The Rivals

By: Jane Pek

Narrated by: Eunice Wong

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK • A witty and thought-provoking mystery that reimagines the spy story to explore the nature of relationships in a digital age: the follow-up to Jane Pek’s “thoroughly modern twist on classic detective fiction,” The Verifiers (New York Times Book Review)

“Jane Pek’s writing is really fun and will keep you hooked.”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Claudia Lin—mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major—has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, along the way, she and her colleagues—tech savant Squirrel, and the elegant and intimidating Becks—have uncovered a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets.

In the wake of a client’s sudden death, Claudia convinces his ex, an industry insider, to turn on his employer and feed the verifiers information about what the powerful dating platforms are really up to. But even as Claudia starts to get a feel for this new genre—just call her Lin, Claudia Lin—she’s distracted by the possibility of romance with both Becks and a very charming target. She also fears that her beloved older brother is unwittingly being drawn into the matchmakers’ deadly web. And as Becks reminds Claudia: spy tropes dictate that someone you trust will betray you.

©2024 Jane Pek (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK: HARPER'S BAZAAR • PASTE • CRIMEREADS • PUBLISHERS WEEKLY • ZIBBY OWENS

“Excellent. . . . Pek has glorious fun with a cornucopia of references to both classic mystery tropes and espionage thrillers. . . . Tangling with intriguing techies while juggling challenging family dynamics and her growing attractions to both Amalia and Becks, Claudia has her hands—and her heart—beyond full.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A testament to Pek’s skill in building a story arc, at once aware of its tropes and seamlessly threading them into a tightly woven plot that grows ever more complex from start to cliffhanger finish. Within this, Pek nestles timely and increasingly relevant questions about the role of technology in our everyday lives. . . . The Rivals is the best kind of second-in-a-series: the kind guaranteed to leave readers eager for more.”
—Kerry McHugh, Shelf Awareness

“Jane Pek brings the classic hard-boiled detective story into the modern age with this twisty tale of AI deception. Claudia Lin is a book lover’s dream investigator, with a sharp wit and infinite literary references. I can’t wait to see what tech mystery she unravels next.”
—Susie Dumond, author of Looking for a Sign and Queerly Beloved