The Perfect Facade

"A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page." —Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) THE PERFECT FACADE is book #12 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, which begins with The Perfect Wife, a #1 bestseller (and free download) with over 500 five-star reviews. A group of suburban moms go out to a high-end hotel in the big city to celebrate their 40th birthday, and the night gets wild—too wild. When they wake from their sordid night to find a dead body amongst them, Jessie must unravel what happened that night. Could the murderer be one of them?Or are they being targeted?A fast-paced psychological suspense thriller with unforgettable characters and heart-pounding...
Views: 46

Her Last Scream

A serial-killer targets the country's most vulnerable women in this new thriller featuring Detective Carson RyderThey thought they were safe at last...Across the US, a secret network of crisis centres permanently relocates women in serious danger from domestic abuse. But now someone is killing them before they reach their destinations.Detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus are having trouble gaining the trust of the volunteers who run the scheme. The only way in is for an undercover police officer to pose as a threatened woman, making herself a target and drawing the killer out.Reinetta Early is the ideal candidate -- but she also happens to be Harry's niece. He always promised his sister that he would keep Reinetta safe from harm. Suddenly he's unsure if he can even keep her alive...
Views: 46

Cell: A Novel

Amazon.com ReviewWitness Stephen King's triumphant, blood-spattered return to the genre that made him famous. Cell, the king of horror's homage to zombie films (the book is dedicated in part to George A. Romero) is his goriest, most horrific novel in years, not to mention the most intensely paced. Casting aside his love of elaborate character and town histories and penchant for delayed gratification, King yanks readers off their feet within the first few pages; dragging them into the fray and offering no chance catch their breath until the very last page. In Cell King taps into readers fears of technological warfare and terrorism. Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of "normies," must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton's estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution. Fans that have followed King from the beginning will recognize and appreciate Cell as a departure--King's writing has not been so pure of heart and free of hang-ups in years (wrapping up his phenomenal Dark Tower series and receiving a medal from the National Book Foundation doesn't hurt either). "Retirement" clearly suits King, and lucky for us, having nothing left to prove frees him up to write frenzied, juiced-up horror-thrillers like Cell. --Daphne DurhamFrom Publishers WeeklyWhat if a pulse sent out through cell phones turned every person using one of them into a zombie-like killing machine? That's what happens on page six of King's latest, a glib, technophobic but compelling look at the end of civilization—or at what may turn into a new, extreme, telepathically enforced fascism. Those who are not on a call at the time of the pulse (and who don't reach for their phones to find out what is going on) remain "normies." One such is Clayton Riddell, an illustrator from Kent Pond, Maine, who has just sold some work in Boston when the pulse hits. Clay's single-minded attempt to get back to Maine, where his estranged wife, Sharon, and young son, Johnny-Gee, may or may not have been turned into "phoners" (as those who have had their brains wiped by the pulse come to be called) comprises the rest of the plot. King's imagining of what is more or less post-Armageddon Boston is rich, and the sociological asides made by his characters along the way—Clay travels at first with two other refugees—are jaunty and witty. The novel's three long set pieces are all pretty gory, but not gratuitously so, and the book holds together in signature King style. Fans will be satisfied and will look forward to the next King release, Lisey's Story, slated for October. (Jan. 24) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Views: 46

A Violent End at Blake Ranch

"She was a dangerous girl and people think she'll be a dangerous woman." Nonie Blake is back home from a mental institution where she has spent the last twenty years, and people in Jarrett Creek are worried. Maybe too worried, for within a week of her return, Nonie is murdered. Chief Samuel Craddock thinks the only possible suspects are members of her tight-lipped family. Ever since Nonie tried to kill her sister when she was fourteen and was sent away to the institution, the family has kept to itself. Clues are scarce and Craddock is stumped. So he checks with therapists at the mental hospital to see whether they can add anything useful to his investigation. But he discovers that she has not been there for ten years. Now Craddock has to find out where Nonie has been all this time. Soon Craddock finds himself dealing not only with murder, but layers of deception and secrets, and in the midst of it all--a new deputy, one Maria Trevino, sent by...
Views: 46

Death Among Rubies

Lady Frances Ffolkes is incensed when she finds out that her dear friends Gwendolyn and Thomasina have been subject to vicious threats. Promising to uncover their attacker, she travels with them to Kestrel's Eyrie, the fabled estate belonging to Gwen's family. But soon Frances faces an even greater problem, when Gwen's father, a powerful diplomat, is stabbed to death with his prized ruby dagger.Frances, with her loyal maid June Mallow at her side, jumps right into interrogating the estate's numbered guests: a charming Turkish diplomat with a habit of sneaking off into the night, a brash American heiress with lofty dreams of becoming mistress of the Eyrie, two gossiping widows with their own scandalous secrets, and Gwen's own aunt tasked with keeping the affairs of the estate in order among the chaos of the investigation. But as the case unfolds, Frances's righteous conviction might just be the very thing that leads danger—and even more death—to her own...
Views: 46

Out for Blood

After nearly dying at the hands of the Aurelian, Chrysabelle finds new determination to move beyond life as a comarré. That is until the Kubai Mata bring a new task to her doorstep: rescue the child Tatiana has kidnapped, or Mal becomes enemy number one.ReviewPraise for The House of Comarré series:"Gripping, gritty, and imaginative. If you love dangerous males, kick-ass females, and unexpected twists, this is the series for you! Kristen Painter's engaging voice, smart writing, and bold, explosive plot blew me away. Prepare to lose some sleep!" --- Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author"Kristen Painter brings a sultry new voice to the vampire genre, one that beckons with quiet passion and intrigue." --- L.A. Banks, New York Times bestselling author of The Vampire Huntress Legends series"Painter scores with this one. Passion and murder, vampires and courtesans -- original and un-put-downable. Do yourself a favor and read this one." --- Patricia Briggs, New York Times bestselling author"Kristen Painter's Blood Rights is dark and rich with layer after delicious layer. This spellbinding series will have you begging for more!" --- Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author"A world full of rich potential. Excellent!" --- P.C. Cast, New York Times bestselling author"Prophecy, curses, and devilish machination combine for a spellbinding debut of dark romance and pulse-pounding adventure." --- Library Journal (Starred Review)About the AuthorKristen Painter's writing resume boasts multiple Golden Heart nominations and advance praise from a handful of bestselling authors, including Gena Showalter and Roxanne St. Claire. A former New Yorker now living in Florida, Kristen has a wealth of fascinating experiences from which to flavor her stories, including time spent working in fashion for Christian Dior and as a maitre'd for Wolfgang Puck. Find out more about Kristen Painter at www.kristenpainter.com and on twitter @Kristen_Painter.
Views: 46

Mona Lisa

'Love does not need any comforting. It does not even need requiting. All it needs is itself.'Florence, 1502. Marshal Louis de La Trémouille's small army has stopped off en route to Naples, to buy objects d'art for King Louis XII of France. Naturally, Leonardo da Vinci's workshop is on the shopping list; and during their visit to his house, the young nobleman de Bougainville chances upon the not-quite-finished Mona Lisa. He promptly, utterly and hopelessly falls in love with the woman in the painting, and is determined to find her - despite rumours that she has long ago died. A visit to an empty tomb, assault upon an Italian nobleman's mansion, duel and execution later, the secret of la Gioconda's smile is (possibly) revealed.An entertaining story, told with style - about love, life, art, and the Quixotic things that a man will do to realise his dream.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Views: 46