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MESSAGE in the GAME: A small town psychic murder mystery
Nine books in and Gabby McAllister just became someone the whole town has to
take seriously.
Message in the Game opens with something readers have been waiting for since Book 1
— Gabby standing at a press conference as an official police consultant, the woman River Bend once crossed the street to avoid now representing the police department in front of cameras. Dustin is fully in her corner. Lucas is there. The whole beloved gang is back — Grandma Dot, Mrs. Mott, Lacey, Haley — and for one brief moment it feels like everything Gabby has fought for across eight books has finally completely arrived.
Then the case dismantles everything.
Someone is using an online game to hunt real women in the real world. The premise is as current as it is terrifying — organized, methodical, and unlike anything the series has delivered before. This is the case that tests every skill Gabby has built across nine books and pushes every relationship she has to its absolute limit. The evil in this book is not hiding in River Bend's shadows. It is something bigger, colder, and far more deliberate than anything Gabby has faced before.
And the ending.
We will not say a word about what happens. We will only say this — it has been building for nine books, and when it arrives you will feel it in your chest like something physical.
Clear your schedule before you start the last chapter. Have Book 10 ready. You are going to need it immediately and you are not going to be able to wait.
If you have not started this series yet — go to Book 1 right now. Gabby McAllister is waiting for you and she is worth every single page of every single book.
Crap on a cracker. This one is something else entirely.
take seriously.
Message in the Game opens with something readers have been waiting for since Book 1
— Gabby standing at a press conference as an official police consultant, the woman River Bend once crossed the street to avoid now representing the police department in front of cameras. Dustin is fully in her corner. Lucas is there. The whole beloved gang is back — Grandma Dot, Mrs. Mott, Lacey, Haley — and for one brief moment it feels like everything Gabby has fought for across eight books has finally completely arrived.
Then the case dismantles everything.
Someone is using an online game to hunt real women in the real world. The premise is as current as it is terrifying — organized, methodical, and unlike anything the series has delivered before. This is the case that tests every skill Gabby has built across nine books and pushes every relationship she has to its absolute limit. The evil in this book is not hiding in River Bend's shadows. It is something bigger, colder, and far more deliberate than anything Gabby has faced before.
And the ending.
We will not say a word about what happens. We will only say this — it has been building for nine books, and when it arrives you will feel it in your chest like something physical.
Clear your schedule before you start the last chapter. Have Book 10 ready. You are going to need it immediately and you are not going to be able to wait.
If you have not started this series yet — go to Book 1 right now. Gabby McAllister is waiting for you and she is worth every single page of every single book.
Crap on a cracker. This one is something else entirely.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2026
About the author
Dawn Merriman
68 books258 followersDawn Merriman lives in northeastern Indiana on a small pig farm with her husband and teenage children. She enjoys animals, auctions, reading, snorkeling and writing small town murder mystery novels. Dawn Merriman completed her first novel in Middle School and a few others in High School and college. She won 1st place in the Northeast Indiana Young Writers short story contest in 1990. After a writing hiatus to raise her children, she published her debut novel, "How Murder Saved My Life" in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2026
Wow, talk about a nail biter!
Dawn Merriman has created such an amazing series with such developed characters. I feel like I know them all and feel what they are experiencing. Gabby really takes you to the edge of seat and keeps you trying to balance yourself all the way to the end!
Dawn Merriman has created such an amazing series with such developed characters. I feel like I know them all and feel what they are experiencing. Gabby really takes you to the edge of seat and keeps you trying to balance yourself all the way to the end!
April 7, 2026
Addictive
Engaging and heartwarming, this series beautifully weaves together the interconnected journeys of its characters, showcasing their mutual support and faith as they navigate life's challenges together with divine guidance. Thanks Ms. Merrimack for creating this awesome series.
Engaging and heartwarming, this series beautifully weaves together the interconnected journeys of its characters, showcasing their mutual support and faith as they navigate life's challenges together with divine guidance. Thanks Ms. Merrimack for creating this awesome series.
April 11, 2026
Phenomenal!!
Another fantastic Gabby story. Like all of the other books I loved it. If you like suspense and twist and turns and of course a love story then this book is for you. I loved Gabby and Lucas’s love story as well as all of the suspense. I highly recommend this book but start from the beginning you won’t regret it.
Another fantastic Gabby story. Like all of the other books I loved it. If you like suspense and twist and turns and of course a love story then this book is for you. I loved Gabby and Lucas’s love story as well as all of the suspense. I highly recommend this book but start from the beginning you won’t regret it.
April 30, 2026
Awesome Sauce!
Ok so this book was fast paced...a little too face paced but I still enjoyed reading. Of course I have more questions and I can't wait for the next book but I feel like this one needed more meat. Still 5 stars because of the storyline I absolutely love each book and the author is phenomenal. I recommend this series. You won't be disappointed.
Ok so this book was fast paced...a little too face paced but I still enjoyed reading. Of course I have more questions and I can't wait for the next book but I feel like this one needed more meat. Still 5 stars because of the storyline I absolutely love each book and the author is phenomenal. I recommend this series. You won't be disappointed.
May 4, 2026
Great story
I loved this installment. Gabby,'s thinking she is pregnant then she isnt but maybe she is. Then there is a murder a mystery anx lots of danger. Another psychic and then she is shot in the head. Will she remember who shot her? My money is Preston or the sherrif who doesnt like her. At the end her lufe is in gbe balance
I loved this installment. Gabby,'s thinking she is pregnant then she isnt but maybe she is. Then there is a murder a mystery anx lots of danger. Another psychic and then she is shot in the head. Will she remember who shot her? My money is Preston or the sherrif who doesnt like her. At the end her lufe is in gbe balance
April 4, 2026
Surprise!
Dawn, you did it again! Awesome book! I love the ending! I started reading this book this morning I think it was. It is now 10est and I have finished it! I can never take more than a day and a half to read your books! They are that good!
Dawn, you did it again! Awesome book! I love the ending! I started reading this book this morning I think it was. It is now 10est and I have finished it! I can never take more than a day and a half to read your books! They are that good!
April 4, 2026
Another great one
Great addition to the series!!! I truly love this series. Gabby and Lucas are great as a couple!! But grandma dot is one of my favorites!! I cant wait to see what pans out from her problem!!
Great addition to the series!!! I truly love this series. Gabby and Lucas are great as a couple!! But grandma dot is one of my favorites!! I cant wait to see what pans out from her problem!!
April 4, 2026
WOW!!
This book is so good! I have loved every book in the series. An online game and a murder kick off an action packed story. When Gabby discovers what’s happening, she jumps in to save a friend. We’re left with a cliffhanger and now I can’t wait for the next book!
This book is so good! I have loved every book in the series. An online game and a murder kick off an action packed story. When Gabby discovers what’s happening, she jumps in to save a friend. We’re left with a cliffhanger and now I can’t wait for the next book!
April 6, 2026
Wow! So much suspense throughout this book. So glad to be able to spend more time with Gabby and her friends and family. It is going to be so hard to wait for the next book in this series. Such a great story.
April 7, 2026
Edge of your seat Gabby adventure
This book is hard to put down! The story development is great. The subject matter feels real and compelling. Another fantastic story about Gabby and her abilities. Ready for the next book already, lol!!
This book is hard to put down! The story development is great. The subject matter feels real and compelling. Another fantastic story about Gabby and her abilities. Ready for the next book already, lol!!
April 11, 2026
I recently found out about this book series 3 weeks ago and needless to say I’m addicted. I already knew this book was going to be left with a big cliffhanger and Dawn Merriman didn’t disappoint! Is it July 30th yet?
April 28, 2026
The ending.... That's all I'm saying. You will understand once you read this great book. Kudos Dawn.
This book keeps you riveted to the final page. Love Gabby and Lucas and the rest of the gang. Can't wait to book #10.
This book keeps you riveted to the final page. Love Gabby and Lucas and the rest of the gang. Can't wait to book #10.
April 7, 2026
Love this book!!
Very good read, highly recommend it! Keeps you on the edge of your seat til the end abs wanting more!!
Very good read, highly recommend it! Keeps you on the edge of your seat til the end abs wanting more!!
April 10, 2026
omg!!!
Start with book and you will fall in love with Gabby I can’t wait for the next book. I know what’s coming and am sooo excited
Start with book and you will fall in love with Gabby I can’t wait for the next book. I know what’s coming and am sooo excited
April 12, 2026
Very good as always !
The only bad side of that book was that its a bit short.
The only bad side of that book was that its a bit short.
May 8, 2026
Great read
I love the characters. This story was way to short, but I can't wait to read the next in the series!!!!!
I love the characters. This story was way to short, but I can't wait to read the next in the series!!!!!
April 15, 2026
Wow! Just..... WOW!
Fantastic addition to this series! I could not put it down. I was intrigued with every page, every chapter.... all the emotions from every charavter!
All the revelations and then nothing really revealed.
OMG! And The suspense!
Thank you for this Dawn Merriman. I can not wait for the next..... and then hopefully another after that , and then another, etc.
Fantastic addition to this series! I could not put it down. I was intrigued with every page, every chapter.... all the emotions from every charavter!
All the revelations and then nothing really revealed.
OMG! And The suspense!
Thank you for this Dawn Merriman. I can not wait for the next..... and then hopefully another after that , and then another, etc.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews