a standout thriller that doesn’t just rely on shock value—it’s layered, emotionally charged, and masterfully plotted. Fans of intense, character-driven suspense will not want to miss this chilling ride.
What makes this story stand out is not only the relentless pacing but also the chilling portrayal of the villains. The “bad guys” in this book are some of the most ruthless and unsettling characters I’ve read in a while. They operate with zero remorse and an unnerving single-mindedness, caring for no one and nothing outside of their twisted bond with each other. Their unpredictability keeps you constantly on edge, never knowing what they’ll do next or how far they’ll go.
Methos excels at creating a suffocating sense of dread that only builds as the story progresses. The tension is heightened by the emotional weight of the situation—the fear, desperation, and resilience of the victims paired with the cold, calculated cruelty of their captors. It’s this emotional push and pull that makes the suspense hit even harder.
Just when you think you might have figured out where the story is heading, Methos drops another shocking twist. The final revelations are both unexpected and jaw-dropping, the kind of ending that leaves you stunned and replaying the story in your head long after you’ve turned the last page.
Dark, twisted, and utterly riveting, The Night Collector is a standout thriller that doesn’t just rely on shock value—it’s layered, emotionally charged, and masterfully plotted. Fans of intense, character-driven suspense will not want to miss this chilling ride.
October 26, 2025
Great book and, like the first one in the series, it was hard to put down once you started reading.
Detective Lazarus Holloway learns he has a daughter and she has just been kidnapped. Amanda had been dating Lazarus but he broke up with her and she never told him about his daughter Keri.
Keri and her boyfriend Brad were in a wedding chapel when a black Charger rams into the building and two masked people jump out of the car and grab Keri and Brad and toss them into the trunk. Before he left, the driver slashed the throat of the minister.
Lazarus and his partner Riley try to figure out why the teens were taken. Is someone upset with Lazarus? He never knew he had a daughter.
The driver is Carlito and his partner was a female named Denver. He had just got out of prison a few months earlier. Both are psychopaths and need little reason to kill. In fact, both like to inflict pain on others. He plans to sell them to traffickers. He left Denver in the apartment while he went on an errand. The delivery person came to get the teens but he and Denver fought and she killed him. Now they have no way to deliver the teens and are out the money they were promised.
Meanwhile Lazarus is following up every lead he has to find Keri and Brad. There are a lot of other things going on such as crooked judges and bribed officials, things we hear about in the newspapers every day. It seems that Judge Hope Dawson has helped Denver get out of charges all through her teen years and Denver will do what the judge wants. Did she want the teens taken?
Detective Lazarus Holloway learns he has a daughter and she has just been kidnapped. Amanda had been dating Lazarus but he broke up with her and she never told him about his daughter Keri.
Keri and her boyfriend Brad were in a wedding chapel when a black Charger rams into the building and two masked people jump out of the car and grab Keri and Brad and toss them into the trunk. Before he left, the driver slashed the throat of the minister.
Lazarus and his partner Riley try to figure out why the teens were taken. Is someone upset with Lazarus? He never knew he had a daughter.
The driver is Carlito and his partner was a female named Denver. He had just got out of prison a few months earlier. Both are psychopaths and need little reason to kill. In fact, both like to inflict pain on others. He plans to sell them to traffickers. He left Denver in the apartment while he went on an errand. The delivery person came to get the teens but he and Denver fought and she killed him. Now they have no way to deliver the teens and are out the money they were promised.
Meanwhile Lazarus is following up every lead he has to find Keri and Brad. There are a lot of other things going on such as crooked judges and bribed officials, things we hear about in the newspapers every day. It seems that Judge Hope Dawson has helped Denver get out of charges all through her teen years and Denver will do what the judge wants. Did she want the teens taken?
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