Coast of Fear — Caroline Crane

Jessica Hayden's best friend, a lovely French girl, is killed by a mugger on an American College campus. Now Jessica has traveled to the Riviera, where the slain girl lived, to pay a sympathy call on her family. But someone doesn't want her there. She is stalked by a man whom she recognizes as one of the last to visit her friend. Her hotel room is searched, and acts of violence follow. By now it is clear that her friends death was much more than a senseless mugging. Whatever the reason, Jessica is involved, but she does not know how or why. With Jessica's life in danger, two menone a charming American, the other a dazzling Frenchman both claim they want to help her, but who can she trust? Who is the shadowy enemy that wants her dead, and why? Its up to Jessica to save herself, and when she thinks the terror is finally over, she discovers its only beginning. Here, set on the beautiful French Riviera, is a compelling story of romance and terror that twists and turns to a surprising climax.

On a sightseeing trip to the French Riviera, Jessica Hayden pays a sympathy call on the family of her friend Francoise Lannier. Francoise had been killed by a mugger while she was a student in the United States. Steve Wilcox, a pleasant American businessman Jessica had met on the train to Nice, suggested that the Lannier's might find her visit a painful reminder of the tragedy. Although they did not seem to resent Jessica's getting in touch with them, someone did. She is shadowed by a man whom she recognized as one of the last to visit the slain girl. Her hotel room is searched, and acts of violence seem to follow in her wake. By no it is clear that Francoise's death was much more than a senseless mugging. Whatever the reason, Jessica is involved, but she does no know how or why.

Marius, Francoise's brother, appears to be equally bewildered by the sinister chain of events; nor does he have any clues to the motive for his sister's murder.

Desperately looking for someone to save her from a nightmare of fear, Jessica is torn between two men, one, French, one American. But which one is her secret enemy, which one will protect her from the forces that threaten her? Here, set on beautiful Riviera, is a compelling story of romance and terror that twists and turns its way to a surprising climax.