A simple arrest. . .
Detective Mike Salas has identified the killer . . .
Salas knows where the killer is . . .
His plan: Arrest the suspect before he strikes again.
His problem: One million bikers at the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Follow Indiana Detective Mike Salas to Sturgis, South Dakota as he tracks down the serial murderer.
Ride the Black Hills, experience Mount Rushmore, the Chip, Da Bus and downtown Sturgis while the killer stalks his next victim.
Be there when the killer strikes.
Will he make his kill? Will Salas stop him? Will it be the last night in Sturgis?
A simple arrest. . .
Detective Mike Salas has identified the killer . . .
Salas knows where the killer is . . .
His plan: Arrest the suspect before he strikes again.
His problem: One million bikers at the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Follow Indiana Detective Mike Salas to Sturgis, South Dakota as he tracks down the serial murderer.
Ride the Black Hills, experience Mount Rushmore, the Chip, Da Bus and downtown Sturgis while the killer stalks his next victim.
Be there when the killer strikes.
Will he make his kill? Will Salas stop him? Will it be the last night in Sturgis?
completed
REVIEW: Last Night in Sturgis by JJ Spain
What’s not to like about a story that takes place in during the 75th Anniversary of the world’s largest motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota? Over a million people all jammed together for a week of fun, friendship, drinking and debauchery. What could go wrong?
Last Night in Sturgis by JJ Spain takes place in just that setting. Detective Mike Salas is searching for a killer. Salas, along with his rookie partner, Ronnie, follow the killer’s trail from Indiana to South Dakota, leading directly to Sturgis. Now all Salas and Ronnie have to do is find the killer — one man — in a mob of one million bikers and partiers.
Included in the one million are Kevin, his nephew Matt, and their friend Jerico. Who meet bartender Jessica and her three girlfriends. Who also meet Duece and RJ, patched members of the Sons of Silence motorcycle club (not a gang, RJ reminds Kevin). The different characters all come from very different walks of life, with Sturgis as the melting pot. It’s the place where they all come together, where connections are made, where friendships are formed, and where enemies are born.
I really liked Last Night in Sturgis. It was fast-paced and interesting, with a good dose of humour. The character development was superb. JJ Spain allowed us the time to get to know the different players, and to see beyond the surface. Sure Kevin’s annoying, but he’s also kind-hearted, generous, and has a zest for life. Sure the killer’s a psychopath, but there are reasons — many reasons — for him becoming the unhinged maniac he is. All of the backstories have a point, and they all come together in Sturgis.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes an inverted detective story, or a “whocatchem” (it’s a real thing — check it out). You know the basics right from the start — everybody has a life before Sturgis. As JJ Spain slowly reveals more about each of the characters, we get a glimpse into their lives, loves, and losses. He weaves an intriguing tale, always building on the characters throughout, until the book comes to its climax.
The only consideration I would have made would have been to have more of the story revolve around Mike Salas. So much time was spent on Kevin and company, that Salas almost fades into the periphery, only to reappear to remind us that there’s a copper on the hunt for the killer. Salas is a strong character, and ultimately, an interesting one. I would have liked to have read more about him.
I liked Last Night in Sturgus — it was fun. And, I would like to read more stories with Mike Salas as the protagonist. JJ Spain has promised that there are more to come. Sign me up!