NOT DEAD

Many Thanks to Net Galley, IBPA and Anita Dickason for a chance to review this book.

The cover of the book made me expect something like 'Annabelle', even though the doll 'Betsy' in this book is more ragged-looking. NOT DEAD was a big surprise for me. I didn't expect it to be such a good thriller so much that I had a hard time putting it down.

Meridian is a small town in Texas from where 4 yr old Mandy has been kidnapped. The police chief Chad has moved over from Atlanta Police and the reasons for the change are not something he wants to disclose to anyone. Mandy's aunt Ashley who is also the new investigative reporter in town has also moved recently after the death of her fiancee. Chad and Ashley hit all the wrong notes at their first meeting even though both feel a spark of attraction. However they soon join forces to find the reasons behind Mandy's disappearance. With Ashley's help, Chad realizes there has been a series of kidnappings in the area and painstakingly goes over every single detail connected with the doll that has been left behind at the spot where Mandy was last seen playing The doll Betsy becomes the crucial piece of evidence that leads to the criminals behind the kidnapping.

The paranormal element in the story creates the necessary chills making it one superb thriller in this category. It is an added plus that the author is a retired Dallas police officer, so there's an authentic feel to the plot. The only thing I wish is that I had got to this book a couple of months back so that I could have visited this small town in Texas.

Well written fiction at it's best. Chad, Ashley and Susan are thrown into an Amazingly odd encounter with a dirty and tattered doll. Little girls are been kidnapped and sold. Susan is playing in her back yard when a strange man entices her to he backyard gate with a doll. He then drugs her and kidnaps her.
Chad is the police officer investigating the case. Ashley is Susan's aunt and also a reporter for the local paper.
The key to finding Susan is listening. If Chad will listen, he may gain the clues to help him rescue Susan. Ashley with her doggedness in finding a story but also finding her niece finds additional information. Information that uncovers a kidnapping ring of little girls.
Thankfully with the help of strange and mysterious dolls, Susan may be found.
Riveting, shocking, Amazing!!

This is a great read. It combines a paranormal like vibe with an air of mystery to it. An eerie fog and a missing child investigation grabbed me from the start. I could not put the book down. What a page turner. I loved it.

Not Dead by Anita Dickason – 4 Stars
Publisher: Mystic Circle Books
ISBN: 9780996838597

Not Dead is a paranormal crime thriller with a lot of romance. Much of it is a police procedural to find an abducted four-year-old little girl who has a passion for dolls.
It is obvious that the sheriff and editor of the local newspaper in a small Texas town will become romantically involved as soon as they are introduced. Much of the plot centers upon their often-adversarial relationship.

There are occasional hints of paranormal activity throughout, but the spooky stuff isn’t revealed until the final 20% of the story.

Overall it was nice and a little eerie. By nice I mean there wasn’t any graphic violence, steamy sex or nasty language. It didn’t keep me up all night but the characters and plot kept me reading to find out if Mandy got home safely and how the dolls were involved in the investigation.

Reviewer: Nancy

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The cover art caught my eye immediately. It had an .. "annabelle" vibe. .
The story is about the abduction of a four year old. It was an unique storyline for sure.
The characters were interesting. It was a thrilling book.

I liked it. Not Dead was a quick read, and had quite a bit of suspense. I liked the supernatural twist. Although the doll on the cover makes one think this is a horror novel, it is not. I am hoping there are more in a series. Chad and Ashley make a good team.