Lexie Montgomery, an uncover agent for the FBI, has been called to duty in the South Carolina Lowcountry. It appears that a series of terrorist attacks by the Earth Liberation Front have occurred near a big bridge project and she is needed to go undercover to get to the bottom of it. From the beginning, nothing makes sense including the fact that The Earth Liberation Front generally targets the West Coast, not the East. Worst of all, there’s barely a contact agent to ensure her safety and her apartment was not rented by an undercover agent. As much as her head is screaming that something is wrong, she continues with the case. Upon getting acquainted with the general area, she befriends a boat captain, Captain Meade, with whom she is able to get an inside look at the island. Unsure of whether she can trust him, she decides to take a chance, after all, who else is she going to be able to trust out here? She has to start somewhere.
On her travels with Captain Meade, Lexie notices two islands, one filled with traditional Gullah people, and one that a mysterious plane flies to. Tipped off by Captain Meade, who states that she should stay away from that island, she decides to look further into it, however, she can’t get anywhere without a boat. Striking up a deal with Captain Meade, Lexie begins boating classes with the goal of renting a boat and checking out the forbidden island. During her classes, Lexie becomes close to Captain Meade, and she hates knowing that she used him to get what she needed from him. Once her classes are completed, she rents a boat from a young man named Logan Burkhart, with whom she becomes involved. After a few dates, it’s clear they could eventually become much more than friends, but business comes first, relationships will have to come after. After securing the boat and making her way out to the island, she is met by Captain Meade, who issues her a final warning. Ignoring him, she goes to the island, only to find much more than she bargained for and putting herself, and everyone she knows, in harm’s way.
Beyond the Cabin is not a typical book that I would read, but the description drew me in. Not only is the location described beautifully, but the suspense is truly life-like. In addition, Lexie actually has feelings and weaknesses, which was beyond what I expected. I truly thought she would be a tough, hard-as-nails undercover agent who would be difficult to get to know. Perhaps if I would have read the first book, and I wish I had, I might have known more about Lexie and her journey as an undercover agent, as it’s mentioned a few times throughout the book. Her past is referenced and she even meets up with a previous friend from another undercover job, but it isn't necessary to have that background knowledge before reading Beyond the Cabin, as their relationship and Lexie's experiences carry through seamlessly. I really loved this book, and while it may seem a bit backwards, I can’t wait to read the first in this series: Behind the Mask.
Quill says: While suspenseful, this book wasn’t an "over-the-top," extreme thriller, making it perfect for those who love a good a mystery but get slightly unnerved when there’s too much suspense.
For more information on Beyond the Cabin, please visit the author's website at: www.danaridenour.net
