Pretenses [Paperback]

Keith Lee Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2004

A Supreme Court nominee has been murdered several days before her confirmation hearing. Within twenty-four hours, another high-ranking politician is killed -- and soon government officials are being picked off one by one. Enter FBI Special Agent Phoenix Perry, a tough-as-stilettos detective known to hold her own against even the most lethal of criminals. Phoenix, already involved in another high-profile sex-abuse investigation, is hand-picked by the President to find the assassin. Little did she know that the two cases are related...and that the culprit knows her every move.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Strebor Books; Original edition (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593090188
• ISBN-13: 978-1593090180
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keith is the author of four novels: PRETENSES, Sugar & Spice, Little Black Girl Lost, and Fate's Redemption. He's also the former editor of Insight Magazine. He attained a top secret security clearance while serving in the United States Air Force. His duty stations included Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, California, Turkey, and various other places in his four years of service. Keith graduated with honors and holds a degree in electronics and general education. Excerpts of his work can be read at his website: www.keithleejohnson.com. His email address is [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let the Games Begin, August 5, 2004

By 

Dawn R Reeves "tamardi" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pretenses (Paperback)

When Coco Nimburu begins a killing spree in and around the Washington D.C. metro area and beyond, FBI agent Phoenix Perry is on the case. Assigned by the President of the United States, Phoenix's career is on the line and her loved ones are in danger. However, Coco is always one or two steps ahead of Phoenix. Pretenses by Keith Lee Johnson is the prequel to Sugar & Spice which for me left some unanswered questions; with Pretenses those questions are answered.

A Supreme Court nominee and her husband are murdered while a serial rapist of men is on the loose. Coco is a hired assassin, skilled in martial arts, who is as aloof as she is deadly. Phoenix is her nemesis, which only provokes Coco to lure her to a duel. Coco is a character you will despise but at the same time empathize with; her moral code is skewed at best. Coco's employer will surprise you and the reasoning behind the killings will shock you even more.

The dialogue between the characters is engaging; the attention to detail and imagery is vivid. Johnson has penned a suspenseful, inviting and unpredictable novel with all of the elements of surprise.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two sides of the same coin.................................., March 15, 2005

By 

Nardsbaby "Connoisseur of the written word™" (Westside Chi-town, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pretenses (Paperback)

I only opened Pretenses to pass time. We were all set to read Little Black Girl lost, but someone was reading something else so while waiting and agonizing over a visit to the dentist I grabbed Pretenses and decided to see what Tee was talking about. Yes I read her review and got interested.....

There is a serial rapist in DC. Men are the victims and because they have refused to alert the authorities it's a little more than 2 years before anyone knows about The Rapist. So we meet Special Agent Phoenix. Phoenix is an FBI agent, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a grandmaster. As this case gets swept under the rug to a high profile case we meet....

Coco Nimburu, a deadly assassin, who fluently speaks a multitude of languages, and is also a master of Kung Fu. She also brings a new definition to being "a freak in the bed!" Coco has women asking unnecessary questions, where as the men always settle for the promise of deadly pleasure. Isn't that just like a man to be satisfied by the little head? BUT as Coco begins her journey she and special agent Phoenix cross paths. Is this destined or what?

So as all of the characters are in their perspective roles we learn that politics, money, and crime really do pay! I mean is there anyone who can't be bribed these days? As Special Agent Perry looses so much she begins to fear that maybe she's not the great master that she trained to be!

This is such a gripping, and intriguing story of betrayal. Keith does an excellent job not only telling a story but developing characters. I felt all of Phoenix emotions and could even relate to Coco at times and I truly liked her profession and all! At least she was dubbed as NOTORIOUS not to mention she was helpful in more than one way!

I was warned to read Sugar & Spice first, and of course I didn't listen, but the team and I are going to read Little Black Girl Lost. Keith I get the title and I like that it wasn't sitting right out in the open for me. Mystery is back on track....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keith maintained my interest, July 15, 2004

By 

Cydney Rax "rmn1994" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretenses (Paperback)

What do you get when you read a story that mixes a ruthless, female psychotic assassin, with a conscientious and tough female FBI agent that's hot on the assassin's trail regardless of the life-threatening risks?

FBI Agent Phoenix Perry is calm, smart, loves her family, and is a Grand Master in Shaolin Kung Fu. Coco, the unconscionable predator, is the one Phoenix must nab, if only she can keep up with this horny killer that knows Phoenix's every move.
From the first page, the book simply kidnaps you; there's continuous action, brutal eye-popping scenes, and spicy dialogue sprinkled with humor.

For me, Pretenses was a great read because (1) it was a change of pace for me because I am accustomed to reading lots of relationship novels, and (2) the author's writing style is compelling. Keith gives you just enough detail to envision the scene without going overboard.

I loved the various settings of the novel, including DC, St. Thomas, and New York. Keith just has a wonderful style that draws you in. I look forward to reading more of his works. Pretenses is highly recommended.