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If you enjoyed meeting Suzanne Jones, Charlie Jones and Francine Matheson in Counterfeit! then you will love what happens next.
It’s Mardi Gras in Rio – and danger stalks the streets.
The Jones sisters are in Brazil. Former spy Charlie is on the trail of counterfeiter Michael Hawkins, hoping to make him pay for the pain and suffering he’s caused. Regulator turned investigator Suzanne Jones is looking into mysterious disappearances and outbursts of violence in the sports world. Could they be linked to a new health supplement?
New Friends. An old adversary. Faces and voices from the past. Will it all be too much for the Jones sisters to handle?
Deceit is a dangerous game and it seems like everyone’s playing.
(or read the ebook for free if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited)
Kindle Customer –
Pharma Industry Intrigue!
Elizabeth Ducie has masterfully woven a tale of unscrupulous drug and health supplement manufacturers across continents and time. Her story is filled with intrigue and suspense, and surprising twists that will catch you off-guard. She has humanized even the most evil of characters, bringing them to life with artful nuance. The journey of each of her characters is skillfully formed, as she lays the groundwork for their final convergence. Greed and revenge drive the characters to their final destiny, as the heroines she reintroduces from her previous novel, Counterfeit!, once again pursue the protagonists with passion and a fierce commitment to justice.
lillibet –
An excellent read. I really enjoyed it, and once I’d started, I couldn’t put it down until I got to the end of the deception!
Eleanor –
Highly recommended.
My favourite story from Elizabeth Ducie – I loved it.
Well-written, fast paced with lots of twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing till the end.
What more need I say?
Lally –
A fast-paced and thrilling read.
I went to Elizabeth Ducie’s fabulous launch party (there was singing, fizz and lots of cake – perfect) last night and bought a copy of her new paperback, Deception!. After a hectic few days I’d meant to have an early night, but I thought I’d have just a little read…
Well, I kept reading this fast-paced thriller, anxious to know what would happen to Suzanne Jones and her sister Charlie as they got themselves into serious trouble chasing a brilliantly horrible and deviously clever bad guy while also trying to find out why various athletes were attacking each other in public places. Did the bad guy get his just deserts? Well – read the novel and find out.
Lots of dialogue and plenty of twists and turns make this a lively and engaging read. I’ve never been to South America but I’d love to go there now and see it for myself. I’m already looking forward to the third volume in this trilogy.
Mary Anne McFarlane –
A rattling good yarn as usual from Ducie. The plot twists and turns and keeps you in suspense throughout. The author’s knowledge of the drugs industry and international business’s dark side produces a really grounded novel.Shades of Parestsky here with the heroine.Can’t wait for the next one!
Kindle Customer –
Full of unexpected twists and turns!
Elizabeth Ducie has masterfully woven a tale of unscrupulous drug and health supplement manufacturers across continents and time. Her story is filled with intrigue and suspense, and surprising twists that will catch you off-guard! She has humanized even the most evil of characters, bringing them to life with artful nuance. The journey of each of her characters is skillfully formed, as she lays the groundwork for their final convergence. Greed and revenge drive the characters to their final destiny, as the heroines she reintroduces from her previous novel, Counterfeit!, once again pursue the criminals with passion and a fierce commitment to justice.
Pam Keevil –
Another great story from a masterful story teller.
Another stunning read from Elizabeth Ducie kept me gripped from start to finish. Her knowledge of the world of drugs and pharmaceutical companies means this book resounds with authenticity. I was particularly pleased to meet some old enemies and the new characters are equally as gripping. The prose is crisp and clean and the descriptions enhance the narrative rather than act as padding. I’m not am experienced traveler in South America but the settings were totally believable. I’m really looking forward to the next volume.
Wylie McVay –
Another great read from Elizabeth Ducie.
Bravo!! A thrilling and all too credible novel about how success and profits drive unscrupulous executives to exploit pseudo-scientific notions in a loosely regulated dietary supplement industry. The Jones sister’s exploits are told through the use of a rich and vivid literary style that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend Deception! to those who enjoy suspense stories that are all to real.
Mrs Penny J Martin –
Another victory for the Jones sisters!
Elizabeth Ducie has done it again! This fast-moving sequel to Counterfeit! kept me on the edge of my seat, with twists and turns of plot, highly believable characters and varied geographical backgrounds. Nobody is who they seem, making it more difficult to work out who the “goodies” and the “baddies” were. South America proves to offer great opportunities for murder and mayhem, both of which are not in short supply. Most chapters end in a cliff-hanger, and the device of filling in vital details of early lives as the story developed helps to explain the unexplainable. The reader is carried along on an irresistible tide of action which we have to trust will lead to the right result in what is a war of greed versus the public good. Once again the author recalls her professional life to inject realism into her books, for which we can only be grateful.
ljw –
Interesting plot. Well rounded characters.
