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Mina Kane #1
Total Enhancement
CIU Agent Mina Kane has her lamella gloves full in the year 2105.
Mina Kane has been on assignment undercover for eighteen insufferable months trying to box up a sticky-fingered hacker. She’s eager for this op to be finished—not only because the boredom of telework is literally draining the life out of her, but she’s desperate to be rid of the fresh-faced rookie. Agent Adams is driving her straight into the stratosphere with his wide-eyed enthusiasm and lack of sufficient training.
Luckily for Mina, her next case is a solo classified. Someone at Total Enhancement Pet Center, where pet owners pay for their furbabies to be pampered, is using their access to attach encrypted data onto animals. Mina’s job is to uncover who it is. But what she discovers at Total Enhancement goes much deeper than just encryptions. The plan changes from passive to action faster than a world currency coin can spin on its edge.
One thing is for sure—catching bad guys in 2105 is never boring.
Mina Kane has been on assignment undercover for eighteen insufferable months trying to box up a sticky-fingered hacker. She’s eager for this op to be finished—not only because the boredom of telework is literally draining the life out of her, but she’s desperate to be rid of the fresh-faced rookie. Agent Adams is driving her straight into the stratosphere with his wide-eyed enthusiasm and lack of sufficient training.
Luckily for Mina, her next case is a solo classified. Someone at Total Enhancement Pet Center, where pet owners pay for their furbabies to be pampered, is using their access to attach encrypted data onto animals. Mina’s job is to uncover who it is. But what she discovers at Total Enhancement goes much deeper than just encryptions. The plan changes from passive to action faster than a world currency coin can spin on its edge.
One thing is for sure—catching bad guys in 2105 is never boring.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2020
79 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Carlson
29 books712 followersAmanda Carlson is the author of the upcoming Jessica McClain series. The first book, Full Blooded, will be released by Hachette Book Group, ORBIT US & UK SEPT 2012. She’s been writing for over ten years. Full Blooded is her first novel. She lives in Minneapolis, with her husband and three kids.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 7, 2020
Amanda Carlson is starting off this new cyber-punk- futuristic cozy mystery thriller series- not entirely sure how to classify it- in a really great way. This book follows Wilhelmina (Mina) Kandy Kane, a kick@$$ undercover government agent in a high-tech futuristic world, as she tries to trace coded messages being passed through a super advanced animal grooming facility- something much bigger lurks beneath the fur and scales and bots of the the Total Enhancement groomers.
Mina is a really fun character- smart, clever, a great agent. Her undercover identity gets endangered when someone from her past shows up, a childhood friend, who turns out to have grown into a very important foreign leader and celebrity in his own. Stories are spun to try to throw off the scent when her image is seen in the news. The risk is too great.
Her best friend and fellow agent Kaylee is really fun, lots of energy and spirit, and there's Lee- the new recruit- former hacker turned agent, he's worked with both Mina and Kaylee, and while he's super green, he's got instinct and skills. All together, the three of them are a really great team.
All of this cozy mystery/thriller fun combined with advanced tech and gadgets that feel really believable in this futuristic world.
One of my favorite things about the series is all the nods and easter eggs for those readers of her Holly Danger post-apocalyptic series. Mina Kane's world is the same one, only before the disaster that changed the world that Holly Danger lives in- so fun to see all those connections. You don't have to have read Holly Danger, but it's fun if you have.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Mina is a really fun character- smart, clever, a great agent. Her undercover identity gets endangered when someone from her past shows up, a childhood friend, who turns out to have grown into a very important foreign leader and celebrity in his own. Stories are spun to try to throw off the scent when her image is seen in the news. The risk is too great.
Her best friend and fellow agent Kaylee is really fun, lots of energy and spirit, and there's Lee- the new recruit- former hacker turned agent, he's worked with both Mina and Kaylee, and while he's super green, he's got instinct and skills. All together, the three of them are a really great team.
All of this cozy mystery/thriller fun combined with advanced tech and gadgets that feel really believable in this futuristic world.
One of my favorite things about the series is all the nods and easter eggs for those readers of her Holly Danger post-apocalyptic series. Mina Kane's world is the same one, only before the disaster that changed the world that Holly Danger lives in- so fun to see all those connections. You don't have to have read Holly Danger, but it's fun if you have.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 5, 2020
I’ve been a fan of this author for quite some time, and I was so excited to see a new series by her. This latest is set in in the same universe as Holly Danger, but it is a few hundred years sooner. At first, I kept trying to “compare” it to that series, but then realized how silly I was being and stopped because it is so different. This one is more light-hearted and fun with a protagonist who’s an undercover agent exposing different types of crimes. There is a potential love interest, too, and I can’t wait to discover more about him. Mina is a complex character who runs into a few snags while undercover in her latest assignment, and I love her two friends, both the old one and the new one. This was a great way to spend an afternoon: a well-written, fun book that you can’t put down. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
December 17, 2020
Wow! What a story!! Mina Kane goes undercover as a temp at pet spa to bush some bad guys meddling in human trafficking. The story is action packed and keep you engaged. The futuristic setting is awesome and a fun nod to Amanda’s Holly Danger series.
November 8, 2021
This story is set in year 2105. It's so advanced and futuristic. The world building is very believable and the author's imagination has no boundaries whatsoever. It's amazing. Our protagonist is a kick ass heroine, working to fight bad guys while being an undercover agent.
The first few chapters had me thinking this story is boring. I couldn't keep up with futuristic jargon. It was difficult. I considered DNFing the book!. God I am glad I didn't. The more I read, the more interesting it became. Mina is really awesome. Getting to know her was fun. I really want a meal printer now so that I can order the machine to make anything I want and it will do that!. Am such a foodie.
I highly recommend you read this book.
The first few chapters had me thinking this story is boring. I couldn't keep up with futuristic jargon. It was difficult. I considered DNFing the book!. God I am glad I didn't. The more I read, the more interesting it became. Mina is really awesome. Getting to know her was fun. I really want a meal printer now so that I can order the machine to make anything I want and it will do that!. Am such a foodie.
I highly recommend you read this book.
December 5, 2020
Wow! Absolutely loved this book! A real page turner that I could not put down. I'm not normally into futuristic novels, but this one was amazing. For readers who read the author's "Danger" series, this is a prequel to that series. Not necessary to read before trying Total Enhancement, however the reader will enjoy the 'ah ha' moments as they read this book and realize where some of the things from Danger series started/came from. Can't wait to read the next one!
November 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!!! I love Mina and her friends/colleagues! It was a fast-paced, action packed read! Highly recommend!
December 16, 2020
This is one of those stories that a wide audience of readers will love. It will appeal to those who love Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers, Sci-Fi adventures, Urban Fantasy fans (no magic but a lot of magical tech), bad-a** female characters, quirky support characters, dashes of romance, and anyone who has ever read anything by Ms. Carlson and loved it.
It's set in a futuristic world that has amazing technology, one that fans of this author's Holly Danger series will recognize, but it's not tied to that series and stands on it's own. The detail that has gone into describing this amazing world brings it to life and immerses the reader in a way that brings the world to life without bogging them down. Since I need world building in my stories, more so if it's not set in our current world, this is something that really appeals to me.
Wilhelmina Kandy Kane... The name made me giggle like a child and filled my soul with happiness. She's a snarky, sarcastic, witty, kick-a** Undercover Agent that had me intrigued from the start. She's got it all! Her "team" of cohorts (for lack of a better term) are also all amazing and I can't imagine her world without them. I'm not going to say more than that because it's so much better discovering them for yourself.
If that isn't enough, you also have an original crime, a fast-paced, excitement filled ride that keeps you guessing and isn't "fluffy". It's not just a friend who died and she's going get to the bottom of it type of thing, but it's not so horrible that fans of Cozies will be turned off by it but it's not light enough to not appeal to those who love thrillers. I was actually surprised at how well it balances on that fine edge between the two genre, and one of the reasons it's hard to classify this story.
Ms. Carlson jumps across genre lines like they aren't even there. She's not afraid to take a chance and tell the stories of the characters in their heads, even if it's not the same type of story she has written before. That genre hopping is one of my favorite things about her. Her stories always feel fresh and new, and there isn't a pattern like I've found with other authors. The worlds, characters, and adventures are each perfect in their own way, but the writing style is similar. The story is going to keep you interested and invested. It's not something you are going to be able to walk away from once you pick it up, and the second it ends all you want to do is reach for the next one. That's what this story is. A fabulous read by a very talented author that will keep you glued to the pages from beginning to end. I highly recommend it!
It's set in a futuristic world that has amazing technology, one that fans of this author's Holly Danger series will recognize, but it's not tied to that series and stands on it's own. The detail that has gone into describing this amazing world brings it to life and immerses the reader in a way that brings the world to life without bogging them down. Since I need world building in my stories, more so if it's not set in our current world, this is something that really appeals to me.
Wilhelmina Kandy Kane... The name made me giggle like a child and filled my soul with happiness. She's a snarky, sarcastic, witty, kick-a** Undercover Agent that had me intrigued from the start. She's got it all! Her "team" of cohorts (for lack of a better term) are also all amazing and I can't imagine her world without them. I'm not going to say more than that because it's so much better discovering them for yourself.
If that isn't enough, you also have an original crime, a fast-paced, excitement filled ride that keeps you guessing and isn't "fluffy". It's not just a friend who died and she's going get to the bottom of it type of thing, but it's not so horrible that fans of Cozies will be turned off by it but it's not light enough to not appeal to those who love thrillers. I was actually surprised at how well it balances on that fine edge between the two genre, and one of the reasons it's hard to classify this story.
Ms. Carlson jumps across genre lines like they aren't even there. She's not afraid to take a chance and tell the stories of the characters in their heads, even if it's not the same type of story she has written before. That genre hopping is one of my favorite things about her. Her stories always feel fresh and new, and there isn't a pattern like I've found with other authors. The worlds, characters, and adventures are each perfect in their own way, but the writing style is similar. The story is going to keep you interested and invested. It's not something you are going to be able to walk away from once you pick it up, and the second it ends all you want to do is reach for the next one. That's what this story is. A fabulous read by a very talented author that will keep you glued to the pages from beginning to end. I highly recommend it!
February 26, 2021
I found this book very enjoyable, if you are reading this review I bet you would like it too. The main character, Mina, felt real and seriously on the quest - while also having moments of rest, reflection, and delicious meals! It was relaxing to read a book where the main character is good at their job. I felt like I was with her in the future with people paying for things in “Borrows,” and meals and cutlery that are printed with varying levels of quality.
I was surprised by the ending! And so was the main character :) I enjoyed how she improvised with turning situations. I listened to this book on audio and it was well done.
Would recommend, satisfying like a good TV show, but without the screen fatigue and time warp. Reading makes you strong.
I was surprised by the ending! And so was the main character :) I enjoyed how she improvised with turning situations. I listened to this book on audio and it was well done.
Would recommend, satisfying like a good TV show, but without the screen fatigue and time warp. Reading makes you strong.
August 10, 2021
Enjoyable, humorous, fast-paced, sci-fi thriller with a touch of romance and a strong female lead character. Amanda Carlson is a talented author who can describe a futuristic society in incredible detail.
Mina exited her ride at the same time as her quasipartner, Lee, exited his. She refrained from exhaling the long, tired sigh sliding its way up her trachea.
Once the lights switched to green on the receptacles, the doors powered open at the speed of an elderly person piloting an airchair.
As the craft drew closer to their destination, an unwanted thought crept into her brain about as subtly as a kitten pouncing on unprotected toes.
Lee’s head popped up, and he peered at her like a baby owl. His coloring was even right on—brown with tufts of gold.
Mina exited her ride at the same time as her quasipartner, Lee, exited his. She refrained from exhaling the long, tired sigh sliding its way up her trachea.
Once the lights switched to green on the receptacles, the doors powered open at the speed of an elderly person piloting an airchair.
As the craft drew closer to their destination, an unwanted thought crept into her brain about as subtly as a kitten pouncing on unprotected toes.
Lee’s head popped up, and he peered at her like a baby owl. His coloring was even right on—brown with tufts of gold.
October 21, 2021
This was a fun story set in a fun world. Despite the Super Spy status of our protagonist, all of the characters come across a youthful and fun loving. These are people I’d like to spend time with.
The landscape on which the story is set is interesting, complex and colorful. I particularly enjoyed the way author Carlson gave personality to and made characters of things like an apartment or food printer. There is a streak of humor that runs though the story from first word to last. But there is also the thrill of danger.
The really great news is that there are five more books in this series. So there are more fun adventures we can follow along with Wilhelmina Kandy Kane.
The landscape on which the story is set is interesting, complex and colorful. I particularly enjoyed the way author Carlson gave personality to and made characters of things like an apartment or food printer. There is a streak of humor that runs though the story from first word to last. But there is also the thrill of danger.
The really great news is that there are five more books in this series. So there are more fun adventures we can follow along with Wilhelmina Kandy Kane.
September 7, 2021
A time waster
I received this book as a $0.00 promotion from Amazon and wasted time reading it. The concept of the story was good, but the delivery of same was not. I would classify this as a young adult urban fantasy/sci-fi book. Approximately 1/3 of the relates to chick-lit, 1/3 to explaining what appliances etc she expects to be available 100 years in the future and 1/3 (I'm being generous) action.
It will be deleted from my library.
I received this book as a $0.00 promotion from Amazon and wasted time reading it. The concept of the story was good, but the delivery of same was not. I would classify this as a young adult urban fantasy/sci-fi book. Approximately 1/3 of the relates to chick-lit, 1/3 to explaining what appliances etc she expects to be available 100 years in the future and 1/3 (I'm being generous) action.
It will be deleted from my library.
September 2, 2021
Super fun read!
The main character is very sympathetic, the supporting cast are pretty well drawn, and the adventure is exciting. Very entertaining.
The main character is very sympathetic, the supporting cast are pretty well drawn, and the adventure is exciting. Very entertaining.
August 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book but do not wish to pursue the series after reading it as too many others out there that I enjoy much more and am pursuing as books become available from my library.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews