Dead Ringer (Truth Seekers, #1) by Susan Sleeman

Dead Ringer (Truth Seekers, #1) Reviews

• 
  Kristi

  It has some mystery, suspense, and a little romance. I found Emory a little annoying. Blake was quickly attracted by her as she was to him. The photobombing hobby was different, one of the characters would purposely photobomb live news crews.
  
  There was some skimming done....I got bored. I don't know that it's the authors fault but maybe my own. Just wasn't feeling this particular book. But I wanted to give it a try and I can see checking more of the of her (Susan Sleeman) at a later time.
  
  There were a lot of characters mentioned throughout and I assume some of them will have their own story in future books within the series. I enjoyed that the main characters were comfortable enough to pray with each other. I loved that they both shared the same faith and that God was an important if not the most important part of their lives. This was a clean read.
  
  Rating: PG -some violence, physical relations (kissing), drug use, attempted murder, past murders
  Language: clean read, Blake at one point said "He wanted to swear." in an intense situation
  Recommend: yes
• 
  Rebecca

  3.5 stars
  
  " . . . . . . crying wouldn't bring Caitlyn home. Working would."
  
  On the same evening that Dr. Emory Steele learns that she has an identical twin sister, she also learns that Caitlyn Abbot has been viciously abducted. In her role as a DNA expert for Portland, Oregon's prestigious Veritas Center, she often donates her skills to law enforcement on high profile cases, and according to the handsome Cold Harbor sheriff, Caitlyn's disappearance demands top priority.
  
  Sheriff Blake Jenkins is shocked when he sees how much Dr. Steele resembles their victim. Naturally, his first response was to think that there had been no crime committed after all; she's quite a "dead ringer". Factor in the confusing details of their separate adoptions, and the leads nearly vanish into thin air. But Emory doesn't vanish, leaving Blake rather sure that he could get used to seeing her face on a daily basis. Unfortunately, they both have a lot of weighty baggage in their pasts, not to mention, they live and work in two different cities.
  
  Susan Sleeman has waved her magic wand of intrigue once again; there was absolutely no way to figure out this ending from the very beginning! This new series has gotten off to quite an impressive start.
• 
  Rachel DeVaughn

  Wow! This story was amazing! I couldn't wait to read this first book in the new "Truth Seekers" series and it was everything and more! I can't wait to read more books in this new series! I love that previous characters from her other series "Cold Harbor" are mentioned throughout the book.
  
  This story primarily focuses on Blake and Emory as they race against the clock to find a missing woman... who looks strangely identical to Emory. This story was packed with action, suspense and had some clean romance. I liked the Christian element of faith and prayer throughout the story as well. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop...I loved the characters and fast, thrilling story line. Highly recommend! Absolutely LOVED it!
  
  I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
• 
  Stella Potts

  I really enjoyed this book. Dr Emory Steele is a DNA expert and she learns that not only does she have an identical twin sister but that she has been abducted and her life is in danger. She starts working with Sheriff Blake Jenkins to find her sister, Caitlyn Abbot, before she is murdered. I am fascinated by DNA as I had mine done and found close relatives that I didn’t know about. I really learned a lot in this book about the process and and the many things that can be learned from it. I also very much enjoyed how the romance between the two main characters developed. This is a book that all Christian Romantic Suspense fans will certainly enjoy. This is the first in a series and I am for sure getting the rest of the series. I recommend this book.
• 
  Deon

  I read this on #KindleUnlimited
• 
  Julie Graves

  When a woman goes missing Sheriff Blake Jenkins knows he only has hours to be able to follow her trail. To expedite getting DNA results Blake takes the samples gathered to the Veritas group. When he sees Emory Steele coming out of her office Blake is totally ticked because she is a dead ringer for the abducted woman. Quickly learning that Emory had no idea that she was adopted, let alone a twin, she agrees to use all of the Veritas teams resources to help find her abducted sister. Why were they given up at birth and why did her parents never tell her that she was adopted, and can they find her twin before she is murdered and before they find out what happened in the past?
  
  Blake has no interest in getting involved with a woman. In fact he cannot allow himself to get involved with a woman. He failed his sister many years before and he has no intention of failing another woman in his life. But Emory's combination of vulnerability and tenacity slip under his radar and touch his heart before he knows what has hit him! Will he once again be able to put his trust in God to help him solve this crime and protect the woman that he has come to care deeply for?
  
  This is the first in the Truth Seekers series and in perfect Susan Sleeman fashion starts off capturing the readers attention and gathering momentum as the pages turn! If you've read the COLD HARBOR series then you know we have met Blake before. He's the Sheriff from those books. In fact the Blackwell Tactical Team also make an appearance in the Truth Seekers series. We also met Emory Steele in the last COLD HARBOR book COLD DAWN. So DEAD RINGER sort of picks up where the COLD HARBOR series left off. I love Blake and Emory. Both have had experiences in their backgrounds that cause them to shy away from any relationship, yet both, of course, are inexplicably drawn to each other. Emory frustrated me a couple of times at the beginning of the book when she rushed in to situations after Blake had told her to stay put. She was a mixture of frayed nerves because of her past and a strong independent woman wanting to exert herself and her skills. Admirable, but dangerous. Blake of course was a character of contrasts as well. He was decisive in his job and single-minded as well, but he could also turn on the charm and warmth that caught Emory off guard. The mystery of why the girls were given up for adoption and why they were separated was interesting and kept the reader wondering what was in the past and what could happen next. DEAD RINGER was a great introduction to the TRUTH SEEKERS series and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
  
• 
  Susan Snodgrass

  'He couldn't fail another person. Just couldn't.'
  
  I am a total forever fan of Susan Sleeman's. All in. She knows how to do inspirational romantic suspense and do it very well indeed. She never, ever disappoints. This is the start to a new series and I was so excited to start it!
  
  We met Emory Steele in her last book in the Cold Harbor series which featured the Blackwell Tactical Team. We see some of those members again in this book briefly and it was fun to see them again.
  We also met Sheriff Blake Jenkins in several of the Cold Harbor books. I was hoping that he would get a book some day and I was just thrilled to see him as one of the main protagonists here.
  
  Emory Steele is head of the Veritas Lab, a super specialized crime unit, having more resources and quicker results many times than law enforcement agencies. A local woman goes missing and when Blake delivers her DNA to Emory's lab, he is dumbfounded to see the same woman standing before him. She is a dead ringer for the missing woman. Emory is not so sure, but agrees to run the test. She then realizes she has a twin sister she knows nothing about. Emory is adopted so what is going on here? Blake determines to keep Emory safe and find her twin, but things heat up quickly and both are in soon in danger. Blake finds himself having feelings for Emory, but she was the victim of a brutal attack six months earlier and has no use for any man. But does God have other plans for these two?
  
  Susan Sleeman is in fine form here for sure! She researches everything and absolutely fascinates this reader with her find tuning of police procedure and the latest in crime scene investigations. It's like watching an episode of Criminal Minds! Seriously. She builds suspense until we can't wait to see what happens and must force ourselves not to skip to the ending. I loved every moment. Highly recommended.
  
  *My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
  
• 
  Suzie Waltner

  4.5 Stars
  
  A new series from Susan Sleeman introduces romantic suspense fans to a brand new team while bringing in some familiar Cold Harbor friends.
  
  The partners at the Veritas Center are intelligent, at the top of their specialties, have the best equipment, and aren’t shy about admitting any of the above. They also drop everything to help in a crisis, especially when it involves one of their own.
  
  In Dead Ringer, Sleeman once again skillfully takes readers from the discovers of a crime through the investigative process until a satisfying conclusion is reached. All without giving away any hints as to who is behind the abduction until the big reveal. I’ve said it before, but Sleeman unfolds her stories in the way I imagine most investigation actually operate—scrambling to find a hint of a lead, dead ends, danger, and one answer that opens up the entire investigation into a sprint at the end.
  
  I’m already looking forward to spending more time with this team in future books. Because when it comes to romantic suspense you don’t want to put down, Sleeman is a go-to author.
  
  Disclosure statement:
  I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
  
• 
  Glenda Parker

  My review today is on the Romantic Suspense, Dead Ringer. This is book one in the Truth Seekers Series. I waited along time for this book to come out and to get my copy. So many authors just put out lots of cookie cutter books. The names are changed but you know exactly what is going to happen. I have always prayed I wouldn't be that kind of an author. Susan isn't one of those. Each of her books are different, well researched, and when I'm sure I know where she is going, we take a sharp turn. I love that! Even though her men are big, strong and highly intelligent they also have a soft place and love the Lord. I think that's awesome! I really enjoyed that she incorporated the Blackwell Tactical in the story. This is an excellent book, it's well written, action packed, and full of twists and turns.
  
  Sheriff Blake Jenkins is called to a house where it's obvious a young woman has been tortured. Even though the woman was tortured in the shower stall, blood was every where. Putting the case in his deputy's charge he takes the woman's picture and blood evidence and secures a ride to Veritas Center in Portland. The woman, Caitlyn Abbot had been searching for her birth family; her DNA is already at the center. They are the best, he will ask for their help. Imagine how shocked he is when the woman he has worked with a couple of times is a dead ringer for his missing woman. As he works with Emory he is drawn to her but he has an iron clad rule against relationships. He must keep her safe and find her sister. When Emory's apartment is trashed, he can't help wondering what is this man looking for?
  
  Dr. Emory Steele has no idea she is adopted, let alone that she has an identical twin sister. She confronts her mother and finds that it's true she's adopted. Now to find her twin before she is killed. She offer the centers resources for hire for one dollar. Blake can't turn that down, they are the best. She's drawn to the sheriff but after being attacked by her ex-boyfriend she has no intention to get involved with another man. She must learn to trust the sheriff and work with him though. Her life and her sister depends on this man.
  
  A journey into a past neither girl had even known existed. God has a plan for all those involved; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Trust Him with your heart and watch Him work in your situation.
• 
  Danielle

  Dead Ringer is the first book in Susan Sleeman’s latest series, Truth Seekers, which centers around the scientists at the Portland-based Veritas Center. Dead Ringertells the story of Emory Steele and how she must work with an out-of-town sheriff to track down a missing woman before kidnapping turns into murder.
  
  Sheriff Blake Jenkins is determined to find Caitlyn Abbott, reportedly kidnapped from her home in Cold Harbor, Oregon. But when he meets DNA scientist Dr. Emory Steele, he discovers she’s a dead ringer for the missing woman. Did Emory stage her own kidnapping or will science uncover long-held family secrets?
  
  Emory Steele loves her job at the Veritas Center, where she specializes in studying and comparing DNA. She works long hours, as do her fellow partners, but Emory has another reason: she was recently attacked in her car by her former boyfriend. Now she hates riding in cars or even walking outside at night. Is she willing to overcome these fears to find the missing woman who looks just like her?
  
  As with Susan Sleeman’s other work, Dead Ringer will keep you reading from start to finish. It mixes suspense, mystery, and romance while telling an engaging story. It also lets readers peek into the amazing world of DNA testing and ancestry research. If you’re looking for a fast-paced read with clean romance and lots of mystery, Dead Ringer is for you.
  
  —
  I received this book free from the author in order to provide an honest review. 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.”
• 
  Deana Dick

  What would it be like to suddenly find out a secret from your past that shatters your world? Emory will face that crisis in a fast pace story that delivers an exciting ride into secrets and danger. The author has really stepped up her game in this latest book. The characters are relatable and fierce. Emory is determined to find out the truth as she helps Blake find a missing woman.
  
  It was fun to have old friends from the Blackwell Tactical Team in this story. I am fascinated by the knowledge the author has with weapons and tactical teams. I can’t image bring a part of an elite group like that without my heart thumping out of my chest at every mission. Emory and Blake are both hard headed and it makes for a tug of war of ideas between them. I think of this story as CSI meets Criminal Minds meets Chicago P.D..
  
  The beginnings pages set the tone for an action packed journey as one woman fights for her life as another one tries to discover who she really is Emory knows she can decide what to do with the information about her sister as we.all have free will. I’m sure God has rolled his eyes at me a few times with my decisions. It’s nice to know that we do have the freedom to choose and I’m thankful I choose to follow Him everyday. Emory and Bake will face roadblocks, trust issues and learn about forgiveness and unconditional love. This is a great start to a new series and one I will be following closely as I await the next book to come out.
  
  I received a digital copy of this book from the author . The review is my own opinion.
  
• 
  Lisa G. Hudson

  RIVETING!
  
  From the first sentence to the last, Susan Sleeman’s DEAD RINGER (Truth Seekers Book 1) is RIVETING! Sleeman knows how to write believable romantic suspense that keeps you turning the pages. This series may be one of her best yet! One of my favorite elements is how she showcases the different talents of many different people to solve this particular case & it took the efforts of every single one of them!
  
  What if you were a superstar among your peers in a scientific setting but you had let fear petrify you to the point you rarely enjoyed being outside of the fortress you & your associates had built to help people solve all manner of mysteries using DNA and other such complex matters? What if suddenly you are mistaken for a kidnapped woman and investigated for possibly setting up your own kidnapping when you know your completely innocent? That is what happens to DNA Expert Emory Steele when Sheriff Blake Jenkins comes to deliver a blood sample for her to process. With a start like that, you can only imagine how the relationship between these two starts! This quickly turns into an extremely complicated case filled with family secrets, deception, lies, heartbreak, family drama, new friendships, turning to God, trusting God and learning to love again - family and other significant people. This is a fantastic start for this new series! I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
• 
  Edward Arrington

  I should probably say at the start that I cannot imagine being in law enforcement. However, if I were, I find it even more unimaginable to process the scene of an abduction, take evidence to a well-known DNA lab for processing, and stand face-to-face with the person who was reported abducted. At least, that is who Sheriff Blake Jenkins thought he was facing. But Emory Steele denies it and the sheriff decides she has a twin. Imagine Emory Steele’s reaction when she is handed the picture of the abduction victim and sees herself. What a shock! But there are more shocks to come and you need to get the book now so you can enjoy the suspense, mystery, excitement, and romance. Before getting involved in this case, both Blake and Emory were on shaky ground spiritually. Traumatic events in their pasts rocked them significantly to the point that they struggled with their faith. As they were pulled deeper and deeper into the search for Caitlyn, and as other circumstances unfolded, they both began to realize their need for help from God if they were going to survive. One of the lessons from the story is that we cannot make much progress if we allow the past to bind us and affect our future. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
• 
  Kim Gregory

  This is the first book I've read by Susan Sleeman. I realized as I was reading that there must have been a series before this one and I downloaded that one and will read it before I read this one, although a friend who has read them both says you can read this one first and it not make that much difference. I don't like reading a story where I feel like I should know a character already and I don't.
  
  I really like this story. It has a lot of action and dialogue and moves along quickly, I like that in a story. In this story, a woman is abducted and Blake Jenkins, the local sheriff needs to find her quickly. When he goes to a private company to get the DNA work done he finds a dead ringer for his missing lady and thinks he's been played - until they do another DNA test that shows this dead ringer is an identical twin and neither twin had any idea that the other existed - neither twin knew they were adopted. When Emory's sister finds out she is adopted she goes on-line looking for birth family and is found by someone from her birth parents' past and he wants something that she has no idea about. Now Emory and Blake have to find the pieces and put them together to save her!
  
  This is a clean read.
• 
  Marilyn Johnson

  This is book one in the truth Seeker Series. What a great place to start. Sleeman always does a great job at writing suspenseful, mystery, police type of romance books. They always keep you guessing from beginning till end. Even though this is a first in the series it is somewhat of a continuation from her Cold Harbor series. You do not have to read that series to understand this one at all. You just have gotten to know many of the characters in this book from that series. This one however does not focus on the Blackwell Tactical team, even though they are here some. This novel focus is on the beautiful, intelligent Emory Steele and her Veritas Center team.
  The handsome Sheriff Blake Jenkins, whom we met in the Cold Harbor series, must find a missing woman before it is to late. When he must use the Veritas group he is shocked by what he covers. Blake and Emory must fight attraction, forgiveness and an unknown enemy to try and find this woman. I look forward to reading more from this series.
• 
  Ashley

  Dead Ringer was great! It pulled me right in with a heart-pounding and intense beginning and kept me invested till the very last word. There was a lot of suspense and a good dose of romance. Exactly what I look for in this kind of book.
  
  I really admired Emory's spunk and tenacity. She's just found out that she has a twin sister. Talk about a shock! Add to that the fact that her newly discovered sister has been abducted and is in serious danger, and you could say she's stressed to the max! But Emory doesn't let it get her down. She's got a sister to find and will do anything to make that happen.
  
  There were a lot of characters from a previous series that I haven't read yet that popped up quite frequently here, so there were times where I definitely felt like I was missing something. And I found myself having a little trouble keeping all the characters straight, especially in the first half of the book. But other than that, I really enjoyed this romantic suspense and am eager to check out the rest of the series.
• 
  Megan Hamsher

  Can they solve a mystery and find an abduction victim in time?
  
  Dead Ringer is #1 in The Truth Seekers series by Susan Sleeman.
  
  When evidence of a young woman points to a brutal abduction, the crew of The Veritas Center and the local sheriff's office join forces.
  What was a typical case, however, turned personal, and one woman - a dead ringer for the missing woman - suddenly finds out that she has a family she never knew about.
  But can they catch a killer and locate her blood family before time runs out?
  And will love find a way through walls built around hearts?
  
  If you loved Crossing Jordan, Rizzoli & Isles, and BONES, you are sure to love The Veritas team as they work together to solve crimes and bring families back together.
  
  Sometimes frustrating, sometimes heart-thumping, sometimes heart-breaking, and sometimes heart-melting, this is one Christian Fiction suspense series full of challenging, realistic characters that you'll want to visit again and again!
• 
  Ginger Solomon

  Once again Susan Sleeman has written an extraordinary story. This first book in the Truth Seekers series stars an old friend, Blake Jenkins (from the Cold Harbor series), along with some of the Blackwell Tactical Team. We've also "met" our heroine, though only briefly. While Blake was a recurring yet secondary character in that series, he is front and center in this book, and I enjoyed leaning more about him. I loved how he interacted with the other characters and with Emory. I enjoyed her character as well. She was feisty, stubborn, yet caring and sensitive.
  
  It is not necessary to have read the CH series to enjoy this book, but to get the most of Blake's personality, I highly recommend it.
  
  **I received this book from the publisher/author for the purpose of review. The above opinion is my own and was not required to receive the book.
• 
  Carolyn Bryant

  Dead Ringer is the first book I have read by this author, and I am impressed by her excellent storytelling skill and expressive writing style. It is obvious that some of the characters and references to events are from previous books; however, that did not hinder the enjoyment or understanding of this read. With realistic, likeable characters; a fast-paced, suspenseful plot; a strong faith element; and a bit of romance, this book held my attention from beginning to end and kept me guessing. I was amazed at how skillfully the author incorporated detailed information regarding DNA testing, forensics, and other crime solving techniques which added authenticity and interest to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it especially for lovers of inspirational romantic suspense.
• 
  Faith Posten

  Wow, I'm a Twin
  
  A fantastic romantic suspense story well worth your time!! Bake, the Sherriff of Cold Harbor needs to find a missing woman before she is killed. An elderly neighbor saw the young woman being carried out of her house and stuffed into the trunk of a vehicle. The neighbor had already met Cait even though Cait had only moved in about a month ago. Then during the early part of the investigation Blake learned that Cait has a twin sister. What an exciting beginning for this incredible journey which I hope you'll take for yourself. There are many twists and turns in this awesome story.
  
  Susan Sleesman is an extremely talented author whose books are spell bounding.
• 
  Lora

  This is the first book in a new series about the Veritas Group. It starts out with an intriguing premise—a sheriff is trying to find a kidnapped woman, and the professional DNA expert he meets with to process the evidence looks exactly like her. Is this a scam? Emory Steele has to convince Blake Jenkins that she knows nothing about the crime, and Blake has to convince Emory that she has an identical twin sister. Emory refuses to believe it because that would mean she was adopted, but her parents would have told her. Things go on a wild roller coaster ride from there and don’t let up the whole way through! This is a great start to a new series!
• 
  Laura Hamby

  This book is a unique and well written beginning of an exciting series! In the book you are introduced to the Veritas Center whose goal as it’s name suggests is to find truth. This book sets a fast pace of intrigue as the female lead character finds out she has a twin she never knew existed who has gone missing! With their unlimited funding the Veritas Center helps speed up the process of finding her sister hopefully before it is too late. Each book in the series highlights another member of the Veritas team. The love and support this group of people show is heartwarming. The suspense will have you captive until you finish the whole series!
• 
  Mary Ann

  Another exciting thriller from a fellow Oregonian. I love the fast-paced action and the Oregon setting. I’m so glad for this spinoff series so we can keep up with the characters from Blackwell Tactical. This novel does not disappoint. Danger, up-to-date science, a missing woman, developing love, and so much more. Sheriff Blake meets his match in this book. It stands alone, but if you’ve read the previous series it will be even more enjoyable. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
• 
  Jan Locke

  5+++ stars
  
  What a great start for the new series ! After reading all of the Blackwell series I knew I'd be looking for more stories with the close community feel of working towards a goal together . I am so happy to find the great Blackwell group in the background and especially to have Blake as a main focus. The sheriff has been a favorite for me and I wondered what it would take to draw him out. His story has been double the mystery, suspense and romance ! Enjoyed reading from first page to the last!