Still really like the characters. Good to get to know Charlie better. Looking forward to next book!
Welsh Annie –
Top notch writing, perfectly paced.
The first thing I must mention is that no-one should be put off by the fact that this is the second in a series – I would have liked to read Counterfeit! for the African dimension and to meet Suzanne and Charlie rather sooner, but this book is perfectly readable as a standalone (although I think I might be tempted by the final part, Corruption!, when it comes out later this year!)
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. The story was absolutely gripping – the investigation into the health drink causing death and mayhem in the world of athletics, and the pursuit of counterfeiter Michael Hawkins, found living a new life in Brazil. I particularly liked the book’s construction, with the thread exposing the earlier life of one of the key characters – quite a story, with a vivid backdrop and fascinating individuals and relationships, adding a dimension that really enhanced understanding of the character.
And the drawing of characters is something else I should mention. The main focus of the present day story is really Charlie, and I took to her immediately – her personal life a little different, her warmth and enthusiasm infectious, even if I did cover my eyes at times when she put herself in the path of danger again and again. Character development is one of the elements that particularly impressed me about this book – in thrillers, they’re too often ciphers, a little cardboard, surface level only, but I found myself in Charlie’s corner throughout, rooting for her, caring about how things turned out.
I enjoyed the setting too – Brazil really comes to life with a trip to Iguazu Falls, the Mardi Gras and the yachts on the marina. And the story itself was quite enthralling, perfectly paced, with twists and turns taking things in different directions: I raced through it into the early hours, until the explosive climax brought a few real shocks and surprises, and then the pages turned even faster. And the writing is really top notch – fluid and easy to read, scenes vividly drawn, lovely insights into Charlie’s thoughts, an authenticity about the pharmaceutical elements (but nothing outside the grasp of the less knowledgeable), set pieces perfectly choreographed, dialogue natural. I didn’t think I would, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and it’s a series I’d definitely recommend to all.
London Lass –
Well-written mystery thriller.
Sisters Suzanne and Charlie Jones work together as private investigators. Their specialist knowledge secures them a plum assignment, visiting Rio during the carnival. As well as checking out a factory making fatal fitness supplements, they spot a chance to bring an old adversary to justice. Sadly, Charlie makes a dangerous mistake…
Second in the series, this is another well-written mystery thriller.
Michael Bennoson –
Excellent and Gripping.
Managed to read Counterfeit and Deception whilst on holiday recently. Both gripping, hard to put down and brilliant reads. Look forward to Book 3.
Amazon Customer –
Brilliant read with an interesting and convoluted plot.
Brilliant read with an interesting and convoluted plot! Learned a lot about drug racketeering across the globe. Elizabeth Ducie has an easy flowing writing style.
FEE –
Suspenseful plot.
Carefully plotted, full of suspense and set in South America – what’s not to like? Elizabeth Ducie brings her wealth of knowledge of the pharmaceutical world to a well written, fascinating thriller.
J Liggins –
Making a coffee to enjoy as I get towards the end and am really…
This request for a rating has come through just as I have reached a crucial twist in the plot. I’m making a coffee to enjoy as I get towards the end and am really enjoying this read.
Susan Robinson –
Thoroughly enjoyed I can not wait for next instalment.
Thoroughly enjoyed I can not wait for next instalment. I felt as though I was in South America. Despite the back story of Hawkins still did not like him. Would make a good TV series.
Eldatom –
Another great read from Elizabeth Ducie.
After reading Counterfeit I couldn’t wait to get started on Deception. Another great read from Elizabeth Ducie, taking the reader through twists and turns with lots of tension. Can’t wait for the next book to see what trouble the Jones sisters get themselves caught up in.
LizzyD –
An excellent read.
Having read book 1 – Counterfeit, I couldn’t wait to see how the story would twist and turn its way to South America. I wasn’t disappointed. The tale kept me gripped to the very end. Well done Ms Ducie – please don’t keep us waiting too long for book 3.
Sheila Pearson –
Brilliant new read from a great story teller.
Another great story from Elizabeth Ducie! A fast paced page turner taking us through the next exciting chapters in the Suzanne Jones story.
Vivid descriptions of exotic locations take you right to the heart of the action and interesting well-drawn characters keep you wanting to know more.
I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next instalment!
Mr. M. Stead –
Compound deceit in South America.
Following ‘Counterfeit’, this novel shifts from bogus pharmaceuticals to the health supplement industry, quickly drawing the reader in to an exciting and completely credible set of circumstances linking the main protagonists – the Jones sisters – and a cast of characters, few of them heroes but at least a couple of complete villains. Always readable and informative, this novel leaves a hanging trailer for the next. So there’s more to come – good thing, too!
Caroline –
One of my ‘good reads’
This book is definitely one of my ‘good reads’. Not only is the storyline set in South America, fascinating in itself, but the plot is intriguing with all its twists and turns. I identified with all the characters and could picture them in my imagination. I think this is why the book is always so much better than the film! This is a well researched novel, based on personal experience, and gives a fresh approach to the thriller genre.
Mrs. Marian Morrad –
This is a follow up to Counterfeit and was quite enjoyable. However I felt it fell a little short of the 1st book in the series. Suzanne doesn’t seem to take the main lead. It is her sister Charlie who takes the main part. However the ending does leave the story open for another book so look forward to reading it when it comes out.
Donna –
Fabulous read.
I was really taken away by this book second in the series to counterfeit with lots of twists & turns to keep you hooked in.
I love the characters especially Suzanne & Charlie who make a great team. I’ve now started on the 3rd book and hope for more….!!.!.!.!
Peter Pi –
Youv’e done it again!
Wow, wow is all I can say! Great second book in the trilogy and very clever to feature another of the main characters from the first book. I was also very impressed in the way you introduced a sub story in the narrative with yet again another strong character with a link to Book 1. So looking forward to see what and where you take the final book!! Mr Baldacci is now back on the table until the final book arrives – can’t wait – well done, another smash!!
CG –
Tense and compelling.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tense and compelling venture into the shadier side of the pharmaceutical world. Particularly prescient at the moment, it concerns performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes. Deception! sees the return of Suzanne Jones and her sister, Charlie investigating an apparently innocuous food supplement. Invited to San Paulo to watch a race, they witness unexpected violence amongst the competitors. Could the supplement be the cause? Amongst the crowd they spy an old adversary, and their suspicions are raised.
There are plenty of questions asked at the beginning of this well-written and absorbing novel. The prologue is particularly intriguing. I loved the exotic locations, believable characters, and the unexpected twists. Clever plotting means the pace gradually quickens until it reaches a very exciting and page-turning conclusion. It would make a great film- very much in the style of Bond or the Night Manager. Highly recommended!
Georgia Rose –
Well written mystery.
I rarely read an author’s books one after the other but having finished Counterfeit I was keen to get on with Elizabeth Ducie’s new release, Deception.
Suzanne and Charlie have now set themselves up as investigative consultants and take on a new client, Damien, who is concerned about the aggressive behaviour some athletes are exhibiting. Their only apparent link is that they are all drinking a super new health drink.
The investigation into the health drink, and the man behind it, takes Suzanne and Charlie to Brazil where they also have the chance to continue to look into a character from Counterfeit. I won’t say more on that for fear of giving spoilers to the first book.
The settings and pharmaceutical knowledge (which is not that intrusive in the story) feels as authentically solid and knowledgeable as in the first book. There are new characters to meet, both good and bad, although as I’ve found with Ducie’s work it’s not always easy to tell one from the other until the mystery unfolds and people reveal their true selves.
The chapters in this story were interspersed with the back story of one of the characters and I really liked this filling in of the background. This story is all tied up quite satisfactorily but I always had the feeling that deception was rife throughout this tale and that it doesn’t end at The End. And I was right because there is then an epilogue and a couple of lovely little teasers crop up in that that are enough to whet your appetite for the next in this series.
This is for all those who like well written mysteries and comes highly recommended.
Elizabeth –
Deception with its twisting plot, great characters and beautiful descriptions of South America had me hooked. It was great to catch up with the Jones sisters Suzanne and Charlie. Flying to Brazil Suzanne is investigating if the disappearance of an athlete and the sudden onset of physical illness in others is linked to a drink being marketed for its health benefits. Charlie joins her in Sao Paulo and has her own agenda in chasing Michael Hawkins who disappeared from the UK just before he was about to be arrested. She is determined to make him pay for all the suffering that he has caused.
With its fast pace and fascinating plot, I found it hard to put down. This was the 2nd in the Suzanne Jones series and was a great follow in although it could be read as a stand alone book. Cant wait for the 3rd in the series.