Blurb:

Karen Hartley should have been safe in a quiet Montana town. But when she vanishes after Ted Bundy escapes from Colorado, Jill Hartley refuses to wait for answers. She heads to Butte, determined to find her sister.

The more Jill uncovers, the more she realizes Karen’s disappearance is tied to other missing girls. As Jill pushes deeper into the shadows Karen left behind, she uncovers secrets darker than any she imagined, secrets someone is desperate to keep buried.

Jill came to find her sister, but she may have walked straight into the same trap.

Excerpt from Chapter1:

Chapter 1

December 31, 1977

“There have been several sightings of Ted Bundy, who escaped from Garfield County Jail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, yesterday.” The newsman’s voice dropped to a hush, as if the killer listened in. “Calls as far away as California and as close as Boise―”

Jill Hartley twisted the knob until it clicked off on the new 21-inch color television she’d received for Christmas. Hearing that monster’s name sent an icy weight to her stomach. He was the last person she wanted invading her evening.

She stretched the spiral phone cord all the way to the bathroom mirror, hoping she wouldn’t yank the base off the wall again.

“I’m sorry. What were you saying?” Jill asked her sister over the phone. She held the telephone receiver tucked between her ear and shoulder as she applied her makeup.

“I said if I have one more dude in bell-bottoms with sideburns down to his collarbone hit on me, I’m gonna scream.” Karen laughed.

Jill shook her head with a smile. “You say that every time you go out. Face it, you’re beautiful. Even if Kirk is with you, someone’s gonna come on to you.” Jill pushed the mascara wand in and out before applying it to her lashes.

“It’s just ridiculous. Most think they’re John Travolta or something. Sheesh.” Someone spoke to Karen on her side of the line. “That looks cute,” Karen said, and then she returned to the phone. “Molly and I are heading to a New Year’s Eve party over in Silver Creek.”

“Silver Creek? Where’s that?”

“It’s a small town next to Butte, about ten miles out.”

“That’s practically in the middle of nowhere,” Jill said.

“For sure.” Karen sighed. “I never thought I’d miss Spokane’s party scene, but Molly says this place is packed every year.”

“Too bad you didn’t stay here until after the first.”

“Yeah, but with you working, it wouldn’t have done me any good.”

“No, but at least we’d have been able to hang together at Harry’s heading into the New Year.”

After a slight pause, Karen continued. “Enough about me, what about you?” she asked. “Any plans to get out there and meet someone?”

“I wish, but Gary says tonight’s gonna be nuts.” Jill sighed. “Unlike you, I won’t have anyone to kiss at midnight.” She tried to keep her tone light, but the ache slid out. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt drawn to anyone. Not since Bill broke up with her before heading to college in Washington where he met someone new.

“I might not get a kiss at midnight either. Kirk’s working late.” Karen’s voice carried disappointment. “There are a lot of people wanting to get their cars checked this time of year.”

“I get that. Getting stuck in a mountain pass wouldn’t be much fun.”

“Especially with it hitting the negatives tonight.”

“Should’ve stayed here, at least we’re in the thirties right now.” Jill smiled despite herself. She loved to rub it in when Coeur d’Alene had better weather than Butte.

“If you didn’t still live with Mom, I might have.”

“Have you talked to her since Christmas?” Jill asked.

“Nah. Figured I’d call tomorrow to wish her a happy New Year. Do me a favor; don’t mention the party. That’s all she needs to schedule a prayer circle with that new boyfriend of hers.”

“I’m sure she’s already got one going because of me working at the bar.” Jill smirked at herself in the mirror as she applied raspberry-colored lipstick.

Their mother had always been into God, but since Dad died, she’d gone a bit overboard.

“Did I tell you she circled a Bible verse about the wages of sin in bright red and left her Bible open?” Karen said. “I’m not sure if she meant it for you or me.”

Jill winced, certain Karen was the verse’s target. Mom used to be so forgiving, but now she said bad things happened because of a person’s lifestyle. But if that was true, why did creeps like Ted Bundy walk free while Dad got cancer? He had been the nicest man Jill knew.

Review:

I received an ARC and the review is my own opinion.

I loved the book. It’s engaging with characters the reader can quickly get invested in. Kind of nice not having a mobile phone at everyone’s fingertips. And enough twists and turns to make one more chapter turn into another and another.

Amazon UK link – Can’t get the US one as it simply redirects me back home….