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One Desperate Life: A gripping thriller

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She’s pregnant with his child when he deserts her. Home in 1912 Chicago for summer, Louise Clifford finds herself, once again, lost in the shadow of her more accomplished sister. When the alluring Texan, Charles Watson, pursues her, she clings to the lifeline he promises. However, after six weeks of bliss, he abruptly leaves. Hurt and angry, she sneaks away in search of him. Finding him in his hometown of Austin, she’s confused to learn he’s answering to a different name. Now everything he told her back in Chicago is in question. She’s trapped. She needs him but knows he’s not the man she knew…What else could he be hiding? Fans of Behind Closed Doors, The Girl on the Train, and Before I Go to Sleep, will love this novel.Praise for D.J. ★★★★★ “Suspenseful and many chapters leave you hanging, and you must keep reading.”★★★★★ “The suspense and questioning of each character keeps you guessing until the end.”★★★★★ “It was well written and fast-paced. A real page-turner.”★★★★★ “Make sure you get everything you need to do done before starting it because once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Fast-paced, great characters and top-notch writing.”★★★★★ “I literally could not stop reading it and was disappointed that I reached the end of the story!”★★★★★ “Loved the story, loved the fast pace, loved the suspense.”★★★★★ “I could not put it down! I finished the book 48 hours after starting it. Just love the characters.”★★★★★ “Wow! This book was amazing… great character development and plot!”

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2024

About the author

D.J. Maughan

6 books77 followers

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5 stars
74 (50%)
4 stars
47 (31%)
3 stars
21 (14%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Autumn McNichols.
9 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2024
This book is utterly fabulous. It is so well written, easy to follow, but the storyline will keep you intrigued. I highly recommend this! 10/10
Profile Image for Tika Turner.
36 reviews3 followers
July 8, 2024
3.5/5 — Easy read/intriguing story to follow, but the ending cleaned up a little too quickly for me.
Profile Image for Vanessa Keck.
24 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2024
Loved this book. It wasn’t your typical psychological thriller. But, it was interesting and entertaining. I read it in one sitting.
Profile Image for Peggy Henstra.
632 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2024
Review

This book took you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. From beginning to end it was a turn pager and the ending was a shock to me. Loved it



Profile Image for Patty.
4,552 reviews41 followers
July 6, 2024
One Desperate Life
By: D.J. Maughan
Narrated by: Stephanie Richardson

Looking for some excitement? This one is for you! Louise is always pushed aside in her family, so when her parents bring home a suitor for her sister, and he takes an interest in Louise, she quietly jumps at the chance. Now she finds herself in a predicament which leads to a twisting and turning mystery. DJ Maughan has crafted a little romance and a whole lot of deceit and betrayal. I loved the look at the present as this cold case becomes hot, and the flashbacks to how it all came to be. It's easy to follow, suspenseful and surprising! I truly enjoyed this thriller.

Stephanie Richardson brings it all to life with an amazing performance. She creates all the characters with the voices that fit them. The building up of the story, the passion and suspense all come through with her emotions and nuances. She is the perfect fit and made the listen extraordinary.
Profile Image for Debbie.
82 reviews
April 30, 2024
This book was a page turner and engaging every step of the way. I love a surprise ending!
2,168 reviews25 followers
June 15, 2024
Loved the narration of Stephanie Richardson, who brings out the angst and pace.


Louise finds herself pregnant and alone. In the summer of 1912 Chicago may be over shadowed by her sister. But when Louise Texan, Charles Watson, promises her the world they have six weeks of bliss and then he leaves. Even though she is hurting Louise goes looking for Charles and finds him in his hometown of Austin, answering to a different name. Louise knows she is trapped but she needs find out the truth and see what he hiding.

This is fast paced and will keep you wanting to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Jocelyne.
4,350 reviews17 followers
July 5, 2024
This was my first D.J. Maughan's book, and won't be my last. One Desperate Life is a captivating story, filled with suspense, mystery, danger, and twists and turns. Louise's story is set in the early 1900s. This thriller is an emotional roller coaster, fast-paced, intriguing, and heart-pounding. The plot is well crafted, and enthralling. Stephanie Richardson is a new narrator to me. She did an excellent job bringing this story to life.
109 reviews
July 26, 2024
Lots of twists and turns

Easy read! Fast paced. No profanity or explicit sex. A few misspelled homophones that a good editor should have caught. Otherwise, a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

Profile Image for Kate DiBiase.
28 reviews
June 26, 2024
Went into this book with an open mind and I’m so glad I did! It was a very intriguing story and had me interested the whole time, wondering what was going to happen next!
140 reviews
August 8, 2024
One Desperate Life

This book was fantastic. I totally enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. I definitely highly recommend it. I've found a new author! 😃
Profile Image for Karina.
339 reviews12 followers
July 11, 2024
if you told me it was written by AI, i would immediately believe you. At least it would explain the outrageous anachronisms that also include the characters: an eighteen year old girl from a good family who talks about applying makeup and processing information - in 1912. Sure, Jan. I always wonder why people insist on setting their books in the past if they have no intention of doing even the most basic research.
Blissfully short, but that's its only redeeming quality.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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