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Jack West #2
Lethal Liaisons
Houston Homicide Detective Jack West is back at work. A fresh case he's working might be connected to a murder case fellow detectives Chang and Severson are working. The Medical Examiner's report shows some similarities to each murder, but the victims are strangers with nothing in common. A third murder victim found under a bridge on the Buffalo Bayou confirms Houston has a serial killer on the loose. Three very diverse people are dead—are these hate crimes, and if so, how many more will die? The clock is ticking; Jack and his team need to catch this killer before another body shows up.
378 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2021
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Deanna King
7 books59 followersI was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, however, did not grow up in the corn husker state. My father was in the Air Force, and that was how he ended up from Texas to Nebraska to meet my mom. Military families move around, as most of you know, so I have lived in many places. The most exciting place was Japan; unfortunately, I was too young to enjoy or remember the experience. Living in Texas for a huge portion of my life means I consider myself a good ole Texas gal.
Moving from place to place, I was always the new kid so I couldn’t be shy, and people who know me will tell you that being shy is not a problem for me in the slightest. I love meeting people and making new friends wherever I go. My aunt introduced me to the classics, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Black Beauty, Heidi, Charlotte’s Webb and Alice in Wonderland, to name a few. Reading took me to a new place and with my vivid imagination drawing me into the book, I was part of the story. From the classics, I moved to mysteries, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, graduating to the love stories of Harlequin and Silhouette.
Before the Internet and personal computers, I either typed or wrote longhand. However, my handwriting stinks (perhaps I should have been a physician) and I had problems reading it myself. I know you are laughing and so am I. So, yes; I used an old fashion typewriter.
I finally had enough of a manuscript to work with and a query. I was ready to send it by snail mail to Harlequin. Despite all the slush piles, I hoped at least my work would be reviewed before they trashed it, sending me the obligatory “thank you but no thank you” reply. Snail mail takes forever and replies even longer. So I went about my life, and I kept writing when I found the time.
I received an unexpected phone call from New York months later. A representative from Harlequin was calling. My heart was racing. It excited me that maybe my dream of being a published author was about to come true. No. My dream was still a dream. I was disappointed and exhilarated, but I would not give up.
Years later a chain of events happened, giving me ample time to write, and I pounded the keyboard, publishing my first children’s book. Afterward, I was given an opportunity to have my first crime novel published, and since then I have finished the second and third Jack West Novels, and have been working on the fourth. Lest I forget, I also have a soon-to-be-published fantasy/romance, and the second book is in the works.
My life over the years has brought me full circle to a dream that began years ago. I am now a published author and excited that I get to entertain readers!
Moving from place to place, I was always the new kid so I couldn’t be shy, and people who know me will tell you that being shy is not a problem for me in the slightest. I love meeting people and making new friends wherever I go. My aunt introduced me to the classics, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Black Beauty, Heidi, Charlotte’s Webb and Alice in Wonderland, to name a few. Reading took me to a new place and with my vivid imagination drawing me into the book, I was part of the story. From the classics, I moved to mysteries, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, graduating to the love stories of Harlequin and Silhouette.
Before the Internet and personal computers, I either typed or wrote longhand. However, my handwriting stinks (perhaps I should have been a physician) and I had problems reading it myself. I know you are laughing and so am I. So, yes; I used an old fashion typewriter.
I finally had enough of a manuscript to work with and a query. I was ready to send it by snail mail to Harlequin. Despite all the slush piles, I hoped at least my work would be reviewed before they trashed it, sending me the obligatory “thank you but no thank you” reply. Snail mail takes forever and replies even longer. So I went about my life, and I kept writing when I found the time.
I received an unexpected phone call from New York months later. A representative from Harlequin was calling. My heart was racing. It excited me that maybe my dream of being a published author was about to come true. No. My dream was still a dream. I was disappointed and exhilarated, but I would not give up.
Years later a chain of events happened, giving me ample time to write, and I pounded the keyboard, publishing my first children’s book. Afterward, I was given an opportunity to have my first crime novel published, and since then I have finished the second and third Jack West Novels, and have been working on the fourth. Lest I forget, I also have a soon-to-be-published fantasy/romance, and the second book is in the works.
My life over the years has brought me full circle to a dream that began years ago. I am now a published author and excited that I get to entertain readers!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 16, 2021
It’s a twisted tale of murder that any mystery and suspense fan should surely love. The characters are absolutely wonderful...especially Detective Jack West. The author brings them to life with some humor, lots of suspense, and colorful personalities. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series...can’t wait for the next one.. Be sure to read Book 1... Twist of Fate...as it will get you better acquainted with Detective Jack West...and believe me, he is someone that you will diffidently want to become better acquainted with.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Black Rose Writing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Black Rose Writing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.
September 25, 2025
I found this terrible… Ok plot, terrible dialogue. I am surprised by the high ratings. I would give it less than one star if I could.
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November 15, 2022I won this sequel as a Library Thing Giveaway, Black Rose Publishing, so did not read #1. I am not sure I want to read another.
