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Lexie Montgomery #1
Behind the Mask
You build relationships to betray relationships...
That is the motto for the FBI's undercover program, and special agent Lexie Montgomery is just beginning to understand what that means. Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
That is the motto for the FBI's undercover program, and special agent Lexie Montgomery is just beginning to understand what that means. Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
25 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Dana Ridenour
4 books66 followersDana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent. She spent most of her career as an FBI undercover operative infiltrating criminal organizations including the Animal Liberation Front, an organization of domestic terrorists.
Dana’s first novel, Behind The Mask, is fiction but based on her personal experiences working as an undercover agent. Behind The Mask won numerous literary awards including the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel and the Edna Sampson Award of Excellence both presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. The novel also took top honors in the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Writers Awards winning not only the Grand Prize, but also first place in the Fiction-Novel category, and first place in the First Time Author (Fiction) category. Kirkus Reviews awarded Behind The Mask the coveted Kirkus star and named the book one of the best indie books of 2016. Behind The Mask won first place in its category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards. The book was awarded the Silver Medal at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. Behind The Mask was the First Place Winner for Best Action/Adventure Book at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Dana’s second novel, Beyond The Cabin, was released on August 1, 2017. Beyond The Cabin won the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. Dana was also the recipient of the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller/Suspense Novel.
Dana's third novel, Below The Radar, was released on August 13, 2019. Like its two predecessors, the book won the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. Below The Radar was also the 2020 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist genre as well as 2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards Gold/First Place winner for best Adult Fiction.
Dana lives in Beaufort, South Carolina where she is working on her fourth novel.
Dana’s first novel, Behind The Mask, is fiction but based on her personal experiences working as an undercover agent. Behind The Mask won numerous literary awards including the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel and the Edna Sampson Award of Excellence both presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. The novel also took top honors in the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Writers Awards winning not only the Grand Prize, but also first place in the Fiction-Novel category, and first place in the First Time Author (Fiction) category. Kirkus Reviews awarded Behind The Mask the coveted Kirkus star and named the book one of the best indie books of 2016. Behind The Mask won first place in its category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards. The book was awarded the Silver Medal at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. Behind The Mask was the First Place Winner for Best Action/Adventure Book at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Dana’s second novel, Beyond The Cabin, was released on August 1, 2017. Beyond The Cabin won the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. Dana was also the recipient of the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller/Suspense Novel.
Dana's third novel, Below The Radar, was released on August 13, 2019. Like its two predecessors, the book won the Hal Bernard Memorial Award for best novel presented by the Southeastern Writers Association. Below The Radar was also the 2020 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist genre as well as 2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards Gold/First Place winner for best Adult Fiction.
Dana lives in Beaufort, South Carolina where she is working on her fourth novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 23, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram
If you've ever wanted to read a book about undercover FBI agents and evil vegans then look no further.
Rookie FBI agent Lexie Montgomery has just been given her first undercover assignment - she's to pose as an earth-child hippie in order to infiltrate the A.L.F (Animal Liberation Front) and bring them downnnnn - or at least, this one regional cell. Gotta start somewhere.
Designated a domestic terrorist group by the government, things get dicey for young Lexie as she tries to convince this group of "hateful" animal advocates that she is one of them.
I liked Lexie. She has the potential to be a really strong female lead. I like the undercover stuff. The author is a retired FBI agent so she obviously knows what she's talking about.
But I found myself on the side of the A.L.F. for almost literally everything??? Maybe I'm the wrong person for this kind of storyline.
The Animal Liberation Front is a real-life clandestine organization operating in over 40 countries, mostly made up of small cells of friends and trustworthy activists. They engage in illegal "direct action" in pursuit of animal rights - removing animals from labs, destroying facilities, arranging safe houses, veterinary care and operating sanctuaries.
So okayyyyy, maybe morally "direct action" is wrong. You shouldn't break into properties that don't belong to you. You shouldn't destroy things that don't belong to you... blah blah blah. But like, living defenseless animals shouldn't be abused and tested on either?
In this book, the things the A.L.F. were trying to stop - monkeys being dissected alive, jailbreaking Beagle puppies from being blinded by scientific tests - were things that I found way worse than the A.L.F. setting a fire that accidentally killed someone. It felt like the plot tried to force the FBI's goals as the "right" thing by turning some of the A.L.F. members into manic assholes. So it read lopsided to me.
I can only read "A man died! Three children will grow up without a father!" sentiments so many times before I have to admit: yes that sucks, but it was an accident and the Beagles having chemicals shot into their faces are innocent and it's being done on purpose, so like I'm not sure the dead guy is really that much worse than the sad doggos.
My conflicting feelings towards that aside, it was an okay book. Didn't love, didn't hate.
🥔🥔🥔 | 3 potatoes
book source: Wise Ink Creative Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a review
If you've ever wanted to read a book about undercover FBI agents and evil vegans then look no further.
Rookie FBI agent Lexie Montgomery has just been given her first undercover assignment - she's to pose as an earth-child hippie in order to infiltrate the A.L.F (Animal Liberation Front) and bring them downnnnn - or at least, this one regional cell. Gotta start somewhere.
Designated a domestic terrorist group by the government, things get dicey for young Lexie as she tries to convince this group of "hateful" animal advocates that she is one of them.
I liked Lexie. She has the potential to be a really strong female lead. I like the undercover stuff. The author is a retired FBI agent so she obviously knows what she's talking about.
But I found myself on the side of the A.L.F. for almost literally everything??? Maybe I'm the wrong person for this kind of storyline.
The Animal Liberation Front is a real-life clandestine organization operating in over 40 countries, mostly made up of small cells of friends and trustworthy activists. They engage in illegal "direct action" in pursuit of animal rights - removing animals from labs, destroying facilities, arranging safe houses, veterinary care and operating sanctuaries.
So okayyyyy, maybe morally "direct action" is wrong. You shouldn't break into properties that don't belong to you. You shouldn't destroy things that don't belong to you... blah blah blah. But like, living defenseless animals shouldn't be abused and tested on either?
In this book, the things the A.L.F. were trying to stop - monkeys being dissected alive, jailbreaking Beagle puppies from being blinded by scientific tests - were things that I found way worse than the A.L.F. setting a fire that accidentally killed someone. It felt like the plot tried to force the FBI's goals as the "right" thing by turning some of the A.L.F. members into manic assholes. So it read lopsided to me.
I can only read "A man died! Three children will grow up without a father!" sentiments so many times before I have to admit: yes that sucks, but it was an accident and the Beagles having chemicals shot into their faces are innocent and it's being done on purpose, so like I'm not sure the dead guy is really that much worse than the sad doggos.
My conflicting feelings towards that aside, it was an okay book. Didn't love, didn't hate.
🥔🥔🥔 | 3 potatoes
book source: Wise Ink Creative Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a review
March 31, 2016
I wrote this book after reading through several of my journals that I kept while working as an undercover FBI agent. My mother had encouraged me to keep the journals to document my career.
Behind The Mask is a work of fiction, but the characters are based on many of my experiences as an undercover agent. I hope you enjoy the novel.
I'm currently writing the second Lexie Montgomery novel.
Behind The Mask is a work of fiction, but the characters are based on many of my experiences as an undercover agent. I hope you enjoy the novel.
I'm currently writing the second Lexie Montgomery novel.
May 14, 2021
Lexie Montgomery goes undercover to infiltrate an animal rights group suspected of domestic terrorism.
As a former FBI agent herself, Ridenour knows first hand the emotions, conflicts and complexities of undercover operations. And she lays it all out on the pages of this riveting, award-winning crime novel.
The characters have depth that only an experienced agent could write. Everything about them feels authentic. The complex, fast-paced storyline sucked me in and held me in its grip until the end.
Truly a first class, thrilling crime read.
As a former FBI agent herself, Ridenour knows first hand the emotions, conflicts and complexities of undercover operations. And she lays it all out on the pages of this riveting, award-winning crime novel.
The characters have depth that only an experienced agent could write. Everything about them feels authentic. The complex, fast-paced storyline sucked me in and held me in its grip until the end.
Truly a first class, thrilling crime read.
