In the heart-pounding violence of a life-threatening storm, a relentless killer prowls the shadows, seeking the perfect cover for a deadly game.A decade ago, the quiet town of Millners Kill was rocked by the brutal murder of Simone Granger. Sixteen-year-old Steve Kane took the fall, convicted for a crime he swears he didn't commit—the slaying of his best friend's sister. Now, out on parole, Steve returns to a town that despises him, seeking only to reclaim his life.In the tight-knit community, Steve finds solace in the support of his grandmother, brother, and the tenacious State Police Investigator Declan Reed. He intends to lie low, rebuild, and put the past behind him. But fate has other plans.As the storm of the century descends upon Millners Kill, a grim tableau unfolds—the bodies of victims stacking up, and Steve becomes the prime suspect. The town, unhinged and seeking justice, fixates its rage on one man.Steve is convinced of his innocence, but in a town gripped by fury, finding the real killer becomes a perilous race against time. In this gripping crime thriller, where trust is scarce, and danger lurks in every shadow, Steve must navigate the storm within and around him. Will he evade the relentless pursuit, or will the tempest of suspicion consume the chance for justice he so desperately seeks?What Readers Are “This is one of those books that you can't put down.”“R.D. Brady is a phenomenal writer. This book grabbed me from the start and didn't let go! I was totally blindsided. Loved it!”“Started it one afternoon and couldn't put it down.”“It has everything you'd a serial killer on the loose in a town cut off from the outside world by a storm, a likable convict who is probably being framed, several suspects, as well as lots of twists and turns.”
R.D. Brady is the bestselling author of over 60 science-based thrillers, cryptid adventure novels, and mythological conspiracy series that blend real-world science with nonstop action.
With a Ph.D. in Criminology and a professional background in counterterrorism and behavioral science, R.D. brings expert insight to her fast-paced fiction. Her stories are known for featuring fierce female leads, ancient secrets, and cutting-edge research that challenges what we think we know about science, history, and the unknown.
She is best known for the long-running Belial Series, a fan-favorite that explores archaeological mysteries and supernatural revelations—and continues with the high-stakes Belial Rebirth Arc.
R.D. is also the author of The Ancestral Code Series, starting with Hominid, a cryptid-meets-science thriller that reimagines the Bigfoot legend. Her other popular works include the A.L.I.V.E. Series, The Unwelcome Trilogy, and the latest addition, the Shadow Directive series, including Predator Dominion.
Whether it's a global genetic conspiracy, an ancient civilization buried beneath modern myths, or a killer storm trapping a wrongly accused man, R.D.'s books deliver the adrenaline, mystery, and emotional depth that fans of Michael Crichton, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and James Rollins crave.
When not writing, R.D. teaches martial arts, runs with her dogs, and tends to her garden. Under the pen name Sadie Hobbes, she also writes sharp, fast-paced urban fantasy thrillers.
📬 Subscribe at rdbradybooks.com to get exclusive extras, free novellas, and first looks at upcoming books.
I enjoy a good engrossing mystery but really need to be kept guessing if I'm going to consider giving a book 4 or 5 stars. This one is pretty easy to figure out early on. It has a very linear plot so it's a quick read and easy to follow. It lacks a lot of those "A-ha!" moments I enjoy from mysteries but is still a decent read.
Steve has just served 10 years in jail for murdering a girl. He returns to the small island town of Milner's Kill while a huge storm is brewing that threatens to cut off the town from the mainland. Suddenly, people start getting murdered and all eyes are on Steve again.
There are several law enforcement characters that were hard for me to keep straight in the beginning: a couple of officers, the dumb police chief, a state police investigator, and a lawyer who happens to be Steve's brother. Another problem is they are all stock characters and not very likable. Steve, the main character, is about the only character I could warm up to.
The book could also use some editing. I stumbled quite a bit on extra words or misused words which gets old fast. But I thought the writing was solid, enough to make me want to check out the author's other books.
Although I solved the murders less than halfway through I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and the interactions of the characters. Ms. Brady routinely turns out stories that keep you involved and invested to the end.
I did not identify the killer even with the clues until the end. Read this in 2 days, staying up past midnight. Great book to take you away from the every day. The storm description was also well done enough to be considered a character itself.
Deeply rich story about a teen who’s falsely convicted of murder he didn’t commit. Now he is returning home to the town who turned on him. Once again RD Brady describes her main character so fully you lose yourself in the pages. It’s a fantastic read. I did NOT expect the killers identity! Only thing i wanted is an apology at the end from the chief of police who was a real (jerk to put it nicely), and responsible for his conviction. I do understand why she didn’t include it tho, bc if it were real life, a man like Keith would never admit his mistake. Great job highly recommend this book
I picked up this book to "start" before bed and it was so good before I knew it was way past when I had planned on calling asleep and I finished it in one sitting. So riveting
What a ride, lots of twists and turns, kept me guessing right up to the end. Such a different type of book from the ones I have read before from R D Brady, but just as engrossing in a different way.
The twists and turns in this story are spellbinding. And the ending thrilling and emotional. The unfairness of what happened to the main character almost made me stop, but I am glad I stayed with it to the end.
Love everything about it! Good characters, plot with surprises along the way, and even setting descriptions are conceived. Books this good are what keep me hard to please
As a teen, Steve Cane is convicted for the murder of his best friend, Julie's, sister. After serving ten years, he returns to his island home just as a major storm approaches. The bridge to the island is seriously at risk and therefore closed. Upon Steve's arrival, bodies begin to pile up and most everyone thinks he is to blame. State policeman, Declan, who never believed that Steve was guilty of murder, continues to fight on his behalf. Closed off from the mainland, people are frightened and beginning to lose control. Who is behind the murders? I never guessed!
I love this book. I was shocked who the killer was. It took me almost the entire book to figure it out. I thought it was the police chief Keith, he was arrogant, seemed to have it out for Steve, and knew everything about everything. But when they all got together at the school to discuss matters, Keith was talking when the murder gave an old lady a note.
I was shocked to know that it was Steve's brother Jack, but than after reading about their family history I wasn't shocked at all. I hate that grandma had to die, but glad that things worked out for Steve in the end.
Great story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is one of those books that you can't put down. I loved the Beliah series, and was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed with this book. I admit, I was looking for one of the characters to be a fallen for a connection to that series but there wasn't one. The story line was well thought out and all in all, a good read..
Actually was about a third into a different book. Don't know why I started this except just checking it out and I became absorbed in the story. Absolutely loved it and am definitely looking forward to reading more of this authors books. I have a new preferred author. R.D. Brady!!!
This book was a real page turner kept me up later wanting to get to the end. All the twist and turns the characters were great and human like people who are in a small town on an island.and the end WOW. I highly recommend this book.
Excellent story! It was hard to put down from the beginning. Great story line, real life characters, will keep you turning the page, excitedly wanting to get to the bottom of the mystery. You won't see it coming! Loved it!
This was a really good book, very gripping and suspenseful, I couldn't wait to pick it up again
When I had to put it down to do other necessary things. The characters were real and well portrayed I looked forward to hearing about each turn of events
This book kept me entertained. I thought the story line was good, but I can only give it three stars because it dragged out too much. I went all through the story guessing who actually did the murders. As soon as I found out who did it, I just skimmed the rest of the book.
This was an interesting read. Great story telling, I wish it would have went into more details about a few things, but a magnificent story nonetheless!