Deathly Desire

Westport: Lizzie #3

by Beth Prentice

When the past comes back to haunt you.

Lizzie is ready for a new adventure in her life, and it doesn't take long for her to find it. After hitting the For Sale sign in to the ground of her house of mysteries, she is quickly charmed by another old house that is in desperate need of some love and attention. Only the house has a secret of its own. Who is its owner? Why is he so hard to find? And why does he own nine other deserted homes in Westport?

Keen to start this new chapter in her life, and with the help of her crazy family, her drop dead gorgeous boyfriend Riley, and the super sexy policeman that has just declared his undying love for her, Lizzie stumbles from one clue to the next. But when her past reappears and mixes with her future everything she has ever loved is at stake.

Can Lizzie solve the forty-year-old mystery so that she and Riley can begin their next chapter together? Is her past really back to get her, or is there a copycat in Westport? Or will the star of her nightmares destroy everything before it even begins?

Lizzie's next adventure may not be as much fun as she had hoped.

Deathly Desire is the third book in this light-hearted romantic mystery series. If you like crazy families, fun engaging reads, and a sweet romance, all tied together with a ribbon of danger then you'll love this instalment in The Westport Mysteries.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

268 pages, ebook

Published April 17, 2018

About the author

Beth Prentice is the award winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of the several series and standalone novels.
She was born in Manchester, England, but after moving backwards and forwards across the world 13 times in 14 years she decided that at the age of 18 that Australia was to be her home. She now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia where every day is a good one. She is the lucky mother of two grown up children, and, along with her ever-patient husband, she is the proud but sometimes flustered owner of four dogs, a cat, and a canary. She has always had a love of reading, and even though her background is in accounting, she has now discovered her love of writing. Her main wish is to write books you can sit back, relax with, and escape from your everyday life...and ones that you walk away from with a smile! When she's not writing you will usually find her at the beach with a coffee in hand, pursuing her favorite pastime --people watching!

Reviews

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series

Poor Lizzie, in for yet another ride in the latest by Beth Prentice. I love what she has done with this series, the characters, the storyline. It has a bit of everything in it, to keep you interested from the first, to the last page.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great read by Beth Prentice that will have you returning to Westport and the life of Lizzie as we join her in her next adventure. I totally enjoyed this book and l would love to read more about other characters in Lizzie’s life like Ed and Molly. I would love to see him find love and hear more about his life and Molly has a great story during this book that I hope we find out more about. I just love the feel-good feeling I have after reading this author’s books and this book will not disappoint as it will give you, laughter, excitement, suspense, mystery, entertainment, swoon-worthy men, friendship and most of all Lizzie’s funny family antics. I read an ARC copy of this great book and this is my honest and voluntary review that I would recommend to others.

What has been happening in Lizzie’s world? Lizzie has put her house up For Sale and with the news that her Stalker is out of prison life is again on high alert. How will Lizzie act when she is forced to spend more time with the sexy police officer that has feelings for her?

Lizzie’s love for old and charming old homes brings her to find a very abandon house in town that she and Riley would love to bring back to life. They soon find out there is a bit of mystery with the old house and the fact that there are 9 old abandon houses’ in town all owned by the same person that no one can track down.

If you have read about Lizzie before you know her life never goes as planned so this book is full of excitement and mysteries for her to unfold and be involved in. There is one point in this book that I had to hold my breath and read very fast to see where this author was going to take us with my anxiety at high alert to the drama unfolding in my kindle.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie is selling her house that she and Riley have worked so hard to make into the beautiful and peaceful home it has finally become. Although Lizzie still has her office there, she lives with Riley. The sale of the house will provide them with funds to buy another house, rescue it, and sell it. Lizzie agrees to go to design school as they wait for the house to be sold, so the next one can be even better.

But what happens when a locked house no longer keeps out unwanted men who are out to scare Lizzie? Just when she thought the stalking was over, it starts happening again... Author Beth Prentice really ramped up the terror Lizzie feels as she is being stalked and suffering the invasive cruelty of sick men. Of course there were laughs elsewhere in the book-one can always count on Lizzie herself and her family to provide humor!

Multiple mysteries in this book kept Lizzie racing through her days both with and without police protection! I loved the interaction of her Grandma with the policemen. Other new characters were great and repeat ones didn't disappoint, however I would have loved a little more Danny and Andrew-they are such a fun couple. The teacher and real estate agent were both so well typecast into that 'nobody is busier or more important than me' personality. I hated for the book to be over.

If you haven't read this series, you need to stop right now and go through the series in order. You will learn of Lizzie's past terror, how she met Riley and Ed, and much more about her family. You will enjoy Final Deathly Desires a lot more if you do read the books in order, plus you have the added benefit of more laughs and getting to meet all the important people in Lizzie's life. Oh yeah-you will have more mysteries to solve along with Lizzi, too!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series, I love Lizzie and her family and the things that keep happening to her but above all else I love the love of her life Rylie he is always there for her no matter what through thick and thin, murder and mayhem he stands tall for Lizzie. This is book three and Lizzie and Rylie are on the lookout for old houses to renovate but with them brings a mystery that keeps Lizzie in trouble.

Deciding to sell her house and start a new phase in her life Lizzie stumbles upon an old derelict house that calls to her decorating mind, she has changed her job and started a course in decorating so as her and Rylie can move on, but of course the first house she loves is linked to many more derelict houses that are linked to many families in Westport even her own family and a mystery that calls to Lizzie. Lizzie being Lizzie is not one to let things go and investigating starts bringing danger back into her life.

MS Prentice has again ticked all of the boxes for a fabulous mystery and a fabulous romance, Lizzie’s family had me smiling again especially Grandma Mabel she has bought them all to life they are so good to get to know and spend time with again, and then there are the bad guys and they are bad, some suspenseful moments and times when Riley and the police are jumping in to save Lizzie and leave me feeling thankful.

Truly I cannot highly recommend this one enough as well as the others in the series, there is a little bit of everything in these stories and this one is sure to tickle the fancy of any reader who wants to escape for a while and just enjoy, thank you MS Prentice for another winner

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Westport Mystery that I have read and I have enjoyed it very much.
Lizzie Fuller is trying to get her life back on track and having renovated her old house successfully, have decided to try her hand at doing yet another. Lizzie and her boyfriend Riley have seen and fallen in love with an abandoned house and would like to buy it to restore as their next project but finding the owner is a much more difficult business. In the meantime, the man who stalked her is out of prison and her past appears to be catching up on her.

This is a fast paced thrilling ride, a real page turner. Normally, I do not have much patience nor sympathy for ladies who are stalked or targeted, being fragile and simpering, swooning or tears and shock horror and I often feel like saying "Get a grip, be strong and fight back the best you can" but Prentice has done a great job with Lizzie. She has conveyed the fear, pain, dismay and terror so much so that you can really empathise and understand just how Lizzie can be frozen with terror or how heart poundingly scary and intimidated she felt when she discovers someone has violated her personal space. Lizzie did not come across as weak and needy - I got so involved that there was no chance for me to say "Man up, girl" - now that is saying something! Certainly looking to catch up on Books 1 & 2 now.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

At times I wanted to sympathize with Lizzie and at times wanted to tell her a panic attack was not the way to live her life. This book allows you to share in a full range of emotions from fear to laughter to love and acceptance. Riley is every girls dream come true. For once we get to see a capable police department going the extra mile. If you like to read well written books that keep you interested from beginning to end, this book is for you. Even though I received a free book to review, I purchased this book and am glad to add it to my collection. Enjoy.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Lizzie series!! Between a hot cop professing his love, another house calling Lizzie's name, her larger than life grandmother and a hotter than hot boyfriend, Lizzie has her hands full. Then her sister makes an announcement, and life gets a little crazier.
Lizzie finds herself with a stalker once more...is it the same one - or a copycat? I cannot tell, but if you read the book, you will find out.

[Cathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Lizzie Fuller book that I read and I want to go back and read the first two of the series. Lizzie and her family are really nice together. They have their squabbles but they really look out for each other. I love Lizzie and Riley and the way they interact. He is a boyfriend that I would like to have. I really like the interactions between Lizzie and the policeman Ed.

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Prentice’s Deathly Desire is an utterly charming addition to the Westport Mysteries series equal parts romantic comedy, cozy mystery, and heartfelt reflection. Lizzie’s voice remains as vibrant and endearing as ever, guiding readers through a tangle of old secrets, new loves, and the delightful chaos of family life.

Prentice’s gift lies in her ability to balance laughter with tension. Each clue Lizzie uncovers draws her deeper into a mystery that’s as emotional as it is suspenseful, while her relationships especially with Riley and her unpredictable circle add warmth and relatability. The story’s blend of humor, romance, and a dash of danger keeps the pages turning effortlessly.

Lighthearted yet meaningful, Deathly Desire proves once again that Prentice knows how to craft stories that leave readers smiling long after the final page. Fans of fun, romantic mysteries will find themselves perfectly at home in Westport.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving these books and cant wait to read the next book in the series, These books while stand alone mysteries need to be read in order to follow the antics of family and the wider storyline

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying ANY book by Beth Prentice is absolutely worthy of your time. Her books are so entertaining, when you finish one, you go back to find any you've missed! This Lizzie book, is no exception to the wonderful story telling ability of this fabulous author! Stalkers, thrills, mystery, and catch your breath scenes are all present in this installment of the series (and also great humor, don't worry). Whether or not you've read any before, you will have no trouble picking this up and reading into the night...characters are well developed, new and old, so you don't feel too lost, but it really is better if you read the first two Lizzie books before this. Lizzie's love Riley, is ever present as well is someone else out for her affections, both have uber redeeming qualities, you just have to read for yourself. Difficult to predict, nail biter story that you are really sorry is over at the end! You are sure to fall in love with Lizzie and the cast of characters too. One Click This NOW!

[Cheryl Steckling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deathly Desire: Lizzie ~ Book 3 (The Westport Mysteries) by Beth Prentice
Lizzie Fuller has had quite the life so far and from the start of this book, Beth Prentice starts if off with Lizzie climbing in the window with a policeman catching her in the act.
Lizzie's boyfriend Riley had dropped her off and she had left her in his car with the keys for the house in the bag. Plus her spare set was back at Riley's house.
Lizzie had a stalker aka Joe Woods, and he had gotten parole and was on his way back to her area. So now her past has once again reappearing and mixes with her future.
Lizzie has her office yet in this house and she is going to be selling the house and they will buy another and rescue it. She also made plans to go to design school.
However with locking the doors on the house somehow does not manage to keep unwanted people out of the house. Beth Prentice knows how to remp it up enough that we know the terror that Lizzie has been going through.
Love to read Beth Prentice books!!!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant say enough about this series!!! It seems bad things keep happening to Lizzie, she is getting beat up, stabbed, and almost killed in a car accident..but she is strong and beginning to realize that she can get through anything as long as Riley is by her side. This is really tested in this book. So many feelings come out for more characters. What is detective Eds intentions toward Lizzie? Even when someone from Lizzies AND Rileys pasts come back to stop their love, they begin to have doubts on what is true and what isnt true. Does it strengthen their bond of love or destroy them as they are put to the test. There are a few life changing things happening here and you dont want to miss them. Beth Prentice has done it again! Great story..

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Deathly Desire: Lizzie - Book 3 (The Westport Mysteries)" by Beth Prentice was a good book. If you enjoy mystery and romance you will enjoy the story of Lizzie and Riley. Many different mysteries and experiences seem to happen to Lizzie. As her stalker is released from prison strange things seem to happen and scare Lizzie. Evil is out there but amidst the harrowing experiences, she also romances. She needs to choose between 2 men. One you can't help but like, and the other who may just be her soulmate.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful romantic mystery which is book 3 of the Westport Mysteries. Lizzie and Riley confront so many situations which includes a released stalker. You will find yourself wrapped up in her experiences within this stalker's prison release. In between all this mystery there is her situation with her trying to decide who she loves. Each book makes you anxious to read the next. Fantastic job by Ms. Prentice.

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuller Family Fun might be a subtitle for this series. What an amazing cast of characters the author designed to keep us hooked from beginning to end. The whodunnit keeps you guessing. The boyfriend game lets you root for your fave, but Lizzie steals your heart. Love this series.

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book three of the Westport Mysteries, Lizzie's stalker is paroled, and she's being terrorized. The handsome Sergeant Ed wants to do more than serve and protect, but her boyfriend, Riley, isn't having that. As the stalker's threats escalate, you get pulled into her fear. This is a thrilling read.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to Lizzie’s story, look forward to Molly’s next.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deathly Desire by Beth Prentice

Have you ever met someone and thought wow he's a nice guy, a possible friend. But then every you turned there he was, wanting to help, wanting to where ever you were. You see his car but think nothing of it. Then suddenly you don't see him, and again you don't think anything about him. But then strange things start happening. Who or what the unknown. What do you do? This story is really very good the plot, the chase, the danger, the characters. It's a must read book. I know you'll enjoy it even the ending will be a twist, You think you know but do?

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin & Riley

Erin puts her house up for sale, but someone keeps breaking into her house and leaving ' presents'. And her stalker is out on parole, even with a restraining order he comes close. She is terrified, and the police sargent, who has a crush on her keeps a detail on her 24/7. She quits her job and starts working for her sister, and starts interior design classes.
Love all the family anticks !!!!

[Diana Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting Better

Usually the first book is best, but in this case I could see the remarkable improvement to the author's writing in the third book. Plus, the storyline and ending were much better.

[MRS J A HAGUE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

Really enjoyed this book. Hopefully Lizzie will now be safe for a while. Great characters and a well written plot.

[Leia · Rating 5 out of 5]

enthralling

I love this series. Lizzie is a bit flighty sometimes, but her love of Riley and her family show her true heart. The end had me on the edge of my seat.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the three previous books and liked them, I liked this too but it was a bit too much in my opinion!!

[Treena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely loving this series!

Lizzie Fuller’s at it again — this time, she’s fallen in love with an old house that’s just begging for a renovation. But of course, nothing in Westport is ever simple. What should’ve been a fun project quickly turns into a full-blown mystery involving missing people, buried secrets, and a house that’s hiding way more than dodgy wiring.

The cosy mystery vibe is perfection — small-town charm, danger lurking under the surface, and a crazy family who bring pure chaos to every scene. Grandma’s hilarious antics absolutely steal the show and had me laughing out loud.

Beth Prentice delivers another fun, fast-paced, and delightfully messy read — equal parts humour, heart, and mayhem. I couldn’t put it down.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read.. Enjoy reading Beths books..

[Saskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it enough to get whole set.