Under the Mask

Dean Steele #12

by A.J. Rivers

There’s no mercy for the wicked.
And the heart of a killer will not be spared.

PI Dean Steele has put many evil masked men behind bars.
While attending a wrestling match with Xavier,
Dean witnesses one of the masked wrestlers drops unconscious on stage.
The unmasking reveals a shocking twist,
and the death causes a ripple throughout the entire Wrestling Federation.
Dean goes undercover and stumbles upon clues that may change everything.
When another wrestler’s body is found, brutally murdered,
it appears that these Goliath-like men are being strategically taken out.

Dean has wrestled with many mysteries.
No one could have prepared him for this twisted reveal.

Under the mask, no one is who they seem.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2025

Reviews

[Beth Stromberg]

Very disappointed! This started out really well, continuing the storylines introduced in earlier books. There were interesting developments, and it held my attention, but then it went off in a totally different direction.
All of a sudden there is a whole section on wrestling , and murder in the ring. Except for Dean, X and a detective they've worked with earlier, there was a totally different cast. I thought I had , accidentally , opened a different book! I don't know about any other readers, but I was totally confused! This new story should have been another book, or, if too short, a,novella or short story. Then ,at the end, there is one sentence referring back to the original story.

[Karen Wright]

This is kind of a hard review for me to write. While reading, it starts out with the previous mysteries surrounding the Board and carnival owner Davis. However halfway through, it turns into a whole new investigation and it just seems odd. I love this writer but this is not my favorite book in the series. I feel like the second half should have just been it's own book. I did love the returning characters, and I especially loved seeing more of Cupcake with Xavier and Dean. As always though, the writing and characters are great. The story however, just was odd. Dean has had some great stories and I am looking forward to more.

[Kelly Smelcer]

PI Dean Steele is trying to find connections in cold cases that tie them to eccentric carnival owner Hayden Davis and finds several potential leads. Meanwhile, Dean, Xavier and Cupcake attend a wrestling event in a nearby town. During one of the matches, a wrestler collapses, and it's revealed he's not who everyone thought he was. So now the hunt is on for the real wrestler. And why did they switch? Dean certainly has his work cut out for him in this one.

[Colleen Criswell]

Not one of my favorites in the series. It started out great, but halfway through it turned to a different story. Had the author just focused on the wrestling story from the beginning, I may have liked it more. But it drew me in with the cold cases first and I was excited to see where that story would go, then a switch up happened.

[Julie Anders]

so confusing

The first half of the book was good, although it had a lot of paragraphs going into details that just added fluff to this book. Then, bam, the book switched story lines and we are left wondering if the second half was possibly another book? What happened to the story line? The epilogue mentioned the first story line so I am not sure what the author was doing.

[Jennifer Carroll]

A good read, but not the usual great that AJ Rivers writes. She has the usual mystery to follow, but there's also 2 other past story lines she's adding onto which made this book a little slower reading. But my interest is peaked for the next book in this series.

[Elyse]

Only 3 stars here. Getting tired of the Twilight Cove thread and each book in that thread feels repetitive. The actual cases are interesting but seem to be taking a backseat

Love Xavier and Cupcake though

[Richard Gusta]

Hastily done

This story was disjointed and poorly developed. Two storylines thrown together very inelegantly. I'm a big fan of this author, but she dropped the ball on this one. The book was obviously rushed out the door. Very disappointing.

[Mary Rowe]

dirty deeds in pro wrestling

As Dean follows thin threads in disappearances and homicides around the traveling carnival of Harlan’s and the ruinous first fire at the amusement park, a hiatus to attend a professional wrestling event turns into a homicide investigation.

[bonnie kirchner]

Under the Mask

The book was ok. It had lot of suspense but it started out on one crime which was getting interesting and than went to another story line. Finish the last story line. Woud not recOmmend
this book.

[Teresa Hunter]

Under the Mask(Dean Steele Mystery Thriller Book 12)

OMG!!!!!! This book was amazing and very worth the wait. Dean can find some of the strangest cases, but he manages to solve them. I can't wait to see him solve the biggest case so far.

[Marianne Potter]

Wrestling??

Rivers twists a wonderful tale, and suddenly, the reader enters the wrestling world. Cupcake buys tickets for Xavier and Dean. Two deaths take the reader down the rabbit hole.

[sherry Lisenby]

AJ Rivers has done it again

I loved this Dean Steele book. I feel Dean & Xavier make a great team. Here’s hoping that Dean starts dating Heather. This book was very good and edgy. Can’t wait for the next in the series and for Dean to take down The Board!!

[Patricia A. Biba]

Solving Murders

Trying to tie the murders together that he believes Hayden committed is a challenge. Not everyone wants to give him the help he needs. While at a wrestling match two murders are committed and he is helping to solve the case. Interesting story.

[Jeanne]

Loved it! There were unexpected plot twists, great storyline, and plenty of Xavier, Dean, and Cupcake.

[Paula B]

Great series

Dean and Xavier never fail to make this series fun and interesting. They play off each other so perfectly. What a team! I look forward to the next book.

[Carol Dickens]

Under the Mask

I enjoyed reconnecting with Dean. This is a great book. I am already looking forward to the next adventure for Dean and his side kick..

[Kristin Lindsey]

Internal monologues that mansplain obvious feelings or subjects is getting old. Also, never forget biscuits/gravy and cinnamon rolls 🫠

[Barbara Kaake]

This was a great story about Dean looking into wrestlers killing and trying to find answers with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this excellent story.

[FABIANA KUNZE]

Confusing

This is the first Dean Steele book that I didn't like. It was co nfusing, ended abruptly . I am quite disappointed.

[john steck]

not the best

The whole wrestling thing is odd and then you jump back into the other story. I like when stories are completed and continued book after book

[Cheryl]

GREAT READING

This is a very good storyline. I really enjoyed it. The characters were great. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Melissa Hoch]

It’s starting to get old.

This book was definitely a throw away. It’s a shame because I like the characters but it’s just too drawn out.