The Book: Doubletake

The Authors: Maryann Miller and Margaret Sutton

The Story: Death sneaks in the back door of the peaceful town of Twin Lakes, Texas and nothing is ever the same again.

Homicide detective, Barbara Hobkins, is thrust headlong into the investigation. A product of the ‘new direction’ in law enforcement, her strength comes from a degree in psychology and an intuition that has served her well. But will that be enough when up against a sadistic killer?

Her partner, Keith Reeves wants nothing more than to solve this case so he can have one normal night at home with his family. He fights the pressure to nail somebody, any ‘somebody’ to satisfy the powers above.

The suspect, Royce Wertco is a teenage punk; capable of the numerous petty crimes he’s been convicted of in the past, but not murder. Barbara knows this with every fiber of her being, but can she prove it?

Convinced the real killer is also responsible for a series of murders in Dallas, Hobkins tracks him to his seedy hidey-hole. There, her investigation turns into a chilling race for her life, and she almost becomes a victim of DOUBLETAKE.

About the Authors:

Maryann Miller writes the critically acclaimed Seasons Mystery Series that debuted with Open Season, and continued with Stalking Season. More recent releases are Boxes for Beds, a mystery set in Arkansas in the 60s, and Doubletake, a police procedural set in Texas. Other titles include One Small Victory, Friends Forever; The Wisdom of Ages, and Play it Again, Sam. Miller has received the Page Edwards Short Story Award, the New York Library Best Books for Teens Award, first place in the screenwriting competition at the Houston Writer’s Conference, placing as a semi-finalist at Sundance, and placing as a semi-finalist in the Chesterfield Screenwriting Competition. She currently lives in the Piney Woods of East Texas with one horse, one goat, one sheep, one dog and four cats. The cats rule

An adventurous entrepreneur, Margaret Sutton has headed several unique businesses in the Dallas metroplex. These included production of home decorating items and a custom-design carpet sculpting business. Her clients comprised the who’s who of Dallas society, as well as mid-east royalty who brought their personal aircraft to Dallas for her unique decorating touch. As a professional writer, Ms. Sutton has placed her work in several mystery magazines such as ELLERY QUEEN MAGAZINE. Still a resident of Texas, Ms. Sutton, shares her home with a pet monkey and considers herself “Willie’s Mom.”

Review by Valerie A. Skaggs:

WOW! Talk about a doubletake, the ending floored me. The story drew me in and compelled me to read more and more. Miller and Sutton’s ease of introduction, yet fully characterizing each new character so quickly really added to the pace of the story adding an urgency to the feel.

Truly a book that builds the tension and frustration of the leads within you as you read their tale. I liked the flaws and insecurities of the main characters being proportionate to their strengths, they were real in depiction and easy to visualize. A great read!