Praise for the novels of Brenda Novak
“[Inside brings out] the edgier side of Brenda Novak’s talent….
You’ll definitely find yourself wanting more.”
—Suspense Magazine
“I instantly knew I was reading a great—not good—
great book, when the day came to an end and I’d consumed
over half of it… The first book of Brenda Novak’s I’ve read,
Inside did not disappoint. If all her books are written to
this caliber, I can’t wait to get my hands on more.”
—Leafs & Bounds (book review blog)
“A compelling, suspenseful story filled with nonstop action…
a definite page-turner.”
—RT Book Reviews on Body Heat
“Novak expertly blends romantic thrills, suspenseful chills, and
realistically complicated characters together in a white-knuckle
read that is certain to keep readers riveted to the last page.”
—Booklist on White Heat
“Brenda Novak has written the
best high action thriller of 2010.”
—Midwest Book Review on White Heat
“Gripping, frightening and intense…
a compelling romance as well as a riveting and
suspenseful mystery…Novak delivers another winner.”
—Library Journal on The Perfect Liar
“Strong characters bring the escalating suspense to life
and the mystery is skillfully played out.
Novak’s smooth plotting makes for a great read.”
—Publishers Weekly on Dead Right
“Any book by Brenda Novak is a must-buy for me.”
—Reader to Reader Reviews
Also by BRENDA NOVAK
IN SECONDS
INSIDE
KILLER HEAT
BODY HEAT
WHITE HEAT
THE PERFECT MURDER
THE PERFECT LIAR
THE PERFECT COUPLE
WATCH ME
STOP ME
TRUST ME
DEAD RIGHT
DEAD GIVEAWAY
DEAD SILENCE
COLD FEET
TAKING THE HEAT
EVERY WAKING MOMENT
Look for Brenda Novak’s next novel
Available in 2012
BRENDA NOVAK
IN CLOSE
To Louise (LouBabe) Pledge, a reader I knew only
via email for a long time, who has turned into a cherished
friend. Thank you for all your enthusiasm for my books
and the massive support you have given my efforts to
raise money for diabetes research. You’re one in a million!
Dear Reader,
I love old mysteries. Maybe that’s why I’m such a fan of cold case programs. I can’t stand unanswered questions, so I enjoy vicariously experiencing the resolution of such cases and the satisfaction that resolution brings to all the people involved. If something mysterious happened to my friend or loved one, I’m the type of person who’d dig and dig and dig and never give up, never be able to let go. So I completely identify with the heroine of this novel, Claire O’Toole, whose mother, Alana, went missing while Claire was in high school. I enjoyed exploring how that event shaped Claire’s life. I also found it fascinating to consider what might’ve happened to Alana and to come up with a list of possible suspects, including Claire’s stepfather, who was so good to Claire while she was growing up; her crippled sister, with whom she has a strained relationship; the man with whom Claire’s mother might’ve had an extramarital affair; even a few surprise contenders. This case is particularly hard to solve. It’s quite a challenge for Claire—and so is the man who decides to help.
Isaac Morgan has overcome great difficulty himself, which is partly what makes him a perfect match for Claire. She’s exactly what he needs, if only he can figure out how to open his heart again.
Part of the fun of creating this novel was imagining the small town of Pineview, Montana. This area is unique—so different from where I live in California. I’d love to own a cabin in the Chain of Lakes area, where I placed my fictional town. Maybe someday I will (if I can ever talk my husband into leaving suburbia).
I would like to extend a special thanks to Becky Kranz for purchasing the chance to name a character in this book via one of my annual online auctions for diabetes research. She chose the name Carrie Oldman, which you will see in the story. Like every other person who’s helped me raise money for this important cause, Becky is a hero to me.
For more information about me or my work, please visit www.brendanovak.com. There, you can enter my monthly contests, see what’s coming out next or participate in my annual online auction for diabetes research, which runs for the entire month of May. To date, we’ve raised over $1.4 million!
All the best,
Brenda
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32