Dead By Nightfall [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Dead by Nightfall" the 3rd book in her Dead trilogy series by Beverly Barton.

Product Description

The fear . . .

Malcolm York is a sadistic monster, guilty of unspeakable crimes. And with his endless wealth, he's funded a series of depraved hunts. The few who survived can never forget. They can only be thankful the terror is over -- until rumors start swirling.

Only stops . . .

Griffin Powell knows the twisted depths of York's madness. He's also sure that York is dead. But then Griff's wife Nicole disappears, and the phone calls begin--that familiar voice taunting him, promising to destroy everything Griff loves.

When you die.

Using all the resources of the Powell Agency, Griff searches for Nic, aware that every step propels him further into a madman's web -- because the only way to keep Nic safe is to join one last perverse game in which the winner kills all and the loser is dead by nightfall.

About the Author

BEVERLY BARTON (1946-2011), an avid reader since childhood, wrote her first book at the age of nine. After that she went on to write well over seventy novels and was a New York Times bestselling author. She is a two-time Maggie Award winner, a two-time National Reader's Choice Award winner, and a recipient of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Adventure. She resided in Alabama.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (November 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110365
ISBN-13: 978-1420110364

My Review:

Griffin Powell, Damar Sanders, Yvette Meng (Malcolm York's wife) and Raphael Byrne were held captive on Amara Island for sixteen years.  Malcolm York was a sadistic psychotic terror who kidnapped the strongest and best in their fields - men, women and children from all over the world.  He would pit the strongest against the weakest (they had to kill or else they would be killed) and provide whatever his guests wanted.  Griffin and Sanders killed York by chopping off his head.

Five years ago there were rumors that Malcolm was alive and there were sightings of him giving parties for his friends as vile as he is who have participated in "The Hunt" to kill.

At the end of "Dead by Morning" Griffin was forced to admit to Nicole that Yvette had a baby and he might possibly the father.  They had an arguement whether Griffina and Yvette were lovers during the ten years they were captives on the island.  Griffin wasn't straightforward and only told Nicole half truths. 

Nicole leaves Griffin Rest to spend time at their cabin to think but she was kidnapped and delivered to Malcolm York.  Malcolm sends Griffin on a world wide search for Nicole while taunting him this is the best "Hunt" of his life.  Griffin is facing his worst fears - will Nicole come out alive or not?

Wow this book was exciting from beginning to ending and never let up.  The villians were very psychotic and vile in their own way.  The crimes were well written and very graphic (don't read if you can't handle torture scenes).

I really enjoyed Rafe aka Raphael storyline and he isn't the sweet twenty-year old that left Amara - now he's also a cold blooded killer who enjoys torturing his captives.

4/5