Devil's Playground — D.P. Lyle

A small town sheriff faces a devilish mystery where the line between good and evil blurs.

Deputy Samantha Cody thought she had closed the book on the Richard Earl Garrett case. But just as sentencing nears, members of the jury begin to die under mysterious circumstances, each death mirroring Garrett's signature. As the body count rises, Sam finds herself battling not only a cunning killer but also a town gripped by fear and religious fervor.

Now, Sam must confront a chilling possibility: is Garrett, with his chilling defense of "the devil made me do it," somehow orchestrating these events from behind bars? Or is a new evil at play, one that seeks to exploit the town's darkest fears? With the help of a skeptical reporter, Sam races against time to unravel the truth, protect the innocent, and prevent Mercer's Corner from descending into a hellish nightmare. Perfect for readers who enjoy supernatural suspense, small-town mysteries, and strong female leads.