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Also by Hank Phillippi Ryan:

One Wrong Word, August 2024
Trade Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
One Wrong Word, February 2024
Hardcover / e-Book / audiobook
The House Guest, August 2023
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The House Guest, February 2023
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Her Perfect Life, July 2022
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
This Time for Sure, September 2021
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Her Perfect Life, September 2021
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The First to Lie, July 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
The First to Lie, August 2020
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The Murder List, February 2020
Trade Size / e-Book (reprint)
The Murder List, August 2019
Hardcover / e-Book
The Murder List, August 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Trust Me, January 2019
Trade Size / e-Book (reprint)
Trust Me, September 2018
Hardcover / e-Book
Night Of The Flood, March 2018
Paperback / e-Book
Say No More, September 2017
Mass Market Paperback
Say No More, November 2016
Hardcover / e-Book
Drive Time, August 2016
Trade Size / e-Book (reprint)
Air Time, June 2016
Trade Size / e-Book (reprint)
Face Time, April 2016
Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Prime Time, February 2016
Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
What You See, November 2015
Hardcover / e-Book
The Wrong Girl, September 2013
Hardcover / e-Book
The Other Woman, September 2012
Hardcover / e-Book
Drive Time, February 2010
Mass Market Paperback
Air Time, September 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Prime Time, July 2009
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Face Time, October 2007
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Prime Time, June 2007
Paperback / e-Book

Drive Time
Hank Phillippi Ryan

Charlotte McNally Mystery #4
MIRA
February 2010
On Sale: February 1, 2010
Featuring: Charlotte McNally
400 pages
ISBN: 0778327973
EAN: 9780778327974
Mass Market Paperback
Add to Wish List

Romance Suspense | Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Investigative reporter Charlotte McNally is an expert at keeping things confidential, but suddenly everyone has a secret—and it turns out it is possible to know too much.

Her latest scoop—an expose of a counterfeit car scam, complete with stakeouts, high-speed chases and hidden-camera footage—is ratings gold. But soon that leads her to a brand-new and diabolical scheme. Charlie’s personal and professional lives are on a collision course, too. Her fiancé is privy to information about threats at an elite private school that have turned deadly.

Charlie has never counted on happy endings. But now, just as she’s finally starting to believe in second chances, she realizes revenge, extortion and murder may leave her alone again—or even dead . . . .

Read An Excerpt

Comments

57 comments posted.

Re: Drive Time

Interesting excerpt....I suppose everyone has secrets, but they are not always life changing or hurtful.
This, like your other books, sounds like a good read for a mystery lover like me. Thank you for the opportunity to win your book. (hopefully all of them!)
(Ruby Davis 1:30am February 1, 2010)

This was such an enticing excerpt. Thank you.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:12am February 1, 2010)

I can keep a secret, at least from the people from whom the secret should be kept :o) I'd like to read this book. Thanks!
(Sandy Miresse 8:47am February 1, 2010)

That's just it, I can keep a secret and people tend to want to tell them to me. I find that mainly it is mostly gossip though and don't bother too much with it.
(Leni Kaye 9:08am February 1, 2010)

Yes, people like to "spill the beans" to me. I guess they know I can keep a secret.
(Sherry Russell 9:28am February 1, 2010)

I can keep a secret as long as keeping it does not hurt anybody - some secrets need to be told for the persons own good!
(Barbara Hanson 10:00am February 1, 2010)

Thanks for sharing the excerpt. Would love the opportunity to win your book! Thanks for the contest!
(Katherine Reese 11:09am February 1, 2010)

Interesting excerpt/question. I think family has to come first. If you can keep a secret only conditionally, tell the other person why and let him decide if sharing is a good idea. Love your books.
(G S Moch 11:23am February 1, 2010)

I can keep a secret if I think it should be kept. There are times when it is best to keep the secret reather then hurting someone. Your books sound fantastic and I can't wait to read one. I love a good mystery!
(Gail Hurt 11:57am February 1, 2010)

I hate secrets,i'm bad at keeping them. But I think if you love someone enough to marry them, your commitment is to them. Drive Time sounds great, can't wait to read it.
(Christine Kochanowski 12:08pm February 1, 2010)

Hi, all!So wonderful to hear from you! And thanks so much for the very kind words. (I'm SO excited about DRIVE TIME!)
SO let's say it's a secret--a good secret. Like--if someone's giving you a surprise party. Would you like someone to tell you in advance?
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 12:21pm February 1, 2010)

Ruby, thank you so much! SO happy you like the books!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 12:21pm February 1, 2010)

Oh, Hank. That was just mean. I do still have secrets I've carried for over 30 years. Now I really can't wait to read Drive Time. You always keep me guessing and you always satisfy me in the end. You are awesome.
(Mare Fairchild 12:45pm February 1, 2010)

Really, Mare? Are you ever tempted? (And thank you so much...)

Leni, I keep hearing there are some people who just seem like they attract secrets..maybe you're one of them!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 12:57pm February 1, 2010)

If I am told that what was told to me is a secret, I keep it... but if I think it needs telling I always talk to the person to see if they will open up to others...
(Colleen Conklin 1:00pm February 1, 2010)

Oh, Colleen..that's an interesting thought! Good idea...that way a secret gets told--but not divulged!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 1:28pm February 1, 2010)

Is 'kinda sorta' a real answer? I'm not much of a gossip but I will tell an unrelated person a weird story I have heard. My husband is great at keeping secrets, unless they involve presents. I have yet to receive a birthday present on my birthday. As soon as he gets a gift for someone, he has to give it. :-)
(V Scott 3:15pm February 1, 2010)

I pride myself on keeping secrets.....and never telling. People share their secrets and they always know they can trust me. I would never reveal that there was a surprise party planned. The secret and the look of surprise on the Birthday persons face is alway priceless. I am intigued by your book Drive Time and loook forward to reading more. Best Wishes
(Barbara Ryan 3:28pm February 1, 2010)

I can keep a secret but there are times I share. It is hard not to share some things with my husband but even then I try to do it in a general sense. I don't like the thought of somebody sharing my deep, dark secrets and confessions with anyone else! Drive Time looks great, can't wait to read it.
(Sharla Long 3:30pm February 1, 2010)

My cousin asked that question of me when I guessed she was pregnant over the phone. I could hear the change in her voice. I didn't divulge the secret until she told everybody herself. As a nurse, mediator and a good listener, I've heard a big share of secrets. I only tell when it's dangerous to keep quiet. Love the blog and still enjoy the book Prime Time.
(Alyson Widen 4:22pm February 1, 2010)

Loved the excerpt. Keeping secrets - Boy the age old dilemma. I think things said in confidence should be held in confidence. The exception being: life and liberty are at stake. If someone told me that they hurt someone and somebody else was being blamed - That is not a secret to keep.
If someone told me something
(say someone famous) and a reporter offered me money to tell - NO WAY. Money doesn't trump integrity.
(Kimberley Coover 4:35pm February 1, 2010)

Love the books!
(Mary C 4:43pm February 1, 2010)

V Scott--that's so funny! My husband is just like that, too.
But on the other hand, he's so easy to fool. I've given him a surprise birthday party each year for the past 5 years--and he's ALWAYS surprised!
I think that's hilarious...
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 4:52pm February 1, 2010)

Alyson..that's another interesting dilemma--what if someone doesn't tell you--and you just guess? Hmmm...
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 4:53pm February 1, 2010)

And like Charlie--at some point, if you're keeping secrets told to you by several different people, you have to remember what each person knows and doesnt know--and at some point--that can "drive" you crazy. Just ask Charlie! And you can see what happens in DRIVE TIME.
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 4:55pm February 1, 2010)

Your last comment about knowing secrets from several different people is the real dilema. You get to the point that you can't say anything to anyone just in case! Don't you DARE tell me a secret!
(Karin Tillotson 5:27pm February 1, 2010)

If people ask me to keep a secret, I do tell them I will tell my spouse. If they still want me to know, great, I do keep a secret. I never keep a secret from my husband unless its something for him, a surprise or a gift.
(Theresa Buckholtz 5:30pm February 1, 2010)

Karin, I totally agree. I just don't want to know.

ANd yes, Theresa, I think telling a spouse should be expected--there must be someting in the marriage vows about it, right? And that means..it's never going to be a secret..
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 5:37pm February 1, 2010)

Off to a booksigning! Back soon to continue our chat..don't forget to comment to be entered to win!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 5:38pm February 1, 2010)

Love it....how right you are. Count me in! Most of the things people tell me I wouldn't want to share anyway....
(Danelle Drake 5:41pm February 1, 2010)

I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the secret... had me fooled!! I would love a chance to win your new book.
(Freda Mans-Labianca 6:13pm February 1, 2010)

The excerpt has left me intrigued. Please enter me!
(Lisa Garrett 6:17pm February 1, 2010)

Sometimes I do better at keeping a secret than others!

Sandi
(Sandi Shilhanek 7:06pm February 1, 2010)

I love reading mysteries and would love to win your contest.
[email protected]
(Gloria Walshver 7:08pm February 1, 2010)

Thank you for such a great excerpt! The book sounds great, and I would love a chance to be entered in the contest. I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

I like to think I'm pretty good at keeping a secret, as long as nobody gets badly hurt.
(Amber Eversmeyer 8:04pm February 1, 2010)

I've been keeping a secret for two years and I haven't spilled the beans yet. It's almost a stupid secret and sometimes I just want to tell someone. But I guess I'll keep the secret cause I promised. This isn't something that could hurt someone so keeping it is just another thing on my to do list.
(Shirley Kulesza 8:12pm February 1, 2010)

It is hard but you don't want to hurt feelings. You to tell the person to trust you about keeping the secret. Maybe it is you weren't where you said you were you said you would be
(Patricia Kasner 8:12pm February 1, 2010)

I really don't like secrets, but sometimes it is necessary to expose them if keeping them could harm or hurt someone. p.s. I love your hair. I may let mine go natural...
(Vikki Parman 8:25pm February 1, 2010)

I never break a confidence. However, if I knew something that should be made open I would not hesitate in that case. This has not happened yet.
(Mary Preston 9:04pm February 1, 2010)

I definitely could keep a secret. It is just easier for me to get things taken care of when people don't know what I know especially in my family where secrets are really non-existent.
(Kai Wong 9:31pm February 1, 2010)

It is funny that I come here and the subject is Secrets. Less than an hour ago I was tempted to tell a secret, but decided it was better not to do so. But this was an interesting topic and the book sounds equally interesting.
(Gladys Paradowski 9:36pm February 1, 2010)

Ah, Freda, that's great.

And thanks to all who like the excerpt! I had fun choosing it--I didn't want to give anything away, of course, but I do want you to get to know the story...and of course, want more!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 10:15pm February 1, 2010)

Shirley, that's very difficult! But you must be a very true friend. That's lovely.
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 10:16pm February 1, 2010)

Hey Vikki! Thanks so much! My hair person is terrific..and I'll tell him you approve. Hurray.
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 10:17pm February 1, 2010)

Gladys...that's a very mysterious thing to say! And it sounds like you made the right decisions..to come here to read the excerpt, to enter the contest--and not to tell!
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 10:19pm February 1, 2010)

I'm really good at keeping a secret! But not from my husband! I don't ever promise to keep something from him that he should know.
(Brenda Rupp 10:21pm February 1, 2010)

I'm pretty good at keeping
secrets. But when someone asks
me to keep a secret , the
first thing I say is "Not if
this secret would hurt
someone" or with the kids
something that their father
should know.
(Lisa Richards 11:07pm February 1, 2010)

Brenda, that makes sense! And Lisa, I do agree.

What a wonderful day here at Fresh Fiction--as always! FF, thank you for the fantastic review of DRIVE TIME..and it was so lovely to meet all of you. Come to my website, send me an email...keep in touch!

And winners--talk to you soon!

with endless affection
Hank
(HAnk Phillippi Ryan 11:23pm February 1, 2010)

GREAT EXCERPT
(Audra Holtwick 3:16am February 2, 2010)

I'm a talker so if you have secret you
want to keep you have to let me know it's
a private confidence.
(Sue Ahn 5:40am February 2, 2010)

There shouldn't be secrets
between couples. But there are,
because some secrets will cause
more pain than necessary. Tell
when appropriate.
(Tanja Haack 9:38am February 2, 2010)

.....just love it. I jotted the names down and will be purchasing your books this weekend....unless of course, they arrive in the mail. Then, I will be purchasing future ones. Congrats on your success - you have a new follower.
(Danelle Drake 7:25pm February 2, 2010)

I am very tight-mouthed! I know how to keep a secret. Your books are great!
(Lisa Glidewell 8:02pm February 2, 2010)

I've never personally had a secret with that much riding on it. However in my working life I hear confidential stuff all the time, and there have been a few occasions when I wrestled with leaving things as they were or drawing someone else into my confidence due to worry about what might happen. There are no easy answers.
(Maya Missani 9:56pm February 2, 2010)

I can't wait to get Drive Time! I have all the others, signed. I can't wait to read it either!!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 4:27pm April 17, 2010)

i can keep a secret that's why everyone tells me there.They know it won't get any further
(Kathy Weber 8:43pm April 17, 2010)

Congrats on your upcoming release! Good Luck!

Happy Holidays!
(Victoria Colyer-Kerr 11:53am November 30, 2010)