A Trace of Vice

Keri Locke #3

by Blake Pierce

From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.

In A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3 in the Keri Locke mystery series), Keri Locke, Missing Persons Detective in the Homicide division of the LAPD, follows a fresh lead for her abducted daughter. It leads to a violent confrontation with The Collector—which, in turn, offers more clues that may, after all this time, reunite her with her daughter.

Yet at the same time, Keri is assigned a new case, one with a frantic ticking clock. A teenage girl has gone missing in Los Angeles, a girl from a good family was who duped into drugs and abducted into a sex trafficking ring. Keri is hot on her trail—but the trail is moving fast, with the girl being constantly moved and with her abductors’ single, nefarious goal: to cross her over the border with Mexico.

In an epic, breathtaking, cat and mouse chase that takes them through the seedy underworld of trafficking, Keri and Ray will be pushed to their limits to save the girl—and her own daughter—before it is all too late.

A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, A TRACE OF VICE is book #3 in a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2017

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best so far in this series. I couldn't put it down. So gripping . Blake Pierce is an amazing writer, and I'm glad there are plenty more series to read .

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

No shortage of action, intensity, and suspense. Thoroughly enjoying the characters and series.

5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Muzmuz · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh boy poor keri she really is giving it all trying to find her baby girl while saving others.
this series keep on getting darker since the topic is heavy and it involves children.
the story line is easy to follow with bits and pieces of the main overall story being giving out through out it.

[Jessy♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book was so dark and twisted. Definitely had me super anxious. Again this book really surprises me how much is going on and how fast it all goes. I feel like I’m watching an episode of Marcela. Looking forward to next one.

[Melody.readmeabook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keri Locke è una donna, una madre, un'amica ma soprattutto una detective.
Come un segugio scandaglia ogni possibile pista e non molla mai.
La storia principale non è tra le più innovative, ma Pierce riesce a tenere il lettore incollato alle pagine perché riesce a rendere il racconto molto coinvolgente e intrigante.

Voto: 3.2

[Wendy Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon préféré jusqu’à maintenant!
Étant déjà attaché aux personnages, j’étais contente de replonger dans leurs univers. Keri semble plus en contrôle d’elle-même, un peu moins impulsive et c’est moins fâchant pour mon oeil de lectrice. Ray est de retour sur le terrain pour mon grand bonheur, j’adore leur duo! L’enquête est mouvementée et intrigante, c’est celle que j’ai préféré suivre jusqu’à maintenant. En plus, l’enquête autour d’Evie nous apporte de nouveaux éléments!

[Isabelle Deslauriers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le 3e tome ma accroché dès le début ! Les événements se succèdent les un les autres, c’est une enquête course contre la montre. Je l’ai lu très rapidement, c’était difficile d’arrêter. Que ce soit pour l’enquête de police ou celle d’Evie, c’est tout aussi palpitant.

[Rosica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead! This was my least favourite book of the five. As the title suggests, there is immoral and wicked behaviour involved. A girl is kidnapped by a human trafficking ring and shipped from place to place on her way to the final destination, a place of no return: the Bad Place. Luckily, Keri Locke is there to save the day.
I enjoyed the story a lot, there is no doubt about that. What I did not like was the detective's being above the law. She tampers with evidence, kills a person, flees from the crime scene etc. and always gets away with it. She serves her own agenda and I can't condone this, even though her heart is in the right place. So, the trace of vice might be in her, too. When in pursuit, she forgets she is supposed to uphold the law.

