Second Death

by Donna K. Fitch, Renee Barratt (Illustrator), Kathryn Ptacek (Editor)

Mark’s life has gotten complicated. On top of his blackouts and visions of desperate pursuit by Yankee bushwhackers through a Southern forest, his wife Janet’s accidental revelation rocked his confidence in their relationship. She wants him to consult her psychic ex-boyfriend Daniel about the visions. His suicidal father claims their family is cursed. His sister backs it up with accounts of disturbing deaths of past relatives. Now he’s tempted by Victoria, an alluring woman who offers to help him sort out his problems. But why is her aunt with a fetish for mathematical calculations interested in their relationship? Why are the visions increasing in intensity? And why does he get the feeling his father’s ravings about a curse were all too true?

280 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2011

About the author

Born in Huntsville, Alabama, the "Rocket City," Donna K. Fitch grew up hearing the sound of rocket testing at Redstone Arsenal and graduated from a high school named for Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, the astronaut who died in Apollo 1. She also heard tales of the ghost of Sally Carter and the "old Grizzard Mansion" near her home, said to be haunted. This background, when mixed with an early diet of Dr. Seuss, the reference section of the Oak Park Public Library, 1930s mystery stories and the Gothic novels of Victoria Holt, set her to writing her own stories at age 13. Later literary influences spilled into Donna's writing--Ambrose Bierce, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft and Tim Powers--to give it more than a tinge of paranormal and the macabre. Her love of research led her to a Master's in Library Service, and her fascination with HTML led her to switch careers from academic librarian to web designer. For fun, she visits cemeteries--the older the better--and plays roleplaying games.

Reviews

[Christy Brown Lee]

I am such an avid reader that I can usually spot the coming plot twist a mile away. Not this time. Donna Fitch takes amazing twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading Second Death (which will be from the time you pick it up until you have finished the book). I envy this woman's imagination. Give this book a try. You will not regret it.

[Rena]

I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. Thank you. Looks good. Can’t wait to read it.

[Paul Kater]

Second Death got me in an incredible way. The story began interesting, moved to and fro without becoming a puzzle while a puzzle was in fact unfolding on the pages, among the members of the Giles family. Spanning many generations, a big family issue is coming to light. An issue so complex and mind-boggling that people to try to use the power that envelopes it for their own plans.

Follow the astounding discoveries of Mark Richards as he works his way through libraries and history, flashbacks and revelations.

And the end? I’m not going to tell you, read it yourself. One thing’s certain: I didn’t see that one coming.

[Pamela Fitros]

This book goes directly to my favorites shelf. It is a real can't-put-down-page-turner. It is so well written. I'm good at predicting endings, but this ending had me dropping my jaw. I had to reread a few paragraphs to really believe the final twist.

The narrator pov is seamlessly merged with dialog. Fresh and unexpected metaphors and similes. The storyline and character development is right up there with the best of the well loved authors. In short: I so enjoyed this book and I know I will reread it many times.

[Winnifred]

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!

Awesome synopsis! We need more of these stories to be published in today's mainstream of books.

It was good paced, with a good plot line to keep me motivated enough to keep reading it!