Hilton applied the Page 69 Test to Worst Fear, his new novel in the Tess Grey thriller series, and reported the following:From page 69:Visit Matt Hilton's website.‘You OK, Tess?’Page 69 of Worst Fear finds private investigator Tess Grey mulling over her latest case with her ex-con partner, Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere, and I’m happy to find that it does give a flavour of the mystery they both find themselves embroiled in. An old friend of Tess has been discovered dead at the base of a remote Maine cliff, and the police have ruled her death a suicide. However Tess isn’t convinced, because Chelsea Grace suffered from a crippling fear of heights. Having had no contact with Chelsea since their University days, Tess was surprised when, prior to her death, Chelsea left a scheduled message on a social media site requesting that Tess be informed in the event of her death. Following this short discourse, Tess discovers that others from their circle of friends are being hurt, killed or going missing. It seems somebody from their past is holding a deadly grudge, and Tess herself could be the next target.
‘I’m fine,’ she said, too quickly to be sincere.
‘This entire thing has you rattled,’ he said. ‘It’s not like you.’
‘Fear of the unknown,’ she admitted. ‘I must admit, having no idea who is behind Chelsea’s death is worrying.’
‘If anybody was involved,’ he reminded her. ‘You feel strongly that your friend didn’t take her own life. Are you worried you might be a target?’
‘I’ve no reason to think that way,’ Tess said, but a visible shudder ran through her body. ‘It’s not as if any of the others have been hurt, right?’
‘What about your buddy Conklin?’
‘Coincidence.’
‘And none of the others have had any trouble come their ways yet?’
‘That still remains to be seen. I haven’t spoken to any of them yet.’
‘I’m sure if anything bad had happened, you’d have found out. All those programs you have running, I just bet you’ve set ’em to alert you if any of their names pop up in any news or police reports.’
‘Believe it or not, I’m not that far along with the investigation yet. I’m still waiting to make personal contact before I do anything else.’
‘That’s probably for the best. Speak to them, Tess; you’ll hear they’re all fine and well, and that you’ve nothing to worry about.’
‘I’m not worried.’
‘And I ain’t cabbage coloured,’ Po retorted. ‘You ain’t actin’ like yourself, Tess. I can tell. But you’re probably frettin’ over nothin’, you’ll see once you’ve talked to your old friends.’
Writers Read: Matt Hilton.
--Marshal Zeringue
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