DUPLICITY (Benson First Responders #8) by Lisa Phillips, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Nothing could distract him enough for him to lose focus on why he was here."

His family and co-workers thought he was miles away on vacation; instead Vanguard Private Security and Investigations tech wizard Simon Olson is flying solo to undo some damage he did years ago. Unwillingly, but still, the computer system he had developed under duress was still operating as a dark cover for some very bad people.

Inserting himself into East Benson High as a summer school math teacher, Simon is surreptitiously tracking a teen whose phone is connected to the criminal network. He expected the project to be dangerous, but School Resource Office Catalina Alvarez is a complete surprise. They had more in common that Simon could ever have imagined, and yet Catalina's faith remained intact. Would he ever be able to say the same?

"He'd been running for far too long. Running from God. Running from the truth of who he was."

Hang on for the ride! This story has more curves than a mountain road, but the destination feels an awful lot like hope!
* I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

BackCover Blurb:
BIG CITY CRIME. SMALL TOWN HEROES.

A score to settle.
Vanguard technical specialist Simon Olson has spent years working to make up for the mistakes he made. With his twin about to marry the love of his life, Simon has one last job to do, and he’ll be able to let go enough to move on without the past hanging over his head. Too bad it means going to high school for the first time…as a teacher.

A battle for truth.
Officer Catalina Alvarez is the East Benson High school resource officer. Even with the legacy of police service in her blood, it still seems as if everyone expects her to prove herself. Cat has found her place walking the mean streets…uh, halls…of high school. Still, the death of her partner and conviction of the kid who confessed to shooting them both never quite fit. If she finds the real killer, she’ll finally be able to let the past rest in peace.

As Simon hunts for the server hosting the criminal technology he invented, his new boss at Vanguard discovers what he’s doing and gives him an ultimatum. Cat is called to the scene of a missing teen girl, one of several abducted recently, allowing Vanguard and the police to join forces to fight a new threat—putting Cat and Simon in the middle when it all breaks open.
Simon finally gets his shot at taking down the communication network. But will the price of victory be too high?

Each Benson First Responders story is a stand-alone Christian romantic suspense.

June, 2024 Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon