What do you think?
Rate this book
Benson First Responders #8
Duplicity
Coming June 2024!
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2024
562 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Phillips
167 books872 followersLisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.
Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 9, 2024
Duplicity is a non stop action-packed story with plenty of twists and turns. I enjoyed the chemistry between Vanguard technical specialist Simon Olson and School Resource Officer Catalina Alvarez. Simon has been on the run from God and must realize that God is real. Cat has her own struggles, wanting to know why God had allowed her partner to die and for her to live.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the Easter eggs that Phillips included from one of her previous series in Duplicity. You don't want to miss this fast-paced, wild ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the Easter eggs that Phillips included from one of her previous series in Duplicity. You don't want to miss this fast-paced, wild ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 30, 2024
I enjoyed the book and the story-line. A lot of the writing style included fragmented pieces and character thoughts that made it difficult to follow what was happening.
June 26, 2024
I received a ARC copy of this amazing book Lisa has done it again
April 10, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of Duplicity from author Lisa Phillips, introducing me to her Benson First Responders series. While it is book eight, I was able to understand and enjoy the story without any confusion. Computer genius Simon Olson works for Vanguard, an elite investigative agency, trying to make up for things he had done under duress as a teenager. School Resource Officer Catalina Alvarez had found a place to continue to serve after being shot and watching her partner die when having responded to a robbery in progress call. Simon and Cat's paths cross as he goes undercover outside of his duties at Vanguard pursuing a lead in his own personal investigation. As a pattern of missing girls emerges, the two begin to work together, and maybe something a little more.
Duplicity is a quick, Christian, romantic suspense read, only 239 pages. The plot jumps around a bit, but comes together well in the end. The author creates a great sense of urgency throughout the story. The characters persistently seek justice at great personal cost. Tension rides high. Enough of the main protagonists' back stories are provided to build a desire in the reader for them to find closure on their old lives and to start something new. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Duplicity is a quick, Christian, romantic suspense read, only 239 pages. The plot jumps around a bit, but comes together well in the end. The author creates a great sense of urgency throughout the story. The characters persistently seek justice at great personal cost. Tension rides high. Enough of the main protagonists' back stories are provided to build a desire in the reader for them to find closure on their old lives and to start something new. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
July 8, 2024
"Nothing could distract him enough for him to lose focus on why he was here."
His family and co-workers thought he was miles away on vacation; instead Vanguard Private Security and Investigations tech wizard Simon Olson is flying solo to undo some damage he did years ago. Unwillingly, but still, the computer system he had developed under duress was still operating as a dark cover for some very bad people.
Inserting himself into East Benson High as a summer school math teacher, Simon is surreptitiously tracking a teen whose phone is connected to the criminal network. He expected the project to be dangerous, but School Resource Office Catalina Alvarez is a complete surprise. They had more in common that Simon could ever have imagined, and yet Catalina's faith remained intact. Would he ever be able to say the same?
"He'd been running for far too long. Running from God. Running from the truth of who he was."
Hang on for the ride! This story has more curves than a mountain road, but the destination feels an awful lot like hope!
His family and co-workers thought he was miles away on vacation; instead Vanguard Private Security and Investigations tech wizard Simon Olson is flying solo to undo some damage he did years ago. Unwillingly, but still, the computer system he had developed under duress was still operating as a dark cover for some very bad people.
Inserting himself into East Benson High as a summer school math teacher, Simon is surreptitiously tracking a teen whose phone is connected to the criminal network. He expected the project to be dangerous, but School Resource Office Catalina Alvarez is a complete surprise. They had more in common that Simon could ever have imagined, and yet Catalina's faith remained intact. Would he ever be able to say the same?
"He'd been running for far too long. Running from God. Running from the truth of who he was."
Hang on for the ride! This story has more curves than a mountain road, but the destination feels an awful lot like hope!
July 25, 2024
Duplicity is an awesome book of suspense.
I quickly have become a fan of Lisa Phillips writings. This book is a continuation of the Benson First Responders series. It follows Simon Olson who is the computer technical specialist with the Vanguard Group. He isn’t trained to be on the front lines like his twin brother. He works in the background but he needs to correct a part of his past that he regrets before he can forgive himself. In order to do so he goes undercover as a math teacher at a local high school. Catalina Alvarez is the High School resource officer but she is also trying to find the correct shooter that killed her partner and wounded her. Young girls begin disappearing and the three investigations seem to collide. The suspense, drama, and danger spread throughout the book. Will they be able to find the truth without paying too high a price?
I quickly have become a fan of Lisa Phillips writings. This book is a continuation of the Benson First Responders series. It follows Simon Olson who is the computer technical specialist with the Vanguard Group. He isn’t trained to be on the front lines like his twin brother. He works in the background but he needs to correct a part of his past that he regrets before he can forgive himself. In order to do so he goes undercover as a math teacher at a local high school. Catalina Alvarez is the High School resource officer but she is also trying to find the correct shooter that killed her partner and wounded her. Young girls begin disappearing and the three investigations seem to collide. The suspense, drama, and danger spread throughout the book. Will they be able to find the truth without paying too high a price?
July 5, 2024
I love Lisa Phillips books. She has the suspense without it being so action packed you can’t keep up. In the Benson First Responders series she links the Vanguard characters with the Benson PD and characters from some of her previous series.
In Duplicity, Simon Olsen is the twin of Peter, from Undertow, and his sister Freya from Allegiance. Simon is the IT specialist of Vanguard. He and his brother have a past of hacking when younger and it’s come back to haunt him.
Simon has gone undercover, on his own, teaching at a local high school where Catalina Alvarez is the SRO. They both have past traumas which just may be connected.
I’ve read several of Lisa’s series and I love how she intertwines her characters and series. I highly recommend any of her books.
In Duplicity, Simon Olsen is the twin of Peter, from Undertow, and his sister Freya from Allegiance. Simon is the IT specialist of Vanguard. He and his brother have a past of hacking when younger and it’s come back to haunt him.
Simon has gone undercover, on his own, teaching at a local high school where Catalina Alvarez is the SRO. They both have past traumas which just may be connected.
I’ve read several of Lisa’s series and I love how she intertwines her characters and series. I highly recommend any of her books.
June 26, 2024
I have been really looking forward to this book. The twins - Peter and Simon - have been in all of the books as minor characters. Peter got his story in an anthology last summer, and now Simon finally got his. The book was epically good.....great plot and characters. And this book showed more than any other the differences between the twins, while also showing the bond. Cat was a great addition to the series, and the perfect ying to Simon's yang. Lots of suspense and action, and I loved how Simon tended to be a loner, yet had tons of people who cared about him and wanted to help.
I say this a lot, but this is the best one so far. Awesome read, and awesome ending.
I say this a lot, but this is the best one so far. Awesome read, and awesome ending.
August 5, 2024
Not the best in the series mainly due to the fact there was just too much kidnapping in this book. I was confused, this man was kidnapped as a teen and it was a large part of the plot. Ok. But in the previous book he was kidnapped but no one is talking about that except for the one scene where his boss forces him into a trauma survivor support group. That felt odd to me. Overall, not a bad story, but I don't think it's the best in the series. Looks like there's one more to the series, and I'm waiting in line to get a copy of the audiobook.
July 3, 2024
Cat, Simon, Selena, and Selena
Duplicity is a great name for this novel. It was one think after another and another and another. I knew what I wanted to take place, but there are a lot of twist and turns; ups and downs and sideways to get through. It is action packed. I could not put this novel down until I completed it. Read it now.
Duplicity is a great name for this novel. It was one think after another and another and another. I knew what I wanted to take place, but there are a lot of twist and turns; ups and downs and sideways to get through. It is action packed. I could not put this novel down until I completed it. Read it now.
July 13, 2024
Lisa Phillips does it again.
I have followed this series from the beginning and I am constantly delighted with the creativity the Lisa demonstrates. This story of Simon and Cat will not disappoint. I would tell you to read it to the end, but of course you will, because it is as always, very hard to put down.
Enjoy!
I have followed this series from the beginning and I am constantly delighted with the creativity the Lisa demonstrates. This story of Simon and Cat will not disappoint. I would tell you to read it to the end, but of course you will, because it is as always, very hard to put down.
Enjoy!
September 25, 2024
Simon goes undercover to right a wrong that happened 7 years ago when he was kidnapped and forced to create an evil network, used by his kidnapper. Cat, a school police officer, is drawn to the new math teacher (Simon) but senses something very different about him. I love both these characters and their struggles to learn to trust God and have faith.
July 7, 2024
Full of Suspense and the Battle Against Evil
I connected with Simon’s fear of the unknown and understood Cat’s trauma as well. When one encounters a traumatic situation, it’s difficult to walk back into that situation or one similar.
I connected with Simon’s fear of the unknown and understood Cat’s trauma as well. When one encounters a traumatic situation, it’s difficult to walk back into that situation or one similar.
July 10, 2024
Real life people
And their real life experiences. Happy, sad, scary, dangerous, surrounded by God’s goodness no matter what! Finding a way through darkness into light. Rarely around, most often through! Great book!!
And their real life experiences. Happy, sad, scary, dangerous, surrounded by God’s goodness no matter what! Finding a way through darkness into light. Rarely around, most often through! Great book!!
July 29, 2024
Simon is still working to find answers to who abducted him years ago. He meets Cat Alvarez when he goes into the school to be an algebra teacher. With he’d help he faces his fears. They both help one another find the perpetrator of their incidents.
October 4, 2025
Duplicity
A truly fabulous read. There is soo much about all the people Benson mix with and this no different. I loved the story of Simon and Cat. Each had suffered trauma but through Gods love and guidance found true faith and love.
A truly fabulous read. There is soo much about all the people Benson mix with and this no different. I loved the story of Simon and Cat. Each had suffered trauma but through Gods love and guidance found true faith and love.
December 15, 2025
And if not, God is still good...
God's goodness can't be stopped. Sometimes it's hard to understand what He's doing, but the more things He brings us through, the more we see that we can trust Him. Great story!!!!!
God's goodness can't be stopped. Sometimes it's hard to understand what He's doing, but the more things He brings us through, the more we see that we can trust Him. Great story!!!!!
May 22, 2024
Yes! Simon got his story and it's one of redemption, grace, and figuring out how to heal from trauma. Of course there's love too. Great read! It was over too soon.
June 21, 2024
Duplicity is Simon's story, I really enjoyed it.
Changes in vanguard, redemption, dealing with trauma, lots of action. All around good stuff, you wont want to miss this!
Changes in vanguard, redemption, dealing with trauma, lots of action. All around good stuff, you wont want to miss this!
June 26, 2024
Another great book in the series! The plot really links up to the other books in the series. I would highly recommend
July 7, 2024
Wonderful Story
Wonderful Story and great characters.
Full of action and plot twists.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Wonderful Story and great characters.
Full of action and plot twists.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
July 9, 2024
better each book
Loved this ongoing tale of woe & adventure, sprinkled with a little bit of a love story & highlighting our deepest need, the Lord!
Loved this ongoing tale of woe & adventure, sprinkled with a little bit of a love story & highlighting our deepest need, the Lord!
August 14, 2024
Tragedy
Overcoming tragedy and surviving. Amazing book that will keep you guessing and running in your mind at the same time. Great series
Overcoming tragedy and surviving. Amazing book that will keep you guessing and running in your mind at the same time. Great series
August 19, 2024
WOW!! I couldn’t put the book down! It kept me on the edge of my seat!! Loved it.
September 23, 2024
great book
I enjoyed reading this book. The author did a wonderful job with the story. It definitely kept my interest the whole time
I enjoyed reading this book. The author did a wonderful job with the story. It definitely kept my interest the whole time
September 24, 2024
Benson First Responders
A great series. Suspense, romance and it’s all clean! Most importantly reflects on Christian values, struggles in life and a need for Christ in our lives.
A great series. Suspense, romance and it’s all clean! Most importantly reflects on Christian values, struggles in life and a need for Christ in our lives.
November 26, 2024
Nope. Maddie it to chapter 12 and then I just couldn’t anymore. I didn’t like it. Great cover but did not enjoy the story.
October 8, 2025
I have one left of this series, I am so glad I read these. Love the underlying message of redemption and repentance - God is so faithful.
December 18, 2025
Great read ... going to read Book #9 next
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2024
Changes abound in book 8 of the Benson First Responders series. Jasper takes over as the head of Vanguard and he and Simon clash as Simon goes out on his own to right a wrong. It was nice seeing Simon’s story and his falling in love.
I received an advanced readers copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
I received an advanced readers copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews