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Dead Ringer
Facts about the Mountain Springs Serial
* He targets women with long dark hair and blue eyes.
* He finds his victims through an online dating service.
* He's about to strike again.
When a distress call sends Detective Eli Hawkins to Lucy Kimbol, he senses danger straightaway. With her long dark hair and beautiful blue eyes, Lucy's a dead ringer for the local killer's other victims. And she is a member of the online dating service the killer frequents. But with her painful past, Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli's warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe…if Eli is not already too late.
* He targets women with long dark hair and blue eyes.
* He finds his victims through an online dating service.
* He's about to strike again.
When a distress call sends Detective Eli Hawkins to Lucy Kimbol, he senses danger straightaway. With her long dark hair and beautiful blue eyes, Lucy's a dead ringer for the local killer's other victims. And she is a member of the online dating service the killer frequents. But with her painful past, Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli's warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe…if Eli is not already too late.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
22 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Dunn
132 books275 followersAfter almost 27 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She has three grown children and a busy cat named Sparky.
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 28, 2010
Facts about the Mountain Springs Serial Killer:
* He targets women with long dark hair and blue eyes.
* He finds his victims through an online dating service.
* He’s about to strike again.
When a distress call sends Detective Eli Hawkins to Lucy Kimbol, he senses danger straightaway. With her long dark hair and beautiful blue eyes, Lucy’s a dead ringer for the local killer’s other victims. And she is a member of the online dating service the killer frequents. But with her painful past, Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli’s warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe…if Eli is not already too late.
Fly fishing instructor, Lucy Kimbol is the kind of girl who has had to be tough, so it doesn’t come easy for her to lean on the strength Detective Eli Hawkins offers, especially when he seems to arrogantly force his way into her life. Little does she know that he’s trying to protect her from a serial killer. Can Lucy move past her distrust of the local law enforcement and allow Eli into her heart?
The story is set with beautiful Washington as the backdrop. A fly fishing instructor as the heroine is a first for me, but it totally works. There were a few occasions where I had to suspend belief. If I told you, then I’d have to. . . well, I don’t want to give any of the turning points away.
What I did like was the fact that the heroine was a ‘flawed’ Christian. What I mean by that is she had faith in God but she wasn’t all put together in a perfect little package. It is when she realizes that she’s harboring unforgiveness that she is able to open her heart to the possibilities of trust and ultimately love.
All in all, Dead Ringer was a good read, very suspenseful. I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down. Although I wasn’t surprised at the revelation of the villain’s identity, I had been left wondering from the beginning who, from the list of possible suspects, was the real killer.
Recommend: Yes
Sitting: 1
Hours: 2 1/2
Edit This
* He targets women with long dark hair and blue eyes.
* He finds his victims through an online dating service.
* He’s about to strike again.
When a distress call sends Detective Eli Hawkins to Lucy Kimbol, he senses danger straightaway. With her long dark hair and beautiful blue eyes, Lucy’s a dead ringer for the local killer’s other victims. And she is a member of the online dating service the killer frequents. But with her painful past, Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli’s warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe…if Eli is not already too late.
Fly fishing instructor, Lucy Kimbol is the kind of girl who has had to be tough, so it doesn’t come easy for her to lean on the strength Detective Eli Hawkins offers, especially when he seems to arrogantly force his way into her life. Little does she know that he’s trying to protect her from a serial killer. Can Lucy move past her distrust of the local law enforcement and allow Eli into her heart?
The story is set with beautiful Washington as the backdrop. A fly fishing instructor as the heroine is a first for me, but it totally works. There were a few occasions where I had to suspend belief. If I told you, then I’d have to. . . well, I don’t want to give any of the turning points away.
What I did like was the fact that the heroine was a ‘flawed’ Christian. What I mean by that is she had faith in God but she wasn’t all put together in a perfect little package. It is when she realizes that she’s harboring unforgiveness that she is able to open her heart to the possibilities of trust and ultimately love.
All in all, Dead Ringer was a good read, very suspenseful. I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down. Although I wasn’t surprised at the revelation of the villain’s identity, I had been left wondering from the beginning who, from the list of possible suspects, was the real killer.
Recommend: Yes
Sitting: 1
Hours: 2 1/2
Edit This
November 22, 2015
Dead Ringer was a good suspense read. There were times I got a little frustrated with the characters and/or story, but overall I liked the book and am glad I read it.
*I did not get this book for review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
*I did not get this book for review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
May 7, 2024
Author chose interesting character details within a framework that includes the gradual build-up to romance as well as the classic rift that occurs 15 minutes before the end - if it were a movie. I wanted to know the outcome. I suspected the wrong villains. (Effective surprise ending) I don’t read a lot of crime-suspense. This is a good one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2019
Another, few week tops of adventure followed by 4 months of 'dating' before a proposal and a yes.
Standard and annoying, rushed 'romance'.
Suspense wasn't suspense at all. Not really. The misdirect was decent though.
Standard and annoying, rushed 'romance'.
Suspense wasn't suspense at all. Not really. The misdirect was decent though.
August 22, 2021
Good start. Disappointing. The plot tanked for me halfway thru.
Read
February 20, 2017This was keep you on the edge of your seat nail biting wait to see what going to happen next.
July 31, 2010
Title: DEAD RINGER
Author: Sharon Dunn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-373-44395-6
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense
Lucy Kimbol is upstairs in her loft typing flies for her fishing class when she hears noises downstairs. When she investigates, she catches somebody crawling outside her bedroom window. The intruder gets away with her most valuable fishing rod, and some jewelry. Lucy calls the police, but doesn’t expect that they will help her. She doesn’t have a good relation ship with them.
Detective Eli Hawkins is new to the small town, transferred over to help solve a string of serial killers. He is shocked to discover that Lucy is a dead ringer to the other girls that were murdered. And she’s a member of the on-line dating service that the killer frequents.
Determined to keep Lucy from being the next target, Eli rents the duplex next door to her, while stalking her when she goes on dates. But Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli’s warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe—if he isn’t already too late.
DEAD RINGER is the most recent book by mystery writer, Sharon Dunn. I guess who the killer might be early on, but it still didn’t distract from a good read. I enjoyed getting to know suspicious, reserved Lucy, and kind considerate Eli.
If you are looking for a good romantic suspense, then DEAD RINGER would be a book to consider. Available at www.steeplehill.com, or at www.amazon.com. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 213 pages.
Author: Sharon Dunn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-373-44395-6
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense
Lucy Kimbol is upstairs in her loft typing flies for her fishing class when she hears noises downstairs. When she investigates, she catches somebody crawling outside her bedroom window. The intruder gets away with her most valuable fishing rod, and some jewelry. Lucy calls the police, but doesn’t expect that they will help her. She doesn’t have a good relation ship with them.
Detective Eli Hawkins is new to the small town, transferred over to help solve a string of serial killers. He is shocked to discover that Lucy is a dead ringer to the other girls that were murdered. And she’s a member of the on-line dating service that the killer frequents.
Determined to keep Lucy from being the next target, Eli rents the duplex next door to her, while stalking her when she goes on dates. But Lucy is reluctant to believe Eli’s warnings. Winning her trust is the only way to keep her safe—if he isn’t already too late.
DEAD RINGER is the most recent book by mystery writer, Sharon Dunn. I guess who the killer might be early on, but it still didn’t distract from a good read. I enjoyed getting to know suspicious, reserved Lucy, and kind considerate Eli.
If you are looking for a good romantic suspense, then DEAD RINGER would be a book to consider. Available at www.steeplehill.com, or at www.amazon.com. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 213 pages.
March 7, 2012
Dead Ringer
By Sharon Dunn
Love Inspired Suspense
5 stars
Lucy Kimbol is a fly fishing expert living on a river in Mountain Springs Wyoming. When someone breaks into her duplex home, she meets Eli Hawkins, a detective from Spokane Washington. She doesn’t know it, but he is in town to investigate a serial killer. There have been several murders within an hour’s drive of Mountain Springs. All of the victims have long brown hair and blue eyes. All of them have been using an online dating service.
Lucy’s friend, Heather, has signed Lucy up on the same dating service. Through it, she meets Greg, one of the prime suspects in the case. Eli can’t warn her about him because it will blow his cover. All he can do is try to keep an eye on her, and the other three suspects, and try to protect her as much as possible.
The story is a pleasant read. It has several chilling moments to keep the story moving and interesting. Lucy demonstrates a working knowledge of fly fishing, which makes the character believable.
My only objection to the plot is that the real villain isn’t foreshadowed enough. He should be in more scenes so that the reader gets to know him better. When he finally confessed, I had trouble remembering which of the other three men in the story he was.
This book is a one-day read.
I'm giving away my copy of Dead Ringer. To enter, follow @phrbacek on Twitter. Tweet "book give away, Dead Ringer". I'll choose a random tweet on March 31, 2012, and DM the winner.
By Sharon Dunn
Love Inspired Suspense
5 stars
Lucy Kimbol is a fly fishing expert living on a river in Mountain Springs Wyoming. When someone breaks into her duplex home, she meets Eli Hawkins, a detective from Spokane Washington. She doesn’t know it, but he is in town to investigate a serial killer. There have been several murders within an hour’s drive of Mountain Springs. All of the victims have long brown hair and blue eyes. All of them have been using an online dating service.
Lucy’s friend, Heather, has signed Lucy up on the same dating service. Through it, she meets Greg, one of the prime suspects in the case. Eli can’t warn her about him because it will blow his cover. All he can do is try to keep an eye on her, and the other three suspects, and try to protect her as much as possible.
The story is a pleasant read. It has several chilling moments to keep the story moving and interesting. Lucy demonstrates a working knowledge of fly fishing, which makes the character believable.
My only objection to the plot is that the real villain isn’t foreshadowed enough. He should be in more scenes so that the reader gets to know him better. When he finally confessed, I had trouble remembering which of the other three men in the story he was.
This book is a one-day read.
I'm giving away my copy of Dead Ringer. To enter, follow @phrbacek on Twitter. Tweet "book give away, Dead Ringer". I'll choose a random tweet on March 31, 2012, and DM the winner.
September 9, 2010
A mystery involving a serial killer investigation, romance, and suspense. It will hold you reading and reading until done. I read it in two days.
Eli comes to town to help the police find a serial killer. There is distrust between Lucy and the Police Force. So they send Eli out to investigate her robbery. Thus begins the flames of romance to burn between Eli and Lucy.
But as all relationships go, Eli had a hard time gaining Lucy's trust. Then he becomes too protective of her and almost blows it. Just as she is beginning to trust him, everything comes apart.
Everyone is looking for the serial killer on an online dating service. They are completely headed in wrong direction. Then Lucy shares about her past and a stalker and that also turns out wrong. Finally Eli begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together when another woman is murdered.
No one would have believed it could have been the person it was. I was beginning to suspect him.
I won't run the end of the story nor give away who done what. But you will have yourself guessing all the way to the end.
A very well written book.
Eli comes to town to help the police find a serial killer. There is distrust between Lucy and the Police Force. So they send Eli out to investigate her robbery. Thus begins the flames of romance to burn between Eli and Lucy.
But as all relationships go, Eli had a hard time gaining Lucy's trust. Then he becomes too protective of her and almost blows it. Just as she is beginning to trust him, everything comes apart.
Everyone is looking for the serial killer on an online dating service. They are completely headed in wrong direction. Then Lucy shares about her past and a stalker and that also turns out wrong. Finally Eli begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together when another woman is murdered.
No one would have believed it could have been the person it was. I was beginning to suspect him.
I won't run the end of the story nor give away who done what. But you will have yourself guessing all the way to the end.
A very well written book.
February 11, 2011
Detective Eli Hawkins from Spokane is sent to Mountain Springs, Wyoming. Four years ago he helped in the capture of a serial killer and they had one in this area now. He took William Springer with him and three female officers who would help work undercover. They had connected this guy with the online dating service.
Lucy Kimbol did not like or trust police officers. They did not help her in high school when she felt stalked and they let her brother get hurt. She had no idea that she matched a criteria for a serial killer, dark hair and blue eyes. Eli knew he needed to protect Lucy from the moment he seen her. When he sees her at breakfast with one of the suspects he tries to convince her to stay away from him but he seems to push her towards the guy. And he cannot give away their undercover assignment.
This is an excellent suspense book.
Lucy Kimbol did not like or trust police officers. They did not help her in high school when she felt stalked and they let her brother get hurt. She had no idea that she matched a criteria for a serial killer, dark hair and blue eyes. Eli knew he needed to protect Lucy from the moment he seen her. When he sees her at breakfast with one of the suspects he tries to convince her to stay away from him but he seems to push her towards the guy. And he cannot give away their undercover assignment.
This is an excellent suspense book.
August 31, 2011
I enjoyed this book, although I had a suspicion who the killer was when he was introduced.
A serial killer is targeting women with long dark hair and blue eyes. Detective Eli Hawkins is brought in on the case, and a robbery call sends him to Lucy's house. Lucy has dark hair and blue eyes and is registered with the same online dating service with which the other murdered women were registered. Lucy has reason to distrust the local police force so Eli must win her trust and at the same time protect her from a killer that is closer than she knows.
A serial killer is targeting women with long dark hair and blue eyes. Detective Eli Hawkins is brought in on the case, and a robbery call sends him to Lucy's house. Lucy has dark hair and blue eyes and is registered with the same online dating service with which the other murdered women were registered. Lucy has reason to distrust the local police force so Eli must win her trust and at the same time protect her from a killer that is closer than she knows.
February 18, 2011
Loved it! The characters were well developed - the romantic element wasn't rushed or seemingly forced. It was great suspense, very well written! I had an idea at who the "bad guy" was (actually, I had a few people in mind) but didn't truly know until it got closer to the end. Some Love Inspired Suspense books have a tendency to lack in quality, this one did not! I will be reading more of Sharon Dunn's books!
April 6, 2010
An exciting story.
September 3, 2010
I enjoyed the suspense in Dead Ringer. The romance wasn't overpowering, but was sweet and integral to the story. I recommend reading Dead Ringer by Sharon Dunn.
August 12, 2016
It was a great book.
March 27, 2016
Great Book!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews