I have three confessions to make: 1. I’ve got the scar of gunshot on my forehead. 2. I don’t remember an entire year of my life. 3. My name is Kellen Adams…and that’s half a lie. Girl running…from a year she can’t remember, from a husband she prays is dead, from homelessness and fear. Tough, capable Kellen Adams takes a job as assistant manager of a remote vacation resort on the North … remote vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast. There amid the towering storms and the lashing waves, she hopes to find sanctuary. But when she discovers a woman’s dead and mutilated body, she’s soon trying to keep her own secrets while investigating first one murder…then another.
Now every guest and employee is a suspect. Every friendly face a mask. Every kind word a lie. Kellen’s driven to defend her job, her friends and the place she’s come to call home. Yet she wonders–with the scar of a gunshot on her forehead and amnesia that leaves her unsure of her own past–could the killer be staring her in the face?
“Christina Dodd reinvents the romantic thriller. Her signature style–edgy, intense, twisty, emotional–leaves you breathless from first page to last. Readers who enjoy Nora Roberts will devour Dodd’s electrifying novels.”
–Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author
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Interesting story, characters and I didn’t figure out all the layers and plot twists until the end. Well done.
When I pick up a Christina Dodd book, I know I will get an entertaining novel written in her own distinctive voice. In this book, that voice “screamed” every trope Ms. Dodd ever used into the story – a strong heroine with amnesia; a gothic, moody atmosphere; depraved and evil villains; a smattering of the supernatural/mystical; quirky characters who can be funny and/or melodramatic – she even threw in a cameo of everyone’s favorite kissed-by-the-Frog-King Sheriff, Kateri Kwinault! Yet somehow, someway, it all comes together perfectly to create a romantic suspense read that is heavy on the suspense, very light on the romance and containing an epic twist/reveal at the end!
The book’s blurb lays out the plot perfectly. Kellen Adams has a deadly-looking scar on her forehead, tumultuous memories of her past and a missing year in her life She comes to the Cape Charade area in coastal Washington fresh from an Army medical discharge to take a job at Yearning Sands resort. As assistant manager, she is placed in charge when owners Leo and Annie DiLuca take a post-Christmas vacation to visit family in California. The minute when Leo and Annie leave, the skies literally and figuratively turn dark – the former assistant manager turns up dead and everyone at the resort is acting suspicious. So, what sort of criminal activity is going on at the resort? And what is the mystery that is going on inside Kellen’s head? Are these two mysteries linked?
Kellen was a fascinating lead – a strong phoenix that arose from the ashes of a brutal marriage that ended in tragedy. How she came to be the Kellen we meet in the story is intense, sad yet ultimately uplifting. The cast of characters in this novel are many, but fortunately Kellen’s unusual talent gives us handy insights to most of them. And for a character that doesn’t show up until easily half way through the book, Max DiLuca stole the show for me, so to speak. Actually, the very ending stole the show – it had me so gobsmacked I had to re-read it several times. WOW – well done Ms. Dodd, well done. *applause* I really enjoyed this kick-off to the new series, and eagerly await the next book!
Loved this book. Kept me reading till late at night to finish it.
I would rate this book with 5 stars but for the fact it seems to continue. It is really engaging.
Really enjoying this set of stories. Like that the characters that I liked showed up in this book.
I can hardly wait for the next one!!! This book will tear you up and then make you smile.
Wonderful! Kept me guessing all the way to the end!
Dead Girl Running will have you upset if you have to put this book down. The book begins with three things and that last tells you the name of the girl running and that’s half a lie. Kellen is running from many things from her past including a year in her life that she cannot remember. When Kellen takes a job as an assistant manager at a vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast her past slowly creeps into her present including regaining some of her memory of the year she lost. A tightly written suspense novel that will have you going in many directions guessing and being wrong and suspecting just about all of the characters. A top-notch suspense novel that this reader was sorry when it came to the satisfying end.
Another great book by Christina Dodd. I recommend this highly. I couldn’t put this book down. Kellen Adams is on the run from a past she can’t remember and ends up at a remote vacation resort. A body is discovered and she has to investigate. Who can she trust? Everyone is a suspect, guests and employees alike. Will her past catch up with her before the killer is caught? Edgy and suspenseful.
Christina Dodd has given her readers a spectacular thrilling tale. It grabs your attention from the very beginning with an opening scene of domestic abuse, murder & an explosion. Kellen (Cecilia) has been moving around constantly, hiding in plain sight but isn’t sure which threat she’s hiding from. She remembers the opening scene, being in New York & Philadelphia, enlisting in the service but lost over a year of her life. Now she’s managing a remote hotel and strange things are happening. She has no idea who is behind it or who she can trust.
The plot twists & turns in so many directions it made this book a treasure to read. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen & id change my mind. I loved the character of Kellen(Cecilia). She came across as a weak coward in the opening scene but you knew she was stronger than that to be able to survive everything that was happening. Everyone else underestimated her. When the character of Max was introduced, you knew they’d been close in the past from the chemistry & familiarity that came across. I enjoyed the quick glimpses of previous characters from Ms. Dodd’s other books. If you are into mesmerizing thrillers with some romance thrown in on the side, you can’t miss this book!!
Excellent. Lots going on. Never saw end and the big reveal coming. Great start to new series. Can’t wait for the next book!
I have read many a book by this author with this one being one in a long time. I was happy it also started a new series. This one I soon realized was a bit different than what I was used to reading from her. The other ones was the Chosen series with a touch of paranormal with this one not having that element. That is fine it had another one I love to read deep mystery. The main character herself is a big mystery with her having you constantly wondering what next. Her life is a one that you are given tidbits that have you glued to it wanting to know what would be revealed next. Kellen also has quite a bit of drama happening around her with things popping that will bring danger closer to her again than ever before. I like that this had several mysteries weaved into one that kept the intrigue at a high factor. Other characters support this one that make this one fabulous whole read. She also pops at the end with one banger of a surprise that will have you reeling. Will for sure grab the next one when ready.
I was quickly pulled into the story, wondering who Kellen Adams really was, why she had a gunshot scar on her forehead and what happened in the year missing from her memory. As some of the answers were revealed, I thought I knew what is going to happen, but I was so wrong. And wow, talk about a surprise ending. I did not see that coming!!!
This is Book 1 in the Cape Charade series. Wow! It started out a little slow but by the end, I was pulling my hair out. It was so good! I thought I was right about who the bad guy was but no, I was wrong. Kellan is left in charge of the resort while the owners go spend the holidays with family. She’s expecting it to be an easy job since there’s not a lot of guests. She’s wrong. First, the man who’s in charge of security takes a vacation. Next, they find a dead body. There’s so much happening that you can’t help but stay interested in the story. Then Max shows up to help her out. I enjoyed watching Kellan as she coped with everything in her past and with everything that’s happening in her life now at the resort. She grows into such a strong woman and the way she’s interpreted in this book is awesome. Thank you, Christina Dodd, for this really good book. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I could not put this book down. I really do feel bad for Kellan in this book, so much happens to her. This is a good whodunit book. I really hope we get more about Kellan and Max in the next book as I feel unfinished with them at the end of this book. I will mention you don’t have to read the Virtue Falls books to read this series. I would recommend reading those also as they are great books but don’t feel you have to to read this awesome series.
*Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest opinion*
It soon becomes very apparent why this book has this title, and the non-stop action will keep you page turning. This woman should really not be alive, and when all the facts are presented she should not survive.
We are offered a story from a resort in the State of Washington, and it quickly turns to a story in the State of Maine, and with detours of short stays in other parts of the country. Our main character is very likeable and we walk in her shoes, she has evolved into a tough cookie, but has a lot of compassion, but you wonder how is this woman even alive?
With so much action and questioning who is the main culprit or the Librarian, you will be sure your right, but are you? Wait until the other shoe drops, and we are off with more action, yes, there is never a dull moment here! You will be reading to the end for answers, and yes it takes to final page to really get solutions.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.
Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd was one of those books that I hated to put down because I was totally captured from the first page.
Kellen Adams was intriguing from the beginning but she is a force to be reckoned with as she faces so many unknowns – her lost year, a murder mystery, and a stranger who seems to be familiar. She came to the resort looking for a sanctuary only to be involved in a murder mystery with people she’s only recently come to know.
The plot was paced smoothly and Ms. Dodd’s descriptive writing kept me firmly in the Northwest at the Yearning Sands Resort. I enjoyed meeting the DiLucas and the other employees at the resort. They were likable and relatable as I got to know them. Max could definitely be characterized as the strong and silent type; but when all is said and done, he is devoted to Kellen and his family. For me, that makes him a hero. The suspense kept me turning the pages and up late to read just one more chapter. This book had it all as far as I’m concerned – action, suspense, romance and so many twists within the present mystery and the mystery of Kellen’s past. It’s one of those books that I will re-read again because I am sure that I missed clues during this first time read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy the Virtue Falls series, then you will love the Cape Charade series!
Priscilla Carter came to Yearning Sands to be the assistant manager for the resort owned by Di Luca’s. Priscilla has other ambitions and often is called out for her inappropriate behavior. On one of those nights, she was taken to task after a complaint, Priscilla couldn’t sleep. She saw someone come by boat and drop off a package and went to investigate. On a whim, she took the package with a plan to extort money in exchange for the package. She left a note, and stashed the package. Priscilla soon realized, she was in over her head and decided to leave.
The Di Luca’s hired another assistant manager to replace Priscilla. A U.S. Army veteran, Kellen Adams. Kellen has brought with her some of her friends, who served with her. Kellen also has a past, that she is protecting. When the Di Luca’s leave for a rare vacation, and put her in charge, Kellen is about to get more than she bargained for, and she’s not sure who to trust.
I can’t wait to read for book two! This was a fast paced thriller, and the ending actually made me tear up with the unexpected surprise.
I’ve enjoyed my share of Christina Dodd books and most of the time they are excellent. This one kept me guessing, just like the main characters were. I can’t say exactly why, but I was left unsatisfied with the way she tied up all the characters stories at the end. Maybe it was just too abrupt???
The characterization was superficial; I never could relate to any character.