Dead After Midnight (Kelsey Woods Thriller, #1) by C.P. Daley
ABOUT THE BOOK
Suzie Q is a prostitute and determined to get out of her current line of work and excited for a fresh start with best friend Lucy by her side. Her dreams come to an abrupt halt, when, during a night of turning tricks, she stumbles upon Lucy’s brutally murdered body. Fearing for her life, Suzie runs to her neighbor, Luke’s, to regroup, where she discovers he’s not just a creepy client, but an undercover FBI agent. He blindsides her when he reveals that she’s mixed up in an FBI investigation and that she’s been unknowingly working for Johnny Stone, New York’s notorious crime boss. Suzie flees from New York, hiding in a quaint seaside town in Maine. She changes her identity and her life. Now she has to survive, to keep the life she has come to love.
This is the first novel in the Kelsey Woods thriller series.
MY REVIEW
I found this to be an intriguing debut thriller with unique characters and an interesting plot line. When a young prostitute witnesses the murder of her best friend and federal informant, she becomes a fugitive from the mob and from the FBI.
Suzanne Quinn aka Julia Yorke has had a tragic life and only wants to have a normal life under a new name as a waitress and a student in a small town. But life isn’t that simple and her life is in danger again. They have found her and she needs to flee, but the FBI agent, Luke Klooney, who was partly responsible for her being in this position, is there to make it right this time and protect her with his life. Can she trust him?
Suzie is a very strong character with street smarts and an admirable determination to better her life. Her relationship with Luke is tenuous at first, but his guilt mission to track her down and protect her is commendable considering he was suspended from his job. The secrets Suzie’s friend, Lucy, kept from her are heartbreaking and unforgivable, but there are people out there who care deeply for Suzie and I look forward to seeing how that all turns out.
Overall, this is a gripping suspense thriller and a great start to the series giving us a thorough background story on the main character. Many times crime thrillers only give us nuances of the protagonist’s life, but I feel invested in Suzie’s story and can’t wait to read more. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Daley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Giveaway: Win one of three print copied of Dead After Midnight! (North America Only)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CP’s reading tastes are an eclectic mix of thriller, crime, romance, and the occasional fantasy novel. But, when she puts pen to paper, she can’t resist the intrigue of a thriller.
CP has written two novels in The Kelsey Woods series, Dead After Midnight (debut novel, released in May 2020) and Dead Before Sunrise – which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2020.
A true east coaster from beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada, CP is happily married to her high school sweetheart. She’s been blessed with a wonderful family, including six adorable grandchildren.
Follow CP on her website and Twitter.
EXCERPT
I unlocked the door and climbed the stairs to the top floor, which opened up right by my room. I quietly unlocked my door and went right over to the large picture window and looked out. Nothing. No boogeyman hiding in the bushes and casing the joint. I shut the curtains and turned to switch on the light, stopping mid stride.
“Don’t be foolish and scream, Suzie. The cops would be called and I am pretty sure you don’t want to involve them.”
There he was, larger than life and stretched out on my bed as if he owned the place. I wasn’t surprised to see him. I couldn’t see his face, but of course I recognized the voice; I had heard it many times in my old life—a very deep, distinctive voice.
“How did you find me, Luke?”
“Just have to ask the right people the right questions over and over again. It’s good to see you. I’ve been in town a few days now, watching you. I have to say, you’ve impressed me with all the positive changes in your life. New line of work, new home, and even a new name—it suits you. I mean that. I’m very happy that you’ve left the old life behind you. Lucy would be very proud.”
“Are you here to take me back? Am I being arrested?”