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A Deadly Game
After discovering her boss's dead body, Susanna Trent receives an unusual package from him filled with strange metal tokens and odd clues. Then Susanna, who is the guardian of her three-year-old niece, starts getting anonymous phone calls taunting her with thinly veiled threats. Worried for her life and that of her sister's child, Susanna struggles to trust the one man who can wealthy executive Jack Townsend. As they work together to solve the mysterious puzzle, Jack and Susanna are led into a dangerous game neither knows how to play. But they do know the stakes—life or death.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 17, 2011
5 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Smith
123 books349 followersUSA Today bestselling author Virginia Smith has written over fifty books with sales exceeding 1 million copies worldwide. Her book, Guilty Secrets, was recently produced as a movie now streaming on Lifetime. She lives in Kentucky with her husband, 27 chickens, a barn kitty, and a barky Maltese named Max. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 14, 2012
An amazing read! Now I know why it was a prize novel winning an ACFW Award this year.
This story incorporates a puzzle, a mystery murder and the development of true love. It also shows how God may change someone from a "super self-absorbed" loner to a champion with real relationships.
God takes an orphan and gives her a wonderful life. Although in real life, it seems a bit unreal that the bio father never gets notified of child's existence, it makes the story easier to turn out positive.
Murder sets off fear in the beginning of the story. One of the main characters depends on and recommends prayer all the way through the story. One missing element of the story is how he came to salvation and a Christian life himself.
The descriptions and settings are very good throughout the story and the characters seem very real, making the same human mistakes we all make. Your mate might like this novel also!
This story incorporates a puzzle, a mystery murder and the development of true love. It also shows how God may change someone from a "super self-absorbed" loner to a champion with real relationships.
God takes an orphan and gives her a wonderful life. Although in real life, it seems a bit unreal that the bio father never gets notified of child's existence, it makes the story easier to turn out positive.
Murder sets off fear in the beginning of the story. One of the main characters depends on and recommends prayer all the way through the story. One missing element of the story is how he came to salvation and a Christian life himself.
The descriptions and settings are very good throughout the story and the characters seem very real, making the same human mistakes we all make. Your mate might like this novel also!
January 12, 2012
Why you should read this book?Because the author takes you (the reader) on a scavenger hunt with the characters as they try to solve riddles,and search for clues.She(the author)also throws in a little chemistry between the two characters that's on the hunt,but also puts in some drama to aide in the story line.Now keep in mind you(the reader)don't solve,or search for anything you are just along for the ride sort a speak.That's why Author Virginia Smith will heighten your emotions in certain instances just enough to get you to read a little further to understanding the character Susanna Trent mission in solving the riddles,and finding the clues,because it might be between life or death.So,becareful when reading this suspense(I say thriller)of a read because you (the reader) might find yourself caught up in...."A DEADLY GAME"
January 20, 2012
As always with Virginia Smith's mysteries, you reach a point where you realize, I'm not going to be able to put this down until I finish. This one was particularly twisty as well, with a murder, a kidnapping, and a trail of strange clues to follow. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I know want to go to Lexington and check some of the landmarks for hidden treasure . . .
January 28, 2013
I waffled between giving this book three stars or four. Because it's a religious fiction, I decided to bump it up to a four. This is a book that I would feel comfortable letting my 13-year-old niece read. She likes mysteries and is reading at the adult level.
August 2, 2011
really good book, I would like to read more by this author. I couldn't put it done.
March 26, 2017
I liked this one...but only somewhat.
March 23, 2022
This is a fast paced story about Susanna Trent who went to an auction, brought a car and took it to her boss only to find him murdered in his office. Her house is broken into and her niece is kidnapped and she must follow the clues to get Lizzie back. I liked the story .
January 11, 2025
Exciting and intriguing!
This was an exciting suspense story mixed with faith, romance and a cute toddler. Virginia Smith is an excellent writer and the book kept me interested throughout.
This was an exciting suspense story mixed with faith, romance and a cute toddler. Virginia Smith is an excellent writer and the book kept me interested throughout.
July 28, 2017
Susannah's love for her niece Lizzie and Jack's skillful ability to figure out clues for the high stakes scavenger hunt make up for the whirlwind two-day romance.
February 17, 2022
This book was ok.
November 14, 2011
Susanna had lost everything, her dad, mom and sister died in a fire, before that she had a fiance who turned out to be a spoiled rich kid that she could not trust and she lost her faith along the way as well.
When sent to a auto auction to get her boss a corvette that was there, she beat out Jack Townsend on the bid but he still offered to take the vehicle back for her. And then the trouble began.
As they arrived at her bosses business they find him dead and it all goes downhill from there.
And it ends up the only person she can trust to help her is another rich mans son, but he turns out to be different from the first one.
When sent to a auto auction to get her boss a corvette that was there, she beat out Jack Townsend on the bid but he still offered to take the vehicle back for her. And then the trouble began.
As they arrived at her bosses business they find him dead and it all goes downhill from there.
And it ends up the only person she can trust to help her is another rich mans son, but he turns out to be different from the first one.
August 10, 2016
I bought this book last year and have been waiting to read the book and wasn't disappointed. Due to a what should have been a harmless game turns dangerous and puts Susanna in danger in a way she could never have imagine and Jack becomes involved due to co-incidence. Susanna doesn't want to trust Jack as she has had bad experience with one before but Jack is the only one who can help. The story hooked me from the beginning and had me wanting to find out what next. I love the concept of the game and how it should have played out. The twist making it deadly adds to the drama. A good read. I have heard she has another coming out shortly and can't wait to read it also.
June 29, 2015
Two mere strangers, Jack and Susanna, soon find themselves becoming fast friends as they race against time to solve the clues in collecting tokens for a game neither of them want to play. But there is a prize at the end - saving a precious life.
There is a lot of suspense in this book. I loved the mystery that I couldn't figure out and the way everything fell into place. Obviously, I'm not a game solver - I would have never been able to figure the clues out on my own! That's what makes this book so entertaining, though.
The romance wasn't as strong as in some books - but I was happy to see them get together in the end. The family stories of both Jack and Susanna was very good.
There is a lot of suspense in this book. I loved the mystery that I couldn't figure out and the way everything fell into place. Obviously, I'm not a game solver - I would have never been able to figure the clues out on my own! That's what makes this book so entertaining, though.
The romance wasn't as strong as in some books - but I was happy to see them get together in the end. The family stories of both Jack and Susanna was very good.
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December 24, 2014"This was an excellent read, it was suspenseful with a good mix of mystery, fun and romance. ... provided a definite unexpected ending for the heroine Susanna (Susu) Trent and hero Jack Townsend to deal with." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, to read more go here.
April 1, 2012
I loved this book up until the end... it seemed to have been solved/ended way too quickly!
The characters were great and I loved the riddles - that was probably my favorite part.
A great read! :)
*This is my own personal copy. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
The characters were great and I loved the riddles - that was probably my favorite part.
A great read! :)
*This is my own personal copy. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
December 30, 2011
This book takes you on a thrill ride of suspense. A great quick read, it has likeable characters, tons of plot, and a tinge of romance. The Christian Fiction theme is not overdone but fits in with the story nicely. If you like clean murder mysteries then you will love this book. I highly recommend it.
January 12, 2011
Actually, about a 3 1/2
July 17, 2012
Susannah's love for her niece Lizzie and Jack's skillful ability to figure out clues for the high stakes scavenger hunt make up for the whirlwind two-day romance.
June 15, 2014
I love cozy mysteries. I always enjoy Ginny Smith's.
August 23, 2011
Very good, light, quick, easy read. Enjoyed the mystery and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews