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Steve Regan Undercover Cop #1
Duplicity
Trust is a lie. Survival is everything.
“Fast moving plots, realistic characters. A must read of love, loyalty, sadness, and hidden truth.” – Reader Review of the Series
In the depths of the criminal underworld, British detective Steve Regan thrives in the double-dealing world as a no-nonsense undercover cop for the national crime squad. But when a cocaine-smuggling operation stretches from Bolivia to Miami, Regan is thrust deep into the crosshairs of a ruthless cartel led by the enigmatic Enrico Bruno.
As alliances blur and betrayals mount, Regan navigates violent tests, and seductive temptations. His undercover role draws him further into a deadly world of drug trafficking, crooked law enforcement agents, and Mafia conspiracies—forcing him to question how far he's willing to go to bring justice to light.
With his enemies circling, temptations mounting, and his own life on the line, Regan must decide to remain loyal to his oath of office, and plunge deeper into the criminal world to take it down from within or do the unthinkable.
Publisher's Note: Duplicity is the new first in the series, having replaced the previous title, Who The F*ck Am I?
It is entireley new content though broadly following its predecessor's storyline.
“Fast moving plots, realistic characters. A must read of love, loyalty, sadness, and hidden truth.” – Reader Review of the Series
In the depths of the criminal underworld, British detective Steve Regan thrives in the double-dealing world as a no-nonsense undercover cop for the national crime squad. But when a cocaine-smuggling operation stretches from Bolivia to Miami, Regan is thrust deep into the crosshairs of a ruthless cartel led by the enigmatic Enrico Bruno.
As alliances blur and betrayals mount, Regan navigates violent tests, and seductive temptations. His undercover role draws him further into a deadly world of drug trafficking, crooked law enforcement agents, and Mafia conspiracies—forcing him to question how far he's willing to go to bring justice to light.
With his enemies circling, temptations mounting, and his own life on the line, Regan must decide to remain loyal to his oath of office, and plunge deeper into the criminal world to take it down from within or do the unthinkable.
Publisher's Note: Duplicity is the new first in the series, having replaced the previous title, Who The F*ck Am I?
It is entireley new content though broadly following its predecessor's storyline.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2024
34 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Bentley
51 books269 followersStephen Bentley is an award-winning author. Of his Operation Julie true crime book, screenwriter and novelist, writer of 'Julie' BBC Drama, Rob Gittins, said, "The fascinating and extraordinary inside story from the man who was actually there.”
Of his later fiction works, British crime author, Pat MacDonald said, “I knew when I read the author’s first book although non-fiction that he could make the transition to writing fiction; I was right. He has an ease of language that lends itself to storytelling; he tells it as if he was there in the plot and why shouldn’t he having been an undercover cop in the real world? Not that Steve Regan is meant to be him, but having the experience means he can do whatever he wants with his fictional characters, and they will always be believable.”
Like some other authors, his life experience is broad and unconventional. He spent 30 years in the legal system, first as a detective for 15 years then as barrister plying his trade as “a wig for hire” in London and the English provinces. He was a pioneering undercover cop on Operation Julie and as a barrister defended in trials involving murder, rape, drug importation, other serious crimes and defended soldiers at courts-martial.
He worked in a warehouse. Rode a big motorbike as a London courier. He drove big articulated trucks and taught how to drive them. He also worked as a hospital porter twice. He drove chilled delivery vans in London in the 1990s to fund his law degree and bar school studies. He spent the last two years of his working life driving plant and operating heavy filtration machinery for Europe’s largest water company. His work mates soon recognised his advocacy skills and elected him as their shop steward.
He has now written over twenty books. Two of them have been optioned and in development; one as a TV drama series, and one as a drama doc.
You can find Stephen at stephenbentley.info
His wife is a better person than him in all regards and is a source of support in his goal of entertaining readers. She has also made him a better person.
Stephen Bentley's book recommendations
Of his later fiction works, British crime author, Pat MacDonald said, “I knew when I read the author’s first book although non-fiction that he could make the transition to writing fiction; I was right. He has an ease of language that lends itself to storytelling; he tells it as if he was there in the plot and why shouldn’t he having been an undercover cop in the real world? Not that Steve Regan is meant to be him, but having the experience means he can do whatever he wants with his fictional characters, and they will always be believable.”
Like some other authors, his life experience is broad and unconventional. He spent 30 years in the legal system, first as a detective for 15 years then as barrister plying his trade as “a wig for hire” in London and the English provinces. He was a pioneering undercover cop on Operation Julie and as a barrister defended in trials involving murder, rape, drug importation, other serious crimes and defended soldiers at courts-martial.
He worked in a warehouse. Rode a big motorbike as a London courier. He drove big articulated trucks and taught how to drive them. He also worked as a hospital porter twice. He drove chilled delivery vans in London in the 1990s to fund his law degree and bar school studies. He spent the last two years of his working life driving plant and operating heavy filtration machinery for Europe’s largest water company. His work mates soon recognised his advocacy skills and elected him as their shop steward.
He has now written over twenty books. Two of them have been optioned and in development; one as a TV drama series, and one as a drama doc.
You can find Stephen at stephenbentley.info
His wife is a better person than him in all regards and is a source of support in his goal of entertaining readers. She has also made him a better person.
Stephen Bentley's book recommendations
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 28, 2024
Duplicity by Steve Ragan, is a new book and replaces the book Who the F*can Am I This book is the story of Steve Ragans undercover work and how he infiltrates a community to get close to the bad guys bringing in the drugs both in the UK and America.
This book is fast paced as you go into the underbelly and crime as Ragan faces danger at every turn. Under the murky world of undercover policing, you read about what went right, and what (almost) went disastrously wrong. What an amazing story!
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as the book catches you from the first page as it is a very faced paced book which is very intense and emotional. I found the whole operation to be fascinating and the lengths that these people went to serve justice was amazing! I have fast become a favourite of Ragan, and I will be looking forward to reading more books from the author Steven Bentley. Thank you to Steven Bentley for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is fast paced as you go into the underbelly and crime as Ragan faces danger at every turn. Under the murky world of undercover policing, you read about what went right, and what (almost) went disastrously wrong. What an amazing story!
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as the book catches you from the first page as it is a very faced paced book which is very intense and emotional. I found the whole operation to be fascinating and the lengths that these people went to serve justice was amazing! I have fast become a favourite of Ragan, and I will be looking forward to reading more books from the author Steven Bentley. Thank you to Steven Bentley for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 5, 2024
Stephen Bentley is an ex undercover police officer writing about Steve Regan who is also an undercover police officer, this adds value to the story in my opinion as SB knows what he is writing about without having to do much digging into what an undercover officer has to go through. If you like crime thrillers, then this book is for you, and I would 100% recommend it!
Marmalade
Marmalade
November 27, 2024
A fast-paced police procedural that has Regan traveling from England to Miami and back again multiple times. He goes where he is needed without complaint. But how far will he go when his ethics are put on the line and his conscience is rattled? It's a terrible burden to carry.
Highly Recommended.
Highly Recommended.
December 19, 2024
Duplicity: A Steve Regan Undercover Cop Thriller (Steve Regan Undercover Cop Thrillers Book 1), my fourteenth read from author Stephen Bentley. A well written, entertaining, surprisingly enjoyable read, with intriguing, well-developed characters. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I own fifteen other books by this author and look forward to reading more from him. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
January 20, 2025
This is truly a gripping story ,expertly penned by Stephen Bentley. British Detective Steve Reagan is a double dealing undercover cop who ends up working alone in the criminal underworld working for the national crime squad.Deep undercover ,how far is he willing to go to bring ultimate justice. Danger might just end up being his middle name..With Mafia conspiracies ,cocaine smuggling cartel . He’s in his own version of hell but that is the duplicitous nature of the undercover cop’s life and career as well. His struggle is very real and this shows the temptations laid out to the best of them and the temptations faced ,very real, these men who live double lives in order to survive . England to Miami , Miami vice has nothing on this,when his own life is on the line and he loses more of himself the deeper he must go undercover. There’s lots on the line and Steve is tested to the limit in this gritty down right and dirty filth busting. Brilliant! Gripping. Insightful and realistically portrayed. Wonderfully written and the angst and fear is shown as well as the sheer determination to survive. I thoroughly enjoyed the gripping story and look forward to reading more.
April 6, 2025
🫣
Regan is a favourite of mine. A character that is so complex I'm always wandering what really goes down in his mind. I'm not even sure he knows sometimes.
This book is fast-paced from start to finish, a proper page turner.
Digging into the underbelly of crime, danger at every turn, can Regan pull this off?
Regan is a favourite of mine. A character that is so complex I'm always wandering what really goes down in his mind. I'm not even sure he knows sometimes.
This book is fast-paced from start to finish, a proper page turner.
Digging into the underbelly of crime, danger at every turn, can Regan pull this off?
November 25, 2024
Detective Steve Regan and his buddy Red go on an Alpha undercover operation under Detective Inspector Rick Smee to bring down a drug cartel but an accident has Steve working on his own. Betrayal, corruption, and murder was part of the dealings that had to be dealt with. The cop in him had a lot of conflict at what he had to deal with. A fast-pace, action packed , suspense that has you on the edge of your seat. An Unputdownable read . I leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
November 25, 2024
After having my appetite whetted by the excellent prequel novella "The Secret" which explains how Steve Regan got into the undercover cop business, I was eager to continue the journey with Book 1 in the series
Written in an almost autobiographical style it's difficult to know just what is fiction and which are snippets from the author's career undercover. Bentley weaves a good tale and I found it difficult to put this one down.
Written in an almost autobiographical style it's difficult to know just what is fiction and which are snippets from the author's career undercover. Bentley weaves a good tale and I found it difficult to put this one down.
November 26, 2024
Fast paced thriller.
A fast paced, intriguing thriller that captivated me from cover to cover. I absolutely could not put it down. I felt fear, tension and the thrill of the hunt. A book that reveals the challenges of facing the underbelly of crime and criminals in our society and the length police go to protect society.
I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
A fast paced, intriguing thriller that captivated me from cover to cover. I absolutely could not put it down. I felt fear, tension and the thrill of the hunt. A book that reveals the challenges of facing the underbelly of crime and criminals in our society and the length police go to protect society.
I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
November 28, 2024
This is a great crime thriller full of intrigue and secret meetings etc, etc. You can imagine that there is coppers doing this for real right now, knowing that danger is right around the corner. I was fully engrossed in this I have to say, if it wasn’t for life interfering I would have finished it in one go. This author can’t half write some cracking thrillers that for sure. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2024
I found this book to be an exceptional read.
The characters and storyline were great with lots of action. Highly recommended.
Steve Regan an undercover British cop who is investigating drug smuggling involving a cartel stretching from from Bolivian to Miami.
I was reading late into the night as I couldn’t put the book down.
More please Stephen
The characters and storyline were great with lots of action. Highly recommended.
Steve Regan an undercover British cop who is investigating drug smuggling involving a cartel stretching from from Bolivian to Miami.
I was reading late into the night as I couldn’t put the book down.
More please Stephen
February 13, 2025
Don't start this book late at night unless you plan on staying up all night because you will not be able to put it down. This book draws you in and makes you feel like a part of the action. Stephen Bentley knows how to keep you in the action. I put his books right up there with Patterson, Grishim, and Child.
April 6, 2025
Audiobook review:
I enjoyed the narrator. He was clear and kept the story interesting
I thought the story was entertaining and the topic revelant. I liked the main character, he was well described and his emotional turmoil accurate for his occupation.
I received a free copy from the author via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I enjoyed the narrator. He was clear and kept the story interesting
I thought the story was entertaining and the topic revelant. I liked the main character, he was well described and his emotional turmoil accurate for his occupation.
I received a free copy from the author via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 11, 2025
as an undercover, lines get very blurry for one officer - especially as lethal, power hungry and greedy folks are revealed in many roles- some underworld characters, and some one might expect to be on the side of law and justice.
reshaping himself, his loyalties and duties, and what he might do ho survive.
intense and suspense and action drama filled.
reshaping himself, his loyalties and duties, and what he might do ho survive.
intense and suspense and action drama filled.
April 11, 2025
I received an Audible version of this book from the author through Story Origin. I enjoyed listening to this Steve Reagan's Story. The narrator is good with varying voices. He brings character to the story. 5 stars for him as well.
The life of an undercover agent is not for just anyone. Only for just a few special people. Very interesting and entertaining.
The life of an undercover agent is not for just anyone. Only for just a few special people. Very interesting and entertaining.
September 26, 2025
I started to read this one to find out what had changed from the original version. The answer was a great deal. Loved them both. Great read which incorporates only a little from the original, mostly the characters names. Tense and engaging read. Well recommended for those who like a police styled novel that doesn't follow the usual chain.
January 24, 2025
Great, multi-faceted characters. Suspenseful and interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A REALLY great read! Can't wait for this series to continue!!!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
November 30, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, hard to believe things like this actually happen in real life. I couldn’t put it down, great cast of characters, an edge of the seat page turner.
December 15, 2024
Fast-paced and action-packed, this book kept me intrigued from start to finish. This book has interesting characters, crime, drugs, and the life of an undercover cop.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
December 16, 2024
Hate to be negative, but this is a very poorly written book. Very repetitive and simplistic. Honestly not worth anybody spending their time to read.
December 28, 2024
I quit after about 8 or 9 chapters. The dialogue is just awful. Poor writing. Repetition galore.
February 1, 2025
Thrilling!
A fast paced thriller. I couldn't put it down, kept me up till the small hours.
A must read, do not miss this book, Stephen is a fabulous author.
A fast paced thriller. I couldn't put it down, kept me up till the small hours.
A must read, do not miss this book, Stephen is a fabulous author.
December 6, 2024
A twisting, thrilling tale of deception
For a number of reasons, author Stephen Bentley has chosen to rewrite one series of his books.I read the original version of this some years ago and remember that I enjoyed it at the time. This new 'version' of the story covers the same ground as the earlier one, but includes quite a lot more as well. I kept recalling some scenes from the original and what transpired next.
It's a fast-moving storyline even though it covers a longer period than it appears to initially. As with all this author's books, there is a lot of detail about the tradecraft of the undercover world of law enforcement operatives.
It's a high octane opus that was enjoyable to read.
For a number of reasons, author Stephen Bentley has chosen to rewrite one series of his books.I read the original version of this some years ago and remember that I enjoyed it at the time. This new 'version' of the story covers the same ground as the earlier one, but includes quite a lot more as well. I kept recalling some scenes from the original and what transpired next.
It's a fast-moving storyline even though it covers a longer period than it appears to initially. As with all this author's books, there is a lot of detail about the tradecraft of the undercover world of law enforcement operatives.
It's a high octane opus that was enjoyable to read.
April 16, 2025
Undercover cop Steve Regan keep you turning page after page. Steve and the cops working with him have a big assignment. Infiltrate drug cartels and take them down. One of the most dangerous jobs Steve took on during his career, but with men like Red and Joe on his side he didn't hesitate to take on villains like Raul, Morris and Caroline, a barrister working with Morris.
Don't hesitate buy the book you won't regret it for one moment. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Dilemma.
Thank you Stephen Bentley for the privilege of receiving a free book in exchange for an honest review.
Don't hesitate buy the book you won't regret it for one moment. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Dilemma.
Thank you Stephen Bentley for the privilege of receiving a free book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2025
Easy Reading
Storyline holds your interest. Regan is dedicated to his assignments. Good characters, action and suspense. I can't wait to see where the next book takes him and the others!
Storyline holds your interest. Regan is dedicated to his assignments. Good characters, action and suspense. I can't wait to see where the next book takes him and the others!
January 8, 2025
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. The characters are so real. I was turning the pages as fast as I could read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews