Most Popular Books by Mary Burton

A beautiful newscaster teams up with a Virginia detective to stop a serial killer in this romantic thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Beside each body, he leaves a simple charm bearing a woman’s name: Ruth, Judith, Rachel. The victims were strangers to each other, but they have been chosen with care. Each bears a striking resemblance to Kendall Shaw, a local anchorwoman. And each is brutally strangled by a madman whose obsession will never end . . . In front of the cameras, Kendall is the picture of stylish confidence. But at night she’s haunted by nightmares in which she is young, alone, and filled with fear. Are these memories—or omens? Despite warnings from Richmond Detective Jacob Warwick, Kendall can’t stop investigating the recent string of murders. She knows she holds the key to catching an obsessed psychopath—ss long as he doesn’t catch her first . . . As Kendall and Jacob dig deep into the victims’ backgrounds, a legacy of evil begins to resurface. Every moment—and every murder—has been leading to Kendall. And nothing will stop the killer making her the final victim . . . “With a gift for artful obfuscation, Burton juggles a budding romance and two very plausible might-be perpetrators right up to the tense conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly

The Fear Is Terrifying When police rescue five-year-old Jenna Thompson from the dark closet where she''s been held captive for days, they tell her she''s a lucky girl. Compared to the rest of her family, it''s true. But even with their killer dead of an overdose, Jenna is still trying to find peace twenty-five years later. But The Truth On leave from her forensic artist job, Jenna returns to Nashville, the city where she lost so much. Instead of closure, she finds a new horror. Detective Rick Morgan needs Jenna''s expertise in identifying the skeletal remains of a young child. The case jogs hazy half-buried memories--and a nagging dread that Jenna''s ordeal hasn''t ended. Is Even Worse Now other women are dying. And as the links between these brutal killings and Jenna''s past becomes clear, she knows this time, a madman will leave no survivors. . .

He Will Never Forget The broken body hanging from a tree in Texas Hill Country. . .the frozen figure huddled in a meat locker. . .only at second glance does the truth become apparent. What seems like suicide is far more sinister, and the terror is only beginning. . . Never Forgive One devastating moment changed Greer Templeton''s life and ended two others. Now, with a body found on her property and Texas Ranger Tec Bragg on her doorstep, Greer''s nightmare has returned. With each new victim, her link to Tec''s case grows, and soon it will be too late to run. And Never Let Them Live. . . Greer hoped the past was behind her, but an obsessed killer has never forgotten the bond that unites them. One by one, he will track down his victims, finish what was started--and make Greer''s dying wish come true. . . Praise for Mary Burton''s The Seventh Victim "Dark and disturbing, a well-written tale of obsession and murder." —Kat Martin "Burton delivers action-packed tension." —Publishers Weekly

Convinced that the wrong man is in prison, public defender Rachel Wainwright reopens a decades-old case and finds herself targeted by a killer who is ready to show her just how brutal the truth can be.

Reprinted Edition An obsessed killer is blazing a bloody trail near Richmond, Virginia, toward his ultimate prize--and only one homicide detective can hope to stop the madness. . . The first kill was easy. The second much easier. No guilt, no remorse, just a rush of adrenaline surging through him as each life drains away, and the pleasure of knowing their deaths help his beloved Lindsay. And there are so many more who deserve to die. . . The first twisted gift to Lindsay O''Neil arrives hidden in a bouquet of flowers. When her estranged husband, Detective Zack Kier, is assigned to the case, Lindsay''s past comes back with a vengeance. Only Zack knows the dark secret she lives with--or so she thinks. Now nothing can prepare her for the nightmare to come--because everything Lindsay''s stalker does is for her. And when she spurns his gifts, she and those she loves most become targets of a madman whose rage is growing, who is waiting, watching, closer than she ever feared. . . "Creepy and terrifying, it will give you chills." --RT Book Reviews "Taut, compelling. . .Mary Burton delivers a page-turner." –Carla Neggers, New York Times bestselling author

HE WAS TAUGHT HOW TO KILL Even behind bars, serial killer Harvey Lee Smith exudes menace. Psychologist Jolene Granger has agreed to hear his dying confession, vowing not to let the monster inside her head. And Harvey has secrets to share—about bodies that were never found, and about the apprentice who is continuing his grisly work . . . AND NOW HE’LL TEACH THEM He buries his victims alive the way his mentor Harvey did, relishing their final screams as the earth rains down. And as one last gift to the only father he knew, he’ll make the most perfect kill of all. HOW TO DIE Everything about this investigation is unnerving Jo, from Harvey’s fascination with her to the fact that she’s working alongside Texas Ranger Brody Winchester, her ex-husband. Harvey’s protégé is growing bolder and more vicious every day. And soon the trail of shallow graves will lead them to the last place Jo expected, and to the most terrifying truth of all . . . “A thrill a minute . . . there is no escaping the fact that with No Escape, Mary Burton delivers again.” —The Jefferson County Post (Tennessee)

He Is Their Judge. . . In death, they are purified. Holding his victims under water, he washes away their sins as they struggle for their last breath. Then he stakes their bodies to the ground, exposing them for what they really are. Witches, sent to tempt and to corrupt. . . Jury. . . No one knows about defense attorney Charlotte Wellington''s murdered sister, or about her childhood spent with the carnival that''s just arrived in town. For Charlotte, what''s past is past. But others don''t agree. And as a madman''s body count rises, she and Detective Daniel Rokov are drawn into a mission that''s become terrifyingly personal. . . And Executioner At last, she is within his reach. All his victims deserve their fate, but her guilt is greatest. And with every scream, he will make her see what it means to suffer and repent--before she dies. . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "Terrifying. . .this chilling thriller is an engrossing story." --Library Journal on Merciless "Stieg Larsson fans will find a lot to like in Burton''s taut, well-paced novel." --Publishers Weekly on Senseless"A twisted tale. . .I couldn''t put it down!" --Lisa Jackson on Dying Scream

The Nashville woods hold a killer’s deadly secrets in this cold case thriller by the New York Times bestselling author of You’re Not Safe. Years ago, three Nashville teenagers went into the woods for a hike—and only one came out. While her two friends disappeared without a trace, Amber Ryder was discovered at the bottom of a ravine with a broken arm, head trauma, and zero memory of the horror that put her there. With no leads, the investigation hit a dead end. Now another woman’s body is found it the woods. When the trail leads to the missing teens’ remains, the cold case becomes a fresh hell for forensic technician Georgia Morgan. But while Georgia works with Amber to try and reawaken her memories, her gut tells her the worst is yet to come. Homicide Detective Jake Bishop can’t be sure whether Amber is an expert manipulator or the killer’s next target. Either way, he’s determined to protect Georgia. Because the more she digs into the past, the more deadly secrets emerge. And a nightmare years in the making is about to come to a bloody, terrifying end.

LOVE HURTS He promised to kill her. One night four years ago, Leah Carson’s husband almost succeeded. Philip stabbed her twenty-three times before fleeing. The police are sure he’s dead. But fear won’t let Leah believe it. AND SOMETIMES It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn’t so terrifyingly familiar. Leah has a new veterinary practice and a new life with no ties to her nightmare. But Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Alex Morgan suspects something. And when another woman’s body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her. IT KILLS As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death—that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word…

An urgent call brings FBI agent Kate Hayden back to San Antonio, the scene of her violent past. A brutal new murder shows hallmarks of a serial killer nicknamed the Samaritan. Tricky part is, Kate already caught him. Did she make an error, or is it a copycat? Paired with homicide detective Theo Mazur, Kate faces an enemy who knows her intimately. When a second body is found, the mode of death is identical to a different case that Kate had worked on. The closer they come to the killer there is only one rule: don''t believe everything you see.

A DARK AND GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP ALL NIGHT . . . FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ''Kept me enthralled from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review ''Will have readers sleeping with the lights on'' Publishers Weekly ''A real page turner with twists and turns'' 5***** Reader Review ________ The one who got away - is the only one he wants. It''s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorised the city. His victims were all young, pretty, with their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death. . . Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack, and she''s since managed to rebuild her life in a new city, Austin. But then she gets some shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he''s in Austin. ________ ''A twisted tale . . . I couldn''t put it down'' Lisa Jackson ''Couldn''t stop reading this'' 5***** Reader Review ''Really enjoyed this book and was unable to put it down'' 5***** Reader Review

Even a cold case can heat up One year ago a wealthy socialite disappeared. No body was found, and the case was never solved. Lead detective Alex Kirkland knows all they had were dead ends. But when sexy, sassy reporter Tara Mackey decides to ask more questions, he respects her intuition enough to reopen the case. Professionally, they''re a perfect match. Personally, Tara is wary of the sparks between them. Alex plays in a different league, one with money, power… things she''s learned not to trust. And every step they take toward the truth—and each other—brings them closer to danger….

Every Serial Killer Knows. . . The vicious burns scarring the victims'' flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it''s time for the bloodshed to start again. . . The Perfect Time. . . Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can''t forget. Now she''s trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn''t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating--or protecting. . . To Make His Mark Only Eva''s death will bring peace. Only her tortured screams will silence the rage that has been building for ten long years. Because what started that night at the sorority can never be stopped--not until the last victim has been marked for death. . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "A twisted tale. . .I couldn''t put it down!" --Lisa Jackson on Dying Scream "Taut, compelling. . .delivers a page-turner." --Carla Neggers on I''m Watching You "A chilling thriller." --Beverly Barton on Dead Ringer "Mary Burton''s latest romantic suspense has it all--terrific plot, complex and engaging protagonists, a twisted villain, and enough crime scene detail to satisfy the most savvy suspense reader."--Erica Spindler, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Vines

He sought justice—with a lie Nick Baron knows it was wrong to buy trust with a falsehood, but there was no other way. His reputation as the most dangerous bounty hunter west of the Rockies terrified even decent folks, not just the outlaws he hunted. So he sure as hell wasn''t about to let a spitfire fugitive from a sporting house know he wasn''t the US Marshal he claimed to be—no matter how appealing she was. Especially when she holds the key to his best friend''s murder. And particularly when she''d not only shot him—but saved his life right after! Things with Ellie Watson could get complicated.

If At First You Don''t Succeed It''s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared. . . Kill Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack. What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he''s in Austin. . . And Kill Again. . . He''s always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he''s been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he''ll prove he holds her life in his hands--right before he ends it forever. . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "Will have readers sleeping with the lights on." --Publishers Weekly on Before She Dies (starred review) "Terrifying. . .this chilling thriller is an engrossing story." --Library Journal on Merciless

The killing just won''t stop as a ruthless psychopath revisits his greatest obsession--but this time, a Richmond, Virginia homicide detective is determined to stop him in his bloody tracks. . . An aspiring artist. A high-school senior. A stripper. Three missing women with only one thing in common--wealthy Craig Thornton knew them all. For that, they paid the ultimate price. When Craig''s widow, Adrianna, begins to receive cards and flowers from her late husband, she assumes it''s someone''s cruel joke. Then grisly remains are found on the Thornton estate. Detective Gage Hudson believes the bodies are linked to Craig. But the biggest shocks are yet to come. A psychopath has resumed his work, each death a prelude to his most cherished target. The only way to stop him is to uncover a family''s dark past--and a twisted love someone will kill for, again and again. . . "A twisted tale. . .I couldn''t put it down!" --Lisa Jackson Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "Will have readers sleeping with the lights on." --Publishers Weekly on Before She Dies (starred review) "Terrifying. . .this chilling thriller is an engrossing story." --Library Journal on Merciless "Stieg Larsson fans will find a lot to like in Burton''s taut, well-paced novel." --Publishers Weekly on Senseless

THAT''S RIGHT. KELSEY WARREN IS BACK! After globe-trotting as an underwater photographer, I''m ready to stir up trouble again in Grant''s Forge. I swore I''d never return, yet ten years later, here I am, back home to face the music...and the only man who ever broke my heart. Sheriff Mitch Garrett may be crucial in helping me uncover the mystery of my mother''s murder, but I''m not a love-struck teenager anymore. Once I know the truth about the past, I will leave this town in a trail of dust and embark on another underwater adventure. Then again, Mitch has a way of changing all my well-laid plans....

After witnessing her gangster brother''s treachery, Kristen Rodale lived in fear that he''d find her. The government failed to protect her before the trial against him, so her only chance at survival lay in running as fast as she could...and forgetting about having a normal life. Former FBI agent Dane Cambia wanted revenge, and he needed this special witness to get it. But he hadn''t counted on falling for Kristen, the bait to his trap. When the chips were down, would Cambia betray the woman he loved in order to carry out this all-important mission?

He Could Never Love Again Of that, Matthias Barrington was certain, despite the well-intentioned meddling of his neighbors. But now they’d sent him a special delivery in the form of the very comely Miss Abigail Smyth, who’d stepped off the stagecoach and announced that he needed a wife—and she was just the woman! Mail-order bride Abby Smyth just wanted a place to belong—preferably at rancher Matthias Barrington’s side, making a home for his motherless boys. Ever practical, she knew love wasn’t necessary, really. Yet the more she learned of this decent, honorable man, the more she knew the only place she wanted was one securely in his heart!

This nail-biting murder mystery revolves around a married couple, Rebecca and Marcus, who after twenty years of marriage realize that they despise each other. Marcus is a prominent criminal defense attorney with a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, who has accumulated millions but refuses to share his wealth with his wife, Rebecca. Since the couple''s two children are preparing to leave the nest for college, both Rebecca and Marcus decide it is time to make a radical change in their lives. Rebecca, forced by Marcus to be a stay-at-home mom, has been mentally and verbally abused by Marcus for the last sixteen years and can''t stand her life as it is any longer. She desires nothing more than to be free from the clutches of her abusive, controlling, dominating, adulterous, tightwad husband and sees her opportunity for freedom after Marcus''s two failed attempts to kill her. Marcus''s greed ultimately leads to his horrific demise. Rebecca serves him the dish he never expectedrevenge served cold.

In the first sequel, Rebecca contemplates how to end her twenty year loveless marriage to her greedy, controlling, abusive, womanizing, but extremely wealthy husband, Marcus. Marcus, also desiring to free himself from his marriage contract, decides killing his estranged wife instead of divorcing her is a more lucrative option. Therefore, he hires a hit man, Big Al, to murder Rebecca however his attempt is unsuccessful and Marcus refuses to pay him. Consequently, Big Al, determined to collect his money, breaks into Marcus mansion and robs, mutilates, brutally assaults him, and then dumps his lifeless body in the Mexican desert. After an extensive search by the Mexican Federal Police, remains of an American male matching Marcus description are found and he is presumed dead. During an unexpected confrontation between Rebecca, Big Al, and Big Als younger crack head brother, David, Rebecca is forced to shoot and kill Big Al. David, determined to atone for his brothers death, becomes Rebeccas constant tormentor. As the saga continues in this novel, Rebecca, believing Marcus is now deceased and she and her two children are finally free from his abuse, attempts to settle his estate and move on with her life. After putting Marcus lavish mansion up for sale, via an estate auction, she moves into a new home and while unpacking her belongings, remembers a key she found hidden in Marcus bedroom at the mansion. Rebecca discovers that the key is to a storage unit and what she finds stashed in Marcus secret storage unit is a shocking surprise. In the final sequel, Rebeccas world comes crashing down when she discovers that the remains found in the Mexican desert were not Marcus and that he has returned toAtlantato reclaim his fortune and seek revenge. Follow the adventures of the returning cast of characters, particularly the villains, Marcus and David, in this unforgettable shock and awe climax.

