Hometown Vendetta
Luke Steele #1
By Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: October 1, 2024
Print length: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639932986
Publisher’s Blurb:
Marine Captain Luke Steele and FBI
Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner must work together to unravel a deadly conspiracy
before times runs out while also navigating their undercover fake relationship
that is becoming all too real.
When a terrorist attack grips the nation, Luke Steele, a military aide to the
president of the United States, is reassigned to track down the suspect because
the alleged bomber was spotted wearing a state championship ring from Luke’s
hometown. Luke has desperately tried to forget his high school years, but he
can’t run from them now. Instead, he must face his most formidable assignment
yet: leave his post by the president’s side, return to Pine Falls, Virginia,
and face every demon from his childhood—including every person and every
thought that told him he wasn’t worth anything.
FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner has spent years tracking domestic terrorism.
When she catches a break that could pinpoint the key player in the
antigovernment group responsible for dozens of needless deaths, she’s willing
to do whatever it takes to get the information she seeks—even if it means going
undercover as Luke Steele’s plus-one at his high school reunion. Though
Amberlyn found Luke arrogant and aloof during their time together at Quantico,
it doesn’t take long for her to discover that there’s much more to him than she
realized. But even as the line between fact and fiction in their relationship
blurs, the countdown to danger accelerates. Time is running out, and with the
threat of another terrorist attack looming, the stakes are higher than ever.
My Thoughts:
This new series from one of my
favorite suspense authors brings us right into the White House. Luke Steele is
one of the military aides who constantly accompany the president (and carry the
“nuclear football”). When Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner, who has been profiling
terrorist attacks, must present information to the president on the latest
attack—which killed her best friend—Luke is assigned to assist her. He
discovers a connection to his very painful high school years, and the two end
up going undercover at his high school reunion.
Luke is less than happy to return
to his hometown, where the bullies haven’t changed much. Slowly, the two unravel
the information they need, while also developing a strong friendship that leans
toward romance.
Abramson does what she does so
well: creates an intricate plot full of surprises that aren’t too far-fetched
to be believable. All of the characters are well-drawn and the motivations and
dialogue ring true.
Luke is a humble, self-effacing
type who, though he knows his own worth, still carries the baggage of high
school bullying. Amberlyn is smart, strong, and capable, with a soft edge. They
bond over baseball and movies as well as work.
The focus here is more on suspense
than it is on romance, though romance does exist, with a classic fake-dating
setup.
Abramson is not afraid to create
characters we like and then put them in danger, and this book is no exception.
I might have yelled when someone dies.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Terrorist attacks. People die. Luke
and Amberlyn are attacked in various ways from inconvenient to downright
dangerous. Someone is killed. Mention of drinking, drugs, and vaping (though
the vaping reference doesn’t quite fit in the timeline—me being picky here).
Some kissing.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like fast-moving suspense
without swearing, sex, and gory details.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and
NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Victim #8
Luke Steele #2
By Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Publication date: October 7, 2025
Print length: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639934348
Publisher’s Blurb:
Military aide Luke Steele and FBI
Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner go undercover once again to unravel a string of
murders that may be tied to a nuclear threat capable of igniting a war.
Military aide Luke Steele grapples with self-doubt after a tragic loss during
his last mission. But when a trusted American journalist is killed in Istanbul,
Luke must push past his grief to prepare for a new assignment.
The Turkish police report the journalist as the eighth victim of a serial
killer. But US intelligence considers the suspicious death a murder at the
hands of an international threat and fear that the journalist could have had
top-secret information that is now in the hands of an enemy of the United
States.
The president tasks Luke to join with FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner to
investigate. As the two delve into the cause of the journalist’s death, they
unravel a conspiracy that reveals a chilling plan for the assassination of the
president and a potential nuclear strike on the United States.
Going undercover as a couple, Luke and Amberlyn travel to Istanbul to connect
with a Russian source who holds key information to the case—if they can find
him in time.
In the crucible of danger, Luke must rediscover his confidence and trust the
bond he has forged with Amberlyn as they fight to save the president of the
United States and stop a perilous nuclear plot poised to kill millions.
My Thoughts:
Luke and Amberlyn are back and
working together again as it becomes clear that a serial killing spree is not
quite what it appears. Luke is still trying to overcome his guilt over the
death of a friend in the previous book, but now he also has to keep some
information from her due to security clearances. It’s…a lot. Especially as he’d
really like to move the relationship out of the friend zone but just doesn’t
have the confidence to do so.
Once again, the two must pose as a
dating couple, this time in Istanbul as they investigate what is ultimately a
threat on the President’s life and the safety of the entire world.
This book mentions real-world
events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and U.S. government budget passage
issues, and everything about the story is something that could happen.
It doesn’t read as “outrageous made up stuff for the sake of the story.”
Perhaps that’s what makes the suspense so real. Clever plotting makes it quite
belivable.
I particularly liked meeting Luke’s
journalist mother in this one. She turns out to be surprisingly helpful in
solving the case at hand.
Abramson gives us a good look at
survivors’ guilt and the impacts of being in a “kill or be killed” situation.
It’s not all glamorous James Bond stuff.
It will be interesting as this
series continues to see how Amberlyn’s increased involvement with the White
House will affect her day-to-day job. And, of course, it will be interesting to
watch the relationship between her and Luke continue to grow. Abramson is
clearly not rushing this one.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Again, this is a spy novel. Death,
some gunfights, and lots of perilous situations are to be expected. I’m not
sure anyone even drank alcohol in this one, although people are drugged. Part
of the story takes place in Turkey and mentions the restrictions of being in a
primarily Muslim country.
Who Might Like This Book:
If you like suspense without sex or
swearing, this is a keeper!
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and
NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
A Novel Threat
Pen and Dagger #1
By Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: April 1, 2025
Print length: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639933846
Publisher’s Blurb:
In a world of covert codes, two CIA
operatives must infiltrate a New York publishing house, where every word on the
page could be a weapon.
Brandon Hale, a seasoned CIA case officer, contemplates leaving the covert
world of espionage behind to embark on a quieter path in publishing. But his
plan takes an abrupt turn when a critical source within the Labyrinth terrorist
organization is assassinated, leaving behind a cryptic message about a New York
publishing house. Rather than submitting his resignation, Brandon finds himself
going undercover at Monroe Publishing to stop the next terrorist strike against
the US.
Kimber Seidel, a CIA finance officer with secret aspirations of becoming a
novelist, enjoys a serendipitous encounter with a handsome book lover like
herself on her way home from London. Though she cannot reveal her true
employment to her new friend, Brandon Hale, she can’t deny the instant spark
that ignites between them. When Kimber’s manuscript is unexpectedly shopped to
Monroe Publishing as a pawn in the CIA’s counterterrorism plot, Kimber must
navigate the intersection of her literary dreams and her covert life as well as
her deepening connection with Brandon.
Though each decoded message is leading Brandon and Kimber closer to the truth,
it is also leading them into the line of fire, where the stakes are higher than
anyone ever imagined.
My Thoughts:
In this series, Abramson shifts her
focus to the CIA. In a case of art imitating life, at least to a degree, we meet
financial analyst Kimber, who is also an aspiring author. We learn a little
about how CIA staffers must run their creative work through an official review
process in order to avoid inadvertently spilling secrets. This is a process
that Abramson still goes through!
Kimber still has some guilt over accidentally
giving away a past boyfriend’s status as an agent, leading to his later injury,
because she’s not good at lying, especially not when under pressure. She’s
happy with her job with the CIA, so imagine her surprise when she’s told that
she’s about to be a field agent by living her biggest dream: getting one of her
novels published.
Even more interesting, Brandon, the
assistant to the publisher she’s working with is the man she met on a flight
home from Europe. You can imagine her surprise when she later discovers that
he, too, is with the CIA.
Together, they must figure out how
the publishing house is connected to an imminent terrorist threat.
Kimber has to deal with a big case
of imposter syndrome, believing that her novel has only been accepted for
publication because the CIA pushed it. She’s also most definitely attracted to
Brandon, despite the odd circumstances throwing them together.
For his part, Brandon had planned
to leave the CIA to work in a London publishing house, but when a contact is
killed during a meeting, he ends up continuing with the CIA. Yes, he’s working
for a publisher, but in a much more lowly position with some really
antagonistic co-workers.
The two are required to fake date
as Kimber begins to make appearances with famous authors and actors. She’s
still skeptical about the ones who want to be friends with her, since she feels
her imminent fame is unearned, but she does make some good friends,
particularly neighbor Trudy and movie star Ian Sawyer.
I particularly liked the discovery
of how the terrorists were communicating their plans and how Kimber and Brandon
discover it. Very clever.
The relationship between Kimber and
Brandon progresses pretty quickly, but not unrealistically so. There was of
course the initial fake-dating but want to be real-dating awkwardness, but they
actually communicate like reasonable people. There’s no third-act breakup to
deal with.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Again, this is a suspense novel, so
expect people to die. If you don’t like elevators, be warned—there are some
scary scenes in elevators. There is shooting and blood. People drink socially.
There is some kissing.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like romantic suspense,
particularly without gore, sex, or cursing. Those who are interested in the
publishing industry.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and
NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Staged Evidence
Pen and Dagger #2
By Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: April 7, 2026
Print length: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-163993473
Publisher’s Blurb:
When Tessa Seidel delivers costumes
to a Manhattan television studio late at night, she expects an empty set--not a
murder scene. After stumbling upon a woman's body and nearly being attacked by
a man fleeing the scene, Tessa escapes with no idea who to trust--and a fear
that the killer knows who she is.
Desperate, she runs to a friend's beach house in the Hamptons, where Broadway
playwright Parker Sawyer is retreating to finish his next script. But he knows
danger when he sees it and offers to shelter Tessa, even when they find out she
is being accused of committing the murder.
Back in Manhattan, CIA operatives Kimber Seidel and Brandon Hale realize Tessa
is being framed. But with a powerful suspect manipulating the investigation,
clearing Tessa's name won't be easy.
If they can't unravel the truth in time, Tessa won't just be the prime
suspect--she'll be the next victim.
My Thoughts:
Kimber and Brandon are back, though
they are not the main focus of this one. Now we switch to Kimber’s fashionista
sister Tessa. She accidentally comes across a murder victim while delivering
clothing to Ian Sawyer’s television set late at night and ends up as a prime
suspect in the murder. Panicked, she runs to Ian’s house in the Hamptons, which
Kimber had just left hours before. She finds Ian’s nephew Parker there instead.
Kimber and Brandon make the
difficult decision to protect Tessa by disclaiming any knowledge of her whereabouts.
Parker, struggling with writers block, decides to help Tessa by hiding her in a
friend’s cabin in the woods. Without being able to call, he instead writes
Tessa’s story as his new play, sending it to Ian as their means of
communication about what’s happening. Ian and Kimber share what they have
learned by “cowriting” scenes in the play.
Parker and Tessa are attracted to
each other immediately. At first, they question the attraction as being born of
the situation, but they move past that pretty quickly. Maybe a little too
quickly, but it’s not outrageous.
The unraveling of the crime falls
mainly to Kimber and Brandon, though Tessa and Parker do play a part. I liked
the communicating-via-play script device. The reveal of who the murderer was
and the reason behind it was believable. I did find that Abramson relies way
too much in this book on people getting goosebumps. A minor quibble, to be
sure. We do get to see side characters from the first book, which is something
Abramson always does well at and which I appreciate.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Blood and death. Threatening
situations. Kissing. Kimber and Brandon don’t exactly lie to the police, but
they aren’t forthcoming either.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like suspense, especially
series, and who like some romance with their suspense.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and
NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
#biblioquacious #NetGalley
#bookreview #bookblogger #suspense #romanticsuspense #shadowmountain
#TraciHunterAbramson #hometownvendetta #victim8 #novelthreat #stagedevidence
