In Gone to Ground (2012), a suspense novel by Brandilyn Collins, a mysterious killer terrorizes a small, forgotten American town, and the townsfolk must join forces to catch the killer. Winner of the 2013 INSPY Award for Mystery and Thriller Novels, critics praise it for its emotional intensity, underlying Christian themes, and careful plotting. An internationally bestselling novelist, Collins typically writes suspense novels with religious themes, otherwise known as “Seatbelt Suspense.” The author of popular fiction writing books, she is a highly sought-after creative writing teacher and speaker. Gone to Ground takes place in Amaryllis, Mississippi, a town where everybody knows everybody, and there is supposedly no such thing as secrets. The locals are friendly, and the families all support each other. However, there is a dangerous side to Amaryllis. Rumor has it that a ghost haunts its streets, and no one visits the local cemetery after dark. The ghost isn’t the only inhabitant terrorizing Amaryllis. There is a murderer on the prowl. Five unsolved murders have occurred in Amaryllis over the course of three years. The victims are all women and they all died in similar ways. Most significantly, each was stabbed to death in her home and dumped in a closet. Everyone in Amaryllis suspects someone different, but there is no evidence to suggest who the real murderer is. Gone to Ground begins with a sixth murder. The victim is a woman called Erika. The perpetrator killed her at home. To the people of Amaryllis, it appears that the elusive killer has struck again. However, when the police arrest a harmless local man, everyone suspects that the real killer is still out there and will strike again. Gone to Ground has three narrators: Cherrie Mae, Tully, and Deena. Cherrie Mae works as a home-helper and cleaner; she doesn’t take nonsense from anyone. Deena, a talented hairdresser, is a quiet woman who doesn’t enjoy gossiping. Tully’s whole life revolves around her husband. Reserved, she doesn’t have many friends. Her only socialization is Sunday service at the local church. Deena’s brother is now in custody and everyone vows to help prove his innocence. The main problem is that every resident has a different theory as to who the real murderer is, which they don’t share. The only secret between them all, it’s so powerful that it threatens to break up the community. Cherrie Mae believes that the local mayor is the real killer. His daily housecleaner, one day she found evidence in his desk drawer—graphic, violent pictures that suggest the major enjoys cruelty and sexual violence. She hasn’t told anyone yet because she knows that no one will believe her. Tully, on the other hand, suspects her abusive husband. He is violent and cruel toward women, and she knows that he is capable of murder. He also had recently slept with Erika and is one of the last people to see Erika alive. Deena doesn’t want to suspect her brother, but when no other suspects materialize, she soon realizes that he might be the murderer after all. As the investigation comes to a standstill, another character comes forward: Trent Williams is an amateur reporter. He plans to solve the case, hoping to receive a Pulitzer for his writing. This report could turn him into a professional reporter and he is determined to find the real murderer. Trent interviews the three women to finds out what they know. He encourages them to share their suspicions with each other because everyone must work together to solve such a serious crime. Despite their misgivings, the women confide in each other, sharing the evidence they have gathered. In the meantime, Deena’s brother awaits trial for a murder he very possibly did not commit. Cherrie Mae tells the others to never speak of her suspicions about the mayor until she gathers more evidence. Deena tells them that she’ll expose the mayor if it means clearing her brother, and Tully says that her husband will kill them all if they blame him before there is enough evidence to convict him. All the while, Trent wonders if the murderer is someone they’ve never considered before. He is convinced that the real killer is hiding in plain sight, watching this all unfold. The women become firm friends and talk about the problems in their lives. Deena admits that she once loved her husband until she found out that he cheated on her with many women. Cherrie Mae talks about her special relationship with God, and how it is all that gets her through the day sometimes. Tully explains that her husband was a good man once, but after a while, he changed and became abusive. For the first time, the women feel that they have real friends. The murderer turns out to be someone that no one expects, just as Trent predicted. He writes his article on the now so-called “Closet Killer” and wins his Pulitzer Prize. He invites Deena to run away to start a new life with him, but she’s too wrapped up in Amaryllis to leave. The book ends on a hopeful note.

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