The Killer of Cancer Rising
When juvenile probation officer Christian Vargas attends the funeral of a friend’s mother, in the coffin, she discovers her murdered teen client. She is determined to solve both murders with her handsome, hard-nosed partner, Daniel.
Their crime-solving journey begins with a visit from Christian’s father’s ghost, an abiding source of comfort for the pretty widow. She also seeks the counsel of Daniel’s grandmother, who is a Mexican shaman, also known as a La Curandera.
From the puritanical realms of a Mormon stake house in Washington State, to a terrifying polygamist compound in southern Utah, the two intrepid officers go undercover to find the killer called Cancer. In the process, they face deadly obstacles and an explosive love affair that threatens to destroy their lives as “partners in the field.”
The Killer of Cancer Rising is the second book in the Zodiac crime series by this exciting new crime writer.
“Some delightfully astute sleuthing runs through this tightly written second case, fully stocked with menacing villains, tireless investigators and romantic intrigue.” – Kirkus Review
The Capricorn Kidnapping
When beautiful but tormented juvenile probation officer Christian Vargas discovers that babies are disappearing all over her rural Southeastern Washington State community of the Tri-Cities, she is determined to prove an illegal adoption ring is at work. Her partner, Daniel, has recently been emotionally distant, so instead she woos case information from the notorious playboy and prosecutor, Oz Rellim. A second victim brings back horrifying memories of her own baby’s death.
Through Rellim, the intrepid young woman gets clues, as she begins to track the nefarious man responsible for this underworld game of life and death, money, and misogyny. Using the supernatural skills taught her by her Mexican shaman, Christian attempts to stop the kidnapper by posing as a woman wanting to adopt, in this high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
“In this energetic third book in the Astrology Mystery series, the story centers on missing children and an illegal adoption ring. The latest installment reunites ambitious, dedicated, motorcycle-riding probation officer Christian Vargas with her ‘charismatic Chicano’ partner, Daniel O’Callahan, both hard on the trail of nefarious human traffickers responsible for three separate child abduction cases. Vargas, ignoring the warnings of the department head who vouched for her on a former tricky case, jumps (secretly) at the chance to participate in yet another investigation … More cleverly plotted suspense reliably anchored by a dogged heroine with verve to spare.” – Kirkus Reviews
Aquarian’s Assault
Aquarian’s Assault, the fourth book of a thrilling series by Torena O’Rorke, takes up from where her previous books The Killer of Cancer Rising and The Capricorn Kidnapping left off.
This compelling murder mystery brings back the young, clairvoyant probation officer Christian Vargas, who is still reeling from the death of her own child.
When the troubled sleuth learns of the horrifying murder of a baby stolen from a murdered mother’s womb, the crime hits close to home, and she won’t let anything get in the way of solving the disturbing crime.
Going undercover, Vargas ventures into a gangbanger’s hideout, an old veteran’s trailer, and even a Catholic church to find answers.
But soon the intrepid hunter becomes the hunted in this taut thriller.
“Another solid, appealing entry in a series that continues to expand the depth of its characters while keeping the crime-solving suspense at a taut level.” – Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Torena J. O’Rorke, M.Ed., has worked as a juvenile probation officer and mental health therapist. She grew up in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. The author is an advocate for eradicating human trafficking, to which all of her book profits are donated.