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L.T. Vargus
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What Lies Beneath: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller (Victor Loshak Book 2) Kindle Edition

by L.T. Vargus (Author), E.M. Smith (Author), Tim McBain (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 5,400 ratings
Some secrets don’t stay buried.

Three elaborately staged victims. No clues. A public verging on panic.

FBI profiler Victor Loshak heads to Kansas City to hunt another serial killer. But something about this case is all wrong.

The three corpses lie posed. Face up. A glove laid to cover each right eye.

The victims seem to be selected at random. Suburban. Upper middle class. Squeaky clean. It doesn’t make sense.

A piece is missing from this puzzle.

If Loshak can find the missing link that connects the victims, he believes he can solve the case. The obstacles are many, however.

And the cryptic note someone left under his windshield wiper? It warns him that danger lurks all around.

They bury it, and they bury it, but it won't stay dead.

As Loshak digs deeper, uneasiness seems to creep over everything in the city. Paranoia. A sense of dread.

Everyone he encounters seems to be keeping things from him. Concealing something.

He gets a visceral sense of the lengths people will go to hide their sins. Bury them.

When the suburban veneer finally strips away, all the dark secrets come clear one by one.

But nothing can prepare Loshak for the shocking revelation this case unearths.

Because what lies beneath the surface? It changes everything.

This pulse-pounding thriller will have you holding your breath until the final page. Fans of James Patterson, John Sandford, and Lisa Regan should check out the Victor Loshak series.
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  1. Book 2 of 5
    Victor Loshak
  2. Print length
    390 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 1, 2019
  6. File size
    1.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RDX75J8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Smarmy Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Victor Loshak
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 5,400 ratings

About the authors

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  1. L.T. Vargus

    L.T. Vargus

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    L.T. Vargus grew up in Hell, Michigan, which is a lot smaller, quieter, and less fiery than one might imagine. When not click-clacking away at the keyboard, she can be found sewing, fantasizing about food, and rotting her brain in front of the TV.

    L.T. Vargus now lives in New Mexico with her special man friend/writing partner, Tim McBain.

    She likes YouTube videos of cute animals, mystery novels, punk rock, and pizza.

    http://ltvargus.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. Tim McBain

    Tim McBain

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    People say your author bio should tell the world why you write. I write because life is short, and I want to make something awesome before I die.

    http://timmcbain.com

    See more on the author's page
  3. E. M. Smith

    E. M. Smith

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    E. M. Smith came by his redneck roots honestly, his barbwire tattoo dishonestly, and his sobriety slowly. Recovery isn't a sprint, according to his friends, it's a marathon. That's probably why he turned into such a fitness geek when he quit drinking.

    You can call him Mason if you want to. He just uses his initials to seem professional.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
5,400 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this thriller suspenseful with many twists and turns, praising its vivid imagery and realistic portrayal of characters, particularly the police officers. The book is well-written and keeps customers turning pages, with one review noting how it explores often-ignored topics. While customers appreciate the pacing, some mention it can be slow at times.

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149 customers mention "Suspenseful"132 positive17 negative

Customers find the book engaging and suspenseful, with a good mystery storyline and flowing plot. One customer notes that surprises abound in every chapter.

"This is the most gripping of the two series by these authors. I found it to be a great read" Read more

"...What a righteous ending!" Read more

"...series, but this one well just threw me for a loop and the ending absolutely loved it." Read more

"...This book is well written and plotted and has plenty of action and tension...." Read more

119 customers mention "Readability"119 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging, noting that it kept them reading throughout.

"...I found it to be a great read" Read more

"I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It kept me wanting to read it and not put it down until I was done." Read more

"...4 stars This is my first Victor Loshak novel. It is a pretty good book. Someone is killing rich men...." Read more

"What Lies Beneath is one of the most compelling books to date by these authors...." Read more

45 customers mention "Character development"40 positive5 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the realistic portrayal of police officers and another noting the amusing sidekick.

"I love Victor Loshak. His character is so well-developed that I feel like I actually know him. In this novel and the one before it, the evil..." Read more

"...The characters are relatable, realistically flawed and fairly well developed. The writing is crisp and the action we'll paced." Read more

"I really like these author's. They have a group of series that have different characters. I like all there different series...." Read more

"...Love the character of Victor Loshak." Read more

27 customers mention "Writing quality"23 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as great and well done, with one customer noting it's an easy read.

"...This book is well written and plotted and has plenty of action and tension...." Read more

"...The writing is crisp and the action we'll paced." Read more

"...Good flowing plot and series to enjoy, well done." Read more

"...novels based I reality- these topics are real, and yet, the writing literally swoops in and captures your imagination...." Read more

19 customers mention "Thought provoking"16 positive3 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, providing good insight into people and exploring topics often ignored, with one customer noting how it makes you wonder about your own surroundings.

"...now writing a book about Loshak, has a fun personality and a sharp insight into people...." Read more

"...always known about human trafficking but this really was a good insight on the people who do this horrendous crime" Read more

"...Story line pulls you in and makes you wonder about you own surroundings and what you accept as normal. In the end, justice wins. Great read." Read more

"I love this team! It is written well, fast paced, not a lot of useless info just to fill space up in a book...." Read more

9 customers mention "Page turner"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, describing it as a real page-turner that kept them turning pages.

"I give this a four just because it is entertaining and keeps you turning pages...." Read more

"Very suspenseful book! Loving this series! It keeps you turning pages to see what happens next ! Love all the different characters." Read more

"...Keeps you turning pages with all the twists and turns" Read more

"Nothing about this book did I dislike - it's a page turner with an ending you'll never suspect! I couldn't put it down!" Read more

7 customers mention "Visual quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's vivid and realistic imagery, with one customer particularly noting the detailed descriptions of locations.

"...I loved the detail of locations and the physical motions and pain expressed throughout. Again I’m impressed that not only 2, but unbelievably..." Read more

"...are real, and yet, the writing literally swoops in and captures your imagination. Love the character of Victor Loshak." Read more

"Honestly The Loshak Series is one of the.most realistic and frightening murder mysteries I have read in a while...." Read more

"Vivid imagery, strong characters and fluent plot! I personally enjoyed every aspect of the book. I highly recommend the book and series." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some saying it keeps them on their toes and on the edge of their seat, while others find it slow at times.

"...Even at the end, all the mystery is not solved. Keeps you on your toes too." Read more

"A little boring at first for me. Not moving fast enough but the last quarter was excellent. Good read Overall." Read more

"...about human trafficking, murder, corruption, this one will keep you on your toes. With a totally surprise ending, this is a book well worth reading." Read more

"For a story that - to me - started off a bit slow when this one caught fire it stayed that way until the end." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Flip
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best yet
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is the most gripping of the two series by these authors. I found it to be a great read
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  • K. Cannon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Victor Loshak comes through again!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loshak along with the reporter assigned to him to record his efforts always seemed to be just on the cusp of catching up to the killer who seems to be killing again and again. But just as close as he gets to the suspect, Loshak finds evidence that the killer is just ahead of him. Can Loshak catch the killer before he kills again?
    Helpful
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  • pta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It kept me wanting to read it and not put it down until I was done.
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  • Ruth Harris
    5.0 out of 5 stars The trusted betray the innocents…..Sad, but true
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loshak is sent to Kansas City to profile a serial killer who is wreaking havoc, killing people who are in trusted positions of power in the area. As he delves into the case, he realizes that things are not as they appear. He discovers that about a dozen children have been killed and buried in the crawl space of one of the murder victim’s houses, and then he finds 3 children alive in another victim’s crawl space. He finally figures out that the children are victims of human trafficking, and the murder victims were the perpetrators. As the various law enforcement agencies get closer and closer to catching the vigilante responsible, Loshak again realizes that things are not as they appear, and that sometimes the trusted guys are bad, and the bad guys are just innocents. What a righteous ending!
    Helpful
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  • Caryn Mitchell
    5.0 out of 5 stars incredible freaking killer book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    OK, been reading the series, but this one well just threw me for a loop and the ending absolutely loved it.
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  • Tripower53
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    390 pages

    4 stars

    This is my first Victor Loshak novel. It is a pretty good book.

    Someone is killing rich men. There seems to be no connection between the men. FBI profiler Victor Loshak and his temporary reporter sidekick, Jevon Spinks, who is following him around to write Victor's biography. They head to the Kansas City area to assist the local police in their investigation.

    Before long, Loshak begins to receive cryptic notes on his car and in his hotel room. The theme is “don’t trust the locals.”

    This is the story of the investigation, which is intensive. They begin to make connections, with the aid of a local man and it blows the top right off the cases. The case turns out to be much bigger than a serial killer murdering random men.

    This book is well written and plotted and has plenty of action and tension. I liked the Loshak characters and kept urging him in my mind to just go to the doctor about his eye. I liked Spinks too. He has grit and plenty to say about everything.

    All in all, a very good book. I will read more about Victor Loshak.
    Helpful
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  • Melanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Relevant and Compelling Crime Novels
    Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    What Lies Beneath is one of the most compelling books to date by these authors. This gripping story expertly weaves a terrifying premise into a larger tapestry of moral and emotional mine fields with horrific implications.

    The Violet Darger and Victor Loshak books cover topics ostensibly about serial killers and mass murderers, but they are also artfully painted against a backdrop of the paranoia of modern life so familiar to anyone living in the United States today. Those familiar with true crime will find the topics explored in this book to be frighteningly relevant.

    One of the things that drew me to these authors in the first place was their ability to tackle complex issues beyond the typical scary story level of entertainment, and this book is a perfect example of that. It’s exciting and scary but it’s also something that’ll challenge your assumptions about the reality of the world we live in and what kind of person you would actually be in this type of situation.

    I can't go into more detail without spoilers so I'll leave it at that. I very much enjoyed this one!
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Carole T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I love Victor Loshak. His character is so well-developed that I feel like I actually know him.
    In this novel and the one before it, the evil people are really scary and the various police officers are realistically portrayed. The “thoughts” of each of the characters are expressed as would be appropriate for their age, position in society, education and occupation. I loved the detail of locations and the physical motions and pain expressed throughout.
    Again I’m impressed that not only 2, but unbelievably 3 authors can write such a well-written book. Can’t wait to read more.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • "dkdv"
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quite an entertaining story
    Reviewed in Australia on February 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't get bored while reading this book, and the characters were generally believable. What's more, unlike a lot of the fiction authors in these kindle self-published books, the author seems to have a familiarity with the English language that others should try to emulate.

    All in all, quite a good novel.
    Report
  • SueB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Scum of the Earth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Loshak has to work some chilling cases, but this one is the worst. You might think that when rich white folks have enough millions, they would enjoy it and maybe even share their good fortune. Or, you might think that some could buy protection and put themselves so far above the law that they can treat other human beings like disposable fodder for their sick games. Scum.
    Report
  • darlene rafuse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Riviting read
    Reviewed in Canada on July 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it. Had a hard time putting it down. It is one of those books that you are extremely anxious to get to the end and then when you do finish it your disappointed that it's done. Extremely good read
    Report
  • jacky_o
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Good story despite too much writing that does not add much to it and a gruesome passage, that I skipped, and believe was not necessary to be so long with so many horrible details, to make the point. Why do authors feel the necessity to go so far?
    Report
  • Connie Chetwynd
    2.0 out of 5 stars Okay plot
    Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Did not enjoy as much as previous books.
    Report

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