The Prostitute Killer follows a dogged investigation into a string of gruesome murders, beginning with an innocent traveler’s death in a sleazy Bakersfield motel and unraveling into a chilling serial killer case. Set across multiple cities in California and Nevada, the novel centers on Patrick Johnson, a retired Air Force investigator turned private detective with Cold Case Investigators. He and his team retrace the steps of a methodical murderer who preys on prostitutes. Each victim found smothered and with their throat slashed on the same date year after year. The story becomes an intricate web of cold leads, dark motel rooms, and unsettling truths.

The book reads like a throwback to classic procedural dramas. I enjoyed how the story didn’t just throw readers into a whirlwind of twists, but instead took its time. It builds tension slowly and methodically, just like its killer. I enjoyed how Johnson felt real. He’s flawed but determined. He’s no superhero. He’s just smart and stubborn and still trying to make sense of the world post-military. The domestic scenes with his wife and kids gave the story heart. They broke up the violence and grit with warmth. I didn’t expect to laugh at the scenes with his son outshooting a grown man or feel a lump in my throat during the baptism. Those little moments made the stakes feel personal.

The dialogue leaned into a report-like style that gave the book an authentic, procedural feel, like sitting in on a real investigation. The detailed exposition added to that immersive, boots-on-the-ground atmosphere, making it feel like I was right there with the team piecing things together. The killer’s motives were slowly revealed in a way that kept me guessing, though I was left curious for even more twists or deeper psychological layers by the end, which speaks to how invested I was in the case. The pacing in the second half picked up, and I found myself eager to see how Johnson would put the final pieces together.

I’d recommend The Prostitute Killer to fans of true crime-style fiction and slow-burn detective novels. If you like methodical investigations, ex-military protagonists, and reading about cold cases coming to life again, this book’s got you covered. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t rely on shock value. It’s steady, gritty, and oddly comforting.

Pages: 163 | ASIN : B0DNRNB3PV