Tracing cyber criminals is what he lives for… himself in FBI Agent Piper Nash’s sting to catch the same hacker, and Piper has no choice but to arrest him and force him to stand down.
But the job is suddenly hitting too close to home.
Nick finds himself attracted to Piper and wants to comply, but when his grandmother falls prey to a cyber-attack by the same hacker, he takes the assault very personally and will stop at nothing to find the hacker. Not even stop for Piper’s warnings to take care. They’re in a dead heat to the finish line, but what Nick doesn’t realize is the hacker has no intention of going to jail, and she’s reserved a bullet with Piper’s name on it. With time ticking down can Nick partner with Piper to find the killer before a point-blank shot takes her out?
more
‘Evil radiated like forest fire from the hacker who seemed to have no morals.’
Susan Sleeman gives us book four in her Truth Seekers series and it is so good! I knew Nick had a story when I first met him in previous books and it sure lived up to my expectations. I loved every single minute.
Cyber hackers breach the security in a hospital and are stealing patient records, then blackmailing them. The impressive Veritas Center’s cybercrime expert, Nick Thorn is hired to find out how this happened. However, FBI expert Piper Nash is also doing the same job. They join forces to form a sting to catch this devious and evil hacker. And believe me, this hacker is a seriously dangerous threat not only to the hospital and its patients, but to both Nick and Piper. A deadly danger.
I liked this one best of the whole series, but I love everything Sleeman writes. She is a master at suspense and my go-to for inspirational suspense. Her books are well written and populated with super believable characters who immediately feel real to the reader and her plots well thought out. Her research is impeccable and you know she is just not making up things about the intricacies of the specialties involved in her books. I love it so much! Highly recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinion expressed in this review is entirely my own.
I enjoyed this book, liked the characters, liked the little bit of difference in the plotline/romance and characters. Today we’ve read so many “SEALTeam,” action-hero type stories that it is hard to do something new. Dead Heat had all the right things for a Christian romantic suspense novel. And it’s a series. Good weekend/any night read.
This really felt like the book where a lot of things started coming together. It was probably one of my favorite books because of the amazing story and the many cameos in it. Dead Heat is about FBI agent Piper and Veritas’ cybercrime expert, Nick. Piper has been mentioned in many different Cold Harbor books, but I think that this is the first time you actually meet her. Her and Nick’s story definitely does not disappoint.
I was so excited that Piper was able to have her own book! She has been talked about in so many different books, and we finally got to see her. Piper is an FBI agent who is trying to catch a hacker named Jinx. During a stakeout, she runs into Nick who is also trying to catch Jinx. With an incredibly action packed beginning, let’s just say some guns are fired and a very heated kiss happens, they agree to work together. They will have to work fast though because there’s a killer out there, and they have a bullet with Piper’s name on it.
What an exciting book! The suspense was incredible, and the story kept me glued to the pages. I loved seeing how Ms. Sleeman always manages to sneak in some new surprises, suspenset turning the pages even though I know I should stop! It was pretty exciting to see so many different cameos too. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but some of the Cold Harbor folks are back plus many more different characters.
I also loved seeing Piper and Nick’s adorable relationship. It was sweet to watch them open up to each other and learn how to trust each other. I loved how you could see their relationship grow throughout the book. Plus their banter was so cute! Nick had some of the best lines in the other books, and he definitely brought his humor and heart to his own book as well.
Nick also had a heart for his grandmother which was just as adorable. I’m a sucker for animals, children, and characters who actually like their parents/grandparents, so I loved seeing that! Nick’s grandmother, Olive, was definitely a fun addition to the book. She had a lot of spunk, and she wasn’t afraid to tell things like they were. I also loved Piper’s partner, Hunter, who has some mysterious relationship with Maya that I need to find out about! Overall, though this was a wonderful book that definitely combined adorable romance with page turning suspense. It was also super clean, and it did not have too many intense scenes with plenty of technology scenes, but not too much for those who don’t know a lot about them like me! I would definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I really am enjoying this series and look forward to each new book.
Dead Heat by Susan Sleeman is the fourth book in her Truth Seekers series. FBI Agent Piper Nash is on the trail of a hacker who is blackmailing her victims. Nick Thorn, who works for the Veritas Center’s cybercrime unit, is hired by the hospital to find the same hacker. Working together they run into more than they bargained for. The target on Piper’s back is growing daily. Will Nick be able to protect her from the deadly assassin who wants her dead? Wow, what a ride! Ms. Sleeman has a way of drawing you into the story on the first page and not letting you go until you turn that last page. The suspense was very real and intense in this story. The romance was very fast-paced but believable. All the characters blended well with each other. I’m not a very technical person. So, I learn something every time I read one of Susan’s books. She takes all the technical terms, gadgets and gizmos used by law enforcement and weaves them into the story without making it sound like a user’s manual. The ending was a plot twist that you didn’t see coming. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received this e-book from the author for my honest review.
Susan Sleeman is one of my go-to authors when I’m in the mood for a romantic suspense story. Her books are always riveting and action-packed, and they keep me guessing to the end. Sleeman’s characters are always well-crafted, realistic, and engaging. Dead Heat is no exception and is a wonderful addition to the Truth Seekers series. Nick Thorn and Piper Nash are attracted to each other almost from the start, and it was amusing to see them navigate the case while trying to keep the attraction from showing. I especially enjoyed seeing Nick pulled out of his IT world by his association with Piper.
Sleeman always astounds me with her depth of knowledge about criminal investigation. Her research is detailed and thorough, and the characters have different jobs in the field, so it’s interesting to learn all about them. With lots of intrigue and suspense, twists and turns, a heaping serving of romance, and a dash of inspiration, this book should appeal to those who enjoy a great suspense novel. Although it’s part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Many of the characters from previous books make an appearance in this one, so that adds an element of fun. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
For long-time fans of Susan Sleeman, Piper Nash has been waiting a while (since the previous Cold Harbor series) to get her story told. And boy, is it worth the wait.
Piper is a no-nonsense, intelligent, somewhat stubborn woman who knows what she wants in life—until she meets Nick Thorn. And ya’ll, the way these two meet is quite memorable.
As Piper and Nick team up to track down a dangerous hacker, which additional support from the rest of the Veritas team, their personal feelings and attraction to each other builds right along with the investigation.
While Dead Heat doesn’t have the twists and turns many of Sleeman’s books often have, there are some surprises along the way. And there’s also a peek into Maya Glass’ past (and maybe her future).
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Great book, loved the characters and the plot line. Easily a favorite.
Dead Heat by Susan Sleeman
Truth Seekers Series Book Four
Nick Thorn, cybercrimes director at the Veritas Center, doesn’t plan on marrying. Ever. He saw how his parents failed at marriage…failed him…and he was fine being married to his job. Or so he told himself.
FBI Agent Piper Nash, Eryn’s friend from Cold Case in the Cold Harbor series, is out to catch a hacker. Not just any hacker. No. Jinx is evil. She stole confidential files and turned around to blackmail the patients. She was talented when it came to cybercrimes, but she needed someone even better.
Nick and Piper’s first meeting was…unusual. They had to quickly move on from that first meeting and work together before they lost Jinx. She was one criminal that needed to be stopped and fast. Another great romance suspense. Page-turner as usual. I loved the characters.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/09/susan-sleeman-booklist.html
HIGH INTENSITY!!
Susan Sleeman has long been one of my favorite authors. The reason is simple enough; Sleeman writes the BEST first lines! When you read one of her first lines, you immediately become engaged and cannot wait to know the rest of the story.
In DEAD HEAT, Sleeman has penned a quite a thriller for readers to enjoy. From the opening sentence – “He’s going to get himself killed!” – straight through her sizzling start to the last sentence, – “And a kiss that changed the world forever.” – readers will be spellbound by an intriguing plot. Sleeman has written on a topic that is one that could (does) happen – hackers breaching hospital security and silently stealing all of their patients’ personal information. Of course, once that personal information is in the wrong hands, blackmail is soon to follow. Desperate people do desperate things and Sleeman’s characters choose a plethora of methods to retaliate. Sleeman uses Veritas Center’s cybercrime expert, Nick Thorn as the main character for this novel. He is an expert in his field and somewhat of an independent thinker and worker. However, this time, he finds himself right in the middle of FBI Agent Piper Nash’s sting. He’s never met anyone quite like Nash. Their first meeting is definitely unforgettable! Somehow they must come to a point where they can work together for the common purpose. Another fantastic novel in the Truth Seekers Series!
A powerful story with lots on the line! Can a revengeful hacker get away with her crimes or will Nick Thorn and FBI agent Piper Nash be able to stop her rampage? Is the murder of one of the hacker’s victims connected? The twists and surprises keep the suspense high and the pages flipping. The excitement ramps up as does the danger. I also like the Oregon setting since it’s fun to read about places in my home state. The characters are well-developed and jump off the page. The book stands alone but has some continuing characters from the Truth Seekers and Cold Harbor series, which add to the enjoyment, I think. I received a copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
We are back with the Veritas Center crew and this time the story belongs to Nick Thorn and FBI Agent Piper Nash.
If you have read previous stories in this series, if not I highly recommend them, you have met Nick.
Nick is the cybercrime expert of Veritas. They have been contracted by a hospital to find the hacker/s that are infiltrating the records of the patients and then blackmailing them. When he sets up a meeting with the hacker, he’s unaware that the FBI is also investigating the case and inadvertently gets in the midst of the throw down. Thus causing the whole meeting to go up in flames and the hacker escaping the scene.
That’s when he meets Piper. Though she at first arrests him not knowing who he is, they end up joining forces in their attempt to get the hacker. Not only for professional reasons but also personal, since both have someone especial that has been affected and blackmailed by the hacker.
This clean, suspense filled romance, is another winner by this talented author and a good addition to the series. I always appreciate the fact that the author gives us strong female characters.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I’ve recently read two stories about extreme hackers. The havoc they can cause is horrific. In this story, I learned how one person, a hacker of extraordinary skill, can cause so much personal pain and suffering to individuals that it’s almost hard to believe. I’ve always thought that hacking was a “business crime” or someone who hacked into computers and stole passwords and such but didn’t cause “that much damage”, however this book really enlightened me! A hacker can ruin someone’s life, and it’s not just financial or job related, but something so personal or terrible that it defies description! I don’t want to give away any spoilers but you really need to read the book! Not only are the characters great and the writing is fantastic (always a given with any Susan Sleeman book!), but you will learn so much about the world of hacking on a personal level. It’s fascinating! It’s not dry or boring either! Piper and Nick are wonderful characters, along with the other secondary characters and I didn’t want the story to end! I love the Veritas Center where Nick works (were all the books in this series are set) and hope to hear more about these characters in other books!