Calculated Deception

The Calculated #1

by K.T. Lee

A criminal hiding in plain sight on campus. A professor caught in the middle. Can Dr. Ree Ryland help the FBI stop a killer before it's too late?

Dr. Ree Ryland is an engineering professor who loves her job and plays by the rules. Her life is reassuringly predictable – until an enemy hiding in plain sight decides her squeaky-clean reputation is the perfect cover to commit a crime.

When Agent Parker Landon and his FBI team discover that someone at the university has been procuring military-grade hardware by disguising it as test equipment, all evidence points to Ree. After the FBI intercepts a shipment that puts Ree in the clear, Parker is forced to tell her that she’s being used as a pawn by an unseen enemy. And now she’s in that enemy’s crosshairs. Ree turns down the protective detail offered by the FBI and insists on using her inside knowledge to help with the investigation. Parker is leery of bringing a civilian on to the team, but he’s surprised at how much fun he has working with Ree, even as he tries to keep her out of harm’s way.

Parker, Ree and the FBI team find increasingly worrying evidence that someone is quietly acquiring everything they need to cause destruction on a massive scale. Now, they must uncover the motive and identity of the killer hiding among Ree’s friends and colleagues before it’s too late.

Calculated Deception is Book 1 in The Calculated Series. All books in The Calculated Series may be enjoyed as standalone novels or as a series.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Romance

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2017

About the author

K.T. Lee is a writer, mom and engineer who grew up on a steady diet of books from a wide variety of genres. When K.T. began to write the kind of books she wanted to read, she mixed clever women and the sciences with elements from thrillers (and a dash of romance) to create The Calculated Series.

You can find me on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KTLeeWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ktleeauthor

To sign up for my newsletter, please visit:
https://ktleeauthor.com

Thanks for reading!
K.T.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calculated Deception by K.T. Lee is a 2017 Vertical Line Publishing publication.

Now here’s a refreshing thriller-

Dr. Ree Ryland is an engineering professor going about her life as usual, but little does she know she’s attracted some unwanted attention from the FBI.

It would seem the authorities think Dr. Ryland’s position and stellar reputation could provide her with the perfect opportunity to smuggle in military grade equipment. This is all news to Ree, who is shocked to learn she’s being used a pawn and that some of her very best friends and colleagues could have been setting her up.

Despite the danger posed, Ree convinces Agent Parker Landon to allow her to work with them to flush out the true culprit- against his better judgment. But, once Ree joins his team, Parker finds her to be a very valuable asset to the investigation.

However, the seriousness of the situation soon reaches a terrifying peak, when it becomes obvious that someone close to Dr. Ryland is planning mass destruction. But, who at the University would do something like that- and why?

First, let me say how awesome it is to find a novel featuring a strong female character whose strengths are in science and math. Yes!!!

Second- don’t let the subject of engineering intimidate you. This is a pure, suspenseful thriller with a realistic and terrifying plot that will keep you turning pages past your bedtime.

The premise of the book is unique and a departure from the same old, same old. The story is flush with small details which is indicative of how much thought the author put into constructing the plot. Dr. Ryland and Agent Parker make a terrific team and their banter and flirtation added charm to offset the magnitude of the situation they were facing.

This book is not very long, so its pacing is very brisk. This isn’t a bad thing, by any means- and the author may write these books this way for a reason. However, the story might have benefited from a slightly slower pace to allow readers to digest information fully, to build suspense a little at a time and create more personal tension between the characters, especially with the romantic elements. That said, I made the mistake of starting this one late in the evening and ended up reading it in one sitting, losing a little shut eye time in the process- but it was worth it!

There is a prequel and a third installment in this series, which I hope to absorb post-haste.
4 stars

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the idea of the story might be pretty good and maybe it could have been . I had several problems with the book. One I got very tired reading what everybody was thinking or deciding about ughhhhhhh.. I thought the dialogue was very vanilla and plain. I could not believe these three people were FBI agents---just because you say they are does not make it so you must carry through on that. The written as some talent but would I read another one no. I did something I hardly ever try and do I skimmed the last half of it.it just was not there. I would say not to give this one a spin.

[Karlita | Tale Out Loud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I sooooo much love watching spy thriller movies. Those kinds that will keep you on the edge of your seat, jam-packed with action and suspense while giving you a heart attack on the process. And it's been a long time since I read this kind of books that garner the same impression. I'm glad to discover K.T. Lee through Kelly at Love Books Group.

Reading the first page got me hooked instantly. It all started when Agent Parker Landon went undercover as a college student interested in starting a new career after spending several years working as an electrician, under Dr. Ree Ryland.

As the main suspect of acquiring high technology capable of directing missiles to a target, Ree didn't have any idea that she was used as a decoy to cover the true suspect's tracks. When Parker proved that she was not involved, they pretended to be a couple to know what was truly happening because everyone in the lab can be a suspect including her friends.

So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty details why I like this book, shall we?

I love Ree's character. She's smart, fierce and even her fear didn't go unnoticed, she'll do what it takes to know the truth because she believes that her friends will do no such thing. I found the chemistry between her and Parker charming and frustrating all at the same time. Their awkward moments and witty banters brought so much humor into the story.

While Alexis and Mike, were the funny sidekicks—Alexis, who's vibrant character literally lightens up every page scene and Mike, who's the voice of reason for Parker—complement both Ree and Parker's somehow tense personalities. Even they're working on a serious case, they knew when to have fun. Their quirks were so amusing like when they both bet on Ree if she'll get pissed? It made me laugh with no end. The whole cast really reminds me of Blindspot.

The slow pacing worked well for me. The build-up suspense captured my attention but since the element of surprise wasn't there anymore because the true suspect was already revealed through the lens of the readers, I wish there were more action scenes at the end.

I also found one major plot hole in the story which made me wonder, what happen to Matt Brown's character? Readers knew he was involved from the very beginning. He's a former military and methodical achiever from Jersey who's keeping his cover for the bad guys and has a thing for Ree. Though Parker hasn't officially crossed him from the list of suspects, in the end, there's no mention to what happened to him.

Well, this is just the first book in the series and I would like to assume that the author wrote it that way on purpose. Still, I'm happy to read the second book to know if it will be brought up again or how K.T. Lee will draw the connection with the first one.

***I received an eARC of Calculated Deception as a part of my participation in this blog tour and this in no way influences my rating nor my opinion on this book.

Full Review at Tale Out Loud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb for CD had its hooks in me from the off. I loved that a strong, capable female wasn’t going to take the fact someone was using her as a pawn in a game she knew nothing about lying down. Heck no, Dr. Ree Ryland is willing to put her life on the line to help uncover the plot and unmask the perpetrator/s responsible. With shouts (ok, mumbles) of, “You go, girl!”, I dived right in to offer my assistance - metaphorically speaking, of course. Us girls have got to stick together, right?

As readers, we are aware who is behind the plot, but I really enjoyed ‘watching’ how FBI Agent, Parker, and his team, along with Ree, unravel the evidence and clues to reveal their unsub. (I’ve been watching too much Criminal Minds, haven’t I? *snorts*) I’ve always thought I’d make a good covert agent - whaaa? Stop laughing!

Ree is such an adorable character. Whilst highly intelligent, she still has this endearing awkwardness about her. She is fiercely loyal and protective of those she loves. This became more apparent in the developing friendships/relationships between Ree and the FBI agents. She just fit right in.

The burgeoning romance between Parker and Ree was sweet and kept me guessing as to the outcome. Will they? Won’t they? Y’all know by now that patience is not my forte *smirks*

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It’s a little bit of a crime, thriller, suspense, mystery with a smidgen of romance all wrapped up in a quirky package with a brainiac, feisty female lead.

The ending may have left me wanting more (as usual – it’s me after all), but I look forward to reading more in this series of standalone books.

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An very good FBI mystery. A strong, intelligent engineering professor, Dr. Ree Ryland, is unknowingly being set up by a student working with a foreign government to overthrow their leaders. When the FBI team shows up and clears her, she insists on being included in bringing the student down.
I loved the characters, especially Ree, but also the FBI team members. The details were realistic without bogging down in the technology. Add a touch of potential romance, some humor and I was hooked.

[Mrs. Chief · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I was hoping it would keep me a little more hooked but it was simple.

[Shannon Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the beginning just for the title and cover alone. There is something empowering about a female main character that is intelligent, a College Professor, and an Engineer. I find it even more powerful because I happen to work at a University in the Engineering department. This story was captivating and kept you interested throughout the book. It was a good mix of thriller, suspense, possible international terrorism, and a little romance. I loved it and will be reading the next one in the series soon!

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

Read this book on the premise of it being a crime thriller and mystery with a dash of romance all rolled in. Unfortunately, I found it to be lacklustre and disappointing and struggled to finish it. Just not for me.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calculated to entertain

Well drawn, likeable characters fill this soft thriller with spark and humour. The author has given us a countdown to anarchy that the players follow through on. Although it never quite reaches the heights of tension that the storyline could perhaps have taken us, it is believable and well plotted, with plenty of high stakes games being played. It's easy to care about the outcome, and the integration of the civilian character into the FBI operation worked well for me. Good writing, no editing issues, satisfying conclusion ... a good read, and recommended.

[Lauren Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuckles and a good intrigue

KT loved your story and the blend of strong female character with well rounded character traits and a good clean romance to go with FBI intrigue. Loved Dr. Ryland and Parker.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting International Terrorist Story
This fictional FBI/CIA story is rated PG, in my view. The story involves international intrigue. The story moves quickly with a well thought out plot, good character development, and a very satisfying ending. I read this as part of the Calculated Box Set.

[Moushine Zahr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first novel I've read from author K.T. Lee. This book falls in the category of suspense novels. The story is about FBI agents watching closely an engineering university department, which received several suspicious packages. The story lacked actually the basic elements composing a suspense novel: suspense, intrigues, twists. The story was plain and simple, very straight forward.

The author did introduce us to the leading female character, a woman engineer heading her own department. This character was very well developed as she started being a potential suspect to assisting the hunt for the criminal buying dangerous equipment. The professional background of this character is interesting and original.

To summarize, the author did a good job with the characters, but the story was too light and simple.

[Agnieszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I loved this book very much and am so happy I discovered it while it was free. The only issue I had with this book was the fact it's not a romantic suspense story as I've expected though that was most likely me mixing up two book since I can't really find any mention of it belonging to this genre. The author herself stated this series is a thriller with clever women, sciences (and a dash of romance).

I liked all characters but the perp, the plot line (despite the few unrealistic elements) and the academic setting with a small international excurse and the witty style with some fun banter between vital characters. I've already looked up the blurbs of the other books in this series (and its spin-off series) and plan to read them all. I really like that there are more and more books with heroines working in STEM and most of those I stumbled about are really well crafted stories.

A great bonus for me and some of my friends is the facts it's a clean story with not one cuss word, no violence nor sex (not even implied) which is an additional reason for me to support this author and recommend her books.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a female in the STEM field, I was instantly drawn to this book because of the setting. Unfortunately, I found that the focus was more on the academic side of Ree's job than the actual science. I feel like there was a missed opportunity with the lack of science included, but I understand that the author probably wanted to appeal to a wider audience. I thought that the characters were pretty typical and the mystery was interesting enough to keep reading. I didn't really like the formatting of the novel. The story is told in the third person, but there are paragraph breaks to indicate a change in perspective between characters. It felt a little clunky and didn't flow very nicely sometimes. Overall, I don't think anything really stood out about this novel, but it was a nice and light read.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[GabtureTheChapter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Calculated Deception by K.T. Lee: 1/5⭐️
I think this is the first 1 star I’ve ever given and I feel terrible about it. I’m not sure how this book received anything above a 2. This was the most anticlimactic book I have ever read. I was having so much hope that there would be this big plot twist where the FMC was part of the scheme, but nope. They found the suspect so quick and were right about it. Idk, I don’t have much to say about this one. Lack of character development, lack of suspense, lack of plot twist. This just wasn’t it for me.

[Megalomaniac · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing has merit but this book was not engaging.

The amount of POV’s was distracting, some felt outright unnecessary. We didn’t need to know about the budding relationship from that many outsiders.

The writing is simple and predictable and too lengthy at times; as short as the story is, it moves at a snail’s pace.

The foundations of the story are that the FBI gets a tip-off (which is never explained!) about a crime in progress and employs a civilian to help them. My suspension of disbelief can only stretch so far. Since the protagonist is a strong, independent woman in a male-dominated STEM field, she could have easily found something wrong with the deliveries herself and contacted the FBI, not the other way around.

The thought that scientists are extremely perceptive and would recognize foreign FBI agents was amusing.

Parker is a bore. Also incompetent. I get that Ree’s a self-sufficient woman who can hold her own but he is a trained FBI agent, and she is a college professor.

Despite what I have written so far I believe the author has potential. A lot of my problems with this book stemmed from the fact that the events felt pre-meditated to happen in a specific manner at a right time, instead of occurring naturally, due to characters’ strengths or weaknesses.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

We tried this book on a whim, being completely unfamiliar with the series and author Lee. We do applaud K.T. for placing engineering professor Ree Ryland as the star protagonist, noting that the author is also an engineer in real life. The rather brusque light mystery concerned a student lab researcher from Ghana working on a mysterious project, though we readers are informed early on what his true efforts were all about. The FBI gets sicced onto the scene when some of the materials the guy was ordering were somewhat suspicious, and soon the FBI team (unrealistically) included Ree into their team until the suspect is identified. Everyone’s eventual trip to Ghana seemed pretty far-fetched.

Most of the action was pretty superficial and very light on intrigue. The “cover” budding romance between the FBI guy and Ree was almost predictable and turned into just a little more (but not much!). Reminiscent of a Nancy Drew, it’s almost like the book was meant for young adults, as nothing too intense or serious gets in the way of a straightforward plot that is frankly not that exciting or suspenseful.

It appears the characters will only appear sporadically in subsequent novels in the set; while we didn’t particularly dislike “Deception”, we suspect we can do better elsewhere.

[Chelle W (teaandplottwists) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun quick read with an amazing, strong female protaganist.  I loved all the characters, especially Ree and Parker!  Despite what she is facing, Ree comes across as so fearless and brave.....I'm not sure we'd all be the same in her situation!  Lee has a brilliant way of making you really understand each character, and you definitely get a feeling of unease around the less desirable characters.

The story is a fantastic mix of thriller, mystery, suspense, crime and a dash of romance....each encouraging you to keep reading. The storyline was so intriguing and gripping, most definitely a book that I didn't want to put down.

Although the story is based around engineering, there isn't too much technical information so it doesn't go over you head, and really adds value to the storyline.

Calculated Deception is the first in the Calculated Series and I would highly recommend reading this,  I'm really excited to read the other books to see what other fantastic storylines Lee has come up with.

[Kevin Bowser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of the book. But, I never felt the sense of danger that the characters always seemed to be feeling and thinking. Their thoughts were always of immediate death and destruction and that just wasn't the case. But there was much to like. I liked the main character was a strong and capable character all while being an academic "geek." I really liked the relationship between the two main characters and how it developed. I also didn't get that in their super-secret activities, no one ever saw them all coming and going from a surveillance van. In a fairly small university, that would have been rather obvious.

I think you have the basis for a great book. I just think it needs to have a little more character and plot development. And I also think the characters could continue into other books. But they need to be developed a little more and the danger needs to be more perceptible. I skimmed the preview chapter of the next book in the series and it doesn't appear that the characters from #1 continue into #2.

[R.R. Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A foreign graduate student uses a naïve, innocent professor in another lab to receive circuit board shipments for the missile he’s building to kill the president of his country. The FBI is on it and suspects the professor. Alas, my rating reflects some major rifts of unbelievability in the plot. Why the innocent professor would ever be in mortal danger for carrying a mis-delivered box down the hall is not established, so her need for FBI protection is contrived. Moving an assistant professor specializing in automobile materials safety into a jet propulsion lab seems unlikely. Incorporating a former suspect who knows nothing of the evildoer into the FBI team seems manufactured. This novel is what I call and “empty stage” story, since it lacks significant description of persons, places, or settings. The first reference to weather came 55% into the novel. Telling rather than showing, repetitions (the heroine is a nervous Nellie, the bad guy has a knife in his pocket), and a few editing errors create problems.

[Thereadingbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calculated Deception by K.T. Lee

Dr. Ree Ryland is an engineering professor going about her life as usual, but little does she know she’s attracted some unwanted attention from the FBI. It would seem the authorities think Dr. Ryland’s position and stellar reputation could provide her with the perfect opportunity to smuggle in military grade equipment. This is all news to Ree, who is shocked to learn she’s being used a pawn and that some of her very best friends and colleagues could have been setting her up.

Despite the danger posed, Ree convinces Agent Parker Landon to allow her to work with them to flush out the true culprit- against his better judgment. But, once Ree joins his team, Parker finds her to be a very valuable asset to the investigation.

The pacing was good and the story engaging. If you like spy thrillers this book will be for you.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Ree is a propulsion specialist, a genuine rocket scientist, and unwittingly tangled in an espionage related adventure.

Whether she is the guilty party, or just the science geek they need to help solve pieces of this puzzle, this book unravels threads of her story.

I love that the science geeks in this action series are women - and the weapons dudes and protective teams have male and female members.

If you like butt kicking women with brains, tantalizing romantic elements, and global intrigue- I hope you get as hooked as I am on this fun and wild series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calculated Deception

What a charmingly dangerous way to start a new relationship in a new mystery series.K.T.Lee has a fascinating writing style involving university professors, F.B.I. operatives.,C.I. A and international espionage and deadly politics while bringing a slow burn romance to life. The characters are so vibrant and colorful.The mystery full of intrigue .The plot unfolding at a steady pace keeping you enthralled and on edge throughout. You will enjoy this mystery writer’s work from beginning to it's exciting end. 😀 Acquire " Calculated Deception " today for hours of intriguing entertainment .😏Kat

[K.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was very well written. Ree is a female protagonist with intelligence, wit, and kick ass self defence moves.

Her involvement with the FBI has plausibility and I loved the engineering smarts. I wanted to keep reading.

I struggled a little with the head hopping. To be fair, a new perspective was clearly indicated, but I'd have to keep rereading sections to remind myself of who was This novel was very well written. Ree is a female protagonist with intelligence, wit, and kick ass self defence moves. Her involvement with the FBI has plausibility and I loved the engineering smarts. I wanted to keep reading.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book quite a bit for a number of reasons. Mainly, it was the characters. They seem to me to be realistic. The main character, Ree (short for Irina) is approached by FBI agents to help them in an investigation after they determine that she is not the terrorist they are looking for. The characters have distinct personalities and they interact realistically. Ree, who is a mechanical engineer, isn't a sexy bimbo and there aren't any torrid love scenes. The plot is interesting and the dialogue is real. I hope the later books in this series are as well done.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I liked it with nits - I can't find the right words for the pacing of this story. Plodding isn't quite right, because I did become quite invested in seeing how things played out - methodical maybe since the story covers an FBI investigation step by step with the viewpoints of all the investigators and all the perpetrators as was as the former suspect who gets pulled in to help. It might have just been the touch of romance that kept me going, since we know most of the scheme before our 'heroes' do.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book with an enjoyable storyline. Loved that the main character was a female profess in engineering. She was clearly more than that as she could step up when needed to help resolve an international incident which she was thrust into.

The characters around her were well done and relatable. The descriptions of the settings were well done. You could easily see the engineering labs. You could feel the flow of people through the people in Accra as they moved through the crowds.

A definite must read.

[Mike Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Calculated deception, a journey through slow dialogue and expected tropes

This book had so much potential, but it fell flat. If you've watched an episode or two of FBI on CBS, you figure this out from the 4th chapter. To say it was slow is an understatement, though the lead protagonist is certainly likeable, she wasn't enough to redeem the plodding nature of this story. Predictable and pedestrian, I definitely wouldn't recommend this, and I'll be staying away from other books in this series.

[JOHN ABBATE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner.

Part thriller, part procedural, part romance, total winner. Dr. Ree Rylan is an engineer at a Midwestern university who is suspected of possible terrorist activity. The FBI is sent to investigate. While she is cleared fairly easily, she becomes a valuable tool in the investigation. The characters are well drawn and the plot interesting. This is a page turner that is fun .

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

An FBI agent poses as a student taking a class to uncover why the professor is having missile parts delivered to her office. She is not involved, but is close to the action. Soon, she and the FBI agent are havings feelings for each other, and she starts helping the FBI pro bono (for free). A pretty interesting story. And, there are another four books in the series if you like the story. Such a deal.....
Anyway, i enjoyed the story.