Dirty Devil

In King George County, Virginia, coroner and mortician J.J. Graves is blindsided by a devastating scandal. A vicious article by journalist Floyd Parker exposes a hidden chapter from Sheriff Jack Lawson's past—an alleged affair and a child left behind—threatening Jack's re-election and fracturing the trust at the core of their marriage. When Jack questions whether J.J. betrayed his secret, she walks away, haunted by her father's warning to trust no one but herself. Yet, even as their personal lives crumble, a brutal new case demands their attention.

A gruesome murder echoes the recent killings tied to Donald Cotton, who targeted those profiting from a black market organ trade. A body, displayed on a scarecrow pole and savagely gutted, suggests a copycat—or a deeper conspiracy rooted in Cotton's quest for vengeance. As more victims surface, each marked by violent precision and cryptic messages, J.J. and Jack must unite their skills despite their estrangement. Their investigation uncovers ties to a years-old lawsuit against corrupt medical practices, where greed led to deadly consequences. The killer, driven by a warped sense of justice, is targeting those who escaped punishment—lawyers, doctors, and witnesses alike.

As J.J. unravels the connections, she suspects the scandal tearing her marriage apart may intertwine with the murders. With time running out, J.J. and Jack face a cunning adversary who won't hesitate to strike again. Can they mend their broken trust to catch the killer, or will their personal wounds leave them vulnerable to a deadly endgame?

Infused with Liliana Hart's signature mix of high-stakes suspense, poignant emotion, and simmering romance, Playing Dirty is a compelling read for fans of character-driven thrillers. Follow J.J. Graves as she battles for justice and fights to save the love that defines her in this riveting addition to the bestselling series.