Gone to Ground: A Novel

Written by Brandilyn Collins

Narrated by Rebecca Gallagher

Amaryllis, Mississippi is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and a legendary ghost in the local cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its people are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it's named-bright and fragrant.

But the Amaryllis flower is poisonous.

In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within the town. All the victims were women, and all were killed in similar fashion in their own homes. And just two nights ago-a sixth murder.

Clearly a killer lives among the good citizens of Amaryllis. And now three terrified women are sure they know who he is-someone they love. None is aware of the others' suspicions. And each must make the heartrending choice to bring the killer down.

But each woman suspects a different man.

“A fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”
–Publishers Weekly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781621880264

Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. She and her family live in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Visit her website at www.brandilyncollins.com and her blog at www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com

Reviews for Gone to Ground

[eleanor_anders_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***My Look:If you believe a spouse, relative, employer, or friend committed a crime, would you report them? Could you? Even if the crime was murder? Could your silence be leaving someone else to die? Would faith help in your choice?These questions faced a few of the residents in the town of Amaryllis, Mississippi. Some of the women suspect the men in their lives capable of murder, and a few of them seem to have proof of something foul with good reasons to keep quiet about it all.Six months usually go by before the next murder.Leaving the victim's body in a closet, this serial killer plagues the small town, and the latest victim just may pinpoint the killer's identity. However, one of the women has a special needs brother, and she is almost sure he was somehow involved. The police zero in on him. Moreover, when the other ladies make the decision to go to the police with their suspicions, their trouble increases double time. In the end, you have few residents giving the police more than they can handle and a small-time reporter trying to get the story straight for a big-time career.My Take:I recommend GONE TO GROUND by Brandilynn Collins. She has developed a new twist into amateur sleuthing while giving easily understood snippets of forensics and delving the reader deeper into the lives of each character and their faith. Her suspense will keep you reading late into the night as you're wondering if these woman have it right and fearing what if they have it all wrong.You can find more of Brandilynn Collins "Seatbelt Suspense®" novels through most book outlets. She writes both stand alone novels and series titles.

[brknhrt_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gone to Ground is a serial killer murder mystery told from the perspective of three women. Each of these women believes they know who committed the murders, and all have something to lose by coming forward. Amaryllis, Mississippi is not the type of town where murders happen, but now a serial killer has the whole town on edge. Brandilyn Collins takes us into the lives of these three women as they try to do the right thing. You are first introduced to Cherrie Mae, the senior of the three ladies possessing the grace and wisdom of a mature Christian. She cleans houses and finds information that leads her to think that one of her employers is the killer. There is a dialect used for her narration, but it is not overdone and doesn’t interfere with the flow of the story. Tully, a young pregnant woman, believes that her abusive husband may be the murderer. Deena, a beauty shop owner, is afraid her special needs brother may be involved. Woven through the book is the story being retold as a newspaper article by Trent, a reporter. All of the characters are likeable and realistic.Although the chapters change the point of view, you will never be lost in this chilling tale of murder. I appreciated the Brandilyn Collins’ careful development of each character and clear “voice” for each. Of course, it also helps that the chapters are labeled with the name of the viewpoint! The story brings the three women together so that their lives intertwine. Once again Brandilyn Collins brings suspense, mystery, and faith to her characters in a special way. Of her books I have read, I think this is the best so far.

[Rochelle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good. Great character development, intriguing plot, couldn't stop listening!

[Marlan Knighton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am 52yrs.old,and this book at times ,made me gasp from excitement and sometimes laughter.The narrator was perfect for each character,especially Cherry Mae,Dina,and the chief.I had to rate this book with a 5,now one of my favoritesa

[carmenmilligan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very nice, fast read. I love the idea of presenting the story from the viewpoints of three women, each who thinks she knows who the killer is. The story was a straight-up murder mystery, set in small-town America with likable characters.

Recommended.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was thrilled to get a chance to read a book from this author. The stories are always powerful and have outstanding character development. This book has that and so much more. I hope you are ready to visit a small town in Mississippi. It seems to be the quaint little town that everyone wants to visit. Neighbors are there to help each other and Amaryllis ,Mississippi is full of good old people . But beneath the perfect picture of a small town, is a deep dark secret. Why would a town hide the fact that five women have died and no one seems to know anything? What happened to looking out for your neighbor? I guess the town isn't so sweet and quaint after all. When the news spreads that the sixth women has been killed in the town, suspicion starts to mount along with the tension among the community. Three women have found evidence that supports three different men as being the killer. Each woman is different and each give their own reasons to suspect someone. When the author brings these three women together, a mystery starts to come to light. Can they find who the killer or killers are? Is their own lives in danger? Ms. Collins has brought together three women from different backgrounds and given them determination, and an uncanny ability to work with each other. The author writes the book giving us a glimpse of each woman's perspective on the murders. The story flows well and builds to a great ending. It is a great book with a mystery that will have you wanting to read more from this amazing storyteller. Get ready for a thrill ride as you dive into the secrets in a small town . I received this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review. .

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brandilyn Collins is Onen of My Favorite Suspense Authors...The small, sleepy town of Amaryllis, MS, suddenly has some action and secrets that terrify the townspeople.Over the course of three years, six women have all been killed with the same modus operandi. All but the last are older, single or widowed women.With the last murder, the evidence clearly points to the guilty suspect. The problem is, three different women are positive three different men are guilty-- and all have "proof" for a cynical police chief.I had forgotten why I liked Brandilyn Collins's books so much. Her stories fly swiftly along, as I hang on for dear life at the twists and turns that occur in the already unnerving journey. I love how Collins switches effortlessly between three very different, very complex protagonists to narrate the story. I especially loved her rendition of Cherrie Mae. Although Cherrie Mae doesn't sound well-educated, life with her husband produces literary quotes for any occasion, not to mention the calming influence and faith that wonderful lady possesses. Everyone should be so fortunate to have a Cherrie Mae in his/her life!!A quotable to live by(and not a literary quote). "You can hold your head high after going on from your mistakes. But you can't hold your head high if you live with those mistakes and never do anything to correct them." (Deena to Tully)I gratefully received this fast moving page - turner from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.The small, sleepy town of Amaryllis, MS, suddenly has some action and secrets that terrify the townspeople.Over the course of three years, six women have all been killed with the same modus operandi. All but the last are older, single or widowed women.With the last murder, the evidence clearly points to the guilty suspect. The problem is, three different women are positive three different men are guilty-- and all have "proof" for a cynical police chief.I had forgotten why I liked Brandilyn Collins's books so much. Her stories fly swiftly along, as I hang on for dear life at the twists and turns that occur in the already unnerving journey. I love how Collins switches effortlessly between three very different, very complex protagonists to narrate the story. I especially loved her rendition of Cherrie Mae. Although Cherrie Mae doesn't sound well-educated, life with her husband produces literary quotes for any occasion, not to mention the calming influence and faith that wonderful lady possesses. Everyone should be so fortunate to have a Cherrie Mae in his/her life!!A quotable to live by(and not a literary quote). "You can hold your head high after going on from your mistakes. But you can't hold your head high if you live with those mistakes and never do anything to correct them." (Deena to Tully)I gratefully received this fast moving page - turner from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.The small, sleepy town of Amaryllis, MS, suddenly has some action and secrets that terrify the townspeople.Over the course of three years, six women have all been killed with the same modus operandi. All but the last are older, single or widowed women.With the last murder, the evidence clearly points to the guilty suspect. The problem is, three different women are positive three different men are guilty-- and all have "proof" for a cynical police chief.I had forgotten why I liked Brandilyn Collins's books so much. Her stories fly swiftly along, as I hang on for dear life at the twists and turns that occur in the already unnerving journey. I love how Collins switches effortlessly between three very different, very complex protagonists to narrate the story. I especially loved her rendition of Cherrie Mae. Although Cherrie Mae doesn't sound well-educated, life with her husband produces literary quotes for any occasion, not to mention the calming influence and faith that wonderful lady possesses. Everyone should be so fortunate to have a Cherrie Mae in his/her life!!A quotable to live by(and not a literary quote). "You can hold your head high after going on from your mistakes. But you can't hold your head high if you live with those mistakes and never do anything to correct them." (Deena to Tully)I gratefully received this fast moving page - turner from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I just finished reading Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins. It is told in the first person perspective from the three main characters. There have been five murders in the last three years in Amaryllis, Mississippi. Each person was killed in the exact same manner and then stuffed into a closet. The Amaryllis Police Department has been unable to solve the crime and catch the Closet Killer (as he has been dubbed). Then there is a sixth victim. Three different women believe they know who the Closet Killer is. Tully Phillips is nineteen years old, married, and expecting her first baby. Her husband, Mike came home late the night of the sixth killing and he had bloody hands. Deena Ruckland is thirty-two and owns Deena’s Cut ‘n’ Style. Her brother, Steve showed up at her house the night of the killing with blood on his uniform. Steve is mentally challenged and has been picked on his whole life. He refused to answer his sister’s questions. Cherrie Mae Devine is a house cleaner. One of her clients is Mayor Austin Bradmeyer and his wife, Eva. Cherrie Mae was cleaning his office and looked in one of the Mayor’s desk drawers. She noticed a file that was marked “Closet Killer”. The file contains photos of each victim and the ring of the last victim is in the drawer.These three ladies will come together to unravel the clues and solve the killings. Who is the Closet Killer? I found Gone to Ground to be a difficult novel to read. The women talk with a Southern accent which was hard to read. I did not enjoy the first person perspective. If it had been told from one person’s point-of-view, it would have been okay. However, it kept switching between the women making the reader guess which lady is it now. I did like that this was a Christian mystery (no foul language or sex). The mystery was very easy to solve (I was hoping it would be more difficult). The writing is good, but I felt the book needed a little reworking. I give Gone to Ground 3.75 out of 5 stars.I received a complimentary copy of Gone to Ground from the author (and Book Club Network Inc.) in exchange for an honest review.

