The Final Act Page 36

  “My name is Lili.”

  Caroline mentally raced through the class lists of all her students, past and present, trying to match a face to the name, but she came up empty. Could this be another one of Michelle’s friends she didn’t remember? “What can I do for you, Lili?”

  “I probably shouldn’t be calling . . .”

  “What do you want?” Why was she still on the phone, for heaven’s sake? Why didn’t she just hang up?

  “I think . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve been looking at the sketches on the Internet.” Lili paused. “You know . . . of your daughter.”

  Caroline lowered her head. Here it comes, she thought. It happened every year at this time. Five years ago, a man had called from Florida, claiming his new neighbor’s daughter bore a suspicious resemblance to recent sketches of Samantha. Caroline immediately took off for Miami, missing all three of Michelle’s performances in her high school’s production of Oliver!, only to have her hopes dashed when the man’s suspicions proved groundless. The following year a woman reported seeing Samantha waiting in line at a Starbucks in Tacoma, Washington. Another wasted trip followed. And now, with the widespread release of the most recent sketches in the papers, on the Internet . . . “Lili . . . ,” she began.

  “That’s just it,” the girl interrupted as once again Caroline felt her knees go weak and her breath turn to ice in her chest. “I don’t think Lili is my name.” Another silence. “I think my real name is Samantha. I think I’m your daughter.”

  AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER

  Read on for more gripping titles by New York Times

  bestseller Joy Fielding. . .

  SEE JANE RUN

  What do you do when you don’t know who you are. . .

  Jane has lost her memory.

  . . .Where you are. . .

  Jane is found walking the streets wearing a blood-stained dress with $10,000 in the pocket.

  . . .What you’ve done?

  Unable to get answers from her husband, Jane is forced to seek the truth about her accident on her own. But the truth doesn’t always set you free . . .

  When you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  ANSWER ME

  There’s a killer on the loose. You’re next.

  Joanne Hunter’s husband has just left her when she receives the first phone call.

  A twisted serial killer has been targeting women in her neighbourhood. The caller has a message for her: “you’re next.”

  With her life falling apart, Joanne struggles to convince anyone to take her fears seriously. Soon even she begins to wonder if it might all be in her head.

  But the calls continue, and the threats intensify, and one thing becomes clear: the only person who can save Joanne is herself.

  Tense, dark and totally gripping, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  ***Previously published as The Deep End***

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  THE STRANGER NEXT DOOR

  ‘A suspense novel with a shocking twist.’ Booklist. A gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of The Couple Next Door and Louise Jensen.

  Terry Painter is used to being alone. She prefers it that way.

  But Terry has a new neighbour. Alison.

  Alison is young, beautiful and outgoing. She’s everything Terry isn’t.

  But Alison has a secret. Something she doesn’t want Terry to know.

  Terry has one too.

  As lies are told and pasts are revealed, only one question remains . . .

  How well do you really know your neighbour?

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  ***Previously published as Whispers and Lies***

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  DON’T CRY NOW

  “You’re in danger. You and Amanda.”

  Hours after receiving this message from her husband’s ex-wife, the caller ends up dead.

  And Bonnie becomes the number one suspect in a murder investigation.

  Fighting to prove her innocence and to keep herself and her daughter safe, Bonnie attempts to track down the killer.

  But as Bonnie gets closer to the truth, the killer is getting closer to Bonnie . . .

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  TAKE WHAT’S MINE

  “A knockout!” New York Times. A gripping psychological thriller about what lies behind the perfect marriage, for fans of Behind Closed Doors or The Girl on the Train

  Donna has never had much luck with men. So when she meets Victor - kind, handsome, attentive, smart - she immediately realises she’s hit the jackpot.

  She doesn’t mind that he sometimes seems a little contrary. Nor that he has to win every argument. And so what if it turns out he’s told a lie about his past? Or several.

  Even as the arguments worsen, Donna is absolutely certain they can make it work, if only for the sake of the children.

  So why, two years later, are they in the divorce courts? And why is Victor arguing that Donna is clearly in no fit state to keep the children. . .?

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  ***Previously published as Kiss Mommy Goodbye***

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  MISSING PIECES

  Who’s the worst person you ever fell in love with?

  Kate Sinclair’s life is taking a turn for the worse. Her daughter is acting up, her husband is distant and her mother’s mental health is alarmingly in decline.

  Meanwhile the media are gripped by the trial of Colin Friendly, a handsome sociopath, who stands accused of the brutal murders of more than a dozen women.

  When Kate’s dysfunctional younger sister starts to take an increasingly romantic interest in Colin, she resolves she has to witness the trial herself. . . Which is when she bumps into her childhood sweetheart - the one that got away.

  And as Kate struggles to resist being drawn into a dangerous affair, she can’t afford to take her eye off Colin. Because he isn’t just interested in her sister; he’s looking forward to meeting her family. . .

