Before She Dies

Slaughter Creek #0.5

by Rita Herron

A Slaughter Creek Prequel

Overview
She thought this small town nestled in the Tennessee mountains was the perfect place to raise a family...until she found out what was happening to the children in Slaughter Creek...

BEFORE SHE DIES — a short story prequel to Rita Herron's exciting new romantic suspense series set in a small rural Tennessee town called SLAUGHTER CREEK.

Look for Book one in the series DYING TO TELL on sale December 25 from Amazon Montlake!

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Short Stories, Ebooks, Romance

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2012

About the author

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a quick thrilling read? One of my main goals for 2021 was to go through my e-books and clear old ones off the devices and during this time, I have found some good gems. Before She Dies is a prequel to the Slaughter Creek Series by Rita Herron, whom writes some great mysteries which I have enjoyed. The main series of Slaughter Creek is set 25 years later when the twins are 25 years old. In Before She Dies, we meet the twin’s parents as they move to a small town hoping for a peaceful life but when the wife delivers her twins, some strange things start happening as one twin is perfect but the other screams bloody murder. The mum is worried so she visits the doctor and soon notices around the clinic - a few kids with similar symptoms to her daughter. Stealing a look at her daughter's file, she is in for a shock as it seems someone is experimenting on the children of the town. Just as she and her husband start to ask more questions, a tragedy ensures as someone wants them to keep their mouths shut. After reading this book, it has made me want to check out Book #1 Dying to Tell in the Slaughter Creek series and seeing what the big secret was and how the girls have grown over the years. Before She Dies is a perfect quickie for all mystery/thriller fans and gives readers an insight into the writings of Rita Herron.

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short prequel to the Slaughter Creek series. We meet the parents of twins, Sadie & Amelia & have basically the set up to the main story that comes in the first book. I enjoyed this but it was very short & ends at a pivotal point. I was so surprised that it stopped where it did that I yelled at my Kindle. Just when this one gets good, it's over. The next book is supposed to pick up 25 years after events in this short with Sadie as our lead character, so I can only figure this cliff hanger (forgive the pun) remains such & is just finished off in flashback or something. It'll be a bit of a tough wait for the next installment. I'd recommend this if you are going right into the next in the series or if you don't mind a little frustration.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short introduction to the Slaughter Creek series. In fact, it is the book's brevity that had me deducting stars from it! It ends on a cliffhanger, but sucked me into the story immediately, leaving me wishing for more at the end of it! I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, but the characters were people that I had grown to care about and wanted to know what happened next. All in all, a very good hook to start the series!

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written - prologue to the Slaughter Creek series. I'm not sure I will read the series, I'll see.

[Gale Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start...

This was a brief but it left you yearning for more which was it’s intent correct? I would mot call this a novel but rather a novela since it is only 40 pages. But no matter the size of it, Rita Herron did what she does best... leaves you eager to find out what’s happening next!

[Tonya Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret

Norma was pregnant with twins but her husband was acting strange from the start. After giving birth one twin was different and when she started snooping things got serious. Is something going on in this small town or is this the secret that Ben her husband gas been keeping?

[joani · Rating 5 out of 5]

How it all begins

This is the story that starts it all. The reign of terror begins here, the CHIMES project is active with its first case subjects. Amelia along with a few other children have been indoctrinated in the the program. Monster was born Commander Blackwood and along with his
Followers have make Slaughter Creek their home base.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before She Dies: Slaughter Creek Prequel is by Rita Herron. It explains how Sadie and Amelia Nettleton’s parents died. It also hints at the mental problems Amelia will have in the series. It is a very short novella and should be read first in the series.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

Wish I'D discovered this book before I had read the others. That okay still enjoyed it. If you haven't read the rest of the books in this series, read them. They are fantastic.Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Marisol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I actually read it after reading all 4 of the other Slaughter Creek novels. Since I didn’t want it to end, it worked out best that way! Totally unplanned greatness. Love it! Great read

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent lead-in to a series!!

Just enough to get you hooked. What's wrong with baby Amelia? Is it genetic, or did the doctors do something to her? Something bad is happening in Slaughter Creek! Don't miss this outstanding prequel.Highly recommended.

[Desirae Hartless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

I love everything about this book. I read all the novels. It is a comete mystery tryin to figure out who is behind the commander

[Lyndi W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting read, but it really gives away too much about the main plot of the next book. Had I not read the prequel, the next book would have been a lot more enjoyable.

[jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read really brings it all together

Wish it was longer but it brought all the books together and gave them more closure. Well written and hard to put down once you start.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story was short, but a good start to a series. Can't wait to read the rest. I'm already invested in the characters.

[gwen graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this first

I should have read this first. It explains a lot. It was the beginning of a series of really good stories.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get that this is a prequel and yes, it made my kind of slightly curious about the series but loads information were smashed together and it was just confusing

[Kiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good prequel

This was a good start to a series, and I am excited to read the rest of the series. It definitely piqued my interest.

[thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret comes out the truth is hidden

Five stars love this storyline and the truth is hidden in the characters has long enough to be able to make story

[Sandra Guy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dissapointed

Should not be classed as a novel. This is a serial story. I assume that together they may make a complete novel, but I'll pass.