[sunset_x_cocktail · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic small town murder mystery full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the end. i love small town murder mysteries and this book did everything right. I found it browsing through Netgalley and my request to view was approved almost immediately, (though it took me a while to get round to reading it) when I did, I read it fairly quickly. Fast moving plot, great characters and a fascinating depiction of a small town dealing with a killer in their mists and the people who were the suspects.

The story is told from three different points of view from three townswomen who each think someone they know is responsible, and how they deal with the knowledge that that person might be a killer. They collect their own evidence and as things progress, eventually they are brought together. I loved the three view points from very different women, I enjoyed seeing how each of them coped and how they bonded together throughout the investigation.

Also, smart characters too, who didn't do things recklessly and stupidly. Who thought things through and involved the police when necessary. The plot twisted and turned and just when you think the three women have figured it all out the plot twists again. I didn't see the end result coming the way it did.

A fantastic read and I would definitely be interested in reading other books by this author. So thank you Netgalley for the approval to view the title.

[debs4jc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A light, breezy novel about a serial killer for Christian fiction fans? Yes, that's just what this is. It's set in Amaryllis Mississippi where the locals are living in fear of the "closet killer" who has allegedly killed five women. The story is told by three women who each have reason to believe that they know who the killer is, but who also have good reasons to keep quiet about it. Thus, part of the fun of reading the book is to try to figure out who the killer really is--is it one of the people the narrators suspect, or someone else entirely? The truth will come out--with a lot of courage, prayer and faith. Read this one if you enjoys suspenseful reads that combine faith and fiction (and if you don't mind multiple narrators).

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you thought that someone you loved was involved in a crime, would you have the courage to come forward and present evidence against them, or would you try to hide what you knew?The small town of Amaryllis, MS for the past three years has been the scene of 5 murders by a serial killer who places his victims in the closet. No one has been killed in over a year when Erika Hollinger is found dead to be the Closet Killer's newest victim and the residents begin to start pointing fingers again.Cherrie Mae Devine is a housecleaner and finds some incriminating evidence in the home of one of her clients. Tully Phillips finds blood on some of her husband's clothes, and Deena Ruckland sees blood on her brother's work uniform. Each of the ladies keeps quiet because they find it hard to believe that the person involved could be the killer. It is not until they band together do they find the real killer.This book was extremely entertaining between the story and the characters. It was as if I could hear their voices the way that the dialogue was written and the mystery was well planned.

[24girl_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the small southern town of Amaryllis, Mississippi there is a serial killer on the loose. In the past three years there have been five murders. Women of no particular race or age were stabbed in the neck and left in their closets earning the killer the nickname the Closet Killer.When a sixth victim is found an unease rolls across the town but for three women in particular it’s not just unease. It’s fear. All three women are positive they know when the Closet Killer is and all three suspect a different man. Cherrie Mae Devine thinks it’s the mayor of Amaryllis, Tully Phillips thinks it’s her husband and Deena Ruckland thinks it’s her brother. Gone to Ground was my first Brandilyn Collins book. It was a truly gripping suspense story. In most suspense books I can guess who the killer is soon into the book. With Gone to Ground I didn’t figure it out until the chapter it was revealed in. I was sincerely taken by surprise and it was a completely believable ending. Collins writes memorable characters each with distinct personalities that make them come to life. I loved the way the women come together and begin to lean on each other while working to figure out the truth. I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves a great Christian suspense thriller. You won’t be disappointed.

[tarenn_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

GONE TO GROUND by Brandilyn Collins is a interesting suspense. I enjoyed the suspense in this story and how Deena,Cherrie Mae, and Tully work together to help solve the murder of Erika. A very interesting story that is well written with clear descriptions and strong characters. A must read full of suspense,with interesting characters. Received for an honest review. Details can be found at B&H Publishing Group and My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews.RATING: 4HEAT RATING: SweetREVIEWED BY: DorothyA,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

[tmtrvlr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gone to Ground is a serial killer murder mystery told from the perspective of three women. Each of these women believes they know who committed the murders, and all have something to lose by coming forward. Amaryllis, Mississippi is not the type of town where murders happen, but now a serial killer has the whole town on edge. Brandilyn Collins takes us into the lives of these three women as they try to do the right thing. You are first introduced to Cherrie Mae, the senior of the three ladies possessing the grace and wisdom of a mature Christian. She cleans houses and finds information that leads her to think that one of her employers is the killer. There is a dialect used for her narration, but it is not overdone and doesn’t interfere with the flow of the story. Tully, a young pregnant woman, believes that her abusive husband may be the murderer. Deena, a beauty shop owner, is afraid her special needs brother may be involved. Woven through the book is the story being retold as a newspaper article by Trent, a reporter. All of the characters are likeable and realistic.Although the chapters change the point of view, you will never be lost in this chilling tale of murder. I appreciated the Brandilyn Collins’ careful development of each character and clear “voice” for each. Of course, it also helps that the chapters are labeled with the name of the viewpoint! The story brings the three women together so that their lives intertwine. Once again Brandilyn Collins brings suspense, mystery, and faith to her characters in a special way. Of her books I have read, I think this is the best so far.