Seventeen-year-old Ashley Spencer learned what true horror was the night a serial killer invaded her home and brutally murdered her father and her best friend. But the terror did not end there . . . A year after the unspeakable events, Ashley is still trying to piece together what is left of her life. But the nightmare is reawakened at the elite private school that had appeared to be a safe haven for Ashley and her mother, Terri, when a new book called Sleeping Beauty hits the national bestseller lists—a shattering true account of the crimes that ripped Ashley’s world apart. And now Ashley must run for her life again. “Phillip Margolin [is] one of those rare authors who can create a genuinely surprising ending.” - Lisa Scottoline, author of KILLER SMILE “Another sure winner...The twists and turns of the plot keep the suspense ratcheted up to an excruciating level..” - Library Journal (Starred) “Mesmerizing…It’ll rope you in with its secret tapes, bribes, blackmail, sins of the past and beautiful plot twists.” - People on The Ties That Bind “Phillip Margolin plays delicious tricks on his readers, dashing expectations, twisting the knife deeper, making the suspense really hurt.” - Perri O'Shaughnessy, author of PRESUMPTION OF DEATH “Margolin pulls off a genuinely surprising ending.” - Booklist “A classic legal thriller…intelligent, stylishly written, and exciting…[A] fine novel.” - Booklist on The Associate “Even the most skeptical reader might be surprised to learn who is responsible for the mayhem.” - Albany Times Union “Compelling....Thrills and chills in a satisfying way [that] keeps you awake and guessing.” - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Intricately plotted, tense and suspenseful … With unexpected twists and turns, the story moves to an explosive climax.” - Toronto Sun “Phillip Margolin knows how to pack in the thrills ... SLEEPING BEAUTY will keep you guessing until its shocking end.” - Tess Gerritsen, author of THE SINNER “SLEEPING BEAUTY will keep you awake all night. Phillip Margolin has done it again!” - Harlan Coben, author of NO SECOND CHANCE “Clever and diabolical....A must for suspense fans.” - BookPage (winner of the Mystery of the Month and Tip of the Ice Pick Award) “Margolin delivers a nifty sleight of hand....Don’t assume anything in this well-crafted chiller.” - Fort Myers News-Press “Sends chills up the spine.” - Orlando Sentinel “Skillfully plotted … maintains the suspense … one of [Margolin’s] best.” - Memphis Commercial Appeal Seventeen-year-old Ashley Spencer learned what true horror was the night a serial killer invaded her home and brutally murdered her father and her best friend. But the terror did not end there . . . A year after the unspeakable events, Ashley is still trying to piece together what is left of her life. But the nightmare is reawakened at the elite private school that had appeared to be a safe haven for Ashley and her mother, Terri, when a new book called Sleeping Beauty hits the national bestseller lists—a shattering true account of the crimes that ripped Ashley’s world apart. And now Ashley must run for her life again. Phillip Margolin has written nineteen novels, many of them New York Times bestsellers, including his latest novels Woman with a Gun, Worthy Brown’s Daughter, Sleight of Hand , and the Washington trilogy. Each displays a unique, compelling insider’s view of criminal behavior, which comes from his long background as a criminal defense attorney who has handled thirty murder cases. Winner of the Distinguished Northwest Writer Award, he lives in Portland, Oregon. Sleeping Beauty By Phillip Margolin HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Copyright © 2008 Phillip Margolin All right reserved. ISBN: 9780061582721 Chapter One Ashley Spencer's childhood ended the night her father died; the moment before she fell asleep was the last time she experienced unadulterated joy. Ashley and her best friend, Tanya Jones, were still pumped up from their 2-1 victory over F.C. Oswego, a perennial state soccer power. Both girls had scored, and the victory would give them a shot at the top seed at the State Cup. They had gotten into bed after watching a video, then talked in the dark until a little after one o'clock. When Tanya went to sleep, Ashley closed her eyes and pictured her goal, a header that had boomed past Oswego's All-State goalie. She was smiling as she drifted off. Ashley had no idea how long she'd been asleep when a sudden movement on Tanya's side of the bed woke her. Tanya was sitting up, staring at the open doorway. Ashley, groggy and not completely certain she was awake, thought she saw someone walking toward Tanya. She was about to say something when Tanya grunted, twitched, and toppled to the floor. The man turned as Ashley leaped out of bed, extending his arm like a duelist. Ashley's muscles spasmed as a bolt of electricity surged through them. She fell sideways onto the bed, confused and unable to contro