The official book launch of my new thriller The Barbie Killer will be on its release date, Tuesday March 31, 2026, at Story & Song Bookstore and Center for Arts and Culture in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Please join me there that day at 4 pm for a discussion about the novel and to pick up a signed copy. The event is complimentary, and wine and snacks will be served.
When Dolly Garner’s husband is transferred to the small town of Huntington, Kansas, she hates the thought of uprooting their young family and starting over a thousand miles away. But after a year of living on savings and credit cards after Tim’s previous lay-off, refusing to move is out of the question. So they sell their home, pack their bags, and focus on the positives: wholesome Midwestern values, a lower cost of living, and less crime.
But Dolly’s first impressions are not good. The people seem standoffish, unfriendly, and tight-lipped. The women she meets are materialistic and obsessed with status. More unsettling, Dolly learns that years ago, a brutal murder took place on the property where her family’s home now stands, and the case was never solved.
When a violent crime shocks the community, the town secret is out: A serial killer is on the loose and preying on the women of Huntington. As paranoia surges and the line between neighbor and predator blurs, Dolly realizes she can’t trust anyone in this town.
Inspired by true events, this twist-filled thriller will leave you breathless until the final page.
JULIA MCDERMOTT 
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