THE DEADLY THORN, is a suspense novel that evolves around SALLY OLIVER, an abused wife. When she discovers her husband, JIMMY OLIVER of only three months has murdered two previous wives, she flees for her life with the aid of her friend, JULIA EVANS.

Jimmy is obsessed with getting Sally back. He follows her and Julia to Seattle. Even with detectives on the job, Jimmy still manages to kidnap Sally twice. She toys with the idea of using her gun, but finds a way to escape and spends a horrifying night in a dark industrial area.

The police place Jimmy under guard at his motel, but he gets away through the attic, steals a car and disappears. He then discovers EVA LINDSAY, his third wife is helping the police. He uses his abuse tactics, but she fights back and injures him with a fireplace poker. The three women take matters into their own hands and disguise themselves to track Jimmy down. But he evades the police and abducts Sally yet again, taking her to Spokane on the back of a motorcycle.

REVIEW

Move over Charlie's Angels!  This is suspense writing at its very best.  I liked everything about this novel.  Lots of fast action and page scrolling danger.  Jimmy Oliver is a con man, who seduces, marries, insures and murders his wives.  Two of them with the help of a friend (a woman who is a national shooting champion) are about to get even.

There are real world issues in this book as well.  Domestic violence and the strength and courage to overcome physical abuse are an important part of Ms LaPierre's story telling.

The climax of this novel is one of the fastest moving and action motivated moments I have ever read.   I highly recommend The Deadly Thorn.

Reviewed by: Jonathan David Masters

EXCERPT

CHAPTER ONE

Sally Oliver stood at the bedroom window and watched her husband of three months climb into his pickup. When the dark green truck turned the corner and disappeared, her body sagged with relief. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself. The temperature inside the house matched that of the outdoors, but she didn’t dare ask Jimmy to light the furnace.

What had happened to the kind, sweet man she’d married? Her blue eyes clouded with tears. She turned from the window, wincing from the fresh bruises covering her ribs. “What am I going to do?” she moaned. She sat on the edge of the bed and buried her head in her hands.

Before their marriage, Jimmy had courted her with red roses, candy and gifts. He’d always been gentle and kind. But now the romance had disappeared along with the tender love-making. Now, he just satisfied his own sexual desires, and if she complained, he treated her with contempt, calling her frigid.

Glancing into the dresser mirror, she studied her reflection. She still had the same petite figure that he couldn’t keep his hands off before they were married. So, what had gone wrong? She sighed and turned away. But lately, it seemed she did nothing right--except earn a good wage as an accountant. And even that caused problems. When she told him she’d decided to have her checks automatically deposited into her own personal checking account, he exploded, which led to a bitter argument and abusive behavior. She trembled, recalling the fierce blows he’d inflicted. He not only wanted to control her money, but her very life. Hurt and confused, she paced, knowing she couldn’t take much more of this battering.

When the phone rang, she flinched, figuring Jimmy wanted to harass her more. If she ignored it, he’d make her pay later. On the third ring, she hesitantly picked up the receiver and took a deep breath.

“Hello.”

“May I speak with Mrs. Randy Oliver?

Hearing the feminine voice, Sally relaxed. “Speaking.”

“Are you alone?”

She knitted her brows not liking the sound of the question. At this time, she certainly didn’t need a prank call. “Look, I’m very busy.”
“Your life’s in danger. So please, don’t hang up.”
“What!” Sally exclaimed, entwining the phone cord around her fingers.
“I want you to listen closely. I’m Jimmy’s third wife and I want to tell you what happened to his first two.”
The cord dropped from her fingers. “Is this some sort of a sick joke?”