Lena DeVine: Over the Edge

by C. C. Jirón

Consumed by grief and suspicion, Lena barrels down a dark, desolate highway on a Fourth of July weekend, fixated on avenging her twin sister’s death. The killer thinks he got away with it. Lena thinks not. She has video evidence, a belly full of rage, a brand new pistol, and a clever plan. But will all of that be enough or will her sister's death go unsolved and unpunished?

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Dacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

In C. C. Jiron’s LENA DeVINE-Over the Edge, a married pilot, who writes erotic poems, and a girl in her early twenties, single and searching, find themselves on a stagnant love boat. Shar, Lena’s twin sister, says this love game, or whatever Lena thinks it is, has been rigged from the start. Gat considers it a love adventure, his chance to try out an open marriage. Then death occurs, of someone dearest to Lena, and while the world moves on, Lena finds evidence to prove murder. Along comes Daphne and Bailey. Also, a cat named Bandit.

This is the story of identical twins and how a man wedged himself between them, causing more anguish than he’d intended. Daphne and Bailey, who arrive a while later, appear as bystanders in the beginning, but they’re part of the story, especially towards the end, and they’re geniuses besides being fun to have for company.

LENA DeVine intrigued me. It begins in the middle, introducing Lena as she drives to Prescott, Arizona. The middle immersed me in the circumstances that led to Lena buying a gun. Daphne and Bailey arrive, and what are they up to? Lena later confesses to the Sheriff that they guilted her into giving them a ride, but is that all? Then comes the ending, brilliant and satisfying.

I love this book because of the characters. Seeing Gat many pages later as he explained himself, made me feel sorry for him. Shar has her bad and good sides, and I would’ve loved to hear her story from the horse’s mouth. Daphne and Bailey are quite a duo; they’re like guardian angels. Rudy epitomizes the challenges ex-convicts face as they begin anew. And there’s Lena, soft at first but getting tougher and tougher as the going gets twisted and suspenseful.

And there are scenes impossible to forget, mostly because of the clever dialogue and characters. Such as a woman accosting Lena at the bar, mistaking her for Shar, dropping a bomb; the Prescott Sheriff hearing out Lena and her estranged friends; Gat polishing Lena's toenails.

For readers, this book blends romance, murder, and investigation. If you’re into that, then I assure you a special treat.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena DeVine: Over the Edge is a tense, emotionally charged thriller driven by grief, vengeance, and the razor thin line between justice and obsession. C. C. Jirón launches readers into the story with immediate urgency, placing Lena on a dark highway during a Fourth of July weekend, consumed by rage and purpose.

The premise is sharp and cinematic. Armed with video evidence, a new pistol, and a carefully constructed plan, Lena believes she holds the advantage. Yet the emotional volatility beneath her determination creates an undercurrent of unpredictability. The novel asks a compelling question: when grief becomes fuel, does it sharpen clarity or cloud judgment?

At 264 pages, the pacing maintains tension while exploring the psychological cost of loss. Lena is not portrayed as invincible. Her vulnerability deepens the suspense, making each decision feel consequential. The narrative leans into themes of justice, morality, and the emotional aftermath of violence, keeping readers engaged both externally and internally.

This is a gripping read for fans of revenge driven thrillers and character centered suspense with strong emotional stakes.