Wicked Game

Starred review from December 22, 2008
Bestselling suspense author Jackson (Left to Die
) pairs with mystery author Bush (Ultra Violet
) to pen a chilling tale. Jessie Brentwood was a student at St. Elizabeth's School in Oregon when she vanished 20 years ago. Still haunted by her disappearance, Det. “Mac” McNally reopens the case when bones believed to be Jessie's are discovered at the old school. Mac refocuses his investigation on Jessie's friends, especially Hudson Walker, Jessie's former boyfriend. The suspense escalates as Jessie's friends seem haunted by her presence, especially Becca Sutcliff, a woman hoping to rekindle her former romance with Hudson. Becca's frequent and terrifying visions are amplified as, one by one, Jessie's friends become victims of a vicious stalker. Swift pacing and an intriguing plot make this a first-rate supernatural thriller.

October 31, 2011
Two decades ago, 16-year-old Jessie Brentwood disappeared without a trace. But when the skeletal remains of an unidentified girl are unearthed at St. Elizabeth High School, Jessie’s former friends must come together and face the past. To make matters worse, one of Jessie’s old friends, Becca Sutcliff, has been plagued for years disturbing visions that lead her to believe her old classmate was murdered—and that the killings may start again. Narrator Susan Ericksen delivers an intense and enjoyable reading of this first paranormal thriller in the Colony series. Capturing the book’s many chills and moments of suspense, she keeps listeners engaged until the very end. Ericksen’s characterizations are perfect—among the many highlights is her rendering of the deranged evil presence that stalks Becca and her friends. Fans of Jackson and Bush will not be disappointed. A Zebra Books paperback.

February 15, 2009
Rebecca Ryan Sutcliff hasn't had a vision in years when one brings her to her knees in a shopping mall. She sees Jessie Brentwood, a classmate who disappeared 20 years ago, and fears a connection when a skeleton is unearthed in the maze at St. Elizabeth's high school. Old friends, unnerved by the discovery, warily come together as the investigation proceeds. Becca's visions are real, and as the danger spikes, deadly accidents begin. It is only a matter of time before the evil that stalks her tries to finish what it started years before. Rekindled passion between Becca and her high school love warms this intense, frightening tale that takes obsession to a new level and doesn't let readers off the hook until the very endif then. Best-selling authors in their own right, Bush and Jackson are also sisters. If this current thriller is any indication of their combined abilities, readers can only hope for more of the same. Jackson ("Left To Die") lives in the Pacific Northwest, and Bush ("Ultraviolet") lives in Oregon.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.