Off the Edge (Undercover Associates, #2)

by Carolyn Crane

[Amanda]

Man, Carolyn Crane knows how to craft a damn good book. After Against the Dark, I knew I needed more of the Association and its members. Off the Edge plunges us back into that world, this time in Bangkok, with Laney and Peter. What better way to cap off my romantic suspense binge weekend than with Carolyn Crane's Associates? Finish strong.

I have a soft spot for language and linguistics, so Peter hit all the right spots with me. Language is powerful, and Peter's character showcases that brilliantly. Laney isn't a slouch in the language department herself, although she's more of a poet/singer than trained linguist. Or assassin. Not that Peter is, really, either.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Laney's hiding out in Bangkok from a scary ex-husband. When her hiding place becomes central to Peter's mission, he seduces her for information. From the moment Peter hears her sing, before they even meet, he's a goner. They connect in a way that's real and makes sense, even though they barely know each other. And Peter's lying about who he is.

And that's only in the beginning of the book. As the story evolves, Laney's world collides with Peter's in a masterful way. Carolyn Crane drops hints along the way, keeping the reader ahead of the characters, but the subtle weaving of these hints only lends to the book's tension, driving you to keep reading until the characters piece together the facts.

It's always a pleasure when an author trusts her readers to figure things out. And with Into the Shadows already on my Kindle (thanks, one click!), I can't wait to dive into Thorne's story.