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The San Francisco Mystery #2
Amanda's Dragonfly
From Amazon Bestselling Author Alexi Venice
Alexi Venice’s bestselling SAN FRANCISCO MYSTERY SERIES is a crime drama that tests the bonds of love and loyalty among Dr. Jen Dawson, Detective Tommy Vietti, and District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne.
Amanda Hawthorne is a powerful District Attorney in San Francisco, defined by her beauty and own brand of justice. When a war erupts between the DA’s Office and the Italian mafia—with a Russian billionaire lurking in the background—Amanda must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her lover, Dr. Jen Dawson.
Jen is facing monumental personal changes and dangerous threats from mobsters. Under life-or-death conditions, Jen sees a new side of Amanda that challenges her previous perceptions. Jen struggles for independence and survival, as Amanda’s war hijacks her life.
Tommy Vietti intentionally dropped off the matrix after Jen left him for Amanda. Feeling viciously betrayed by both of them, the last thing he wants is for them to find him. Tommy is no stranger to drama and danger, but Amanda’s mobster case generates more than even he could imagine.
Alexi Venice’s bestselling SAN FRANCISCO MYSTERY SERIES is a crime drama that tests the bonds of love and loyalty among Dr. Jen Dawson, Detective Tommy Vietti, and District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne.
Amanda Hawthorne is a powerful District Attorney in San Francisco, defined by her beauty and own brand of justice. When a war erupts between the DA’s Office and the Italian mafia—with a Russian billionaire lurking in the background—Amanda must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her lover, Dr. Jen Dawson.
Jen is facing monumental personal changes and dangerous threats from mobsters. Under life-or-death conditions, Jen sees a new side of Amanda that challenges her previous perceptions. Jen struggles for independence and survival, as Amanda’s war hijacks her life.
Tommy Vietti intentionally dropped off the matrix after Jen left him for Amanda. Feeling viciously betrayed by both of them, the last thing he wants is for them to find him. Tommy is no stranger to drama and danger, but Amanda’s mobster case generates more than even he could imagine.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2017
About the author
Alexi Venice
29 books400 followersAlexi Venice writes award-winning medical, legal, and crime thrillers with smart and gritty female leads. Her stories blend high-stakes investigations, courtroom shenanigans, emotional depth, and character-driven romance in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 11, 2017
Good 2nd series! intense,killing,mob & Russian connection,law enforcement,crafty,bad and crazy characters added to the previous cast..some good others not in the least..nice continuing plot twist and also good storytelling.. some of the dialogue could have been omitted..fluffy ending
August 21, 2019
review to follow.
February 11, 2020
I enjoyed most of this book, but I couldn’t help feeling it should have been better.
My main problem was it seemed like the author was just trying too hard, the story was packed with subplots and incidents to the point where I didn’t think any of them were done really well. In fact it was a bit like when a TV series is beginning to flag, so the writers start throwing in everything they can think of and getting characters to do ridiculous things in the hope it will cover up some of the cracks.
My main problem was it seemed like the author was just trying too hard, the story was packed with subplots and incidents to the point where I didn’t think any of them were done really well. In fact it was a bit like when a TV series is beginning to flag, so the writers start throwing in everything they can think of and getting characters to do ridiculous things in the hope it will cover up some of the cracks.
May 25, 2017
A truly compelling book! No need to have extra caffeine to stay awake til the wee hours of the morning when reading this book! Amanda's Dragonfly is solid suspense and passion; I had a hard time putting it down. My only disappointment was that the book ended!
April 19, 2020
Amanda’s Dragonfly is the second book in The San Francisco Mystery Series, and let me tell you, it delivers on every count! Book two has proven to be every bit as captivating as the first. The writing is solid. The storytelling is masterful. The characters are engaging. It is everything you want in a legal thriller, and more.
Amanda Hawthorne is without a doubt one of the most intriguing characters I’ve come across in a long time. She is a sharp and talented DA that doesn’t intimidate easily. She often stops at nothing to get what she wants, and what she wants more than anything is a life with Jen Dawson. Her love for Jen is intense and very passionate. It often drives her to do impetuous and dangerous things. However, those rash decisions often lead to wonderful plot twists that prove to be quite riveting. Amanda’s once black and white pursuit of justice begins to develop some interesting shades of grey. This, in turn, creates gut churning turmoil for her.
Tommy Viettia remains a central figure in book two. As he and Amanda repair their professional relationship, their personal relationship becomes more complicated. With each passing day, he finds himself more entangled in Amanda and Jen’s domestic life. The three share an unusual, but provocative dynamic. This strange triangle provides captivating reading, for sure.
Rest assured, Amanda’s Dragonfly is one you will not want to miss. It is fast paced and superbly crafted. Venice has once again created a story that is gripping, entertaining and absorbing. The are so many twists and unexpected turns; readers are left a little breathless times. Amanda’s Dragonfly is a fun read and it definitely doesn't disappoint.
Amanda Hawthorne is without a doubt one of the most intriguing characters I’ve come across in a long time. She is a sharp and talented DA that doesn’t intimidate easily. She often stops at nothing to get what she wants, and what she wants more than anything is a life with Jen Dawson. Her love for Jen is intense and very passionate. It often drives her to do impetuous and dangerous things. However, those rash decisions often lead to wonderful plot twists that prove to be quite riveting. Amanda’s once black and white pursuit of justice begins to develop some interesting shades of grey. This, in turn, creates gut churning turmoil for her.
Tommy Viettia remains a central figure in book two. As he and Amanda repair their professional relationship, their personal relationship becomes more complicated. With each passing day, he finds himself more entangled in Amanda and Jen’s domestic life. The three share an unusual, but provocative dynamic. This strange triangle provides captivating reading, for sure.
Rest assured, Amanda’s Dragonfly is one you will not want to miss. It is fast paced and superbly crafted. Venice has once again created a story that is gripping, entertaining and absorbing. The are so many twists and unexpected turns; readers are left a little breathless times. Amanda’s Dragonfly is a fun read and it definitely doesn't disappoint.
June 25, 2019
This second installment in the series picks up with DA Amanda Hawthorne and Det. Tommy Vietta investigating the death of Natasha Farber and taking on the Italian AND Russian Mafia at the same time.
Meanwhile, Amanda and Dr. Jen Dawson grow closer and find their way to a building a life together while Tommy Vietta escapes San Francisco to lick his wounds in Hawaii with,Vhina a beautiful Hawaiian woman of questionable repute. There is more to Vhina than what meets the eye, as we find out!
Jen has not been feeling well lately, and there is a perfectly good reason for this. What will Amanda say and do when she find out why Jen feels unwell?
Amanda and Jen go to Hawaii to fetch Tommy and bring him back to San Francisco because he's the only Homicide detective who knows what needs to be done about the Natasha Farber killing. What adventures await them in Hawaii?
This series just keeps getting better and more involved all the time. I don't know how a person writes a book like this, but I bet it's not easy! So involved, so detailed and so, so good!
And you get to find out what Amanda's Dragonfly is, too!
Meanwhile, Amanda and Dr. Jen Dawson grow closer and find their way to a building a life together while Tommy Vietta escapes San Francisco to lick his wounds in Hawaii with,Vhina a beautiful Hawaiian woman of questionable repute. There is more to Vhina than what meets the eye, as we find out!
Jen has not been feeling well lately, and there is a perfectly good reason for this. What will Amanda say and do when she find out why Jen feels unwell?
Amanda and Jen go to Hawaii to fetch Tommy and bring him back to San Francisco because he's the only Homicide detective who knows what needs to be done about the Natasha Farber killing. What adventures await them in Hawaii?
This series just keeps getting better and more involved all the time. I don't know how a person writes a book like this, but I bet it's not easy! So involved, so detailed and so, so good!
And you get to find out what Amanda's Dragonfly is, too!
October 22, 2019
Successful, thrilling sequel
“She wanted to kill Nutini herself, because killing Eddy hadn’t been enough. Nutini had to pay a price.”
“In the span of two months Jen had become everything to Amanda. Not just a lover. Not just her best friend. Her soul mate. And it was scary. Scarier than anything Amanda had ever felt.”
“The need for revenge corrupted Amanda’s prosecutorial oath. His death had changed her. She was determined to bring Nutini to justice, one way or another.”
“She’ll soon learn that every problem in life can be fixed—except death. No one can fix death—in fact or fiction. Especially, by more killing. One does not cure the other, as tempting as it might be to think so.”
• ~ • ~ • ~ •
An intriguing series continues with another good, entertaining story ratcheting up the intensity in the action, danger, passion & characters. Definitely curious about what's gonna come next?
“She wanted to kill Nutini herself, because killing Eddy hadn’t been enough. Nutini had to pay a price.”
“In the span of two months Jen had become everything to Amanda. Not just a lover. Not just her best friend. Her soul mate. And it was scary. Scarier than anything Amanda had ever felt.”
“The need for revenge corrupted Amanda’s prosecutorial oath. His death had changed her. She was determined to bring Nutini to justice, one way or another.”
“She’ll soon learn that every problem in life can be fixed—except death. No one can fix death—in fact or fiction. Especially, by more killing. One does not cure the other, as tempting as it might be to think so.”
• ~ • ~ • ~ •
An intriguing series continues with another good, entertaining story ratcheting up the intensity in the action, danger, passion & characters. Definitely curious about what's gonna come next?
May 28, 2017
A great second installment in the San Francisco Series! This will make for a great summer weekend read at the beach or your cabin. Murder - intrigue - the loyalty of love - can it really lead a person to change their moral fiber??? I love the strong females in this series who are smart and strong-willed.
I really love this story line, but Alexi leaves me wanting to know more about what drives Detective Tommy's passion for justice and whether or not he will find true love? How about Dr. Jen? Is she feeling the same thrill of the relationship as compared to Amanda's passion for Jen?
I'm hoping we get a third book in this series!
I really love this story line, but Alexi leaves me wanting to know more about what drives Detective Tommy's passion for justice and whether or not he will find true love? How about Dr. Jen? Is she feeling the same thrill of the relationship as compared to Amanda's passion for Jen?
I'm hoping we get a third book in this series!
October 10, 2018
Good conclusion to book 1
The mark of a truly good story is that it is capable of invoking emotion well after the last chapter is finished. A tremendous amount of talent and polish went into writing this story I definitely put this one near the top of my favorites in this genre. Can’t wait to see what happens next with Jen, Amanda, Tommy and now Vhina.
The mark of a truly good story is that it is capable of invoking emotion well after the last chapter is finished. A tremendous amount of talent and polish went into writing this story I definitely put this one near the top of my favorites in this genre. Can’t wait to see what happens next with Jen, Amanda, Tommy and now Vhina.
May 9, 2020
Wow this is a great book! I couldn't put it down, I had to find out how it ends. The writing is superb. You can tell the author does her research, I am from Hawai'i and have visited the island of Kauai several times. The descriptions of Kauai are accurate.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.
June 23, 2022
This is an entertaining read. I read most of it you he in cheek as the events and actions in it had, to me, a comedic feel about them as opposed to reflecting real life.
Having said that it was easy to read, fun and enjoyable
Having said that it was easy to read, fun and enjoyable
June 24, 2023
After finishing book 1, I needed to immediately read book 2. It brings to a close the mafiosa war, but still keeps the main characters involed in each other's lives. I've moved on to book 3, with some new characters. I'm looking forward to reading through the entire series!
September 13, 2017
Great second book
This was a really great follow-up to the first book. I really enjoyed reading it and I loved what happened to Nick!
This was a really great follow-up to the first book. I really enjoyed reading it and I loved what happened to Nick!
August 26, 2019
Another great read in the series, looking forward to reading #3
April 29, 2021
Very good
I really enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this book and this author.
I really enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this book and this author.
March 24, 2022
Loving this Series
Ms Venice has created strong female lead characters.. Amanda Hawthorne is a total badass! I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.
Ms Venice has created strong female lead characters.. Amanda Hawthorne is a total badass! I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.
June 25, 2023
Great story
I have enjoyed this action pack adventure of strong DA of San Francisco who involved in fight for her life with mob.
I have enjoyed this action pack adventure of strong DA of San Francisco who involved in fight for her life with mob.
November 27, 2025
Excellent. I love this author!
February 5, 2023
Intense action, enjoyed the story about what can happen
May 31, 2017
Very exciting read! Hard to put down. Look forward to more from Alexi Venice. I love how we are brought up to speed in Book 2 so effortlessly from Book 1. Don't miss a great read in Book 1 Bourbon Chase.
January 15, 2018
3.5 stars, good continuation of the original story, a little predictable but a solid read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews