Justice, Illinois has always been a peaceful little town where everyone knows their neighbors. Sheriff Nathan Justice works hard to protect the town that his family founded. When Rae Gabriella, former FBI turned private detective, comes to town she thinks she's found the perfect place for a new start at life. Instead of enjoying some peace and quiet, Rae ends up in the middle of a murder mystery! With the help of her ex boyfriend and fellow coworker, Bruce Chapel, Rae starts her first case as a private detective in this new town.

People are turning up dead in Justice, Illinois. They are dying in their sleep from natural causes, one after another. Something fishy is going on and Rae is going to find out what, even if it puts her own life in danger. In the meantime, the tile company in town is on strike. With such a small police force, how will Sheriff Nathan Justice be able to keep the peace in his town?

Rae is caught in the middle of two men who have obvious feelings for her. Bruce still loves Rae and would do anything for her. Sheriff Nathan Justice also is enjoying Rae's company but Bruce is his friend. How will this romantic triangle affect Rae? Will she pick one of these men to be with or just remain good friends with them?

The three new friends work hard to find out what is killing people in their sleep before it's too late. Who is killing all the women who visit Justice, Illinois? Is it something they're eating, drinking, touching, or smelling? Or is there a murderer in town who is killing the women, one by one?

I loved reading BEFORE I WAKE. It was very suspenseful and the characters were very likeable. I thought I had the mystery figured out, but I was wrong and pleasantly surprised with the ending. With a full cast of characters, the reader will have plenty of suspects as to who the killer is. BEFORE I WAKE is intriguing, suspenseful, and a very well written mystery. This was my first book by Dee Henderson and I am looking forward to reading more by this very talented author. If you're looking for an exciting mystery, BEFORE I WAKE is the perfect book for you.

Book Summary

The sheriff of Justice, Illinois, is hunting a killer. Women visiting town are being murdered, tourists in nice hotels, money still in their billfolds, jewelry still on the dresser. Quiet kills - they go to sleep and never awaken. The sheriff is not pleased to find the new detective in town, Rae Gabriella, working the case on behalf of one of the families. She's staying in the same hotel as one of the victims - and her classy looks and upscale car suggest she could be the next victim.