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Booker #4

Blood Ring

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Her dimpled smile and alluring gaze wouldn’t work this time. Neither would her charm, curves, and effervescent youth--qualities that had always kept her moving in all the right circles. The high life.

Not this time. This time was terrifyingly different.

Shackled by her own regrets and the hell delivered by her captors, she struggles to find a sliver of hope where there is none. Time ticks . . .

Having made a name for himself in just a few short months as a Dallas PI, Booker T. Adams yanks the brake on everything once the sister of his business partner and friend, Alisa Lopes, goes missing.

Meanwhile, a family grieves for the loss of their child, another teen who thought she could have it all. Hired to find her killer, Booker treads through a layer of slime, trying to uncover who could be preying on a generation blinded by the hyper-active pursuit of fame and fortune—someone who enjoys it far too much.

With time running out before another shining star turns up in a body bag, Booker chases an invisible executor, grasping at any shred of evidence to find the young beauty.

For Alisa. For the grieving family. For every girl plucked off the street never to be heard from again. It has to stop. Today. In Dallas.

Booker will either succeed or die trying. And so will countless others.

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First published July 10, 2015

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About the author

John W. Mefford

77 books402 followers
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

Learn more about John at www.JohnWMefford.com

Let's connect! Follow John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews497 followers
April 7, 2021
PI Booker Has A New Case...And It's Very Personal!!

Another smashing story by an author who Never let's me down! You hit the ground running as soon as you open the book...Booker's partner, Alisa, finds out her slightly wild sister, Natalie, is missing...Of course she has done some of this stuff before, as they find out when questioning her roommate...And there is another girl, beaten, starved, trying to find safety on the streets....
You are drawn into cases of kidnapping, human trafficking, forced prostitution... Characters so real you can see them standing on the street corner next to you....Booker takes it all in...But we Know he is fuming inside...Is Natalie taken for sale?...
What a trip into the darkness we try to ignore every day... This author opens your eyes with care, consideration, and a fantastic story we all need to read!
Profile Image for Toni Osborne.
1,602 reviews53 followers
June 2, 2021
Booker book #4

I love this one it ticked all the right boxes. “Blood Ring” provides an intense although disturbing subject matter from start to finish. Those with a weak stomach may find this story a bit hard to swallow but no worries for those thriller seekers you will be so deeply into it that you will hate to put it aside. This is one of the best stories IMO in this series....Now to pique your interest just a tiny little bit.....

The story in a few words

Time ticks....

Natalie (Booker’s assistant) wild sister is missing and her long-time friend was tortured to death, her body found in mucky waters...could there be a coincidence here? Is there a sexual predator on the loose? Will Natalie suffer the same faith as her friend?.... No time to waste, Booker springs into action and the chase in on for this invisible executor....But will there be enough time before it is too late. Enough time to stop other girls from being plucked off the street to never be seen again.

I don’t want to spoil the fun so you will need to pick up and read this book for all the nitty-gritty details.

More from little old me (lol)

Following Booker is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish so much pulse-pounding thrills in this plot, so many insurmountable obstacles awaits Booker and so many hoops needs to be jumped....more and more sticks in the wheel for our hero to surmount...ouf, plus being dragged into seedy situations by the end Booker will succeed or die trying and we are left with a read that is more than satisfying.

Mr. Mefford has a very twisted imagination in this adventure. Fast-paced and well said “Blood Ring” provides a very intense story for us to enjoy.

Thank you, Mr. Mefford for giving us hours of enjoyment.
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,515 reviews219 followers
January 16, 2016
What I enjoy most about the books in this series so far is that the stories are thrilling, suspenseful, fast paced and not in the least predictable. Booker-Blood Ring the fourth book in the series was no exception. From the moment I began reading this installment I knew I would be in for a thrilling ride. I was hooked from the very first page.


This time around things have become personal as Alissa’s sister, Natalie is missing. (Alissa is Booker’s assistant). To make matters worse Natalie’s friend was found murdered. The question on everyone’s lips at this point is, is the two incidents related or is it mere coincidence?

I found this installment to be darker and a lot more frightening. I was reminded of the dangers that women and men face at the hands of sexual predators. It was a vivid reminder that the high and fast life is not all that it purports to be. Danger in the form of drugs and sexual deviances is likely to be lurking, patiently waiting for its next victim.

The story was well written and the manner in which each scene was described made me feel as if I were a part of the story. The pace was well balanced and the story did not feel rushed. As one would expect from this genre, there were twists and turns that made me feel as if I were on a roller coaster ride. I found myself guessing time and time again who the villain is. I had a hard time figuring it out as they were so many likely suspects. When the truth was revealed I was totally surprised.

I liked that the author made the characters easy to relate to by infusing their personal lives into the story. I am sure every parent can relate to the challenge Booker faced when it came to providing an appropriate response to his daughters inquisitive and incessant questions. I found these moments very amusing. Most of the characters from the prior books appear in this installment and I was introduced to some new an interesting ones.

This installment is my favourite of the series thus far. I am unable to say any more for fear that I may reveal too much, so my recommendation to you is, get a copy so you will understand what I am speaking about. Also, I would suggest that you get the rest of the books in the series. It will be worth it.
86 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2015
This is my first Mefford book, so I haven't read the other books in the series, but I will definitely be reading them now. Blood Ring kicks off to a great start straight from the get go.

Booker, a Dallas PI has a new case, the carefree and wild sister of his business partner, Alisa , has gone missing and time is running short out fast on finding her. A brutally murdered woman has shown up and things start to point at a possible connection between the disappearance of Alisa's sister Natalie, and the murder. Could they be connected? Is the sister's fate already drawn out in blood? Booker needs to figure out if the two cases are related, and fast. With Alisa at his side they start to uncover more than they were ready for, but lives are at stake and the clock is ticking. Natalie is trying to keep herself together, her smile and quick charm won't be getting her out of this mess this time. She struggles to find anymore hope as her captures take their turn with her. Will she be saved from this hell she's been delivered too? Will she see the light of day again? Natalie isn't sure she'll be making it out at all the longer she's held.

Mean awhile Alisa and Booker are working hard at trying to find Natalie, as details emerge along the investigation, more evidence springs up topping the level of intensity to an all time high, will they be able to put it all together in time to find and save Natalie? Will they be able to stop more young women from being taken and tortured and brutally murdered? You'll have to read to find out!

This book was very fast paced, and very well written. The details and description made it an incredibly vivid read. There's a back and forth way about this, between Alisa and Booker doing their work and combing through the case, to Natalie trying to hold herself together, but you're never lost in what's happened. The thrill and the suspense made it difficult to put down until I reached the end. If you enjoy a crime suspense story, this is for you! I would really enjoy reading series from the start, great intro for me to a new Author, I am hooked for sure!

*I received the following product(s) to review . I was not required to write a positive review no other monetary compensation was given . Any and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
July 24, 2015
I won't deny that I am a fan of Booker. While most of the books can be read stand alone, this one will be understood and appreciated best if you have read the previous installments to this series.
I will add TRIGGER WARNINGS for mature content and torture. While many romance novels have more graphic content, John Mefford paints the scenes so well with his words a reader may feel the torture and violence personally.

This is a very well rounded novel. It is dark and gritty and terrifying in parts but balanced with the family and friendship around Booker. Samantha, Booker's 5 year old daughter, is growing up far too quickly.
Alisa, Booker's assistant/partner (he is about ready to define a term for her) is the focus for most of the book. Natalie, Alisa's sister, has disappeared and a friend of Natalie's is discovered tortured to death, discarded in a muddy riverbed. There are so many levels of disgusting deceit built into this installment.
I am glad when I see returning secondary characters in the books. They add so much. Dax was really a pain this time. I can see something nasty coming in his future. I mentioned Booker is about to define his partnership relation with Alisa. There is a twist coming there too.

As can be expected when many law enforcement agencies work together to bring a case to a close, we are not privy to everything going down, which made for almost an abrupt jump to the final rescue scene.
I know for sure there are some jobs I never want and pray no one I care about is assigned.

I did receive a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I can not wait to see where this series takes us next.

226 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2016
I liked it!

And plan to check out more in the Booker series. I enjoy a good mystery devoid of sex and bad language so I am hoping the rest of the series will deliver.
218 reviews3 followers
March 30, 2021
This fantastic author never fails to provide a thrilling mystery full of suspense and incredibly evil characters and situations. You are immediately immersed in kidnapping, abuse, human trafficking, and prostitution from the first sentence of the story. A young girl is running for her life. She has been starved, drugged and severely abused and beaten for days. Unfortunately, her escape attempt is fueled solely by adrenalin which is not enough for her to get away from her pursuer. Later, when the girl’s horribly mutilated body is found discarded in a dump, Booker is hired by the family to find out why, who, where, and when. While Booker and Alisa begin to tackle the case, Alisa finds that her wild, beautiful younger sister has disappeared without a trace. The story then proceeds from two different directions, but eventually collide into an intense and very emotional ending. Of course, the whole time, Booker and Alisa are the fulcrum of the two stories. Thankfully, you are able to breathe, as this author is able to provide relief from the intensity in just the right places by bringing in spots of humor with Justin and his antics with David, the bar and the food truck business, and with Booker’s five-year old daughter, Samantha, who has started with the “awkward question phase” in her life. These books are fast-paced and difficult to put down after you start. I highly recommend that you read the earlier books in the series so that you can follow the development and interaction of the characters. Although I received an advance copy, this review is totally my own since I really enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Julie.
281 reviews5 followers
May 15, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another Improved Book in “The Booker Thriller Series”

John Mefford’s writing skills really show in this new & improved “Booker Thriller Series.” He definitely does not disappoint in the rewrite of “Blood Ring.” Booker's assistant, whose younger and wilder sister has gone missing. No one knows where, when or who has her! As you ride this thriller with Booker and his tag alongs you won’t be able to put the book down. The excitement is breath taking and you will be glued to your seat. Another five star winner! I loved this book and highly recommend this book and the entire series. You don’t want be disappointed it them. Grab the series now and settle down for an amazing time in Booker’s world!
Profile Image for Barbara.
755 reviews6 followers
April 3, 2021
The fourth book in the Booker Thriller series is as good as the first three. Booker and his partner. Alisa, start trying to find out what happened to Alisa’s sister Nataline who went missing 10 days ago. In a matter of a few days, Booker and Alisa manage to get themselves into the mystery of what happened in a world of drugs, money, and girl trafficking. The book’s characters are very well written and the scenery is described so you feel you are right there. The interacting between Booker and Alisa is great and I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Bob.
927 reviews
March 22, 2021
Excellent edge of your seat thriller. This time, while Booker looks for a murderer of young women, his assistant's 19 year old stepsister goes missing. Booker works to uncover a prostitution and human trafficking ring before the girl is sold or murdered. I highly recommend this suspense packed journey and eagerly await the next book.
275 reviews4 followers
April 20, 2021
This series sucks you in and keeps you wanting more.  The subject matter in this particular book is not for the faint of heart.   I did find some parts a bit disturbing. Having said that I found it very hard to put down. Alisa's sister has gone missing.  Some gruesome murders have taken place. Is there a connection?  If so can they find her in time?  Another great Booker adventure. 
Profile Image for Bev.
3,271 reviews98 followers
April 7, 2021
Another excellent story by John W. Mefford. Great characters and a fast-paced story that will grab you from the beginning until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
294 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2021
Another winner. Well written with great characters. Pulls me in from the first page. Edge of your seat excitement. Love this series and can't wait for the next story.
Profile Image for Debbie Mcnally.
980 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2021
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Awesome book plenty of twist and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Becca.
219 reviews116 followers
July 30, 2015
Let me start this review with a shout out to the author! What a sweet man! I am a print type of girl. I will admit I like to hold that book in my hand and turn the pages. I want the pages to be worn from me reading them over and over. E-readers have made life easier, but nothing will compare to print. I spoke with John because I am addicted to this series and I wanted it on my bookshelf! They are coming in December. Can I say I am so excited? Beyond excited!

I will compare my addiction to these books like I love James Patterson. Yes, they are that good and you will want to keep reading. I would recommend that you read this as a whole series so that you can really get the story line. This book is for a mature audience and there are some graphic scenes, but I would want nothing less. We read a lot of romance and light reads, but every now and again we want to be taken to somewhere we would never go. This book in the series has a lot of grit and surrounds Alisa, Booker’s assistant, for most of the time after her sister, Natalie, has been tortured to death.

Lots of open ended plot twists that I hope will be answered in the coming book. This book will keep you on your toes and sometimes your face will contort a little bit with some of the scene descriptions, but that’s perfect! Means the author did his job by painting the scenes so vividly you feel like you could be there. Keep it up Mr. Mefford! I can not wait for more and to get my hands on those print copies!

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
Profile Image for Shelly.
Author 2 books37 followers
July 21, 2015
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions below are 100% my own.

Oh, Mr. Mefford, you have done it again! I've been reading this series since book one and as I read each book, I can't wait for the next one! Blood Ring is riveting, thrilling and a grip that won't set you free kind of read from the very first line! Angie, Booker's assistant, has a sister with quite the assorted lifestyle - in other words, she's wild. I love free-spirited people because they're like my counterpart in a book versus who I am on a day-to-day basis. So Angie's sister disappears and another woman is found brutally mutilated at the dump - are the cases related? Booker is sure to find the truth one way or another but all the while, he has to keep Angie pulled together.

I love that Mefford pulls in some more of Booker's personal side of his life to the intrigue of all the cases. Samantha, Booker's daughter, is growing up and as a parent, I know that with each year that passes, the questions about life get harder. I love the growing aspect of their relationship...it's a nice relief to laugh a bit here and there!

While this book can be read as a standalone, I HIGHLY suggest reading the first three books in the series. You'll get to know Booker more intimately and discover what makes him tick. It definitely adds to the story line!

I couldn't put this book down and am anxiously awaiting book five!
Profile Image for Michele.
1,852 reviews63 followers
July 14, 2015
The first couple of sentences will catch you quickly and for me it continued throughout this novel! You really have to click in to read those first sentences!! Angie, Booker's assistant who is more like a partner in his PI firm has a sister--a wild child who has suddenly and mysteriously gone missing. Another girl is found horribly mutilated at a dump. Hoping the two cases are not related Booker is bound and determined to find the perpetrators. He is also trying to hold Angie together who is trying to hold it together but is scared to death for her sister.

Meanwhile Booker's daughter, Samantha is at the age where she is asking questions--you know the kind--the ones you really don't know how to answer!! It does bring some comic relief to this tale of greed, slave trading and murder.

Will Booker, Alicia and a host of other police and FBI officials be able to bring down this ring? Will Angie's sister be saved in time? And you won't believe who is really behind all this--and it is not who you will think it is!!
BOOKER - Blood Ring (A Private Investigator Thriller Series of Crime and Suspense): Volume 4
Profile Image for Leila.
581 reviews9 followers
July 22, 2015
What can you say about a series and author that you absolutely love?

John Mefford is my Melissa Foster of the mystery world. I have yet to come across one of his books that I dislike and Booker: Blood Ring is no different.

I have read all of the Booker series books up to this one and while they string together perfectly, I believe they could be read as stand alone books. However, they are much more enjoyable read together.

Booker: Blood Ring starts right off the bat on page one, pulling you into the mystery.

Like the previous books in the series, we are dealing with more than one mystery and curious how they may or may not link together.

I love the fast pace, suspense that leaves me trying to solve the puzzle before Booker (which has yet to happen.)

I don’t know what else to share without sharing every little detail of the book and giving away the mystery, the links, the everything of the book! And nothing I say won’t be a repeat of my previous reviews of the Booker series.

I will tell you that if you enjoy a suspenseful mystery read – you will enjoy the Booker series. I have to say, when it comes to mystery and suspense, this is definitely my favorite series!
Profile Image for April.
1,850 reviews72 followers
July 31, 2015
Volume #4 of the "Booker" series. While each book can be read as a stand alone. I would suggest to start reading this series from the beginning, to better understand the characters and the circumstances involved.
I believe "Blood Ring" is more intense, more emotional and more in depth than the others thus far. This series, especially, this one, is not for the faint of heart. There is torture, danger, mystery, suspense and a bit of romance. Fans of Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense and action filled stories will enjoy "Booker". The descriptions are so vivid you can almost feel the torture as it is happening. Whew! Well written with a unique storyline and engaging characters. The scenes are realistic, think "Criminal Minds". An interesting and intriguing story full of drama. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

* Received for an honest review from the publisher via Beck Valley *

**Will be cross -posted on My Book Addiction and More **

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Hot due to the graphic material
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
50 reviews
July 12, 2015
I have read each book in the Booker series. Each one was better than the last. Ex police officer turned P.I., Booker's character is one who has really developed. I enjoy his personality, his loyalty, and his ethics. Each book brings him more into focus. The characters in this fourth installment have really developed and interact well and compliment each other. When Booker's partner Alisa's sister winds up missing, of course Booker and Alisa are on the case hoping that their current case of the murdered Jade will lead them to Natalie. The story is well written with not a lot of wasted words/story background. The story moves along at a good pace and keeps you interested from the very start. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but want to tell you to read this book. Start with the first one to get the back story of Booker leaving the DPD and you will enjoy each book in the series.
Profile Image for Julie.
281 reviews5 followers
May 15, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another Improved Book in “The Booker Thriller Series”

John Mefford’s writing skills really show in this new & improved “Booker Thriller Series.” He definitely does not disappoint in the rewrite of “Blood Ring.” Booker's assistant, whose younger and wilder sister has gone missing. No one knows where, when or who has her! As you ride this thriller with Booker and his tag alongs you won’t be able to put the book down. The excitement is breath taking and you will be glued to your seat. Another five star winner! I loved this book and highly recommend this book and the entire series. You don’t want be disappointed it them. Grab the series now and settle down for an amazing time in Booker’s world!
Profile Image for Julie Baswell.
724 reviews29 followers
July 28, 2015
When Alisa’s sister Natalie goes missing, she and her partner Booker work around the clock to find her. After Natalie’s friend Jade is found brutally murdered, they know that they have to hurry and find something to link the two events together. Following the clues, they find themselves leaning more and more on each other personally, as well as professionally.

Although the descriptions were more graphic than I would have liked, I think it helped me to feel the extreme emotions of the characters. This installment of the Booker series was definitely on the dark side. But I like that Booker showed some of his softer side. I look forward to seeing where this leads.
Profile Image for Laura Frost.
172 reviews4 followers
May 23, 2016
John Mefford skillfully draws in the reader and interweaves what seem like two totally unconnected plot lines. We enter the story seeing the plight of a kidnapped young woman then switch to a happy birthday party scene. These two plot lines could begin farther from each other and as the novel moves forward we get glimpses of connection points.

Glimpses that kept me on the edge of my seat striving to figure out who the bad guy was before Booker. Some day I might figure it out, but not if Mefford keeps writing as wonderfully as he has shown to do in the past 4 Booker PI novels.
Profile Image for Kevin.
629 reviews10 followers
July 27, 2015
I thought it was a good story line - The only issue I had was in one chapter the story jumped and was hard to follow. It was where Booker just confronted a Senator Chief of staff and then it jumped right to him rescuing Natalie. Thought maybe it needed a little more to set it up as even the FBI showed up. Other than that I enjoyed the story line
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,379 reviews30 followers
April 8, 2021
Booker is an ex-cop turned PI and is hired to track down a killer in this exciting addition to the series. This storyline involves kidnapping, human trafficking, and forced prostitution. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. Never a dull moment. This is a highly recommended, entertaining series. This honest review is based on a complimentary copy from the author
Profile Image for Sherry Vaughan.
842 reviews10 followers
April 13, 2021
Hard Hitting

Booker strays into dark territory in this story. This is a hard book to read because of the subject matter. Sexual slavery is a terrible but persistent problem in this day and age. Booker gets an up close and personal view of the aftermath. This is a hard hitting, action packed adventure.
Profile Image for Michele.
77 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this book..John Medford is a fantastic author.. He really draws you into his story and keeps it fast paced all the way.. I love all the characters Booker, justin, Samantha , and Alisa.. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
28 reviews
July 19, 2015
Blood Ring

I have to say I am really enjoying these thrillers. I put it down & then immediately pick it up again. Suspenseful & not totally predictable. Good read
Profile Image for Ollie Sullivan.
9 reviews
September 15, 2018
Very GOOD book.

This is my second book in the series. More on to the 3 book with excitement.
I recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
401 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2016
Very much enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed the prior ones in this series. I look forward to reading #5 in the series next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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