Dead Wrong

by Clair M. Poulson

Kaitlyn Glenn is alone in the world. Disowned by family after her baptism, her only friend is the beloved horse she rides as a champion barrel racer. But loneliness is the least of Kaitlyn’s problems. Her competitor’s jealous father has vowed to sabotage her success. And her former boss — the handsome, rich, and extremely dangerous Jace Landry — stalks every move of this beautiful and talented cowgirl. Aided by a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat, Kaitlyn escapes Jace’s iron grip and flees. On the road, she finds protection and companionship with a loyal trucker named Celia. But when Jace puts seedy private investigator Myler Keegan on Kaitlyn’s trail, she must outrun two men who will stop at nothing to feed their violent obsession. And when her cruel stepbrother joins the hunt, Kaitlyn faces lethal danger from every angle. With deft skill, master of suspense Clair Poulson serves up nonstop action that pulls readers into Kaitlyn’s pulse-pounding race to freedom — and love.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Lds, Suspense, Romance, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Clair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.

He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.

In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.

Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.

Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.

Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to rate a book like this? I have such mixed feelings about this one.

The good...
I listened to the audio version and found it highly entertaining. I liked the characters Poulson developed. There were the makings of a great story and characters in this book. And it did hold my interest clear to the end.

HOWEVER...

What the heck! This book is so completely unbelievable. I found myself rolling my eyes as the story progressed. How many coincidences does the author think are possible in one weeks time? By the halfway point I just couldn't buy into this story as being even remotely possible. I finished it simply to see how it all ended and then the ending was completely rushed and cheesy.

So overall 3 stars - 4 stars for entertainment value and 2 stars for the story.

Roxanne - My guess is you will not love it!

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

It went from bad to worse. Then amazingly -- I didn't think it could happen -- it got to the horrible phase. And then it ended.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so sick of LDS fiction being so happily ever after. Really?! Like, really.
...'I saw her at a rodeo and now I can't get her out of my mind. I just feel so... drawn to her.'
...'I haven't been able to get him out of my mind for days.'
Can't something... I don't know... unpredictable happen in this genre every once in a while? Because, let's be honest... this sort of crap doesn't actually happen in real life.

[rcrockett · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know that ashamed, guilty feeling you get when you find yourself watching part of a soap opera because there is nothing else on TV? You change the channel for two reasons. 1) It was so stupid that you actually felt yourself losing brain cells. 2) You would feel embarrassed if anyone walked in the room and caught you watching something so mindless. That is how it felt to read this book.

My mom and I listened to the book while we were packing. Throughout the book, we were rolling our eyes at how stupid, how cheesy, and how unbelievable it was. There were far too many coincidences for the story to be remotely believable. For example, the private eye decided to try and track down this cowboy from a rodeo that happened two weeks earlier. The only thing he knew about the kid was that he wore a black cowboy hat. Really!? He found him because of a black cowboy hat being worn at a rodeo? Has Poulson ever been to a rodeo?

Also, the amount of detail included just got irritating. Like when the police officer was telling the main girl about the purse they found, he told her that the purse was given to the lady by her husband two weeks ago because it was her birthday present. Who bloody cares? And how is that supposed to add to the story? The book was full of pointless details like that.

The characters also got under my skin. They were stupid, unbelievable, and irritating. The main girl reminded me of those brainless chicks who die during the first 5 minutes of a horror movie because they do the exact opposite of what any semi-intelligent person would do.

A positive about this book is that it was clean, although it felt more like a Sunday school lesson at times. My mom and I did manage to make it to the end (which was abrupt and completely predictable); however, we both agreed not to admit to anyone else that we listened to it, as we both felt embarrassed to have actually spent our time listening to such a poorly written book. It was honestly quite painful. I'd rather watch a Spanish soap opera.

[Debi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the most painful books I've ever read. Totally cheesy...seemed forced (at times seemed more like a Sunday School lesson than an entertaining book)...too many "convenient" coincidences...and just plain terrible writing. It was the first Poulson book I've read/heard (book on CD) and will definitely be the last. My daughter and I listened to it together while we worked, and we laughed out loud at some of the ridiculous statements and utter nonsense and inane phrases that were meant to be serious. And apparently the reader is assumed to have the attention span and memory of a gnat. For example...how many times do we need to be reminded that Dan is Brock's old missionary companion? And the unnecessary details really bogged the story down. What purpose does it serve to tell us that the hitchhiker's purse was one her husband gave her just two weeks ago as a birthday present? What does that have to do with anything? And the behavior/conversations of the cops was ridiculous and very unrealistic and...yes...laughable. But I think our favorite line was...wait for it..."The water was wet." Shocker! If you want a painfully ridiculous read, this is it. But if you want a GOOD read...keep looking.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give it 3 stars..though it probably deserves a 2.5. I really enjoyed the first half of this book, it kept me interested. However, the last 50 pages or so I just felt myself wishing it was over. There were 2 many things that happened that were not believable. Katelyns brother really didn't need to be in the story-there really was no point to that, nor was there a point to Norman Thatcher. You never found out what happened to him. I also didn't understand Nina's family...the author expounded on that to much. I like Clair Poulsen's books...they keep you hooked and wondering what's going to happen next, however this was definatly one of his weaker books.