November 15, 2018
This book was such a quick read. Once you get started you just can’t put it down. I’m such a busy person with a small child. Once I got started I had to down load the audio version because I just couldn’t wait to learn what was going to happen to the characters next. Knowing that a retired FBI wrote from her experiences makes it even more of an exciting read!
July 20, 2016
It's a page turner, I couldn't go to sleep last night until I finished it. Knowing that it's based on a real person's experiences makes it that much better. 'Building the relationship so you can betray it' plays out beautifully. Looking forward to the next "Lexie" book.
January 12, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You build relationships to betray relationships.
That is the motto for the FBI's undercover program, and special agent Lexie Montgomery is just beginning to understand what that means. Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
This book was so great as Dana’s debut! She was an undercover FBI agent & that makes her a total badass in my book. I really enjoyed Lexie & the other characters -bringing that world to life!
🏃♀️to read to the nearest bookstore or library to pick up this book! I highly recommend! Can’t wait to start book 2! Amazing, Dana! So well done!
How far would you go to protect your country?
Would you be willing to leave your family and friends and go undercover for an undetermined amount of time?
#booktours #Bookandwinelovers #Bookandwineloversmarketing #danaridenour #leximontgomeryfbiseries
#undercoveragent #animal rights #undercoverfbiagent #womensliteraryfiction #warmandcozymystries #bibliophile #instabook #supportwomenauthors #supportreaders #supportauthors #tbr #bookclub #bookstagram #readersgonnaread #crimefiction
January 11, 2023
This is an FBI novel written by a woman who was an actual FBI agent. This is made me expect realistic and authentic scenarios, interactions, and characters. Behind the Mark did not disappoint. Though I didn't love the vegan animal rights extremist group I did not think at any point that they were contrived or unrealistic.
The main characters Savannah and Lexie were both well written and developed. The book was not a page turner for me but I think that had more to do with the premise of the Animal Liberation Front. Did anyone else think of ALF and think of the 1970s sitcom? Besides that personal complaint about the story I felt that it was a very readable, genuine, and well-paced thriller. I will add the second book in the series to my TBR list.
The main characters Savannah and Lexie were both well written and developed. The book was not a page turner for me but I think that had more to do with the premise of the Animal Liberation Front. Did anyone else think of ALF and think of the 1970s sitcom? Besides that personal complaint about the story I felt that it was a very readable, genuine, and well-paced thriller. I will add the second book in the series to my TBR list.
January 12, 2023
3.5
Seeing that Dana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent it makes perfect sense that the details of this case are written so well. Can I be honest, I’m an animal lover and a vegetarian, so I was kind of on the side of the ALF. Yet, the story displays how good intentions can become destructive.
Thank you @Bookandwinelovers and @undercoverauthor for a spot on tour and gifted copy.
Seeing that Dana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent it makes perfect sense that the details of this case are written so well. Can I be honest, I’m an animal lover and a vegetarian, so I was kind of on the side of the ALF. Yet, the story displays how good intentions can become destructive.
Thank you @Bookandwinelovers and @undercoverauthor for a spot on tour and gifted copy.
January 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this FBI story...fiction but written by a former agent who worked undercover.
January 12, 2023
A great FBI thriller! I really enjoyed this novel, the storyline and Lexie's character on her first undercover mission. Lexie has been given the chance to prove herself in an undercover operation and knowing this is her chance to prove herself and training, she gives it her all and more. Tasked with inflitrating herself into a group of animal rights activists who are considered extremists who don't care about the law and potentially who may come to harm with their actions. Befriending Savannah, Lexie often at times is getting a little too close to the cause and often has to remind herself of her mission and that just because she may have some empathy and understand some of the cause, the way they are going about it is not lawful and that is what she is doing in her work. Struggling to keep herself under cover, Lexie takes a few risks that put the higher ups on edge as well as her job on the line. But she knows she has to complete this mission in order to make sure no one else gets hurt, and she takes risks she knows are worth it. She also has to struggle with knowing the person she has grown the closest to is also the one she will betray in one of the most hurtful ways. Great written novel and I am excited to see what other cases Lexie gets put on. Thank you to the author for the free novel and to Book and Wine Lovers for the tour invite, I will be reading more by this author.
April 5, 2016
BEHIND THE MASK BY: DANA RIDENOUR
Behind the Mask was just what I needed! It was like a breath of fresh air. I haven't read a ton of crime fiction, but the ones I have had the chance to read I quite enjoyed. Admittedly I am also guilty of liking those true crime type shows as well. This book was kind of similar to that, but with heart! I think it is so cool that the author is a retired FBI agent that spent a lot of her time working undercover infiltrating domestic terrorists! I think that her knowledge on procedure and, I'm sure, her own personal experiences with being an undercover agent really added something unique and special...something more, to this story.
I really liked the fact that there were alternating POVs in this book. Rotating between Lexie, the newbie undercover agent and Savannah the newbie Animal Rights Activist was perfection. You watched each of them rising up on different sides of the fence until they met and then things started to get really interesting!
I was glad that this was Lexie's first undercover case. I liked seeing and learning more about how her job worked right along with Lexie. I was fascinated with her identity and conscience struggles the deeper she got in the undercover game. It endeared me to her even more to see how much she ended up caring about the Animal Rights cause, as well as the people she was investigating. I also thought the relationship between Lexie and her "contact agent" Kate was an interesting one. Kate played a more quiet, yet very important role in this story.
As I said above, I really liked getting Savannah's point of view as well. It was nice to get a little contrast, and Savannah was new and naïve enough in the activist game that you got to see how easily and quickly things can devolve and get out of control. It was truly a tale of the road to hell being paved with good intentions.
The story was nicely paced and very realistic feeling. All in all this was a really interesting read that I enjoyed immensely! I think it could make for a cool series if the author decided to carry on and write some more stories about Lexie, or even Kate's work on future cases. I would definitely be excited to see more from either one of those two, or both!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Behind the Mask was just what I needed! It was like a breath of fresh air. I haven't read a ton of crime fiction, but the ones I have had the chance to read I quite enjoyed. Admittedly I am also guilty of liking those true crime type shows as well. This book was kind of similar to that, but with heart! I think it is so cool that the author is a retired FBI agent that spent a lot of her time working undercover infiltrating domestic terrorists! I think that her knowledge on procedure and, I'm sure, her own personal experiences with being an undercover agent really added something unique and special...something more, to this story.
I really liked the fact that there were alternating POVs in this book. Rotating between Lexie, the newbie undercover agent and Savannah the newbie Animal Rights Activist was perfection. You watched each of them rising up on different sides of the fence until they met and then things started to get really interesting!
I was glad that this was Lexie's first undercover case. I liked seeing and learning more about how her job worked right along with Lexie. I was fascinated with her identity and conscience struggles the deeper she got in the undercover game. It endeared me to her even more to see how much she ended up caring about the Animal Rights cause, as well as the people she was investigating. I also thought the relationship between Lexie and her "contact agent" Kate was an interesting one. Kate played a more quiet, yet very important role in this story.
As I said above, I really liked getting Savannah's point of view as well. It was nice to get a little contrast, and Savannah was new and naïve enough in the activist game that you got to see how easily and quickly things can devolve and get out of control. It was truly a tale of the road to hell being paved with good intentions.
The story was nicely paced and very realistic feeling. All in all this was a really interesting read that I enjoyed immensely! I think it could make for a cool series if the author decided to carry on and write some more stories about Lexie, or even Kate's work on future cases. I would definitely be excited to see more from either one of those two, or both!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2016
This was a strong debut novel by Dana. We are introduced to the world of the FBI with our protagonist Lexie Montgomery. Lexi is an undercover agent going out on a mission for the first time. She is tasked to uncover a group of violators of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Our other protagonist is Savannah, a college student who becomes entangled with the animal activist group Lexie is infiltrating.
Dana did a wonderful job and showing the turmoil of being undercover with the stress that accompanies it. Lying and keeping secrets are a daily job for Lexie but when she meets Savannah they become friends and Lexie's job just got harder. Lexi begins to sympathize with Savannah and as they grow closer Lexie's emotions sway because she doesn't want to see Savannah hurt.
The pace was fast and with each word the description throws the reader into Lexie and Savannah's adventure. Dana did a wonderful job at immersing the reader into the FBI world. The characters were relatable in their struggles and wants. The story was thrilling and i couldn't put this book down. I had fun reading this and look forward for more from Dana.
Should you read it? Yes! A thrilling read that has you rooting for both Lexie and Savannah.
Dana did a wonderful job and showing the turmoil of being undercover with the stress that accompanies it. Lying and keeping secrets are a daily job for Lexie but when she meets Savannah they become friends and Lexie's job just got harder. Lexi begins to sympathize with Savannah and as they grow closer Lexie's emotions sway because she doesn't want to see Savannah hurt.
The pace was fast and with each word the description throws the reader into Lexie and Savannah's adventure. Dana did a wonderful job at immersing the reader into the FBI world. The characters were relatable in their struggles and wants. The story was thrilling and i couldn't put this book down. I had fun reading this and look forward for more from Dana.
Should you read it? Yes! A thrilling read that has you rooting for both Lexie and Savannah.
April 7, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Wise Ink Creative Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
It was obvious from the beginning of the book that Ms Ridenour had a vast knowledge about the FBI. It was almost as if I was reading a non-fiction true crime book.
The alternate POVs worked extremely well, giving both sides of the story.
It was one of those books that once I'd started reading I didn't want to stop. In fact I read it in two sittings.
I look forward to reading more books about Lexie.
It was obvious from the beginning of the book that Ms Ridenour had a vast knowledge about the FBI. It was almost as if I was reading a non-fiction true crime book.
The alternate POVs worked extremely well, giving both sides of the story.
It was one of those books that once I'd started reading I didn't want to stop. In fact I read it in two sittings.
I look forward to reading more books about Lexie.
June 3, 2018
New favorite book. Couldn’t put this book down. I finished it in one afternoon. So cool to see inside an FBI undercover investigation. I related to the FBI agent, Lexi so often—agreeing with the mission of the ALF and needing to be reminded of the damage they were still doing.
July 15, 2018
New favorite book. Couldn’t put this book down. I finished it in one afternoon. So cool to see inside an FBI undercover investigation. I related to the FBI agent, Lexi so often—agreeing with the mission of the ALF and needing to be reminded of the damage they were still doing.
April 6, 2016
Will post review soon.
July 28, 2016
Good book. The author, a retired FBI agent, writes with authenticity and authority. She used her real-life experiences to create a believable fictional main character and a plot that rocks.
September 9, 2017
I LOVED this book. Such a great story and gives it more credibility knowing the authors experiences. I'm excited to read more of her books!
January 13, 2023
Undercover FBI agents know the mask must stay in place until the assignment is done. Lives depend on it, especially their own. Special Agent Alexis Montgomery, Lexie, is fresh from her training in Virginia and now on her first undercover case across the country in Los Angeles. Now she's under the gun, living under an assumed identity, and infiltrating a dangerous cell of the Animal Liberation Front. As Lexie goes to work connecting with ALF members, she begins to realize the emotional depths of this work. Over time she's building friendships with suspects. She's being pulled into some of their beliefs as she sinks deeper into their lives. She's filled with self-doubt over the betrayal her work requires of her. The job calls for Lexie to build relationships in order to betray relationships. Is that something she can do to her new friends? If not, what danger will then surround her?
While on the job an undercover agent like Lexie, who lives for an extended period in isolation from her real life learns about the loneliness, high stress, and desperation that is found Behind The Mask. Even her inside-the-FBI contact agent Kate is a new friendship for Lexie, and they have a lot to learn about each other. An opportunistic meeting with Savannah, a freshman at the college, convinces Lexie she may have found the key to connecting with the dangerous group the FBI suspects of domestic terrorism. The connection with Savannah leads to key actors Nick and Haley, but also brings a devastating dilemma. Lexie and Savannah quickly became fast friends, true best friends. This sincere relationship could be an achilles heel to the whole FBI operation, or could Lexie turn it into the key to prosecution? Will Lexie have to betray Savannah to get what she wants, and if so how will Savannah and her fellow ALF members react to that?
Savannah's boyfriend Nick masterminds a violent action against a laboratory doing animal testing. He includes Savannah for her first underground action, and also her roommate Haley who has been a member of the ALF for several years. When plans go deadly wrong, Savannah finds herself up to her chin in deep, hot water. She's sworn to secrecy by Nick and Haley as they all try to evade arrest. Lexie has a theory what happened, but she desperately needs to obtain proof, before her FBI managers close her case prematurely.
Author Dana Ridenour creates a thrilling, psychological puzzle with great, unexpected twists. The plot includes fascinating insights into the pressures and perils of an undercover agent's job. This first book in the Lexie Montgomery FBI series is a fast paced read that still takes time to explore the multi-dimensional personalities of the characters and their relationships with each other.
Dana Ridenour is an award-winning author and retired FBI Special Agent. During her twenty-year career she was assigned to four different FBI Field Divisions and had the opportunity to work a wide variety of cases to include multi-faceted narcotics investigations, domestic sex trafficking of minors, and violent crime. She spent most of her career as an FBI undercover operative.
While on the job an undercover agent like Lexie, who lives for an extended period in isolation from her real life learns about the loneliness, high stress, and desperation that is found Behind The Mask. Even her inside-the-FBI contact agent Kate is a new friendship for Lexie, and they have a lot to learn about each other. An opportunistic meeting with Savannah, a freshman at the college, convinces Lexie she may have found the key to connecting with the dangerous group the FBI suspects of domestic terrorism. The connection with Savannah leads to key actors Nick and Haley, but also brings a devastating dilemma. Lexie and Savannah quickly became fast friends, true best friends. This sincere relationship could be an achilles heel to the whole FBI operation, or could Lexie turn it into the key to prosecution? Will Lexie have to betray Savannah to get what she wants, and if so how will Savannah and her fellow ALF members react to that?
Savannah's boyfriend Nick masterminds a violent action against a laboratory doing animal testing. He includes Savannah for her first underground action, and also her roommate Haley who has been a member of the ALF for several years. When plans go deadly wrong, Savannah finds herself up to her chin in deep, hot water. She's sworn to secrecy by Nick and Haley as they all try to evade arrest. Lexie has a theory what happened, but she desperately needs to obtain proof, before her FBI managers close her case prematurely.
Author Dana Ridenour creates a thrilling, psychological puzzle with great, unexpected twists. The plot includes fascinating insights into the pressures and perils of an undercover agent's job. This first book in the Lexie Montgomery FBI series is a fast paced read that still takes time to explore the multi-dimensional personalities of the characters and their relationships with each other.
Dana Ridenour is an award-winning author and retired FBI Special Agent. During her twenty-year career she was assigned to four different FBI Field Divisions and had the opportunity to work a wide variety of cases to include multi-faceted narcotics investigations, domestic sex trafficking of minors, and violent crime. She spent most of her career as an FBI undercover operative.
September 25, 2021
This was an interesting glimpse into the FBI undercover world, written by a retired FBI agent. Lexie Montgomery is on her first undercover assignment, infiltrating a cell of the Animal Liberation Front, an organization that has been designated as domestic terrorists. To do so, she had to change her persona, become a vegan, and cut ties with her "real life." She builds friendships knowing she will ultimately betray them to make her case.
Lexie grows particularly close to Savannah Riley, a naive Southern girl recruited by her college roommate, Haley, a more seasoned activist. Savannah has fallen in love with Nick, the cell's ring leader, who takes animal activism to a dangerous level. Savannah serves as a lookout for a "direct action" mission that goes beyond its goal of vandalism and freeing the lab animals; a fire breaks out and a security guard is killed. Unfortunately, the only participant caught is Savannah.
Rather than watch her friend go down, Lexie persuades her handlers to offer Savannah a deal in exchange for gathering evidence against the others. But in order to do so, she'll have to reveal her role as an undercover FBI agent and admit her betrayal of their friendship.
As an animal lover, I had a hard time seeing the activists as evil terrorists. Yes, vandalism is wrong, violence is wrong, and I didn't agree with their methods. But freeing innocent animals from labs where they were being tortured? Count me in.
I did enjoy the friendship between the women and the challenges of living a life undercover.
Lexie grows particularly close to Savannah Riley, a naive Southern girl recruited by her college roommate, Haley, a more seasoned activist. Savannah has fallen in love with Nick, the cell's ring leader, who takes animal activism to a dangerous level. Savannah serves as a lookout for a "direct action" mission that goes beyond its goal of vandalism and freeing the lab animals; a fire breaks out and a security guard is killed. Unfortunately, the only participant caught is Savannah.
Rather than watch her friend go down, Lexie persuades her handlers to offer Savannah a deal in exchange for gathering evidence against the others. But in order to do so, she'll have to reveal her role as an undercover FBI agent and admit her betrayal of their friendship.
As an animal lover, I had a hard time seeing the activists as evil terrorists. Yes, vandalism is wrong, violence is wrong, and I didn't agree with their methods. But freeing innocent animals from labs where they were being tortured? Count me in.
I did enjoy the friendship between the women and the challenges of living a life undercover.
August 8, 2017
The awards and recognition that have been showered on BEHIND THE MASK are well deserved. The novel is a well-written and engaging look at how an FBI undercover operation really works. The author, Dana Ridenour, ought to know, she’s a retired FBI undercover agent.
Don’t go into the book expecting a lot of violence or gunplay. There is tension and suspense, but what the story really focuses on is the psychological and emotional toll a covert operation takes on an agent. As one of the lines in the novel’s promotional material says You build relationships to betray relationships.
At one point, the protagonist of BEHIND THE MASK, Lexie, realizes her only real friends are the ones she’s made with the intention of gathering enough evidence on to charge with federal crimes. It’s not an easy thing.
The book also plunges the reader into the FBI bureaucracy, illuminating the differences that erupt between management and operators (which are actually common in many business, whether federal or private). In the novel, the micromanagement and second-guessing of upper-level officials leads to near-disaster for Lexie.
BEHIND THE MASK is a rewarding read, especially if you’re interested in peeking behind the scenes of an FBI undercover operation.
Don’t go into the book expecting a lot of violence or gunplay. There is tension and suspense, but what the story really focuses on is the psychological and emotional toll a covert operation takes on an agent. As one of the lines in the novel’s promotional material says You build relationships to betray relationships.
At one point, the protagonist of BEHIND THE MASK, Lexie, realizes her only real friends are the ones she’s made with the intention of gathering enough evidence on to charge with federal crimes. It’s not an easy thing.
The book also plunges the reader into the FBI bureaucracy, illuminating the differences that erupt between management and operators (which are actually common in many business, whether federal or private). In the novel, the micromanagement and second-guessing of upper-level officials leads to near-disaster for Lexie.
BEHIND THE MASK is a rewarding read, especially if you’re interested in peeking behind the scenes of an FBI undercover operation.
January 26, 2022
That is the motto for the FBI's undercover program, and special agent Lexie Montgomery is just beginning to understand what that means. Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists.
As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.
August 25, 2018
The story follows a growing friendship between two women—Lexie, an FBI agent on her first undercover assignment, and Savannah, a young, naïve, animal-rights activist. As the tagline on the back cover says, “You build relationships to betray relationships.” But is Lexie ready to betray her newfound friend to her bosses at the FBI?
Amazon lists this novel as a (Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Cozy > Animals), but there is no mystery to solve and it doesn’t even come close to what I consider a cozy. Thriller & suspense—maybe. More of a crime novel. It’s also listed a women’s fiction, which is probably closer. Not that it matters; it was a good read.
Amazon lists this novel as a (Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Cozy > Animals), but there is no mystery to solve and it doesn’t even come close to what I consider a cozy. Thriller & suspense—maybe. More of a crime novel. It’s also listed a women’s fiction, which is probably closer. Not that it matters; it was a good read.
April 13, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - it was a page turner for me! Knowing that the author was a retired FBI undercover agent, the book was not a bunch of fluff, but based on some of her experiences.
Lexie is a new UC FBI agent and is on her first assignment- she has to learn to separate her friendship and feelings from performing her job to its highest standards. She is feisty, a quick thinker, a great conversationalist, sneaky but professional and daring. I can’t wait to see how Lexie grows in her career and character in the next book in the series.
Lexie is a new UC FBI agent and is on her first assignment- she has to learn to separate her friendship and feelings from performing her job to its highest standards. She is feisty, a quick thinker, a great conversationalist, sneaky but professional and daring. I can’t wait to see how Lexie grows in her career and character in the next book in the series.
September 4, 2022
A street-level procedural about an undercover FBI agent and her struggle to maintain perspective as she investigates a group of animal rights activists. The story is told with alternating viewpoints, from the perspective of both Agent Montgomery and one of her targets, the naïve and impressionable Savannah. The plot, developments, and characters are seen through a far more realistic lens than is usually found in this genre. Definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys an intelligent heroine and plausible scenarios in their fiction.
October 31, 2021
Sometimes, mother's give advice and sometimes we follow it. However, when it's mixed with Southern Girls, the FBI and Diaries; the magic combination results in tense situations, astonishing twists - with a real-life look into the secrets of being an undercover agent. It's a page turner you're so lucky there 2 more after this one out and didn't have to wait for them. Intense & captivating it's a pager turner I go back to at least once a year!
March 28, 2019
A fantastic debut. Looking forward to following all of Lexie Montgomery's adventures.
November 16, 2019
Great book, kept you in suspense and felt like you were living it,
September 19, 2022
Ugh. Very one dimensional characters and dialog. Would have been an DNF for me if not for the fact that it is a book club book that includes an author night.
August 12, 2016
I was really excited for this book as you don't often see a crime thriller that is about the A.L.F. That's Animal Liberation Front.
They are a very real organization and have a sinister reputation for not just protesting against any organization or person that harms animals. When they cross the lines of legal and even misdemeanor lines such as vandalism, they commit acts of arson and bombing.
Which is why they are listed as a domestic terrorist group.
But perhaps because they focus on animals and not nuclear threats, they're considered too tame for thrillers?
Not for Dana.
The book is about a new FBI undercover agent, Lexis, going on her first mission. Infiltrating an L.A. based cell of the ALF. It's also about a slightly naive Southern girl, Savannah, who is a freshman at the university. Her roommate, Haley, turns out to be one of the cell. Naturally Haley wastes no time converting Savannah into a vegan activist.
I was all set to love this book. Imagine my disappointment when it turns out to emphasize the romance and largely be written in the kind of puff style that I attribute to dime a dozen romance novels. Though a step up from the endless Harlequin branded ones.
It was hard to take any of it seriously. The militant ALF members constantly break their own rules. The FBI bosses are very hand patting. No harsh words without followup hand holding.
There's definitely an audience out there for this book. I am not one of them.
I'll give it a passing grade as a 3 star because she used the ALF as the basis. My 3 stars translates as "Ok, nothing to write home about."
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
They are a very real organization and have a sinister reputation for not just protesting against any organization or person that harms animals. When they cross the lines of legal and even misdemeanor lines such as vandalism, they commit acts of arson and bombing.
Which is why they are listed as a domestic terrorist group.
But perhaps because they focus on animals and not nuclear threats, they're considered too tame for thrillers?
Not for Dana.
The book is about a new FBI undercover agent, Lexis, going on her first mission. Infiltrating an L.A. based cell of the ALF. It's also about a slightly naive Southern girl, Savannah, who is a freshman at the university. Her roommate, Haley, turns out to be one of the cell. Naturally Haley wastes no time converting Savannah into a vegan activist.
I was all set to love this book. Imagine my disappointment when it turns out to emphasize the romance and largely be written in the kind of puff style that I attribute to dime a dozen romance novels. Though a step up from the endless Harlequin branded ones.
It was hard to take any of it seriously. The militant ALF members constantly break their own rules. The FBI bosses are very hand patting. No harsh words without followup hand holding.
There's definitely an audience out there for this book. I am not one of them.
I'll give it a passing grade as a 3 star because she used the ALF as the basis. My 3 stars translates as "Ok, nothing to write home about."
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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