Art of Deception

Secrets to Keep #0.5

by Cara C. Putman

8 years ago she ran to safety. Now Charlotte Montgomery’s past has caught up with her. Charlotte Montgomery was forced to leave everything behind to shield her son from a dangerous life. As an artist, she’s built a new world of safety and security for them both, far from the shadows that once haunted her. But the peace she’s fought so hard to maintain is shattered when her past comes crashing back.The Italian crime family she escaped from has reappeared, determined to pull her back into their web of deceit and crime. This time, they want her to participate in their money-laundering scheme—and they won’t take no for an answer. But Charlotte has other plans. She’s willing to play along, but only to bring down the ex who tore her life apart.

Enter Thayer Jackson, an accountant who’s been approached by the FBI to help trace money connected to the same crime family. Drawn into the dangerous game Charlotte is playing, Thayer becomes both an ally and a complication. As they work together, the line between duty and desire blurs, and the stakes grow higher.

As her worlds collide, Charlotte must navigate a deadly game where the risks are greater than ever. With everything she’s built on the line, it’s a race to survive—and this time, she’s not fighting alone.

The exciting prequel to The Vanished.

Genres: Suspense, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, Fiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2024

About the author

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She is a clinical associate professor in law and ethics at Purdue University's School of Business. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and legal romantic suspense to life.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska, George Mason University School of Law, and Krannert School of Management, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.

Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey. She's currently writing her 46th book with more on the way. Please check out her website to learn more about her books and read first chapters.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute suspense story that kept me riveted to my seat. The characters and plot were fascinating. I loved the mama-bear aspect.

The big plot twist didn’t really work for me in one respect: It made one character seem to know less about the forgeries than I’d been led to believe up to that point. In another respect, it was completely intriguing—but mentioning why would be a huge spoiler.

The final round of edits seems to have been missed. There were loads of typos and such that drove my editing brain batty.

Content: premarital sex and illegitimate child

[Joy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this book since reading The Vanished. I was curious about Charlotte's back story and it was as good as I thought it would be. You don't have to have knowledge about artwork, even though a lot of the book revolves around art. Charlotte is a single mom who is a receptionist that is hiding from her past, and it's about to catch up with her. One of the employees at her job, Thayer, asks her to accompany him to an art gallery. Thayer is going for a little intel and not to look at the paintings. While there Thayer overhears a conversation about Charlotte, who is actually going by the name of Marie. Thayer feels like Marie needs help and a friend, but will she be able to trust him? When the father of her son threatens her, will she be able to protect her son? Grab your copy to find out what happens.

[Joy Tiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Cara Putman’s books. But this one isn’t what I’m used to from her. There were inconsistencies that drew me out of the story as I tried to determine if it was me or not. It also seemed as though the FBI knew things without revealing how. I liked the two main characters but feel like they could have been developed a bit more (particularly Thayer). I don’t know… it felt like the story was rushed.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick to read novella and want to read the rest of the series! Things are not always as they seem! The "bad guys" are not always the ones we suspect! I don't know much about the art world but still found the book interesting. My heard went out to Charlotte for having to be apart from her son for his safety. I received this prequel from author, Cara Putman and recommend it to others. This is my honest opinion.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Montgomery is a receptionist for an Accounting Firm, and a busy single mom to her 7 year old son. When her past comes back to haunt her, will her account firm friend, Thayer Jackson, come to her rescue especially when he knows about her life in Italy?

An enjoyable Christian mystery that shows how friends can come to our aid as well as help make us stronger. Quick, easy mystery read.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful suspense! I enjoyed getting to know Charlotte. She was pretty spunky and did did things I never puke have.

[QvQ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @20%

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read 📚 .


Thank you, Cara C. Putman

[Ja’net · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sure this is a really good book but the AI virtual voice narrator was terrible. And ruined the entire story for me.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a big fan. I found it hard to connect to the characters. The writing style felt pretty mechanical and I had a hard time staying focused. I’d give it a miss.

[Tracie Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art of Deception by Cara Putman
Charlotte walked away from her life eight years ago. She left her art behind, or so she thought. The past blows up her present-day life and the safe haven she had created. She ran from an Italian crime family and they found her. She refuses to take part in their money laundering scheme.
Charlotte gets drawn into working with the FBI, and an accountant named Thayer. It’s her only means for survival. Thayer is a friend, ally, maybe more, but definitely a complication in the dangerous game she is playing.
The stakes are high and more than one life is on the line.
This was fast paced, suspenseful, and the plot was fresh and captivating. I always enjoy Cara Putman’s writing! I really enjoyed this one! 4/5⭐

[Ellen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I have enjoyed every book I have read from Cara Putman. This one, though, just left me disappointed. I felt the plot was confusing, the characters shallow, lots of holes and things that just didn’t make sense. The climax left me scratching my head and the end just wasn’t fulfilling. It didn’t answer any of my questions. PLEASE read her other books, they are excellent!!! I wish I could have enjoyed this one more. 😞