Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick's latest case exposes the dark side of San Diego’s high society in this nerve-shattering tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose. On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The man was loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long surprises no one, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team. As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the closely guarded world of the city’s richest and most powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way. Praise for the novels of Karen Rose "From the first rousing chapter to the last, Scream for Me is intense, complex, and unforgettable."— New York Times bestselling author James Patterson “Riveting. Emotional. Karen Rose at her best.”— New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan “High-wire suspense that keeps you riveted.”— New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner “Cold-Blooded Liar had me in its grip from the first chapter. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Keep the coffee brewing—you’ll be up all night.”— New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood "A high-octane thrill ride that kept me on the edge of my seat and up far too late at night!"— New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson “Karen Rose's amazing ability to blend fiercely smart suspense, compelling characters, sophisticated romance and a deep sense of place is nothing short of pure alchemy.”— New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz “Effortlessly balances romance and crime…an excellent example of how far-reaching and varied romance can be. The plot is complex, the characterization sound and the boundaries of the genre pushed.”— The New York Times “Rose writes blistering, high-octane suspense that never lets up.”— New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards “Another page-turner! Karen Rose masterfully combines an intricate mystery and a heartfelt love story. Say No More keeps you riveted until the very end.”— New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin “Suspenseful and engrossing.” —New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh “Author Karen Rose excels at weaving taut, intricate suspense thrillers with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish… Like the seasoned expert author she is, Rose maneuvers readers and characters through another fantastic suspense thriller.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine on Dead Man's List “The action is fast and furious, the characters well-written and likable and a story that keeps you engaged.” —Red Carpet Crash on Dead Man's List Karen Rose is the award-winning, #1 international bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the bestselling including the bestselling New Orleans, Sacramento, Baltimore, and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages, and her books have placed on the New York Times , the Sunday Times (UK), and Germany's der Spiegel bestseller lists. Chapter One Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Borrego Springs, California Saturday, January 7, 12:30 p.m. Be careful," Sam said, pointing to a shrub next to the trail. "That's a catclaw. Its thorns are sharp." "Okay," Kit said, giving the bush a wide berth and tugging on Snickerdoodle's leash to make sure that she kept her distance as well. Their hike so far had been filled with similar safety callouts from Sam and not much else. It was . . . Awkward, Kit thought with a wince. This date was not bad but just so awkward, and she had no idea what to do about it. The desert itself was beautiful in a stark way, and Sam had chosen a less traveled trail. They'd had complete solitude, not having seen another hiker for miles. The weather, while unforgiving in the summer, was perfect during the winter. The skies were clear, the cool breeze refreshing. But as pretty as the landscape was, this day had been uncomfortable as hell. Sam had picked her and Snickerdoodle up that morning and right away Kit had known something was wrong. Usually sweet and calm, Sam was tense and overly polite. It was like they were strangers. I've messed things up already, and I don't even know what I did wrong, she thought sadly. The drive to the park had been quiet, their minimal conversation stilted. Sam had asked her a few questions in a cautious tone, and she'd replied equally cautiously in sentences that never managed to be more than a few words. They'd started their hike in a muted mood, with Sam pointing out landmarks and plants like he was a tour guide. Brisk, efficient, but i