Gone to Ground Read online

  Praise for Novels by Brandilyn Collins

  Over the Edge

  * * *

  "Tense and dramatic . . . a dense and compact narrative that holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle."

  —New York Journal of Books

  "A taut, heartbreaking thriller . . . Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages."

  —Publishers Weekly

  "A frightening and all-too-real scenario . . . very timely and meaningful book."

  —RT Book Reviews

  Deceit

  * * *

  ". . . good storytelling and notable mystery . . . an enticing read [that poses] tough questions about truth and lies, power and control, faith and forgiveness."

  —Publishers Weekly

  "Solidly constructed . . . a strong and immediately likable protagonist. One of the Top Ten Inspirational Novels of 2010."

  —Booklist

  "Filled with excitement and intrigue, Collins' latest will keep the reader quickly turning pages . . . This tightly plotted mystery, filled with quirky characters, will appeal to suspense lovers everywhere."

  —RT Book Reviews

  ". . . pulse-accelerating, winding, twisting storyline [that will] keep your attention riveted to the action until the very end."

  —Christian Retailing

  Exposure

  * * *

  ". . . a hefty dose of action and suspense with a superb conclusion."

  —RT Book Reviews

  "Brandilyn Collins, the queen of Seatbelt Suspense®, certainly lives up to her well-deserved reputation. Exposure has more twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster . . . Intertwining storylines collide in this action-packed drama of suspense and intrigue. Highly recommended."

  —CBA Retailers + Resources

  "Captivating . . . the alternating plot lines and compelling characters in Exposure will capture the reader's attention, but the twist of events at the end is most rewarding."

  —Christian Retailing

  "Mesmerizing mystery . . . a fast-paced, twisting tale of desperate choices."

  —TitleTrakk.com

  "[Collins is] a master of her craft . . . intensity, tension, high-caliber suspense, and engaging mystery."

  —The Christian Manifesto

  Dark Pursuit

  * * *

  "Lean style and absorbing plot . . . Brandilyn Collins is a master of suspense."

  —CBA Retailers + Resources

  "Intense . . . engaging . . . whiplash-inducing plot twists . . . the concepts of forgiveness, restoration, selflessness, and sacrifice made this book not only enjoyable, but a worthwhile read."

  —Thrill Writer

  "Moves from fast to fierce."

  —TitleTrakk.com

  "Thrilling . . . characters practically leap off the page with their quirks and inclinations."

  —Tennessee Christian Reader

  Amber Morn

  * * *

  ". . . a harrowing hostage drama . . . essential reading."

  —Library Journal

  "The queen of seatbelt suspense delivers as promised. Her short sentences and strong word choices create a 'here and now' reading experience like no other."

  —TitleTrakk.com

  "Heart-pounding . . . the satisfying and meaningful ending comes as a relief after the breakneck pace of the story."

  —RT Book Reviews

  "High octane suspense . . . a powerful ensemble performance."

  —BookshelfReview.com

  Crimson Eve

  * * *

  "One of the Best Books of 2007 . . . Top Christian suspense of the year."

  —Library Journal, starred review

  "The excitement starts on page one and doesn't stop until the shocking end . . . [Crimson Eve] is fast-paced and thrilling."

  —Romantic Times

  "The action starts with a bang . . . and the pace doesn't let up until this fabulous racehorse of a story crosses the finish line.

  —Christian Retailing

  "An unparalleled cat and mouse game wrought with mystery and surprise."

  —TitleTrakk.com

  Coral Moon

  * * *

  "A chilling mystery. Not one to be read alone at night."

  —RT BOOKclub

  "Thrilling . . . one of those rare books you hurry through, almost breathlessly, to find out what happens."

  —Spokane Living

  ". . . a fascinating tale laced with supernatural chills and gut-wrenching suspense.

  —Christian Library Journal

  Violet Dawn

  * * *

  ". . . fast-paced . . . interesting details of police procedure and crime scene investigation . . . beautifully developed [characters] . . ."

  —Publishers Weekly

  "A sympathetic heroine . . . effective flashbacks . . . Collins knows how to weave faith into a rich tale."

  —Library Journal

  "Collins expertly melds flashbacks with present-day events to provide a smooth yet deliciously intense flow . . . quirky townsfolk will help drive the next books in the series."

  —RT BOOKclub

  "Skillfully written . . . Imaginative style and exquisite suspense."

  —1340mag.com

  Web of Lies

  * * *

  "A master storyteller . . . Collins deftly finesses the accelerator on this knuckle-chomping ride."

  —RT BOOKclub

  "fast-paced . . . mentally challenging and genuinely entertaining."

  —Christian Book Previews

  Dead of Night

  * * *

  "Collins' polished plotting sparkles . . . unique word twists on the psychotic serial killer mentality. Lock your doors, pull your shades—and read this book at noon."

  —RT BOOKclub, Top Pick

  ". . . this one is up there in the stratosphere . . . Collins has it in her to give an author like Patricia Cornwell a run for her money."

  —Faithfulreader.com

  ". . . spine-tingling, hair-raising, edge-of-the-seat suspense."

  —Wordsmith Review

  "A page-turner I couldn't put down, except to check the locks on my doors."

  —Authors Choice Reviews

  Stain of Guilt

  * * *

  "Collins keeps the reader gasping and guessing . . . artistic prose paints vivid pictures . . . High marks for original plotting and superb pacing."

  —RT BOOKClub

  ". . . a sinister, tense story with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat."

  —Wordsmith Shoppe

  Brink of Death

  * * *

  ". . . an abundance of real-life faith as well as real-life fear, betrayal and evil. This one kept me gripped from beginning to end."

  —Contemporary Christian Music

  "Collins' deft hand for suspense brings on the shivers."

  —RT BOOKclub

  "Gripping . . . thrills from page one."

  —christianbookpreviews.com

  Dread Champion

  * * *

  "Compelling . . . plenty of intrigue and false trails."

  —Publisher's Weekly

  "Finely-crafted . . . vivid . . . another masterpiece that keeps the reader utterly engrossed."

  —RT BOOKclub

  ". . . riveting mystery and courtroom drama."

 
—Library Journal

  Eyes of Elisha

  * * *

  "Chilling . . . a confusing, twisting trail that keeps pages turning."

  —Publisher's Weekly

  "A thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the end."

  —Library Journal

  "Unique and intriguing . . . filled with more turns than a winding mountain highway."

  —RT BOOKclub

  "One of the top ten Christian novels of 2001."

  —christianbook.com

  Other Novels by Brandilyn Collins

  Over the Edge

  Deceit

  Exposure

  Dark Pursuit

  Rayne Tour Series (cowritten with Amberly Collins)

  Always Watching

  Last Breath

  Final Touch

  Kanner Lake Series

  Violet Dawn

  Coral Moon

  Crimson Eve

  Coral Moon

  Hidden Faces Series

  Brink of Death

  Stain of Guilt

  Dead of Night

  Web of Lies

  Chelsea Adams Series

  Eyes of Elisha

  Dread Champion

  Bradleyville Series

  Cast a Road Before Me

  Color the Sidewalk for Me

  Capture the Wind for Me

  Copyright © 2012 by Brandilyn Collins

  All rights reserved.

  Printed in the United States of America

  978-1-4336-7163-0

  Published by B&H Publishing Group

  Nashville, Tennessee

  Dewey Decimal Classification: F

  Subject Heading: MYSTERY FICTION HOMICIDE—FICTION ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVELS

  Author represented by the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80920, www.alivecommunications.com.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Also used Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 • 16 15 14 13 12

  For my niece, Laura Sheppard.

  What a joy to see you grow

  and to anticipate what you will become.

  Contents

  Article 1

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Article 2

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Article 3

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Article 4

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Article 5

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Article 6

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Article 7

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Article 8

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Article 9

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Article 10

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Article 11

  Epilogue

  Cherrie Mae Devine's Quotes

  Discussion Questions

  Acknowledgments

  "What anxious moments pass between the birth of plots and their last fatal periods."

  CATO, BY JOSEPH ADDISON

  http://www.pulitzer.org/works/2010-Feature-Writing

  2010 Pulitzer Prize

  Feature Writing

  The Jackson Bugle

  Gone to Ground

  What happens to a small, quiet Southern town when evil invades in the form of a serial killer?

  By: Trent Williams

  October 29, 2010

  (Excerpt)

  Amaryllis, Mississippi, is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and Southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and the legendary ghost in its old cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its denizens are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it's named—bright and fragrant.

  But the amaryllis flower is poisonous.

  In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within this tiny burg. All the victims were easy targets—women who lived alone, ranging from age 48 to 64. Each was killed in similar fashion while asleep in bed—from a single knife stab to the neck. Inflicted with precision, each stabbing cut the victim's carotid artery, causing her to bleed out in a matter of one to two minutes. After being stabbed, the women were then stuffed into their bedroom closets. The reason for that remains one of the many mysteries surrounding the case. This strange M.O. has led to the dubbing of the murders as the "Closet Killings."

  Three victims have been white, two black. The culprit, while unquestionably a monster and a coward, is no respecter of race.

  Or anything else.

  MONDAY

  APRIL 25, 2011

  Prologue

  "Get me a Bible and some cigarettes—and I'll talk."

  Chief Cotter stared at the person facing him across the worn wooden table. Man, it was stuffy in the cramped interrogation room. And what kind of crazy stall tactic was this? He had no time for it, not in his present state of mind. He'd barely slept since Erika Hollinger's murder a week ago. And the pressure to nab the killer off the town's streets laid hard on him.

  He fired back with a question.

  The answer hit like a sucker punch.

  MONDAY—THURSDAY

  APRIL 18–21, 2011

  Chapter 1

  Cherrie Mae

  You can tell an awful lot bout people from cleanin their houses. Like the time I drug a hot pink thong out from under ol Ed McAllister's bed—a lacy little piece a cloth that wouldn't a fit round his wife's hiney in her best days. So what did Verna McAllister do to protect her husband's stellar reputation? Tried to hide her shock while swearin up and down she used that thong for a dust rag. Mm-hmm. Thing's no bigger than a piece a lint. Besides, who cleans that house, her or me?

  I've had plenty other revelations. Like when I seen that hoard a sleepin pills stuck down in Alicia May Alkin's sweater drawer—enough to kill at least two and a half people. And her so happy and all after marryin the man a her dreams.

  Words is just air. Faces tell you more, if you pay attention. (Most people don't.) But houses, they hold the darkest secrets.

  Not that I go pokin round the places I clean. Well, maybe I do, but a woman's got to have somethin to keep her brain goin while she scrubs toilets. Like Sherlock Holmes said, "My mind rebels at stagnation." Besides anybody in this town'll tell you Cherrie Mae Devine's the best housecleaner around. I got my customer list—white and black folk alike—so full there ain't room for one more, and that's a fact. So I figure some rovin eyes now and then ain't gon hurt nobody. I always keep my discoveries to myself.

  But mercy,
what I seen today.

  Austin Bradmeyer, mayor a Amaryllis, is a finicky man. Finicky enough he wants me cleanin his house twice a week—every Thursday and Monday—even though the missus don't work, so what she do all day? The mayor keeps his things just so, and that includes his fancy mahogany office. Big desk and leather chair, a straight-back settee, and huge shelves full a books. The top a the desk is always perfect, no cluttered papers, every pen in the wooden holder. Even his ash tray is always emptied into the trash can. (Which don't keep smokin from bein a nasty habit.) I happen to know that office is Mayor B's private little place. The missus ain't even allowed to go in there.

  See, Mayor B ain't as nice and gentlemanly as folks think. I seen him more than once come home for lunch and yell at his wife over nothin. And I mean stompin round, red-faced mad. Fire in his eyes like the devil. So outta control he don't even care I seen him—as if anybody would believe my word over his anyway. Then he'll turn it off, just like that. Light a cigarette and go back to his plastics factory, no doubt smilin at everbody there.

  I done lived long enough to know this: people can fool you. You think they one thing—they might be somethin else altogether.