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Marissa Gray's world was shattered when her best friend, Gretchen, was brutally murdered. Back then, Marissa tried to convince authorities that Dillon Archer was the killer. But her eyewitness statement wasn't enough—and Dillon disappeared. Now a successful journalist, Marissa is back to help her family during a time of need. After years away from Aurora Falls, she finally feels the past is safe behind her. Until a terrifying hooded figure causes Marissa's car to swerve off a snow-slick road, nearly killing her.

Once again, no one wants to believe Marissa's story—not her sensible sister Catherine, and certainly not her ex-fiancé Eric, who happens to be the town's deputy chief of police. But other strange happenings are afoot…and a terrifying sequence emerges in which old friends of Gretchen's start turning up dead. As Marissa desperately races to uncover Aurora Falls's secret history, someone is two steps ahead, concealed in every taunting clue—and waiting to silence one inconvenient witness forever…

339 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2010

11 people are currently reading
390 people want to read

About the author

Carlene Thompson

22 books255 followers
Carlene Thompson is an author of suspense thriller novels.

Her first book, Black for Remembrance, was published in 1990 by Little, Brown and was well received. Her books are suspense novels, often with romantic elements and many take place in Thompson's home state of West Virginia. Her books often feature animals, which she bases on animals she knows in real life.

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5 stars
128 (29%)
4 stars
167 (39%)
3 stars
94 (22%)
2 stars
28 (6%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Kat.
484 reviews26 followers
August 8, 2023
DNF
It´s not a thriller or even a crime/mystery book. It´s a romance and a family drama with some dead bodies thrown in it. The story is not believable at all. The characters are annoying. I bailed out at about 75%.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Lyons.
569 reviews5 followers
July 31, 2023
The concept interested me, and the reveal of the killer at the end did surprise me.

It was another one of those mystery suspense novels where characters come home to the small town where they grew up to become embroiled in the middle of a murder investigation, which had its roots in the past lives of the returning characters. In this case, local journalist Marissa Gray and Acting-Sherrif Eric Montgomery. Oh yes, they had a serious romantic past together that shattered upon the death of Eric's sister Gretchen.

Sometimes, the writing dragged, which has a lot to do with giving it three stars. Also, I sometimes had a hard time liking Marissa and Eric, although they grew on me toward the end.

It was set in snowy December shortly before Christmas. The weather and darkness wore on me after a while, and sometimes, the action seemed contrary to winter conditions.

I don't see myself actively seeking out other books by this author. As it was, I found this one at a used book sale and the description intrigued.me. I like books that have a cold case element to them like this did.
Profile Image for susana.
586 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2019
Nota Geral: 3.5/5
Escrita: 3.5
Cenário: 4
Originalidade: 3.5
Personagens: 3
Suspense: 4
Humor: 3
Romance: 3
Capa: 3.5
Aditivo: 4
Previsível: 3
150 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2021
This mystery was well-written and hard to put down. I actually read it again years later because I remembered liking it a lot but couldn’t recall many details.
275 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2023
Surprise ending! Wow,good book.
686 reviews4 followers
January 30, 2025
Enjoyed this mystery! Everyone has returned home for the holidays and now there are murders. I kept thinking, what if all the way through. Very good. Didn't see it coming.
Profile Image for Roxann.
876 reviews9 followers
August 22, 2016
From the cover: Marissa Gray’s world was shattered when her best friend, Gretchen, was brutally murdered. Back then, Marissa tried to convince authorities that Dillon Archer was the killer. But her eyewitness statement wasn’t enough—and Dillon disappeared. Now a successful journalist, Marissa is back to help her family during a time of need. After years away from Aurora Falls, she finally feels the past is safe behind her. Until a terrifying hooded figure causes Marissa’s car to swerve off a snow-slick road, nearly killing her. Once again, no one wants to believe Marissa’s story—not her sensible sister Catherine, and certainly not her ex-fiancé Eric, who happens to be the town’s deputy chief of police. But other strange happenings are afoot…and a terrifying sequence emerges in which old friends of Gretchen’s start turning up dead. As Marissa desperately races to uncover Aurora Falls’s secret history, someone is two steps ahead, concealed in every taunting clue—and waiting to silence one inconvenient witness forever.

This is the first book from this author I have read. It was a good mystery that I had difficulty putting down. I knew Dillon wasn’t the killer, but I wasn’t certain who it was until near the end of the book. The ending was bit of a surprise especially what really happened to Dillon and who did it. I would definitely recommend this book for people who like murder mysteries.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,170 reviews141 followers
October 28, 2017
Marissa Gray’s world was shattered when her best friend, Gretchen, was brutally murdered. Back then, Marissa tried to convince authorities that Dillon Archer was the killer. But her eyewitness statement wasn’t enough—and Dillon disappeared. Now a successful journalist, Marissa is back to help her family during a time of need. After years away from Aurora Falls, she finally feels the past is safe behind her. Until a terrifying hooded figure causes Marissa’s car to swerve off a snow-slick road, nearly killing her.

Once again, no one wants to believe Marissa’s story—not her sensible sister Catherine, and certainly not her ex-fiancé Eric, who happens to be the town’s deputy chief of police. But other strange happenings are afoot…and a terrifying sequence emerges in which old friends of Gretchen’s start turning up dead. As Marissa desperately races to uncover Aurora Falls’s secret history, someone is two steps ahead, concealed in every taunting clue—and waiting to silence one inconvenient witness forever…
Profile Image for Maggie61.
786 reviews3 followers
September 11, 2011
I have read some of this authors books before and have enjoyed them. I wouldn't put them quite on the level of Mary higgins clark but close. She writes a good fast paced mystery. I had no idea of the killer until I was at the end and while I did enjoy the book I found the motive for the murders to be a little far fetched and not very logical. Nonetheless I did like it and will read many more of hers.
Profile Image for Katie.
774 reviews
October 2, 2011
"I have read some of this authors books before and have enjoyed them. I wouldn't put them quite on the level of Mary higgins clark but close. She writes a good fast paced mystery. I had no idea of the killer until I was at the end and while I did enjoy the book I found the motive for the murders to be a little far fetched and not very logical. Nonetheless I did like it and will read many more of hers.". (copied from a random persons review)

I love to support West Virginian authors.
98 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2011
A murder occurs on an island and many years later the people present come together again. As they become reaquainted, murders begin to occur. Everyone believes the person responsible for the murder years ago has returned. In the last two chapters the plot takes a totally unexpected twist. This was a very enjoyable book and a quick read.
731 reviews4 followers
February 12, 2011
I checked this out of the library & I really enjoyed the book. This is the first book I've read by this author & I'll definitely be reading some more of her books. It was a good mystery that I couldn't put down. I was surprised at the ending & was completely engrossed. My husband was making fun of my gasps as I read the book. Definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Katy.
1,511 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2011
Marissa witnessed the death of her closest friend years ago, yet the police decided to use another person's "eyewitness" account instead. Now though, people who were close to the victim are dying. Has the killer returned? Thompson, a WV Writer, is good, but I did figure out "whodunit" just not why.
19 reviews
March 2, 2013
Enjoyed the book, very good mystery, I had thought I had figured it out (knew it wasn't Dillon) had someone else in mind, what a surprise at the end. I started reading this book around the middle of February on my lunch break, but had to take it home tonight (weekend) knew I would be itching to finish it to see if I was right. So glad I did,
Profile Image for Marianne Stehr.
1,227 reviews7 followers
March 19, 2011
Too many characters, too long a set up and a story that just couldn't be followed is the impression I got. I could not make it past 75 pages, maybe it gets better, but I wasn't "into it" and didn't feel like putting in the time.
Profile Image for Julie.
279 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2013
Not one of the better Thompson books. The heroine/hero were very strange. They were written very young/immature in terms of language/actions. The story carried along, but it felt like without any real interactions from the people within it. I start with an older book - maybe from the late 90s.
Profile Image for Sheryl.
12 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2013
I haven't read a mystery/thriller in awhile so maybe they're not my genre anymore. This seemed to me overkill in the body department, the buildup and drama. Lots of characters and it was easy for me to put this book down for several days.
Profile Image for Shania.
10 reviews
May 4, 2016
I just have to say this was such a good book!! First I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it but I'm so happy I did. It kept me intrigued and kept me coming back for more. And I must comment that I was in love with Eric and Marissa.
168 reviews
January 5, 2011
I like Carlene Thompson's books - she writes very much like Mary Higgins Clark...another favorite author of mine.
Profile Image for Maureen.
3 reviews
Read
April 12, 2011
Good book,easy to read. If you like Mary Higgins Clark as I do you will like Carlene Thompson.
Profile Image for Scoozer.
562 reviews12 followers
July 31, 2011
I figured out the killer about halfway through the book, so there was little tension for me. It was just okay.
Profile Image for Evan.
3 reviews
July 1, 2011
Very good writing, I love this book.won't put it down.
Profile Image for Kay.
1,243 reviews24 followers
July 14, 2011
Probably too many distractions but I didn't have as much problem putting this book down as I usually do with her books.
Profile Image for Helen Thompson.
133 reviews10 followers
September 11, 2011
This was a good "who done it"! It will keep you guessing as the body count increases.
Profile Image for Jocelynn.
58 reviews
December 31, 2011
This was a wonderfully written mystery that kept me reading and guessing until the end. I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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