Dark, dark suspenseful thriller that I loved.
599432
This was my first book by this author, I was intrigued by the blurb and can I say that cover - whew!  For the most part I enjoyed this dark, dark book but like some other reviewers I didn't connect all that much with the mains, particularly Spence.  I wanted to know more about hi,.  After I finished this book I realized that there was a prequel that tells of the college love story of Spence and Emme that I have preordered.  This is a suspenseful read where Spence searches for Emme after she is abducted and her struggles and attempts to escape.  I didn't feel the love story since they have been separated for 3 years and Spence had moved on with Noelle (who he dumped to look for Emme). Maybe the fact that they were separated for most of the book left me with that feeling.  Loved it, recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
4302571
Dark Eden is an exciting physiological thriller brimming with action, unexpected twists and an unique but fascinating main character. The entire time I was trying to figure out the angle for Eden while watching what it did to its patients. While I could foresee something, others hit me with a curve ball and I was definitely not expecting the ending. But even better than the twisting and surprising plot was the impact that hits hard and true. In this surprising sincerity is where Dark Eden truly excels.

In the beginning, I just didn't really care about Will. I thought he was a different character with incredibly unique qualities but I just didn't feel emotionally connected with him. Maybe it was all his snooping in the beginning or his refusal to immerse himself in the program but I just didn't click with him. But as his resourcefulness came out and as he started taking very large risks to discover the truth behind Eden, I beginning to reach out. Then, when his big revelation came, I found that I was tremendously effected and really felt for him. As if over night, I'd started to feel for the guy who treats noise like most people treat their favorite food. I'm really glad that I was able to break through whatever was bothering me about him and start to connect with Will because he is a really great edition to a female saturated market.

I wish I'd gotten to know the other six kids in Dark Eden a little bit better. I was interested in their stories and what made them tick but because Alex chooses an alternative route to the regular treatment, we don't get to know very much about them . However, it is nice that each had their own fear and by the end, I could tell each kid apart. The other characters were interesting. I had no idea what Rainsford and the groundskeeper were up to and how Doctor Stevens played into all of the things going on.

The atmosphere of Eden really lende to the terrifying feel of the novel. Nestled deep into the woods and surrounded by crows, Eden is an old fort that goes very deep underground. The trapped feeling of the walls plus the darkness of the woods was very scary. I liked that with Will we got to see how the treatments were working and what the kids were afraid of. I did find that I had a problem though because I felt like Will was keeping information from the reader that he already knew. For instance, he knew what everyone was scared of before they ever started their journey but the reader only got to find out as it was happening to them. I'll admit that a lot of the reason I read was to find out for myself but I found it frustrating that our main character was sharing information earlier.

Without revealing too much, I'll say that I had no idea where the story was going. Though the story starts off a bit slow, the ending makes up for it. After Will finds out the secrets behind Eden, it makes the entire thing that much more creepy. I've read some reviews where people have said that they didn't like what Eden was hiding, that it wasn't believable. For me, it added to the story, expanding it in a way I didn't think was possible for the novel. That makes the slow beginning worth it. I also like how the story is told in small bits of conversation, borrowed notes and sometimes straight first person. It gives it an organic feel and the fact that it is broken up with pictures is also a fun detail.

Though I haven't yet, I plan to check out the animated website that goes along with this novel and see if it adds anything to an already interesting novel. Bottom line is Will is a great new voice, the plot is unexpected and the concept is killer. If the study of fear and/or adventure is your thing, Dark Eden is definitely a novel to check out.
1304384
A great psychological thriller that I found hard to put down.  Told from two points of view, and two timelines, this story draws you in to a dark past and terrifying present. The depravity of the human soul and the attraction to darkness.

I received an ARC of Daddy Darkest and this is my honest review.
2247604
The Better Part of Darkness, told from Charlie Madigan's point of view, was an exciting, fast-paced read for me. I finish this book in nearly one sitting. What kept me glued to the pages was how clues were dropped at just the right place, and the mystery just kept building. The pace of was perfect. The unique world and atmosphere of this book had the right combination of dark and gritty paranormal aspects.

The biggest attention grabber for me was the colorful personalities of the characters. From Hank, Charlie's gorgeous off-world partner to Byrn, her eclectic sister who runs a herb shop in the Underground. Charlie, mother of a pre-teen, is a gusty heroine, who has heart. But she's tough as nails when the situation calls for it and it's called for many times. She presents everyone with a tough exterior and acts like she can handle whatever comes her way on her own, but on the inside she is always questioning herself. I could see Charlie as a real person.

The thing that can make a book really pop for me is when the bad guys are truly evil and vile. You get that kind of scary here. So when your reading a scene with the bad guys, your on the edge of your seat with worry and dread. More than once I was wondering how Charlie was going to save herself.

The ending left me feeling very satisfied but full of anticipation for the next book. This was a story that left me thinking about it long after I finished reading it. I will be picking up the next book in Charlie Madigan's universe. This one is going down in my top 10 reads of this year.
2067467
"You Can Trust Me: A Novel" by Sophie McKenzie is such a suspenseful thriller that really had me on the edge of my seat. It also had me yelling at the characters in the book as I cringed with fear of what may happen. There are enough twists and turns that will keep you guessing and cringing and yelling at the characters (as if they could even hear any of us).

Well, you can trust me that this is a very good book. It will keep you up late into the night reading then keep you up when you're trying to sleep thinking about the story you were just reading.
2165732
Dark and intense, engaging and unpredictable!

Dr Alex Taylor finds herself in a horrific, true life nightmare, when she wakes up to find herself naked and strapped up on a operating table and has no idea how she got there. A masked surgeon with ominous intentions is threatening to do terrifying things to her unless she answers this one simple question correctly..." What does 'no' mean?"

When she wakes up again in the ward of the hospital in which she works, after being found unconscious in the hospital car park, fully clothed and with a mere bump on her head, her version of events seems far-fetched to the police, her colleagues and even her beloved boyfriend.

Soon, there are more questionable and suspicious incidents and we are left wondering if Alex is having a breakdown or is someone intent on destroying her. And if so, why.

From the outset, this captivating read had me feeling anxious with my heart in my mouth during this original and oh so frightening opening, playing on ones fears of waking up helpless and unable to move on an operating table.

This read will keep you on your toes, having you wonder what is real and what isn't, having you speculate whether this will turn out well for the protagonist.

With the many twists, turns and red herrings, everyone was a suspect at one stage. I delighted that the 'whodunit' took me by surprise as the author slapped me in the face with it!

With the suspense building with a disturbing and seemingly unstoppable person pulling the strings, the intense, nail biting and unpredictable ending, the conclusion hit the sweet spot.

The only niggle I had was that I found I had trouble believing Alex's loved ones and the police were so quick to dismiss her version of events, so quick to think the worst of her.

Despite that, I am so pleased I got to read this clever, disturbing, tension-filled medical psychological thriller,  and I look forward to reading more of Liz Lawler's work in future.
4904641
Wow, what a dark and twisted story is revealed within these pages. The story line is excellent, although I found the main characters story telling simplistic compared to the normal crime thrillers I'm used to reading.

The detail in this story is graphic, I'm sat cringing whilst I'm fervently turning the page to see what other grotesque death the author has delivered.

It's a very refreshing twist on a serial killer book, it had me guessing and mis-guessing throughout. For me to say I didn't see that coming is the sign of a story I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was so tired whilst I was reading this book after a busy week that I kept falling asleep, very begrudgingly as I so wanted to finish it in one sitting. Every time I had to put the book down it was at a good bit, and I couldn't wait to return to it.

As I say it's a deliciously dark and twisted read.
3149476
This book is not my usual genre, but I was intrigued by the premise when I saw it advertised on my Kindle, and I ended up really enjoying it! The author's writing is smooth and flows, and I was fascinated by the aftermath of the heroine's captivity. It was a dark, suspenseful read that I couldn't put down. Highly recommend!
2143126
Dark, disturbing, filled with suspense.

This book is one of those that has been on my kindle a long time and I finally got around to reading it and I am so glad I did.

I love dark reads for their ability to shock, keep you in suspense and especially when the plot has youe you gripping your kindle and flipping your pages eagerly.

Captive in the dark was probably one of the first of its kind in dark romances, since then there has been a lot of books similar to this and I have read quit a few of them where captee falls for captor and vice versa.

This is a story of a young girl, Olivia or Livvie chosen like a pawn in a game of revenge.
A story of captor falling for captee and questions of...is this Stockholm syndrome or does the victim/hostage really fall for her captor.

"Each day I was more vulnerable than the last. Each day he stripped away more of my sense of self".

Caleb's job is to train the girl, make her compliant, a slave.
12 years of planning has gone into Caleb and the man who saved him getting their revenge and their only way in to his circle is to introduce a girl, a girl especially selected by Caleb, a virgin who will be trained as a submissive and to get her to the point where she is ready for them to offer her for auction.
A girl pretty and a virgin, an enticing temptation for a wealthy and evil man who made his money from the sex trade, their hope is that their target will take the bait and give them a way in to get nearer to the man they seek revenge from for killing their family's.

Captive Is the dark is dark and gritty has scenes of sex and desires and is not for the faint hearted like most dark reads.

It's a slow burn to any form of tender relationship and understanding between Caleb and Livvie and near the end you can almost feel Caleb wavering, will he go through with his plan? Will he chose Livvie over the man who rescued him as a boy and trained him for this purpose as repayment for saving him?

Caleb himself has a gruesome backstory, beaten and raped as a child until he was saved by the fman who he now feels indebted to.

"He was the monster no one thought to look for in the light of day".

"There was just something about her, something he wanted to taste and touch. Something he wanted to claim".

I am looking forward to the conclusion in this story and crossing everything for a hea for both Caleb and Olivia.

Told in third person and a duet. Free in Amazon.
1108045
A wonderful thriller that I honestly couldn't put down. I read it in two days, and I read slow!! Thank you Kathryn!!
991884
First I couldn't sleep because I could not stop reading and then I could not sleep because I was so spooked by the dark! I particularly enjoyed getting to know the distinctly different characters; part of the suspense is that you really care about what happens to each and every one of them. I have to add, the twist at the end is a real treat.
2694578
Killer's Diary grabbed hold of me from the first page and hung on relentlessly until it finally released me at the very end. Along the way, I had an exciting, dark journey into the mind of a killer. But who was it? I thought I had it all neatly worked out, and that made me suspicious. I couldn't be right. But it all added up to me being right. But then... The author is a master at gripping psychological suspense. His complex characters and their disturbed, difficult lives meant every one of them had secrets, dark memories and hidden agendas. I was drawn in completely and glad of a lengthy train journey so I could carry on reading undisturbed. One of the best novels I have read this year. I can't fault it.
3284077
A dark and deliciously book that I couldn't put down. I like the way that the characters develop. Also the way the characters develop in this story was rather interesting. Plus the way the story is told via newspaper clippings, videotapes, and diaries made the book even more compelling.

The thing that i liked first off, is our main character, Carly/Kaitlyn who has two personalities. Carly is the personality that comes out during the daytime and Kaitlyn comes out during the night. We find that she is wrestling with the deaths of her parents and that her younger sister Jamie is now living with adoptive parents. There seems to be some interesting dynamics with these personalities and how the relationships that progress during this book.

One of the things that was interesting is how the newspaper clippings, videos and diary entries really were what kept this story interesting and fresh. Also the emails, medical notes from the shrink of course are all what keep this book so very good. Plus the video cameras from time to time are interesting and different. I also like how the shrink is trying to help her, but at times meets resistance from the two personalities. Its like they need one another at times. We also learn that the other teenagers like Nadia and Ari are not what they seem at times. There seems to be a lot about this book that is very riveting and has you compelled to read at times what Carly and Kaitlyn leave for each other. How they both try to struggle at times with things.

Also the way that our heroine/heroines are going through is a struggle at times. Their friends also have to wrestle with the fact that what they know is not always going to be who they are. We find that there are things that nobody knew about certain things that happened. We also learn that there are according to Nadia certain spirits very interested in Carly/Kaitlyn at times. When Carly goes missing or is no longer communicating, the doctor/shrink thinks that they have become integrated not realizing that this caused a psychotic break in Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn may be the dominant one and that Carly was the alter instead. This is an interesting way to look at things.

This book is very suspenseful. We learn that there are forces beyond anyones control. What happens is something that no one was prepared for. Some believe that Kaityln murdered the group of teenagers. According to Nadia, we learn that she may have been possessed by a demon. I happen to agree with Nadia on this, even though its not outright shown, but alluded to in the book via diaries, emails. I really like the twist that happens with Nadias character as we learn that she herself was hospitalized when she was younger.

A great suspenseful horror, thriller that kept me reading. At times, I kept on guessing what would happen. I really enjoyed this book and think anyone that wants a great horror read, should read this book.

Rating: Five Hearts
402304
It isn't too often I go with five stars - but there was just something about the chaos - the tone - the way I kept wanting more with each turn of the page -
If you are looking for a psychological thriller that has intense drama -heart pounding suspense with slightly twisted psychological undertones- No need to look any further- dear old Daddy Darkest has it all!
Kane is a new author for me and since this was a complimentary copy I felt I had nothing to lose - I am so glad I grabbed a copy! I will definitely be looking for more from this series as well as following this author
775438
If you like dark thrillers,this is for you.  The second in a trilogy - now I wait for the third.
4682166
I downloaded this book sometime ago and due to my very long TBR list I had only recently picked it up! And it was certainly worth the wait. This is a very dark tale of murder and one that reaches deep into the mind of the protagonist Nigel. Suffering from paranoia and guilt he tries to justify his actions from one terrible night many years before. He hits the self-destruct button and starts the long journey over time battling with his conscience and sanity. This book was so well written and really got inside the mind of Nigel and you actually feel sorry for him at times. This is a dark, sinister read and one you will be drawn into from the very first page. I will certainly be reading more books by this talented author.
4085806
OF FEAR AND FAITH by N.D. Jones starts off with a bang and had me from the word go. Its a chilling thriller that had me holding my breath as FBI Special Agent Assefa Berber and psychology professor Sanura Williams try to track down a merciless killerand stay alive doing so. Since Im a big fan of thrillers, I loved the deftly-handled touches of horror. There was real suspense and tension during those passages and I would have liked more. The interweaving of African mythology made the story all the more intriguing.

I found OF FEAR AND FAITH to be an exceedingly well-written paranormal romance. I thought the characters spot on and the story line compelling. Its a great read thats very easy to get lost in.

Ms. Jones has created some very appealing characters that become more so when set against this backdrop of magic and mysticism. If you love suspense, danger, and mystery thats doused by ample portions of romance, than this book is for you.