Deep Cover

by Traci Hunter Abramson

Twenty-eight-year-old Kelsey Weber is one of the CIA’s finest undercover agents. After two years under deep cover in Salman Nassar’s desert compound, she’s unearthed vital information on the volatile Middle Eastern extremist sect. When her allegiance is called into question, Nassar teaches her a lesson she won’t forget—with a bullet to the leg. Kelsey is whisked out of the field to recuperate in the safety of her missionary parents’ empty Virginia home. But civilian life proves to be more complicated than Kelsey anticipated when she meets FBI agent Noah Cabbott, the handsome neighbor tasked by her parents with safeguarding the family home in their absence. As their relationship deepens, she’s torn by her inability to divulge who—and what—she really is.


In a twist of fate, their separate investigations converge in a horrifying plot that threatens the nation’s security, and Kelsey’s identity is revealed. She and Noah have been assigned as members of a secret task force, united with one common goal: to thwart Nassar’s impending terrorist attack. As the situation grows increasingly dire, she is horrified to learn that there is a traitor in their midst: An agency mole has been leaking information to the enemy. Kelsey’s world is thrown into chaos with the shocking realization that nothing is as it seems, and each step toward the truth draws her deeper into a web of conspiracy more intricate and deadly than she dreamed . . .

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Lds

262 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey works for the CIA and has recently been deep undercover--in the Middle East. After her contact's cover is blown and she receives an injury, she heads home for awhile to recover, and that's where she meets her parent's neighbor, Noah, in an unusual way.

This turned out to be one of my favorites of the author's. I loved the characters, plot, and relationships. It was also a book that made me think--do people really go deep undercover like that and go through such dangerous situations?? It would be so hard not to be able to tell your friends and family what you really do for a living. It would also be hard to keep up all these different aliases. If so, I appreciate those people who are willing to do this, because I don't think I would be.

I enjoyed the suspense, mystery, and (clean) romance (of course). I can't wait for more!!

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a devoted fan of anything she writes and I was able to read this all in one sitting. I loved it! I wasn't sure I would like a whole new set of characters when I was so in love with the Saint Squad Series, but I did. I can usually guess who is going to be bad, but she always twists and turns things that make the story such a page turner. I loved Kelsey and Noah. Things move fast with them, but it flows perfectly with the crazy paced story. I'm hoping to read about Dylan next! I'm pretty sure Abramson could write a book about weeds and I'd love it. Huge fan of all her books!

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelsey is deep undercover. She's undercover in the Middle East as a tutor for a man selling and buying firearms illegally. She's also undercover within the CIA. But she can't tell her family anything about her career. It was a very interesting book. I'd never considered how difficult it would be for someone to go undercover for the CIA and give up her personal life for a career. Thanks to all those who sacrifice so much to protect us and our freedoms! Ages 13+

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Suspenseful without being scary. Cute love story. I thought it was Traci's best so far. I thought I knew who the bad guy was half way through and I was right, but I loved the ride! It made me appreciate again how many people sacrifice so much to keep us free. This has a happy ending, is totally clean, and I loved it!

[Skyler Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the main characters were able to make it work out in the end, no matter how many obstacles were put in their way.

[Sara Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has so many twists and turns. Kelsey is injured and comes home from the Middle East where she was under deep cover. She has a hard time adjusting, plus her injury is pretty significant. Kelsey meets her neighbor Noah, who has grown close to her family while she's been overseas on assignments. Noah is kind, even though he thinks of Kelsey the way her family does - that Kelsey doesn't value family and she's sometimes selfish (which she can't correct because it would compromise her assignments). Noah and Kelsey find common ground and start to imagine a future together. But the terrorists and a traitor pull Kelsey back into circumventing plans against the US. Noah and Kelsey have to keep their working relationship and their personal lives separate, but the timing couldn't be worse. I was glued to the problems the entire story.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really think I have read this book before, but I read it anyway as it was recommended to me by someone. I liked it overall. Some parts I really wanted to knock the main girl up-side the head but overall it was worth a read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this stand alone mystery by THA. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars was that I had pegged the bad guy long before the characters did. I loved Kelsey. What a strong powerful yet feminine main character!

[James C. Duckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was well written, engaging, and suspenseful. I just think she could have treated some of the secondary characters a little bit nicer...

