DEAD RINGER - Mary Burton
Zebra
ISBN: 978-1-4201-0027-3
November 2008
Romantic Suspense

Richmond, Virginia - Present Day

Homicide Detective Jacob Warwick has no idea, when he begins to investigate the murder of woman, that the past is about to be resurrected. The victim looks familiar to him, but it isn’t until anchorwoman Kendall Shaw appears that he is able to make the connection. The newswoman and victim have startling similarities; even the deceased’s husband notes them. Complicating matters for Jacob even more is the fact that his surrogate father, also known as the Guardian serial killer, very nearly murdered Kendall several months ago. Jacob was able to save her, but the guilt he has carried for not recognizing the truth about his ‘father’ is tremendous. So is the attraction that he feels toward Kendall.

Kendall has fought to overcome her brush with death, ending up as the very popular anchor of a local news broadcast. When the news airs about a recent murder, however, she wants to prove to herself that she can still be an effective investigative reporter. Standing in her way is Jacob, who is determined to keep his investigation under wraps. When more women turn up dead, each bearing a resemblance to Kendall, the lines begin to blur for Jacob and Kendall. Kendall is being haunted by horrible nightmares where she is a young child witnessing terrible acts of violence. She doesn’t know if they are buried memories or the stress of her recent violent episode. Adding to Kendall’s tension is Jacob’s gut feeling that the victims all look like her for a reason, and that Kendall may be a target herself. As the two prickly protagonists are thrown together time and again, the chemistry between them begins to heat up to forge a bond that intensifies the need to find a demented killer.

Other characters add important layers and red herrings, including Kendall’s roommate, Nicole Piper; news director Brett Newington; realtor Dana Miller; Jacob’s boss, David Ayers; Todd Franklin, a carpenter; and Cole Markham, Kendall’s new neighbor. A parallel story that is as creepy as the main tale involves Nicole. She survived a murder attempt by her husband, who was killed, and now carries his unborn child. Showing an unnatural interest in her pregnancy is Dana Miller. David Ayers, who met Nicole previously, is both attracted to and very protective of her. The most chilling scenes, however, are the ones involving the killer alone with his victims.

DEAD RINGER is a terrifying story that will have readers on edge from page one. Kendall is a strong and independent woman fighting debilitating nightmares, and the lack of sleep that accompanies them, that haunt her. Jacob is trying to ignore the emotional baggage left over from the attack on Kendall and betrayal by his father figure. Jacob's and Kendall's fragile emotional states create a realistic depth to the characters and story that ratchet up the suspense to an intense level. Excellent writing, an eerie atmosphere, and the specter of past evil round out the highlights of this stunning tale. DEAD RINGER is a very highly recommended ‘must read’ for fans of mystery and suspense.

Jennell