Never Smile at Strangers


Jennifer Jaynes - 2011
    But few clues are unearthed, and before long another young woman disappears.As locals continue to vanish, residents begin to discover that they might not know those closest to them as well as they had thought. Lies and insecurities quickly surface, leading everyone to question one another…and their involvement in the disappearances.Meanwhile, an unstable, twisted killer is hiding quietly in their midst. Ever since his mother’s murder four years earlier, he’s been forced to raise his disturbed teenage sister. He’s terrified of her—and of women in general—and his world revolves around his fear of and obsession over them.In this USA Today bestselling thriller, debut novelist Jennifer Jaynes delivers a psychologically riveting page-turner that is packed with surprises and will have readers guessing to the very last page.

In The Attic


Garry Rodgers - 2016
    They failed. He’d been in the attic the entire time.At 3 a.m., on Sunday morning and in the black of night, Billy Ray climbed down. He butchered Maria and her defenseless lover, committing unspeakable desecration to their bodies. Billy Ray aimlessly left the crime scene—a senseless scene sickening to the hardest of investigators—and was caught three days later, still caked with his victims’ blood.Billy Ray confessed, allowing a terrifying yet fascinating access to his psychopathic, anti-social mind—a mind diagnosed as one of the most outstanding cases of mental disorder a team of forensic psychiatrists ever saw. Here’s what readers of In The Attic are saying: “Aghast! This is one of the best written and easily the most horrifying suspense story I have read. The writing is so clear and so compelling that you are immediately drawn in. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down.” “The author’s seamless POV transitions are genius. You’re given a disquieting look into the deeply disturbed, misogynistic psyche of a killer and the concern of a dedicated, seasoned police officer.” “As events unfolded, I found myself praying the victim would somehow survive, which is absurd, as you know going in, the story is about a double murder. Garry Rodgers’ writing is so fluid, he places you in the detective’s shoes without effort—you’re there, you’re experiencing scenes as they unfold. I’m not prone to nightmares by something I’ve read, but Garry Rodgers has succeeded where others left little, or no impact.” “Do not let the horrific and graphic nature of this novel dissuade you. This is a must-read for crime novel enthusiasts. I felt driven to finish this book in record time. True story, great writing, emotional investment. What more could you want from a title?" "In my opinion, Garry Rodgers is slated to become one of the most outstanding crime writers of our time.” ”If you've ever read The Widow by Fiona Barton or The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, m

Opium and Absinthe


Lydia Kang - 2020
    Tillie Pembroke’s sister lies dead, her body drained of blood and with two puncture wounds on her neck. Bram Stoker’s new novel, Dracula, has just been published, and Tillie’s imagination leaps to the impossible: the murderer is a vampire. But it can’t be—can it?A ravenous reader and researcher, Tillie has something of an addiction to truth, and she won’t rest until she unravels the mystery of her sister’s death. Unfortunately, Tillie’s addicted to more than just truth; to ease the pain from a recent injury, she’s taking more and more laudanum…and some in her immediate circle are happy to keep her well supplied.Tillie can’t bring herself to believe vampires exist. But with the hysteria surrounding her sister’s death, the continued vampiric slayings, and the opium swirling through her body, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for a girl who relies on facts and figures to know what’s real—or whether she can trust those closest to her.

The Mystery Series Collection #1-3


Paul Moxham - 2013
    Together, these intrepid youngsters spend their holidays solving mysteries in 1950's Britain. Enjoy these three exciting stories: *The Mystery of Smugglers Cove *The Mystery of Adventure Island *The Mystery of Hidden Valley These adventure stories will suit people who enjoy Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys or the Famous Five.

A Stoneybrook Mystery Collection: A Cozy Mystery Box Set Books 1-3


Eryn Scott - 2019
    When the local knitting store owner asks her to cat-sit, Hadley doesn't give it a second thought. What could go wrong? A lot, apparently. Suddenly, her simple cat-sitting job has turned into a murder investigation and life no longer seems so perfect.Her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, is on the case but they've always done everything together and she can't help but get involved. Plus, it's much easier for Hadley to infiltrate the local knitting club than it is for her brother.Following a trail of crafty clues, the James twins learn that their sleepy town might be harboring more darkness than they could've imagined.A Fresh Kill: Book 2There's nothing like the Stoneybrook farmers market in summer. Fresh flowers, organic veggies, delicious jams ... and a dead body. When an outsider turns up murdered, all of the evidence points to his rival, Stoneybrook's beloved florist.Unable to believe a pillar of their community could be guilty of such a heinous crime, Hadley dives head-first into the investigation. Sure, she's busy looking for a new house, running her business, and dealing with her ex--who's back in town--but Hadley is determined to find the truth before the wrong man goes to jail.A Sweet Death: Book 3When a local teen goes missing, the town of Stoneybrook fears the worst.Hadley is sure Miranda's disappearance has nothing to do with the drug dealer who was found dead in Cascade Ridge. The charming, candy-shop cashier is entirely too sweet to get involved in any of that. But when the clues pile up, Hadley can't help but draw parallels.Suddenly autumn isn't feeling like the cozy season Hadley loves, and the clock is ticking faster than the leaves are falling.Every moment counts in a missing persons case, but whom do you suspect when the victim is beloved by all?Or is she?Each Stoneybrook Mystery comes with two canning recipes from Food in Jars creator, Marisa McClellan! Enjoy!

Healed


Dean Skinner - 2021
    As one reader put it, Healed reads "as if it were written by both Steven King and M. Night Shyamalan." It is the third short story written by Dean Skinner whose first short story, Broken, climbed as high as #134 in Amazon's "90-Minute Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Short Reads." Dean Skinner is an artist who has his work displayed throughout the US, UK and Australia. Dean is also an author of supernatural thrillers who combines his faith with his love of horror.

Not in the Cards


Amy Cissell - 2018
    When a true descendent steps foot in Oracle Bay, their divine powers awaken, they receive a visit from the Psychic Union, and shenanigans ensue.Sandy Franklin is on the run from her old life and her almost-ex-husband. The promise of cheap rent and a ready-made business, combined with the tarot cards she’d never managed to discard, make settling down to try her hand at divination sound like a reasonable solution.When Vincent, the man who owns most of the town, shows up to announce he’s selling to stave off his own personal problems, the only thing left for Sandy and the other resident psychics to do is devise a plan to save the town using a combination of their divination skills and a little old-fashioned sleuthing. The one thing Sandy couldn’t predict was how personal her interest in saving Vincent would get.

Tuesday's Child


Dale Mayer - 2011
     Shunned and ridiculed all her life for something she can’t control, Samantha Blair hides her psychic abilities and lives on the fringes of society. Against her will, however, she’s tapped into a killer—or rather, his victims. Each woman’s murder, blow-by-blow, ravages her mind until their death releases her back to her body. Sam knows she must go to the authorities, but will the rugged, no-nonsense detective in charge of tracking down the killer believe her? Detective Brandt Sutherland only trusts hard evidence, yet Sam’s visions offer clues he needs to catch a killer. The more he learns about her incredible abilities, however, the clearer it becomes that Sam’s visions have put her in the killer’s line of fire. Now Brandt must save her from something he cannot see or understand…and risk losing his heart in the process. As danger and desire collide, passion raises the stakes in a game Sam and Brandt don’t dare lose. Length - 90,000 words. Excerpt Agony. Pain. Terror. A voice whispered through the blackness of her mind, so odd, so different it caught her attention. She strained to hear the words. “Let go. It’s time to let go.” Sam stared through the flames, stunned. Let go of what? She couldn’t hear over the roaring fire and could barely see, but knowing that someone was there stirred her survival instinct, and she fought with the seatbelt buckle jammed at her side. She was saved. Just another minute and they’d open the door and pull her free. She’d be fine. “Please hurry,” she cried out. “Let go. You don’t need to be in there. Let it all go, and come with me.” She peered through the golden orange windshield to see a strange male face peering at her through the flames. He smiled. “Come with me.” “I want to, damn it. Can’t you see I’m trapped?” she screamed, her vocals crisping in the heat. “Release yourself. Come with me. Say yes.” The pain hit a crescendo. She twisted against it, hearing her spine splinter. The car seat melted into her skin. So much pain, she couldn’t breathe. Blackness crowded into her mind, blessed quiet, soothing darkness. She reached for it. “Let it go. You don’t need to go through this. Hurry.” She started. Why wasn’t he opening the door or getting others to help? He should be trying to save her. Shouldn’t he? Sam, so confused and so tired, she could barely feel the pain overtaking her body. Where had he gone? She tried to concentrate. His face was now only a vague outline that rippled with the heat waves. A soft smile played at the corner of his mouth. The flames burned around him, weird as they centered him in the warm glow. She wanted to be with him. To live. “Here, take my hand.” Dazed and on the brink of death, Sam focused on the hand reaching for her. She struggled to raise the charred piece of flesh that had been her arm and reached out to grasp his. She was free. Overwhelmed, she turned to hug her savior, her head just reaching his shoulder. He stood beside her, the same radiant beaming look on his face. His blond hair glowed, and he had the brightest teeth. She sighed. This beautiful man pointed to her right arm. Confused, Sam glanced down at her burned arm, realizing she could feel none of her injuries. Just like her other one, her broken arm had miraculously healed – whole, smooth and soft. Her skin hadn’t looked this good in ten years. She spun around to find a massive fireball below. What the hell? She had to be dead.

Strange Little Horrors and Other Stories


Amy Cross - 2020
    

Haunted Secrets Boxset: A Collection Of Riveting Haunted House Mysteries


James Hunt - 2018
    She hoped that she could disappear into the northern most reaches of the mountains and wait until people had forgotten her name. However, Bell had other plans. The Haunting of Quenby Mansion A shut-in vanishes ten years ago. A massive plantation house on par with that from Gone with the Wind is passed down to a hardened female P.I. Hundreds of secrets await to be discovered, and with them, a sinister evil. The Haunting of Winchester Mansion In the small town of Black Bay, a vacant, forgotten house sits atop an overlooking bluff. When Bailey and Bodhi Taylor move in and begin renovations, the house seems perfect. But things move on their own, screams echo from the basement, and Bailey sees a shadowy figure out of the corner of her eye. Is the house haunted? And if it is, what does the ghost want with Bailey?

Who, What, Where, When, Die


Amanda M. Lee - 2011
    First, she had to cover a story on a barricaded gunman who likes to dance naked in his window. Second, she's receiving death threats with her morning newspaper. Lastly, and most importantly, her mom keeps vetoing her outfit choices.It's all in a day's work for this hardworking, if easily distracted, reporter.Avery Shaw is hot on the trail of the story, even if it means tangling with her hot ex-boyfriend -- the county sheriff -- and the equally hot, if slightly shadier pawnshop owner down the street.Getting the story is going to be totally worth it -- that is if Avery can survive the week.

Once Upon A Crime


Nolon King - 2022
    Now, the Grimm Reaper does.New detective Chelsea Sullivan is partnered with a maverick famous for closing cases and infamous for how he does it. He has a target on his back and a chip on his shoulder. Not exactly how she hoped to kick off her first homicide case.Jim McPherson doesn't mind showing an up-and-comer the ropes, but he does mind when she keeps putting herself in harm's way. Especially since her innocence is exactly the trait the serial seems to be targeting. Unless they're missing a crucial detail. And he can't help but think his new partner knows what it is.He has no idea she fears her father might be the murderer.The body count is rising and the Grimm Reaper is after Chelsea. If they can't catch him before he catches her, there will be no happily ever after.Once Upon A Crime is the first book in Nolon King's new Once Upon A Crime Trilogy. Start reading your favorite new series today!

Mantis


Richard La Plante - 1993
    The murderer is a kind of Hannibal Lecter, pure psychopath, a real frightener. Mantis is an unusual and utterly gripping thriller.--Finesse Magazine.

Shadowlands


Kate Brian - 2013
    Rory survived and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection program. Entering the program alongside her, is her father and sister Darcy. The trio starts a new life and a new beginning leaving their friends and family behind without a goodbye. Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. Just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

Running Into the Darkness


D.A. Bale - 2011
    As a doctor, she swore an oath to protect life - not take it. But that was before he ordered the murder of her family. Swept from the frigid New York City winter, Dr. Samantha Bartlett returns to the Midwest to once again confront the sting of death - and face those she left behind. But she's not alone. A strange man she dubs "Shades" haunts her every step as she seeks answers to the inferno which claimed her grandmother's life, an eerie reminder of her parents' deaths. The secrets Samantha uncovers forever shatter the image of those she only thought she knew. Confronted by Shades, Samantha joins a secret underworld known only as the Elite, where a web of power and control is woven deep within governments worldwide. Their sights are set on the seat of domination behind the Resolute desk that is the powerhouse of nations - the presidency of the United States of America. Samantha becomes the Elite's unlikely key to infiltrating the White House at its most intimate levels. The Hippocratic Oath. All doctors swear by it. But the most despicable deeds must be avenged. The quest for blood swallows Samantha in a veil of darkness and threatens to destroy everything she once stood for. And from the darkness there is no escape.