Over the Edge Read online

  Praise for Novels by Brandilyn Collins

  Over the Edge

  * * *

  "Over the Edge is an excellent mystery. I got involved in the story, and instead of my usual thirty-minute read before bed, I finished the book in four evenings. Over the Edge actively portrays the patient with the myriad symptoms seen in acute or chronic Lyme. This is especially true for those patients not fortunate enough to know about testing or find a Lyme literate physician."

  —Dr. Nick S. Harris, President/CEO of IGeneX, Inc.

  "Brandilyn Collins has written a 'who dunnit' mystery that is fun to read. More importantly she has exposed some of the clinical picture and revealed the evidence in the medical literature that at least some patients suffering with chronic Lyme have persistent active infection that responds to antibiotic therapy. Collins also reveals lateralization of 'sides' in those who treat Lyme: both sides read the same medical literature, but one group of scientists chooses to look at articles stating there is active infection that requires antibiotic to eradicate, and another group points to literature that reveals the spirochete of Lyme might cause an autoimmune process in some patients, causing persistent disease."

  —Dr. Christine Green

  "Meticulously researched and captivating, Over the Edge shows the plight of those who suffer from Lyme, and the intensely emotional "Lyme wars" between patients and the medical community. If you know someone who suffers from Lyme, you need to read this compelling novel."

  —Lydia Niederwerfer, founder of Lyme-Aware, http://lyme-aware.org

  "This book stayed with me long after I put it down. Not only was it a page-turner, but the storyline about Lyme disease was fascinating and eye-opening. Over the Edge will raise awareness about this horrible disease and validate those who suffer with it."

  —Terri Blackstock, author of Predator and Intervention

  "Over the Edge will draw you in early and keep you glued until the end with an unexpected twist. Humans can only be pushed so far, then they react. This is an excellent fictional portrayal of that frustration felt by so many right now in North America as medical professionals and researchers become pitchmen for corporations who do not have your good health at heart."

  —Jim Wilson, President, Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, www.canlyme.com

  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 Bookreviews

  "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 Bookreviews

  "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

  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 © 2011 by Brandilyn Collins

  All rights reserved.

  Printed in the United States of America

  978-1-4336-7162-3

  Published by B&H Publishing Group

  Nashville, Tennessee

  Dewey Decimal Classification: F

  Subject Heading: MEDICAL NOVELS LYME DISEASE—FICTION MYSTERY FICTION

  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 • 15 14 13 12 11

  For Lyme sufferers and their families,

  And the doctors who treat them.

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Thursday

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Friday

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Saturday

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sunday

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Monday

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Tuesday

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Three Months Later

  Epilogue

  A Note from Brandilyn Collins

  Acknowledgments

  Discussion Questions

  If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"

  Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.

  (Psalm 94:18 NASB)

  Prologue

  A VISION DENIED IS A BATTLE LOST.

  With a flick of his hand the blackened sky blipped into eerie green. Crouched on the house's back deck, he adjusted his night goggles. The high bushes surrounding the yard illumed, the wizened limbs of a giant oak straggling upward in surreal glow.

  He ran his hand over a pocket on his black cargo pants. The vial created a telltale bump against his thigh. His latex-gloved fingers closed around it.

  Rising, he crossed the deck in five long strides. He surveyed the lock on the sliding glass door. Not enough light. He raised the goggles, darkness reigning once more. From a left pocket he extracted a tiny flashlight. Aimed its beam at the lock.

  A common thief he was not. His mission had required intricate study of skills he'd never dreamed he need possess. The pick of a lock. A stealthy skulk. A means to render unconscious.

  He pulled the necessary tools from the same pocket. Holding the flashlight in his mouth, he worked the tools into the lock, manipulating as practiced. The mechanism gave way with a tiny click.

  He slid the door open.

  No alarm sounded. He knew it wouldn't. In this upper crust town, home to Stanford University, alarms were for vacations. Children at home were too apt to set them off.

  He replaced the flashlight and tools in his pocket. Slipped inside the house and eased the door shut. Down came his goggles. The large kitchen gleamed into view. His astute nose picked up the lingering scent of pizza, cut with a
trace of ammonia. A cleaning agent, perhaps.

  The digital clock on the microwave read 2:36 a.m.

  From where he stood he could see through open doorways to a den, a hall, and a dining room.

  At the threshold to the hall he stopped and reached into the lower right pocket beneath his knee. The three-ounce glass bottle he withdrew had a covered plastic pump spray. The chemical inside was not compatible with metals. He removed the cap and slid it back into his pants.