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JC Gatlin
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Prey of Desire: A Mystery - Suspense Novel Kindle Edition

by JC Gatlin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 981 ratings
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They said the disappearance of two high school students over twenty-five years ago was a mystery that couldn't be solved... No one ever said it shouldn't be.

Following the abrupt end of a relationship, college student Kimberly Bradford finds comfort in the friendship with her over-the-top neighbor, Mallory. And, Mallory encourages her to get back out there. She would of course if it weren't for the thrilling little love notes and gifts she's been receiving.

Kim thinks they're from her ex-fiancée, not realizing he's been murdered. Worse, whoever is sending her all the extra attention is not only in her inner-circle, but has a connection to that unsolved murder some 25 years ago. That connection puts her life in danger, and exposes secrets around her closest friends and family that are better left buried.

A Florida Mystery that readers are calling "Absolutely Suspenseful" with "an ending you'll never see coming!" Grab this book before you go to bed -- Prepare to stay up all night to finish it!
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  1. Print length
    234 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 17, 2014
  5. File size
    400 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The ending really took me by surprise." --- Long & Short Book Reviews
"Right out of the gate, the prologue had me thinking 'HOLY FREAKING CRAP!!! This one is going to be good!!' Not only was it good, it was SPECTACULAR!" --- The Avid Book Collector

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IIN6YWE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blurb Publishing, Inc. (February 17, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 17, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 400 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 234 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 981 ratings

About the author

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JC Gatlin

JC Gatlin

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JC Gatlin lives in Tampa, Florida and wrote a monthly column in New Tampa Style Magazine. He has written three Indie mystery-suspense novels set in Florida, and his last book, 21 Dares, went to Number One on Amazon’s Top Mystery Suspense and Top Young Adult charts. Also, 21 Dares was a Semi-Finalist in the Royal Palm Awards. His newest book, H_NGM_N, was picked up for publication by Millford House Press, the mystery-suspense imprint for Sunbury Press. JC is a member of the Florida Writer’s Association and a board member of the Florida Writer’s Foundation.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
981 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kim
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced and fun!
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2014
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This books comes out of the gate at a gallop and doesn't slow down until you read the last page. Lots of twists and turns, interesting characters (I really liked "Gunz") and enough creepiness to keep you on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed the trip back to the 90s, too -- the book spurred lots of good memories. I did not see the end coming at all, and that was fun.
One person found this helpful
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Shell Irwin
5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Star Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014
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First off, be under no illusions: this is a slasher/thriller style book. There is gore, violence, and a crazy psycho killer on the loose. It's never so over the top that I turned away with a squeamish stomach, but it doesn't let you forget that fact for a minute.

The storyline is good, it flows well and has just enough suspense to keep you interested and turning the pages, not only to discover the 'whodunit' but also to learn more about Kim and Ross, and about their relationship and what happened five weeks and (some) days ago. The characters are well drawn, although I wanted to shake Mallory more than once. She bugged me SO much. But I guess she only got under my skin because she wasn't a 2D cardboard cut-out. Great job.
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ReadingNMichigan
3.0 out of 5 stars the story trying to be told was a good one. It just could have been better
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
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A little confusing.... spoilers to follow...

Granted I read quickly. There's the possibility that I missed things, but the only way the "murders were connected" was the fact that the same guy committed them? Why did he obsess with Kimberly? Because she was a tenant? What happened to her Dad? He was mentioned and then disappeared from the story. Her relationship with her grandfather... okay...? Didn't really add to the story either. Many things were repetitive: the throw her grandma made, her dog reacting to the neighbor's dog, the Miata. I understand getting stuck in a certain narrative, but still...

Overall, the story trying to be told was a good one. It just could have been better. Of course this is strictly my opinion. There were quite a few chances to branch off the subplots (Michael, Dad, Grandpa, the love interests, etc.), but it just didn't happen. It felt like a bunch of red herrings tossed into the mix to throw us off guard and they didn't add to the story at all.

A lot of things didn't make sense. The cop coming to her door AFTER the body was found and he didn't know? Small town right? Wouldn't everyone know at that point? Especially the police. The ending seemed abrupt to me as well.

Basically I'm disappointed. It had the potential to be a great mystery, but it fell kind of flat. Couldn't invest in the characters and none of them came across as being overly bright. Even the dog with the 'diamond shaped' face.
2 people found this helpful
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Peter Garcia
4.0 out of 5 stars Great story and a fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014
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JC Gatlin's "Prey of Desire" begins with a sense of urgency that draw you in a kick starts the murder mystery aspect with a very brutal death. Flash forward 25 years later and every page left me wondering what was the connection between that murder and Kimberly Bradford. As the story unfolds, Gatlin drops a few clues between the pages like appetizers before the main course. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out the "whodunit" aspect of the book before it's ending. Gatlin spins an interesting mystery that is both fun and thrilling to read.
One person found this helpful
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Kelly Kay
2.0 out of 5 stars Let down
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2017
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I'm only giving this book 2 stars because it started out as a good and interesting story. I just couldn't wait to find out who the bad guy was. The end was just a let down though. It didn't seem to follow through. Sure could've been better.
4 people found this helpful
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ShyReader
5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars. Prey of Desire
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2016
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Interesting read. I found the scenes to be very descriptive, similar to what you'd find in literary fiction, but once the murders began, the story really picks up the pace. I did find the character of Mallory very unlikeable though. I found her to be very wishy-washy for a friend, but I guess that is true to life for some people. The rest of the characters are very realistic, some likeable, some creepy to the point of making your skin crawl. There's also a bit of humor tossed in for good measure. Anyone that has ever colored their hair will understand. Good book, and I will read more of JC Gatlin.
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L. Hampton
3.0 out of 5 stars Just okay
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
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This book is just okay. I didn't really like any of the characters. The main character, Kim, was so clueless and I thought that her searching every day for weeks was dumb. I don't know why she thought that the book,letters and calls were her ex-boyfriend. I have a tendency to not stop reading a story once I start and that was a struggle with this book. I have to say that it got a little bit better later in the story. I don't know if I've ever read anything by this author before and I don't know if I will again.
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Cheryl R💎
4.0 out of 5 stars Gruesome and mysterious
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2015
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JC Gatlinburg spins a grizzly tale of murder and suspense. When this early crime is committed again the mystery of who this killer is raised again. Add in another psycho and the mystery deepens. The cast of characters created for this quick read is interesting and likable. Learning who all the potential perpetrators at the end was surprising. I thoroughly enjoyed these entire story.
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Top reviews from other countries

Dawn
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2017
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Good read different to what I usually read but entertaining all the same
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2016
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I like the story
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minormajor
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills and chills in this fun mystery/suspense/slasher
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2016
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If you're a fan of slasher films and fiction, then there's much to enjoy in Prey of Desire. Gory deaths, creeping tension, and enough chills to have you checking under your bed at night - Michael Myers eat your heart out!
One person found this helpful
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melvyn black
4.0 out of 5 stars Prey of Desire
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2015
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Good reading and well worth the purchase. If you like plenty of suspense this book will not let you down.
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