SMOKESCREEN and DECEPTION By Christy Barritt (Pros and Cons Mysteries), Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

PROS AND CONS MYSTERY SERIES

books two and three 

REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

SMOKESCREEN 

"Really, a smokescreen is a ruse, something that disguises a person's true intentions or activities."

Olive Sterling's present case as a professional investigator is riddled with half-truths and loose clues. Posing as the girlfriend of an affluent Wyoming rancher, Olive and her team go undercover to expose someone whose deception is equally efficient and deadly. The motive is a little murky; is it simply to ruin Reid Harrison's reputation or is there more going on than meets the eye, for apparently the common adage holds true; where there is smoke, there's fire. Olive is hoping that she doesn't get burned.

With twists, turns and a continuous flow of suspects, the steady pace of this story moves the reader closer and closer to the truth, which is a bit more complicated than one might imagine . . . except for the author!

Great addition to the series!
BackCover Blurb:

She was raised by a con artist. She’s using the skills she learned to catch a killer.

Growing up as a scammer’s daughter, Olive Sterling learned early on that deception is an art form. Now as a professional investigator, she’s transformed those skills into weapons for justice.

Reid Harrison’s Wyoming ranch is under siege. As sabotage escalates to death threats, he turns to Olive’s team for help. Posing as the rancher’s girlfriend, Olive works to uncover what’s smoldering beneath a string of unlikely accidents and vandalism.

When her probing catches the wrong attention, Olive becomes the next target. With lives and millions in property at stake, she faces an impossible choice: back down and survive, or risk everything to expose a killer ready to watch it all burn?

 

DECEPTION

"The case: A Woman in Oasis could be defrauding the community of their money to satisfy her own greed."

The curious part of this case for private investigator Olive Sterling was that it would take her back to one of the many locations where she had lived as a child, where she had met the one love of her life, Jason Stewart, who in an ironic twist, had hired her to uncover the potential fraud facing this small Texas town. A very popular member of the Oasis community was continuing to raise thousands of dollars to support her family's needs due to her dire cancer diagnosis. The blaring question? . . . is Rebecca Hansen actually sick?

In the meantime, Olive continues to receive cryptic messages about her own family's tragic demise. And then there is the matter of a "motorcycle man" trying to thwart her efforts . . . because of her current case or her past history in Oasis? To top it off, Jason arrives to assist. . . will he serve as a handsome distraction . . .or a welcome asset. . . to be continued.

Clearly, the plot is thickening and you won't want to miss a single detail! 

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes, coming home is beautiful. Other times, it's fatal.

Private investigator Olive Sterling never thought she would return to Oasis, Texas. But when an old flame asks her to investigate a beloved local teacher who claims to have terminal cancer, she reluctantly agrees to help.

While the community rallies around Rebecca Hansen with prayers and financial support, Olive realizes something about her story doesn’t add up. Is Rebecca really fighting for her life? Or is she scamming people out of their hard-earned money? For Olive, whose own father was a master of deception, this case hits dangerously close to home.

As Olive digs deeper for answers, disturbing patterns emerge. Plus, a mysterious man seems to watch her every move. When threatening messages start arriving and the danger turns deadly, Olive realizes this investigation has stirred up secrets someone would kill to keep buried.

 

*I purchased both books and was not obligated to provide a positive review. 

 

PROS AND CONS SERIES is available in digital ebook and paperback. Buy at Amazon