[Marquitta Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redundant

This book has a lot of triggers so if you’ve been in a traumatic experience don’t read. I really enjoy following the case on Keri’s daughter and want to know the outcome it this author really has a habit of repeating everything over and over making it redundant. I bought all the books so I’ll continue the series but hopefully future reads by this author aren’t as repetitive.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri and Ray are at it again. These two missing persons investigators (detectives) never give up until every clue to the whereabouts of the person, especially when it is a child or teenager. If you don't know Keri Locke's eight year old daughter was abducted while they were in this park, her going over a speech she was going to make because at the time she happened to a Professor in College in the study of Forensic Crime. So she is paired up with this use to be prized boxer who took one to many hits and was knocked out. In this story they are searching for Sarah Caldwell a young teenager, 16 years old, who was born to this loving couple who had her late in life and she was their everything and she loved them too just as much. So when they called the Captain sent them over to get the details just in case she really was missing and guess what she had been abducted by this men who trafficked in the abduction of young girls, I mean really young girls and also. Anyways they took down the information which led them to her friend Lanie who thought she was just showing her friend to her boyfriend to prove that she had friends. Lanie ended up getting abducted to, so the boyfriend was using her too. During this time she is getting information from the "Collector", they man who took her Evie so in the span of like 24 hours she finds out that Sarah Caldwell has really been abducted and she goes to meet with the man she thinks had abducted her Evie. I started reading Blake Pierce books with Jessie Hunt and so since I am waiting on more of her books to be written I decided that Blake writes a good mystery to I should check out some of his other mystery series. I have been pleasantly surprised. Although Jessie Hunt is my favorite I will give the other mystery series a chance and you should too. I recommend the Keri Locke Series.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased the first book in the series last summer, intent on reading it while on vacation. Needless to say, that didn't happen. So when I went on vacation this year, I picked it up.
Over the past week and a half, I've been working my way through the series. Each book gets better -- maybe its because you've spent so much time with the characters by book three that you now get a feel for the narrative. Most of the characters are very well written. The only one I don't particularly like is Keri. Which is unfortunate, considering the series revolves around her.
Each case is more intense, as is the search for Evie, Keri's missing daughter. I've already started on book four, so here's to hoping that it is just as good as this one!

[Cindy Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome thriller!! Detective Keri Locke is back at work and the bad guys are in trouble. This story will keep you holding on to the edge of your seat beginning with the first page and continueing all the way through to the final page.

Blake Pierce is an outstanding author but, with having said that, I must admit that he has taken this novel to the next level. If you can read only one book this year, it absolutely must be this one. Rock on Mr. Pierce!!

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are incredibly addictive and as you can see from my reading list, I am reading them at the rate of knots. I have been devouring this series and every other series this author has written. What I will note, is that the books seem to be getting shorter at the same price point and the editing leaves a lot to be desired. However, the stories just bring me back for more and more and more.

[Judith Ingersoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Locke a fighter against Vice

I have really enjoyed reading all of the Keri Locke mysteries. And will read all of them. As I need to find out if she ever finds the daughter she lost through kidnapping. These books contain so much mystery and mayhem that you will want to read all to find the answer of if she ever gets her own child back.

[ceejay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped by this story from the first to the last page.
I would never have imagined that this book will carry this level of action. I was tensed from the moment the book started till the end.
Blake Pierce is a great author when it comes to thrillers.
I wish it was possible to give more stars because this book deserves it.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! Although I enjoyed the first 2 in the Keri Locke series, they, in no way, compare to #3. What can I say; interesting, exciting, horrifying,disturbing and more. A story of how horrific the world most of us, thankfully, will never experience. A definite must read

[Kelly Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing addition

Fantastic continuum of Keris story without taking away from the newest plots twists and turns. Yet again, well written, gripping, psychological mind pulling story

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one in the series so far. Only thing I don’t like is the banter and so-called chemistry between Keri and Ray. Their attraction falls flat and Is think it’d be better if they were just regular detective partners. Enjoyed the story though. Great quick read.

[Susan Nordin-Dewar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!

We all know about sex trafficking, but this book shoves it in your face. I was absolutely horrified at what happens to the young girls who were taken, and to the evil that's in this world. An absolute read!

[crystal cannon]

I have got hooked on the character of Blake Pierce, but the cost of his books are going up it seems. Since his books are only around 200 pages long I'm no longer willing to spend nearly as much on them as I would a full length novel.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best in the series so far. My only complaint in listening to the audiobooks is the British narrator’s mis-pronunciation of American places and words. It’s distracting for sure. However, Keri Locke is great and I’m glad I didn’t stop reading after book 1.

[CECELIA V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart pounding discoveries

Couldn't believe suspense could become so scary. The 'human spirit can takes a lot of blows if belief in self is strong. Read on to find what happens next in Keri's life.

[Anita Zavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down

I love all the books from this author. Looking forward to reading many more. Keep up the writing B. P.

[Patricia Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amidst

Suspense from end to end. Thus book does not stop with the car it just goes on and on. She almost got her daughter, but was tripped up at just the wrong time.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never seem to put these books down. just have to get the next asap

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% the best book of the series thus far!! I read in less than 24hrs, page turner for sure!!

[Virginia Novrit · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series i can not stop reading so exciting

[Jill Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. I read it in one day because I could not put it down.

[Dyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I enjoyed it. I liked the characters too.

[Sherri Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Locke does it again

Keri is once again able to infuse trust and get help from sources others would have overlooked. Keri and Ray rice again!