The Stranger Next Door
Page 30
“I probably shouldn’t be calling . . .”
“What do you want?” Why was she still on the phone, for heaven’s sake? Why didn’t she just hang up?
“I think . . .”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been looking at the sketches on the Internet.” Lili paused. “You know . . . of your daughter.”
Caroline lowered her head. Here it comes, she thought. It happened every year at this time. Five years ago, a man had called from Florida, claiming his new neighbor’s daughter bore a suspicious resemblance to recent sketches of Samantha. Caroline immediately took off for Miami, missing all three of Michelle’s performances in her high school’s production of Oliver!, only to have her hopes dashed when the man’s suspicions proved groundless. The following year a woman reported seeing Samantha waiting in line at a Starbucks in Tacoma, Washington. Another wasted trip followed. And now, with the widespread release of the most recent sketches in the papers, on the Internet . . . “Lili . . . ,” she began.
“That’s just it,” the girl interrupted as once again Caroline felt her knees go weak and her breath turn to ice in her chest. “I don’t think Lili is my name.” Another silence. “I think my real name is Samantha. I think I’m your daughter.”
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SEE JANE RUN
What do you do when you don't know who you are. . .
Jane has lost her memory.
. . .Where you are. . .
Jane is found walking the streets wearing a blood-stained dress with $10,000 in the pocket.
. . .What you’ve done?
Unable to get answers from her husband, Jane is forced to seek the truth about her accident on her own. But the truth doesn’t always set you free . . .
When you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
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ANSWER ME
There’s a killer on the loose. You’re next.
Joanne Hunter’s husband has just left her when she receives the first phone call.
A twisted serial killer has been targeting women in her neighbourhood. The caller has a message for her: “you’re next.”
With her life falling apart, Joanne struggles to convince anyone to take her fears seriously. Soon even she begins to wonder if it might all be in her head.
But the calls continue, and the threats intensify, and one thing becomes clear: the only person who can save Joanne is herself.
Tense, dark and totally gripping, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
***Previously published as The Deep End***
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DON’T CRY NOW
“You’re in danger. You and Amanda.”
Hours after receiving this message from her husband’s ex-wife, the caller ends up dead.
And Bonnie becomes the number one suspect in a murder investigation.
Fighting to prove her innocence and to keep herself and her daughter safe, Bonnie attempts to track down the killer.
But as Bonnie gets closer to the truth, the killer is getting closer to Bonnie . . .
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
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TAKE WHAT’S MINE
“A knockout!” New York Times. A gripping psychological thriller about what lies behind the perfect marriage, for fans of Behind Closed Doors or The Girl on the Train
Donna has never had much luck with men. So when she meets Victor - kind, handsome, attentive, smart - she immediately realises she’s hit the jackpot.
She doesn’t mind that he sometimes seems a little contrary. Nor that he has to win every argument. And so what if it turns out he’s told a lie about his past? Or several.
Even as the arguments worsen, Donna is absolutely certain they can make it work, if only for the sake of the children.
So why, two years later, are they in the divorce courts? And why is Victor arguing that Donna is clearly in no fit state to keep the children. . .?
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
***Previously published as Kiss Mommy Goodbye***
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MISSING PIECES
Who’s the worst person you ever fell in love with?
Kate Sinclair’s life is taking a turn for the worse. Her daughter is acting up, her husband is distant and her mother’s mental health is alarmingly in decline.
Meanwhile the media are gripped by the trial of Colin Friendly, a handsome sociopath, who stands accused of the brutal murders of more than a dozen women.
When Kate’s dysfunctional younger sister starts to take an increasingly romantic interest in Colin, she resolves she has to witness the trial herself. . . Which is when she bumps into her childhood sweetheart - the one that got away.
And as Kate struggles to resist being drawn into a dangerous affair, she can’t afford to take her eye off Colin. Because he isn’t just interested in her sister; he’s looking forward to meeting her family. . .
Tense, dark and totally gripping, this is a gripping page-turner from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
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RUN FROM ME
You can’t run for ever.
Twenty-nine years old and reeling from a nasty divorce, Jamie Kellogg is unsure where her life is going. That’s until she meets a handsome stranger in a bar. Kind, attentive and tender, Brad doesn’t seem to be like the others.
Spurred on by her longing for adventure, Jamie is persuaded to quit her job and accompany Brad on a mysterious road trip. But soon it becomes apparent that this could this be the biggest mistake she’s ever made.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, two single mothers meet - thrown together by chance. Both have secrets. Both are running from something.
And as Brad and Jamie arrive in Atlanta, one of them is about to be found . . .
Run From Me is a heart-stopping and gripping psychological thriller full of twists and turns, from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
***Previously published as Mad River Road***
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TELL ME NO SECRETS
A gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Hall and BA Paris
Jess Koster spends her days putting criminals behind bars.
Then she meets Rick Ferguson, a man about to be tried for rape. That is, until the victim disappears before giving evidence.
Fearing for the woman’s safety, and positive that this is Rick’s plan to stop her from testifying, Jess is determined to prove that Rick had something to do with her disappearance.
But now somebody wants to make Jess disappear too . . .
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
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THE FINAL ACT
Julia has disappeared.
After not returning from an audition with a prominent Hollywood director, Cindy Carver starts to fear for her daughter’s safety.
But with an ex-husband who doesn’t seem worried, a neighbour acting suspiciously, and her other daughter keeping her distance, could the culprit be closer to home than she realises?
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-
copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
*** previously published as Lost ***
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WHEN I LOOKED AWAY
She’s searching for the man who killed her daughter. But will he find her first? A gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Linda Green or My Husband’s Son
Gail Walton considers herself a lucky woman. She’s always enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother, raising her two beloved daughters Cindy and Jennifer with her fantastic husband Jack.
Then one day her daughter Cindy is murdered.
Stunned by the crime, and shocked when those closest to her are considered suspects by a foundering police investigation, Gail’s perfect life starts to fall apart.
Needing to seize back control, Gail makes a resolution. She’ll give the police sixty days to find the killer. Then, if they fail, Gail is going after him alone. . .
Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.
***Previously published as Life Penalty***
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, a special thank you to Owen Laster, Beverley Slopen, and Larry Mirkin, good friends as well as trusted advisors. Thank you also to Emily Bestler, the editor of my dreams, and her assistant Sarah Branham, for their assistance and good humor in the creation of this novel. I also count myself very lucky to have the support of Judith Curr, Louise Burke, Cathy Gruhn, Stephen Boldt, and all the other terrific people at Atria and Pocket who work so hard to make my books a success.
Writing this novel would have been very difficult without the help of Donna and Jack Frysinger, who gave generously of their time and energy to provide me with all the information I needed to bring the charming, oceanside city of Delray to life. I look forward to seeing you there soon.
My love to Warren, Shannon, Annie, Renee, Aurora and Rosie, and all my friends in Toronto and Palm Beach. Thank you for being patient, loyal, and always interesting (especially important for a writer). Note to Annie: You could be a little less interesting for a while.
And lastly, a special thank you to those readers who have sent such wonderful messages to me via my Web site. While there’s not enough time to thank you each in person, please know that your letters have meant more to me than I can ever adequately express. Your kind thoughts and good wishes buoy my spirits and make my day. Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joy Fielding is the New York Times bestselling author of See Jane Run, Don’t Cry Now, Someone is Watching and other acclaimed novels. She divides her time between Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.
First published as Whispers and Lies in 2002 by Atria Books
This ebook edition published in 2016 by
Zaffre Publishing
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Copyright © Joy Fielding, 2002
The moral right of Joy Fielding to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-1-7857-6314-4
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