Dead Run (Hardcover)

by Erica Spindler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Troubled teenagers, a satanic cult, a serial killer and hurricane-force evil disturb the island paradise of Key West in Spindler's latest chiller. Divorced family counselor Liz Ames relocates from St. Louis to Key West to investigate the disappearance of her sister, Pastor Rachel Howard, who left Liz a mysterious phone message about a teenaged girl, illegal activities and threats to her life. Local police chief Val Lopez does not share Liz's certainty that her sister has fallen victim to foul play, nor is hers the only island mystery confronting police: a wealthy loan officer with deviant tastes has plummeted to his death, a suspected suicide; another bank employee is reported missing before her body washes ashore, a suspected homicide; and just as Liz gets to know her, a teenage girl is brutally murdered and mutilated, her runaway boyfriend the prime suspect. Liz seeks help from Rick Wells, Miami cop-turned-bar owner and close friend of the police chief; Rachel's successor, Pastor Tim; and Heather Ferguson, the blonde bombshell owner of a bikini boutique. Not knowing which locals she can trust, Liz (who's not entirely honest herself) heads into the eye of a hurricane and a classic confrontation between good and evil. Spindler (Bone Cold; All Fall Down) demonstrates the power of faith over satanic forces with campy descriptions of both and embellishes her by-the-numbers thriller with savvy amounts of sex and moral outrage, investigation and confrontation, psychology and romance.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
" . . . allows the reader to feel the actual details of events . . . takes her readers into the subtle areas of crime scenes." -- Yong-Myun Rho, M.D., Consultant in Forensic Medicine

"Great read. Spellbinding. Could not put it down. Terrific plot." -- David W. Hunt, Colonel, U.S. Army, retired

"I've investigated some horrific crimes in my time. Spindler's forays into the dark side of the human psyche are dead on." -- Chris Rush, International Investigative Consultant

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Book Club (BCE/BOMC) edition (May 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551669145
• ISBN-13: 978-1551669144
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,299,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Run to get this one!, May 12, 2003

By	Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Run (MIRA) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you want a book that will keep you turning pages for hours on end, one that has surprises around every corner, and one that will undoubtedly have you on the edge of your seat, then Dead Run would be perfect for you! This is my first [time] at reading a book like this, a "chilling thriller" as advertised on the book spine, and I know for sure it won't be my last!

Dead Run tells the story of Liz Ames, a family counselor from St. Louis, who receives a phone call from the Key West Police Department -- her sister, Rachel, pastor of the Paradise Christian Church there, is missing. Soon after, Liz moves to Key West and sets up her practice, determined to find out what really happened to Rachel. But the police aren't very helpful, leaving Liz to do the sleuthing all by herself. And then more people go missing -- even some are found dead. And what happens after is bar none the best twisty-turny story I've ever read.

I believe "chilling thriller" is an understatement. Erica Spindler did not leave one thread untied, and I was completely mesmerized by the storyline. I caught myself many times smiling because I couldn't believe my luck at finding such a good book to read! I am definitely reading more books by Erica -- she's got a new fan in me!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, July 11, 2004

By	"philherb2mooski5" (Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Run (MIRA) (Mass Market Paperback)

My first Erica Spindler read and after 350 pages in one night, should tell the rest of the story. EXCELLENT!
Just returned from driving from Montana to Key West and Duval St. 3390 miles one way,then back! Felt like I was still in the Fla. keys through the entire book. Cannot wait to start on all of her books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real "can't put it down" thriller and chiller!!, October 1, 2005

By	Valerie Matteson "Bookaholic" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Run (MIRA) (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this hardcover at a bargain book sale - and WHAT A BARGAIN!! I love Nora Roberts, Iris Johansen, Kay Hooper and other mystery/romance writers and now I love Erica Spindler!!

The book begins with Pastor Rachel Howard peering out her window wondering if "they" are out there and rushing to her car, driving and crashing. We get the sense that she is very scared and very desperate. The next chapter introduces Liz Ames, her sister. Liz has a weird message on her answering machine from Rachel telling her that Rachel has found something going on and that someone is watching her. Liz believes her sister is in fear of her life. Liz bugs the police in Key West but no one is interested and the police believe Rachel left on her own.

Three months later Liz has made arrangements to bring her social worker practice to Key West and opens a small storefront on the "main" street in town. Except for the police, Liz does not intend to tell anyone she is Rachel's sister so that she can get some answers. Lt. Valentine Lopez tells Liz that even Liz's congregation at Paradise Christian Church said she had been acting strangely so he believes it is no wonder she ran away. Even after Liz tells him about the phone message from Rachel, Lt. Lopez is just not buying into any sinister happenings.

In the meantime, a vice president at a local bank jumps (falls?) to his death from his third story bedroom window and another bank employee is missing. The new pastor, Pastor Tim, of Rachel's congregation does not seem very cooperative to Liz and on top of that a young teenage girl that Rachel had counseled and Liz had begun to see is found murdered in a ritualistic style after the infamous "New Testament" killer currently incarcerated.

An ex-Miami cop who owns a bar, the young boyfriend of the murdered teen, and a shop owner enter the picture and provide support and clues as Liz struggles to find out what has happened to her sister and who is committing these murders and is SHE now in danger too??

Very exciting with lots of plot twists and turns and surprises and some fun romance as well. A great read!!