New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan introduces an irrepressible heroine in her pulse-pounding new thriller Notorious , which Lisa Gardner says is, "Guaranteed to keep you up late at night." Maxine Revere has dedicated her life to investigating murders that the police have long since given up any hope of solving. A nationally renowned investigative reporter with her own TV show and a tough-as-nails reputation, Max tackles cold cases from across the country and every walk of life. But the one unsolved murder that still haunts her is a case from her own past. When Max was a high school senior, one of her best friends was strangled and another, Kevin O'Neal, accused of the crime. To the disgrace of her wealthy family, Max stood by her friend, until she found out he lied about his alibi. Though his guilt was never proven, their relationship crumbled from the strain of too many secrets. Now Max is home for Kevin's funeral―after years of drug abuse, he committed suicide. She's finally prepared to come to terms with the loss of his friendship, but she's not prepared for Kevin's sister to stubbornly insist that he didn't kill himself. Or for an elderly couple to accost her at the airport, begging her to look into another murder at Max's old high school. Max is more interested in the cold case at her alma mater than in digging around Kevin's troubled life, but she agrees to do both. As Max uncovers dark secrets, she finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies that hit far too close to home. And it's becoming increasingly clear that someone will do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried. *Starred Review* Investigative reporter Maxine Revere takes on cold cases both in print and on her cable TV show. In this introduction to the series, Max goes home to Atherton, California, a wealthy enclave outside of San Francisco. Kevin, Lindy, and Max were best friends all through school until their senior year when Lindy was murdered, and Kevin was accused but not convicted by the hung jury. Max stood by Kevin but later found out he had lied to her. Upon her return home, a new murder is committed, and Max finds herself looking into a couple of old mysteries and a new one. She also has to deal with her large, wealthy family; her former friends; and all their egos and infighting. Working with ex–special forces turned detective Nick Santini, in charge of the homicide, Max finds that she shares a work ethic and a strong mutual attraction with the young, good-looking, and smart Nick. But Max is able to go outside the law on occasion, and Nick finds her reckless streak both maddening and endearing. Fireworks erupt on more than one occasion, and it seems like the beginning of an interesting relationship—a terrific new series. Sandra Brown and Hank Phillippi Ryan fans will feel right at home. --Stacy Alesi “I've been a fan of Allison Brennan's novels from the beginning, but NOTORIOUS blew me away. Explosive suspense ratchets up with every turn of the page as murders--both past and present--twist into a story that demands to be read in one sitting. Here is a novel destined for bestsellerdom that will leave people clamoring for more stories of Max Revere. I know I will be!” ― JAMES ROLLINS “Fast-paced fun! Notorious packs in the thrills as investigative reporter Max confronts new murders and old family secrets in a suspense novel guaranteed to keep you up late at night!” ― LISA GARDNER “A high octane thriller…Max Revere is a smart, savvy and irrepressible modern hero.” ― ANDREW GROSS “Brennan's NOTORIOUS introduces readers to a new and fascinating heroine worth rooting for. She's an investigative reporter who's not afraid to kick butt, climb a tree, or go to jail in pursuit of her story. She's savvy and smart and takes no prisoners. Buckle up and brace yourself for Maxine Revere.” ― SANDRA BROWN ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty novels and many short stories. She is the author the Lucy Kincaid Novels, including Cold Snap and Dead Heat . A former consultant in the California State Legislature, she lives in Northern California with her husband Dan and their five children. Chapter One Going home was a bitch. Maxine Revere had flirted with the idea of flying in solely for Kevin’s funeral so her perfect and dysfunctional family wouldn’t hear about her visit until she was already on a plane back to New York City. Three things stopped her. Foremost, Max did not run away from uncomfortable situations. She recognized that she wasn’t the same nineteen-year-old who’d defied her family. She’d also get a kick from walking into the family mansion unannounced and watching a reboot of Dallas, set in California. The Sterling-Revere family could take on the Ewings and win without breaking a nail or going to jail. Being the blackest sheep in the herd was more fun than taking two cross-country flights in one day. But the primary reason she was staying for the weeke