The Ultimate Sacrifice: The Dead of Winter (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780692139349)

A gripping serial killer thriller brings attention to a local unsolved mystery.

After a night out with his friends -- he vanished.

Rumors are flying around the Northwoods. Another smart, popular, athletic, young man drowns in the icy waters of winter. Was it a tragic accident, a suicide, or something more sinister?

Payton Richardson, a tenacious college student, takes it upon herself to discover the truth. During her investigation, horror meets hilarity when the killer includes Payton and the town of River Bend in a murderous game. Who wants to play? The secrets start to unravel in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1.

When Payton wakes up cold, wet, and bloody with a silver cross necklace in her hand, she comes to the terrifying conclusion that her own life is now in jeopardy. Who can she trust as she tries to piece together the twisted bits of memory swirling around in her head?

Scary Ghostface and Stephanie Plum fans this book is for you. It has the best of both worlds: A Calamity Queen you'll love to death, and a witty, smart-ass killer you'll love to hate.

After years of research, Smiley, the infamous urban legend of the Northwoods, is unleashed and runs smack-dab into Payton on the page. This fact-based tale with fictional spin was created to bring awareness to this unsolved mystery and justice for the boys.

Every year since 1997, the list of names grows longer. To this day, young men continue to disappear during the dead of winter. After a night out with their friends, they vanish. Days, weeks, even months pass before their lifeless bodies are tragically found in the river, pond, or other water source . . . Some boys are never found at all.

There are many theories floating around the Northwoods. Which one is right? That is a good question.

Where will the killer strike next? Honestly, no one seems to know. That is what makes this mystery almost impossible to solve, but the good guys and Payton are on it. I have faith in truth and justice. In the meantime, the scene is set in the fictious small town of River Bend. A cast of unforgettable characters are waiting for their fate to be revealed.

This fast-paced, on the edge of your seat thrill ride is the first book in The Ultimate series. Get inside the killer's head while the games unfold. Also enjoy a front row seat as Payton races to save the day. Unfortunately, not everyone will make it to the finish line alive.

SK Lundberg's action-packed murder mystery has the perfect balance of creepy suspense, comic relief, romance, mayhem, and is topped off with a touch of sarcasm. The author also includes a sneak peek into THE ULTIMATE SECRETS.