Deadly Business


Fiction - Thriller - General
324 Pages
Reviewed on 06/16/2021
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I write about what I know, cops and crime. After twenty-two years with the Dallas Police Department, I have an unending source of inspiration for my plots. Many incidents and characters are based on my experiences. My characters are what is truly fun about writing. I never know where they will take me. There is always something out of the ordinary in my stories.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A stolen award-winning bull, cattle rustling, plus an attempted murder of her grandmother incites the wrath of a Federal Marshal in the exciting thriller, Deadly Business by Anita Dickason. Piper McKay grew up on a ranch in east Texas with her grandmother, Jen. Now, several years later, she is a United States Deputy Marshal stationed out of Oklahoma City. When Piper receives the call that Jen is gravely injured and in the hospital, she rushes home. On learning that not only did Jen supposedly fall from a horse, but also her prize bull and a portion of the ranch's herd have been stolen, Piper knows something is very wrong. Determined to get to the bottom of the conflicting inconsistencies, Piper starts looking through Jen's files and discovers an inexplicable sales contract she knows that Jen would never sign. Jarvis, a new rancher in the area, is claiming ownership of Jen's herd. Suspecting forgery and fraud, Piper makes a call to her boss and initiates an official investigation. Can she save the ranch before Jarvis takes over?

Filled with action and suspense, Deadly Business by Anita Dickason is an exciting thriller featuring a stubborn and forceful U.S. Deputy Marshal. As a fan of Tommy Lee Jones and his Federal Marshal persona, I was captivated from the first page and could not put the book down until I reached the last. It is a brilliantly written story with an engaging plot, personable characters, and action-packed scenes. Moving at a fast pace, the plotline, story arc, and riveting conclusion create a sensational story that is unputdownable. It is a striking tale that promises to enthrall and delight everyone who enjoys suspenseful western-themed crime thrillers set in Texas.

Trudi LoPreto

Murder, family, suspense, excitement, and thrills can be found in Deadly Business by Anita Dickason. I was pulled into the story about U.S. Deputy Marshall Piper McKay, her grandmother Jen, and all the other deputies and friends involved from page one. When Piper learns that her grandmother has been hurt and is in the hospital, she drops everything and rushes home to her East Texas Ranch. Piper finds her grandmother’s accident may not have been from being thrown from her horse but a vicious blow to her head. As she begins to search for the truth, she discovers that there is a lot of bad stuff going on. A valuable bull has been stolen, cattle are missing and there are some legal papers with Jen’s signature that Piper finds hard to believe her grandmother would have ever signed. As her grandma lies unconscious in the hospital, Piper faces danger at every turn. Determined to find answers, she gets the help of her team of marshalls and together they work day and night to separate the good guys from the bad.

It was really hard to put down Deadly Business and I found myself reading late into the night, way past my bedtime. The plot was fast and furious and the characters were brought to life by Anita Dickason’s expert writing. Deadly Business is a great read for fans of many different genres – mystery, suspense, family, action, crime, and a touch of romance for good measure. I believe that Deadly Business should be made into a weekly TV show or a made-for-movie show; it would easily stand up against the competition. I urge you to read Deadly Business.

Jennifer Ibiam

US Deputy Marshal Piper Layton was on an official assignment when she got the news that her grandmother, Jennie, was in the hospital. The verdict was a cracked skull after being thrown from her horse. Off to her grandma’s ranch in Texas, Piper went. After investigating the crime scene, there were inconsistencies. Also, a prize bull, Leopold, and some cattle were missing. Then, there was the weird contract... With the sheriff not cooperating, she went into investigation mode. However, there was an obstacle–a Ranger named Cade. For him, it was a war between derailing her investigation to keep his cover or blow it to protect her. The stage is set, and everyone is on tenterhooks expecting the next move. Read how Piper takes care of this Deadly Business by Anita Dickason.

Deadly Business by Anita Dickason is a very interesting book that will appeal to lovers of crime and ranch-style novels. The plot was unique and had a depth that drew me in. It was a perfect depiction of “every day for the thief” and “you messed with the wrong one.” The storyline was fast-paced and with enough adrenaline to build tension. I enjoyed the consistent and seamless dialogues matched with flawless editing and stylish writing. Another point was scored with character development, which was beautiful. I loved that Anita cast a woman, Piper, as the main character and gave her enough power to convey her presence. Other characters like JT, Tony, Davy, and Luke helped to make her shine. Grady and Cade were two other characters that caught my attention as they could hold their own. Lastly, when greed rules, everyone becomes a suspect. Thank you for a beautiful novel, Anita!

Sherri Fulmer Moorer

U.S. Deputy Marshal Piper McKay rushes off a sting to her home in East Texas, where her grandmother has been brutally attacked. The local authorities have dismissed it as an accident, but a look into her grandmother's records casts doubt on that notion, especially when she finds a contract that she suspects is a forgery. When the family lawyer confirms that he never reviewed the document, and several thefts are discovered in the herd, Piper is convinced that her grandmother has been the victim of a rustling ring. Soon, Piper is in their sights, and she finds herself in danger as she digs through layers of deception to uncover a criminal operation with a growing reach throughout Texas, and beyond. Deadly Business by Anita Dickson is a high-stakes mystery that will keep you hanging on until the last page.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Business. It's the perfect mix of suspense, mystery, and the police-procedural story approach with intriguing characters and a plot that will keep you guessing. While some things are obvious, you'll be surprised to find out how it all links together to form an intriguing story of a criminal operation that you could never imagine. Anita Dickason has created a unique mystery that will keep you turning the pages long past your bedtime. I couldn't put this book down! If you like complex mysteries with a cast of characters that you'll never forget, then this is the perfect novel for you. It's a fascinating read, and I loved learning more about the cattle industry. I highly recommend it.

Peggy Jo Wipf

I was in awe as Anita Dickason transported my mind and emotions through the dangers facing U.S. Deputy Marshal Piper McKay. Deadly Business takes you along with Piper as her training is put to the test in a personal matter. Piper is told her grandmother, Jen, was thrown from her horse and is in critical condition. She knows this can't be true. Discovering it was attempted murder, she calls in reinforcement from her team. A prize bull is missing, along with several heads of cattle from the ranch. With new faces popping up in the area and a contract signed by Jen for the sale of all her cattle, Piper stirs up trouble while waiting for Jen to come out of a coma. Her frustration mounts when she can't reach Special Agent Cade Tanner, who seems to be avoiding her inquiries. Saving the farm and the cattle is a struggle enough; keeping Jen from numerous attacks proves to be a full-time job.

I found Deadly Business a well-written novel that excels in drama and intensity. Anita Dickason's experience on the force is seen in the professionalism of U.S. Deputy Marshal Piper McKay. The story is full of suspense and intense events. The health of Jen and the sale of the cattle add urgency to the novel. The author adds interesting information about ranching that makes this novel fascinating. Through an intricate twist of events, characters that rule the pages, and a complex plot, this book ignites the imagination while taking you on a deadly journey.