From the author of the award-winning Truth and Other Lies comes a gripping suspense novel about an ambitious prosecutor on the hunt for her sadistic stalker, only to find herself framed for murder when he turns up dead.
Rachel Matthews is used to stress—from the cutthroat world of the district attorney’s office to her escalating clashes with her teenage daughter. So when a stranger sends a lavish bouquet with a macabre message and leaves a disturbing video on her doorstep, she’s quick to act. Teaming up with an old classmate turned private investigator, she wades through old case files, searching for someone harboring a grudge against her.
But before she has time to pinpoint a suspect, her stalker issues a demand—he wants money, lots of it, or he’ll hurt her daughter. In a dangerous gamble, Rachel agrees to meet her stalker on an isolated beach, only to find herself fleeing from a shocking crime scene. Can she solve the puzzle of who wants to destroy her before she loses her family, her career, and her freedom?
Fans of Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent will embrace this taut tale of long-simmering revenge right up to its surprising and twisty climax.
From the author of the award-winning Truth and Other Lies comes a gripping suspense novel about an ambitious prosecutor on the hunt for her sadistic stalker, only to find herself framed for murder when he turns up dead.
Rachel Matthews is used to stress—from the cutthroat world of the district attorney’s office to her escalating clashes with her teenage daughter. So when a stranger sends a lavish bouquet with a macabre message and leaves a disturbing video on her doorstep, she’s quick to act. Teaming up with an old classmate turned private investigator, she wades through old case files, searching for someone harboring a grudge against her.
But before she has time to pinpoint a suspect, her stalker issues a demand—he wants money, lots of it, or he’ll hurt her daughter. In a dangerous gamble, Rachel agrees to meet her stalker on an isolated beach, only to find herself fleeing from a shocking crime scene. Can she solve the puzzle of who wants to destroy her before she loses her family, her career, and her freedom?
Fans of Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent will embrace this taut tale of long-simmering revenge right up to its surprising and twisty climax.
April 24, 2023, County Courthouse
The killer is sitting in this courtroom and it’s up to me to prove it.
It isn’t every day a murder this sensational happens in Milwaukee. Sure, we’ve had our share of drive-by shootings, domestic arguments that escalated, home invasions that turned deadly. And yes, there was that lurid trial a while back where the deranged sicko drugged, then ate his victims. That one landed our city in the national spotlight. A once in a lifetime case.
But this one’s right up there. Everyone involved is high profile. Which means it warrants the top guns. Which means my boss of nine years, Marcus Huntley, Deputy DA, is sitting first chair. I catch his eye and his expression confirms what I already know. This is the most important case of my career, and if the verdict goes south, any hope for that promotion goes right along with it.
But this isn’t only about winning for me. There’s a lot more at stake. Consequences I don’t dare think about or I’ll lose my nerve. Because even though the police are convinced this is an open and shut case, I know better.
I know they’ve arrested the wrong person.
Because I witnessed the murder. But for reasons I can’t reveal, I have to keep quiet. Only two people know the whole story and I’ve sworn them to secrecy.
I watch the crowd. Examine every person in detail. Who’s talking to whom, who’s staring at their lap, who’s looking around the room. Who’s fidgeting, adjusting their tie, or rummaging through their purse. Who looks bored and who looks agitated? But even though I’m an expert in spotting a tell, I’m coming up empty.
The electricity in the air ratchets up as the judge enters and the bailiff calls the case. I’ve been up most of the night, pacing the floor, rehearsing my lines, imagining how today would go. What to say and what not to say. What needs to happen so I can walk out of here satisfied.
Part of me wants to scream. Part of me wants to whimper. Part of me wants to rush out the door and never look back.
But I don’t do any of those things. Instead I steel my nerves and set aside the theatrics. A bead of sweat slithers down my spine as I stand to address the judge.
In an orange jumpsuit. And handcuffs.
“Rachel Elizabeth Matthews. You stand accused of first-degree intentional homicide.
How do you plead?”
“Not guilty, Your Honor,” I reply.
First off, I thought this novel was absolutely brilliant!
The story was engaging from the start, in the way that makes you want to keep reading. The narrative kept me engrossed from start to finish. The author writes in an easily digestible yet descriptive manner, whilst also making you feel like you're in the scene at all times. I love it when a book drags you in like that; a sign of great writing.
Rachel, our main protagonist, is a successful legal professional with a couple of heavy secrets behind her. The secrets were, of course, being hidden for the greater good, in order to protect her daughter. However, she didn't realise there was even more to her secrets than she could imagine. When she suddenly starts being hounded by a stalker, her nice little life with her daughter is thrown into disarray. Could this be connected to the events of her past?
Being a prominent lawyer, you would think Rachel would have had more sense than to go outside the parameters of the law in order to do what she thought was the right thing, but we'd do anything to protect our kids, right? So she can be forgiven for falling into the trap. It's astonishing, though, how deep into the hole her stalker takes her and I couldn't help thinking, what the hell are you doing, Rachel!?
Throughout the novel, you are acutely aware this is a thriller, and a good one, at that. But then when you get to the last 100 pages or so, it turns into what felt to me like a murder mystery. I appreciated how things unexpectedly arose and revealed themselves because I have recently set out on a personal project to read all of Agatha Christie's work and it felt almost like she inspired this little gem ... (turned out she had, with the author giving a nod to Agatha in the afterword!). That really put a smile on my face.
This story reminded me that certain characters are not always who you think they are, and it was a wake-up call to me that I need to try and be more conscious and present because the author managed to throw me completely off with this one!
All in all, I loved this novel, with its many twists and turns. As a huge murder mystery fan, I recommend it to anyone into thrillers and mystery stories.
Kudos to Maggie Smith on a great story.
Please write more of these!