El Diablo (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series) by Kathryn Dodson. This is just like the first book, you better sit down and hold on! I highly recommend reading these books in order to better understand the story and characters! Jessica is trying to settle down and have a “normal” life she marries her best friend and becomes a paralegal. The more normal her life is the more bored she gets. When a friends daughter tells her about a pastor that may be doing inappropriate things she decides she can’t sit still anymore. This sleazy Pastor is also a client of her boss and he’s going to the high school to prey on these young girls in a Christian group. Jessica jumps right back into her investigating days and throws herself and her family in all kinds of danger. This story will keep you flipping pages until you are finished and its full of danger, mystery, suspense and a psychological nut! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Its been one of my favorites all year!
Jessica used to be an adrenaline junkie and it may or may not have gotten her into some tough spots. Of course the things she was doing at the time weren’t legal but she has turned over a new leaf. She is now a detective and doing everything by the book until the name of a youth pastor comes across her desk. There are rumors of him doing not so nice things and she wants to find out the truth. Pastor Wright is a client of the firm so it isn’t so weird for her to look into his background, but what could be uncovered? Young girls and a property owner have come up missing. She thinks she knows who is behind the disappearances but what is the cost? This was a good book jump into. I haven’t read the first book but I will definitely be picking it up to get more background on our main character.
This was such an amazing and suspenseful read by a magnificent author! It is the second book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense series. I have enjoyed many books but this author and this one is no different! I didn’t realize it was part of a series initially, so I read it without any prior background on the plot or characters. I think it did pretty well as a standalone, but it has piqued my interest which made me circle back and pick up the first book! Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of a thriller that had twists and turns throughout the entire story. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the author threw me a curveball! Jessica is such a phenomenal main character that is very well developed. She feels more like someone you know rather than a character in a book. The flow of the story was flawless and everything unfolded so naturally. I sat down to read it as soon as I saw the gorgeous cover and the next thing I knew, I had finished the whole thing. If you enjoy thrillers that are packed full of action, danger, and suspense, this should be your next read. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next!
Jessica left behind a life of danger to have a ‘normal’ life. She married her best friend and is a paralegal. As time goes on, she starts to miss the dangerous past. When her friends daughter tells her about a pastor who seems to be preying on young teenage girls, Jessica takes it upon herself to investigate the man. The man also just so happened to be a client of her boss who just closed on a property.
This man seems sleazy but very charismatic so everyone seems to love him and think he is a wonderful man. Jessica seems to be the only one to see through his facade. Jessica wants to protect the innocent girls but she will have to delve back into her dangerous past.
I love Jessica as a character. She is so caring and willing to put herself in a bad spot if she thought you were in danger. She tries so hard to move on from her past but it doesn’t seem to want to let her go. Even though this is a series, you can read this book as a stand alone. It has enough detail that you won’t be confused. There is mention of the previous book but only in passing. The author has a way with making the story come to life. Twists and turns, there’s never a dull moment.
This is the second book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense series. I do recommend reading these in order because there is a lot of character details in this first book that will make this book even more enjoyable. I loved Jessica’s character, she has been through a lot( as you find out in the first book) and she has struggled to get where she is today but she is a strong determined woman who wants to protect those more vulnerable that she is and that is what she sets out to do in this story. This is a story that is gripping, filled with tension and danger, crimes, family, emotions and loads more. Once I started I couldn’t put this book down.
We are back with Jessica in this story. When she hears stories about a Pastor who is at the local high school maybe taking advantage of girls on the Christian group she knows she needs to investigate to get to the bottom of who Pastor Wright is really up to. He is a man of god spreading the good word and helping young girls through life or is all that just a cover up for something more sinister? Jessica knows she has to battle and face her own demons from her past while also embracing the ruthless, risk taking side of herself that she thought was left in the past. Just how far is Jessica prepared to go to find out the truth? And what will it cost her to play this game of cat and mouse with a dangerous opponent? This book was really well written that I couldn’t put it down until the end.
El Diablo is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of dark, suspenseful mysteries. Kathryn Dodson delivers a story filled with intrigue and high stakes, anchored by a strong and flawed protagonist. With its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and intense atmosphere, this novel is a noteworthy addition to the genre and promises an adrenaline-fueled experience for readers.
The story does start out very slow, however it does pick up the pace at about a quarter of the way through the story. The author does catch the reader’s attention with the details of the minor characters in the story. The smallest of details does make a difference especially when it is out of the ordinary. The main character, Jessica, is relatable in some aspects, i.e., what she’s feeling towards her mother and trying to stay on the straight and narrow path. Overall, it is a good read when you want some suspense.
Jessica Watts is at it again. Yet this one is my favorite. Jessica is balancing her personal life with helping innocent others. The story will not only keep you reading, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This story has enough suspense that you can’t help but forget the world around you as you just have to keep turning the pages. This author has a way with words. Her stories are intriguing and filled with the tension only a great story can sink you into. I love this story! It is an unbelievable rollercoaster ride of emotions.As always I look forward to reading so much more from this author.
This is the 2nd book in this series, and it is just as good as the first. You could read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you read Tequila Midnight book 1. I have to say that Jessica Watts is in my top 5 favorite female main characters, she is strong willed, tough, independent and so much more. The author pays such attention to details that it makes the story so realistic and believable. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more but also not wanting it to end. lots of twists and turns, suspense, adventure, danger and the characters are just so well written. I highly recommend this book.
Loving the cover art ! I couldn’t wait to catch up with Jessica
So Jessica is studying be a lawyer while working as a paralegal and one of the clients gives her the jeebies and rightly so …,
The thing about the past is we can’t always get away from it and that’s exactly what happens to Jessica , a teenager , close to her , confides in her about the going ins with the local youth pastor and I’m sick to the pit of my stomach 🤢
Despite her wins demons that haunt her she has to get to the bottom of everything and protect innocents that are being prayed upon …. Predators are vindictive , cruel , sly and vindictive but she’s not giving up the fight so easily no matter the threat ….
Jessica is fiercely protective and she finds herself in danger of not only her life but loosing her family , marriage and her job but again she’s determined to expose the “ good pastor” , he’s pure evil if you ask me !
Gripping tale! Hold on to your seat because this story is going to take you on a tale spin. Lots of twist and turns. You will be holding on to the next page to see what is hiding around the corner. This author is great at keeping the flow and very entertaining. El Diablo: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson My rating: 5 of 5 starsGripping tale! Hold on to your seat because this story is going to take you on a tailspin. Lots of twist and turns. You will be holding on to the next page to see what is hiding around the corner. This author is great at keeping the flow and very entertaining. Recommend to all readers.
It’s been two years since we meet Jessica in Tequila Midnight. She’s in law school and working as a paralegal. Things are finally calming down with her and her husband Angus. Life is great…until a young girl confides in her that she’s been touched in appropriately by a man in charge of an afterschool program. Jessica is on the prowl to find out more information about this “man” and she will stop at nothing to preserve these precious young ladies. There are twists and turns and at times, you’ll be on the edge of your seat reading how this book ends.
This book is a fantastic follow up to the first – Tequila Midnight. I loved getting back into the story of Jessica. She is such a wonderful character and I found myself engaging with her just as much as the first time. Jessica finds herself pulled back into her old life and sets out to solve a complicated mystery. The story is well written and really grabs your attention. I was hooked from start to finish and couldn’t wait to see how things would turn out. This author has such a skill at writing lasting stories, and this is definitely one of her best. I loved this book and hope to read more about Jessica in the future.
I loved this book! El Diablo is a powerful reminder that, despite facing dark times, one can still achieve their goals. The strong female protagonist was an inspiration and I related deeply to the close-knit family dynamics portrayed in the story. The ending is absolutely unpredictable and I LOVE that.
He stroked her cheek and looked at her with intense black eyes. “Danger courts you.” She had courted danger many times. It fed the darkest part of her. Perhaps it wanted something in return.
El Diablo is Book #2 in the Southwest Suspense series by Kathryn Dodson. It is set a couple of years after the events in Book #1 and even though you could read it as a standalone, I highly recommend reading ‘Tequila Midnight’, as not only is it a great little thriller, but it also provides a lot of character background, details, development, and other important information which will help you to fully appreciate this instalment. Ms. Dodson has written quite a few books now, and I have enjoyed them all- but I have to admit that these Jessica Watts, and the Southwest Suspense novels are my favourite. There is just something about Jessica that draws me in. She’s tough, yet vulnerable, independent, and even a little ruthless at times. She can be forceful, sassy, brave, resilient, and stubborn. And she’s had quite a ‘colourful’ past awash with dark bars, intimate encounters, and liberal amounts of alcohol – tequila being her preferred poison. But she’s also awash with doubts and insecurities- especially since she has ‘turned over a new leaf’, so to speak. But underneath all her quirks and flaws, she’s fiercely loyal to her friends and ‘found’ family, and has a burning desire for justice, to help people in need. This desire has led to many dangerous situations, especially since she has a tendency to act first and ask questions later. She is having trouble accepting some of the ‘changes’ she’s had to make, and craves some of the excitement that her ‘wild’ days provided. She has been through a lot, but through it all her ‘gut’ instincts have held her in good stead. Which is exactly how she finds herself pitted against a twisted psychopath, because her gut tells her that the godly man is actually a monster in disguise, who has a sinister plot that involved preying on teenage girls. When he targets someone too close to home, Jessica’s protective instincts kick in and become a driving force as she is thrust into a tense game of cat and mouse. How far is Jessica willing to go? What price is she willing to pay? Will her quest come at the cost of her job, marriage, friendships, family, marriage, or even her life? Well, buckle-up, because Jessica’s about to take you on a gripping ride. Another great instalment in this suspenseful thriller series. Woven with plenty of gritty mystery, intrigue, tension, danger, action, adventure, crime & investigation, family, friendship, agendas, well-developed interesting characters, action, emotion, and dramatic developments- which made putting this book down almost impossible. Also, I adore the cover of this book!!! Just gorgeous. Along with Book #1, I would love poster-sized versions to hang on my office/library wall so I could gaze at them all the time. Can’t wait to see what Jessica gets up to next, especially now she seems to have found a kindred spirit in the form of her new boss. Happy Reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-08-27 00:20:392024-09-24 19:37:59El Diablo (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series Book #2) by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Angela Hayes
The story of Jessica Watts continues in this suspenseful, page turner. Jessica Watts, a paralegal, studying to be a lawyer, stumbles upon a situation where a loved one and other women are in danger. She stops at nothing to help them. She discovers boundaries are hard to keep when someone you love is at risk. Jessica, who is still fighting her own troubled past, is addicted to helping others. She is strong-willed and focused, even if it destroys the life she had slowly and painfully rebuilt for herself. When everyone tells her to stop, her need to do the right thing and help others, takes over. She is part detective, part hero, and craves for her life to have meaning. Her friends and loved ones try to get her to see how valuable she really is. The storyline is compelling and believable. It can be a true story. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! 5 stars – Had me enthralled until the end.
This is the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone. This author captures your in the beginning and takes you all the way through the book. Hard to put down. Highly recommend!
I loved this book! El Diablo kept me on the edge of my seat. I’ve read books by this author before, which is why I want to jump right in. Once again I was sucked into a story full of suspense and a passion for adventure. Jessica has a passion for investigation and adventure but she has decided to settle down and leave that life behind. Especially since she wasn’t doing it legally. That is till one day a name crosses her desk. Pastor Wright rubs her the wrong way. He’s involved with the girls in the local high schools trying to show them the way of god. He is a client of the law firm she works at. However both things come to a head when it’s found out he does some creepy stuff. It’s a matter of whether you believe it or not. When teens and the former property owner disappear Jessica can’t resist. Her old life is calling her name. But she has to do it subtly, it’s the question of will this case actually let her? What happened to the previous homeowner? What is Pastor Wright really up to? That question and so many more come up in this wonderful story. Some answers may surprise the reader, others are to be expected. But it’s worth jumping into. Though it’s part of a series, it definitely works as a standalone novel as well. I hope you enjoy it, like I have!
I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. I enjoyed how this author used their writing ability to pull me into their story. Their attention to details made the story realistic and hard to put down. This is a well written story about a game of cat and mouse. A story that has twists and turns that could just turn deadly for the detective on the case, Jessica. She is a great character that is my favorite. I enjoyed watching her growth and the growth of the plot throughout that made her story easy to read. I also enjoyed how connectable and relatable she is, what she added to the story made it entertaining. I found this book to be fast paced and engaging. It had me turning pages fast to the end. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend this book.
This is becoming one of my favorite series. Jessica would like to live a normal life but somehow, adventure follows her. This book took me on a crazy mystery that brough brama, threats, suspense and excitiment. Several times i felt like I was ont he edge of my seat with anticipation. I enjoy the writing. The author gives jus the right amount of detail. It’s sure been a very wonderful ride so far and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
I really enjoyed the previous book in this series and loved the independent, tough, stubborn, determined Jessica Watts. Once again I was hooked by this gripping and fast paced story which had plenty of suspense and drama. Amateur detective Jessica investigates following a teenagers confession about a youth pastor’s disturbing behaviour towards her. Jessica soon finds herself trapped in a twisted psychopath’s brutal game of cat-and-mouse. Not only is Jessica following her suspect through the unforgiving desert but she’s also battling her own demons. However, if Jessica is to defeat the monster she’s perusing then she has to embrace her ruthless side. I literally could not put this book down! Once again the characters and setting came vividly to life through the descriptive narrative. Whilst the plot twists and turns kept me impatiently turning the pages unsure of the story’s outcome. I definitely recommend picking up this book and the previous one!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2024-08-17 16:26:562024-09-27 08:45:46El Diablo (Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series) by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Jennifer Gordon
Just like the first book, the second book, “El Diablo,” is a gripping and thrilling story in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novels series. This book begins two years after the first book, “Tequila Midnight.” This cleverly woven story embodies gritty darkness, palpable tension, high-end danger, and plenty of suspense. Amateur detective Jessica may be reckless and unpredictable, but there is one thing she won’t tolerate, and that is injustice. There are a lot of sick individuals out there, and she is more than willing to kick arse and take names. She will always run into danger to protect those who need it. Now she is stuck in a world where only criminals and the vile exist, and staring down her own monsters is not a place she wants to explore. “El Diablo” is a book that will have you on the edge of your seat, looking into the darkness to see what lies beyond. You will find it at times violent, disturbing, dangerous, and questionable, but you will be high on the chase as it twists and turns and totally immersed in it. I loved it. I need more.
An ex-adrenaline junkie, amateur detective risks it all to take down a sadistic criminal hiding behind a pious facade.
Jessica had put her reckless past behind her – or at least she thought so – until a teen’s confession about her youth pastor’s disturbing behavior reawakens her thirst for danger and justice. The deeper the disillusioned amateur sleuth is drawn into this shadowy world, the more her own demons claw their way to the surface.
Trapped in a twisted psychopath’s brutal game of cat-and-mouse, Jessica chases her vindictive nemesis through the unforgiving desert. Forced to confront her darkest instincts and with young lives at stake, can she embrace her ruthless edge to defeat a monster before it devours her?
For fans of gritty mysteries and heart-pounding suspense, El Diablo has twists and turns you won’t see coming.
Kathryn Dodson grew up writing and riding horses in far West Texas. She graduated from SMU in English/Creative Writing and went on to get an MBA from Thunderbird and a PhD from Clemson. Now she spends her days writing about women who become their own heroes.
She has worked on both sides of the US/Mexico border and has held jobs with governments, chambers of commerce, and other businesses. Kathryn loves to travel and has visited 30 countries and 44 states. This inspires her novels about interesting women in fascinating places.
Originally from Texas, Kathryn had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several U.S. states, and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. She loves travel, fiery food, hanging out with the neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading.
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