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Image of Perfection
When Liz Harper-Forbes finds a flash drive lying on the pavement at a local plaza she is determined to return it to its rightful owner. To find the owner’s identity, she enlists the help of her friend, Catori Loloma, who is on indefinite medical leave from her career in Army Intelligence.
What Catori discovers on the flash drive sends them into hiding while they attempt to unravel the puzzle contained in the encrypted files. Their quest for answers takes them into seclusion at friend’s cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains, where they barely escape an ambush.
On the run again, they take a chance and enlist the expertise of a Computer Science Professor at the University whose team is working on state-of-the-art encryption programs. After several tries the team agrees that it will take some time to come up with the correct algorithm.
The body count is mounting, their options are running out, and Staunton, VA, is the next logical place to find answers. If they don’t solve the secrets contained on the flash drive, this could be their final battle.
What Catori discovers on the flash drive sends them into hiding while they attempt to unravel the puzzle contained in the encrypted files. Their quest for answers takes them into seclusion at friend’s cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains, where they barely escape an ambush.
On the run again, they take a chance and enlist the expertise of a Computer Science Professor at the University whose team is working on state-of-the-art encryption programs. After several tries the team agrees that it will take some time to come up with the correct algorithm.
The body count is mounting, their options are running out, and Staunton, VA, is the next logical place to find answers. If they don’t solve the secrets contained on the flash drive, this could be their final battle.
- GenresMystery
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2020
Liz just wants to do the right thing and return the flash drive she found on the ground. But when she tries to find out who it belonged to, she ends up getting herself and her friends into mortal danger.
This was an interesting mystery, but some of the characters were so frustrating and annoying, I just wanted to slap some sense into them! The narration is really great, so many different personalities coming through.
This was an interesting mystery, but some of the characters were so frustrating and annoying, I just wanted to slap some sense into them! The narration is really great, so many different personalities coming through.
April 14, 2020
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
Unputdownable - even if a bit unrealistic:)
Liz finds a flash drive, takes it to her friend to find out who it belongs to... and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly someone tries to kill them, so they turn to Nick, Liz's police boyfiend, for help. As a result, they all go into hiding, trying to avoid one ambush after another in a rollercoaster of events that lead to uncovering a huge secret operation that may shake the foundations of humanity if not stopped...
Yes, some aspects of the story are quite improbable and difficult to believe, like Liz and company accepting the help of Felix and trusting him after just a few conversations (which is strange when you remember the circumstances in which they meet for the first time), but you can easily just ignore all these improbabilities and enjoy the book that otherwise is a thrilling, exciting, unputdownable ride:) (Well, I listened to it in one sitting...:))
As for the characters, Liz was irritating at first, with her hysterical reactions to everything but then her behaviour was quite logical in the circumstances. I think I liked the character of Cotori the best, she's a tough girl:) But generally all the characters are quite well written, with interesting background stories, pasts that have made them what they're now, making their actions and reactions feel real most of the time...
Narration by Ms Hazen is as always very good. The only voice I didn't really like was Felix's - a bit too high pitched, making him sound, well, like a weasel he was not... Other than that, as usual, the narrative parts were perfect, each character immediately recognizable and the pace of her reading just right.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Unputdownable - even if a bit unrealistic:)
Liz finds a flash drive, takes it to her friend to find out who it belongs to... and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly someone tries to kill them, so they turn to Nick, Liz's police boyfiend, for help. As a result, they all go into hiding, trying to avoid one ambush after another in a rollercoaster of events that lead to uncovering a huge secret operation that may shake the foundations of humanity if not stopped...
Yes, some aspects of the story are quite improbable and difficult to believe, like Liz and company accepting the help of Felix and trusting him after just a few conversations (which is strange when you remember the circumstances in which they meet for the first time), but you can easily just ignore all these improbabilities and enjoy the book that otherwise is a thrilling, exciting, unputdownable ride:) (Well, I listened to it in one sitting...:))
As for the characters, Liz was irritating at first, with her hysterical reactions to everything but then her behaviour was quite logical in the circumstances. I think I liked the character of Cotori the best, she's a tough girl:) But generally all the characters are quite well written, with interesting background stories, pasts that have made them what they're now, making their actions and reactions feel real most of the time...
Narration by Ms Hazen is as always very good. The only voice I didn't really like was Felix's - a bit too high pitched, making him sound, well, like a weasel he was not... Other than that, as usual, the narrative parts were perfect, each character immediately recognizable and the pace of her reading just right.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 14, 2020
Nancy Engle can write a mystery. Nancy Engle creates multi-layered, identifiable characters with texture, depth, and a unique perspective on the human paradox. Nancy Engle has a wicked sense of humor. I am so excited to have Nancy as a part of a new set of collaborators with Storyteller Productions.
IMAGE OF PERFECTION is a cat and mouse hunt between a sinister, pervasive presence of evil awakened when Realtor Liz Harper-Forbes finds a flash drive under foot in a parking lot. Liz bands with three additional unlikely sleuths to discover why a simple lost-and-found has become a life- threatening roller coaster ride. The foursome stays just ahead of alarming consequences as they try to decode the marked files within the drive. Engle's presentation of their dire straits is darkly funny as these mostly-regular Joe's contemplate how they got in this very deep mess.
The mystery at the core of IMAGE is quite intricate and thoughtfully presented. Liz Harper-Forbes and the character of 'Catori Laloma', Liz's best friend, on indefinite medical leave from her career in Army Intelligence, are wonderful women. Where Liz is successful and self-depricating, Catori is dark and self-loathing. We watch them struggle with their own inner mysteries. This struggle becomes as compelling as the overall plot of the flash drive.
Catori will be the focus of more mysteries from Nancy Engle. And we are soon to begin recording Engle's series, SECRETS OF THE ANCESTORS. Here we will meet another intriguing woman, widow and photographer, Logan O'Malley. I am thrilled to bring Nancy's work to life. I think you will love it too.
IMAGE OF PERFECTION is a cat and mouse hunt between a sinister, pervasive presence of evil awakened when Realtor Liz Harper-Forbes finds a flash drive under foot in a parking lot. Liz bands with three additional unlikely sleuths to discover why a simple lost-and-found has become a life- threatening roller coaster ride. The foursome stays just ahead of alarming consequences as they try to decode the marked files within the drive. Engle's presentation of their dire straits is darkly funny as these mostly-regular Joe's contemplate how they got in this very deep mess.
The mystery at the core of IMAGE is quite intricate and thoughtfully presented. Liz Harper-Forbes and the character of 'Catori Laloma', Liz's best friend, on indefinite medical leave from her career in Army Intelligence, are wonderful women. Where Liz is successful and self-depricating, Catori is dark and self-loathing. We watch them struggle with their own inner mysteries. This struggle becomes as compelling as the overall plot of the flash drive.
Catori will be the focus of more mysteries from Nancy Engle. And we are soon to begin recording Engle's series, SECRETS OF THE ANCESTORS. Here we will meet another intriguing woman, widow and photographer, Logan O'Malley. I am thrilled to bring Nancy's work to life. I think you will love it too.
April 16, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Find a flash drive and pick it up...all week long you'll have bad luck!"
First prepare by suspending all of your disbelief and dumping it in a big hole - then enjoy this action filled cozy conspiracy murder mystery thriller with warmly reassuring romance slipped in for good measure. Lots of drama, mounting bodies, personal angst, bible verses, an ex vet in a whee!chair, computer conundrums, tears and terror - all because of a single dropped flash drive. Totally unbelievable but a most enjoyable read, especially with Kelley Hazen narrating and giving every character a clearly differentiated voice.
My thanks to the rights holder of Image of Perfection, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. I enjoyed the book and might even be tempted to book two, Murder at Mountjoy, of which there is a brief samp!e at the end. Warmly recommended.
"Find a flash drive and pick it up...all week long you'll have bad luck!"
First prepare by suspending all of your disbelief and dumping it in a big hole - then enjoy this action filled cozy conspiracy murder mystery thriller with warmly reassuring romance slipped in for good measure. Lots of drama, mounting bodies, personal angst, bible verses, an ex vet in a whee!chair, computer conundrums, tears and terror - all because of a single dropped flash drive. Totally unbelievable but a most enjoyable read, especially with Kelley Hazen narrating and giving every character a clearly differentiated voice.
My thanks to the rights holder of Image of Perfection, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. I enjoyed the book and might even be tempted to book two, Murder at Mountjoy, of which there is a brief samp!e at the end. Warmly recommended.
March 20, 2021
Image of Perfection was a good read by Nancy Engle. Harper-Forbes finds a flash drive on the pavement at a local plaza, and is determined to it's owner. She goes to her friend Catori Loloma, who is on indefinite medical leave, for help finding the owner. They must go into hiding because of what she finds on the flash drive. Their investigation into the files leads them to seclusion at a friend's cabin, where there's an ambush. They are on the run again and get help from a computer science professor who's team is working on state of the art encryption programs. The team needs some time to find the right algorithm. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
July 31, 2021
Absolutely fantastic!
What starts out as a simple act of kindness (wanting to return a found item), turns into a mystery and running for your life.
Nancy Engle kept me on the edge of my seat with her engaging storyline. The characters were very likable and their personalities fit the story well.
Another incredible performance by Kelley Hazen. The voices she chooses for each of the characters fit perfectly. When I listen to one of her productions, I can close my eyes and visualize everything as the story unfolds.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
What starts out as a simple act of kindness (wanting to return a found item), turns into a mystery and running for your life.
Nancy Engle kept me on the edge of my seat with her engaging storyline. The characters were very likable and their personalities fit the story well.
Another incredible performance by Kelley Hazen. The voices she chooses for each of the characters fit perfectly. When I listen to one of her productions, I can close my eyes and visualize everything as the story unfolds.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
March 20, 2020
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. Liz soon finds out that the old saying "no good deed goes unpunished" is very true after she finds a flash drive and tries to return it to the owner. Without trying she gets herself and 3 other friends in a the middle of a life and death chase in which her groups is losing fast. Between the well written characters and the suspense building plot you'll keep listening longer than you intended.
June 12, 2025
I loved this book. Nancy is in my book club and is such a gifted author. Her book kept me interested and guessing all the way through. I will be reading more of her books.
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August 16, 2021Image of Perfection is now available on Audio! VERY EXCITING!! Narrated by the talented Kelley Hazen, the characters come to life with added dimension beyond what you get from just reading my book. For the best experience, get the book and the audio version and read along as Kelley Narrates "Image of Perfection".
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews