A DEADLY GAME by Jannine Gallant… A ‘Friday the 13th Story’

Hello and welcome to the first of my posts about a brand new series of 13 suspenseful “Friday the 13th” short stories, each by a different author. My intent was to post 1 per day beginning Nov 1 with the last one on Nov 13. But a couple of hospital stays threw a monkey wrench in that (because God forbid I plan anything ahead of time and pre-schedule the post… :))

Today, I am happy to share Jannine Gallant’s “A Deadly Game” – Now available for pre-order…releasing Nov 13.

Fun Fact:

A Deadly Game takes place in the Northern California redwoods where I grew up. I knew the towering trees, hanging fog, and small-town atmosphere I remember so well from my youth would be the perfect setting for a suspenseful story of murder.

Blurb:

In the heart of the redwoods, a madman plays a deadly game . . .

Deep in the redwood forest, a serial killer took the lives of three local women and devastated the small town of Woodvale. All in the name of love. Now, three years later, a delusional psychopath is determined to finish what his brother couldn’t . . . and punish the woman who betrayed him.

Sheriff Harley Boone is rocked to his core when the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in the forest. Flashbacks to the gruesome murders that plagued his town won’t let him rest until he finds the man responsible—putting an end to the nightmare, once and for all. Because the killer is still out there, and his next target is the woman Harley loves.

Caroline Farnsworth didn’t believe she’d ever recover from the trauma of discovering her fiancé was a murderer . . . let alone dare to love again. But she’s back in Woodvale to make a new life with Harley—only to face the unimaginable. With a killer stalking her every move, she’s fighting for her future . . . if she survives.

Excerpt:

“Harley, the car stopped.” Her voice shook.

“Drive away. Now!”

“I can’t. I’m penned between the SUV and a redwood tree. Maybe I can back up . . .” She turned to see what was behind her. Ferns and manzanita. “I’m not sure if I can make it.”

“Stay in your car and lock the doors. I’m on my way. Don’t try backing up unless the person gets out and approaches you. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Her teeth chattered as she stared at the other vehicle. Seconds ticked by before the driver’s side door opened. “He’s getting out. Oh, God.”

“I see your lights ahead through the trees. Almost there.”

A glow approached, just visible around the bend. When the lights grew brighter, the other driver got back inside his vehicle, slammed the door, and peeled out, roaring up the road toward town. Harley rounded the corner, passed the SUV, and screeched to a stop beside her.

Her finger shook as she lowered the window.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded, not sure she could speak coherently.

“I’m going after him. As soon as I flip around, drive straight to my house.”

“All right.” Her voice squeaked.

He pulled forward, made a three-point-turn, and raced away, his powerful engine accelerating loudly. She stared after him as shudders wracked her body. Finally, she shifted into gear and headed for home.

About Jannine:

Write what you know. Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart, creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great outdoors. A recent empty-nester, she grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in gorgeous Lake Tahoe with her husband. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jannine enjoys hiking and snowshoeing in the woods around her home with her dog, Ginger. You’ll discover the beauty of nature woven into all her fast-paced romantic suspense novels. To find out more about this author and her books, visit her website or sign up for her newsletter. You can also find her on Facebook.