The Jacq of Spades

The Red Dog Conspiracy, Volume 1

By: Patricia Loofbourrow

Narrated by: Machelle Williams

In a far future US, the once-beautiful domed neo-Victorian city of Bridges is split between four crime families in an uneasy cease-fire. With social disparity increasing and its steam-driven infrastructure failing, a new faction is on the rise: the Red Dogs.

Jacqueline Spadros has a dream life: a wealthy husband, a powerful family. But her life is not what it seems. Kidnapped from her mother's brothel and forced to marry, the murder of her best friend Air 10 years before haunts her nightmares. She finds moments of freedom in a small-time private-eye business, which she hides in fear of her sadistic father-in-law.

Air's little brother disappears off his back porch and the Red Dogs are framed for it. With the help of a mysterious gentleman investigator hired by the Red Dogs to learn the truth, Jacqui pushes her abilities to their limits in hope of rescuing the child before the kidnapper disposes of him.

©2015 Patricia Loofbourrow (P)2016 Patricia Loofbourrow

The Jacq of Spades

The book is not quite what I expected. The authors summary says its a far future US, I felt like it was more steampunk. Its a time when women of means were not to work. You must really respect Jacqueline for going against the times and hiding her own work, knowing one day she may need the money. The start of the book is a bit confusing as it throws a lot of characters at you really fast and I could not keep up with who was good and bad. The mystery was a good one and these families are somewhat ruthless. Nice job on the narration.

Very intriguing, suspenseful

I loved the complexity of the story, the characters and the narration was excellent. You could hear the distinct character voices and it helped you track through the story. Great job!

Mob and Drugs Steam Punk Style

Drugs and mob families done 1800's steam punk style. Jacq, married to a mob boss and working secretly as a private investigator, is a modern woman in olden times. She smokes, drinks, and is a crack shot with her pistol. While searching for a kidnapped boy, she becomes the target, It later appears that she was the target all along. Great visual descriptions combined with mystery and action. I was gifted this from Audiobookworm for my honest review.

Different to what Title had made me envision

I enjoyed the audio rendition of this book, which I had been given an advanced copy of and had never wanted to read, purely because of the title. This I now regret, as I quickly became engrossed, by this futuristic tale of a world where crime families once again rule, and the general population is mere servants to those in power. However, it is difficult to leave your roots behind and although now Mrs Spadros, Jacqui had been a "gutter rag" , what was classed as the lowest in this society. She had been enforced into her marriage, but still wanted to help those that could not help themselves
Yes, an interesting yarn, with much intrigue and drama. I cannot wait to see what the next episode reveals.

love it.. heart pounding and suspenseful

I received this audible edition for free for my honest review.. especially great .. mystery murder and drama easy to follow. believable characters, highly recommended...