The New York Times bestselling author’s “latest romantic suspense has it all—terrific plot, complex and engaging protagonists, a twisted villain” (Erica Spindler). No Pity Each skeleton is flawless—gleaming white and perfectly preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And the collection is growing . . . No Compassion When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a former patient of Dr. James Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of attempted murder, thanks to defense attorney Angie Carlson. But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath. No Escape Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of madness and murder about to be revealed—or a killer ready to claim her as his ultimate trophy . . . “Terrifying . . . this chilling thriller is an engrossing story.” —Library Journal “[A] feverish sequel to Senseless . . . convincing detective lingo and an appropriately shivery murder venue go a long way.”—Publishers Weekly Praise for the novels of Mary Burton “Absolutely chilling.”—Brenda Novak “A twisted tale . . . I couldn''t put it down!”—Lisa Jackson “Taut, compelling . . . delivers a page-turner.”—Carla Neggers “A chilling thriller.”—Beverly Barton

The Son He Never Knew… When Cole McGuire learns that he had fathered a son, he returns to White Stone, Colorado, to claim what''s rightfully his. But it''s clear the town is hiding something, and he''s got a feeling he knows exactly who''s behind it all. The Widow''s Secret… Rebecca''s heart stops when Cole McGuire walks back into town, his green eyes blazing with passion. And the longer he stays, the more she wishes for the love she never had. But will Cole ever forgive her for hiding the truth—that the son she claimed as her own is the child he''s been searching for?

An unsolved crime pits a desperate woman against a relentless killer in New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton''s heart-stopping novel of psychological suspense... Fourteen years ago, Kaitlin Roe was the lone witness to the abduction of her cousin Gina. She still remembers that lonely Virginia road. She can still see the masked stranger and hear Gina''s screams. And she still suffers the guilt of running away in fear and resents being interrogated as a suspect in the immediate aftermath. Now Kaitlin has only one way to assuage the pain and nightmares--by interviewing everyone associated with the unsolved crime for a podcast that could finally bring closure to a case gone cold. But when a woman Kaitlin questions is later found stabbed to death, she fears that she''s drawn a killer out of hiding. It''s Detective John Adler''s fear that the murders have only just begun. Now his job is to keep Kaitlin safe. As a bond between Kaitlin and Adler builds, the past closes in just as fast--and it''s darker than Kaitlin remembers. Soon, her wish will come true. She''s going to find out exactly what happened to Gina. Someone has been dying to tell her.

Keeping secrets is no way to start a marriage But what else, Jenna Winslow muses, can a woman running from scandal do? Who would ever want an unschooled virgin with a fatherless baby in tow? Certainly not rugged rancher Rowe Mercer, a man with demanding standards—and compelling charms! Ex-bounty hunter Rowe Mercer has spent a lifetime riding with danger. Now, when mail-order bride Jenna Winslow arrives, he wonders if his prayers for a quiet life have truly been answered. Could there possibly be a future for this polished Eastern angel and a man with a past he''d rather forget…?

Revenge is his mission… No one had ever caused such fire in Travis Rafferty''s blood as Civil War nurse Meredith Carter. Yet when the prisoner of war attempted an escape, she''d betrayed him and his bedraggled men. Now, years later, he''s led west by vengeance, with nightmares of battle on his heels. This time, Meredith won''t get away… Love is his due… Meredith has to persuade Travis of her innocence. But how can she convince him of anything when she reacts so wildly just standing next to him? Nursing his wounds is the only way to show him how she feels, that she could no more betray him than her own soul….

"It''s that time of year when the world falls in love. . ." Join four of your favorite authors for tales of Christmas romance to remember forever. "Under the Mistletoe," Lisa Jackson Megan Johnson''s marriage is over—or so she thinks. When her husband Chris lands in the hospital, fighting for his life, she remembers the unexpected joy of their first Christmas together. . . "A Ranger for Christmas," Mary Burton The holidays bring painful memories for history professor Marissa Thompson. Agreeing to help Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper solve a case offers the perfect distraction. But as danger threatens, the joy of love has never been more tempting. "A Southern Christmas," Mary Carter Reporter Danielle Bright is heading home for the holidays to write up a feature story about Christmas down south—and possibly win back her ex. But Sawyer, the sexy photographer along for the ride, is determined to jingle her bells. . . "Christmas in Montana" Cathy Lamb Family is the ideal antidote to getting fired, but Laurel Kelly isn''t prepared for the changes at home in Montana—or the fact that her college boyfriend Josh Reed now owns the family land. But a blue Christmas could be the perfect surprise for a holiday to remember.

Now in mass market for the first time, USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton presents the heart-stopping next installment in her Forgotten Files Trilogy, where forensic pathologist Dr. Tessa McGowan and agent Dakota Sharp must work together to unravel the mysteries behind the macabre doll-like killings before Tessa becomes the next victim. Dr. Tessa McGowan had never seen anything quite like it. But the mutilated bodies on her exam table tell a stunningly macabre tale. Someone with a twisted mind is kidnapping women and altering their faces to resemble real, life-size dolls. As a forensic pathologist, it’s her job to aid the agent leading the case—even if that agent is her estranged husband. Twelve years ago, an unspeakable tragedy destroyed Dakota Sharp''s world. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, he’s devoted himself to capturing killers. His only regret is that it cost him Tessa. Now, as the Dollmaker case brings them together—and raises his suspicions that he''s crossed paths with this deranged psychopath before— they may just have their second chance. But it seems Dakota’s not the only one who wants to make Tessa his own . . . She may be the Dollmaker’s next target, but Tessa has no intention of winding up as another toy on his shelf. Can she and Dakota stop this ghastly killer before his next deadly playdate?

Chasing down a pyromaniac could burn a man out... Once he solved the Nero case, arson investigator Michael Gannon blasted out of town on his motorcycle. No way would he return to the job, but his nightmares persisted. Gannon found some relief in a small Virginia town...until the fires started again. Back in the public eye, he had to face his demons and the incomparable Darcy Sampson, a feisty reporter who urged him out of hiding. Gannon had to ask himself: What would it take to push him over the edge? More time spent in a fiery hell--or a surprising attraction to a woman he couldn''t resist?

Senseless & Merciless Bundle Senseless Every Serial Killer Knows. . . The vicious burns scarring the victims'' flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it''s time for the bloodshed to start again. . . The Perfect Time. . . Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can''t forget. Now she''s trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn''t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating--or protecting. . . To Make His Mark Only Eva''s death will bring peace. Only her tortured screams will silence the rage that has been building for ten long years. Because what started that night at the sorority can never be stopped--not until the last victim has been marked for death. . . Merciless No Pity Each skeleton is flawless--gleaming white and perfectly preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And the collection is growing. . . No Compassion When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a former patient of Dr. James Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of attempted murder, thanks to defense attorney Angie Carlson. But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath. No Escape Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of madness and murder about to be revealed--or a killer ready to claim her as his ultimate trophy. . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "A twisted tale. . .I couldn''t put it down!" --Lisa Jackson on Dying Scream "Taut, compelling. . .delivers a page-turner." --Carla Neggers onI''m Watching You "A chilling thriller." --Beverly Barton on Dead Ringer "Mary Burton''s latest romantic suspense has it all--terrific plot, complex and engaging protagonists, a twisted villain, and enough crime scene detail to satisfy the most savvy suspense reader."--Erica Spindler, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Vines

When Danger Took Root, Her Courage Grew Strong… And Rachel Emmons fled her violent marriage, seeking a safe haven. Her brave escape led her to the saving embrace of Ben Mitchell, the man who rescued her from the depths of the ocean and made her determined to heal…. The island locals claimed he’d drawn a mermaid from the sea, and light keeper Ben Mitchell agreed. Certainly Rachel possessed sirenlike beauty her widow’s weeds could not hide, and the bruises she bore testified to secrets as deep—and dark—as any hidden beneath the waves. But could he help her see that happiness—together—was on her horizon?

A tragic accident or something more sinister? A woman''s buried memories put her life at risk in a novel of shattering psychological suspense by New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton. Lane McCord wakes up in a hospital having survived a near-fatal fall at a North Carolina beach cottage. Her boyfriend, Kyle, wasn''t so lucky. A senseless tragedy on their first romantic getaway. All Lane remembers is lying at the bottom of the stairs in Kyle''s pooling blood. Confused and grieving, Lane plans to return to the cottage, collect her personal belongings, and get out. Until a winter rainstorm leaves her stranded and vulnerable, but not alone. A concerned neighbor, who claims he heard a violent argument before the accident, has come out of the storm. So has a suspicious detective on the trail of a missing woman, whose diary deepens the mystery--and raises more questions that fill Lane with dread. How well did she know Kyle? How well does she know herself? What really happened at the cottage on the beach? And when the answers come, who can Lane trust to get out of this waking nightmare alive?

Their Grand Passion Had Burned Too Brightly To Survive But faced with wedding another, Alanna Patterson was determined to reignite any smoldering embers of desire Caleb Pitt might still harbor for her. Would her brawny captain, now a solitary lighthouse keeper, rescue her from a sea of regrets? Or had tragedy both public and private sunk any hopes for a lasting love? Caleb Pitt had once believed love was eternal as the sea, for Alanna Patterson had promised him forever. But despite her vow, she’d left him to drown in disgrace. Now, years later, she’d reappeared on a storm-tossed wave, beautiful as a siren…and just as seductive!

For a woman obsessed and a killer in her shadow, remembering the past becomes a mind game in a novel of psychological suspense by New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton. Twin sisters Marisa and Clare Stockton were sixteen when Clare''s body was found in Virginia''s James River. No arrests were made. Fourteen years later, Marisa''s friends and dedicated career as a photographer help her to cope with the open wound of the past. But Marisa still feels the hurt--and the unsolved murder isn''t the only thing haunting her. A recent car crash has erased ten days of Marisa''s memories--a black hole leading up to the accident that''s left her disoriented. Every text and phone call from that crucial missing time has vanished, along with her phone. A photograph she took of the river has disappeared. A new neighbor Marisa believes she knows introduces himself as if he were a stranger. And there''s the growing fear that her near-fatal accident was no accident at all. As dreams of Clare and nightmares of the crash begin to converge, so do two disturbing puzzles fourteen years apart. Putting the pieces together could be fatal. As she struggles to remember everything, Marisa closes in on a killer--without realizing that he''s already closed in on her.

Ross has his pride… Ross McCain is determined to bring a schoolteacher to town, even if he has to carry her all the way out West. But he''s not anticipated Miss Grimes being so hard to live with—or that he''d wind up proposing to her just to keep her from leaving! Jessica has a secret… Forced to flee Sacramento, posing as a schoolteacher, Jessica Tierney is out of her depth. She knows nothing of country living, let alone children! And now rancher Ross McCain is insisting that they marry. But how can she let their marriage be based on a lie—especially when she discovers she''s falling in love with him?

Meet sixtyone-year-old vodou priestess, convicted black widow serial killer and cop killer, Beatrice Belladonna. She is a death row inmate housed at The Federal Medical Center, Carswell, Texas, and is five months shy of her scheduled execution date. Seeking notoriety after death, Beatrice accepts A&E Networks request for a televised interview. During this six-hour interview, she reveals her life story which includes being sexually abused as a child by her stepfather and abandoned at the age of sixteen by her mother. Consequently, it is no surprise that Beatrice evolved into a sociopathic black widow serial killer at a very young age, eighteen. On camera, she coldly confesses to murdering all of her subsequent lovers for profi t and states that after their deaths, she felt absolutely no remorse, only sheer elation. Naturally, being a vodou priestess has its advantages when it comes to cold-blooded murder. Find out how Beatrice used her vodou black magic powers to kill her lovers and how she managed to elude arrest by the police for over thirty years! Beatrice Belladonnas bizarre and macabre life story is truly remarkable and one that will not soon be forgotten.