Book Reviews

Endangered Species is a mystery novel based on, an all too real problem facing us now in the U.S., human trafficking ring. The story revolves around the disappearance of a young 16 year old girl from Arizona. The girl’s mother is told she has a sister from a previous marriage that is a well known retired homicide detective turned private investigator who she calls to help find her daughter. Brenda is the detective we follow as she investigates the suspects and pieces together the clues leading to a dramatic and jaw dropping ending.
I could not put this book down. I am writing this review after staying up all night reading this book because I could not put it down to go to bed. Human trafficking is an issue near to my heart as I work in a ministry that reaches out to ladies caught up in the sex industry. I applaud the author for realistically portraying how these girls end up in these situations and what happens in these situations. This may be a fictional work but it is the reality for millions of ladies worldwide every day. There’s no shying away from sex in this book but it is handled appropriately; the real thing is far worse than how it is portrayed here. They mystery story plot was excellently developed and executed. I like mysteries that let me follow along logically but still have some plot twists to them and this fulfilled that criteria. This is simply a five star phenomenal read for me!
The only minor criticism I could think to give this book is that I wish the author had used Brenda’s PTSD more in the book…people with PTSD usually struggle at least at times through their lives and I think it could have been used more in the story. The personalities of the characters were developed and memorable and I enjoyed them but I do have to say I didn’t find myself in love with any particular character. I did picture the main character, Brenda the detective, and her boyfriend as similar to the relationship on the TV series Castle in their relationship which brought it more to life for me. It may be perhaps that I was so drawn into the plot I missed the little details that show their character instead of telling it that make us fall in love with characters.
I loved this book though and I’m glad I picked it up. I wasn’t aware it involved human trafficking when I did pick it up as a mystery book. I can’t applaud the author for putting this information into a well written mystery story that can reach people who may not necessarily care to know about the topic or think it is a non-issue because it doesn’t happen here. Even among resources that educate people about human trafficking the particular angle this story takes is a unique one in that most people aren’t aware that girls will recruit other girls into the ring in order to get money and have a higher status than the girls they oversee. It is a page turning midnight oil reading book that you won’t be able to put down!

Endangered Species by Michael Altieri gives readers a glimpse into the dark world of sex trafficking. What do two murders have to do with 16 year old Madison, who has gone missing? The good citizens in the area around Phoenix, Arizona are about to find out. Madison decides to take a stranger’s offer of education, class, and five million dollars in exchange for five years of her life. She considered this to be the opportunity of a lifetime and a chance to help her family financially. All she has to do is disappear for five years; do whatever it is that she is required to do; return home at the age of 21; and not tell anyone where she has been. What could possibly happen to her? Meanwhile, two men have been found dead with their genitals mutilated and Deputy Sheriff Logan Cartwright is trying to investigate the murders. There is really not much he can do to help Madison’s family because it appears that she left on her own and he has no leads in her case. Brenda Corrino arrives from Connecticut and enters the investigation when Faith, Madison’s mother makes a call to her asking for help. How does a woman in Arizona know a private investigator in Connecticut? It turns out that Brenda and Faith are sisters but the catch is that Brenda was clueless to the fact that she even has a sister. Join Brenda; her boyfriend and fellow investigator Darren; and Sheriff Cartwright as they connect the dots to find Madison before it is too late. The best leads come from a sex swapping party where Brenda asks Faith’s friends a few questions. This story has twists and turns; romance; quite a bit of sex; and a plot that kept me reading. I came away feeling that even friends can turn out to be people capable of things that you could never imagine. The different parts of the story came together nicely and I must say that I was surprised as one lead led to another. It also made me think about the unfortunate individuals who are stuck in the sex trade and used as nothing more than a money making commodity. I recommend Endangered Species to all readers who enjoy mystery, murder, and a love story all blended in with stark reality. I must go back and read the previous works by Mr. Altieri.