Dead by Midnight

The Dead By Trilogy, Book 1

By: Beverly Barton

Narrated by: Karen White

In murder…

The last sounds Dean Wilson hears are a clock striking twelve and a killer’s taunting words. And his death is just the first. One by one, victims are stalked and shot at close range. Only the killer knows their sins, and who will be the next to die at midnight?

And in life…

In the ten years since her Hollywood career imploded, Lorie Hammonds has built a good life in her Alabama hometown. When the first death threat arrives, she assumes it’s a joke. Then she gets a second. Sheriff Mike Birkett, her high school sweetheart, has avoided Lorie since she returned to Dunmore, but when investigators uncover her connection to a string of recent murders, he’s drawn into a case that’s terrifyingly personal.

Timing is everything.

With every murder, the killer edges closer. Soon Lorie’s will be the last name left on his list. Her only hope is to unearth a deadly secret—before the clock runs out for good.

©2010 Beverly Beaver (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The popular and dependable Barton has again created an intricately plotted, thoroughly engrossing serial killer tale that satisfactorily resolves the current dilemmas but leaves a stunning cliff-hanger.” ( Library Journal)

good except for the graphic sex scenes

The story was good, but there was way too much sex. I felt a little bit like I was listening to a pornographic book.
I enjoyed the twists and turns & the mystery part, but the sex was just too graphic and too much.
Much as it would be fun to go back and hear about Griffin and Nicole, I wouldn't read another of this author's books.
I felt the scenes weren't classy or romantic, just blatant and physical.

good performance

stopped listening after chapter 17... very slow, not captivating at all, lost total interest..... to me was a waste of money and time

a plodding & predictable romantic thriller

It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't particularly good either. It seemed that the author made up her mind how many victims there would be in novel and then had to think of a variety of ways and circumstances to kill them off; some succeeded better than others but basically it felt like there were too many and it was drawn out. I found my attention wandering which is always a bad sign for me to view a book successful. I had to rewind on numerous occasions and then asked myself whether it mattered if I did and usually it didn't. By the time I got to the end and the 'perp' was unveiled I had forgotten who he was anyway. I can't honestly recommend it, but I will read the second one because the reviews say it's better. I hope you do better with this book than me, if you decide to buy it.

Overall a good story

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

remove the explicit sexual content. It added nothing to the story.

Any additional comments?

I would like to purchase the rest of the series but probably will not because of the explicit details, which is too bad.

Good

The reader did a great job. The story line was good. It could have moved a little faster, though.

A tad pornographic

Too bad the author felt compelled to tarnish the story with graphic sex scenes. Not something I appreciate.

A Soap Opera intertwined w/a serial killer.

If you like soap opera banter and sex scenes this book is for you. Maleah is exhausting w/her contrite attitude. Overall, the book is tolerable but barely. The "haaaa tricked you" on the murderer was just confusing and sloppy. For the book to have led up to who was killing the conclusion was weak.
Narrator was good w/all the different voices.

Please. stop having so many people!

The story was good, narration done well. Was enjoyable. EXCEPT. this author must have been paid by how many named characters she could inject into the story. There were people from previous books, main characters, part characters, neighbors, friends of neighbors, relatives of neighbors. random shoppers, drop in characters for presumed future novels, many people with three names (Sue Ray Beamer, Mandy Jo Bowhard, ie) and so many names instead of a relaxing listening you may need a scorecard or family tree to keep them straight. Sorry for the run on sentence.

I had returned a previous book from this author because of poor narration. I am happy to report that this one was a vast improvement over that one. I would have liked to get the second book, but honestly too many people crammed into a book sort of give me a headache.

❤️❤️❤️

Amazing story, amazing narration. I loved every minute!!! After the last story, I wanted to hear more of Mike and Lori

Another Winner in Mystery-Thrillers

Excellent murder mystery. The only drawback I found was the explicit sexual scenes and language; however, I had warning. Good characterisation and detail in other areas that brought the story to life (or death as the case may be).
Beverly Barton is an excellent author and Karen White was spot on.