Power corrupts. Family deceives. Some secrets can burn an entire city to the ground. Fresh off her first major case, private investigator Cassie Maddox wants nothing more than a quiet return to normal. But when suspicious financial records point straight to Ignite Global, her uncle Alfred Maddox’s philanthropic empire, Cassie is pulled into a dangerous world of forged college applications, ghost donors, and money that seems to disappear into thin air. As Cassie digs deeper—alongside forensic analyst Rafi Alvi and her fiercely loyal circle of friends—she uncovers a sprawling admissions-bribery scheme that entangles Lenape City’s elite. What began as a simple fraud inquiry spirals into a revelation that Alfred isn’t acting alone. Someone with far more influence has been orchestrating the corruption from the shadows. And they’ve spent years building a dynasty designed to survive at any cost. With political pressure rising and threats closing in, Cassie must confront her own family’s legacy while navigating the emotional fallout of betrayal. Her relationship with Rafi intensifies even as the case forces her to question everyone she thought she could trust. Meanwhile, her bond with her best friend Lila is tested as Cassie risks everything to expose a truth powerful people are desperate to keep buried. When the trail leads straight to City Hall, Cassie realizes she isn’t just fighting for justice—she’s challenging a system built to protect the powerful. What she uncovers will shatter reputations, topple careers, and draw the attention of someone who has been quietly watching her rise. Someone who will come calling again. DYNASTY OF DECEIT is a gripping, character-driven crime noir perfect for fans of Tana French, Karin Slaughter, and Michael Connelly. With razor-sharp tension, emotional depth, and a mystery that cuts to the heart of family loyalty, this second installment in the Cassie Maddox series pushes Cassie to the edge— and sets the stage for her most haunting case yet