Hidden Peril

This exciting second installment of Hannon’s Code of Honor series (after Dangerous Illusions) continues the story of the Treehouse Gang, a trio of adults bonded since childhood. After serving in the Peace Corps, the only female gang member, Kristin Dane, runs a small shop in St. Louis, Mo., selling goods for humanitarian causes, such as candles produced by Christian refugees in Syria. At her friend Colin’s wedding, she meets his new coworker, police detective Luke Carter, a widower. There’s an obvious first-sight attraction, but their next meeting is much more somber: Kristin’s clerk is murdered, and Luke takes the lead on the investigation. When the shop is connected to two more murders, it quickly becomes evident that Susan’s death was more than a botched robbery attempt, and Kristin could be being targeted because of her humanitarian work. Hannon combines intrigue and restrained romance to create a story layered with multiple intertwining mysteries. Subplots involving Kristin’s parents and Luke’s family help round out the heroes without slowing the breakneck pace. The book can be read as a standalone, but the depth of the story and surprising twists will entice readers to circle back to the first. (Oct.)