Portrait of Deception by Kathryn Dodson is a high-stakes thriller that takes readers on a tense, suspense-filled journey through corruption, danger, and deceit. Margo McAllister, a talented young photographer, finds herself on the brink of achieving her dream of winning a prestigious award in Italy—until her life unravels in a single night. After rejecting the advances of a corrupt politician, Margo is drugged, framed for significant damages, and expelled from the competition. Struggling to reclaim her career and finances, she reluctantly accepts a job at the estate of a ruthless despot, only to find herself trapped in a web of lies and manipulative games.

The novel’s strength lies in its protagonist, Margo, who is determined, resourceful, and driven by a sense of justice. Her determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds makes her an engaging and relatable character, and her struggles to escape the increasingly dangerous situation at the despot’s estate form the heart of the novel. As Margo uncovers the dark secrets surrounding her employer, the tension rises, and readers are kept on edge, wondering how—if at all—she will escape the deadly trap closing in around her.

Dodson’s writing is sharp, with vivid descriptions that bring the remote mountain castle and its sinister inhabitants to life. The pacing is fast and relentless, keeping readers hooked as Margo navigates the treacherous waters of corruption and betrayal. The hints of romance add an extra layer of complexity to the plot, but the primary focus remains on Margo’s survival and quest for justice.

Fans of high-octane thrillers with strong, resilient heroines will find Portrait of Deception a gripping read. With its twists, tension, and high-stakes action, this novel is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy gritty suspense and characters forced to confront moral dilemmas in the face of danger. Kathryn Dodson’s dark adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

A gripping read but also unbelievable coincidences and plot line. But for what it is it's very readable

This book was great! It was fast-paced and thrilling. I also loved the fact that the main character was from El Paso, Texas! I am from El Paso, so this reminded me of home. I am so glad that Margo found herself! I think this book did a great job of showing how our plans can change over time. Our priorities shift as we get older or as things happen to us. Margo found a greater purpose after all that she went through. There is some romance in the book as well, which was a nice touch! If you like a strong FMC, a crazy dictator, familial, and romantic relationship, then this book is for you!

I thought this book was okay. It was a thriller but very far fetched at times. Margo is a photographer who becomes involved with a dictator who has a strange obsession with her. He turns out to be far more evil than she realized and has to try to get her life back after agreeing to work for him. I enjoyed the strong female characters and the fact that women were helping women. Overall, it was a quick read and is available now in paperback and e-readers Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Portrait of Deception by Kathryn Dodson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A really fast paced and unique thriller that has so many layers!

I was drawn to this book as I studied photography at college and I’ve never really seen any books that follow a photographer in the way that this book does. I was really lucky to get access to an ARC copy of this through NetGalley.

The book was unique in many other ways too- it had political ties and covered some war aspects as well which isn’t my usual type of book but I did really enjoy it.

There were enough characters involved throughout to keep a good depth and the plot progressed really well, I was racing through the chapters despite them being on the longer side!

The only thing that let this book down a bit was the pacing towards the end. I feel the build up to everything was really well done except when it got to the last 20% or so of the book. It felt packed with action but in a rushed way really which was a little disappointing after the rest of the book being so enjoyable. The story itself wasn’t a let down though and I really did enjoy it.

The style of writing is mediocre and a little disappointing but the story was a fun/fast read. The author/editors should verify some information about cultures, places, and people. Spotted some mistakes in the book including: Hindi instead of Hindu. I do appreciate the incorporation of different cultures and diversity.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, murder, revenge, lust, greed, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle!! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!