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What if the only way to save your child’s life was to take part in a deadly game?

For the Watsons their worst nightmare becomes a reality when their daughter, Ruby, is kidnapped. But that’s only the beginning. When they receive a text message inviting them to take part in a deadly game, things get a whole lot worse.

They learn another girl has also been taken and they must compete against the other parents in a sick challenge to win their daughter back.

There can be only one winner.

One girl will live and one will die.
How far would you go to save your child?


This book is part of the DS Jack Mackinnon Series but can be read as a standalone.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2016

734 people are currently reading
261 people want to read

About the author

D.S. Butler

35 books911 followers
Author of the Karen Hart series. Ex-biochemist turned crime-writer. Huge Queen fan. Loves to read crime fiction.

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5 stars
1,887 (58%)
4 stars
969 (30%)
3 stars
280 (8%)
2 stars
45 (1%)
1 star
25 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Gary.
3,092 reviews425 followers
June 11, 2023
This is the seventh book in the DS Jack Mackinnon series by author D.S Butler. I have read a few books from this series and although I have enjoyed the previous reads this is the first one that left me thinking I want to read more. Good solid characters in well written plots with lots of action make these books enjoyable reads.

For the Watsons their worst nightmare becomes a reality when their daughter, Ruby, is kidnapped. But that’s only the beginning. When they receive a text message inviting them to take part in a deadly game, things get a whole lot worse.
They learn another girl has also been taken and they must compete against the other parents in a sick challenge to win their daughter back.
There can be only one winner.

Intriguing synopsis made this an addictive and fascinating read. I normally like to read series in order but my experience with this one is that they can be read easily as standalones.
Profile Image for helen.
254 reviews2 followers
September 27, 2016
This series is really worth reading

Each book has a good story line. Action right from the beginning. Interesting caricatures . I can recommend these books. You can read all the books standalone.
Profile Image for Emma Taylor.
158 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2025
I’ve generally enjoyed the books in this series but this just didn’t do it for me and felt pretty flat. A generous 3*
Profile Image for EcoBookWorm.
42 reviews
March 22, 2020
A gripping read

As ever D.S Butler makes you want more!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting back into the series with this book after a break from reading, (longer then I’d like to admit : / ) such a gripping story line.

What made it more interesting for me was the real life elements of these crimes. Some other novels storylines are fairly stretched with strong emotionless lead characters, not Jack MacKinnon. His character is developing as time goes on, and the family dramas are fairly quiet in this book (he does need a break sometimes!). But the crimes committed are what we hear about across the world everyday, that’s what makes this book more chilling but you can’t help but carry on reading!

I’m back on my game and reading 2-3 books in a week. Let’s see if I can finish the series tomorrow XD

Overall, this is a complete must-read for all you detective buffs out there. This series will not disappoint!

Happy reading - especially during these uncertain times.
Profile Image for Kim.
433 reviews
May 1, 2020
4 1/2 stars- I love this author. I’m going to run out of her books soon! I worried from the description this would be darker than it was, but it wasn’t. Fast paced and I’ve had a hard time putting these books down. I normally just listen to books but these titles aren’t available on audiobooks through my library so I’ve been reading them on kindle. That actually says a lot about how good these books are.
Profile Image for Nick Crocker.
18 reviews
December 14, 2019
Great reading, great characters

I have reas all the McKinninon series and the characters and proceedures are very well crafted. As a former police officer and a fellow writer I often cringe at some of the fantastic errors made in fiction but in D S Butlers stories the flow and accuracy is excellent. Looking forward to the next one.
34 reviews
May 7, 2021
Groundhog Day

I have given three stars this time instead of five. Inspire of the fact that I keep reading them, they are more and more just a variation on a theme. It's like reading the same book over and over again. Mackinnon always gets injured at the end of every one. But I won't be able to resist reading the next in the series; just waiting for a bit of a shake up!
Profile Image for Linda.
115 reviews
June 29, 2017
I love the 'Deadly' series. The characters are real and you can empathise with them. DS Butler knows how write a good story. Looking forward to the next book, which might resolve a frustrating ending for the detectives in this latest book! I'm not giving too much away!
Profile Image for Nathan Hill.
131 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2019
Fantastic

I am now looking forward to starting the next book in this series. I have trouble putting them down. So easy to read and leave you wanting to read the next one.. Thank you for this fascinating serier
38 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2019
Riveting!

Dark in places,but had me on edge of my seat.
Very happy that although sexual tendencies were implied
I was happy that the abuse was not described.
Recommended read.
Read all 7 back to back. Loved them all.
19 reviews
April 25, 2019
Highly enjoyable, readable, interesting

I read the series back to back because they were so enjoyable. Readability score has to be 10/10. Interesting plots with comfortably genuine characters and interesting but realistic outcomes. Please write some more.
669 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this episode and am sorry to coming to

an end of thos well written series. As his was my first outing woth this author I shall miss the humour and excitement of these stories.
Profile Image for Bob.
176 reviews
December 26, 2020
An excellent story ... Deadly Game

As with the others in this series I found this book to be riveting through to the end. A great story and given that personal touch so one became involved all throughout.
Highly recommend.
28 reviews
May 11, 2021
Unputdownable

I was kept very entertained reading this book. The police officers seem real and not everything goes as expected. The same for the story, it goes off at a tangent. Looking forward to the next Deadly book.
1,181 reviews6 followers
November 15, 2024
Another Excellent Story

Another excellent story by D aS Butler in the Back MacKinnon series with all the usual. A very good storyline that moved at a fast pace and had plenty of twists and turns.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
16 reviews
May 19, 2025
I hate it when the book ends without a proper finish

This is book number 7 and every book leaves the reader wondering what happens, and does not pick it up in the next book. Hopefully book 8 ties up the loose ends. The books are still a reasonable read, but without a finish.
64 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2017
Abduction

Yet again another brilliant book by DS Butler. I know when I get to read one of these books it will be a good one.
Profile Image for Jan Convey.
14 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2018
Jack McKinnon, solves more crime

Another good easy read, thoroughly enjoyed it. Think D'S McKinnon does his job very well, with look forward to the next one
Profile Image for Gary Van Cott.
1,446 reviews8 followers
September 30, 2018
3.5 stars. I thought this was more interesting then many of the British police procedurals I have read lately.
517 reviews3 followers
July 4, 2019
Read in one sitting!!!

Again a very good story, this book was written so well. The main character is really very scary. This book would definitely make a great film.
9 reviews
July 12, 2019
Bril

Hard to keep finding something differed to say after each book. However yet another excellent story and am looking forward to starting the next book
Profile Image for Denise.
20 reviews
July 29, 2019
A good standalone book

I have read all the books in Jack McKinnon series so far. They are an easy read and you do get caught up in the storylines.
34 reviews
August 1, 2020
Great read

Another great follow up adventure with the best Detective on the case of course I mean the one and only DS Jack MacKinnon .
Profile Image for Kath.
1,066 reviews26 followers
April 18, 2021
Love this series. Great believable characters, and solider plots all along.
27 reviews
May 2, 2021
Good storyline

I enjoyed this book even tho i figured out very early on who was behind the kidnapping. This is an enjoyable series
Profile Image for Ashley  Smith.
27 reviews
June 2, 2021
Great read

I read it in less then 12 hours because I couldn’t stop reading. It was such a captivating story!!! Must read.
Profile Image for Sharon Austin.
56 reviews
November 27, 2021
Definitely the best story so far! Couldn’t read it fast enough these books are getting better and better, now onto the next one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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