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Family Genius Mysteries #2
Undercover Genius
Complex conspiracies to the right, dastardly deaths to the left, and all Ana wants to do is save her family’s inheritance. When her half-sister Patra arrives at the Maximillian mansion with the news that Patra’s father was murdered, and the killers are on her heels, Ana leaps into another battle to protect her eccentric family. Graham, the hunky spy in the attic who holds the mansion ransom, has a stake in this mystery. If he wants to prevent Ana and her family from turning his high tech bat cave into Grand Central Station, he’ll have to help Ana unravel gangsters from media moguls to locate a killer.Ana still intends to heave Graham out of his lair, but she’ll accept all the help she can get while she juggles family as well as killers. Maybe if she can remove Patra from a murderous zombie race and prevent brother Nick from exacting justice by hauling their crooked lawyer through customs in a rug, she might even have time to thank her mysterious landlord.Murder in Ana’s world comes accompanied by mayhem and madness. . . and a sexy glimpse of the man who holds their inheritance hostage.FAMILY GENIUS SERIES IN Evil GeniusUndercover GeniusCyber GeniusTwin GeniusTwisted Genius
- GenresMystery
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2013
About the author
Patricia Rice
160 books515 followersWith several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards.
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 24, 2014
I was asked to review this book by the publisher, and when I received it I wasn't sure it would be a book that I would like. But this book surprised me. It was fun. The characters were realistic and the plot moved quickly . This was the second book in a series. I didn't read the first one, but it was easy to catch up on the plot line, so I didn't feel at a loss because I didn't read the first one. The series is about a very unusual family. Each of the siblings has the same mother, but each has a different father. The oldest is Ana (short for Anastasia). Her sister Patra (short for Cleopatra), her brother Nick and young EG (Elizabeth Georgiana). There are a few other siblings but we didn't see them in this book. This family followed their mother around the world when they were growing up, and because of the instability in their family relationship, and because of their intelligence, they learned a large number of coping mechanisms and tricks that made each of them much more mature and worldly wise than most young people. In this book Patra is trying to find who killed her father in Iraq five years ago, and the rest are helping her with that quest as well as trying to determine who murdered their grandfather in his own home. They are living in their grandfather's mansion with a very peculiar landlord who actually lives and works on the third floor of their house. Graham is a recluse who never leaves his lair, but he has contacts and eyes everywhere in the world with his private network of computers and surveillance equipment. The family and landlord have a butler/bodyguard named Mallard who looks after the entire motley crew in this off-beat house. I know. It sounds a little crazy, and it is, but it's so much fun! I liked the whole strange and weirdly wonderful premise of this story and I loved the characters. This was a very enjoyable book.
October 24, 2016
Had to stop my chores.
Too bad this series is so much fun to read. I had to stop doing my chores and finish the book. Oh well, life is short. Read books first.
Too bad this series is so much fun to read. I had to stop doing my chores and finish the book. Oh well, life is short. Read books first.
April 1, 2020
Patra, the third oldest of this immensely entertaining family, joins the three introduced in the first book in this series. She is looking into her father's murder years previously. More like her mother Magda than Ana and EG, she strides in where angels fear to tread with not a worry in her head. Nick takes a new job with the English ambassador, Patra takes a job at a big corporate paper in the Entertainment section, Ana continues working as a virtual assistant, and EG goes to an alternative school where her genius is appreciated. I so thoroughly enjoyed their antics, sweeping a swath through the rich and powerful and somehow managing to survive and prosper. Mostly I enjoy the unique way the family operates and uncovers information. This series is shaping up to be a great one. It is unexpected and not easily foreseen, so it keeps the reader hopping.
February 25, 2026
I enjoyed this book much more than the first book in the series. The mystery was not as murky.
The cat and mouse game between Ana and Graham is funny. I imagine they will eventually get together. The family is gradually collecting their inheritance. Hopefully, they will get a lot more as the series progresses.
The cat and mouse game between Ana and Graham is funny. I imagine they will eventually get together. The family is gradually collecting their inheritance. Hopefully, they will get a lot more as the series progresses.
January 16, 2018
I thought Ms. Rice couldn't top her first in the Genius series but I was wrong. The growing cast of characters are totally different from your typical romantic suspense novels. Please try this series, you won't be able to stop at one.
July 16, 2021
3.5* rounded down this time.
June 6, 2017
Have I mentioned that I love Patricia Rice's writing? After reading a mostly-painful bundle of paranormal stories, I was torn between reading this slowly to savor it and reading quickly because I just didn't want to put it down.
Others have done a much better job of explaining the premise of this series, so I'm not even going to try. It's seriously quirky and over-the-top, a lot of fun, and yet real enough to sink my teeth into.
Others have done a much better job of explaining the premise of this series, so I'm not even going to try. It's seriously quirky and over-the-top, a lot of fun, and yet real enough to sink my teeth into.
March 25, 2014
Again, I enjoyed myself immensely with Rice's Genius family. I was pleased to meet another member of the Maximillian brood - Patra, the journalist - and to see the story develop on the home front and in the political sphere again. I took an entire course in college that focused on the difference newspapers made to literature and culture, so this was a little nostalgia tour for me, seeing many of those elements in the novel. I still enjoy the continuity that the problems on the home front provide, while allowing for a story that is wrapped up by the last page to take the foreground.
Much like the last novel, while Ana was the narrator, this was Patra's story. I still find this a charming and delightful choice. Ana is very much a character who prefers to be in the background and I think this series may well end up with her learning to join the world, but for now she's witnessing the world through the eyes and experiences of her siblings. It's very fun. It's also a delight to see a new sibling introduced and get a decent hint of the next sibling who might be joining us. The characters are still rich and fun, the dynamics are a little more settled in this novel, and I am adoring Mallard, the butler.
Before I get to the things that I wish were improved upon, I have a couple things that have improved from the last book that I want to note. Nick has been given a little more depth and I appreciate that. Last book he was gay, and that was about it. While I still feel that the fact Nick is gay is mentioned unnecessarily often, I feel like his being gay was dealt with better (less, LOOK AT HOW GAY HE IS, and more, "this might affect his career in a conservative political world"). Also, the sex. It happened, it was over with, and it was a pleasant surprise. With all the build up from the first book and this book, I was expecting a moment-by-moment recitation and I was THRILLED when it was dealt with tastefully and quickly. Also, the aftermath was a surprise, but entire in character for Ana. I was much pleased by the outcome being completely different from what I expected.
There were some thing I didn't completely enjoy. I will say that, while the switch between Ana's first person narration and the third person narration focused on Patra was better, it's still difficult to deal with. First person to third person is just jarring. Also, I really wish there had been more Nick in this book. I hope the next book is about Nick. He deserves his chance to shine . . . but only if it isn't about him being gay all day, every day. Nick is so much more interesting than his sexuality.
A (good second novel, rich characters, improvement in writing; perspective switch doesn't work for me, wanting more from established characters)
Much like the last novel, while Ana was the narrator, this was Patra's story. I still find this a charming and delightful choice. Ana is very much a character who prefers to be in the background and I think this series may well end up with her learning to join the world, but for now she's witnessing the world through the eyes and experiences of her siblings. It's very fun. It's also a delight to see a new sibling introduced and get a decent hint of the next sibling who might be joining us. The characters are still rich and fun, the dynamics are a little more settled in this novel, and I am adoring Mallard, the butler.
Before I get to the things that I wish were improved upon, I have a couple things that have improved from the last book that I want to note. Nick has been given a little more depth and I appreciate that. Last book he was gay, and that was about it. While I still feel that the fact Nick is gay is mentioned unnecessarily often, I feel like his being gay was dealt with better (less, LOOK AT HOW GAY HE IS, and more, "this might affect his career in a conservative political world"). Also, the sex. It happened, it was over with, and it was a pleasant surprise. With all the build up from the first book and this book, I was expecting a moment-by-moment recitation and I was THRILLED when it was dealt with tastefully and quickly. Also, the aftermath was a surprise, but entire in character for Ana. I was much pleased by the outcome being completely different from what I expected.
There were some thing I didn't completely enjoy. I will say that, while the switch between Ana's first person narration and the third person narration focused on Patra was better, it's still difficult to deal with. First person to third person is just jarring. Also, I really wish there had been more Nick in this book. I hope the next book is about Nick. He deserves his chance to shine . . . but only if it isn't about him being gay all day, every day. Nick is so much more interesting than his sexuality.
A (good second novel, rich characters, improvement in writing; perspective switch doesn't work for me, wanting more from established characters)
April 3, 2014
Undercover Genius by Patricia Rice is a 2014 Book View Cafe publication. I was provided a copy of this book through the Librarything Early Review program in exchange for an honest review.
Ana is trying to save the family's inheritance when her half sister Patra shows up. Patra, named after Cleopatra, has some rather murky evidence that her journalist father had been murdered because of a conspiracy he had discovered. Now Ana has to contend with her younger school age sibling keeping bats for pets, a dangerous investigation into Patra's father's death, trying to save the family millions, and the eccentric spy living in the attic named Graham. Graham has the deed to the mansion until Ana can get the inheritance all cleared up. While Graham is forever snooping into Ana's business and pretty much drives her nuts, the two of them are also a bit attracted to one another.
All of Ana's siblings apparently are the result of their mother's numerous marriages and affairs meaning each of them has a different father. The brood were raised around spying and each have a particular talent. Patra want to be a jounalist like her father and use those contacts to find out what really happened to him. Her forte is more Hollywood reporter than serious jounalism, but this case could open a few doors for her... if she survives.
This is a zany, light hearted spy caper/ mystery with off beat characters , witty dialogue as well as a complex mystery, intrique and a healthy dose of humor. Told partly from Ana's first person narrative and partly from Patra's point of view the story gives us insights into how the family manages to get things done. There is nothing heavy or too graphic, no explicit sex and the language is mild. This book was a little offbeat but a lot of fun to read. Overall this on is a B+. ( 4 stars)
Ana is trying to save the family's inheritance when her half sister Patra shows up. Patra, named after Cleopatra, has some rather murky evidence that her journalist father had been murdered because of a conspiracy he had discovered. Now Ana has to contend with her younger school age sibling keeping bats for pets, a dangerous investigation into Patra's father's death, trying to save the family millions, and the eccentric spy living in the attic named Graham. Graham has the deed to the mansion until Ana can get the inheritance all cleared up. While Graham is forever snooping into Ana's business and pretty much drives her nuts, the two of them are also a bit attracted to one another.
All of Ana's siblings apparently are the result of their mother's numerous marriages and affairs meaning each of them has a different father. The brood were raised around spying and each have a particular talent. Patra want to be a jounalist like her father and use those contacts to find out what really happened to him. Her forte is more Hollywood reporter than serious jounalism, but this case could open a few doors for her... if she survives.
This is a zany, light hearted spy caper/ mystery with off beat characters , witty dialogue as well as a complex mystery, intrique and a healthy dose of humor. Told partly from Ana's first person narrative and partly from Patra's point of view the story gives us insights into how the family manages to get things done. There is nothing heavy or too graphic, no explicit sex and the language is mild. This book was a little offbeat but a lot of fun to read. Overall this on is a B+. ( 4 stars)
May 1, 2014
This is a book about a very talented family of half-siblings trying to save the family home while staying mostly under the radar. When I got this in a LibraryThing giveaway I didn't realize it is the second book in the series, but was able to catch up to the characters, their relationships, and the situation.
The lead character is about 30 years old, loves doing online research, and is the oldest of the siblings, all of whom have the same mother but different fathers. She feels responsible for all of them, and is trying to mitigate their mother's influence on their lives. Much of the plot revolves around a preexisting conflict related to the ownership of the house in which some of them live, which was their grandfather's and had been left to them in his will. I won't go into details as the story is wildly interconnected and full of craziness and drama.
The new part of the story is that the third child, also a daughter, has come to live with them in DC after her London apartment was torched. There is mystery related to her father's death and his papers. She is more outgoing than her older sister, and more willing to put herself in difficult situations and cause uproars. The book is told from each of the sisters' perspectives. There are also some men scattered around as potential love interests, a brother (sibling #2), and a teenage sister who is brilliant but a troublemaker. Mention of other siblings around the world is made, so it is possible that future books will bring in new players.
At times I found it hard to keep track of everyone as many important players are only discussed. So, there are a lot of people, relationships, and organizations. It's a tangled web, and politics are involved along with immoral media practices and common greed. In the end, I found the book required substantial suspension of disbelief, but was fun to follow.
The lead character is about 30 years old, loves doing online research, and is the oldest of the siblings, all of whom have the same mother but different fathers. She feels responsible for all of them, and is trying to mitigate their mother's influence on their lives. Much of the plot revolves around a preexisting conflict related to the ownership of the house in which some of them live, which was their grandfather's and had been left to them in his will. I won't go into details as the story is wildly interconnected and full of craziness and drama.
The new part of the story is that the third child, also a daughter, has come to live with them in DC after her London apartment was torched. There is mystery related to her father's death and his papers. She is more outgoing than her older sister, and more willing to put herself in difficult situations and cause uproars. The book is told from each of the sisters' perspectives. There are also some men scattered around as potential love interests, a brother (sibling #2), and a teenage sister who is brilliant but a troublemaker. Mention of other siblings around the world is made, so it is possible that future books will bring in new players.
At times I found it hard to keep track of everyone as many important players are only discussed. So, there are a lot of people, relationships, and organizations. It's a tangled web, and politics are involved along with immoral media practices and common greed. In the end, I found the book required substantial suspension of disbelief, but was fun to follow.
April 14, 2014
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a YA novel where the plot revolves around Ana and her family, trying to find out whether their half-sister Cleopatra’s (Patra) journo father was murdered after discovering a conspiracy.
First off, this is the second book in a series so the first pages introduced/recapped characters and plot lines from the first tale. Ana's family is very complex thanks to a rich absent mother who had children with different fathers. Ana is the glue that holds everyone together.
There’s lots of snappy dialogue, a bit of vague politicking and pop culture references galore: a style I usually love but it just didn’t come together for me.
I couldn’t quite figure out who was who at the beginning and I didn’t feel a particular connection to Ana or the others as the story progressed. The tension between Ana and Graham, the spy who lives in the attic, seemed a bit off but that may have made more sense if I’d read the first book. The switching between Ana’s and Patra’s POV didn’t work well for me either.
I’m struggling to say something positive but this isn’t a bad book. The writing’s okay, it has a plot and I can see how it might appeal to American teens. I’m not sure what it is, but this story lacks the appeal of similar books like The Gallagher Girls, Heist Society and Pretty Little Liars. I’m giving it three stars because it’s perfectly readable and definitely not a two star book but it’s not my cup of tea.
First off, this is the second book in a series so the first pages introduced/recapped characters and plot lines from the first tale. Ana's family is very complex thanks to a rich absent mother who had children with different fathers. Ana is the glue that holds everyone together.
There’s lots of snappy dialogue, a bit of vague politicking and pop culture references galore: a style I usually love but it just didn’t come together for me.
I couldn’t quite figure out who was who at the beginning and I didn’t feel a particular connection to Ana or the others as the story progressed. The tension between Ana and Graham, the spy who lives in the attic, seemed a bit off but that may have made more sense if I’d read the first book. The switching between Ana’s and Patra’s POV didn’t work well for me either.
I’m struggling to say something positive but this isn’t a bad book. The writing’s okay, it has a plot and I can see how it might appeal to American teens. I’m not sure what it is, but this story lacks the appeal of similar books like The Gallagher Girls, Heist Society and Pretty Little Liars. I’m giving it three stars because it’s perfectly readable and definitely not a two star book but it’s not my cup of tea.
March 20, 2014
I won my copy through LibraryThing. It had sounded really good, and I was so excited to get my copy. I liked, I really did, but I'm wavering between 3 & 4 stars. I think it would be more of a 4 star book if I had read the first book (Evil Genius)in the series before I read this one. I didn't know it wasn't the first in a series or a stand alone book. Although the author does explain some things from the past (that I assume happened in the first book), I still felt a little lost or confused. I think I'd like it more & understand it more, if I'd read Evil Genius first. It was slow starting for me - setting up the plot, introducing all the quirky characters & mysteries - and kind of confusing & crazy. Added to the already crazy characters were more allies & too many bad guys to keep track of their names. Then somewhere in the middle, it snagged me & I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen with everything & everyone. I became fond of Ana & her quirky family. I really wanted more sparks & un-work-related conversation between Ana & Graham. All in all, a good mystery & very entertaining. I plan on reading Evil Genius & hope there are more books in the series - can't wait to see what happens with Ana & her family!!
April 8, 2014
This is an excellent off the wall mystery inhabited by quirky and interesting characters. I am in search of volume 1 so that I can catch up with this family of very intelligent young people and look forward to any further volumes that carry on this story.
Put four young people in an almost inherited home in Washington, D.C. searching for the lawyer who may have stolen their inheritance and have them set out to undermine the one person that controls the information and money behind some murders and politicians in that city and the world. The leader of the pack wants to stay hidden and work behind the scenes and wants to create as normal an environment for the youngest to grow up in. Then there is one who wants to go out and push for the information without thinking of the danger she may be placing herself and the rest to the family. The fourth seems to just be along for the ride and trying to maintain a job. Throw into this mix and adult living in the attic and a butler and you have the beginnings of a humorous and interesting mystery.
I found the story kept the reader involved simply by wanting to find out what happens next. Ms. Rice has hit upon an interesting and fun formula for a long running series.
Put four young people in an almost inherited home in Washington, D.C. searching for the lawyer who may have stolen their inheritance and have them set out to undermine the one person that controls the information and money behind some murders and politicians in that city and the world. The leader of the pack wants to stay hidden and work behind the scenes and wants to create as normal an environment for the youngest to grow up in. Then there is one who wants to go out and push for the information without thinking of the danger she may be placing herself and the rest to the family. The fourth seems to just be along for the ride and trying to maintain a job. Throw into this mix and adult living in the attic and a butler and you have the beginnings of a humorous and interesting mystery.
I found the story kept the reader involved simply by wanting to find out what happens next. Ms. Rice has hit upon an interesting and fun formula for a long running series.
March 28, 2014
I enjoyed Undercover Genius like nobody's business! It's hilarious and devious with a mix of sensual teasing thrown in. You never know what will happen next as each character comes with their own brand of trouble. All the characters are tied to each other in the most curious way, but it makes the story that much more fun. Ms. Rice makes you use your noggin' as she ties each clue of the story together in the most comical of ways. The detail will keep you engrossed to the point of ignoring all else! I love the interaction between characters, the closeness in the midst of all the chaos. Each character is essential to the story and you'll find yourself glad they're all included. I especially became attached to Ana and Graham and you will too. Their encounters definitely left me wanting more, which I certainly hope I'll see in the near future! Undercover Genius is a keeper and I highly recommend it!
4 1/2 Stars
4 1/2 Stars
March 27, 2016
This is a great new series by Patricia Rice! The characters are quirky and fun and you just can't wait to see what will happen to them next. If you haven't read the 1st in the series, you might want to start with that one - Evil Genius. You can also read it after the fact and not feel like you have missed out on too much. There are just several references in this current book that will make more sense if you read the 1st book too. This series is more of a mystery series than a romance, so its a slight twist from Patricia's other series. Having said that it still has her quirky style and is a great read.
If you like older (70's/80's) Mystery Series (such as Mr & Mrs Smith) and the quick wit from present day shows (such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - this is a must for you to read.
If you like older (70's/80's) Mystery Series (such as Mr & Mrs Smith) and the quick wit from present day shows (such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - this is a must for you to read.
June 6, 2014
It's a bit hard rating this book. On the one hand, there's a lot of humor and some genuine excitement. On the other, too much telling and a gigantic cast of characters makes it hard to really get into and follow what's going on. The romance is little more than a tease (which may suit many readers just fine, I suppose). Although the world itself can be confusing, I think it's generally best if an author resolves reader confusion by the end. Despite explanations here, the convolution is such that many readers may be as befuddled at the end as they are as the mystery unfolds. All this is punctuated by trite... I do get sick of reading how "every cell of one's body" blah, blah, blah...
July 26, 2015
This is a good suspense book about a family who is varied as well as their eccentric landlord. They are trying to find the person who had killed Patra's father. The main suspect is the head of a right wing political group. The group investigates the group and the media company that funds them and their candidates. This book keeps you in suspense in how Patra's father died and also how hypocritical the supposedly religious group is. I received this book from LibraryThing in return for a review.
September 13, 2014
Great fun to read!
A marvelously quirky family of half-siblings, all experienced from a life of drama and international espionage (or the like).
A stolen inheritance, a mystery person upstairs who seems to know all and see all, critical information about key people in the government and their connections to murder and worldwide mayhem,...
What are you waiting for?
Read it
A marvelously quirky family of half-siblings, all experienced from a life of drama and international espionage (or the like).
A stolen inheritance, a mystery person upstairs who seems to know all and see all, critical information about key people in the government and their connections to murder and worldwide mayhem,...
What are you waiting for?
Read it
November 5, 2015
Great addition to the series. While I'm frustrated that so much is yet to be explained, this was a great read. Watching Ana grow from mouse to lion in defense of her siblings and her home has been a delight. The teases here and there of spider and fly (read it and you'll understand) are fun too.
Darnit, going to have to buy the next book now too!
Darnit, going to have to buy the next book now too!
June 3, 2021
This one is better than the first one. Looking forward to the next one. :)
ETA: on re-read the whole newspaper plot, including Patra, was just exhausting. I prefer the parts from Ana’s point of view.
ETA: on re-read the whole newspaper plot, including Patra, was just exhausting. I prefer the parts from Ana’s point of view.
January 24, 2016
I adore the characters and action in this series. Based on an odd collection of half-siblings and centered on Ana, the oldest of globetrotting Magda's brood, the action is packed with political intrigue and villains threatening not only their inheritance but also their lives.
April 17, 2015
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
Great book, can't wait to read the next one
February 11, 2016
I love these books!
December 8, 2016
I love this series. It is funny, has great characters, very different story lines. I recommend it.
March 9, 2018
I really like this series, but didn't take it or Practical Magic with me on my 3 week trip through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; was and am reading The Mekong Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future by Milton Osborne - a good history of SE Asia. Listened to P.S. from Paris by Sam Taylor, The Black Book by James Patterson (a cut above his usual), In the Blood by Steve Robinson, Imhotep by Jerry Dubs, Threads of Silk by Amanda Roberts (really good), The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C.J. Archer (part of a series that's different), Magic Man by Patricia Rice (cozy series - also listened to The Magic Moment, Risk of Love and Magic,Much Ado About Magic), A Bachelor Establishment by Jodi Taylor (have read all her books in the quirky historian time travel series starting with The First Damned Thing), The Demon Crown by James Rollins (want to know more about The Amber Road), The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters. The Lighthouse Keeper by Cynthia Ellingsen.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews