Dead By Midnight [Paperback]

Beverly Barton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

In murder . . .

The last sounds Dean Wilson hears are a clock striking twelve and a killer's taunting words. And his death is just the first. One by one, victims are stalked and shot at close range. Only the killer knows their sins, and who will be the next to die at midnight?

And in life . . .

In the ten years since her Hollywood career imploded, Lorie Hammonds has built a good life in her Alabama hometown. When the first death threat arrives, she assumes it's a joke. Then she gets a second. Sheriff Mike Birkett, her high school sweetheart, has avoided Lorie since she returned to Dunmore, but when investigators uncover her connection to a string of recent murders, he's drawn into a case that's terrifyingly personal.

Timing is everything.

With every murder, the killer edges closer. Soon Lorie's will be the last name left on his list. Her only hope is to unearth a deadly secret--before the clock runs out for good.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Dead by Morning:

''The popular and dependable Barton has again created an intricately plotted, thoroughly engrossing serial killer tale that satisfactorily resolves the current dilemmas but leaves a stunning cliff-hanger.'' --Library Journal

Praise for As Good as Dead:

''A powerful story that kept me up very late--with all the lights on.'' --Kay Hooper, New York Times bestselling author --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

BEVERLY BARTON (1946-2011), an avid reader since childhood, wrote her first book at the age of nine. After that she went on to write well over seventy novels and was a New York Times bestselling author. She resided in Alabama. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Mass Market; 1 edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420100513
• ISBN-13: 978-1420100518
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An avid reader since childhood, Beverly Barton wrote her first book at the age of nine. Since then, she has gone on to write well over seventy novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Beverly lives in Alabama in the U.S.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as previous novels, but still ok, February 3, 2010

By 

S. Bivins "southern reader" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead By Midnight (Paperback)

I waited a long time for this novel to come out. This is once again, the Powell Agency. I love Ms. Barton and I am from Alabama, so that in itself is worth 3 stars. However, I did not think this one was as good as her previous novels. She did tie up some loose ends from her last novel and left some untied(?) The book did keep my interest, however,it seemed to get "Bogged Down" somewhat with so many characters. I would recommend reading her previous Powell Agency books first, but if you don't this one can stand alone. I know Ms. Barton will finish this series with a bang. I have faith in her and am looking forward to her next novel. This one was just not as good as I had anticipated. As I have said before, she has set the bar so high with her previous novels, it is going to be interesting to see what she comes up with next.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Dead BY Midnight", February 23, 2010

By 

Lynx Rufus ("Talk of the Town Trailer Estates Park") - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dead By Midnight (Paperback)

Lorie Hammonds and Mike Birkett were a High School

loving couple. Lorie decided she wanted to be an

actress. She tried to encourage Mike to go to

Hollywood with her. Mike had his own plans he

wanted to go into law enforcement.

Lorie left Dunmore, Alabama to California and tried

to make it into show business. To her astonishment,

she was unsuccessful after six years of trying to

get a big break. Lorie played a small role in a Porno

movie.

Lorie moved back home to Dunmore as a failure.

She made a mistake making one porno movie.

Most of the town's people had seen the porno

movie Midnight Masquerade. Nine years later,

Lorie received two death threats. She hired

Maleah Perdue from the Powell Agency. The FBI

believes there is a serial killer that's murdering

the cast in Midnight Masquerade. State, local

enforcement, and the FBI are working with Powell

Agency.

Dead By Midnight could stand alone. Although, I

recommend also reading The Murder Game. This is

the book where Nicole was an FBI agent and met

Griffin Powell. I would recommend reading the

Silent Killer. Most of the characters in The Murder

Game and Silent Killer are in Dead By Midnight.

Dead By Midnight has too many characters; too

many story lines going at once with two serial

killers. One serial killer, murdering the cast in

Midnight Masquerade. Then, the other serial killer,

killed two Griffin Powell Agency employees. Ms.

Barton left the Powell Agency for another series.

I like Maleah who works for Powell Agency as a

detective. She is intelligent and sassy. Derek

Lawrence is a retired FBI Agent who works for

Powell Agency as a consultant. Beverly Barton

will be writing a book about these two characters.

I am looking forward to their story.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating romantic suspense, February 5, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead By Midnight (Paperback)

Lorie Hammonds dreamed of making it in Hollywood so she left Dunmore, Alabama to pursue her dream. She left behind her boyfriend, now the town Sheriff Mike Birkett (see Silent Killer for the back story).

She came home after her fantasy failed and her BFF widow Cathy Cantrell needed her (also see Silent Killer). Mike remains angry with her to the point it impacts his job as he ignores death threats aimed at her. The widower tries not to be short with his kids, eleven years old M.J. and nine years old Hannah while not understanding why they reject caring Abby Sherman who reminds him of his late wife Molly. However, Powell Agency detective Maleah Perdue takes the threats to Lorie seriously as a serial killer is methodically murdering the cast who performed in the nude in an adult film that Lorie would prefer to not count on her credits list. She will show her inner strength when the two kids become the target.

The latest Dead By romantic suspense thriller tied to the Powell Detective Agency is a tense direct sequel to the Silent Killer. The story line is fast-paced from the onset as a serial killer methodically murders the cast of a porn film with Lorie listed as an actress. As she and Mike learn via Dead by Midnight that a person cannot run from their deeds as regret and remorse are powerful feelings that never quite leave. Fans will relish this strong sequel with a fascinating unexpected potentially deadly twist that does not require reading the previous novel, although that helps with the past that haunts the present.

Harriet Klausner