Dark Web Investigation (Secure Watch, Bk 1) (Harlequin Intrigue, No 2297)
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Terrific start to this spin-off of the Secure One series. Jude Mason works for the sister organization, Secure Watch. He's covering for a coworker who is on her honeymoon when he gets a call from a friend of hers.
An ATV accident when she was a teenager resulted in the amputation of her foot and the death of her best friend. Now, she is a cybersecurity expert and "white hat" hacker who uses her skills to help other victims of corporate negligence. However, while delving into the dark web in search of evidence, she stumbled upon a site that could pose a threat to global security.
This story had me hooked from the first page. First, Kenley receives a creepy message from a hacker she knows, then she accidentally accesses a site that hijacks all types of security cameras. It doesn't take long for her to realize the danger of the site. I loved that she immediately reached out for help. Jude's quick response shows that he understands the threat. From that moment on, Jude and Kenley are caught in a deadly web. I was glued to the pages as Kenley and Jude attempted to crack the code and stop the program, while their adversary always seemed to be a step ahead. I held my breath as Kenley devised her plan. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with an unexpected twist in the resolution.
I enjoyed watching Kenley and Jude's relationship develop. There are sparks of attraction from the moment they met, but their pasts made each believe they were better off alone. I loved Jude's sensitivity regarding Kenley's prosthesis and how he watched over her. But as much as he cares for her, he worries that he is too old and emotionally damaged to make her happy. I ached for Kenley and the survivor's guilt that dominated her life, and the belief that her injury and her mission made her unlovable. Both wonder what will happen when their mission ends and it's time to return to their lives. I loved the ending, with Jude's big moment and the surprise that awaited her.
One of the things I love about the author's writing is that her characters have physical challenges, but those challenges are simply part of who that character is. I appreciate the matter-of-fact acceptance and the realistic impact on self-esteem and relationships.
An ATV accident when she was a teenager resulted in the amputation of her foot and the death of her best friend. Now, she is a cybersecurity expert and "white hat" hacker who uses her skills to help other victims of corporate negligence. However, while delving into the dark web in search of evidence, she stumbled upon a site that could pose a threat to global security.
This story had me hooked from the first page. First, Kenley receives a creepy message from a hacker she knows, then she accidentally accesses a site that hijacks all types of security cameras. It doesn't take long for her to realize the danger of the site. I loved that she immediately reached out for help. Jude's quick response shows that he understands the threat. From that moment on, Jude and Kenley are caught in a deadly web. I was glued to the pages as Kenley and Jude attempted to crack the code and stop the program, while their adversary always seemed to be a step ahead. I held my breath as Kenley devised her plan. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with an unexpected twist in the resolution.
I enjoyed watching Kenley and Jude's relationship develop. There are sparks of attraction from the moment they met, but their pasts made each believe they were better off alone. I loved Jude's sensitivity regarding Kenley's prosthesis and how he watched over her. But as much as he cares for her, he worries that he is too old and emotionally damaged to make her happy. I ached for Kenley and the survivor's guilt that dominated her life, and the belief that her injury and her mission made her unlovable. Both wonder what will happen when their mission ends and it's time to return to their lives. I loved the ending, with Jude's big moment and the surprise that awaited her.
One of the things I love about the author's writing is that her characters have physical challenges, but those challenges are simply part of who that character is. I appreciate the matter-of-fact acceptance and the realistic impact on self-esteem and relationships.
