Pale Hand of Danger — Miriam Lynch

Something evil had invaded tranquil Anamark Island -- an evil that had already taken one life. Now it was reaching out again...could it be stopped before it destroyed everything Paula Bancroft loved?

Journey to terror...

Paula Bancroft love the coming back to Cliffside, the family home on Anamark Island, off Cape Cod, where she grew up. But on this visit she sensed at once that something was wrong. The weathered old house was deserted and her stepfather, Simon Fletcher, had disappeared. While Paula had never been close to Simon, she couldn't help worrying: it wasn't like him not to be there to welcome her. When she learns that "Miss Lizzie" -- her favorite teacher and an island "character" -- has been found dead, murdered, Paula's concern grows: could there possibly be a connection between Simon's disappearance and the murder? That night someone tries to set fire to Cliffside. Thanks to an attractive new neighbor. Alan Talbot, Paula escapes injury, but now she's truly frightened -- and confused. Who would want to harm her? Why? And where is Simon? In her search for the answers, she uncovers a strange, chilling century-old drama -- a tale of love, greed and violent death whose final chapter must still be written.

Murderer's Masquerade...

Paula turned toward the stairs and suddenly froze. Something had moved. She could sense it rather than see it, for whatever it was was behind her. And now she heard the creaking of floorboards...the whisper of footfalls.

Someone had been hiding in the room where the mannequins stood in the old costumes. He was close to her now and creeping nearer...

Sher whirled, her hands flying to her mouth. She stood in that attitude of terror, gazing at a man ridiculously dressed in the costume of a Colonial gentleman.

Paula dropped her hands. "You!" she breathed. "But of course! It had to be you!"

Hero: Alan Talbot
Heroine: Paula Bancroft