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thedeadgirlinthevacantlot Kindle Edition

by Jana Bommersbach (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

Phoenix investigative reporter Joya Bonner knew nothing about the world of sex trafficking—or the ugly status her city held in this filthy underground.

But then her 15 year-old honorary niece went missing in Phoenix. And a 13 year-old from her hometown in North Dakota disappeared. And there was that pitiful dead girl in the vacant lot. As Joya rushed in to help—naive, scared, repulsed, frantic, but determined—her world would never be the same again.

This is a work of fiction. The major characters are created from the author’s imagination—with the exception of Mike Lacey and Jim Larkin. They really did create a media empire that began with the New Times of Phoenix; they really were arrested in the dead of night by Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s goons; they really did create Backpage.com that Congress calls an “online brothel," they really are currently awaiting trial on scores of charges they facilitated child sex-trafficking.
The story woven around these characters--ripped from today's headlines--will shock you to your core.

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  1. Print length
    282 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 9, 2018
  4. File size
    408 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JANA BOMMERSBACH is one of Arizona's most acclaimed journalists and authors. She has been honored with two lifetime achievement awards as an "inspiration to the state's media community." Long before the events of this novel, she was editor of New Times. She lives and works in Phoenix. This is her seventh book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07CKKGSXR
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 9, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 408 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 282 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
59 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling and well-written, with engaging characters. The story receives positive feedback for its realism, with one customer noting how it combines hard-boiled facts with an intense plot.

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8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling, with one mentioning how the author kept them riveted.

"...A must read." Read more

"...Love this author, she makes the characters feel like family and friends." Read more

"This book is so engrossing - l just couldn't put it down...." Read more

"Compelling read! I could not put this book down, it was a fantastic story from start to finish! I highly recommend this book." Read more

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the realism of the book's story, with one review highlighting its hard-boiled facts and intense plot, while another notes how it seems more real than a work of fiction.

"...The author, Jana Bommersbach, has done a masterful job of creating a very powerful story based on real-world facts which she substantiates at the..." Read more

"The story itself brought me to tears. But, this is a story everyone should read. It is an education at the highest level of our problem...." Read more

"Sobering, suspenseful story right out of the headlines, so exciting! Love this author, she makes the characters feel like family and friends." Read more

"Fascinating and scary. Realism at it’s best. I had to stop reading a couple of times...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...all of the references to Phoenix restaurants, places to visit, and notable people, etc." Read more

"...Based on actual girl's stories the authentic characters will keep you turning pages to the epilogue when she lays responsibility at some former..." Read more

"...turner, full of contemporary issues and research...Joya is an engaging character, I handed the book off to my 14 year old granddaughter after I..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...In a very readable way she develops the plot while introducing us to the real people who perpetrated this and the people who are trying to stop..." Read more

"Very well written...." Read more

"Well written but it's not a compelling story..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • A. Wells
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    For the past 8 years I have done a lot of research on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, particularly in the Phoenix area. The author, Jana Bommersbach, has done a masterful job of creating a very powerful story based on real-world facts which she substantiates at the end of the book. I could not put this book down! I loved all of the references to Phoenix restaurants, places to visit, and notable people, etc.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Marcia Fine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hard-boiled Facts in an Intense Plot
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    We all know about trafficking and pretend it doesn't exist. Jana Bommersbach has split this topic open like a halved peach. Based on actual girl's stories the authentic characters will keep you turning pages to the epilogue when she lays responsibility at some former local heroes. You're on a journey with this one! This is how it really happens. And these girls came from loving families. Wake up, America, and protect our kids from this abomination.
    Helpful
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  • Michelle Anderson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Getting what you deserve...and want
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Jana gets both. You opened my eyes and broke my heart. Phoenicians will know and remember many of the places so aptly described. A must read.
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  • Angie
    5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The story itself brought me to tears. But, this is a story everyone should read. It is an education at the highest level of our problem. Jana does her usual. She wields her mighty pen like a samurai sword, with such precision and grace, and truth. That is one of the things I love most from her books. Keep them coming Jana! You are my hero! "Lena Legacy"
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  • K Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read book.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Jana uses her investigative journalism background to write a book on a crime we don't want to think exists, but it does. She takes us there, front and center, to the crime of sex trafficking. In a very readable way she develops the plot while introducing us to the real people who perpetrated this and the people who are trying to stop this horrible crime. I couldn't put it down, after reading I want to get involved.
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  • Buff Crone
    3.0 out of 5 stars Well written but it's not a compelling story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I wanted to care more about the characters but the whole plot seemed a little unimaginative to me. There wasn't really any drive to keep reading.
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  • Mandy Mine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Current headline material
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Sobering, suspenseful story right out of the headlines, so exciting! Love this author, she makes the characters feel like family and friends.
    Helpful
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  • Lynette E.
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's fun for those of us that grew up knowing her
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Jana has a way with bringing her home area, and friends into being part of the story. It's fun for those of us that grew up knowing her. I love how in all her books she digs to get the facts of real life events implanted in her books. Jana makes you wake up, and realize our little home towns aren't as safe as we hoped.
    Report anything out of the ordinary. Save our children. I couldn't put the book Down.
    One person found this helpful
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