[Laura Felty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very suspenseful

What a great book. Kinda medical, kinda relationshipy, and a whole lot of suspense. Great short read. Get your tea and blanket.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ohhh!!!!

i can not wait to read this series!!! I am a new fan of Rita Herron.just finished her Ellie Reeves series.Hope this one is just as good!!!

[Penny Laster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteriously captivating

I can't wait to read the next book. To find out if they were experimenting with the children and if the one twin has crazy tendency to kill.

[Amalia Trower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable novel.

[Brenster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book after I finished books 1-4, it was a nice addition to the series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great prequel to the story and presented a chilling dread that I wasn't expecting so early on. I am unfamiliar with the author so this series will be my first of her works. It was very short but I expected that and have no problem with it. My problem was with Norma. I'm not sure if it's just her character because we didn't get much time with her but she came across as very naive for an adult who didn't live in a protective bubble but a former city citizen who knew bad things happened everywhere. I'm sure I know what her and Ben's fate was before reading the next book, it's a little obvious but I feel so sad for them even though she was a little dim-witted. They were just starting out and one mistake ruined their lives.

While I'm sure her actions were simply for story purposes, my head keeps thinking what if. She seemed like a smart woman at first but wasn't too bright when she figured out the doctor was hiding things from his patients. Any smart woman wouldn't have made it so obvious by rushing out no explanation other than something came up but she also stole her baby's medical file to top it off. Of course they're gonna figure out she knew something after that. She should have told the doctor her mother called her for an emergency, picked up her daughter, necessities from her house and their money, went to her husband to tell him they needed to leave asap life or death situation, explain what was going on in the car, and file a police report to investigate the clinic far, far, away from Slaughter Creek.

I guess it had to be that way in the end for the story but it still didn't stop me from yelling at the book, "NO, Norma!!! You're not using your head, get your family and leave! The sheriff could be in on it. Small towns with shady doctors are a sign to hit the road and don't look back." Which is why I wasn't completely upset over her naiveté, it's that time of the season I love so much, and it made me feel like I was watching a horror movie. I'll give it a pass for that.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something is going on in a seemingly peaceful small town. What seemed to be a great place to raise a young family is harboring evil and the children are suffering. Has one couple discovered the answer to what is wrong with one of their young twin daughters?

Before She Dies by Rita Herron is a very short prequel to Dying to Tell and gives some background regarding its main characters. Taking place twenty-five years in the past, this is meant to fill in any necessary history for Dying to Tell. The plot is necessarily quick, but the details are there and presented with just enough of a hook to make the full length story seem extremely inviting! Is there something nefarious going on in Slaughter Creek? Will the truth come out?

Series: Slaughter Creek, Prequel
Publication Date: October 24, 2012
Publisher: Beachside Reads
Genre: Romantic Suspense-Adults
Page Count: 42
Available from: Amazon

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[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short prequel to a new series coming in December.

Slaughter Creek, TN is where the battle between the Cherokees and the Creeks was fought. It was known as a town where you could live in peace and harmony. But something isn't right in the small town.

Norma and Ben Nettleton had decided to move to Slaughter Creek to raise there twin daughters she was pregnant with after Ben had a round of bad luck and had lost his job. They came to be near her parents who had moved there three years before and claimed the town was full of love and kindness.

Norma immediately went into premature labor as soon as she drove into town without Ben as he was coming a day later with there furniture.

Ben had been stressed out over the impending birth of his children for fear that one of them will have inherited a genetic disease from his side of the family like his sister had.

After the twins are born Sadie is a normal happy baby but Amelia screams and cries and nothing can console her. When the girls are two Norma decides to take Amelia in to be checked and realizes that she isnt the child in town showing these behaviors.

So what is really going on in this town? What will happen to Norma and Bill now that they have started asking questions? What is really wrong with Amelia?

The first book in the series comes out Dec 25th and will be Sadie's story. I'm hooked and cant wait to read.

[Amanda Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome prequel to the Slaughter Creek Series. Leaves you reeling in the end to know what is happening. Suspenseful as is all of Rita's stories. I can't wait to dive into the series and find out how it all comes together.

[Catherine Chant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little prequel to "Dying to Tell" -- it filled in some pieces of Sadie and Amelia's backstory that were mentioned in "Dying to Tell" but not elaborated on. You get to meet their parents, for example, who are dead twenty-five years when "Dying to Tell" starts, and hear their point of view about things. That was nice. I enjoyed their characters and how we get to see first hand the events that lead to their deaths.

I would, however, strongly recommend that you read this AFTER you read "Dying to Tell," which is what I did. I know it's a prequel and meant to come first, but really it's a "filling in the history" story, and I think if you read it first, you deny yourself the fun of discovering certain secrets along with Sadie in "Dying to Tell."

It's sort of like how in the V.C. Andrews Flowers in the Attic series, the evil grandmother's story didn't come until Book 4. If you'd known her full backstory before you'd read Book 1, you wouldn't have had the same reaction to Book 1 because you knew too much.