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Karin Schaeffer #4
DEAD RICH
The rich play by their own rules.
Former New York City homicide detective Karin Schaeffer should be enjoying a family holiday in Sardinia. But she and her husband, Mac, arrive on the island to find their children and nanny missing.
Is the kidnapping connected to Mac's last case: investigating the infidelities of billionaire Godfrey Millerhausen? And, if so, just how far will the he go to protect their secrets?
A Karin Schaeffer Novel
Former New York City homicide detective Karin Schaeffer should be enjoying a family holiday in Sardinia. But she and her husband, Mac, arrive on the island to find their children and nanny missing.
Is the kidnapping connected to Mac's last case: investigating the infidelities of billionaire Godfrey Millerhausen? And, if so, just how far will the he go to protect their secrets?
A Karin Schaeffer Novel
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2013
24 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Katia Lief
29 books231 followersThe first thing I ever wrote that received any notice was a one page story for my third grade English teacher. I don't recall what the assignment was, but I somehow found myself writing about a woman at a dinner party who suddenly realizes her teeth are invisible. She sits there, wedged between two chattering guests, wondering how she will eat, how she will talk, and generally how she will get out of the situation without having to open her mouth and reveal her dilemma. My teacher showed the story to my parents with a note to this effect: Katia could be a writer.
What if her note had instead encouraged me to be a dentist?
But it didn't. And so here I am.
So far I've published two literary novels (as Katia Spiegelman, the name I was born with), and seven suspense novels--five as Kate Pepper (a pseudonym) and two as Katia Lief (the name I live by). And to complicated things even more, I'm adding a new pen name to my arsenal-Karen Ellis-with my new novel A MAP OF THE DARK, coming January 2, 2018.
I have loved writing every one of my novels, and hope you will enjoy reading them.
What if her note had instead encouraged me to be a dentist?
But it didn't. And so here I am.
So far I've published two literary novels (as Katia Spiegelman, the name I was born with), and seven suspense novels--five as Kate Pepper (a pseudonym) and two as Katia Lief (the name I live by). And to complicated things even more, I'm adding a new pen name to my arsenal-Karen Ellis-with my new novel A MAP OF THE DARK, coming January 2, 2018.
I have loved writing every one of my novels, and hope you will enjoy reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 30, 2013
Karin Schaeffer and her husband, Mac MacLeary, are just beginning to feel like a normal, married couple. The terrors that invaded their lives on more than one occasion have now been put behind them. Mac is running a private investigation agency and Karin is working with him. The children are happy and life is good.
When Cathy Millerhausen hires Mac to investigate her husband billionaire, Godfrey Millerhousen, Mac agrees. Cathy fears that Godfrey is unfaithful and if a divorce is in the future, she is afraid that her income will not be sufficient to cover the cost for their son's special needs treatments.
Mac has become convinced that Mary's fears of Godfrey's unfaithfulness are unfounded and so when he is offered a job in London with a large paycheck he puts the Millerhausen case on hold. The offer of a family vacation on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia is part of the deal making it extra hard to pass up. Mac and Karin agree to swap houses with the Sardinia family.
Mac's assistant Mary and her son Fremont take the children and go ahead to Sardinia to wait for Mac and Karin. Although at first it seems like paradise, strange things begin to happen. Mac and Karin lose contact with Mary and the children. They have disappeared and Mac and Karin risk everything to locate their family. Once again, their family is in turmoil.
Katia Lief's books are always full of suspense so be ready to keep the pages turning swiftly once you pick up a Lief book. Previous books are "You Are Next", "Next Time You See Me" and "Vanishing Girls".
When Cathy Millerhausen hires Mac to investigate her husband billionaire, Godfrey Millerhousen, Mac agrees. Cathy fears that Godfrey is unfaithful and if a divorce is in the future, she is afraid that her income will not be sufficient to cover the cost for their son's special needs treatments.
Mac has become convinced that Mary's fears of Godfrey's unfaithfulness are unfounded and so when he is offered a job in London with a large paycheck he puts the Millerhausen case on hold. The offer of a family vacation on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia is part of the deal making it extra hard to pass up. Mac and Karin agree to swap houses with the Sardinia family.
Mac's assistant Mary and her son Fremont take the children and go ahead to Sardinia to wait for Mac and Karin. Although at first it seems like paradise, strange things begin to happen. Mac and Karin lose contact with Mary and the children. They have disappeared and Mac and Karin risk everything to locate their family. Once again, their family is in turmoil.
Katia Lief's books are always full of suspense so be ready to keep the pages turning swiftly once you pick up a Lief book. Previous books are "You Are Next", "Next Time You See Me" and "Vanishing Girls".
February 18, 2020
I find Lief's books always to be a well-written thriller. The writing is fast paced, well thought out, quite vivid. The only two things I would note - at times it is easy to catch the 'hidden' villains, but always with some surprising twists. In this book, the it is difficult at times to tell when the narration is changing between characters and between 1st and 3rd person omniscient. That said - I would recommend the author.
December 19, 2022
Good twists and turns
A good read, I enjoyed the book. Wasn’t expecting the end to be as it was, I like that when it happens that way. The story line is pretty well thought out although some was predictable in places. Easy reading and I’m looking forward to another Katia Lief book.
A good read, I enjoyed the book. Wasn’t expecting the end to be as it was, I like that when it happens that way. The story line is pretty well thought out although some was predictable in places. Easy reading and I’m looking forward to another Katia Lief book.
December 6, 2019
2.75 stars. It was good, but very drawn out and some details were hard to follow and/or unrealistic.
April 28, 2022
Overall good book with enough tension to want to keep reading!
May 5, 2025
Great Addition to Series
I really enjoy this series of books good storylines which keep you guessing until the very end of the book
I really enjoy this series of books good storylines which keep you guessing until the very end of the book
September 4, 2025
Fabulous thrill ride. great suspense. I have read several books by this author.
August 23, 2013
Sometimes an offer is too good to be true. That’s what happens to former NYC police detective Seamus (“Mac”) MacLeary, now a private investigator, when he is offered an easy half-day job in London for an exorbitant fee and a house-swapping vacation on an Italian island. Without thinking, he grabs the offer; the consequences are enormous.
Mac is now specializing in marital infidelities, and is approached by the wife of billionaire Godfrey Millerhausen to investigate what she believes to be an affair. It seems that if one can be proved, it would nullify a pre-nuptial agreement which would cut her off from lots of money. If the midst of Mac’s surveillance, he receives a lucrative offer from a respected organization, and suspends his investigation into the Millerhausen marital situation. He goes to London with his wife, Karin Schaeffer, sending his family on to Sardinia with his associate, Mary, and her son. And then the deluge. It takes Mac and Karin the rest of the book to unravel the evil perpetrated by the billionaire’s money
This is a straightforward tale of mystery and misery. What mystery exists, however, is merely who, what and when, but no deep, penetrating unknowns. The novel drags on to a fairly obvious conclusion, with a lot of repetitious language and superfluous lovemaking. Not to be misogynistic about it, but I suspect the book may appeal more to women than to men.
Mac is now specializing in marital infidelities, and is approached by the wife of billionaire Godfrey Millerhausen to investigate what she believes to be an affair. It seems that if one can be proved, it would nullify a pre-nuptial agreement which would cut her off from lots of money. If the midst of Mac’s surveillance, he receives a lucrative offer from a respected organization, and suspends his investigation into the Millerhausen marital situation. He goes to London with his wife, Karin Schaeffer, sending his family on to Sardinia with his associate, Mary, and her son. And then the deluge. It takes Mac and Karin the rest of the book to unravel the evil perpetrated by the billionaire’s money
This is a straightforward tale of mystery and misery. What mystery exists, however, is merely who, what and when, but no deep, penetrating unknowns. The novel drags on to a fairly obvious conclusion, with a lot of repetitious language and superfluous lovemaking. Not to be misogynistic about it, but I suspect the book may appeal more to women than to men.
January 14, 2014
I was very excited to get to review this for NETGALLEY - I have always loved Katia Lief's books in the past and have found them gritty, fast paced and overall a good storyline. However i felt disappointed by this one. I was 30% into it and still didnt feel like the story was going anywhere. I found myself wanting to skim read a lot of it - too much detail and not even action and crime for my liking.
It tells the story of Mac and his family. Mac is a private investigator and is asked to investigate a husbands suspected cheating. When nothing comes of this he is given a job he cant turn down, a trip to london and a holiday in sardinia for his family. What can possibly go wrong? Slowly the story unravelsand it seems this well paid job to london is not all it seems. When his family are in danger Mac finds himself quickly needing to find out what the link is between him and his previous case.
for me this was just an average read, and sadly i wouldnt read it again. Onwards and upwards though as i love this authors books generally!
It tells the story of Mac and his family. Mac is a private investigator and is asked to investigate a husbands suspected cheating. When nothing comes of this he is given a job he cant turn down, a trip to london and a holiday in sardinia for his family. What can possibly go wrong? Slowly the story unravelsand it seems this well paid job to london is not all it seems. When his family are in danger Mac finds himself quickly needing to find out what the link is between him and his previous case.
for me this was just an average read, and sadly i wouldnt read it again. Onwards and upwards though as i love this authors books generally!
December 27, 2013
This is the 3rd book I have read of Katia Lief and read it in a day.
I am not reading the books in order as i am waiting for the library to get them in,
Mac and Karin now run a PI along with Mary a friend, Mac is ask to see if a husband is cheating on his wife, than there get a offer to go to Sardinia for a 3 week house exchange, which there go on Mary and the kids go on there own, Mac and Karin go to London and than go to join up with Mary and the children.
When Mac and Karin get there the children and Mary are missing. Mac starts to wonder if it any thing to do with the last case he was working on.
The book has lots of twist and turns in it right up to the very last page
I am not reading the books in order as i am waiting for the library to get them in,
Mac and Karin now run a PI along with Mary a friend, Mac is ask to see if a husband is cheating on his wife, than there get a offer to go to Sardinia for a 3 week house exchange, which there go on Mary and the kids go on there own, Mac and Karin go to London and than go to join up with Mary and the children.
When Mac and Karin get there the children and Mary are missing. Mac starts to wonder if it any thing to do with the last case he was working on.
The book has lots of twist and turns in it right up to the very last page
March 22, 2013
Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/13iHabX
My rating: 3.5 Stars (Will be 3 Stars on Goodreads/Amazon)
My opinion: Not my favorite in the series, but still a good read. I found myself not as attached to the storyline. It wasn't that the writing was bad but I simply felt that it was much more "pushed" and dramatic than some of her other releases. I was much more reminded of the first book in the series versus the last release.
It took me longer to get through this book that was 200 pages compared to longer books earlier in the series.
My rating: 3.5 Stars (Will be 3 Stars on Goodreads/Amazon)
My opinion: Not my favorite in the series, but still a good read. I found myself not as attached to the storyline. It wasn't that the writing was bad but I simply felt that it was much more "pushed" and dramatic than some of her other releases. I was much more reminded of the first book in the series versus the last release.
It took me longer to get through this book that was 200 pages compared to longer books earlier in the series.
August 1, 2013
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Suspenseful and fast-paced. I couldn't put it down. Husband and wife team Mac and Karin are private investigators who have been hired by Cathy Millerhausen, who thinks her husband is cheating on her. The story is much more complicated than a simple case of marital infidelity. I need to read other novels by Katia Lief.
Suspenseful and fast-paced. I couldn't put it down. Husband and wife team Mac and Karin are private investigators who have been hired by Cathy Millerhausen, who thinks her husband is cheating on her. The story is much more complicated than a simple case of marital infidelity. I need to read other novels by Katia Lief.
May 24, 2013
This was the 4th in a series and I think I liked it the best. It had so many players in it and you really weren't sure who knew what was going on or who was being used. It kept me guessing until close to the end.
February 15, 2015
Not my fav of this series. It was a slow burner for me, as it seemed to take ages before I was really into this story. I nearly did give up. I ended up enjoying it, but only from about half way through. In the books defence, kidnapping in any shape or form, is not my favourite subject!!
October 10, 2017
Well that was some rollercoaster ride & boy what a thrill ride it was too. This book was quite the page turner, loved it from start to finish. Great story plot & amazing characters. Edge of seat with anticipation of what will happen next. What more could u want. It truly was a fantastic read.
July 9, 2016
Ohne die anderen Bände um Karin Schaeffer zu kennen, konnte ich diesem Buch gut folgen. Der Plot schien mir trotzdem relativ weit hergeholt bzw. manches einfach ein bisschen unlogisch. Und der Schluss... auch irgendwie erwartet. Trotzdem nette Unterhaltung zum Zeitvertreib.
April 9, 2013
This book is a great read filled with action and suspense. I highly recommend it.
November 29, 2013
tenses constantly changing confused me, but not a bad story
October 10, 2014
Not great, doesn't have the usual Katia Lief zing....
January 10, 2015
Can't quite follow the plot.
September 16, 2015
Great addition to the series. Everything ties together well with lots of twists. Couldn't put it down.
July 28, 2013
Repetitive and boring
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews