Standalone Suspense

Windfall

On Sale Now

In this newest suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub, three friends’ lives terrifyingly unravel when they win a billion-dollar lottery jackpot—and one goes missing. Perfect for fans of novels like Taylor Adams’ No Exit and The Club by Ellery Lloyd.

It was the girls’ weekend they’d never forget.

J.J., Molly, and Leila had once been inseparable, but it’s been a long time since college, and life—not to mention distance—have disrupted the former roommates’ friendship. When the three reunite for a birthday weekend in Las Vegas, the lottery ticket they buy on a whim has the winning numbers—giving them a billion-dollar windfall. Shell-shocked, they turn to Shea Daniels, a “sudden wealth manager,” who promises to guide them through the pitfalls of having more money than they’d ever imagined.

It was the girls’ weekend they’d live to regret.

The trio travels to a secluded California mansion, where Shea and her staff cater to their every whim, promising to teach them to navigate their newfound wealthy lifestyles with ease. The house is luxurious beyond their wildest dreams—and purportedly cursed, the last place a missing movie star was seen alive. Their weekend turns to terror when they discover they are trapped—roads blocked and communication disrupted by the wildfires raging around them. And when history repeats itself and one of them disappears—the one who’s holding the billion-dollar ticket—the others must face the fact that either their friend has betrayed them…or a predator is lurking.

REVIEWS

“Leila, Molly, and J.J. are the kind of friends who are always there for one another. Or at least they used to be, when they were college roommates. Now, not so much: they live in different cities, and their lives are no longer intertwined. But all that’s about to change. During a weekend getaway in Las Vegas, they bought a lottery ticket, and, miraculously, it’s the winning ticket. A billion dollars, split three ways. It’s so much money that one of the friends suggests they consult a money manager. Which sounds like a good idea, until the one who happens to be in possession of the billion-dollar ticket disappears. Has she decided to keep all the money for herself? Or is there another, more tragic explanation? Staub keeps the reader in a constant state of apprehension. Who is this famous money manager? Could one of them know more than they’re letting on? Staub’s strength has always been her characters and in this first-rate thriller, she’s created some of her best in a story packed with surprises.”
—David Pitt for Booklist

“If you have ever wondered what happens to people who win the lottery, then Wendy Corsi Staub’s latest book is for you. Staub is one of the best mystery/thriller writers in the business… (She) uses many literary tricks to keep WINDFALL spinning without getting wildly out of control. The result is an intriguing and entertaining novel that should be considered one of this summer’s top beach reads.”
—Ray Palen for Bookreporter

“Lisa Jackson once proclaimed: ‘If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you’ll love Wendy Corsi Staub.’ That endorsement—which rightfully graced the covers of Staub’s earlier titles—is as true now as it was then. With nearly one hundred books to her name (and others, including Wendy Markham), she remains both prolific and dependable.Windfall starts with a flame’s flicker that soon ignites an inferno of action, emotion, and suspense. Propelled by a once-in-a-lifetime event, a cast of conflicted characters, two mysterious disappearances, and nature’s awe-inspiring powers, the story reminds us that money doesn’t always solve problems; rather, it often creates them. So forget taking your chances on the lottery and remember this instead: a Staub book is about as solid an investment as you can make. There’s always a payoff—and for the price of a paperback.”
Criminal Element

“I was impressed with how she juggled two key questions. How would a sudden windfall change your life, and how well do you know your friends? The secrets the women are hiding are whoppers and have a significant impact once they are unveiled. Windfall takes three college friends with a winning lottery ticket and sets the stage for what should be the ultimate girls’ weekend. It’s definitely one they (and the reader) will never forget.”
Novels Alive

“Staub paints an excellent picture of just what it means to live the dream many people have; while most assume winning the lottery could solve all their problems, this story highlights that age-old wisdom about money not solving everything. I appreciated the standard human frailties that bog Molly, Leila, J.J., and Shea down rather than it being the typical dark psychosis common in thrillers today. The mystery is low-key but excellent. The author does a nice job of walking us along that fine line between the macabre idea that a house can carry some sort of curse and reminding us that a place is just a place but the people within it can be a problem. Brisk pacing, a unique concept, and interesting, relatable characters make Windfall a good choice for fans looking for a mystery that explores how common human weaknesses can turn any situation from victory to failure.”
All About Romance

“An intense psychological thriller, that keeps you engaged throughout, with lots of twists.”
Red Carpet Crash

“Perfect for fans of novels like Taylor Adams’ No Exit and The Club by Ellery Lloyd… Windfall is a riveting mystery that is incredibly atmospheric. The characters are complex and vividly drawn. The excerpts from the podcast ratchet up the suspense. With secrets galore, the storyline is fast-paced and edgy. Wendy Corsi Staub keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.”
—Book Talk & More

“A real page turner that had a surprising ending!”
—Girl Who Reads 

PRAISE

A winning lottery ticket, a haunted California mansion, and raging wildfires provide the tense and atmospheric backdrop for Wendy Corsi Staub’s riveting and engrossing new thriller. I devoured this novel about the price of friendship and the things we’ll do for love and money in one breathless sitting. Rocket-paced and full of unexpected twists, Windfall is a knockout! A summer must-read!
Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

I couldn’t turn the pages of Windfall fast enough in this twisty thriller that has it all – three friends who wrongly assumed they knew each other’s secrets, a life-changing lottery ticket that could change their complicated lives for better (or worse), all in a Gothic setting on deadly cliffs shrouded by smoke from California wildfires. Nail biting, tense and rich – in more ways than one!
Sarah Strohmeyer, bestselling author of We Love to Entertain

A tense and moving exploration of women’s friendships and lives.  Reading Windfall is like winning the lottery of suspense writing!
Carol Goodman, New York Times bestselling and award winning author of The Bones of the Story

When money and old secrets collide, someone has to pay. It all comes due at Windfall. Compelling, atmospheric, and deliciously twisted. Suspense at its finest.”
James L’Etoile, award-winning author of Dead Drop

Masterful and utterly compelling, Windfall is an examination of four scarred women, and how the dreamlike opportunity for them to escape the unique, richly layered complications of their lives is hardly an escape at all. Staub lands every aching and triumphant emotional moment she aims for and, as the novel rushes forward, delivers a masterclass in page-turning suspense. Destined to be revered by readers and studied by aspiring and experienced writers alike, Windfall is the work of an author at the top of her game, showcasing all of her considerable skills.”
E.A. Aymar, bestselling author of No Home for Killers

What’s scarier than a small slip of paper holding a billion dollar lottery win to be split between three old friends? Add in a haunted mansion on a Pacific cliff surrounded by California wildfires, no phone/internet service, and you’ll get a scream in the night and someone going missing. This is not just a perfect table setting of mystery elements, it’s also a complex story of three women’s lives, old college friends who find themselves lost in midlife, wondering what happened to all their youthful dreams and desires. Wendy Corsi Staub is at her best with Windfall, keeping the reader on edge to find out who really wins it all in life and whose luck has run out.
James Conrad, Golden Notebook Bookstore, Golden Notebook Press

The Other Family

A fast-paced thriller in the vein of Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs and Megan Collins’ The Winter Sister. Here, a family making a fresh start moves into a house which was the site of an unsolved triple homicide—and are watched by an unknown person…

The watcher sees who you are…and knows what you did.

It’s the perfect home for the perfect family: pretty Nora Howell, her handsome husband, their two teenage daughters, and lovable dog. As California transplants making a fresh start in Brooklyn, they expected to live in a shoebox, but the brownstone has a huge kitchen, lots of light, and a backyard. The catch: its previous residents were victims of a grisly triple homicide that remains unsolved.

Soon, peculiar things begin happening. The pug is nosing around like a bloodhound. Nora unearths a long-hidden rusty box in the flowerbed. Oldest daughter Stacey, obsessed with the family murdered in their house, pokes into the bloody past and becomes convinced that a stranger is watching the house. Watching them.

She’s right. But one of the Howells will recognize his face. Because one of them has a secret that will blindside the others with a truth that lies shockingly close to home—and to this one’s terrifying history.

The Bibliofile – Most Anticipated Mystery/Thrillers of 2022
E-Online – 15 books to Add to Your Reading List in January
PopSugar – Best New Mystery and Thriller Books of 2022

“Great psychological suspense with a wallop of a twist.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben

“A twisty ride steeped in betrayal. The perfect winter read!”
—J.D. Barker, New York Times bestselling author of A Caller’s Game

“Wendy Corsi Staub has always been one of my favorite writers, but she surpasses even her best work with The Other Family. A chilling and addictive novel of suspense, it also speaks deep truths about family ties — and how they can support or destroy us. I really loved this book.”
—Alison Gaylin, USA Today bestselling author

“Creepy families, big secrets, and lingering questions come together in this twisty page turner that will have you speed reading to try to figure it out.”
—Darby Kane, #1 international bestseller

“Dark, twisty, and irresistible, The Other Family is domestic suspense turned up to 11, the gripping tale of one family’s cross-country move to Brooklyn—and the explosive revelations that follow when one woman is finally forced to reckon with her past. From her pitch-perfect characterizations to her unerring sense of plot and pace, Wendy Corsi Staub displays a command of the form that’s not merely masterful—it’s practically diabolical.”
—Elizabeth Little, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of Dear Daughter and Pretty as a Picture

“The prolific Corsi Staub turns in a stellar performance, creating a palpable sense of dread and generating the kind of suspense that keeps readers glued to the page.”
Booklist

“Chilling domestic thriller … Staub reliably entertains.”
Publishers Weekly

“The Other Family is Wendy Corsi Staub’s triumphant return to her roots. The simplicity of the storytelling is immediately arresting and immersive, even as you come to realize just how complex the book’s plotting and precision really is. Then, there’s that insidious sense of dread that grows ever more palpable until it becomes all-consuming. And a gasp-worthy final reveal will chill and thrill fans of the author’s work in equal measure. Sleepless nights are made of this…”
—John Valeri ,Criminal Element

“Expect to sleep with the lights on.”
—Pop Sugar

“…a complex and chilling tale of secrets and deception that generates tension that hooks the reader from the start and maintains that hold through myriad twists and a final chapter that delivers revelatory and harrowing shocks. Staub excels…as she spins an addictive tale…”
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

“a twisty-turny family drama filled with secrets … readers will be gobsmacked.”
— The Big Thrill

“Shocking.”
— Denver Post

“Organized crime, missing money, and a portrait of a grieving Victorian family play a role in this story. The Other Family delivers a high-quality ride on the rollercoaster of suspense, which is a trademark for Wendy Corsi Staub.”
— Novels Alive

“Staub keeps the suspense churning as this highly entertaining novel reaches its intriguing finale.”
— Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer

“Wendy Corsi Staub does a superb job of keeping many balls in the air at the same time without dropping a single one. Not only do we get the promised twists, the book’s final line is a real jaw-dropper!”
— Bookreporter

Lullaby and Goodnight

Lullaby and Goodnight

HUSH LITTLE BABY, DON’T YOU CRY.
At thirty-nine, Peyton Somerset has an enviable life, with a thriving advertising career and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. And now she’s going to have the one thing she wants most-a baby. Peyton’s biological clock went off just as her fiancé took off, leaving her at the altar. So Peyton’s going it alone. Already, she’s making plans for the little one inside her.buying the layette, daydreaming, and worrying over the littlest things. That’s only natural. All mothers do. But Peyton has reason to worry. In fact, she has every reason to be terrified.

MAMA WON’T BE SINGING ANY LULLABIES.
As the months pass, Peyton can’t help feeling that something is terribly wrong. She’s certain that someone has been in her apartment, that she’s being followed, that someone is watching her. Maybe it’s just hormonal paranoia that makes her distrust everyone around her. Or maybe her maternal instincts are dead on. Maybe there’s someone close who doesn’t think she should give birth at all. Someone who would do anything to have a baby. Anything.

“Brimming with intensity, Staub’s latest is mysteriously haunting, hinting at one person’s chilling obsession with punishing single mothers. As the clues fall into place, exposing a devious pattern of murder and abduction, readers will be enthralled by this white-knuckle ride and its masterful, gripping conclusion.”
—Sheri Melnick for Romantic Times

“What you might expect to be yet another female victim, stalker suspense thriller turns out to be a compelling novel, well-written and excellently plotted and with a strong female protagonist who will not be victimized…[Staub’s] mastery is evident as several subplots are introduced in the first chapter…With each chapter the tension grows, and the threats which at first are subtle and vague become clearer and stronger and more malevolent. LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT is Staub’s eighth suspense novel, all stand-alones that feature women in danger. This novel, as were Staub’s earlier works, is well-clued and so the careful reader may be able to reason out connections and threads.”
—Maureen Battistella, Reviewingtheevidence.com

“If you’ve never read this fantastic author, you’re truly missing out on some of the greatest domestic suspense stories around. What’s perhaps one of the most refreshing qualities of Staub’s tales is her everyday heroines; women who are smart, resourceful, and anything but your typical trembling victims. She convincingly takes an average woman, places her in an average life, and then BAM! throws in the punches, the danger, and the drama. All believable, and so all the more frightening. This latest is no exception. Slowly ratcheting up the suspense, creating plenty of red herrings, making everyone a possible suspect, she creates a story that page by page holds the reader enthralled with heady anticipation and thrills. As with all her previous, this one comes highly recommended.”
—Stephanie Padilla for New Mystery Reader

“Wendy Corsi Staub is a remarkable suspense writer who some…are comparing to Mary Higgins Clark. Ms. Staub sets the mood quickly and then carries the reader along by the back of the neck at incredible speeds until the bone-chilling end. As a reader I can generally spot the villain by midpoint…Not so with Lullaby and Goodnight. I was in the final few pages when the author allowed me to get a glimpse of what was to come, something I have come to expect with Wendy Corsi Staub.”
—Susan Johnson, Myshelf.com

“This frightening tale will leave readers saying no way throughout the reading, but at the end realize with some of the headline atrocities in the news yes way. The story line grips the audience, switching between the killer and several pregnant women…so that the audience sees various perspectives. Wendy Corsi Staub writes a frightening suspense thriller that grabs the attention of the audience with the comparison of a matricidal serial killer vs. pregnant victims going through the months of what should be joyful occasions.”
—Harriet Klausner

Kiss Her Goodbye

Kiss Her Goodbye

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
Woodsbridge, New York, is the sort of upscale community where the American Dream is alive and thriving-shiny cars, beautiful homes, and safe, tree-shaded streets. For Kathleen Carmody, moving to Woodsbridge is an attempt to escape memories of her own rough childhood and a shattering secret that still haunts her. It’s a place where her 13-year-old daughter Jen will have everything Kathleen didn’t.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO DIE
But suddenly, the sleepy, affluent suburb is gripped by fear. One by one, teenage girls are disappearing from Woodsbridge’s “safe” streets. Someone wants what these charmed people have. Someone who is targeting girls with long, blond hair and brown eyes…girls who look a lot like Jen. Someone who is watching and waiting for the moment Kathleen drops her guard and kisses her daughter goodbye…

“Staub does an excellent job of chronicling the growing fear in both the adult mind and the teenage mind, and the age gap consequences that result… For those who enjoy gripping suspense, this one comes with it in spades, along with plenty of suspects that will keep the reader guessing all the way until the end.”
Donna Padilla, New Mystery Reader

“If there is any suspense book that I’ll recommend to my friends this summer, it will be this one. Wendy Corsi Staub has a way of creating an unusual story and then twisting and weaving her way to a climatic ending that will leave you wondering how you never figured it out yourself. Be prepared to lose sleep over this particular book, as it will be hard to put it down until you’ve reached the ending.”
—A Romance Review

“This intensely gripping story takes place in suburban Buffalo, New York. Although it’s told from various points of view, the characters are crisp, and their voices are clearly defined. Story threads smartly intersect, with sharp, skilled precision. A deftly plotted page-turner.”
Cindy Harrison, Romantic Times magazine

“Manages to keep readers in the dark about the killer’s identity until the final pages. Corsi Staub throws in several credible red herrings…this competent mystery offers a challenging puzzle and some eerie chills.”
—Publishers Weekly

Don't Scream

Don’t Scream

DON’T TELL A SOUL.
In a remote, heavily wooded area near a Berkshires college campus, Rachel Lorant died on her birthday. But she didn’t die alone. That night, her four sorority sisters make a solemn, trembling pledge. They will never reveal what has just happened in those woods-ever. Instead, they will take their terrible secret to their graves.

DON’T THINK ABOUT THE PAST.
Now, ten years later, their secret is coming back to haunt them as each receives a card in the mail from Rachel: “Happy Birthday to Me. xoxo R.” It’s clear that somebody knows what happened that night. Someone is stalking them, sending mysterious and chilling gifts that only they can understand-deadly warnings of what is to come. For the sins of the past have come back with a vengeance, and a killer will see that they all pay in blood.

AND WHATEVER YOU DO—DON’T SCREAM.
Brynn Costello has never felt such pure fear. She didn’t want any part in what happened so long ago, but now, the mother of two will do anything to stay alive and protect her family—even if it means matching wits with a killer she can’t see. A twisted psychopath who is closer than she thinks and who is saving her death for last.

“DON’T SCREAM is an incredibly chilling novel that proves that Ms. Staub is a master of her craft! You are spooked, touched and want to jump inside the pages to help save lives. The characters are as real as you and I, so are their life stories. What got my undivided attention is that Ms. Staub takes us in the minds of both the victims and the psychopath killer and the story they tell will fascinate every reader.”
Nadine for Romance Junkies

“In Staub’s latest suspense novel (following last year’s bestseller “The Final Victim), four Massachusetts sorority sisters make a pact following the accidental death of their sorority sister, Rachel Lorant, on her birthday; together, they swear never to speak about what they saw that night. Ten years later, the women start receiving mysterious letters alluding to Rachel’s demise. When one of the four is brutally murdered on the night of her birthday, the others begin to worry what their own encroaching birthdays hold for them. While police try to track down the murderer, our heroines hold tight to their secrets, even as they’re hunted and killed one by one. By the time the past finally does come to light, it may be too late for one desperate survivor. Staub keeps things taut and unpredictable, changing perspective often and offering up a whole school of red herrings; capped with a gratifying conclusion, Staub’s latest is a surprisingly effective thriller.
—Publishers Weekly

“Staub’s work is perfect here. The plot moves things along in a steady and unhurried manner, and the personalities of the four principals (and their supporting characters) are true to life without being encumbered with clichés. The best part of the novel, however, is the mystery, which encompasses not only the who but the why of what is taking place between the covers. DON’T SCREAM is a can’t miss; after reading it, you’ll find that one of the strongest benefits of being a Staub fan is that you never have to wait too long for her next book.”
—Joe Hartlaub for Bookreporter.com

