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Deadlock #3
License
Gregory never imagined he would ever contact Uncle Sam without a gun aimed at his head.
But when the police show up one night asking them to temporarily house a teenage boy whose parents died in what has officially been ruled an accident, Gregory finds himself using his own contacts to find out the truth.
With little choice but to make a deal with the devil, Gregory agrees to do one job for Uncle Sam, in exchange for information on the Pierres’ deaths and the circumstance surrounding the car crash.
Soon, Gregory finds himself trying to balance his two lives: one as a rebellious teenager, moving deeper into the shadows of the street racing world, the other as the eldest child in the Winfield household.
Gregory’s honestly not sure which will break him first. The street racers with secrets they’re willing to kill to keep, or dealing with his three younger siblings and a fourth tacked on top.
But when the police show up one night asking them to temporarily house a teenage boy whose parents died in what has officially been ruled an accident, Gregory finds himself using his own contacts to find out the truth.
With little choice but to make a deal with the devil, Gregory agrees to do one job for Uncle Sam, in exchange for information on the Pierres’ deaths and the circumstance surrounding the car crash.
Soon, Gregory finds himself trying to balance his two lives: one as a rebellious teenager, moving deeper into the shadows of the street racing world, the other as the eldest child in the Winfield household.
Gregory’s honestly not sure which will break him first. The street racers with secrets they’re willing to kill to keep, or dealing with his three younger siblings and a fourth tacked on top.
- GenresEspionage
Unknown Binding
16 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Atkerson
63 books110 followersP.D. Atkerson is a homeschooled writer, living in Montana, who may or may not be a secret agent. She spends almost as much time in the worlds she creates as she does the real one.
When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books.
She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.
If you're interested in reading any of her books for an honest review, just fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books.
She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.
If you're interested in reading any of her books for an honest review, just fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 13, 2023
5 stars. Okay, I LOVED this. I loved it SO MUCH. It was even better than “Deadlock.”
First off, we get even more family time in this one. Seeing Gregory acting as the big sibling who takes care of all the kids when his mother is ill, comforting Diego from nightmares, convincing Jackson he loves him, and giving so much for Frank, you see the Winfield of the Simon Lee series. I almost cried several times. <3 Also, it’s adorably amusing how clueless he still is about so much. Even if the reasons aren’t adorable. I don’t know, it’s just cute somehow because Gregory is usually so NOT clueless. ALSO, seeing him tell his parents everything and the mutual trust between them?? MY HEART.
There’s also plenty of the sarcasm we know and love—and then the action and mystery on top of all that? *chef’s kiss* This was an EPIC ride. I hated Uncle Sam (again) but Agent Lang—WHEN I FIGURED OUT THAT REFERENCE, I WAS SO THRILLED. And it took me way too long to figure out who Frank was. And his story is heartbreaking. And I can’t WAIT for the next book.
So yeah. Not a very coherent review, but I assure you it’s an amazing book, you need to read it if you’ve read the Simon Lee series or the other Deadlock series, and BOOK 4 CAN’T COME FAST ENOUGH.
Content: euphemisms, mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
First off, we get even more family time in this one. Seeing Gregory acting as the big sibling who takes care of all the kids when his mother is ill, comforting Diego from nightmares, convincing Jackson he loves him, and giving so much for Frank, you see the Winfield of the Simon Lee series. I almost cried several times. <3 Also, it’s adorably amusing how clueless he still is about so much. Even if the reasons aren’t adorable. I don’t know, it’s just cute somehow because Gregory is usually so NOT clueless. ALSO, seeing him tell his parents everything and the mutual trust between them?? MY HEART.
There’s also plenty of the sarcasm we know and love—and then the action and mystery on top of all that? *chef’s kiss* This was an EPIC ride. I hated Uncle Sam (again) but Agent Lang—WHEN I FIGURED OUT THAT REFERENCE, I WAS SO THRILLED. And it took me way too long to figure out who Frank was. And his story is heartbreaking. And I can’t WAIT for the next book.
So yeah. Not a very coherent review, but I assure you it’s an amazing book, you need to read it if you’ve read the Simon Lee series or the other Deadlock series, and BOOK 4 CAN’T COME FAST ENOUGH.
Content: euphemisms, mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
July 18, 2024
4.5 stars
I was so excited for this book, and with good reason. I love the Deadlock series, and I love the direction it's going. I think it's different to all the other SLU series because unlike the others, I know the eventual outcome and I know I don't have to worry about at least some of the characters!
And of course, the main character just happens to be my favourite character from the Simon Lee books...
Hands down, that was my favourite part of this book... watching Gregory start to grow into the person I know he becomes. Because when it comes down to it, he has a lot of growing to do. And that shines in this one more than in any of the others.
For someone as smart as Gregory is, he sure is slow to catch on when it comes to ordinary things. XD But I absolutely loved how he had to navigate figuring out Jackson as well as dealing with Frank as well as everything else. And again, because I know what Gregory becomes and how absolutely AMAZING he becomes at handling such things later in his life, it was sooo fun to see him so utterly clueless now. And that scene with Jackson when it finally came... *melts* Reminded me of a few other favourite scenes with very similar characters... particularly the one in MD and several in AKASL...
As to his dealings with Frank...wow. Can't say much because of spoilers, but wow it was so good. And I love Frank so much! *squeals*
Seeing him undercover at street races was great too...and of course seeing Cody again (not to mention how much I love Cody for what HE becomes)...and that whole thing was just so good. The climax was incredibly suspenseful, and there were several surprises, too.
Also, Cody and Gregory together was... interesting to say the least.
Another reason I loved this DL book in particular is Gregory was working on the case voluntarily. Uncle Sam is still the most awful person imaginable, but I love how Gregory's life is slowly taking the direction it does. And I was so happy with how he was open with the Winfields and how they were sensible enough and good enough to trust him and allow him to do what they needed to do. Seriously, Jonathan Winfield did not get enough credit in the AKASL books. Next only to one certain person who I can't exactly name because of spoilers, Jonathan is my favourite father figure in the whole SLU. (Sorry, Carlos, you just don't quiiite measure up.) And it's easy to see how he influenced what Gregory becomes... ;)
I could say more about the mysteries, but really that's not what makes me keep coming back to these books. No... it's rather the incredible characters, and heartwarming moments in their home lives. Poor Mrs Winfield... Really this one was just full of such look and substories and that's mostly why I loved License so much.
Also, wow, that ending. Now that I know what the next book is about...I seriously don't know how I can wait a whole year! The Deadlock series is just about to get even better!
Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended Reading Order for the Simon Lee Universe books (SLU):
Note: This is the order I've put together after reading and rereading almost all of these books, sometimes at once. While there are different opinions on which series should be read first, this is the order I personally feel is best for a first-time reader. It is NOT the chronological order - and I strongly recommend that a first-time reader does NOT read these books in chronological order. That's great for rereads, but the most will be got out of the SLU books by reading them loosely in the following order
Phantom Thief
Nicholas Bishop
Gregory's Epilogue (blog short)
Christmas Hostage
Guardian Eagle
Murphy Lawson
Ghost Hunter
Most Wanted
Winnie Winfield
Not Enough
Rebel Mind
Talking Turkey (blog short)
Killian Young
Domestic Conflict (Seize the Fight)
They Call Her Ella
Deadlock
First Christmas (blog short)
Exploit
Choices
License
Training
Guilt
My Name is Anastasia
Night Crier (blog short)
Only For a Moment (blog short)
Christmas Bear (blog short)
Everything
Sick Leave (blog short)
Water Boy (Classified Files)
Школьник (blog short)
Bank Robber (Classified Files)
Blinded (blog short)
Room Escapee (Classified Files)
Dare (blog short)
Wrong Number (blog short)
Minor Detail
Unwanted Services
Off the Rails
Smoke Screen
Lost Time
Web of Lies
I was so excited for this book, and with good reason. I love the Deadlock series, and I love the direction it's going. I think it's different to all the other SLU series because unlike the others, I know the eventual outcome and I know I don't have to worry about at least some of the characters!
And of course, the main character just happens to be my favourite character from the Simon Lee books...
Hands down, that was my favourite part of this book... watching Gregory start to grow into the person I know he becomes. Because when it comes down to it, he has a lot of growing to do. And that shines in this one more than in any of the others.
For someone as smart as Gregory is, he sure is slow to catch on when it comes to ordinary things. XD But I absolutely loved how he had to navigate figuring out Jackson as well as dealing with Frank as well as everything else. And again, because I know what Gregory becomes and how absolutely AMAZING he becomes at handling such things later in his life, it was sooo fun to see him so utterly clueless now. And that scene with Jackson when it finally came... *melts* Reminded me of a few other favourite scenes with very similar characters... particularly the one in MD and several in AKASL...
As to his dealings with Frank...wow. Can't say much because of spoilers, but wow it was so good. And I love Frank so much! *squeals*
Seeing him undercover at street races was great too...and of course seeing Cody again (not to mention how much I love Cody for what HE becomes)...and that whole thing was just so good. The climax was incredibly suspenseful, and there were several surprises, too.
Also, Cody and Gregory together was... interesting to say the least.
Another reason I loved this DL book in particular is Gregory was working on the case voluntarily. Uncle Sam is still the most awful person imaginable, but I love how Gregory's life is slowly taking the direction it does. And I was so happy with how he was open with the Winfields and how they were sensible enough and good enough to trust him and allow him to do what they needed to do. Seriously, Jonathan Winfield did not get enough credit in the AKASL books. Next only to one certain person who I can't exactly name because of spoilers, Jonathan is my favourite father figure in the whole SLU. (Sorry, Carlos, you just don't quiiite measure up.) And it's easy to see how he influenced what Gregory becomes... ;)
I could say more about the mysteries, but really that's not what makes me keep coming back to these books. No... it's rather the incredible characters, and heartwarming moments in their home lives. Poor Mrs Winfield... Really this one was just full of such look and substories and that's mostly why I loved License so much.
Also, wow, that ending. Now that I know what the next book is about...I seriously don't know how I can wait a whole year! The Deadlock series is just about to get even better!
Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended Reading Order for the Simon Lee Universe books (SLU):
Note: This is the order I've put together after reading and rereading almost all of these books, sometimes at once. While there are different opinions on which series should be read first, this is the order I personally feel is best for a first-time reader. It is NOT the chronological order - and I strongly recommend that a first-time reader does NOT read these books in chronological order. That's great for rereads, but the most will be got out of the SLU books by reading them loosely in the following order
Phantom Thief
Nicholas Bishop
Gregory's Epilogue (blog short)
Christmas Hostage
Guardian Eagle
Murphy Lawson
Ghost Hunter
Most Wanted
Winnie Winfield
Not Enough
Rebel Mind
Talking Turkey (blog short)
Killian Young
Domestic Conflict (Seize the Fight)
They Call Her Ella
Deadlock
First Christmas (blog short)
Exploit
Choices
License
Training
Guilt
My Name is Anastasia
Night Crier (blog short)
Only For a Moment (blog short)
Christmas Bear (blog short)
Everything
Sick Leave (blog short)
Water Boy (Classified Files)
Школьник (blog short)
Bank Robber (Classified Files)
Blinded (blog short)
Room Escapee (Classified Files)
Dare (blog short)
Wrong Number (blog short)
Minor Detail
Unwanted Services
Off the Rails
Smoke Screen
Lost Time
Web of Lies
May 3, 2023
It's gotta be a sign when the first thing you think of when cop lights start flashing is, "That wasn't me, was it?"
Greggory's life has been pretty normal as of late—if you call mind-numbingly boring "normal." But that isn't the only reason he offers to look into the death of a certain couple in a car crash. (Yeah, okay, the fact that the late couple's son is staying with them might have something to do with it too . . .) But if we have learned ANYTHING from P.D. Atkerson's novels, it's that things are rarely what they seem.
The oldest Winfield is thrown head-first into the world of street racing (why was that just so fun for me?!) and smuggling (yeah, there's a catch. Would you expect anything less?) while keeping up with his family life and sibling drama (which was SO CUTE!)—and folks, that's just the teaser. People are pulling strings. Gregory is fed up with Uncle Sam (can you blame the guy?). Sooner or later, something's gotta give.
And it might just be his life.
Greggory's life has been pretty normal as of late—if you call mind-numbingly boring "normal." But that isn't the only reason he offers to look into the death of a certain couple in a car crash. (Yeah, okay, the fact that the late couple's son is staying with them might have something to do with it too . . .) But if we have learned ANYTHING from P.D. Atkerson's novels, it's that things are rarely what they seem.
The oldest Winfield is thrown head-first into the world of street racing (why was that just so fun for me?!) and smuggling (yeah, there's a catch. Would you expect anything less?) while keeping up with his family life and sibling drama (which was SO CUTE!)—and folks, that's just the teaser. People are pulling strings. Gregory is fed up with Uncle Sam (can you blame the guy?). Sooner or later, something's gotta give.
And it might just be his life.
February 12, 2023
It's finished, and releasing May 5th!
Preorder: https://amzn.to/3xfL2fn
Preorder: https://amzn.to/3xfL2fn
July 8, 2024
And suddenly I adore this series as much as I was expecting to! I feel the family heart and melted at several points in the story when Gregory shows what an amazing big brother he can be, even as he retains his sarcasm and develops a shorter fuse because he's sleep deprived. Really, all the relationships, from professional to personal, felt very real for me in this book, and I loved how Gregory treated his parents, especially. The actions scenes that gave the story's heart its framework were well done, too, I thought.
January 25, 2026
Great addition to a great series.
Great book, easy to read, lots of action, personal moments, over all a fantastic book at a pretty cheap cost.
Great book, easy to read, lots of action, personal moments, over all a fantastic book at a pretty cheap cost.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews