"A well written romantic thriller"

An anonymous phone caller informs DC TV investigative reporter Tess Abbott that her father Jodie Burns, who officially committed suicide in prison, did not kill himself or her mother twenty-five years ago. Tess thinks her dad's death is justice, but the frightened woman on the other end of the phone leaves her with some doubts that she tries to ignore. However, her producer pal Ronnie Hill knows something is wrong and says so.

Tess heads back to her hometown of Grady, Mississippi to uncover what happened so many years ago. She meets investigative journalist Spencer Reed who is working on a story that will destroy the gubernatorial candidacy of Everett Caine, the prosecutor who gained the conviction of Jodie. As they compare notes and begin digging up hidden information, Tess' microscopic uncertainty that her father was innocent begins to grow to where she feels the state convicted the wrong man. However, someone wants her and Matt stopped and begins killing witnesses to her mother's death. As the two reporters fall in love they struggle to stay alive long enough to cherish these feelings and expose a desperate murderer

Fans of investigative journalist romantic thrillers will take immense delight with DEADLINE, an aptly named title. The story line moves rather quickly forward from the start and never blinks until the climatic altercation with the killer. Though Tess acts impetuous and amateurish at times, readers can rationalize that the case is personal. Still, she is a steel magnolia while her beloved counterpart is an intrepid soul risking his life so she can learn the truth. The Grady locals add that Southern feeling that provides the backdrop to a tense thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 22, 2004

Summary

She wants justice.

Washington television reporter Tess Abbott is the best in the business, always getting the story and the truth. When she receives an anonymous tip about a prison murder in her home state of Mississippi during a heated race for governor, Tess jumps at the chance to cover the race and uncover the truth.

He wants vengeance.

Newspaper reporter Spencer Reed is on the verge of uncovering a political scandal that could make his career—and the secrets in Tess Abbott's past hold the key. Despite the rivalry and adrenaline, focusing on the story becomes difficult when Tess receives another call that leaves her reeling.

The unsettling message stirs her memory, bringing back childhood nightmares—nightmares of murder. When a local man turns up dead—with personal information about Tess in his possession—the two journalists quickly realize there is a sinister connection between Tess's past and the election.

A killer wants them both dead.

As the pieces to the puzzle fall into place, a killer is primed to finish a job he started so long ago—a killer who will stop at nothing to bury the story . . . and them.