“Another top notch suspense thriller from popular author Wendy Corsi Staub. In a treacherous game of cat and mouse, each of Rachel’s Zeta Delta Kappa sisters is the target in a killer’s plan for revenge. Every written note, and each bloody message sent to Brynn, Fiona, Tildy, and Cassie brings them one step closer to their own demise. The killer wants every one of them dead, and as the clock ticks and each of their birthdays moves forward on the calendar, they get one step closer to terror. Who will be the first to die (in this) spine tingling, hair-raising story of vengeance and retribution? The secondary characters are dynamic and provide a multitude of red herrings as we look for the killer amongst them. Isaac Halpern is still obsessed with her death and makes the pilgrimage to Cedar Crest yearly on Rachel’s birthday. Brynn’s husband Garth writes about death and darkness, and is keeping secrets from his wife. Emily, Fiona’s bumbling new assistant, is on the verge of being fired with each mistake she makes that sabotages Fiona’s business. Tildy’s unwanted admirer, Ray Wilmington is stalking her, waiting, and wanting a relationship, determined to get his way with Tildy. Alec, Cassie’s fiancé, is totally unaware that Cassie is unhappy. Don’t miss this book!”
Diana Risso, Romance Reviews Today

“Wendy Corsi Staub has a long list of successful thrillers to her credit. Her latest, Don’t Scream, is another convincing and chilling suspense story where the author nimbly juggling various interconnecting plotlines and showcases four very different and believable protagonists. She also peppers the plot with plenty of red herrings by shifting viewpoints often as Brynn, Fiona, Cassie and Tildy take turns showing readers what’s going on in their lives and how they remember the night of Rachel’s death. Plenty of secrets still abound and once they’re brought to light the tension increases and the action escalates to an exciting and surprising conclusion, making Don’t Scream an effective and page-turning thriller.”
Book Loons

“DON’T SCREAM is a multifaceted mystery novel about life altering mistakes, evil vengeance and love lost, betrayed and redeemed. Gifted Wendy Corsi Staub masterfully tells the stories of each character to lay a solid background for her enthralling plot. I took this book on spring vacation and could hardly bare to put it down. The nail biting suspense and realistic dialog kept me attuned to every nuance as I tried to solve Rachel’s mystery. I assure you dear readers; DON’T SCREAM will thrill and entertain you long after the last page is read.”
—Donna at CatRomance.com

“Ms. Corsi Staub hooks readers from the first word and draws you into her tantalizing plot of murder and revenge. As always, her stories unwind with a slow but steady pace, building suspense with practiced ease. The book reminded me of classic Hitchcock fare-each layer teasingly revealed, as readers find a new piece to the mysterious puzzle. And as with Hitchcock, the end is a complete shocker. Don’t Scream is a taut chiller-thriller you won’t soon forget. Recommended read.”
Cerri Ellis for Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine

“DON’T SCREAM is a fabulous thriller that will keep you glued to the pages until the very last twist.
Jessica Smith for Fresh Fiction

“Staub’s latest is the quintessential thriller — packed full of scintillating suspense, deadly secrets and a multitude of murderous suspects. This novel is a scary roller-coaster ride that carries you along until the breathless conclusion.”
Sheri Melnick for Romantic Times; (4 1/2 stars) TOP PICK

“Suspenseful, thrilling, utterly believable. Great book by Ms. Staub! Five Stars.”
—Brenda A. Snodgrass, ArmchairInterviews.com

“The suspense in this novel is breathtaking. The twists and shocks in the plot are stunning. Each character is described in exquisite detail, and the angst builds throughout the story. From Rachel’s sorority sisters to her stepbrother, you wonder who could be behind the threats? What secrets did Rachel hide from the others? What secrets did the girls hide from themselves? You will be kept guessing until the end with this fabulous thriller.”
Rista Tompkins for Romance Readers Connection

“Readers who like the chilling thriller works of P.J Tracy and T.J. MacGregor will find DON’T SCREAM enthralling. Although Brynn is the prime protagonist, the story line is told from the points of view of all four of the women. This leads the audience wondering who will survive if any and just who the killer is as Wendy Corsi Staub provides readers with a fantastic cat and mouse thriller.”
Harriet Klausner for The Best Reviews

Most Likely to Die

Most Likely to Die

New York Times bestselling authors Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton, and Wendy Corsi Staub join forces to create a thrilling novel about love, revenge, and the dark secrets three women hold to a terrifying murder.

A KILLER WHO GETS AWAY WITH MURDER ONCE.
It’s been twenty years since Jake Marcott was brutally murdered at the St. Elizabeth’s High School Valentine’s Day dance. It’s a night that shattered the lives of three girls in Jake’s life-Lindsay Farrell, Kirsten Daniels, and Rachel Alsace. It’s a night they’ll never forget. A killer will make sure of that.

FINDS IT EASIER TO KILL AGAIN.
A 20-year reunion has been scheduled for St. Elizabeth’s. For some alumni, very special invitations have been sent: their smiling senior pictures slashed by an angry red line.

AND AGAIN.AND AGAIN.
Three women have been marked for death. Tonight, as the music plays, and the doors of St. Elizabeth are sealed, a killer will finish what was started long ago, and the sins of the past will be paid for in blood.

“Each author has a distinctive style, and yet together they blend into a wonderfully taut, unique, and chilling voice. A frightening roller coaster of a story guaranteed to keep readers hanging on every page, Most Likely To Die tops my list of this year’s “Most Likely to Be A Number One Bestseller,” with just cause.”
Cerri Ellis for Armchair Interviews

“Rather than produce a traditional suspense anthology, the powerhouse trio of Jackson, Barton and Staub have combined their impressive talents for a spine-tingling tale with three different heroines. It’s a testament to their abilities that this book feels almost seamless. Brava to all!”
Jill M. Smith, RT Book Reviews

“When Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton, and Wendy Corsi team up, they produce one of the most frightening thrillers of the year. Although each writer has their own style, MOST LIKELY TO DIE is written so smoothly it is impossible to figure who wrote what. The characters in their traumatic circumstances are totally realistic making this feel like a real crime drama and one work readers will definitely remember.”
Harriet Klausner

The Final Victim

The Final Victim

WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND.
Everyone in Savannah, Georgia knows the Remington estate. The rambling old house bears blatant testimony not just to the esteemed family’s vast wealth, but to unbearable tragedy and whispered secrets. Soon, the Remingtons will all come home to this secluded plantation nestled deep in the shadow of moss-covered trees. Then they will have to die.one by one.

HASN’T JUST COME BACK TO HAUNT HER.
For Charlotte Remington Maitland, the past five years have been a haze of pain and loss. Now, with her new husband and teenaged daughter, she’s found a second chance at happiness-until the moment her grandfather’s will is read. As the sole beneficiary of the vast Remington estate, Charlotte will get everything that’s coming to her. A killer will make sure of that-no matter who has to die.

IT’S COME BACK TO KILL HER.
Trapped in a house of lies, searching for answers to deadly questions, Charlotte has never been more afraid. Someone knows her family’s deepest secrets. Someone who will take Charlotte to the edge of sanity and the dark heart of her greatest fear in order to make her…

“Welcome to Achoco Island, where the oak trees dripping with Spanish moss hide crocodile infested swamps, snakes, and all things creepy. It’s only a matter of time before THE FINAL VICTIM is chosen. The Remingtons have a multitude of skeletons in their closets, and Oakgate is host to most of them, complete with creaking, rotting floorboards, a secret passageway, people who lurk in the shadows on a regular basis, and maybe a resident ghost or two. One by one, as each victim falls, the body count rises and the suspense chills. Who wants revenge and why? The plethora of characters are fully fleshed out in this suspenseful thriller about greed and family secrets. Each thread that unravels is seamlessly sewn tight as the book comes to its conclusion. You will not want to miss THE FINAL VICTIM — it will keep you turning pages far into the nightor maybe hiding under the covers instead.”
Diana Risso for Romance Reviews Today

“This character-driven thriller is a study of madness and murder, and it promises to keep you glued to your chair while you try to figure out who is behind the violent, scary deaths. Wendy Corsi Staub is a master of pyschological suspense, and she presents the reader with shocks and twists galore in this outstanding tale. The characters are three-dimensional, real, and flawed–and one of them is a killer. The Final Victim is imaginative, splendidly plotted, and a very satisfying read.”
Betty Cox, Affaire de Coeur

“THE FINAL VICTIM is an intriguing tale of revenge, murder and past skeletons that could be the downfall of the Remington family. Ms. Staub pens a fascinating tale with compelling characters and an intense plot that will have you wanting to read it all in one sitting to see who the murderer is. There is a multitude of characters that are night and day from each other and it adds a lot of pizzazz to the story. Just when I thought I figured out the suspect, Ms. Staub threw a wrench in my line of thinking and I was back to square one to figuring out who it is. I was completely shocked at the identity of the mastermind. If you like spine-chilling tales with an intense plot, then THE FINAL VICTIM is a must read.”
—Romance Junkies

“This story soon draws in readers with its many different character threads. They gradually intertwine and come together in a startling conclusion. The back-and-forth switching from one character’s story to another is smooth and keeps the suspense building. Staub’s latest is a book that’s difficult to put down.”
Susan Mobley for Romantic Times

“Wendy Corsi Staub writes a psychological suspense tale that pulls the reader deeply into the exhilarating story line. The characters are fully developed whether they are the protagonists or the antagonists although the audience will not be sure who to classify where. THE FINAL VICTIM is fast-paced and action-packed while focusing on a heroine who though she has suffered traumatically has courageously rebuilt her life and refuses to allow anyone to destroy it or those she cherishes.”
Harriet Klausner

She Loves Me Not

She Loves Me Not

SHE LOVES ME…SHE LOVES ME NOT
Life goes on. That’s what young widow Rose Larrabee tells herself each day as she has to be both mother and father to her two young children, a task that leaves little time for new romance. That’s why she’s surprised to find the simple, homemade valentine in her mailbox, a paper heart with no signature. It could be a sweet reminder, but for Rose, the red heart has special significance…a link to a secret she shares with two other women…a secret that has just gotten one of them brutally murdered.

I WANT HER…I WANT HER DEAD
Now, as the phone rings in the night, playing a song that sends chills down Rose’s spine, and more heart-shaped gifts arrive mysteriously, the young mother is determined to protect her family from a threat she cannot see but knows is there…watching. And as another woman is killed, it becomes clear that each valentine is not the gift of a secret admirer but a warning from a twisted madman who’s getting closer to the very heart of her deepest fears…

“Wendy Corsi Staub does it again! Her multi-plotted and highly suspenseful novels never fail to get the heart going, this one being even better than the last. Her main, and even secondary, characters are so richly drawn, her plotting so swift, and her ability to keep the reader guessing so perfectly maneuvered, that the reader will find it virtually impossible to put this book down. If you haven’t read this extremely talented author, go out and get all her books, because I guarantee, one won’t be enough.”
—New Mystery Reader

“If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you’ll love Wendy Corsi Staub.”
—NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Jackson

“Wendy Corsi Staub has written an exciting suspense thriller that will keep readers turning the pages until they find out whom the killer is. The various sub-plots seamlessly tie back to the fast-paced and intricately drawn (with subtle gothic elements) prime story line. The heroine is a woman who endears herself to the audience who hopes she will not become the murderers third victim.”
Harriet Klausner

She Loves Me Not is a story filled with tension. I was holding my breath throughout half the book, wondering who the stalker was. The best thing about this book was Rose. She kept her cool at all times and never did anything that was stupid. She had no desire to be a woman in jeopardy and I appreciated that change from many books today. I thought Staub was clever but never deceitful in her clues to the reader.”
—I Love A Mystery

The Last to Know

The Last to Know

Townsend Heights is the perfect small town. Sleepy, tree-lined streets. Good Schools. A quick commute to the city. The sort of peaceful, suburban existence Tasha Banks dreamed of living when she left her fast-paced career for full-time motherhood.

But now, Tasha’s perfect dream is turning into a terrifying nightmare. Someone is targeting women in Townsend Heights—and not just any women. A serial killer is looking for a particular kind of prey…young, stay-at-home mothers…exactly like Tasha. One by one, Tasha’s friends are disappearing, only to die in horrific ways. Suddenly, terror is transforming Townsend Heights into a sinister place of fear and foreboding—a place where evil lurks behind every corner, hiding behind the mask of a familiar face—a face that may be the last one Tasha ever sees…

“Nicely book-ended by a brisk early murder and a clever denouement…Staub effectively portrays the stresses of motherhood and draws her characters with sympathetic detail…Staub’s daring ending is an attention grabber.”
—Publisher’s Weekly 2/5/01

[RT Top Pick/Gold Medal Review] “The Last To Know is a deliciously creepy novel that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. The thrills are intense, the heroine easy to identify with, and the suspense never stops. Only the brave will read this when they’re home alone.”
—Romantic Times, March 2001

“This suspense thriller runs the gamut of emotions from start to finish. It’s a book not to be missed if you want your heart to beat faster, if you want to constantly look behind you, and if you want to sleep with the lights on. Don’t go out alone and don’t turn your back; it could kill you. If Ms. Staub wanted to scare us, she did. It’s great!”
—Old Book Barn Gazette 1/24/01

“Wendy Corsi Staub is making quite a popular name for herself amidst the psychological suspense audience as a master of escalating tension that even frightens the reader. THE LAST TO KNOW is not the type of action thriller that one reads when no one else is around because as it happened to Jane, it could happen to you.”
—Midwest Book Review

All the Way Home

All the Way Home

Lake Charlotte. A quiet little town in upstate New York. The perfect place to raise a family. Or is it? People still talk about that summer ten years ago when four teenage girls mysteriously disappeared. No on remembers that summer more vividly than Rory Connolly. Her older sister Carleen vanished from her bed in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The fear and uncertainty of Carleen’s fate destroyed Rory’s family and her only escape was college. When she left Lake Charlotte, she vowed never to return. But now, ten years later, Rory Connolly is coming home.

It’s only supposed to be for the summer while her brother’s away. Until then, Rory has to cope with her mother’s slow descent into insanity and her rebellious teenage sister Molly. The arrival of Barrett Maitland only makes things worse. The handsome stranger knows to much about the past and is constantly asking Rory questions. She wants to trust him, but can’t; she’s caught him in one lie too many. It’s almost as if he has something to hide.

Then, on the anniversary of the very first disappearance, another teenage girl vanishes. Just like Carleen. Once again, Lake Charlotte is gripped in fear, and for Rory, it’s the past nightmare revisited. Only this time, her own life is in jeopardy. For walking through the streets of the town, wearing a familiar face, is a cunning killer with a chilling personal message: “Welcome home, Rory. You’ve been gone such a long time, but now that you’re back, you’re never going to leave Lake Charlotte again…”

“Heavily plotted from page one…builds suspense…focused and believable.”
—Kirkus

“Scary…the characters are well-drawn and the atmosphere is suitably Gothic. Staub keeps readers guessing through a series of believable red herrings and clues.”
Publisher’s Weekly

“Filled with danger, suspense, and surprises…a most delectable read. Staub is a master at creating scary situations and the spookiest of characters. You’ll find yourself looking over your shoulder long after the last page is turned.”
—Romantic Times

“Plenty of flashbacks…cause the reader to peg the stalker, mistakenly, again and again…An entertaining tale…Succeeds as an engrossing, suspenseful thriller.”
—Booklist

“An edge of your seat and up all night type of suspense…as good a read as the best of Sidney Sheldon or Mary Higgins Clark.”
—The Snooper

Fade to Black

Fade to Black

Elizabeth Baxter is a quiet brunette living in the sleepy village of Windmere Cove, Rhode Island. She doesn’t socialize, has no friends, and when she’s outside, she constantly looks over her shoulder. That’s because Elizabeth’s living in fear. Keeping her past a secret. And sometimes, secrets can kill….

It begins with the arrival of a pink envelope: the postmark reads Windmere Cove, and there’s no return address. Elizabeth’s world crashes when she opens the card and reads the message inside: I know who you are. Five years ago, she was Mallory Eden, Hollywood’s hottest actress. Blonde and beautiful, her life was a dream come true…until a mysterious stalker turned it into a nightmare and left her with no other choice but to make the everyone think she was dead and begin a new life.

As the days progress, the tension escalates as the old pattern repeats itself: when the phone rings, no one’s on the other end; her house is broken into and ransacked. And then there’s the sense that she’s being watched. Frightened, Elizabeth finds solace in the arms of Harper Smith, the only person she has befriended in town. As their relationship deepens, Elizabeth wants to tell Harper the truth—until she learns of his unspoken past—a past that connects to Mallory Eden’s…

“Plenty of flashbacks…cause the reader to peg the stalker, mistakenly, again and again…An entertaining Tale.”–Booklist…. “An edge of your seat and up all night type of suspense…as good a read as the best of Sidney Sheldon or Mary Higgins Clark.”
—The Snooper

“Cleverly conceived and flawlessly executed.”
John Lutz, Author of The Ex and Single White Female

“Fade to Black belongs in the could-not-put-it-down category. It flows along like a good movie with many dark and scary pools of dread, yet it lets you fall asleep peacefully when the last page is turned.”
—Gothic Journal

“A great story told in a hip, fast-paced style that grips you from the first page and never lets go. Full of shocking twists and turns. This is a terrific Read.”
James Neal Harvey, Author of Mental Case

“A fast and fascinating suspense story…If you are a Mary Higgins Clark fan, you will enjoy this one.”
—I Love a Mystery

“Terrific page-turning suspense. Taut and gripping. Will keep readers up long into the night!”
Gloria Murphy, Author of Simon Says

Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved

TO HAVE…
On a windswept New England island, he waits, fingering the satin-and-lace wedding gowns he’s had made for each of them…the dresses they will wear when he kills them.

TO HOLD…
Three women have come to the Bramble Rose Inn. For Sandy Cavelli, it’s a chance to meet the romantic man who answered her personal ad. Liza Danning hopes to land a publishing deal with a reclusive author. And for Jennie Towne, it’s an opportunity to get away, even if it means pretending to be her twin sister who won the weekend in a charity raffle. They’re three women with nothing in common…or so it seems…

TO DIE
Now, as a storm bears down on the eerie, isolated inn, three women are plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. For someone has chosen them, someone consumed by revenge, someone who wants to have them all for better…for worse…till death do us part…

“Haunting suspense story of three women in jeopardy. Packed with Gothic elements, this book offers a breathless, masterful roller-coaster ride. The isolated Victorian mansion holds many secrets, enhanced by a creepy atmosphere and the unrelenting stormy weather. Wendy Corsi Staub is a superb writer who leaves no strands dangling in her complex plot. Her characters are courageous, real people whom the reader cares about. Dearly Beloved is a terrifyingly good read.”
—Gothic Journal