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Pen & Dagger #2
Staged Evidence
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26From the queen of clean romantic suspense—one terrified witness, one unsuspecting Broadway playwright, and a killer who won’t stop until the final curtain falls.
When Tessa Seidel delivers costumes to a Manhattan television studio late at night, she expects an empty set—not a murder scene. After stumbling upon a woman’s body and nearly being attacked by a man fleeing the scene, Tessa escapes with no idea who to trust—and a fear that the killer knows who she is.
Desperate, she runs to a friend’s beach house in the Hamptons, where Broadway playwright Parker Sawyer is retreating to finish his next script. But he knows danger when he sees it and offers to shelter Tessa, even when they find out she is being accused of committing the murder.
Back in Manhattan, CIA operatives Kimber Seidel and Brandon Hale realize Tessa is being framed. But with a powerful suspect manipulating the investigation, clearing Tessa’s name won’t be easy.
If they can’t unravel the truth in time, Tessa won’t just be the prime suspect—she’ll be the next victim.
When Tessa Seidel delivers costumes to a Manhattan television studio late at night, she expects an empty set—not a murder scene. After stumbling upon a woman’s body and nearly being attacked by a man fleeing the scene, Tessa escapes with no idea who to trust—and a fear that the killer knows who she is.
Desperate, she runs to a friend’s beach house in the Hamptons, where Broadway playwright Parker Sawyer is retreating to finish his next script. But he knows danger when he sees it and offers to shelter Tessa, even when they find out she is being accused of committing the murder.
Back in Manhattan, CIA operatives Kimber Seidel and Brandon Hale realize Tessa is being framed. But with a powerful suspect manipulating the investigation, clearing Tessa’s name won’t be easy.
If they can’t unravel the truth in time, Tessa won’t just be the prime suspect—she’ll be the next victim.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
2 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Traci Hunter Abramson
66 books1,953 followersTraci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Edge of your seat suspenseful!
Tessa Seidel stumbles onto a murder at a TV studio and narrowly escapes, only to be framed for the crime. Hiding at a Hampton's beach house with playwright Parker Sawyer, she becomes the target of a dangerous conspiracy. But as CIA operatives race to uncover the truth, Tessa must survive long enough to prove her innocence...
What you'll love:
on the run/hiding out
multiple pov
framed for a crime
forced proximity
hidden truths
protective MMC
character cameos
super sweet romance!!!
AHHH!! Traci has done it again! This romantic suspense delivered on ALL FRONTS, and I could not put it down. It’s a fantastic blend of humor and wit, compelling characters, an unsolvable mystery, heart-pounding suspense, and a super sweet romance. Add in the fact that we still get POV from my two favorite characters from the first book, and is it any wonder I’m calling this one a must-read?!
There were so many clever twists and turns, and the way Traci wove Parker’s playwright career into the plot was pure genius. I absolutely loved the romance between Parker and Tessa. It was super sweet and not insta-love, but more of an insta-connection that grew naturally from there. Parker was so protective of Tessa, but I loved that she was just as protective of him right back!
The mystery kept me guessing until the very end (dang Traci and all those red herrings!), and I loved every minute of trying to figure out whodunit. And seriously, those suspense scenes had me turning pages long past my bedtime. But honestly…when have I ever been able to put a Traci book down??
If romantic suspense with twists, tension, and swoony moments is your thing, you don’t want to miss this one!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Tessa Seidel stumbles onto a murder at a TV studio and narrowly escapes, only to be framed for the crime. Hiding at a Hampton's beach house with playwright Parker Sawyer, she becomes the target of a dangerous conspiracy. But as CIA operatives race to uncover the truth, Tessa must survive long enough to prove her innocence...
What you'll love:
on the run/hiding out
multiple pov
framed for a crime
forced proximity
hidden truths
protective MMC
character cameos
super sweet romance!!!
AHHH!! Traci has done it again! This romantic suspense delivered on ALL FRONTS, and I could not put it down. It’s a fantastic blend of humor and wit, compelling characters, an unsolvable mystery, heart-pounding suspense, and a super sweet romance. Add in the fact that we still get POV from my two favorite characters from the first book, and is it any wonder I’m calling this one a must-read?!
There were so many clever twists and turns, and the way Traci wove Parker’s playwright career into the plot was pure genius. I absolutely loved the romance between Parker and Tessa. It was super sweet and not insta-love, but more of an insta-connection that grew naturally from there. Parker was so protective of Tessa, but I loved that she was just as protective of him right back!
The mystery kept me guessing until the very end (dang Traci and all those red herrings!), and I loved every minute of trying to figure out whodunit. And seriously, those suspense scenes had me turning pages long past my bedtime. But honestly…when have I ever been able to put a Traci book down??
If romantic suspense with twists, tension, and swoony moments is your thing, you don’t want to miss this one!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this story, a woman witnesses a murder and is falsely accused of it. She was only dropping off some clothes for the upcoming shoot. She sees something that was deadly. People begin to search for her. While CIA agents work to clear her name, she runs to the only place she feels secure, which has her banging on the playwright's door. I liked how the agents used creative techniques to gather and exchange information. The setting was fun, I enjoyed the charming romance, and the variety of characters. It is a fun escape.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
November 30, 2025
What if the evidence is wrong?
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Tessa was simply making a late night costume delivery to a TV studio when she discovers a body. Then she discovers she is the prime suspect and that the lead detective has a history of wrongful convictions. Now she must put her trust in a stranger to keep her hidden while her sister tracks down the real suspect. A great read you’ll enjoy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Tessa was simply making a late night costume delivery to a TV studio when she discovers a body. Then she discovers she is the prime suspect and that the lead detective has a history of wrongful convictions. Now she must put her trust in a stranger to keep her hidden while her sister tracks down the real suspect. A great read you’ll enjoy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This kept me on my toes the entire time!
Kimber’s sister, Tessa, is wrongly accused of murder. Kimber is joined by Brandon in working against the clock to prove her sister is innocent.
I loved seeing characters from the first Pen and Dagger book, and it was just so much fun even though Tessa’s life was at stake, and she thought she was headed for a life in prison, if her sister and Brandon didn’t come through for her, and oh, they did!
My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
Kimber’s sister, Tessa, is wrongly accused of murder. Kimber is joined by Brandon in working against the clock to prove her sister is innocent.
I loved seeing characters from the first Pen and Dagger book, and it was just so much fun even though Tessa’s life was at stake, and she thought she was headed for a life in prison, if her sister and Brandon didn’t come through for her, and oh, they did!
My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
November 28, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was unaware that this is the second in a series however I enjoyed this without reading the first one. Exciting with some romance thrown in. Highly recommend.
December 4, 2025
Second book in the Pen and Dagger series. Built on previous characters and added new ones, so definitely read the first book before this one. Interesting way to use playwrighting and scripts and TV stars to move the story forward. Always love a good murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews