Notorious

by Allison Brennan

  Dr. D. P. Lyle, fellow author, who has the patience of a saint and the devious mind of … well, let’s just say he’s one of my favorite people to consult for forensic details.

  My good friend, author Toni McGee Causey, is one of the few people I trust with my very rough drafts. Her sound, practical advice on the earliest chapters of this book helped make Max a stronger character.

  My editor, Kelley Ragland, and the entire Minotaur team have been amazing to work with, and I feel truly blessed to be part of their family. Kelley’s editorial guidance was spot on, and her assistant Elizabeth Lacks juggles many balls with good humor and patience. Thanks also to Andy Martin and Matthew Shear who brought me into the fold and have been consistently supportive and enthusiastic.

  I especially want to thank my agent, Dan Conaway. Three years ago I pitched this story to him when all I had was a basic premise involving an investigative crime reporter named Max Revere. He said, “I love the idea. But what if Max was a girl?” Everything then came into focus, and Notorious was born.

  ALSO BY ALLISON BRENNAN

  Cold Snap

  Stolen

  Stalked

  Silenced

  If I Should Die

  Kiss Me, Kill Me

  Love Me to Death

  Carnal Sin

  Original Sin

  Cutting Edge

  Fatal Secrets

  Sudden Death

  Playing Dead

  Tempting Evil

  Killing Fear

  Fear No Evil

  See No Evil

  Speak No Evil

  The Kill

  The Hunt

  The Prey

  About the Author

  ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty novels and many short stories. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, she lives in Northern California with her husband Dan and their five children.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  NOTORIOUS. Copyright © 2014 by Allison Brennan. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  Cover design by Ervin Serrano and David Baldeosingh Rotstein

  Cover photographs: woman by Irene Lamprakou/Trevillion Images; water by Krivosheev Vitaly/Shutterstock.com

  www.minotaurbooks.com

  The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

  Brennan, Allison.

  Notorious / Allison Brennan.—First edition.

  pages cm

  ISBN 978-1-250-03505-9 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-03504-2 (e-book)

  1. Women journalists—Fiction. 2. Murder—Investigation—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3602.R4495N78 2014

  813’.6—dc23

  2013032878

  e-ISBN 9781250035042

  First Edition: March 2014