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Deadly pursuit
Kirstie and Steve Gardner are hoping to enjoy a vacation getaway on a tropical island paradise in the Florida Keys - until a man from Steve's past shows up with the law on his trail and murder on his mind. This is a new digital edition of DEADLY PURSUIT by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Michael Prescott (writing as Brian Harper).
- GenresThriller
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
31 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Brian Harper
12 books5 followersA pseudonym used by Douglas Borton, aka Michael Prescott.
Douglas Child Borton, Jr. grew up in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career as a screenwriter. After working with several independent producers, he eventually switched to writing novels, a much less stressful occupation. He has published eight thrillers, from Comes the Dark (1999) to Mortal Faults (2006), and currently is at work on a new book. Today he divides his time between the Arizona desert and the Jersey shore.
Douglas Child Borton, Jr. grew up in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career as a screenwriter. After working with several independent producers, he eventually switched to writing novels, a much less stressful occupation. He has published eight thrillers, from Comes the Dark (1999) to Mortal Faults (2006), and currently is at work on a new book. Today he divides his time between the Arizona desert and the Jersey shore.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2012
Jack Dance is the cleverest, nastiest, and most accomplished sociopath ever to grace the pages of a thriller. With no conscience and a devil-may-care attitude, this smiling, tune-humming, horribly handsome serial killer will make you shudder. His cavalier attitude when engaged in murder, his complete and utter lack of humanity, and the pairing of these attributes with the most cunning criminal mind of the century will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished the book.
Jack had a bad experience when he was eleven. It had something to do with a blue-eyed blond named Meredith. And after stewing in hot rage for many years, he finally takes action. Her murder—his first—whets his appetite for what is to becomes a ritualistic re-killing of Meredith, over and over again.
Aside from being a superb writer—I say this with complete honesty and zero exaggeration—Mr. Prescott is a talented plot twister who maintains tension and never, ever lets it slacken. Once you’ve read (or listened) to his books such at Stealing Faces, Blind Pursuit, or Mortal Pursuit, you’ll learn that you’d best store up some extra adrenaline for the guaranteed ride to come. Deadly Pursuit is relentless in its suspense, and your favorite protagonist will be sure to partake of many successions of satisfying chase scenes with the villain. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: when it comes to writing thrillers, Mr. Prescott leads the pack.
Steve and Kirstie Gardner head for a vacation on Pelican Key, the place of Steve’s childhood summer vacations, where he and his pal Jack Dance explored and clambered over the ruins of the old lime plantation. Now the house has been restored, and it beckons to Stephen with an inexplicable urgency. He needs to be there. He craves the connection to his youth. And he worries that maybe—just maybe—secrets from his past might follow.
The problem arises when Jack Dance happens to seek refuge on the same island when the feds begin to link him to the murders of the now infamous “Mister Twister.” When Jack bumps into Kirstie on the beach, his thirst for blood surges, because as luck would have it, she looks a lot like Meredith.
I won’t spoil the plot by telling you more. Just rest assured that the ride is torturous and deliciously scary.
This book is much more than a thriller—it’s also a story that transports you from your armchair to a tropical island. I love novels with a sumptuous “sense of place.” Deadly Pursuit propels the reader smack dab in the sultry humidity of the Florida Keys. I’ve never been there, but felt thoroughly connected thanks to Mr. Prescott’s descriptions of the lush flowers, trees, wildlife and ecosystem. I am certain he must have frequented the location in person, so beautifully drawn were the scenes.
I happened to experience this book in audio book format. The narrator, Christopher Burns, has an uncanny knack for voices, especially for the carefree, jaunty inner voice of a serial killer. It “creeped me out” as my kids would say, to listen to this sociopath in such an intimate fashion. Well done, Mr. Prescott and Mr. Burns!
Highly recommended for adults by Aaron Paul Lazar, lazarbooks.com
Jack had a bad experience when he was eleven. It had something to do with a blue-eyed blond named Meredith. And after stewing in hot rage for many years, he finally takes action. Her murder—his first—whets his appetite for what is to becomes a ritualistic re-killing of Meredith, over and over again.
Aside from being a superb writer—I say this with complete honesty and zero exaggeration—Mr. Prescott is a talented plot twister who maintains tension and never, ever lets it slacken. Once you’ve read (or listened) to his books such at Stealing Faces, Blind Pursuit, or Mortal Pursuit, you’ll learn that you’d best store up some extra adrenaline for the guaranteed ride to come. Deadly Pursuit is relentless in its suspense, and your favorite protagonist will be sure to partake of many successions of satisfying chase scenes with the villain. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: when it comes to writing thrillers, Mr. Prescott leads the pack.
Steve and Kirstie Gardner head for a vacation on Pelican Key, the place of Steve’s childhood summer vacations, where he and his pal Jack Dance explored and clambered over the ruins of the old lime plantation. Now the house has been restored, and it beckons to Stephen with an inexplicable urgency. He needs to be there. He craves the connection to his youth. And he worries that maybe—just maybe—secrets from his past might follow.
The problem arises when Jack Dance happens to seek refuge on the same island when the feds begin to link him to the murders of the now infamous “Mister Twister.” When Jack bumps into Kirstie on the beach, his thirst for blood surges, because as luck would have it, she looks a lot like Meredith.
I won’t spoil the plot by telling you more. Just rest assured that the ride is torturous and deliciously scary.
This book is much more than a thriller—it’s also a story that transports you from your armchair to a tropical island. I love novels with a sumptuous “sense of place.” Deadly Pursuit propels the reader smack dab in the sultry humidity of the Florida Keys. I’ve never been there, but felt thoroughly connected thanks to Mr. Prescott’s descriptions of the lush flowers, trees, wildlife and ecosystem. I am certain he must have frequented the location in person, so beautifully drawn were the scenes.
I happened to experience this book in audio book format. The narrator, Christopher Burns, has an uncanny knack for voices, especially for the carefree, jaunty inner voice of a serial killer. It “creeped me out” as my kids would say, to listen to this sociopath in such an intimate fashion. Well done, Mr. Prescott and Mr. Burns!
Highly recommended for adults by Aaron Paul Lazar, lazarbooks.com
September 29, 2018
Steve and Kirstie Gardner are having a vacation on a small private island in the Florida Keys, they area the only ones on the island in a big renovated house until a surprise visitor shows up. The visitor turns out to be an old teenage friend of Steve's with whom he has spent summer times exploring the island before the house has be renovated. Kirstie takes a immediate dislike of the visitor but Steve is still reliving the old friendship. Mean while the FBI is in a desperate search for a serial killer who has slipped the grasp in California. Their search has led them to Florida and the Keys and they are closing in on the Con man and killer. Ah, you starting to get an idea where this is going? Hope you can find the book to find out what happens.
June 22, 2024
I haven’t read a book this captivating in a long time, the fast paced action and way the story was developed always keeping you guessing really allowed me to engage with the storyline & the emotions of the characters.
A great read
A great read
January 22, 2022
Excellent book. Does use lots of foul language.
June 21, 2012
Good book! This book follows the same pattern as I have come to expect from Michael Prescott. Serial killer on the loose, police chasing said serial killer, victims running for their lives. That being said, I did find this book interesting, especially the police angle. Nice short summer read. Now on to the next!
January 16, 2013
Michael Prescott thrillers are top-notch. You can always count on a great villain and pure intensity. Deadly Pursuit is no exception. This isn't his best work, in fact great Prescott novels are far superior. I did enjoy it very much however. Fairly weak and uninteresting protagonists however.
March 7, 2013
I enjoy reading fast paced mystery thrillers and most of Prescott's books can be counted on to be just that. If you can get over a dose of sick & twisted in your villains, than the rest of the story will keep you turning the pages.
February 26, 2014
Read this book during a long flight. I didn't enjoy the characters in this story as much as most of Mr. Prescott's books. I found Steve a coward, Jack an idiot, and Mrs. Gardner confusing. Still a quick, easy read to pass time! :-)
November 14, 2012
Kindle
I enjoy reading fast paced mystery thrillers and Prescott keeps me glued. I especially liked the descriptions of the smell, bugs etc of the swamps of the Florida Keys.
I enjoy reading fast paced mystery thrillers and Prescott keeps me glued. I especially liked the descriptions of the smell, bugs etc of the swamps of the Florida Keys.
June 15, 2014
Suspenseful. A page-turner.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews