When a meth bust goes bad, Detective Jessica Ramirez and her partner, Officer Alexandra Clark, find themselves in pursuit of a serial killer who dispatches her own form of street justice from the rim of the Grand Canyon. They soon discover that the danger their adversary poses reaches well beyond Arizona and into the very heart of the New York City Financial District. Filled with 21st century … crimes and non-stop action, Terry Shepherd’s first detective thriller features a diverse ensemble cast of strong smart women and the men who try to keep up with them. Jess and her partner, Officer Alexandra Clark, grab you from page one, and don’t let you go until the last plot twist is finally revealed.Chasing Vega is a heart pounding roller coaster ride that will make you want to return to Jess and Allie’s world again and again.
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Terry Shepherd is one of those rare authors who manages to pull off both an intoxicating plot and descriptive prose. It’s hard to believe that Chasing Vega is a debut novel because Shepherd’s writing is top-notch and reads like that of a long-time, accomplished writer. His main character, Jessica Ramirez, is one that I easily got attached to and kept wanting to learn more about both her professional and personal life. Going forward, Shepherd’s books will always be on my to-read list.
-Kate Anslinger (Author of the McKenna Mystery Series)
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chasing Vega was an excellent read. It had a bit of everything in it. A badass main character, Jessica Ramirez, a tight-knit family, a realistic antagonist, twists & turns galore, and even a bit of romance. I loved the relationship that Jessica had with her partner, Alexandra, and with her family. There was enough suspense that I kept turning the pages well into the night – I kept saying “just one more chapter”. There were some elements of the story that kept me guessing until the very end, which I always appreciate in a book. Fans of crime/detective fiction or thrillers will love this book. I look forward to reading more by author Terry Shepherd
Chasing Vega by Terry Shepherd: I adore these characters, especially Jessica. Her friendship with partner Ali serves as a family tie in this heartwarming adventure that turns thrilling and suspenseful. This is a well-plotted series opener that will definitely hook mystery fans. I can’t wait for the next in series!
You’ll be rooting for Jessica and turning pages late into the night. Great cast of characters…
Jessica Ramirez is a great cop with awesome instincts, and a personal code to serve justice. Couldn’t put it down!
I can’t say enough good things about the character development in this book. Jessica is smart, sassy, dedicated, courageous, kind and solid. Mystery lovers should read this; you won’t be disappointed.
If you like action thrillers, check this out. Good fun.
The Review
This was an edge-of-your-seat thriller! The author did an amazing job of slowly elevating the tension and the drama of the narrative, adding to the high-stakes atmosphere of the novel. The vivid imagery of the novel’s settings did a fantastic job of highlighting the powerful writing and almost cinematic quality of the author’s writing style.
Yet it was the character development that really stole the show. The protagonist and titular star of this novel, Jessica Ramierez, was a brilliant new action and policy-driven hero, bringing a strong, Latina detective into a high-stakes hunt for a serial killer. The character’s complex family life and steely determination to face off against the sexism and misogynism within the police department was incredible to see, as was the relationships she built with colleagues and friends along the way. The personal stakes that pulled her into this case and the powerful conclusion to her chase with this complicated killer will leave fans eagerly wanting more stories from this author.
The Verdict
A remarkable, action-packed, and engaging thriller, author Terry Sheppard’s “Chasing Vega” is a marvelous start to the Jessica Ramirez series. A must-read thriller, the author expertly balances character growth and atmospheric storytelling that will keep fans invested all the way into the climactic finale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Jessica Ramirez is a great cop with awesome instincts, and a personal code to serve justice. I couldn’t put CHASING VEGA down!