Vengeance Road – 5  Stars

Rick Mofina

Mira Books, 2009, 396 Pages

978-0778326380

Jack Gannon is a first rate reporter at The Buffalo Sentinel.  When he hears a call on the newspaper’s scanner for the Medical Examiner and no one at the paper was paying attention he decided to investigate himself even though he wasn’t on the cop-desk duty.  The body of Bernice Hogan, a former nursing student with a tragic past, is found in a shallow grave.

Jack is able to obtain an interview with the two women who discovered the body.  His investigation led him to discover that there was the possibility that a police officer was involved in the abduction and murder.  The police officer was highly respected and even looked upon as some as a hero.  Jack is sure of his information and the story makes the headlines of the paper. Then Jack’s editor tried to force Jack to reveal his source and Jack refused.  Jack is placed on leave from the paper and the story is retracted.

Prior to Jack’s leaving the paper he was approached by a mother who claimed her daughter, Jolene Peller, is missing.  Jolene had a troubled past but had managed to straighten out for the sake of her little boy.  She was to travel to Florida for a new job but her mother has not heard from her since the day she left to catch the bus.

Without a job, Jack continued in his inquiries regarding the death of Bernice Hogan.  He knows he has a story and isn’t about to let go.  He soon discovers that Jolene knew Bernice.   Jolene was seen with Bernice shortly before Bernice’s death.  Jack is not aware that Jolene, who attempted to save Bernice, is now a prisoner of the murderer.

Vengeance Road is a fast-paced novel.  Bernice is the first victim that Jack became aware of but she is not the only victim.     Jack finds many obstacles in his way in his desire to bring the killer to justice.  Mofina brings Vengeance Road to a climax in a way that is exciting as well as terrifying. 

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid