Be sure to read Live to Tell before you read this second installment in the Terror Trilogy.

We last left Lauren Walsh and her three children, Lucy, 14, Ryan, 12 and Sadie, 4 coping in the aftermath of her husband Nick's infidelities and ties to a series of mysterious events. We now check in with Brett and Elsa Cavalon, trying to cope with the kidnapping of their adopted son Jeremy and the adoption process of Renny, 7. Renny has agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces; has nightmares and fears being left alone. Elsa reassures the girl repeatedly that she is home to stay and that she is safe. Elsa and Brett have their doubts as Jeremy's disappearance hangs like a black umbrella over them.

In this installment, readers learn that Jeremy has survived extreme abuse. He somehow finds his way back to the Cavalons, the only safe place he has ever lived. Jeremy has no idea that the Cavalons are being stalked and targeted. Who is stalking them? And why? Is Jeremy out of danger?

Enter Congressman Garvey Quinn; his wife Marin and daughters Caroline, 17 and Annie, 11. Quinn had his eyes on the gubanatorial election and will stop at nothing to secure that office. He appears to see himself as a puppet master and people, with the exception of Caroline as his cast of marionettes. Is Quinn connected to Jeremy and the Cavalons in any way, shape, form of fashion? Could he have anything to do with the danger the Cavalons and Renny are in?

Each character is richly drawn and is quite credible. Caroline has a sense of entitlement and is a spoiled daddy's girl and Annie, shy and slightly overweight is eclipsed by her favored older sister. Garvey Quinn has no use for Annie and makes no bones about it. The Walsh children meet the Quinns and Lucy, although close in age with Caroline cannot like her because Caroline is rude and unpleasant and treats her sister with contempt.

More questions arise - how and why did Lauren Walsh and her children even cross paths with the powerful Garvey Quinn? And what secret does Caroline have? Does she share a secret with the congressman? And where does Annie fit into this? Does Marin have any part of what Garvey is planning and doing?

Wendy Corsi Staub is a truly gifted and extraordinarily brilliant writer. She can set moods; create whole images and readers familiar with the areas in which she writes have the added experience of seeing these places through her characters' eyes. Not every author can accomplish this with the finesse that she does. Like Stephen King, Wendy Corsi Staub can take seemingly innocuous items such as a lamp; a stuffed toy; a rustling newspaper; curtains being windblown and create a deliciously terrifying scenario. Readers will stay riveted to reach the conclusion of her books which are always worth the read.

Although this book brings readers up to speed if they have not read the first installment (which is highly recommended that they do), it is just the preview for the third book in the series. HELL TO PAY will no doubt be well worth the wait and certainly worth the read. I am already looking forward to it!

Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" could well be the soundtrack of this book.

After reading "Live to Tell," I knew I was going to read the whole trilogy. I read a few other Wendy Corsi Staub books in between, all excellent thrillers, but I had to get back to this story. I'm so glad I did because this book was even better than the first. It was scary, suspenseful, and well-written. There are so many characters and each is fully-developed in his or her own way. I cared about every single one of them. And just when I thought I was sure of what was going on...BAM! Wendy Corsi Staub got me with a surprise I did not see coming! The twists are done well, not cheap or illogical. Just great writing. On to the third in the trilogy....

I usually enjoy reading Wendy Corsi Staub but, geez! I dont know if I read a different book than all these other 4 and 5 star people....really? 5 Stars? For this book? I found the characters were ridiculous and annoying. The ending I saw a mile away. If you hadnt read the first book in this trilogy you would feel like you had been dropped into OZ at best! ). Even having read the first one, it was a crazy mis-mash with obscure characters that pop up in the pages for no reason and just as quickly disappear.. again with seamingly no other purpose than to (hopefully) create another mystery/a cheap thrill * WATCH OUT IF YOU HAVENT READ THE BOOK CAUS GOSH, I SURE WOULDNT WANT TO RUIN THIS GREAT PLOT TWIST* the doorman in her moms building, what the heck? And while I am on that- WHAT the heck was that all about anyway? She takes a meandering train trip to NY in full paranoia, goes to her moms' spooky apartment whole building is deserted yes/no??? stays a few hours. Mysterious murderer )shows up to do what?? Just run around and scare her then leave?? Never sees this stalker, doesnt call for any building staff um, isnt her mom a (mysterous) rich woman sooo.. the building has staff, no? it was so dopey that I would never have enough room to write how annoying it was. Every character, it seemed, had some mystereous past. All the female characters were weak nut jobs. None of the plot flowed or made any sense what-so-ever. I really do love a book that makes you think and I was hoping that this wasnt an idiotic plot but a clever read in diguise...no. Idiotic. Part of the problem was that I couldnt stand a single character- from the weak, helpless, STUPID women to the male character that also thought his wife was weak, helpless, stupid and oh, did I forget? Mentally ill too!
I hate books that make the female characters look stupid and weak, especially if it is written by a woman. ALL the female characters in this book are portrayed this way and throw in drug addicted, mentally ill and totally inept. I really wanted to like this book and mabe would have if I had drunk a couple bottles of cabernet... no, I still wouldnt have liked this book.

I had read a couple of other books by Wendy Corsi Staub and not disappointed by any of them! If you like a good fast paced suspense filled book I think you will like this! I did not realize it was a 2nd book in a trilogy, I ended up reading the other 2 books and loved them all! I recommenend reading the 1st book in the trilogy , Live to Tell , her books have lots of twists and turns and surprise endings!

Great read!

I have become a big fan. This book didn't let me down. I'm always on the look-out for another Wendy Corsi Staub. She writes books that I don't want to put down and they're easy to read.

I have read several of her books and really enjoy them. As I got into the first book of this trilogy I realized that I had already read the second one. This one answered a lot of questions and was very enjoyable.

Read these in order .. they are great .. it's not a continuation but it just felt better to read them in order. Wendy is a great author who keeps you on your toes.