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L.A.P.D. Special Investigations #2
The Deceived
He’s desperate to find a killer…
When L.A.P.D. Detective Adam Ramsey receives a new lead he’s even more certain the man behind his partner’s murder is widow Jillian Sullivan’s maybe-not-so-dead husband. Vowing to bring the man to justice, he calls on the attractive widow and shows her a recent photograph of a man who looks exactly like her late husband.
She’s desperate to prove him wrong…
Jillian refuses to believe the only man who ever earned her trust could have deceived her and their daughter so thoroughly. She wants answers…even if she has to track down the imposter to get them.
When Adam meets Jillian on a plane bound for Mirador, a tiny village in the Costa Rican outback, he must keep her from tipping off his target. They form an uneasy alliance to find the truth, but when passion ignites in the steamy jungle, facing down wild animals, kidnappers, and drug lords becomes even more dangerous.
When L.A.P.D. Detective Adam Ramsey receives a new lead he’s even more certain the man behind his partner’s murder is widow Jillian Sullivan’s maybe-not-so-dead husband. Vowing to bring the man to justice, he calls on the attractive widow and shows her a recent photograph of a man who looks exactly like her late husband.
She’s desperate to prove him wrong…
Jillian refuses to believe the only man who ever earned her trust could have deceived her and their daughter so thoroughly. She wants answers…even if she has to track down the imposter to get them.
When Adam meets Jillian on a plane bound for Mirador, a tiny village in the Costa Rican outback, he must keep her from tipping off his target. They form an uneasy alliance to find the truth, but when passion ignites in the steamy jungle, facing down wild animals, kidnappers, and drug lords becomes even more dangerous.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
97 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Linda Style
45 books56 followersLinda Style is an award-winning, national bestselling author of 20 novels and two nonfiction books on how to write a novel. Her books are sold worldwide and in over a dozen languages.
Linda writes for both traditional publishers (Harlequin) and is also an independent author. Her awards include the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the HOLT Medallion. the Golden Rose, Best Book of the Year, and the USA Today Best Romance of the year.
With degrees in Journalism and Behavioral Health, she's worked in a number of jobs, including, mental health specialist, writing instructor, and magazine editor. When not writing, she says she loves to travel and research her books, take photographs, play tennis, and hike in the mysterious Arizona mountains...the best place on the planet to make up new stories.
Linda writes for both traditional publishers (Harlequin) and is also an independent author. Her awards include the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the HOLT Medallion. the Golden Rose, Best Book of the Year, and the USA Today Best Romance of the year.
With degrees in Journalism and Behavioral Health, she's worked in a number of jobs, including, mental health specialist, writing instructor, and magazine editor. When not writing, she says she loves to travel and research her books, take photographs, play tennis, and hike in the mysterious Arizona mountains...the best place on the planet to make up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 3, 2018
We are going to be in the office
He’d been on vacation with his about-to-be ex-wife when his partner, his best friend, had called him for help. He hadn’t known about Bryce’s call until two days later, when he returned to his apartment — alone — and listened to his phone messages.
He’d been on vacation with his about-to-be ex-wife when his partner, his best friend, had called him for help. He hadn’t known about Bryce’s call until two days later, when he returned to his apartment — alone — and listened to his phone messages.
November 2, 2016
If you like a story with mystery, plot twists, believable characters, and heavy on the romance, this is the story for you. The background was well researched and included in a way that added credence to the story. Adam, the hero, comes off giving you the impression of a much older and crustier individual than he actually is in years, only because of what life has thrown at him. While Jillian, our heroine, despite the rough turns that live has treated her with from childhood, comes off younger and more optimistic. Together, they make the story come alive. You can't help but root them on.
November 1, 2014
The Deceived by Linda Styles is a fast-paced suspense filled with some real surprises. Adam and Jillian show a depth of character and their dialogue an honest approach to a growing romance. A very fun read by an extremely talented writer. I liked it so well, I bought her next two: The Taken and The Silent.
December 9, 2014
Overall this was a pretty good book there were a few editorial errors that I noticed but the story and plot were both excellent. The characters where enjoyable and the suspense was also held throughout the book. A good start to a new series. I can't wait to read more.
August 1, 2015
Couldn't put it down!
September 17, 2017
'The Deceived' was a very captivating book. The story line was incredibly thrilling. The way it played out held my attention page after page. Full of thrilling scenarios, deceit and some romance. The characters were great. What started out as a possible hunt for one man, for both Adam and Jillian, turned into a complex ride. Adam is one hell of a good detective. He has so many facets to his personality and his mind. Jillian is like a ray of sunshine that sees things in a different aspect. After every thing she's gone through she is still a positive person. I truly liked that about her. I look forward to reading more of the 'L.A.P.D Special Investigations Series'. A good add to your tbr list.
January 25, 2018
Impressive a twist n turn true crime/mystery, combined with romance - whats not to love.
Jillian survived an horrific childhood to venture out to the cruel world. To survive everything she had done in her life n still have a positive outlook is simply amazing. Adam a Detective with a case close to his personal life, he need to know n will follow any lead. This case has some twist, turns and surprises. I love the mystery unraveling and you think you know and surprise you don't have all the answer...it great. Add spice of romance - bam! Perfect. Violence1, sex2
More reviews please check out my blog: my2centsbookreviews.com Thanks!
Jillian survived an horrific childhood to venture out to the cruel world. To survive everything she had done in her life n still have a positive outlook is simply amazing. Adam a Detective with a case close to his personal life, he need to know n will follow any lead. This case has some twist, turns and surprises. I love the mystery unraveling and you think you know and surprise you don't have all the answer...it great. Add spice of romance - bam! Perfect. Violence1, sex2
More reviews please check out my blog: my2centsbookreviews.com Thanks!
May 30, 2020
More than just romance and good mystery
Particularly enjoyed central america details and cultural setting. Mystery itself was offbeat and held my attention. Relationship between protagonists built realistically with captivating action/ dialogue.
Particularly enjoyed central america details and cultural setting. Mystery itself was offbeat and held my attention. Relationship between protagonists built realistically with captivating action/ dialogue.
July 12, 2018
Good
I'm sorry I didn't have a job at the library and now it's ok I have a lot to say to you but you are not ok
I'm sorry I didn't have a job at the library and now it's ok I have a lot to say to you but you are not ok
April 24, 2023
EXCELLENT
Intriguing story. Difficult to put down. Different kind of investigation. Didn't want it to end. Nice romance for a change.
Intriguing story. Difficult to put down. Different kind of investigation. Didn't want it to end. Nice romance for a change.
September 20, 2015
Well paced romantic suspense
This is the first book by Ms. Style that I've read. The characters were well rounded, the plot was reasonably plausible and held the reader's interest. The H (Adam) and h (Jillian) each had a history of psychological pain. She was a widow who lost her alcoholic mom as a child and her father who abandoned them when she was a baby was given custody. He was a policeman but emotionally withdrawn and abusive. She ran away at age 15 and was rescued off the streets of LA by Jack, a truck driver, who required her to finish high school and obtain training so she would be self sufficient. They married when she became a legal adult and had a daughter (Chloe). After his truck went over an embankment, she moved to Chicago to be close to her mother-in-law. Adam was decorated policeman whose wife divorced him for another man at the same time he lost his partner, who was working undercover in a drug cartel. Adam was taken off the case but continued to try and find those responsible. The leads brought him to Jillian's door. Jillian, who was treated as a suspect in her husband's death, had no reason respect cops or cooperate, did not welcome him. After a rocky beginning, they found themselves with similar goals...on their way to Costa Rica to locate the man who had been living there who looked exactly like Jack and went by the same name. Thus the adventures began. Adults who prefer this genre would likely enjoy "The Deceived." Although it is not peppered with graphic sexuality, there are several references to male and female physiological responses to sexual attraction and one "love" scene. The story also refers to prostitution and other adult subjects. I would not recommend it for those under 18 or those who prefer not to be subject to the topics mentioned. I misunderstood this to be Christian fiction and most of the "adult" material occurred in the last part of the story. I downloaded the series at one time under kindle unlimited but will return the remainder unread. I am 62 and not naive but I prefer to avoid graphic materials (sexual, violence etc), no matter the media. It would be wonderful if all the media on Amazon was appropriately labeled. It shouldn't be left up to reviewers to need to warn other readers. I really appreciate authors or publishers who do provide clues on the books description or webpage. Amazon should take the onus and require specific guidelines for all those who sell this media.
This is the first book by Ms. Style that I've read. The characters were well rounded, the plot was reasonably plausible and held the reader's interest. The H (Adam) and h (Jillian) each had a history of psychological pain. She was a widow who lost her alcoholic mom as a child and her father who abandoned them when she was a baby was given custody. He was a policeman but emotionally withdrawn and abusive. She ran away at age 15 and was rescued off the streets of LA by Jack, a truck driver, who required her to finish high school and obtain training so she would be self sufficient. They married when she became a legal adult and had a daughter (Chloe). After his truck went over an embankment, she moved to Chicago to be close to her mother-in-law. Adam was decorated policeman whose wife divorced him for another man at the same time he lost his partner, who was working undercover in a drug cartel. Adam was taken off the case but continued to try and find those responsible. The leads brought him to Jillian's door. Jillian, who was treated as a suspect in her husband's death, had no reason respect cops or cooperate, did not welcome him. After a rocky beginning, they found themselves with similar goals...on their way to Costa Rica to locate the man who had been living there who looked exactly like Jack and went by the same name. Thus the adventures began. Adults who prefer this genre would likely enjoy "The Deceived." Although it is not peppered with graphic sexuality, there are several references to male and female physiological responses to sexual attraction and one "love" scene. The story also refers to prostitution and other adult subjects. I would not recommend it for those under 18 or those who prefer not to be subject to the topics mentioned. I misunderstood this to be Christian fiction and most of the "adult" material occurred in the last part of the story. I downloaded the series at one time under kindle unlimited but will return the remainder unread. I am 62 and not naive but I prefer to avoid graphic materials (sexual, violence etc), no matter the media. It would be wonderful if all the media on Amazon was appropriately labeled. It shouldn't be left up to reviewers to need to warn other readers. I really appreciate authors or publishers who do provide clues on the books description or webpage. Amazon should take the onus and require specific guidelines for all those who sell this media.
October 15, 2015
Too slow
It started out really good, then began to drag as scenery, circumstance and mushy attraction dragged down the story. I ended up bored and offended by a love scene (why put that in when we are trying to solve a mystery?) I quit reading and didn't care about solving it.
It started out really good, then began to drag as scenery, circumstance and mushy attraction dragged down the story. I ended up bored and offended by a love scene (why put that in when we are trying to solve a mystery?) I quit reading and didn't care about solving it.
August 4, 2015
good
the story that breings to getter a woman and a police detective and a case which involved the death of her husband.
the story that breings to getter a woman and a police detective and a case which involved the death of her husband.
October 18, 2016
A good mystery.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews