Dead Giveaway

New York Times–Bestselling Author: A police detective comes home to Mississippi to make a new start—but soon finds herself pulled into an old mystery . . .

Every town has its secrets—and Stillwater, Mississippi, has more than most. Starting with the disappearance of the Reverend Lee Barker nineteen years ago. The locals are convinced he was murdered by his stepson, Clay Montgomery. But only Clay—and his mother and sisters—can say for sure. They were the only ones there that fateful night, the only ones who know what really happened. And they're not talking.


Allie McCormick is a cold-case detective from Chicago. After a particularly difficult divorce, she's returned to Stillwater with her six-year-old daughter to find the peace she once knew in her hometown, and to work for the local police force while she's starting over. But when Clay's powerful enemies join forces to put him behind bars, Allie feels duty bound to uncover the truth. Her instincts tell her he didn't murder the Reverend Lee Barker.


Clay may be a dark and brooding man, but he was just sixteen at the time. And he's not a cold-blooded killer. At least, that's what Allie believes—until she learns that behind the preacher's pious demeanor lurked the heart of a monster. Then she has to ask herself whether justice has already been done . . .

Praise for the Stillwater Trilogy

"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

"A compelling new series . . . Novak expertly mixes her usual superior characterization with a chilling sense of evil." —Booklist

"A taut, spine-tingling story." —Christine Feehan