I thought ‘The Conspiracy’ started off quite well, with the plot quickly and decisively set up: Harper Winston’s brother has gone missing and her desperation to get him back leads her to his former best friend (and the man she’d always wanted) though they haven’t been in contact for years. That this has ties to their powerful father who has shady dealings—who might have something to do with her brother’s disappearance—upped the ante from the start.

After an exciting start however, it was towards the middle that my interest started to flag. The insertions of multiple POVs, long descriptions of place, secondary characters, their personal histories and scattered pieces of the overall puzzle, simply detracted from the momentum of the main story. I skimmed, then read on when the story got back on track (rinse and repeat)—this pretty much described the entire experience throughout the book.

The initial attraction between Harper and Chase consisted mostly of individual internal monologues revolving around their lust for each other and their indecision about making a move. Still, there’s action, some twists involved and a case of major pushing away…which also happens only to a certain extent because neither Harper nor Chase can stop wanting sex with each other.

I’m not entirely sure how to put a finger on this, but reading ’The Conspiracy’ feels curiously akin to reading an older style of romance (outfitted with contemporary themes of RS and the technology of the day) with a more erotic hook, with Kat Martin’s characterisation steeping her protagonists in more ‘traditional’ roles that historical (?) romantic fiction tends to perpetuate.

In this case, Harper cried a lot, turned pale a fair bit, gasped each time as she stared at Chase’s body, was somehow naive as hell at the heart of it yet magically transformed into someone who knew how to be part of a military op. On the other hand, Chase’s eyes burned with hunger constantly as though he was on the verge of ravishing her, got hard with the slightest thought of her and pretty much played the macho man throughout. That he used their sexual attraction to get back into her good graces felt like manipulation: did Chase have to really do stupid things while knowing it would cause Harper some pain, then bend over backwards to make it up? That it had to take something so monumental for him to turnaround to decide that he wanted her permanently when he’d initially wanted a clean break with her?

Most probably it’s Kat Martin’s style that doesn’t gel with me personally. I simply thought 'The Conspiracy' could have been so much more (a leaner, meaner read that could have left me reeling the good way, essentially) but fell far short of my own expectations.  

This isn’t a book for me clearly; from style to characters, there were quite a few things that I couldn’t really get on board with, though I can imagine that this would be a typical offering for the RS crowd from a staple RS author.

The Conspiracy by Kat Martin is a romantic suspense thriller complete with international intrigue. Harper Winston's brother disappears and she contacts Chase Garrett owner of Maximum Security a private investigation, bail enforcement, personal protection to find him. Her father, Knox Winston, is dishonest and hated by Chase Garrett's family. However Harper feels he is the only one who can find her brother and she insists that she accompany him on his search. There is an immediate sexual attraction between the two of them that is complicated by her father's hatred of Chase and his family. Their relationships deepens in intensity as they go into Columbia to save her brother. It continues after he is rescued. Harper is later in danger and Chase is determined to protect her. The plot is fast moving and well written with interesting characters.

Harper Winston is worried about her brother. She thinks he is in trouble. She hires Chase Garrett, the owner of Maximum Security, to help find him. Chase was best friends with her brother in college but came to a parting of the ways. There is an immediate attraction between Harper and Chase but their family histor could get in the way.

This book is the start of a new series. I look forward to reading more books in this series. There is something for everyone, suspense, danger and romance. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A fast-paced romantic suspense with family drama, love, drugs and so much more ;)

Kat Martin weaves a compelling story that lets you relax and enjoy one minute and has you on the edge of your seat the next.

Harper and Chase's families have known each other for years. Their fathers had a falling out so they haven't seen much of each other lately but when Harper's brother, Mark, disappears while on a trip, she immediately contacts Chase for help. Chase runs a security business that specializes in solving high stakes problems. He is willing to help locate Mark but isn't happy when Harper demands to go along. Things get more and more dangerous as they have to deal with rebels, drug lords, and family treachery. Great fast paced romantic suspense!

Fun read and a nice start to a new romantic suspense series by Kat Martin. The action was fast paced and I enjoyed the characters' interactions. I look forward to more books in this series.

I received a free copy of THE CONSPIRACY (Book 1 of Maximum Security) by Kat Martin in exchange for an honest review. Harper Winston is worried about her brother. Though troubled in the past, Michael has reinvented himself. When Michael goes on a Caribbean vacation and misses a check-in, everyone but Harper attributes it to Michael sliding back into old habits. Harper, alone in her concern, approaches an old college friend of her brother’s for help. The old friend is Chase Garrett who works for his family’s security and investigation firm, Maximum Security. Chase had previously cut Michael out of his life because of Michael’s troubles, so he’s one of the skeptics, but he’s willing to look into things for the sake of the past relationship. As Harper and Chase track Michael’s trail, their attraction to each other flares.

I liked this book. It had lots of action, and the wrap-up of the Michael story line was just the beginning of the tale. If you like intrigue and action with your romance, you’ll like this novel.

#TheConspiracy #NetGalley

As most Kat Martin books are, this is another easy read. This romantic suspense has the relationship and romance building as they work together on solving a mystery, one that isn't quite over as they first thought. Harper shows there's more to her than what it appears on the surface, and Chase is your protective not-going-to-fall-for-her-but-does guy. Same feel as Kat Martin's other romantic suspense, with supporting characters giving hints of stories to come. I'm sure this will be a hit among customers as well!

Full review to be published online in late October.

THE CONSPIRACY is the first book in Kat Martin’s new “Maximum Security” series. Harper Winston is searching for her brother who she fears has been lost at sea in a sailing accident. She hires Chase Garrett to aid her in her search. Unfortunately, what they uncover is a web of lies and crime that her brother may have been involved in.

THE CONSPIRACY is interesting romantic suspense, if a little weak in plotline in places. I will, however, certainly be keeping my eye out for Duncan’s

Kat Martin is one of my best selling authors so I will have a lot of happy customer when I let them know she has a new book coming out soon. This is the first book in a new series about a security company

Kat Martin has always had my interest, and I think I have read all her books. This new series promises to be excellent. The characters are fresh and interesting, the plots have many angles and new issues are incorporated. The current times are reflected well and the new security company and families should provide great suspense for readers to enjoy. Cannot wait for the next installment.