Clay Montgomery has been the only one to remain on the farm after his stepfather Reverend Lee Barker went missing and has guarded it fiercely. The people of Stillwater are convinced Clay murdered the reverend but haven’t been able to prove it, Now Allie McCormick, a cold case detective, is in town to discover exactly what happened that fateful night nineteen years ago that changed the Montgomery’s lives forever.

While looking into the disappearance of Lee Barker, Allie is called out to Clay’s farm where his girlfriend Beth Ann tells Allie that Clay admitted to killing Lee and beating her. Allie doesn’t believe Beth Ann is telling the truth since there isn’t any evidence to back her statements up, but she has to proceed with the investigation by the book.

Allie starts to develop feelings for Clay and doesn’t think he killed his stepfather but when she starts spending more time with him she discovers that Clay has some pretty powerful enemies who are determined to make him pay for the reverend’s disappearance whether he is innocent or guilty.


Dead Giveaway is the second book in the Stillwater, Mississippi series by Brenda Novak. This book can be read as a stand alone book but after reading it you will be wanting the first book in the series Dead Silence.

Dead Giveaway is a gripping tale that tells the story of Clay Montgomery. Clay is a very strong man that had to grow up fast at young age after his father walked out of their lives. He felt it was up to him to make sure the family was protected. As an adult, Clay knows he will never get the chance to have a family of his own and his inner turmoil at the thought is painful to watch. While getting to know Clay, you want so much to give him the serenity he needs even as you admire his loyalty to his family.

Allie has had so many problems of her own that brought her and her daughter back home to live with her parents. She is such a strong, independent woman that you can’t help but to admire her tenacity.

Dead Giveaway is packed full of danger and deception that will leave you wondering what will be around the next corner. Brenda Novak has done a phenomenal job in creating a story that pulls readers into the world she has created, leaving them hanging on every word. This is one series you do not want to miss!

Reviewed by: Tammy