Spencer Manning #2 ~ Dark Alleys

Spencer Manning is back and back in a BIG way!! I was once again given the opportunity to read the latest Spencer Manning novel by Rick Polad and I must say, it is better than the first one. New characters, new twists and turns. Spencer teams up with some familiar names from the first one along with some new ones. Spencer is asked by the local Public Defender, Benjamin Tucker to help one his clients who he thinks should not even be coming to court for these charges. That is when he calls Spencer to take a look into the life of this young college student who comes from Florida. He is given her address and not only does Spencer sit outside of her apartment building, he does what any good detective would do, breaks into the poor girls apartment to find out more about this young college girl who has decided to be a hooker. In looking at her belongings, she definitely does not fit this profile. What he finds even more interesting is what she does when she changes into this so called “character.” While he is investigating what she is doing, other hookers are turning up dead and it seems to be happening on Friday nights. Meanwhile, new characters are being brought into the picture that catch and peak your interests. One of those characters is who I would say is poor Charles and his nagging wife. I say this because the guy can’t catch a break from his wife. He pretty much has a short leash until come Friday nights and the weekend when his wife lets him stay out and drink and do whatever he wants, which he does take advantage of. Drinking so much that he has no idea who he gets home and how much he drank. After he catches his wife going through his pockets and taking the money he earned from his new side job he got from assisting a young lady home who was stranded at a gas station he decides to hide his money he gets in the bushes from his wife. She doesn’t see him hide it but some young little man who likes to spy from his tree house. Spencer is still trying to figure out Laura’s strategy or reasoning for her being out here walking the streets but not really “hooking up” with everyone. He notices she has a routine in her route and certain people she connects with along the way. The killer that has been nicked named “Jack the ripper” has hit again in a dark alley. The extent of what he is doing can only be revealed by reading the book. Spencer stays on the trail of this girl and sees that she meets up with somebody and walks down a dark alley. Being the detective that he is not only does he want to find out who this young lady is, he also wants to keep her safe as that is where all these young ladies of the night are losing their lives. Spencer is kind of blindsided by some guys and is knocked out. Charles has really enjoyed his new job and putting his talents to work, but according to his wife he is worthless. Amanda has really enjoyed the great work that he has done for her. He still can’t believe that he is getting paid what he is for what he is doing. He can’t believe how much money she keeps in the safe in her office. He has mentioned a time or two what it would be like to have that kind of money in his possession. What he doesn’t see on his way to work is that his wife has followed him to see exactly what her piece of crap husband is up to. Poor Spencer is waking up chained to something on a cement floor to wake up to the girl he was following and she wants answers on why she is being followed. In the mist of being held up people are trying to get a hold of Spencer, “Jack” hits again and the little guy next door is still spying on Charles and this time decides he wants to take some money from the stash and writing everything he sees in his little notebook. Amanda has come in late again as usual and has done her usual routine, come in change, get a cup of hot tea and put her money away. While in her office someone is lurking through the house. She has set her tea down, opened her money safe, take out her book of names and with a blink of an eye, her life has come to an end. Charles has decided to leave early and spend some time on the beach as Amanda’s house backs up to a beautiful part of the beach. What he is not expecting is the all the cop cars and ambulances. He decides to park a ways away and walk over as he doesn’t want his bad luck and criminal background haunt him again. Spencer is collaborating with Jack the Ripper experts and finds some critical information regarding the names of the girls that are being killed off, the names of the girls that were killed by the original Jack the Ripper and how all this correlates with Laura and why she is out here doing what she is doing. Did I leave you scratching your head? Good because now you will have to read the read the book to figure all this out. I highly recommend this book. Oh I forgot to mention there was a mention of Tennessee in the book which I must say was for me directly by Rick as that is where I moved from and it is a beautiful place. I have truly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.