Format: E-galley, 477 pages
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Publisher: Jennifer Estep
Source: Author
Genre: Urban Fantasy
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up a new, action-packed adventure in her Section 47 urban fantasy world. This series features secrets, lies, and superspies with amazing magical abilities, along with dangerous missions, double crosses, and a swoon-worthy romance. Perfect for fans of Alias, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Nikita, True Lies, and Netflix’s Bodyguard.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS . . .
My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m on a mission to capture my nemesis. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I use my magical form of synesthesia to track down paramortal criminals, but one villain keeps eluding me—Henrika Hyde.
Henrika claims to have answers about my father’s death on a Section 47 mission years ago, and she has also created a horrific new weapon capable of killing even the strongest paramortals, which makes her my number one target. Helping me is Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist who is my partner both inside and outside Section 47.
Desmond wants to take Henrika down just as badly as I do, but our mission quickly goes sideways, and soon we’re surrounded by enemies on all sides with no idea whom we can truly trust.
A TROUBLING FUTURE . . .
The name Desmond Percy is well known inside Section 47, since I’m one of the organization’s top cleaners, aka assassins. Charlotte Locke and I have been tracking Henrika Hyde for months, and when we finally get a lead on her location, we jump at the chance to take down the weapons maker once and for all.
I’m determined to help Charlotte get the answers she is so desperately seeking, as well as taking my revenge on Henrika for killing my best friend.
But the deeper Charlotte and I dig into Henrika and her murky motives, the more dangerous our mission becomes. Henrika is playing her own spy game, and Charlotte and I are just the pawns she is using to achieve her own evil ends—caught up in a deadly legacy of treachery.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS . . .
My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m on a mission to capture my nemesis. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I use my magical form of synesthesia to track down paramortal criminals, but one villain keeps eluding me—Henrika Hyde.
Henrika claims to have answers about my father’s death on a Section 47 mission years ago, and she has also created a horrific new weapon capable of killing even the strongest paramortals, which makes her my number one target. Helping me is Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist who is my partner both inside and outside Section 47.
Desmond wants to take Henrika down just as badly as I do, but our mission quickly goes sideways, and soon we’re surrounded by enemies on all sides with no idea whom we can truly trust.
A TROUBLING FUTURE . . .
The name Desmond Percy is well known inside Section 47, since I’m one of the organization’s top cleaners, aka assassins. Charlotte Locke and I have been tracking Henrika Hyde for months, and when we finally get a lead on her location, we jump at the chance to take down the weapons maker once and for all.
I’m determined to help Charlotte get the answers she is so desperately seeking, as well as taking my revenge on Henrika for killing my best friend.
But the deeper Charlotte and I dig into Henrika and her murky motives, the more dangerous our mission becomes. Henrika is playing her own spy game, and Charlotte and I are just the pawns she is using to achieve her own evil ends—caught up in a deadly legacy of treachery.
A Touch of Treachery is the Third installment in author Jennifer Estep's Section 4 series. A Touch of Treachery picks up with Charlotte, an analyst for Section 47, who wields a magical form of synesthesia that allows her to sense danger and uncover lies, trying to find a way to finally beat her nemesis. Her primary target is Henrika Hyde, a cunning and elusive villain who claims to hold secrets about Charlotte’s father’s death on a Section 47 mission years ago.
Henrika has also developed a devastating new weapon capable of killing even the most powerful paramortals, raising the stakes to a global level. Alongside Charlotte is Desmond Percy, one of Section 47’s top “cleaners” (assassins), whose personal vendetta against Henrika stems from her role in the death of his best friend. Together, they embark on a mission to capture Henrika, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of deception, double-crosses, and deadly enemies, especially when Desmond's father gets involved and makes things hard for Charlotte because of who her father was.
The story unfolds through dual perspectives—Charlotte’s analytical, synesthesia-driven viewpoint and Desmond’s gritty, action-oriented lens—providing a dynamic contrast that enriches the storytelling. Their mission takes them from covert operations to high-octane confrontations, with each chapter unveiling new betrayals and alliances that keep readers guessing. Estep’s paramortals—individuals with abilities like synesthesia, galvanism, or enhanced strength—add a magical twist to the classic espionage formula.
Comparisons to Alias, James Bond, and Nikita are apt, as the story captures the same blend of high-tech gadgetry, magical flair, and moral ambiguity. Charlotte is a compelling protagonist—intelligent, determined, and haunted by her past. Her synesthesia, which manifests as sensory cues tied to her emotions and perceptions, is not just a plot device but a window into her psyche. Demond, the brooding assassin, complements Charlotte perfectly.
His galvanist abilities (manipulating electricity) make him a formidable operative, but it’s his loyalty to Charlotte and his struggle with past losses that humanize him. Henrika Hyde is a standout antagonist, her manipulative intelligence and murky motives making her a worthy foil. The author was encouraged to write another novel in this series, and I hope she will continue as there are still questions about the person named Nemesis, Henrika, and a group called the Syndicate.
Note: Two additional bonus chapters feature Gabriel Chase, a former cleaner and Charlotte's best friend, and Joan Samson. No spoilers, but both characters play roles in this story. Gabriel has become a regular because of his abilities.
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