What do you think?
Rate this book
Nowhere #4
You Can't Escape
“Nancy Bush always delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense!” —Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling author
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE
The branding iron glows in the moonlight as he presses the searing metal into his victim’s flesh. She must wear the devil’s sign, just like the others. He knows the curse that afflicts them—and he’ll make sure they carry it to their graves…
IS BELIEVING
When investigative reporter Jay "Dance" Danzinger is nearly killed in a bomb blast, journalist Jordanna Winters senses a career-making story. Together they can find out who’s responsible. But as their investigation uncovers a string of unsolved murders, each body branded in the same way, Jordanna realizes that Dance isn’t the only one in danger.
YOU COULD EVER GET AWAY…
Small towns can hold big, dark secrets. Deep in Jordanna’s troubled past is the key to a killer’s terrifying mission—to purge the guilty one by one, burning their flesh to free their souls. And her turn is coming, as he prepares to make his mark once more…
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE
The branding iron glows in the moonlight as he presses the searing metal into his victim’s flesh. She must wear the devil’s sign, just like the others. He knows the curse that afflicts them—and he’ll make sure they carry it to their graves…
IS BELIEVING
When investigative reporter Jay "Dance" Danzinger is nearly killed in a bomb blast, journalist Jordanna Winters senses a career-making story. Together they can find out who’s responsible. But as their investigation uncovers a string of unsolved murders, each body branded in the same way, Jordanna realizes that Dance isn’t the only one in danger.
YOU COULD EVER GET AWAY…
Small towns can hold big, dark secrets. Deep in Jordanna’s troubled past is the key to a killer’s terrifying mission—to purge the guilty one by one, burning their flesh to free their souls. And her turn is coming, as he prepares to make his mark once more…
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
210 people are currently reading
1013 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Bush
90 books1,108 followersNancy Bush is a New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including the River Glen Series, Nowhere Series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Wicked Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Lisa Jackson, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Lisa Jackson and Rosalind Noonan.
Nancy has called Oregon her home all of her life. She grew up in a small logging community and after graduating from high school, attended Oregon State University where she met her husband, Ken and graduated with a degree in nutrition. They married a few years after graduation and together they have one daughter. After working in banking and the travel business, with her daughter still in diapers, Nancy read an article in Time Magazine about young mothers who, once the last diaper was changed and the final bottle was washed, pulled out their typewriters and wrote romance novels for the then expanding market. Nancy convinced her sister, Lisa Jackson, that they should try their hand at writing.
After writing several successful romance novels such as Lady Sundown, Miracle Jones, Jesse’s Renegade and Scandal’s Darling and a stint writing for one of ABC’s top-rated daytime shows: All My Children, she turned her attention to writing thrillers for Kensington Publishing. Today, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
In her free time Nancy enjoys walking, working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles and hanging out with family and friends. When she and Ken aren’t visiting their daughter and grandchildren in Southern California, Nancy is busy working on her next book!
Visit https://www.NancyBush.net where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Nancy has called Oregon her home all of her life. She grew up in a small logging community and after graduating from high school, attended Oregon State University where she met her husband, Ken and graduated with a degree in nutrition. They married a few years after graduation and together they have one daughter. After working in banking and the travel business, with her daughter still in diapers, Nancy read an article in Time Magazine about young mothers who, once the last diaper was changed and the final bottle was washed, pulled out their typewriters and wrote romance novels for the then expanding market. Nancy convinced her sister, Lisa Jackson, that they should try their hand at writing.
After writing several successful romance novels such as Lady Sundown, Miracle Jones, Jesse’s Renegade and Scandal’s Darling and a stint writing for one of ABC’s top-rated daytime shows: All My Children, she turned her attention to writing thrillers for Kensington Publishing. Today, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
In her free time Nancy enjoys walking, working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles and hanging out with family and friends. When she and Ken aren’t visiting their daughter and grandchildren in Southern California, Nancy is busy working on her next book!
Visit https://www.NancyBush.net where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
September 1, 2016
There are two mysteries running throughout this book--the larger storyline involves heroine, journalist Jordanna Winters's hometown, where dead bodies are turning up that have been branded with a branding iron. And a smaller mystery storyline involving hero, investigative reporter Jay "Dance" Danziger, who is injured in a bombing at a building where he was supposed to meet a friend. Most of the story takes place in Rock Springs, Oregon, Jordanna's hometown that she hasn't been to in years, since her memories of growing up there are not good ones. She goes there to hide out in her old family homestead with Dance while he recovers from his injury, because she fears he might be in danger after the bombing. Not long after that, they discover that Rock Springs holds many secrets of its own.
An okay read, but it didn't always hold my interest and seemed to drag. Jordanna does most of the investigating in the story. Dance is laid-up with a leg injury for much of the book, and he didn't make much of an impression on me. The two police detectives (the Rafferty twins) seemed out of place in the story for me, and I wasn't interested in their personal lives, probably because I didn't read the previous books in which their characters were featured. For those who read those other books, these characters might work better.
What I liked best about the book was the setting of Rock Springs with its desolate farmlands. It's one of those small towns where everybody knows everyone else's business. It provided a good atmosphere to the story. I also enjoyed the colorful cast of secondary characters that inhabited the town.
An okay read, but it didn't always hold my interest and seemed to drag. Jordanna does most of the investigating in the story. Dance is laid-up with a leg injury for much of the book, and he didn't make much of an impression on me. The two police detectives (the Rafferty twins) seemed out of place in the story for me, and I wasn't interested in their personal lives, probably because I didn't read the previous books in which their characters were featured. For those who read those other books, these characters might work better.
What I liked best about the book was the setting of Rock Springs with its desolate farmlands. It's one of those small towns where everybody knows everyone else's business. It provided a good atmosphere to the story. I also enjoyed the colorful cast of secondary characters that inhabited the town.
December 23, 2017
Two mysteries for the price of one! Branding, bombing, small town secrets, and family discord revolve around Jay "Dance" Danziger, investigative reporter and Jordanna Winters, journalist. Edge of your seat action!
July 1, 2015
ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by Nancy Bush and it was like being dropped into the middle of a circus. There are so many plots and characters it was difficult to tell if the book had a focus or main plot at all. Some authors do this really well, this time it just didn't work. It took well over half the book to see any connection between it all. It didn't grab me as a mystery/suspense and the romance, well, that was a snore too. I begrudged the time spent reading this, because I could have been reading something much better. Although, I will say that the last 20% of the book was excellent.
Someone is killing those he determines to be in need of redemption from the Devil's curse, first plot. Then we have a freelance reporter, Jordanna, masquerading as the wife of a man who has just been in an office bombing to get him out of the hospital. Jay/Dance Danziger may have been the target or a innocent victim. Since he is also an investigative reporter, it could have been either. Jordanna takes Dance to her hometown and its own set of mysteries. More plot lines and assorted characters, several from Jordanna's past, like her father who she shot when she was 14. There is some mysterious heiratary physical or mental illness that everyone thinks runs in Jordanna's family. Basically everyone thinks she may be crazy.
That Jordanna is wound pretty tightly is evident almost from the beginning. Dance is a character that could have used much more development. Neither character is very well developed and the other characters, not much at all.
This is my first book by Nancy Bush and it was like being dropped into the middle of a circus. There are so many plots and characters it was difficult to tell if the book had a focus or main plot at all. Some authors do this really well, this time it just didn't work. It took well over half the book to see any connection between it all. It didn't grab me as a mystery/suspense and the romance, well, that was a snore too. I begrudged the time spent reading this, because I could have been reading something much better. Although, I will say that the last 20% of the book was excellent.
Someone is killing those he determines to be in need of redemption from the Devil's curse, first plot. Then we have a freelance reporter, Jordanna, masquerading as the wife of a man who has just been in an office bombing to get him out of the hospital. Jay/Dance Danziger may have been the target or a innocent victim. Since he is also an investigative reporter, it could have been either. Jordanna takes Dance to her hometown and its own set of mysteries. More plot lines and assorted characters, several from Jordanna's past, like her father who she shot when she was 14. There is some mysterious heiratary physical or mental illness that everyone thinks runs in Jordanna's family. Basically everyone thinks she may be crazy.
That Jordanna is wound pretty tightly is evident almost from the beginning. Dance is a character that could have used much more development. Neither character is very well developed and the other characters, not much at all.
May 31, 2015
This book is the fourth in the author's Nowhere series. I can honestly say the books in this series read well as standalones since I had only read book 2 before getting a chance to read an early copy of this book from Net Galley. In my opinion, the series is a bit more on the procedural side than the suspense side, but has enough suspense to keep me guessing and just enough romance to keep me interested.
Jordanna and "Dance" are featured in this book (although August and September Rafferty from the previous books are still featured prominently). Jordanna is what some might call a cub reporter while Dance has made a name for himself with hard hitting journalism. Having a bit of hero worship, with maybe a bit of lust tangled in, Jordanna has been following Dance around without his knowledge. When Dance is injured in a bomb blast, Jordanna believes the danger to his life is greater than most believe. She takes it upon herself to devise a crazy scheme to sneak Dance out of town. Surprisingly, Dance goes along with it, and Jordanna whisks him away to the last place on earth she would ever want to visit but the only safe haven she knows...home. Unfortunately, in her efforts to keep Dance safe, she has placed herself directly in the sights of a deranged killer who sees her as tainted and in need of the redemption only death and his branding iron can provide. Dance and Jordanna are left with two mysteries and their future on the line. Will they be able to save each other in the end, or will their pasts finally catch up with them?
Jordanna and "Dance" are featured in this book (although August and September Rafferty from the previous books are still featured prominently). Jordanna is what some might call a cub reporter while Dance has made a name for himself with hard hitting journalism. Having a bit of hero worship, with maybe a bit of lust tangled in, Jordanna has been following Dance around without his knowledge. When Dance is injured in a bomb blast, Jordanna believes the danger to his life is greater than most believe. She takes it upon herself to devise a crazy scheme to sneak Dance out of town. Surprisingly, Dance goes along with it, and Jordanna whisks him away to the last place on earth she would ever want to visit but the only safe haven she knows...home. Unfortunately, in her efforts to keep Dance safe, she has placed herself directly in the sights of a deranged killer who sees her as tainted and in need of the redemption only death and his branding iron can provide. Dance and Jordanna are left with two mysteries and their future on the line. Will they be able to save each other in the end, or will their pasts finally catch up with them?
July 1, 2015
Oh so many secrets in such a small little town, secrets that have been kept for years. This book was definitely a page turner, as I knew it would be. I read a Nancy Bush book years ago, loved it, and just never got back to another one. I'm so glad Kensington and Net Galley approved my request to read this!
There were so many subplots going on in this book, with so many lies, so many memories (true and false) and so, so many secrets. This book was very well written and I just raced through it in one Sunday afternoon. It was another one that I just could not put down. Chores? What chores? I definitely recommend this book if your into mysteries with skeletons in the closet!
Thanks Kensington and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this very thrilling book!
There were so many subplots going on in this book, with so many lies, so many memories (true and false) and so, so many secrets. This book was very well written and I just raced through it in one Sunday afternoon. It was another one that I just could not put down. Chores? What chores? I definitely recommend this book if your into mysteries with skeletons in the closet!
Thanks Kensington and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this very thrilling book!
June 8, 2015
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Secrets, small town, and killers....what more could a girl want in a book?? Not much more for this girl!! This was so good, my first book by Nancy Bush...(where have I been?) but definitely wont be my last!! Can't wait to get my hands on more by this author!
January 31, 2022
Not good at all. Had to make myself finish it.
December 31, 2015
I’ve just finished You Can't Escape by Nancy Bush. The book is well written, has multiple subplots, family secrets, murder, and a lite romantic element.
The character development is thin, but enough to get a feel for the main characters (Jay & Jordanna). The book, has so much going on, that I felt l like I need a score card to keep all of the characters together with their part of the story. Another issue I had with the book was the transition between sections of the subplots, the story felt like it jumped around, instead of smoothly transitioning to a new section, or thread.
The book was enjoyable, and the fast paced wrap in the last few chapters, ties up most of the loose ends. The epilogue points to an HEA for Jay & Jordanna, and the last remaining subplot is left open for what seems like a follow-on book.
For me this was a three star read, I found myself constantly putting the book aside to read other books. I think this would be a great book to take out of the library, or get when it’s at a reduced price. Although I did enjoy it, it wouldn’t be on my must read list.
I received the book from NetGalley on behalf of Kensington Books/Zebra
The expected publication date is June 30th 2015
May 11, 2015
Every author has a book that you read and think this is not their usual great writing and unfortunately this book was that for me.I love a good thriller , bit of romance , great characters and this book had some of these elements but the story itself was just lacking.I honestly found this book to be boring. I hate to leave a negative review but I received an advanced copy for an honest review and there you go that is my review. I will continue to read Nancy Bush's books in the future because I have enjoyed so many of her previous books.
January 8, 2021
It is a great book! Twists and turns seemingly around every corner. A romance, thriller, and suspense all wrapped up in this fascinating read! My apologies to First Reads, the author, and the publisher. This is the first book I've won that I have been unable to finish and write a review for. Due to ALS, I lost the ability to hold books several months ago, and I have not yet found someone to read it to me. If that time ever comes and I'm still able to type, I will then write a review. I had been enjoying the book.
May 13, 2015
I received a copy of this book thru Netgalley, to read and review.
Excellent book. I've always enjoyed Nancy Bush's books and this one did not disappoint. Good character back stories and excellent writing combined to make a great mystery.
Excellent book. I've always enjoyed Nancy Bush's books and this one did not disappoint. Good character back stories and excellent writing combined to make a great mystery.
July 23, 2016
My first Nancy Bush novel and it was quite good. Going to read some more of hers.
December 28, 2025
3.5 Stars
You Can't Escape is the fourth book in the Nowhere series by Nancy Bush. I binged this series which took me on a gripping ride that blended romantic suspense, with small-town intrigue, and psychological tension – and kept me hooked from the very first page of the very first book...
Set across the five books - Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide, Nowhere Safe, You Can’t Escape, and The Killing Game – Ms. Bush crafts a world where danger lurks in the shadows, secrets run deep, and trust is a rare commodity.
Ms. Bush cleverly weaves together multiple perspectives without losing the thread of the central mystery. Each book introduces new characters while keeping a connective thread through the Rafferty family and their circle, giving readers both fresh intrigue and familiar emotional stakes. The pacing is on point, with just enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling contrived or like she was ‘trying too hard’.
The romantic elements are well-balanced - they never overshadow the suspense but instead heighten the emotional impact of the danger. Ms. Bush also excels at creating villains who feel chillingly real, with motives that are quite unsettling and yet still believable.
So, if you enjoy suspense novels with layered characters, atmospheric settings, and a steady undercurrent of danger, then the ‘Nowhere’ series delivers great binge-worthy reading.
Happy Reading…
You Can't Escape is the fourth book in the Nowhere series by Nancy Bush. I binged this series which took me on a gripping ride that blended romantic suspense, with small-town intrigue, and psychological tension – and kept me hooked from the very first page of the very first book...
Set across the five books - Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide, Nowhere Safe, You Can’t Escape, and The Killing Game – Ms. Bush crafts a world where danger lurks in the shadows, secrets run deep, and trust is a rare commodity.
Ms. Bush cleverly weaves together multiple perspectives without losing the thread of the central mystery. Each book introduces new characters while keeping a connective thread through the Rafferty family and their circle, giving readers both fresh intrigue and familiar emotional stakes. The pacing is on point, with just enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling contrived or like she was ‘trying too hard’.
The romantic elements are well-balanced - they never overshadow the suspense but instead heighten the emotional impact of the danger. Ms. Bush also excels at creating villains who feel chillingly real, with motives that are quite unsettling and yet still believable.
So, if you enjoy suspense novels with layered characters, atmospheric settings, and a steady undercurrent of danger, then the ‘Nowhere’ series delivers great binge-worthy reading.
Happy Reading…
October 14, 2024
You Can't Escape by Nancy Bush is incredible! It has two different investigations going on that are not related but the people they involve are. Jordanna is an investigating reporter. She has been tracking a famous male investigative reporter and the case he has been doing. Only, he was married into a family that he later suspected of smuggling. It was not until there was a bomb that was indeed meant for him. But as he's dealing with suspicion, anger, and denial as well as an injury, Jordanna comes to his rescue. At first, he's not keen on the woman who pretended to be his ex-wife. But together they leave the hospital and head to her small-town. There, another crime is happening...a girl is missing along with her boyfriend. Also, her older sister died years before which may be connected...and then her younger sister comes to visit only to disappear. When nobody can find her and the killer leaves a text to assure the family...something is off. Jordanna knows her younger sister and is worried. Together the two reporters work hard to uncover truths related to them both. One escaped danger, the other is putting herself into danger's hands. Nancy Bush is a superior writer. I loved this book! I cannot wait to read more dark, sinister crime fiction reads by her in the future.
June 17, 2024
Reporter Jay "Dance" Danziger wakes up in the hospital after an explosion at a friend's business almost kills him. He looks over to the woman seated beside him, pretending to be his wife, and wonders her intentions other than getting him out of the hospital.
Jordanna Winters is a reporter who has looked up to Dance for a long time, and was following him the day of the explosion. Thinking that the bomb was meant for Dance, Jordanna offers to take him out of town to lay low until they can figure things out.
Jordanna brings Dance to her childhood home in Rock Springs, where she is thrust back into a life she wanted to leave behind. Forced to confront her past, there is danger all about. For such a small town, it was certainly holding a lot of secrets.
It is a whirlwind of stories happening simultaneously and it worked. Despite reading this book out of order, I truly enjoyed it and didn't feel as if I was missing anything.
4 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, Kensington, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Jordanna Winters is a reporter who has looked up to Dance for a long time, and was following him the day of the explosion. Thinking that the bomb was meant for Dance, Jordanna offers to take him out of town to lay low until they can figure things out.
Jordanna brings Dance to her childhood home in Rock Springs, where she is thrust back into a life she wanted to leave behind. Forced to confront her past, there is danger all about. For such a small town, it was certainly holding a lot of secrets.
It is a whirlwind of stories happening simultaneously and it worked. Despite reading this book out of order, I truly enjoyed it and didn't feel as if I was missing anything.
4 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, Kensington, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
June 14, 2019
I have mixed feelings of this book. It started off great, an explosion, a mystery, a bit of deceit with Dance in the middle of it, then it continued onto a separate case of unsolved murders which involved Jordanna. That was getting quite interesting but the explosion crime was left somewhat simmering and delved into the lives of twin police officers (Rafferties). Three quarters in I was losing interest. It was a bit frustrating but I kept at it and the murder case was quite suspenseful, the bombing part became boring and predictable and the parts of the officers were, personally, irrelevant.
There was too many different crimes happening at once that it boggled your mind. It was good, but could have been better.
There was too many different crimes happening at once that it boggled your mind. It was good, but could have been better.
July 5, 2025
"You Can't Escape Nowhere" #4 by Nancy Bush was an excellent read. I checked if I could read the book alone without reading #1, #2, #3, since I only had #4. Yes, it stands alone. I was captivated from the beginning to the end. A small-town mystery detailing the relationships with family members and those of the community. From Lies, to truth and dark mystery. A psychotic thriller, who kills in the name of God. Also, the story involves another mystery of love, hate and passion. A family who takes care of their own, yet through deceit and murder. The ending will surprise you.
April 24, 2019
I had this book sitting in my car and picked it up to read during my son's appointment, because I forgot the book I intended to bring at home. I had zero clue what to expect since it was randomly given to me, but I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps a bit slow-moving in the beginning, but over a good read. Awesome plot twists and good character development. I plan to go back and start from the first book in the series now.
September 16, 2019
This was a good book with an interesting end. However, this wasn't my favorite book. The author really wanted the book to be mysterious, so much so, that it almost made it hard to follow. I also felt like it took awhile to become interesting. I was already halfway through the book and wasn't sure how the story lined up with what the back of the book said. Eventually, everything reveals itself, so at least you don't finish it and have questions still lingering.
January 8, 2020
Not knowing this was part of a series, I read it anyway. Not sure what the series has to do w this one other than it seems the cops may be the tie that binds per the epilogue. Nice plot twists, good character development. I thought I knew who the killer was.. But I did not. Marking it as a 3 bc I could have dealt w o the romance between Dance and Jordanna. Not entirely necessary imho. Good suspense otherwise
January 2, 2023
Got this one free.
I did not like the story .. but did finish it with some skip reading.
Author writes well.
Just not my genre at all .. specifically serial killers et al.
I had to follow the plot through though .. to tie up all the loose ends !
Two reporters were the main characters.
The two characters I liked the most were the Rafferty detectives .. brother Auggie and September (his sister).
Setting: Oregon
Creepy tale indeed.
I did not like the story .. but did finish it with some skip reading.
Author writes well.
Just not my genre at all .. specifically serial killers et al.
I had to follow the plot through though .. to tie up all the loose ends !
Two reporters were the main characters.
The two characters I liked the most were the Rafferty detectives .. brother Auggie and September (his sister).
Setting: Oregon
Creepy tale indeed.
February 16, 2019
There were two stories running parallel to each other in this book, possibly a third, with a lot of jumping around from one story to the other. At times, the story was a drag and I really had to force myself to pick up the book to read a more couple of chapters, only because I never leave a book unread.
June 29, 2023
I thought it was pretty entertaining, but I do think it wrapped up quite quickly. I definitely don't think it was all that suspenseful, and it would have been more interesting if they had made Jordanna the girl who tried to bomb Dance.
So apparently this is not a stand alone book but is of a series and I have to say that if this is Rafferty book then isn't the Raffertys in it more often?
So apparently this is not a stand alone book but is of a series and I have to say that if this is Rafferty book then isn't the Raffertys in it more often?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
Rafferty with a twist
The story was solid with the introduction of Jordanna and Jay. The plot and storylines kept me interested the whole way. The ending was a.little too open with the bombing not brought to clean finish.
The Rafferty connection was very superfluous. The introduction of Jordanna and Jay as.investigative journalists could be its own series.
The story was solid with the introduction of Jordanna and Jay. The plot and storylines kept me interested the whole way. The ending was a.little too open with the bombing not brought to clean finish.
The Rafferty connection was very superfluous. The introduction of Jordanna and Jay as.investigative journalists could be its own series.
September 15, 2017
This was a really good story, although it could have been way better if there was just a bit more suspense and action. There is a lot of lag time in the middle of this book, but overall it kept my attention and the ending was great.
July 24, 2018
A good suspenseful book from first to last page....
I enjoyed the way I felt drawn into the book....it kept me reading until the late hours....you are never sure of the outcome until the very end of the book....
I enjoyed the way I felt drawn into the book....it kept me reading until the late hours....you are never sure of the outcome until the very end of the book....
March 26, 2022
A bit much with three stories...a bombing, a missing girl, twin officers, Jordanna’s family history...wait, that’s four. An okay read but not my favorite by the author. I have read much better by her.
June 17, 2024
This was a fast paced read with tons of suspense and things happening that you would never expect who was orchestrating it. I had such a hard time stopping, I had to tell myself each day ok need to stop here but that didn’t really work lol
October 18, 2017
Good suspense
November 6, 2017
Very disappointing. Strange and underwhelming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews