Leaving the Office of International Operations seemed like a great way to avoid bureaucratic hassles, red-tape, and murderous psychopaths. Unfortunately, things don't always work out the way they should.
Meet Alexis Parker, former OIO operative, currently trying to make a name for herself in the private sector. With a limited job history, the state of the economy, and her own internal struggle concerning her competence as an investigator, Alex is forced to take the only job she is offered.
Enter eccentric, playboy, CEO James Martin. Martin Technologies is a multi-million dollar corporation that James Martin has nurtured from the ground up with his workaholic tendencies. But now that Mr. Martin's life is being threatened, what's a guy to do besides hire an attractive, feisty, former federal agent to be his new security consultant and personal bodyguard.
As Alex attempts to navigate the minefield of potential suspects, she gradually begins to uncover an underlying conspiracy that has been brewing at Martin Technologies for almost half a decade. Anyone could be involved, making all of Martin's closest friends, acquaintances, and employees possible suspects. What starts out as a single death threat quickly morphs into a plot to overtake his entire company. Once the pieces start to fall into place, things begin to explode, both literally and figuratively for Alex, as the physical danger looms ever more menacingly overhead. This outwardly simple case quickly becomes something neither Alex nor Martin ever imagined as the situation continues to escalate rapidly out of control. It will take all of Alex's training and instincts to be able to track down the criminal mastermind and stop the assassination plot before it's too late.
Likely Suspects is the first full-length novel in the Alexis Parker series. It's a witty page-turner, containing sharp dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and nonstop action that will keep readers intrigued until the very end.
Review
When Alex takes the job with Martin Industries, she does so with reluctance but with a sense that her previous colleague must think something is going on and the threats are not just part of James Martin's eccentricity. Alex does her job and she's good at her job, but Martin is not always the most cooperative of clients. As the story unfolds, Martin's idea of having Alex appear to be his latest fling rather than a security consultant doesn't sit too well with Alex. Then there's his older secretary who warns her off, the other executive who hits on her, and the increasing severity of the threats.
As promised in the synopsis, the story moves quickly and the pace escalates to match the level of danger to Martin and Alex. Although Martin initially comes off as egocentric as well as eccentric, his personality gains depth and by story end, I liked the man. The character of Alex is well-developed as well. I especially liked Marcal although he is a minor character but important. If you like suspense with romance, then as the body count rises, you will like this book. This is NOT a "clean read" and if you are offended by profanity you will not like this book.
For me, the major downside is that there are at least 9 in this series, not to mention 3 prequel novellas! My ever growing TBR list is groaning!
Prequel Novellas (Available as boxed set as OUTCOMES AND PERSPECTIVES before Alexis leaves the agency and goes solo)
ASSIGNMENT ZERO
AGENT PREROGATIVE
THE FINAL CHAPTER
Books in the Alexis Parker Series
LIKELY SUSPECTS AMAZON LINK
THE WARHOL INCIDENT
MIMICRY OF BANSHEES
SUSPICION OF MURDER
RACING THROUGH DARKNESS
CAMELS AND CORPSES
LACK OF JURISDICTION
DYING FOR A FIX
INTENDED TARGET
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