Heather Graham - Deadly Fate

Alaska—the final frontier?

When Clara Avery, an entertainer working on the Fate , an Alaskan cruise ship, goes to nearby Bear Island, she comes across a scene of bloody mayhem. She also comes across Thor Erikson, who will soon be a member of the FBI’s elite paranormal unit, the Krewe of Hunters.

Thor’s been sent from the Alaska field office to investigate several grotesque killings, with the dead posed to resemble the victims of notorious murderers. The prime suspect is a serial killer Thor once put behind bars. The man escaped from a prison in the Midwest, and all the evidence says he was headed to Alaska...

Thor and Clara share an unusual skill: the ability to communicate with the dead. Their growing love—and their contact with the ghosts of the victims—brings them together to solve the case…and prevent a deadly fate of their own!

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham

“With an astonishing ease and facility, this talented and hard-working writer can cast her stories in any genre.”

—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels

“Once again, Heather Graham has outdone herself. The Betrayed took me on a fantastic trip to Sleepy Hollow and I’d travel with Graham anywhere… This chilling novel has everything: suspense, romance, intrigue and an ending that takes your breath away.”

—Suspense Magazine

“[Waking the Dead] is not to be missed.”

—BookTalk

“Dark, dangerous and deadly! Graham has the uncanny ability to bring her books to life, using exceptionally vivid details to add depth to all the people and places.”

—RT Book Reviews on Waking the Dead, Top Pick

“Murder, intrigue…a fast-paced read. You may never know in advance what harrowing situations Graham will place her characters in, but…rest assured that the end result will be satisfying.”

—Suspense Magazine on Let the Dead Sleep

“Graham deftly weaves elements of mystery, the paranormal and romance into a tight plot that will keep the reader guessing at the true nature of the killer’s evil.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Unseen

“Suspenseful and dark.… The transitions between past and present flow seamlessly, and the main characters are interesting and their connection to one another is believable.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Unseen

CAST OF CHARACTERS

FBI Agents

Jackson Crow, head of the Krewe of Hunters

Angela Hawkins, special agent and Jackson’s wife

Thor Erikson, new member of the Krewe

in the Alaska Field Office

Mike Aklaq, Thor’s partner

Other Law Enforcement

Reginald Enfield, Special Director, Alaska

Lieutenant Bill Meyer, Alaska State Police

The Fairy Tale Killer

Tate Morley, serial killer in Kansas,

recently escaped from prison

From the Past

Mandy Brandt, the Fairy Tale Killer’s last victim

The Alaska Hut

Marc Kimball, owner

Emmy Vincenzo, assistant/secretary

Justin and Magda Crowley, property manager

and housekeeper

Celtic American Cruise Lines—the Ship’s Entertainers

Clara Avery, actress and singer in the Fate’s original

Broadway-style musical, Annabelle Lee

Ralph Martini, older actor

Simon Green, chorus member

Larry Hepburn, young heartthrob actor

Connie Shaw, actress

The Crew of Gotcha and Vacation USA

(reality TV shows)

Natalie Fontaine, producer

Amelia Carson, TV hostess

Tommy Marchant, cameraman

Becca Marle, sound technician

Nate Mahoney, fabricator

Misty Blaine, production assistant to Natalie Fontaine

Other Characters

Astrid and Colin, Thor’s sister and brother-in-law

Natasha and Boris, Thor’s huskies

Deadly Fate

Heather Graham

www.millsandboon.co.uk

In loving memory of

my sister

Victoria Graham Davant,

who loved the wonder

and beauty of the

Great State of Alaska

Contents

Back Cover Text Alaska—the final frontier? When Clara Avery, an entertainer working on the Fate , an Alaskan cruise ship, goes to nearby Bear Island, she comes across a scene of bloody mayhem. She also comes across Thor Erikson, who will soon be a member of the FBI’s elite paranormal unit, the Krewe of Hunters. Thor’s been sent from the Alaska field office to investigate several grotesque killings, with the dead posed to resemble the victims of notorious murderers. The prime suspect is a serial killer Thor once put behind bars. The man escaped from a prison in the Midwest, and all the evidence says he was headed to Alaska... Thor and Clara share an unusual skill: the ability to communicate with the dead. Their growing love—and their contact with the ghosts of the victims—brings them together to solve the case…and prevent a deadly fate of their own!

Praise Praise for New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham “With an astonishing ease and facility, this talented and hard-working writer can cast her stories in any genre.” —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels “Once again, Heather Graham has outdone herself. The Betrayed took me on a fantastic trip to Sleepy Hollow and I’d travel with Graham anywhere… This chilling novel has everything: suspense, romance, intrigue and an ending that takes your breath away.” —Suspense Magazine “[Waking the Dead] is not to be missed.” —BookTalk “Dark, dangerous and deadly! Graham has the uncanny ability to bring her books to life, using exceptionally vivid details to add depth to all the people and places.” —RT Book Reviews on Waking the Dead, Top Pick “Murder, intrigue…a fast-paced read. You may never know in advance what harrowing situations Graham will place her characters in, but…rest assured that the end result will be satisfying.” —Suspense Magazine on Let the Dead Sleep “Graham deftly weaves elements of mystery, the paranormal and romance into a tight plot that will keep the reader guessing at the true nature of the killer’s evil.” —Publishers Weekly on The Unseen “Suspenseful and dark.… The transitions between past and present flow seamlessly, and the main characters are interesting and their connection to one another is believable.” —RT Book Reviews on The Unseen

Cast of Characters CAST OF CHARACTERS FBI Agents Jackson Crow, head of the Krewe of Hunters Angela Hawkins, special agent and Jackson’s wife Thor Erikson, new member of the Krewe in the Alaska Field Office Mike Aklaq, Thor’s partner Other Law Enforcement Reginald Enfield, Special Director, Alaska Lieutenant Bill Meyer, Alaska State Police The Fairy Tale Killer Tate Morley, serial killer in Kansas, recently escaped from prison From the Past Mandy Brandt, the Fairy Tale Killer’s last victim The Alaska Hut Marc Kimball, owner Emmy Vincenzo, assistant/secretary Justin and Magda Crowley, property manager and housekeeper Celtic American Cruise Lines—the Ship’s Entertainers Clara Avery, actress and singer in the Fate’s original Broadway-style musical, Annabelle Lee Ralph Martini, older actor Simon Green, chorus member Larry Hepburn, young heartthrob actor Connie Shaw, actress The Crew of Gotcha and Vacation USA (reality TV shows) Natalie Fontaine, producer Amelia Carson, TV hostess Tommy Marchant, cameraman Becca Marle, sound technician Nate Mahoney, fabricator Misty Blaine, production assistant to Natalie Fontaine Other Characters Astrid and Colin, Thor’s sister and brother-in-law Natasha and Boris, Thor’s huskies