Beneath the Lotus by Dacota Rogers tells the story of Jimmy Torquere, who yearns for a normal life. Jimmy's mother struggles with drug addiction, while his uncle Stupro is merciless and enjoys inflicting pain and killing people. Pecu, Jimmy's younger brother, is under Stupro's influence, and Jimmy feels he must rescue Pecu from their family's grasp before he too becomes as brutal as their uncle. They moved after Jimmy's mother robbed Mexicans in Texas. Jimmy must now adjust to a new school and establish new friendships. Jimmy's mother drugged him long enough to pack up and move again after Jimmy discovered his new friend in the basement. Jimmy held his mother at gunpoint and kidnapped his little brother, Pecu. But Jimmy’s mother promised to find him and kill him when she does.

Beneath the Lotus by Dacota Rogers was a complex and thrilling read. This fast-paced story captivated me from beginning to end. It was filled with constant action, and the excitement never wavered. The suspense kept me riveted, making it impossible to turn the pages quickly enough. With numerous twists and turns, I could never foresee what would happen next. The characters felt realistic and easy to connect with. Even though Jimmy faced difficult circumstances in his upbringing, he held onto his values and did everything possible to rescue his younger brother from that environment. The writing was superbly done, with detailed descriptions that left little to the imagination. Some scenes were so graphic that I found it difficult to shake off the mental images. This story will linger with me for a long time.

In Beneath the Lotus, a psychological thriller by Dacota Rogers, Jimmy Torquere grew up in a severely dysfunctional family with a narcissistic drug addict for a mother, an obese and ill father, insane twin siblings, and a violent psychopath for an uncle. His only joy in life is his baby brother, Pecu. But when his Uncle Stupro brutally kills his girlfriend right before his eyes, Jimmy's had enough of his family. After unwittingly getting involved in a botched robbery, Jimmy flees from his family with Pecu and his mother's captive, Song. Unexpectedly, he finds sanctuary in a Chinese mafia family and marries the girl he loves. However, his mother and uncle come roaring back into his life, seeking retribution. Now, Jimmy must put everything on the line to free his brother from their clutches.

Twisted, action-packed, and full of heartbreak, Beneath the Lotus follows a young man's search for redemption and hope amid adversity. This book is wild, and I mean that as a compliment. With a gripping narrative, author Dacota Rogers masterfully taps into the psyche of sociopaths and lays bare the darker facets of the human condition. The plot sets its hooks in you from the get-go, and it's a non-stop thrill ride from there. Rogers keeps the story moving at a blistering pace with so many twists and turns that you never know what to expect from the next chapter. The characters have flaws and vulnerabilities that only make you more invested in their fates. You feel for Jimmy as he battles overwhelming odds to achieve a "normal" life. I absolutely loved this novel and highly recommend it to thriller fans.