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good mystery. I heard this one on an audio book and it kept me awake on an 8 hour drive. I enjoyed the inter-agency biplay in the book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this book while I drove.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Oh my goodness, this was such an exciting book. I adore Traci Hunter Abramson’s books and I am always excited to read her books. I am currently going through her backlist and landed on Deep Cover. Deep Cover is an older book but it was just as good as her newer releases.
I felt for Kelsey as she tried to navigate her life as a CIA agent. She was trying to make sense of the world that she was experiencing and figure out how to deal with all the secrets she was forced to keep. I liked getting to know Kelsey and reading about her fighting for herself and figuring out what she wanted out of life. She was so cool and I loved how fearless she was. It was also sweet to read about her falling for Noah.
Noah was a sweetheart and I loved seeing him fall for Kelsey. Although he didn’t realize it, he fell hard and fast. Noah had his own issues to deal with as he got to know Kelsey and figured out what he wanted in life. Poor Noah, he had a lot to deal with and he had to figure out what it looked like to be in a relationship with Kelsey.
I liked the progression of Kelsey and Noah’s relationship. They became friends as they got to know each other. They had a sweet connection. However they had to learn to navigate the obstacles that stood before them as they faced against the clock to protect their nation.
As always, Abramson weaves together a perfect story of romance and suspense. It was so interesting to read about Kelsye’s experience undercover and Noah and Kelsey’s job as they worked to thwart the terrorist attack. I was on the edge of my seat and I ended up finishing the book in one day.
I would totally recommend Deep Cover. The characters draw you in the plot and hold you tight. I didn’t want to put this book down! Deep Cover is a clean romantic suspense with Latter Day Saints themes.

[Shellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The timeline was difficult to follow in the first half of the book. It kept alternating between “two weeks” and “several weeks”. I could never tell just how much time had really gone by. The vague “two” and “several” weeks was a very confusing. The second half of the book cleared it up a little but still not 100% clear on how many days, weeks, or months had lapsed in this story.

Aside from that it’s a compelling enough story to hold your interest throughout.

I do feel these main characters were far too young to have the experience in training needed for the positions they held. But then what do I know? I’ve never worked for the FBI or CIA. And then again their ages were never really disclosed so maybe he was just really emotionally young, but physically old enough, and she was probably the same age emotionally and physically. Which that small bit right there might be a telltale sign of their work abilities and assignments.

I still have so many logistical questions though.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to choose an audiobook from the library that would entertain both my husband and me while we traveled. I like romance but suspense would be more interesting for him so we gave this one a go. I don't really like dark, scary stories and I knew that with this author it wouldn't be so bad that I couldn't take it. In the end, I found myself more interested in the suspense part of the story than in the romance aspect. That part was fairly predictable but the suspense part had some twists and turns and red herrings so we suspected but didn't know for sure who or why until late into the story. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the fate of one of the CIA moles as I would rather he have had to rot in jail but other than that I liked the book.

Sex: a few kisses
Language: no
Violence: yes but not too graphic

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traci Hunter Abramson writes many books about the CIA, FBI, Navy Seals, and other top-secret operatives, who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. Each one has many similarities, yet seem to have enough divergent details that keep me reading as each new one comes out. This one has two agents, one CIA and one FBI, both Mormons, meeting, and becoming interested in each other without the other knowing their true identity. When they are each assigned to the same multi-agency task force, they come face to face, and have to deal with who they really are, and with danger that they are put in. I enjoy Abramson's ( a former CIA employee herself) novels, even though they are very sanitized for LDS readers.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author - the intensity of finding out where the terrorist attack is going to happen left me wanting to read and read. Kelsey and Noah's relationship develops at just the right intensity where when they are hanging from the helicopter while the bomb blast goes off, I was so glad they made it through that alive. Those characters I fell in love with. They spent so much time getting to know each other from the very start. What a surprise for Noah to find out Kelsey was CIA. He was miffed but realized she couldn't devulge what she did because of her topsecret clearance. Noah sounds like the type of guy every girl would love to have - handsome and faithful to his religion as well as to Kelsey. Great read!!

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Traci Hunter Abramson's books, you are drawn in immediately by the story and the characters and the immediacy of what is happening on the page. Kelly/Kelsey has a lot to hide for her job and for national security. She meets a guy near her parents home. Can a normal relationship be possible? Then her home life dangerously intersects with her work life. Can she still save her country? Can she even stay alive?
Clean romantic suspense, cultural elements found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but common to many church communities, definitely recommend. Fantastic book.

[LaRee Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Woman in the CIA

This book made me give serious thought to women in the CIA. Kelsey has a very dangerous undercover assignment that leads her and Noah, a neighbor and FBI agent, into some very intense experiences together. As they become better acquainted as neighbors and find themselves working together, their personal relationship and working relationship make it difficult to understand the feelings that are developing between them. Very interesting and exciting plot make it hard to put it down until completed. Another 5 star book from Ms. Abramson. Love it!!

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this out of order, unfortunately, but after Mistaken Reality, I just had to know more about Kelsey. This book made me realize that being an undercover agent for the CIA would be awful, especially if you were female and posted in the Middle East. Seriously, if the CIA continually puts their agents in that much danger and with so little protection...yikes, hope this isn't reality. And my goodness, Noah, why would you prefer your girlfriend to be a thoughtless jerk of a nanny than an heroic undercover CIA agent? Sheesh. Good thing the unbelievably-selfish James dies in an explosion of karmic comeuppance; it soothed my aggravation at Noah's unreasonable sulkiness.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Kelsey is so deep under cover that she is able to copy on terrorists. When shot she returns home to find the threat is high. She meets and falls in love with her new next door neighbor who happens to be an FBI agent. They end up working together. Would have rated higher but the author, a woman, makes Kelsey seem weak. And this is the gal that lived with terrorists for three years . The end is also a throw back to the 60s with Kelsey quitting to marry. Modern gals know how to make career and family work.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I can count on Ms. Abramson for a quick engrossing read but most importantly clean. I don't know why so many authors today can't write without foul language or graphic sex or violence.

This was just what I needed after not finishing some other books from my pile.

The main character was a bit annoying - for someone who had such experience in the intelligence world, she sometimes made decisions that I thought were kind of "iffy". But whatever, that's a very small complaint. Worth the read.

[Verona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun listen for me. I just listened to it when I was in the car alone, going to get my hair done, or the grocery store, or at home once in a while when Blaine and I weren't doing something, so it took longer than usual to read it, but it was so entertaining. I really enjoyed Kelsie and Noah as their work and relationship progressed. There was an exciting finish that I wasn't expecting, so that was fun! I like Traci Hunter Abramson's books. They are a good mix of suspense, character development, personal church and gospel experiences, and interesting places.

[Berkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I just felt like it moved a little fast for my liking. I felt like is should've been a little bit longer, and that would've made the book ten times better. I really felt like I connected with the characters, and understood what they were going through, even though I can't imagine what it would be like to be a CIA agent in the Middle East. This wasn't my favorite book by Traci Hunter Abramson, but it was still a close second. (Seeing how I've only read two) 😊

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and quick read but a little too cheesy and churchy (“we left for institute”, “I felt awkward saying the dinner prayer”, “going to church together on Sunday”). And don’t get me started on how many times the male lead said comments along the lines “I liked coming home to see her cooking in the kitchen” and she was “domesticated”. I did enjoy the CIA/FBI bit, that story line moved quickly for me with the teams coming together to stop a terrorist plot.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just recently been reading her books. I have enjoyed them a lot. They are a good LDS fun read. Kept me turning the pages and kept me looking for more of her books to read. I am on the next series now.

You will want to read this series before you read the undercurrent or Saint Squad Series. As there are people mentioned from this series in the next.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book!!! I am the biggest fan of Traci's but this book is definitely at the top of my list. I have reread it multiple times, it's that good. The suspense and plot pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved the mix of CIA, undercover, and FBI. The romance was so cute.
Highly recommend.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abramson is one of my favorite authors...I can always count on a clean read, interesting plot lines, great romance, well developed characters, and a few twists and turns. This was no different. I liked that it was a stand alone book.

PS...Jason Tatom is a great reader...

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one thing that bothered me about this book was Noah being so upset when he finds out that Kelsey is CIA and she didn't tell him. Hello?! His being FBI should clue him in that she couldn't blow her cover, even if they are both LDS. I didn't think it was a trust issue.

[Betty Ann Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

She had been undercover for so long she didn't even remember who she was. Her family was unhappy because she never came to events and was a mystery to them. She had to come home and tried to start a regular life.