On one hand, this police mystery was interesting. There were likeable, realistic law enforcement people, good investigation, a fascinating and creepy murderer and satisfying ending. I really liked the characters chemistry. However, I simply did not like the author's writing style. That saying about being "man-splained" instead was writer-splained
Deanna King had some irritating habits and made me just sigh. 1. while in dialogue a character would make a pun and then remark it was a pun. This was a constant irritation. The clever reader will pick up it was a pun because of context, and does not need such a blatant explanation. 2. there were too may cliche idioms and again, they were explained" 3. The idea a certain supervisor is disliked and mistrusted was obvious and did not need to be repeated ad nau·se·am. 4. Each crime investigator has a nickname and in the course of their first arrival, their Said nickname is explained - usually a play of their original name or physical appearance. That was clever and a bit fun. But, the nickname being "explained" repeatedly got irritating. The unorganized switching of Real Name and Nickname during dialogue got confusing. I personally would have gone with the Real name while speaking to Higher Ups and the public and Nicknames with one another.
5. The text size and possibly the font kept switching. Not sure if this was a format issue or my Kindle.
Thank you Black Rose Publishing
On one hand, this police mystery was interesting. There were likeable, realistic law enforcement people, good investigation, a fascinating and creepy murderer and satisfying ending. I really liked the characters chemistry. However, I simply did not like the author's writing style. That saying about being "man-splained" instead was writer-splained
Deanna King had some irritating habits and made me just sigh. 1. while in dialogue a character would make a pun and then remark it was a pun. This was a constant irritation. The clever reader will pick up it was a pun because of context, and does not need such a blatant explanation. 2. there were too may cliche idioms and again, they were explained" 3. The idea a certain supervisor is disliked and mistrusted was obvious and did not need to be repeated ad nau·se·am. 4. Each crime investigator has a nickname and in the course of their first arrival, their Said nickname is explained - usually a play of their original name or physical appearance. That was clever and a bit fun. But, the nickname being "explained" repeatedly got irritating. The unorganized switching of Real Name and Nickname during dialogue got confusing. I personally would have gone with the Real name while speaking to Higher Ups and the public and Nicknames with one another.
5. The text size and possibly the font kept switching. Not sure if this was a format issue or my Kindle.
Thank you Black Rose Publishing
Read
August 27, 2023I’m not going to give this a rating but I will caution readers there seems to be some weird almost anti-trans homophonic comments throughout the book that I really struggled with.
May 17, 2021
Review of eBook
There’s a killer on the loose in Houston and homicide detective Jack West finds his case might be connected to one detectives Xi Chang and Jace Severson are working. It’s far from certain, though; so far, they’ve discovered no connection, no commonality, between the victims. Still . . . .
With the discovery of a third victim, killed in the same unique manner as the first two victims, it’s clear that there’s a serial killer in Houston. Will Jack and his team track down the killer before someone else becomes a victim?
Although this works as a stand-alone, it is the second book in the Jack West mystery series. The characters are well-developed, nuanced, and believable; the questions surrounding the victims and the killer are intriguing and keep the pages turning. The plot takes some unexpected twists and turns along the way to its surprising denouement.
Even though the story concludes with the major plot points resolved, some loose ends remain; the unanswered questions are likely to frustrate some readers. Additionally, character nicknames often seem forced and make little sense; after the third or fourth explanation of why someone has a particular nickname, it becomes an annoyance and detracts from the story being told.
While the story is intriguing, it desperately needs the services of a good editor. Sentences such as “It the right thing to do . . . .” or “As soon as my partner finishes with you husband . . . .” join far too many awkward or fragmented sentences, all pulling the reader out of the telling of the tale. In addition, the overuse of an offensive expletive demeans the officers, insults the reader, and lowers the rating for this book.
There’s a killer on the loose in Houston and homicide detective Jack West finds his case might be connected to one detectives Xi Chang and Jace Severson are working. It’s far from certain, though; so far, they’ve discovered no connection, no commonality, between the victims. Still . . . .
With the discovery of a third victim, killed in the same unique manner as the first two victims, it’s clear that there’s a serial killer in Houston. Will Jack and his team track down the killer before someone else becomes a victim?
Although this works as a stand-alone, it is the second book in the Jack West mystery series. The characters are well-developed, nuanced, and believable; the questions surrounding the victims and the killer are intriguing and keep the pages turning. The plot takes some unexpected twists and turns along the way to its surprising denouement.
Even though the story concludes with the major plot points resolved, some loose ends remain; the unanswered questions are likely to frustrate some readers. Additionally, character nicknames often seem forced and make little sense; after the third or fourth explanation of why someone has a particular nickname, it becomes an annoyance and detracts from the story being told.
While the story is intriguing, it desperately needs the services of a good editor. Sentences such as “It the right thing to do . . . .” or “As soon as my partner finishes with you husband . . . .” join far too many awkward or fragmented sentences, all pulling the reader out of the telling of the tale. In addition, the overuse of an offensive expletive demeans the officers, insults the reader, and lowers the rating for this book.
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November 20, 2021Great story
This copy was not great. The print type went from super small to big. There were too many typos.
The story is about murders. Difficult for the detectives because motive was hard to find. Adultery kills.
This copy was not great. The print type went from super small to big. There were too many typos.
The story is about murders. Difficult for the detectives because motive was hard to find. Adultery kills.
Read
June 7, 2022Excellent read book two was a great finish from book one , Way to go Deanna couldn’t put it down .
April 12, 2022
Another instalment of fun and frolics from Deanna King.
She doesn't disappoint with this terrific pot-boiler.
I look forward to more in this series.
She doesn't disappoint with this terrific pot-boiler.
I look forward to more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews