Title: Hidden Agenda

Author: Lisa Harris

Series: Southern Crimes, #3

Genre: Christian suspense/mystery

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received from author

Michael Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

What a conclusion. I've mentioned before that I'm not super into suspense/mystery type books...usually. But this series has me hooked, and I'm sad that it's over. This series plot-driven, while still focusing on characters, and Harris pulls it off well, without overwhelming the reader.

Since I guess that synopsis itself spoils the first two books (or at least, Michael's part in the books) I'm not sure what I can or can't say that would be considered a spoiler. Since they already told you he's alive. He's been working undercover for the leader of a drug cartel that he's been trying to bring down. But he's been found out, and he can't go back home either since the police force thinks that he's a traitor. The only thing left to do is prove his innocence and bring down the cartel. And who arrives as his help? None other than the kids of the man he's trying to bring down. 

Being "dead" for so long, Michael feels like he doesn't know who he is anymore. I think we've all gone through those moments, and it was portrayed honestly and realistically. Olivia is going through the same thing as well, as everything she has ever known about her father turns out to be a lie. Both of them are dealing with these huge issues, but they still put themselves aside for others. Making sure that others, like Olivia's brother, are safe, and that no one else gets hurt because of the bad men that are after them. 

Drug lords, cartels, running for your life...these are all big issues. But Harris handles them in a way that doesn't make it seem overwhelming. Yes these are serious issues, but we get to see the characters banter with each other and care about each other. Yes, this book is filled with suspense and intrigue, but not so much that it's too much action and not enough character. Harris achieves the balance.

I also loved our secondary characters, like Ivan, and of course our favorites from the first books, like Emily, Mason, Avery, Jackson. And while this was a "Christian" book, it wasn't preachy or overbearing. It didn't take away from the story. Both the characters are Christian, and it was just something that naturally shone through.

And this was a perfect conclusion, as it ended well for both the story and the characters. I would definitely recommend this whole series.

My review of Fatal Exchange here

And, I'll be giving away one finished paperback of Hidden Agenda! This giveaway as US only (sorry INT folks!). Must be 13+ to enter, or have parent permission. All entries will be checked, and falsified entries will result in all the entries for that participant being disqualified. Winner has 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen, so please check your SPAM folders. I am not responsible for lost packages.