Also, it ended way to fast---and was a bit to ridiculous. I wonder what happened to Cecila? or Norman Thatcher? or the couple from Logan that took care of her horse? She was all over the place (Idaho, Utah, Whyoming..) it was just not my favorite book from this author.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this one and it really was well done. The characters were well formed, the plot kept thickening and I never knew what was going to happen next... BUT, there were a lot of unbelievable coincidences, and the end was very rushed and left many things unresolved. I was totally sucked into the story from the beginning, and the author did a great job building up characters, suspense, plot, etc. but then he abruptly ended it and ruined the overall story for me.

[Darla · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Genre:LDS fiction/suspense) 1 1/2 stars. I listened to this on CD and had a hard time getting through it. The plot relies on a lot of chance happenings, the pacing felt way off to me, the characters were under-developed, and the dialogue between characters was stiff and awkward. I didn't really enjoy it.

[MJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was way too implausible. Pointless characters were added and I never felt one ounce of compassion for the main girl, even though her life was in danger. Clearly, the word 'police' never crossed her mind...

[Hillary S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this isn't exactly my favorite genre but I read this for book club. I only noticed one typo that stuck with me...that was a name of a character mixed up with another towards the beginning of the book. I really don't like typos, so I was glad that was minimal! The story was cheesy, far-fetched, and predictable as I expected it would be. That comes with the genre, I think. I felt like there was a lot of repetition as far as who is thinking what. I thought the sub-story of Nina and her family was odd to throw in there as well. However, the action towards the last third of the book did keep my attention, and who doesn't like a happy, warm-fuzzy ending? Sometimes we need that in this world!!

[the girl who reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Clair’s suspense novels for a long time, and I’m sure I read this book when it first came out years ago, but I didn’t remember the story when I saw the title on my Deseret Bookshelf app, so I decided to listen to it. And it was so good! Caitlyn is a barrel racer in rodeos, who made the mistake of dating Jace once, and now he’s stalking her. Combine that with her awful stepbrother who just wants Caitlyn’s trust fund left to her by her deceased father, and she has way more trouble than anyone should. I had a hard time stopping the audiobook when I needed to do other things!

[Norah Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. It had good bones but too many bad guys and it jumped all over. Lots of storylines that just ended with no resolution. I'd probably never read this one again. I usually like Clair Poulson's books but this was a miss.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit.
Enjoyed every page.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want to stop reading! I had to know that everyone would be safe!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! Wow, what an adventure. And such a cute ending. Highly recommend!

[Jane Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead wrong

This book was excellent. It caught your attention from the very beginning. I would recommend t!I everyone. Loved it!!!
I

[Kelsey Arnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and exciting storyline that made it hard for me to put down.

[Paul Stout · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. A little too cliche'. Maybe if this were my first rodeo...

[E Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning seemed super random. The middle was great. The end was a bit too much for me. Fun read, but a little loose.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter where Kaitlyn turns, she is in danger. After joining the Church her family disowns her and relocates with out letting her know where. Her stepbrother never truly lets her go because he wants the money that her biological father left her in a trust account. Then there is the ex-boyfriend and former boss that doesn't like rejection and hires a unlawful PI to track down Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn has tried to disappear with her new career of horse barrel racing, which she has done well at, but Jace has found her and tries to get her to come back to Des Moine with him, Brock, a passer by and concerned audience member comes to her rescue, but she refuses to let him tell her who he is, but tells him to get away fast along with his date before Jace comes to. He does, but she stays on his mind. kaitlyn has escaped but now has to be on the run wondering when Jace will find her again. She meets a trucker, Celia who she spills the whole story to and she tries to help her out. Kaitlyn stores her sick horse with a rancher in Logan and takes off again only to get her truck highjacked and then demolished in a accident with a semi with the lady highjacker inside. She is lucky that she was dumped on the side of the road. For a short time she is considered dead, but then the chase is on again, but now the Idaho highway patrol are on the case. There is kidnapping of Brock's girlfriend, Brock's move to Utah for work, Kaitlyn's giving herself up to Jace to save the other victims, the case in the National arches park after the plane crash and the final fall out at the end bringing Brock and Kaitlyn back together by the little English girl, Nina. You keep reading just to know what is happening next and to find the resolution. Happy ending!

[Reina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the writing was a little cheesy, but the story was pretty good. It did seem as though the plot just kept dragging on, but I had to know how it ended, though I did have several "come on, already!" moments.

[Rachael Bitner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaitlyn was disowned by her family after her baptism, her only friend is her horse that she rides as a champion barrel racer. But loneliness is the least of Kaitlyn’s problems. Her competitor’s jealous father has vowed to sabotage her success. And her former boss the handsome, rich, and extremely dangerous Jace Landry stalks every move of this beautiful and talented cowgirl. Helped by a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat, Kaitlyn escapes Jace and flees. On the road, she finds protection and companionship with a loyal trucker named Celia. But when Jace puts seedy private investigator Myler Keegan on Kaitlyn’s trail, she must outrun two men who will stop at nothing to feed their violent obsession. And when her cruel stepbrother joins the hunt, Kaitlyn faces lethal danger from every angle.

I really like how the book wasn't super predictable. There were a lot of twists and turns. I didn't like how slow it was. Most of the book was a page turner but not all of it.

Anyone that likes mystery would definitely like this book. Along with anyone that is interested in book with more than one point of view. The author is a great writer. The writing style and plot are both fantastic.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is really cheesy. There pretty much no way you're going to have a guy (Jace Landry) with limitless money and resources chasing you (wants to marry you) a step-brother who decides he deserves all of your inheritance, a family who disowns you for being LDS, and a fellow barrel racer's father trying to sabotage your success. Come on! To top it all off, the whole thing would have been prevented if Kaitlyn had gone to the police in the first place. She keeps on saying that they can't help, Jace is too good and relentless, etc. Give me a break.
And another thing. Kaitlyn sees a guy (a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat, can you get any more cliche?) from a distance, and then he saves her once, and then all of the sudden they can't think of anything but each other, and they're in love?
Everything is too pat. The trucker just happens to be where the accident happened, the plane just happens to crash where the guy is working, etc.
I was very disappointed in this book because I really enjoyed some of his others.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaitlynn Glenn is a barrel racer and a Mormon. Her stepfather and stepbrother wish she wasn't either. Not only has she been disowned, they are still mad that she'll be coming into an inheritance at 21 that they have no part of. If only they were her only problems.
Unfortunately, she's also being stalked by her violent former boss (she went on one date with him), and now a shady PI, as well.

With no family to turn to and very few friends, she's going to be hard-pressed staying alive.

I kept thinking--how did a nice girl like her have so many creepy men chasing her? It was exciting, with plenty of plot twists. A bit slow at the beginning, where more and more characters are introduced that you don't know much about yet. The ending was a bit abrupt. The epilogue told the happily-ever-afters, but not what happened to all the bad guys, which would have been nice for a little closure, as well.

[Spring Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

How many people can one person have after them? Are there really people out there who #1 spare no expense to track down someone so they can force them to marry them and possess them? who #2 decide that they deserve all the inheritance that their stepsister received and that they can force people to give it to them? who #3 are jealous of one's accomplishments so they are going to ruin your livelihood? who #4 will disown you for becoming a rodeo star and joining the LDS church? And would all this happen to the same person? I just really felt like these characters were not believable and that one person surely could not really have that many people after them! But, hey maybe I am wrong. Anyway, I have enjoyed Clair Poulson's other books much, much better. (And as a side note, the cover really disturbed me!)

[Rachael Dorronsoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great book, Kaitlyn Glenn is disowned by her family when she get baptized, she races her horse in barrel races to support herself. Her former boss is dangerous and stalks her after finding her at a barrel race he confronts her and wants her to go with him a man in a black cowboy hat comes to her rescue, he wants to tell her his name but she stops him and tells him she doesn’t want to know his name as she fears for his life. She is now on the run and in hiding from her dangerous former boss. This book was another suspensful, skilled read, I am so in awe of the amazing plot and writing and setting this author sets each and every book I read of his. I love the suspense and the well rounded characters that draw you in and you feel like you are right there in the story with them.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book I've read by Clair Poulson and I have enjoyed all of them. This one is about a young lady who, through no fault of her own, was being pursued by three very bad men. Another man was trying to hurt her or her horse so she could not ride in rodeos anymore. It's nonstop action with something happening just about every sentence. It's a can't-put-down book. The only thing I was disappointed in was the abrupt ending. I wanted to find out what happened to Myler and Kelvin and have Thatcher found out and punished, and I also would have liked a little more information on Kaitlyn and Brock.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaitlyn Glenn is alone in the world, disowned by her family after being baptized. Her only friend is her horse she rides as a champion barrel racer. One of her competitor's father is jealous of Kaitlyn and tries to sabotage her success. Her ex boyfriend, Jace, stalks her every move. Rescued by a man in black cowboy hat, Kaitlyn escapes Jace and flees. On the road she finds the companionship of a truck driver, Celia. But Jace puts a seedy private investigator so Kaitlyn must outrun two men who will not stop pursuing her. Then her cruel stepbrother joins in the hunt. Kaitlyn faces terrific danger and only wants to be safe with her beloved horse.

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like his writing a lot, but this book just didn't cut it for me.

First there were too many coincidences in the book putting the main characters together at just the right time.

Then there was a huge unexplained jump in the plot in the middle of the book. It had me going back through pages to see if I had skipped a few or something.

But the very abrupt ending was what disappointed me the most. More needed to be wrapped up and explained instead of left to the reader to assume how it concluded.

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only made it 50 some odd pages into this, not because of the main character, I actually really liked her, very personable, very likeable. I just really didn;t like the "and then" about the whole book. The things that were happening to Kaitlynn were bad enough at first, "and then" they got worse, "and then" they got even more bad etc. until I cou;dn't stand it anymore. Everything that happened to her could have been a story all by themselves. It just kept getting worse. It reminded me of Seinfield, but not funny.