Detective Amara Alvarez from the SAPD (San Antonio Police Department) Homicide brings us a great new case in Network of Deceit. From the first page, I was hooked on this story. I was a big fan of Collision of Lies the first book in this stand-alone series, for the character development Tom Threadgill uses, and how he walks us through the case just as if we were there asking the questions to figure out the case right along Detective Alvarez. Detective Alvarez has a light sense of humor, and she is a bit of a quirky character take this for instance: “[Detective Alvarez] heading home to Larry, her three-foot-long pet iguana”. I also love Tom Threadgill’s use of dry sarcastic humor and wit in the conversations between Detective Alvarez and Detective Jeremiah “Starsky” Peckham is it fun to read and adds another layer to the story.

This particular case was rife with speculation, suspense, and unanswered questions that left me guessing until the end. A true mystery in every sense of the word. We are shown every step in the case and it is not tv fast paced, it is realistic. Tom Threadgill gives accurate timelines for the turnaround on things like autopsy reports and toxicology reports, unlike most tv shows. I also really enjoyed the cybercrime aspects of the story and I thought that it was explained in an easy-to-understand way for anyone, even if you do not have any previous knowledge of cybercrimes.

I would suggest that you go back and read Collision of Lies before this one as it gives you more background on the characters and you would have a better understanding of the case the previous book covers that is mentioned a few times in this one. But this one can be read as a stand-alone since the whole case is started and wrapped up in this book. Overall, I truly loved this book, and the way Tom Threadgill moved the case along, and I am looking forward to what other adventures that Detective Alvarez takes me on. 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

I loved the first book in the Amara Alvarez series and was pretty happy when the second one released. Thankfully, my anticipation for Network of Deceit was rewarded.

After her explosive leap onto the murder investigation scene, we now see Amara navigate her first case as a homicide detective. Of course nothing is straightforward with an overworked CSI department, some hostile characters within the team, and not even a desk to call her own.

Add in an unpredictable social life and family drama, and before chapter five, the pressure is mounting. As readers of Threadgill’s previous work would expect, the plot it tight, well researched and intelligently thought out.

The case revolves around the death of teenager Zach Coleman, at a busy San Antonio waterpark. What at first seems to be a simple case of heatstroke soon turns into a tricky murder inquiry.

Amara juggles to uncover the truth behind what happened, picking up an education in online gaming, hacking and ransomware at the same time. But to make matters more difficult, there’s a frightening diagnosis within Amara’s family and a personal attack on the novice investigator.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would hurry to pick up another Tom Threadgill story in a heartbeat.

Connect with Tom Threadgill’s website here…

To buy a copy of Network of Deceit, click here…

Want to read the first in the series first? Here’s my review…

I like how the author quickly captures the reader’s attention by dropping them in the same room with Detective Alvarez who is watching a security tape, “How long could a human being scream? Three times through the video so far and Amara’s appreciation for the woman’s lung capacity grew with each viewing.”

This is book two in a series featuring Amara Alvarez. I did not read book one and I did not feel lost as the author does a great job of having readers get to know Alvarez off and on the job through her co-workers and family. The novel reminded me of the TV series Blue Bloods, which shows cops/detectives as real people fighting crime and how their families deal with a loved one being in this line of work.

Alvarez heads to the water park because something bothers her about these teens who at first glance appear to be ordinary kids from different high schools…”None of them had accounts on social media.… But four teenagers who weren’t active online was beyond interesting.” She had to take a closer look.

I enjoyed the authors well timed humor, and the relationship Alvarez has with co-worker Starsky. Amara heads to Cannonball water park to check out the crime scene when Starsky calls. He wants to join her, Amara says, “No” ... “I’ll only be here a couple of hours. Wait Is this an excuse to see me in my swimsuit?”

“There’s no right answer to that, is there? But I’d go with a strong maybe.”…”No. Absolutely not. If I see you here, no dinner tonight. No dinner ever. You listening, Starsky? I mean it.”

“Just trying to help,” he said. “A tall, pasty redhead in a Speedo would do a lot to deflect attention from you. Let you look over the place without being bothered.”

I was fascinated by the complexity of these relatable characters and the intricate web these young people weave as they think they have pulled off the perfect crime.

This is the first book I have read by this author it will not be the last. This is an intriguing read and one I took my time to enjoy. It would work well for your book club experience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

I was under the impression that Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill was the first book in the series, from the way the synopsis read and since there is no indication on the jacket that this is a series. So I was a bit surprised when Threadgill started mentioning a previous case. There was enough context that I didn’t get confused, I was just expecting to be introduced to the character more… but that was already done in Collision of Lies. You don’t have to read the first book (obviously, since I didn’t), but I think it is advisable since Threadgill excels at in depth character writing.

Threadgill really was able to capture a detective’s life not just at the station, but her everyday. The way he incorporated her relationship with her fellow detectives, love interest, and family was phenomenal. While I was interested in the case and the mystery, at times I found myself more drawn to her personal life.

As far as the case went, at first I was a bit… not bored, but concerned with the style of writing. So many police procedurals are fast paced. While they are trying to solve the case there is still a lot of action, but Threadgill really focuses on every step of the case. Once I realized this was how the book was going to read, it was much more enjoyable.
I thought Threadgill did a very good job with making cybercrimes easy to understand for someone who isn’t an expert on them or who may not be into technology. He was able to do this by incorporating interesting characters with believable emotions.

Network of Deceit was a great read, especially if you enjoy strong characters with realistic lives. I would suggest reading Collision of Lies first since I think you’ll get even more out of the story. And I look forward to seeing how Amara handles her bully at work, how her relationship with Starsky progresses, and how her family continues to support each other in upcoming books.

Network of Deceit follows Amara Alvarez, homicide detective with the San Antonio police department, as she gets her first case. Readers could probably start with Network, but it helps to have read Collision of Lies just to get some of the character history.

Amara’s first case seems pretty cut and dry, but she begins to suspect that a death at a local water park might be foul play. I like the author’s style of writing. There’s not a lot of life-and-death action, but the story unfolds in such an intriguing way that it definitely kept my interest from start to finish (different that Collision which was on the intense side – be sure to check this one out. It’s fantastic!) Amara is relentless in her pursuit of suspects which adds to the tension, but this novel explores more of her personal life. She tries to balance her relationship with her mother, plus explore a romance with Starsky, her quirky but adorable co-worker. Of course, Larry the lizard makes an appearance or two!

I’ve been a fan of the series and hope to see other stories in the future. I highly recommend to readers who like detective-style mysteries.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the second book in the Amara Alvarez series, but great as a stand alone. Seriously, you will not feel like you're missing out on part of the story if you haven't read the first book in the series. But, I do recommend the first one!
Amara has recently been promoted to the Homicide Division in the San Antonio police department and is quickly learning that she'll have to prove herself to be accepted by her coworkers. She doesn't even have her own desk, and is using a card table. She is very capable and a hard worker.
Her first case involves the death of a teenage boy at a water park. Was it alcohol or drug related or murder? Amara is dedicated to finding the answers. While looking in his bedroom (with the permission of the parents), she discovers money. A lot of money hidden under the flooring in the closet. His parents have no clue where he would have gotten it from as he only has a part time job and doesn't spend much money.
Her investigation takes her into the world of gaming and online activities that were far beyond anything I'd ever heard of until now, and quite frightening to realize what criminals are able to do to unsuspecting people and businesses.
The story had so many twists and turns that it kept me soooo interested and waiting to see what would happen next. I felt like I personally knew Amara, her momma and Starsky.
I really liked Starsky and how his relationship with Amara is developing. He seems like a really nice man!
The ending was something I could have never guessed! Such a nice thing from stories where you know within five minutes of reading how it's going to turn out. Then, there was the huge shocker at the very end! Certainly didn't see that one coming.
If you, like me, like action, suspense, a little romance and criminals brought to justice, then you have to read this book!
My only disappointment was that it's supposed to be Christian fiction, but I found nothing related to that in this story. Too bad.
I was given an advanced copy by the publisher, Revell and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

NETWORK OF DECEIT. Thomas Threadgill
Amara is now in Homicide given her first case of a death at a water park of a young teen, the medical examiner saying death happened before he was in the water. The tox report would take a month and that could close the case if she didn’t have leads before then.
A father’s only child Zachary had a few friends, loved technology, .
He made bad choices, wanting out. Not an option, when greed was a strong motive. The roles of his friends even his grandmother led to his death. Being in Homicide wasn’t what she thought, does kick boxing, and has a three foot pet iguana, and a special friend Starsky.
A plot showing Amara, wanting to prove she could do the job, to herself she sometime questions how to answer. The advise is not that she couldn’t , just sometimes one needs another eyes and ears on a case. The case and the death had a number of twists and tied up in a surprising ending. The author has given us a second book in this series that was well done and enjoyable.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

When I first met Detective Amara Alvarez in Collision of Lies,I knew I wanted to read more of her novels. Thanks to Revell and Netgalley, I had that opportunity before Tom Threadgill officially released his second novel in the Alvarez series, Network of Deceit. Once again, I was able to watch as Alvarez fought not only to solve a crime, but to prove herself as a detective.

Solving a cold case in Cotulla, Mexico brought her a bit of fame, and with it, a promotion to Homicide. But as she soon learned, Amara would have to earn her place in the department along with the respect of her fellow detectives. And her own desk. For the entirety of the novel, Amara had to make use of a folding table in the corner, usually covered with crumbs by the time she came to work.

Tom Threadgill created a character who was so real, one who I would have loved to meet in real life. She was strong yet caring and had so much sass and sarcasm. There were many times throughout the novel when I found myself cheering (out loud) for whatever quip had just come out of her mouth.

As with any great character, Amara was not one-dimensional, nor was she static. With the help of Starsky, fellow detective and friend (and perhaps more), Amara slowly learned the ropes of what it took to be in Homicide. What to pursue, what to let go. Of course, she had to take Starsky’s advice and do with it what she decided, learning from her mistakes as she went.

The case itself was interesting as it revolved around teenagers who dealt with computer hacking. First of all, reading about the victim, 17-year-old Zachary, was a little personal for me as my Zachary is just a year younger. Also, a lot of the computer jargon has been heard in my house at different times, and I found myself asking my husband if he knew about X, to which he would say, “Yes, it’s….” No, there are no hackers in my family, just those who know a thing or two (or more) about computers.

I liked the idea that this novel took place right in San Antonio where Amara lived, and that it was at a place as “simple” as a water park. It was also a crime that could have easily gone undetected if not for one very observant medical examiner and a detective who wanted to take on her first case after her promotion and prove herself.

The twists and turns that occurred throughout the book, trying to figure out who was guilty, who to trust, who to be skeptical of, kept me reading straight to the end. I had to stay up late to finish it. I had to know how it all turned out. Oh, and that one final twist near the end was unexpected.

If you love a fun (yet serious) Christian suspense novel, one with a female detective who knows who she is, then you need to read Network of Deceit. It is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, I would also recommend reading Collision of Lies, the first book in the series, whether before or after to get more of a back story of certain characters, and to learn about the Cotulla case which is mentioned in this novel.

I received a copy of Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill thanks to Revell and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Network of Deceit is a very well written novel. Great character and plot development. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

“How long could a human being scream?” (location 41). I loved this book. It started out with an eery scene and kept my attention locked on the action all the way to the end. It was great suspense and I enjoyed seeing how Amara worked the case.

After a very publicized rescue of 50 kidnapped children, Amara has moved on to a homicide division where she is the “new guy” without even a desk of her own. Her first case leads her into an intricate world of online gaming and cyber crimes. I thought it was very interesting without getting too technical.

As in the first book, I enjoyed Amara’s relationship with Starsky. They have a fun, easygoing way about them yet he is there for her when she’s in need.

I would highly recommend this book. It had great action and intensity along with a big twist or two. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amara Alvarez series:

Book 1: Collision of Lies

Book 2: Network of Deceit

I did not find this police procedural novel a compelling one. Most novels of this type have suspense. This one really does not. Amara does experience some irritation from hackers but her life is never in danger nor are there any threatening situations. The plot moves at a slow and methodical pace and is not really engaging. The murder takes place at a water park and much of the plot deals with areas in the park and whether the areas could be seen by monitoring cameras. There was also much reviewing of recordings of the day the murder happened, slowing the plot pace.

Amara is new to homicide and her investigation seems to be sort of hit and miss. We do get to learn a great deal about cybercrimes, especially ransomware. We also find out much about online adventure games, such as how people remain anonymous.

I am always a bit leery when a male author writes a female lead. While his first novel featuring Amara was good in that respect, I felt this time it was a little off. I felt there was just too much emotional intrusion from her family. That did yield an in depth exploration of her personal life, especially her relationship with her mother. It really slowed the pace of the investigation.

There is next to no mention of Christianity or one's relationship to God other than on the mother's part.

This is the second novel by Threadgill featuring Amara. While it can be read on its own, it would be appreciated more by reading the first in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Fabulous read! Threadgill knows just how to tighten the suspense, keeping you reading until the final page is turned. Each book is better than the last, and I’m eager for more!

An interesting second novel by Tom Threadgill. I didn't find myself engrossed in the story and ended up just skipping to the end to discover all the details.

This is the second of Tom Threadgill’s Amara Alvarez books. I requested this one on NetGalley after reading the first book for @madlitbookclub not that long ago... and loving it! You can find that review not far down my page.

While I think that the first book, Collision of Lies, had the slightly better plot premise, this book is better in every other way. It’s just as much of a page-turner, and the case is still pretty unique - if not quite as unique as the first one - and definitely a hugely relevant and interesting crime. I really, really wanted to know what happened! And while I wasn’t shocked by how it turned out, I didn’t predict it early, so that’s impressive. And the character development was so good! Some of the characters that felt a little 2D to me in the first book were fleshed out in this one, and I loved the depth and character growth it brought.

A favourite for me was the way we got to know Starsky more along with Amara, as she did. I felt at the end of the first book that I knew nothing about him except that he was a homicide detective, but as he and Amara got to know each other better in this book, we also got to know him alongside her. I thought that was really well done. And Starsky is a fantastic character! So fun! And I love how realistic their relationship is! No insta-love here, but also not dragged out so long that it’s ridiculous for the sake of plot conflict. They’re slowly getting to know each other and growing their relationship exactly as two people in real life would and it’s very refreshing!

If action/suspense with only the tiniest touch of romance (hardly any!) is your cup of tea, and/or you’re interested in realistic cyber-crimes, then this is the book for you! I’ll definitely read any others that he writes in future.

Thanks to @revellbooks and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return & it was definitely a good read!

Network of Deceit is the second book in the Amara Alvarez series by Tom Threadgill. While the Cotulla case from Collision of Lies is referred to on several occasions, I certainly felt that this one could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. No spoilers were given, and knowledge of the previous case wasn't really necessary to enjoy it.

In this story, we catch back up with Amara as she has finally gotten the job she'd wanted as a homicide detective. Her first case? A mysterious death of a teenager at a local water park. The closer she gets to the truth, the more things start intruding on her personal life and we enter a world of cyber crime in this unique suspense. Like the first book, this wasn't your typical action packed suspense but rather a unique and clever read that was certainly set apart from others in the genre. The idea of cyber crimes was unique and eye opening... and definitely made you think about our dependence of computers in a new way. I must admit there were moments throughout, when I felt like I didn't quite like Amara's character as much as I had in the first book, but in the end I really enjoyed the story.

I really enjoyed the banter between Amara and Starsky, perhaps my favorite character in the book! It was fun and added a little levity to the story as well. When dealing with the death of a teenager, that levity is often needed I think. Of course, as a fan of romance I enjoyed the aspect of their budding relationship as well, and hope to see more in future books. Overall, this was a great addition to the series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars

What do I say about this book? It was interesting, but not super engaging. I wanted to figure out the case with Amara, but there wasn't urgency or suspense. The romance and family angle was almost... a distraction? And then we had a perp who wasn't who they said they were and that was left hanging and unresolved. I could follow the threads of the investigation but they also didn't quite work. The motives and the why were weak in my opinion. I did smile and chuckle a few times at the banter between Amara and Starksy so that was nice.

I felt like this book was a bridge. While there isn't technically a series, we are clearly after "Collision of Lies" and Threadgill is setting us up for at least one more book. And that seemed to come through. Like this was a story just to get us from book one to book three. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it either. It could have been better but it could have been worse.

** “Evil lived inside people. Only Dios could see it. People were capable of anything, murder included.” **

San Antonio Police Detective Amara Alvarez’s story continues in “Network of Deceit” by Tom Threadgill.

After rescuing missing children, Amara has been promoted to the homicide division — hitting her first case when 17-year-old Zachary Coleman is found dead at a water park. As she digs into the day he and his three friends visited the park, she finds more and more reasons to believe his death is indeed a murder.

With the help of her fellow homicide detective Jeremiah “Starsky” Peckham — who is also a friend, or maybe even more than a friend — they dive into the world of gaming and hacking to solve the question of what happened to Zachary.

“Network of Deceit” is a fast paced, hard-to-put-down novel that keeps you guessing until the very end. Threadgill does a great job of weaving together a suspenseful plot, while developing great characters with flaws and quirks we can all relate to.

The story also features a number of great themes, like we are all capable of evil; don’t let guilt consume you; and not to let life overwhelm you, because sometimes we just have to make one decision at a time to get through the difficult moments.

This could be read as a standalone, but things will be more understandable if you read the series’ first installment, “Collision of Lies.” Fans of authors like Carrie Stuart Parks and Lynette Eason will love “Network of Deceit.”

Five stars out of five.

Revell provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I was so excited to read this book after being blown away by the first one in this Christian suspense series, Collision of Lies. Network of Deceit continues to follow detective Amara Alvarez with the San Antonio PD, from her rise from the lowly Property Crimes division to her new promotion to Homicide. This book centers around the death of a 17-year-old boy at a popular water park that soon goes from being labeled as accidental to murder. Threadgill, as always, is a master at plotting and the clues are small but significant. What I enjoyed best is learning more about Amara, her family, and developing (dare I hope?) relationship with Starsky. I loved seeing Wylie - Amara's previous colleague, now retired and in a relationship with Amara's mother, again. He shines as probably the most 3D of all Threadgill's characters in this series! In short, this is certainly an excellent mystery, crafted with fine detail, snappy writing, and plenty of intrigue. It's definitely several tiers above most thrillers by far with the focus on plot development, story arc, and writing, rather than unnecessary fillers like violence, sex, or gore. There a couple more mentions of God in this one but not overtly "Christian" or faith-based and I'm not sure it should even be labeled as a Christian book without some more messages of faith included. However, it will definitely appeal to non-religious readers of any background and because it's clean that may be a starting point for them as far as saying "No thanks" to gratutious ick labeled as entertainment. This being said, the first installment of this series (Collision of Lies) should qualify Threadgill for Lifetime Achievement Award of some kind in its pure creativity, research, and brilliant suspense. It's tough to put forth a Grammy-winner and then try to have a follow-up! I would have liked this one to be the precedent, and for Threadgill to have saved Collision of Lies for the final book in this series as it is sure to leave readers completely breathless.

A very well written book! The author does a great job of walking the reader through a murder investigation through the eyes of a detective. There is a lot of computer talk, the case hinges on a ransomware scheme, and most of it is very readable and in layman’s terms. The more progressed technology is, the smarter the criminals become.
I was impressed with how the detective’s feelings vs facts were written. How Amara must find the facts and make arrests based on those facts while trying not to let her personal feelings toward any person affect her judgment. Her job is not easy.
The storyline kept me engaged the entire time and a few surprises surface.

Network of Deceit was written by Tom Threadgill and is book two in the Amara Alvarez series. It is not necessary to have read the previous book, although it is very good and I would definitely recommend it.

Summary: After her most recent success, Amara Alvarez finally gets promoted to the homicide division. But not everyone is happy that she has the job. Determined to prove she belongs, she does what she does best-pull at a loose string until it unravels into a case.

But the more she pulls, the bigger the threats become-and these threats are becoming very personal.

Will she be able to solve the case before the clues disappear for good?

My Thoughts: Tom Threadgill is one of my favorite authors, and this book does not disappoint. I love how much detail is packed into this book with every clue leading to the next one, and just when you think there is nothing left to find, the tiniest thread of a clue appears.

I love the characters too, and really enjoyed revisiting them in this second book.

There are twists and turns galore, plenty of suspense and intrigue, and the mystery keeps you going until the very last chapter.

I really enjoyed this book, and am kind of sorry to be done reading it!

This is definitely one I would buy, and that is the highest (and rarest) praise I give a book.

This series is a great read, and would also make a great gift for any suspense-lovers out there.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!