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Jon Stanton Thrillers #5
The Porn Star Murders
A FAMILY MURDERED... In 2006, the Blum family were brutally killed in their home. Detective Jon Stanton worked the case but was never able to turn up enough to make an arrest. Now, having left the San Diego PD, he still keeps the Blum file in his home. A SADISTIC KILLER WITH A MOTIVE TO LIE... A man facing life in prison is willing to confess to several murders of adult film stars over the last decade in exchange for a deal with the District Attorney's Office. He claims he also killed the Blum family but insists he will only confess to Jon Stanton. PULLED INTO A WORLD HE THOUGHT HE LEFT BEHIND, JON STANTON WILL FACE THE MAN HE HAS SOUGHT AND HATED FOR YEARS... The Blum case eats at Stanton in a way no other case has. Faced with the possibility of bringing closure to the families of all the victims, he must decide if he is willing to enter the darkness of the human mind one last time...
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2013
559 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Victor Methos
75 books2,100 followersVictor Methos is the Edgar Award nominated bestselling author of over forty novels. He has been a criminal and civil rights lawyer in the Mountain West, conducting over 100 trials, and produces two books a year with his dog Fraiser by his side.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
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March 5, 2021A slow burn, then fireworks 🔥
I can't say I found this book disappointing but there were a lot of pages where my concentration wandered. The first half is so flat. After four books we know how Stanton's mind ticks so is it really necessary to devote so many words to it in #5 ? Especially as he's not the most exciting character around. In fact, there are many actions and thoughts of his that cause me not to like him...a little. He's often too perfect and his religious beliefs are at odds with his violent world. How can a homicide detective trying to save a kidnapped girl's life think of Sunday as the Sabeth but on Monday, urgency dictates it's fine to pay a witness $150 for a description. His perfect outlook on the world is getting boring. Paying a teenage girl at a beech hangout with yet another $150 not to go with two older men. Or objecting to noticing a man surreptitiously admire a woman. Please. Get on with developing a plot where I could actually explain to somebody what this book is about. However, you have to get to the second half before that happens but when it does it really becomes a page turner. Gone are Stanton's lethargic visits to his analyst and paddling on his surf board. It's everything the first half isn't. There's pace and intrigue to the end that make it worth waiting for and leaves no doubt that I'll download the next in the series. And yeah, Stanton of course does get beaten up and stabbed as usual.
I can't say I found this book disappointing but there were a lot of pages where my concentration wandered. The first half is so flat. After four books we know how Stanton's mind ticks so is it really necessary to devote so many words to it in #5 ? Especially as he's not the most exciting character around. In fact, there are many actions and thoughts of his that cause me not to like him...a little. He's often too perfect and his religious beliefs are at odds with his violent world. How can a homicide detective trying to save a kidnapped girl's life think of Sunday as the Sabeth but on Monday, urgency dictates it's fine to pay a witness $150 for a description. His perfect outlook on the world is getting boring. Paying a teenage girl at a beech hangout with yet another $150 not to go with two older men. Or objecting to noticing a man surreptitiously admire a woman. Please. Get on with developing a plot where I could actually explain to somebody what this book is about. However, you have to get to the second half before that happens but when it does it really becomes a page turner. Gone are Stanton's lethargic visits to his analyst and paddling on his surf board. It's everything the first half isn't. There's pace and intrigue to the end that make it worth waiting for and leaves no doubt that I'll download the next in the series. And yeah, Stanton of course does get beaten up and stabbed as usual.
November 14, 2025
Not for the squeamish
Love the way the detective thinks and you cant help but like and admire him. He's not only honest but uses his intuition and skills to solve the cases no one else wants. He's up.against cracked cops fighting him every step of the way but manages to persist.
Love the way the detective thinks and you cant help but like and admire him. He's not only honest but uses his intuition and skills to solve the cases no one else wants. He's up.against cracked cops fighting him every step of the way but manages to persist.
May 11, 2023
'Grudges, he thought, only hurt the person having them, not the object of their hatred.'
Jon Staton is giving it another go with the San Diego PD, but this time without the label of Detective in front of his name. Now a Private investigator, Staton gets called for one last case that has him racing to find an answer before another innocent life is taken.
Jon Staton is giving it another go with the San Diego PD, but this time without the label of Detective in front of his name. Now a Private investigator, Staton gets called for one last case that has him racing to find an answer before another innocent life is taken.
October 3, 2016
"An Awesome Crime Suspense Thriller"
In this novel written by Victor Methos (one of my favorite authors), Jon Stanton looks back to 2006 when the Blum family was brutally killed in their San Diego home. Now, there is a man facing life in prison who claims he's the one who killed the Blum family. The Blum case had never been solved and it's a heavy burden carried by Stanton all these years. The killer will only confess to Stanton who now is a private investigator. He returns to the San Diego Police Department only as a consultant. He's reluctant to enter back into the darkness he had been filled with after the brutal murder. As always, this thrilling novel is well written, the characters well defined, and has deep tension and a very engaging story line. Highly recommend.
In this novel written by Victor Methos (one of my favorite authors), Jon Stanton looks back to 2006 when the Blum family was brutally killed in their San Diego home. Now, there is a man facing life in prison who claims he's the one who killed the Blum family. The Blum case had never been solved and it's a heavy burden carried by Stanton all these years. The killer will only confess to Stanton who now is a private investigator. He returns to the San Diego Police Department only as a consultant. He's reluctant to enter back into the darkness he had been filled with after the brutal murder. As always, this thrilling novel is well written, the characters well defined, and has deep tension and a very engaging story line. Highly recommend.
August 5, 2019
I have discovered Victor Methos this summer. I have enjoyed everyone of his books. Living in the Mountain West (where many of his novels are set...) I get the cultural issues he addresses, as well as the dead weight that our legal system has become.
The Porn Star Murders, I believe, is well written. Jon Stanton is a literary character I have come to enjoy. He is the "tragic" hero who works through his flaws to solve the cases, but at the expense of his personal relationships. The only other literary character that I am familiar with, who can get out of as many jams as Jon Stanton does, it the super spy: Bond.
The Porn Star Murders, I believe, is well written. Jon Stanton is a literary character I have come to enjoy. He is the "tragic" hero who works through his flaws to solve the cases, but at the expense of his personal relationships. The only other literary character that I am familiar with, who can get out of as many jams as Jon Stanton does, it the super spy: Bond.
April 15, 2018
Truth
Someone finally tells the story of the abused who don't get help or make other choices. 'Bout time it gets put in book form and I almost passed given the title. See my bias?
Someone finally tells the story of the abused who don't get help or make other choices. 'Bout time it gets put in book form and I almost passed given the title. See my bias?
October 5, 2019
Wow! How does Victor Methos continue book after book dealing with terribly violent perpetrators as well as violent and corrupt police. Enter Jonathon Stanton. Jon is a psychologist who has an uncanny ability to get into the mind of the killer and figure out why? Because you must figure out the way and when the first murder occurred to be able to figure out how to catch the guy. This book had you at the first page but it didn’t let up. Jon is coaxed back to consult with the San Diego Police Department because a violent offender already behind bars wants to meet with Jon and tell him who the killer is. First Jon says no but then the father of the murdered daughter whose body has not been found implores him to get involved. He believes the hype that Jon is physic. Jon says he is not physic but merely listened to the people and uses his modeling tool to pinpoint where the killer first started killing. This is a novel about Jon coming to grips with himself, about how the SDPD will use his skills but won’t accept him because he turned on the chief and testified to put the chief in prison. It is a complex story as are all of Methos’ books but it comes to closure in the end and you will never guess the ending. Glad to know Jon must continue because there are more books. So grab a drink or two or three and your favorite snack because you are going to read this until you finish it.
November 5, 2020
Review of The Open Star Murders
This is Book 5 in The Jon Stanton Series and a very good storyline. Jon has retired from The San Diego Police Department and started his own Detective Agency, specifically to find missing children. Jon s older sister went missing when he was 8 years old and it almost destroyed him. Jon who has a Doctorate in Abnormal Psychology is still haunted by his sister's disappearance. In this book his wife has divorced him and remarried taking their two sons from San Diego to Boston where her new husband plays football for the Patriots. Jon s ex boss begs him to meet with a psychotic killer who will only tell Stanton where other girls are buried. All of the girls murdered worked in The Porn Industry. The author understands the Hypocrisy in this country about women working on this business. The police do the bare minimum when crimes are committed against them. Stanton also has to work with a Corrupt Police Detective who hates Jon. The storyline is awesome and the ending gets you ready for the next book
This is Book 5 in The Jon Stanton Series and a very good storyline. Jon has retired from The San Diego Police Department and started his own Detective Agency, specifically to find missing children. Jon s older sister went missing when he was 8 years old and it almost destroyed him. Jon who has a Doctorate in Abnormal Psychology is still haunted by his sister's disappearance. In this book his wife has divorced him and remarried taking their two sons from San Diego to Boston where her new husband plays football for the Patriots. Jon s ex boss begs him to meet with a psychotic killer who will only tell Stanton where other girls are buried. All of the girls murdered worked in The Porn Industry. The author understands the Hypocrisy in this country about women working on this business. The police do the bare minimum when crimes are committed against them. Stanton also has to work with a Corrupt Police Detective who hates Jon. The storyline is awesome and the ending gets you ready for the next book
September 1, 2020
Creepy As...
Victor Methos can write some skin crawling, creepy murder mysteries. But this one is the creepiest one yet. There is evil in this world. People who do unspeakable things to other people. Jon Stanton possesses the rather unique ability to get inside the head is these evil people. His case closure rates are outstandingly high. But that knowledge comes with an emotional price for Stanton. This one is a “cant put down” book. Just make sure you read it in the daytime. You won’t be disappointed.
Victor Methos can write some skin crawling, creepy murder mysteries. But this one is the creepiest one yet. There is evil in this world. People who do unspeakable things to other people. Jon Stanton possesses the rather unique ability to get inside the head is these evil people. His case closure rates are outstandingly high. But that knowledge comes with an emotional price for Stanton. This one is a “cant put down” book. Just make sure you read it in the daytime. You won’t be disappointed.
October 10, 2017
Great psycho analysis of the Southern California entertainment industry and the psychology of a killer, slips between the pages of this deeply disturbing thriller. An excellent read which I really should do again. Next time taking notes of all the psychological and criminally insane definitions, for further study that were added to this exciting and interesting read. Another book in the Jon Stanton series that was a home run in my opinion!
July 31, 2022
A brutal thriller
Another fantastic addition to this series. It was a brutal thriller that Jon Stanton got caught in due to the secrets, lies, and betrayals of others. It seems like the ones that are considered the "good ones" (ie.. most of the police force, district attorney office, etc) have it out for Jon more than the criminals.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
Another fantastic addition to this series. It was a brutal thriller that Jon Stanton got caught in due to the secrets, lies, and betrayals of others. It seems like the ones that are considered the "good ones" (ie.. most of the police force, district attorney office, etc) have it out for Jon more than the criminals.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
April 2, 2020
Great 5th book
Jon Stanton is an interesting character in many different ways which makes the books so intriguing. Chapter after chapter, you just keep turning the pages to see what happens next until you're at the end of the book. The author has such a unique way of twisting and turning the story and the characters that it is mesmerizing. Am proceeding to book 6.
Jon Stanton is an interesting character in many different ways which makes the books so intriguing. Chapter after chapter, you just keep turning the pages to see what happens next until you're at the end of the book. The author has such a unique way of twisting and turning the story and the characters that it is mesmerizing. Am proceeding to book 6.
May 23, 2019
Jon to the rescue
Another great book about the flawed in our society. This just not those who commit crimes but those who try to catch them. Jon has to have more holes in him than sieve!
Another great book about the flawed in our society. This just not those who commit crimes but those who try to catch them. Jon has to have more holes in him than sieve!
October 8, 2019
A fast read.
Another side to Jon Stanton, although I can't picture him settled down and certainly not with someone who doesn't seem to like who he is, only who she wants him to be. Hope he changes his mind (again).
Another side to Jon Stanton, although I can't picture him settled down and certainly not with someone who doesn't seem to like who he is, only who she wants him to be. Hope he changes his mind (again).
January 21, 2020
I've been working 3rd shift so I can read while the patients are sleeping. Amazing!
But also been AFK so I'm behind on updates. These books are under 300 pages long so only takes like 3 hours to read and I'm blowing through the series like mad.
But also been AFK so I'm behind on updates. These books are under 300 pages long so only takes like 3 hours to read and I'm blowing through the series like mad.
June 8, 2020
Wow, another thriller full of scary characters
So sad that their are a world full of people like this that aren't fictional characters. Jon is again almost killed, he is like a cat with 9 lives.
So sad that their are a world full of people like this that aren't fictional characters. Jon is again almost killed, he is like a cat with 9 lives.
March 29, 2021
This series has me binge reading...
Even when he isn’t a detective, Jon Stanton still finds himself in a fine mess! Now I wonder will Emma stay with him? Will he make a new life? Will Eli continue to haunt him? Only more reading will tell!
Even when he isn’t a detective, Jon Stanton still finds himself in a fine mess! Now I wonder will Emma stay with him? Will he make a new life? Will Eli continue to haunt him? Only more reading will tell!
October 10, 2017
The pork star Murders
So many unsolved murders, half the cops on the take and really not working as a team! Jon stanton has to be the one to lead the pack! He always gets his man!
So many unsolved murders, half the cops on the take and really not working as a team! Jon stanton has to be the one to lead the pack! He always gets his man!
October 13, 2018
The Porn Star Murders
Not one of Methos best books that I have read
Great detective work.
Interesting lesson in law.
Held my interest.
Not one of Methos best books that I have read
Great detective work.
Interesting lesson in law.
Held my interest.
May 30, 2019
Most intriguing yet
This has to be the most intriguing book by Victor Mathos that I have read so far. As in all his novels, he keeps you reading.
This has to be the most intriguing book by Victor Mathos that I have read so far. As in all his novels, he keeps you reading.
July 24, 2019
Yuk!
Yuk yuk yuk blah blah blah yuk yuk tumultuous yuk yuk and yuk all the way to the end of this book
Yuk yuk yuk blah blah blah yuk yuk tumultuous yuk yuk and yuk all the way to the end of this book
March 16, 2020
The Porn Star utderd.
This book was really good. You should get this book and read it.. It had the mustery and a surprise endubg.
This book was really good. You should get this book and read it.. It had the mustery and a surprise endubg.
March 17, 2020
Job Stanton mysteries
This is the best author I have ever read. He keeps the reader entranced until the end. I hope to read more by Victor Methos
This is the best author I have ever read. He keeps the reader entranced until the end. I hope to read more by Victor Methos
March 22, 2020
New Editor
Author needs a new editor or someone who can catch the factual errors.
Examples: Paul, Anasazis, time zones and others.
Author needs a new editor or someone who can catch the factual errors.
Examples: Paul, Anasazis, time zones and others.
April 13, 2020
listen. Women working in porn being kidnapped, a few found murdered. Old & new cases may be same killer. Cases solved.
April 17, 2020
Porn Star Murders
Jon can’t turn his back on the victims. If he knows a victim is out there he has to try to save them or find closure for the family. They say it’s in his blood.
Jon can’t turn his back on the victims. If he knows a victim is out there he has to try to save them or find closure for the family. They say it’s in his blood.
May 26, 2020
Love Jon Stanton series
The character Jon Stanton is changing with every new book in the series. I will certainly be reading the next one for sure and another great job Victor!!!
The character Jon Stanton is changing with every new book in the series. I will certainly be reading the next one for sure and another great job Victor!!!
June 10, 2020
Smooth link from last book.
Easy to follow. Good & interesting storyline. Ready for another Job Stanton book. It
Is good to keep one streaming all the time.
Easy to follow. Good & interesting storyline. Ready for another Job Stanton book. It
Is good to keep one streaming all the time.
July 20, 2020
SOME THINGS YOU CAN’T SAY NO
Victor Methos never disappoints. He weaves a story that keeps your attention to the very end, and then he surprises you one more time.
Victor Methos never disappoints. He weaves a story that keeps your attention to the very end, and then he surprises you one more time.
July 28, 2020
Great book
I once again enjoyed reading this author. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series. Easy and entertaining read.
I once again enjoyed reading this author. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series. Easy and entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews