According to the officers who investigated the crash, it was a case of too much alcohol and no seat belt. The accident left 23-year-old Amanda Quincy in a vegetative state with no hope of recovery. FBI agent Pierce Quincy is devastated by his daughters tragic accident but eventually must take Mandy off of life support.

Following Mandys burial, Pierce contacts cop-turned-PI Raine Connor for help. Raine and Pierce have a complicated relationship that has them dancing around each other emotionally, but she reluctantly agrees to fly to Virginia to investigate. Pierce and Raine soon realize that someone with a serious grudge against Pierce is stalking him and his family. Even with the FBI mobilizing to find the stalker, this killer proves that no one close to Pierce is safe. From what dark mind does this vengeance spring?

Lisa Gardner has shot to the top of the suspense field at an astonishing rate. Her incredibly engrossing tales are evidence of a remarkable talent. (Sep., 368 pp., $23.95)

—Jill M. Smith