Don't Say a Word

Beverly Barton

Oct 2011 · Griffin Powell Book 9 · Kensington Publishing Corp.

About this ebook

A young detective’s first case in Tennessee puts her on the path of a gruesome serial killer in the New York Times bestselling author’s romantic thriller.
 
One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, envisioning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy—all will be in vain as he executes his sadistic plan.
 
Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies—all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer's ruthless rage . . .
 
The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you're dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target . . . and the next word you utter could be your last . . .

Ratings and reviews

Will Brannock from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation picks up his friend J.D. Cass's sister Julia and her bloodhound Jasper at the airport. Julia has joined the Chattanooga police department as a detective. She finds Will to be attractive but she doesn't want to be attracted to him as she had her partner and love die in her arms three years ago. Nonetheless, she and Will find they are soon working together, tracking down a serial killer who kills his victims, one by one, cuts out their tongues, then hangs them, and leaves part of the victim's tongue and a stack of thirty dimes on a scale just under their dangling feet. First to die is Federal Judge Lucien Lockhart who is as corrupt and double-dealing as they come. Then next on the killer's list is shock-jock radio commentator Roc VanVeter. Meanwhile, the killer is still seething but smiles to himself as he sits in a nearby cave. He tapes the tip of each victim's tongue under their picture in a scrapbook he has put together. The late Beverly Barton was a master at writing first-rate thrillers that left readers on the edge of their seats as each page of her books was read and even reread. "Don't Say a Word" is no exception. The characters of Will Brannock, Julia Cass and her brother J.D. and all the many other persons in "Don't Say a Word" are totally believable and work well with each other. The character of the Tongue Slasher, the serial killer, makes complete sense as some never get over horrific losses and strike out as their revenge. The plots' twists and turns are totally believable and the story's ending ties up loose ends perfectly. Linda Ladd should be complimented for helping Beverly Barton's family complete this most excellent of thrillers.

Murder mystery... very good storyline..

Excellent.

About the author

Beverly Barton was an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels, including Silent Killer, Cold Hearted, The Murder Game, and Close Enough to Kill. Readers can visit her website at beverlybarton.com.