Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner

 Echoes of Darkness

Book Summary

A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare…  

My Thoughts

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner is a dark, suspenseful story.  The author’s vivid descriptions transported me to Kenorapeake Falls, Ontario.  Copycat crimes have the community up in arms and a mayor determined to get answers.  The main characters are complex and developed, but they still have still have room to grow.  Oaklynn and Caleb have secrets that they would prefer to remain buried, but you know that they will not (they never do).  I like the sections from the killer’s point of view. They enhanced the story. 

Despite all the darkness in the story, there are moments of light.  It is that age old tale of the dark against the light (good versus evil).  We need to put our faith in God if we are to snuff out the evil within ourselves.  In the story, they must combat the evil threatening their community. I quickly identified the culprit, but my mother attributes it to my extensive reading of mysteries.  I enjoyed the tension, twists, thrills, and secrets.  I wish that the pacing had been a tad peppier.  Being thrust into danger has a way of bringing people closer.  There is chemistry between Oaklynn and Caleb, and romance begins to bloom despite the dark crimes.  Echoes of Darkness is a tense tale with copycat killings, a dark cult, shocking secrets, a determined mayor, finding faith, and catching a killer. 

Echoes of Darkness is available from Amazon as well as other major retailers.  Darlene Turner has Danger in the Wilderness coming out on August 26.  It is the first book in the National Park Protectors series.    You can find Darlene L. Turner's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am going to share my thoughts on An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon.  It is the first A Bainbridge Island Mystery.  I hope that you have a enjoyable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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