This book releases on May 13, 2026! PREORDER NOW – SEE LINK FOR AUTHOR BELOW.

Jennie’s Review

Oh, I was so happy to be back with Cassie Maddox in this second installment. While she’s still as independent and determined as ever, this time the case hits a little closer to home. And let’s be honest, when family gets tangled up in a mystery, things are never simple.

What starts with some questionable scholarship decisions—think less “most deserving” and more “most connected”—quickly reveals there’s something much bigger simmering beneath the surface. I loved how the story kept peeling back layers, each one pulling me in a little further.

And can we talk about the supporting cast? Rafi, Lila, and Cassie’s detective dad are all back, and they really help bring the investigation to life. Even with Cassie firmly in the spotlight, these characters add depth and give you a sense of all the moving parts behind the scenes—which I always appreciate in a good mystery.

The plot itself had just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me hooked. It’s one of those reads where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter”…and then suddenly it’s way past bedtime.

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Book Summary

A FAMILY OF POWER. A CITY OF MASKS.
A SECRET THAT SHATTERS THEM BOTH.

Power corrupts. Family deceives. And in Lenape City, the truth is the most dangerous currency of all.

Private investigator Cassie Maddox wants nothing to do with another high-profile case—not after the last one nearly broke her. But when suspicious financial records point straight to Ignite Global, her uncle Alfred’s prestigious nonprofit, Cassie is pulled into a scandal far bigger and darker than anything she’s faced before.

Forged applications. Hidden donors. A college admissions pipeline built on lies.
And at the center of it all? A family dynasty willing to sacrifice anyone to stay on top.

As Cassie and forensic analyst Rafi Alvi dig deeper, the conspiracy widens to include Lenape City’s politicians, power players, and the people who shape the city from behind closed doors. Every answer uncovers another lie. Every lead exposes another betrayal. And when Cassie realizes Alfred isn’t the mastermind—but the pawn of someone far more powerful—she’s forced to confront a legacy she never asked for.

Loyalties are tested. Friendships crack under pressure. And someone in the shadows is watching Cassie rise…with plans of their own.

Fast-paced, twist-packed, and emotionally charged, DYNASTY OF DECEIT pushes Cassie Maddox to the edge as she battles corruption, family secrets, and the price of exposing the truth. Perfect for fans of Tana French, Karin Slaughter, and Michael Connelly, this second installment in the Cassie Maddox series delivers a gripping blend of noir tension and explosive revelations.

Cassie Maddox survived her first case.
This time, the enemy is home.