A storm-struck island, a blood-soaked bed, and a missing man lead Senior Investigator Shana Merchant to suspect a killer is among them—murder may be a family affair. Thirteen months after surviving an abduction by a serial killer, Shana seeks a fresh start in her fiancé's quiet hometown in Upstate New York. However, as a nor'easter approaches, she and fellow investigator Tim Wellington are called to a private island owned by the wealthy Sinclair family to investigate a missing person. Upon arrival, they find blood at the scene and a tense atmosphere among the Sinclair family and their guests. While Tim believes it may be a runaway case, Shana is convinced they are dealing with murder. As the storm rages outside, she conducts interviews and uncovers dark secrets among the Sinclairs and their visitors. Trapped on the island with unreliable allies, restless suspects, and her own traumatic memories, Shana must learn to trust herself again. With time running out, she realizes that if her instincts are correct, a killer is close by, and the risk of another strike increases as pressure mounts.
Shana Merchant Series
This gripping series plunges readers into a world of dark secrets and thrilling mysteries, centered around a seasoned investigator haunted by her past. Seeking solace in a new beginning, she finds herself drawn into complex cases where personal trauma intertwines with criminal intrigue. Each investigation unravels intricate relationships and hidden motives, forcing her to confront not only killers but her own inner demons. The narrative masterfully blends suspenseful plotlines with deep psychological exploration, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.


Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
The Dead Season
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Senior Investigator Shana Merchant has spent years running from her past. But she never imagined a murder case would drive her to the most dangerous place of all—home. After leaving the NYPD following her abduction by serial killer Blake Bram, Shana Merchant hoped for a fresh start in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York. Her former tormentor has other plans. Shana and Bram share more than just a hometown, and he won’t let her forget it. When the decades-old skeleton of Shana's estranged uncle is uncovered, Bram issues a challenge: Return home to Vermont and solve the cold case, or the blood he spills next will be on her hands. As Shana interviews members of her family and the community, mining for secrets that could help her solve her uncle's murder, she begins to realize how little she remembers of her childhood. And when Bram grows impatient and kidnaps again, leaving a trail of clues Shana alone can understand, she knows his new victim will only survive if she wins the psychopath’s twisted game. In order to solve one mystery, Shana must wade into her murky past to unravel another.