  Tense, dark and totally gripping, this is a gripping page-turner from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  RUN FROM ME

  You can’t run for ever.

  Twenty-nine years old and reeling from a nasty divorce, Jamie Kellogg is unsure where her life is going. That’s until she meets a handsome stranger in a bar. Kind, attentive and tender, Brad doesn’t seem to be like the others.

  Spurred on by her longing for adventure, Jamie is persuaded to quit her job and accompany Brad on a mysterious road trip. But soon it becomes apparent that this could this be the biggest mistake she’s ever made.

  Meanwhile, in Atlanta, two single mothers meet - thrown together by chance. Both have secrets. Both are running from something.

  And as Brad and Jamie arrive in Atlanta, one of them is about to be found . . .

  Run From Me is a heart-stopping and gripping psychological thriller full of twists and turns, from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  ***Previously published as Mad River Road***

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  TELL ME NO SECRETS

  A gripping ps
ychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Hall and BA Paris

  Jess Koster spends her days putting criminals behind bars.

  Then she meets Rick Ferguson, a man about to be tried for rape. That is, until the victim disappears before giving evidence.

  Fearing for the woman’s safety, and positive that this is Rick’s plan to stop her from testifying, Jess is determined to prove that Rick had something to do with her disappearance.

  But now somebody wants to make Jess disappear too . . .

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  WHEN I LOOKED AWAY

  She’s searching for the man who killed her daughter. But will he find her first? A gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Linda Green or My Husband’s Son

  Gail Walton considers herself a lucky woman. She’s always enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother, raising her two beloved daughters Cindy and Jennifer with her fantastic husband Jack.

  Then one day her daughter Cindy is murdered.

  Stunned by the crime, and shocked when those closest to her are considered suspects by a foundering police investigation, Gail’s perfect life starts to fall apart.

  Needing to seize back control, Gail makes a resolution. She’ll give the police sixty days to find the killer. Then, if they fail, Gail is going after him alone. . .

  Tense, dark and packed with twists, this is a gripping psychological thriller from the 16-million-copy bestselling Queen of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding.

  ***Previously published as Life Penalty***

  AVAILABLE NOW IN EBOOK

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Once again, my thanks and gratitude to Owen Laster, Larry Mirkin, and Beverley Slopen for their continuing friendship, insight, advice, and unfailing generosity of spirit. Please know that your support means the world to me.

  To my gorgeous editor, Emily Bestler, and her assistant Sarah Branham, for their smarts, hard work, and dedication. And to Owen’s assistant, Jonathan Pecarsky, for always managing to sound pleased to hear from me.

  To Judith Curr, Louise Burke, Laura Mullen, Estelle Laurence, and the wonderful people at Atria and Pocket, for their continuing efforts on my behalf—and for those wonderful chocolates at Christmas.

  A special thank you to Michael Steeves from Mac-Info, who responded to my frantic cries for help when my computer seemingly swallowed my disk. His efforts on my behalf were truly heroic.

  To Maya Mavjee, John Neale, John Pearce, Stephanie Gowan, and the staff at Doubleday Canada, a division of Random House, who have never flagged in their support. Our association has spanned many years and several publishing upheavals, and I am both proud and happy we’re still together.

  Lost is the first of my novels to be set in my hometown of Toronto, and I realized as I was writing this book how much this beautiful city means to me. I am particularly indebted to Dr. Jim Cairns, the Deputy Chief Coroner for the province of Ontario, and to Gord Walker in the dispatch regional office for the time both so graciously took to answer my questions and share their expertise. My thanks also to the Toronto International Film Festival—the greatest film festival on earth—for providing both the backdrop for this book, and also some of my greatest film memories.

  To my readers, again I thank you for your emails, your comments, and your enthusiasm. And a special thanks to those of you who show up at book signings. You make book tours worthwhile.

  And lastly, to my family and friends, especially Warren, my amazing husband of almost thirty years, and our beautiful and talented daughters, Shannon and Annie. Without you, truly I would be lost.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Joy Fielding is the New York Times bestselling author of See Jane Run, Don’t Cry Now, Someone is Watching and other acclaimed novels. She divides her time between Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.

  First published as Lost in 2003 by Pocket Star

  This ebook edition published in 2016 by

  Zaffre Publishing

  80-81 Wimpole St, London, W1G 9RE

  www.zaffrebooks.co.uk

  Copyright © Joy Fielding, 2003

  The moral right of Joy Fielding to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN: 978-1-7857-6317-5

  This ebook was produced by IDSUK (Data Connection) Ltd

  Zaffre Publishing is an imprint of Bonnier Zaffre, a Bonnier Publishing company

  www.bonnierzaffre.co.uk

  www.bonnierpublishing.co.uk