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rmhs14's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For me, not being a big romance reader, it was alittle to heavy on the romance. But was not to bad of a plot.
j_h_'s review against another edition
Way too much overly dramatic "erotic romance" throughout the book 🤮
mistysreads's review against another edition
5.0
Samantha Dark is a former FBI agent / most respected profiler in the bureau. She is an expert in getting into a killer's mind and forming a dead on profile. But this case is different, they find a man standing over a dead body but the scene just doesn't feel right. He's not the killer, she doesn't realize who the killer is until the next morning when she is sitting at her ex-lover's and best friend, Cameron Latham's, computer seeing pictures of the latest victim. Her career destroyed, being blamed by the assistant director that she let him go.
Murder's with a MO similiar to that of her former best friend is showing up in the town that's her sanctuary. She has to trust her former partner and the man she has always been drawn to. Blake Gamble, ex-military, has always been in love with Samantha Dark but will Cameron let her have her happily ever after if it doesn't include him?
What a story! Like always Cynthia Eden has written a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. No matter what happened Cameron was on the outskirts, watching, waiting, and planning. All of the characters were so dynamically written and had such a 3d perspective. I really liked Josh and Tucker and can't wait to see more of Blake, Sam, Josh, and Tucker in the future. I always know I've got a book I'm going to enjoy when I pick up a Cynthia Eden book, but I always wonder where she is going to take me this time? Just like usual, I can't wait to read the next in the series, about Tucker.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Net Galley
Murder's with a MO similiar to that of her former best friend is showing up in the town that's her sanctuary. She has to trust her former partner and the man she has always been drawn to. Blake Gamble, ex-military, has always been in love with Samantha Dark but will Cameron let her have her happily ever after if it doesn't include him?
What a story! Like always Cynthia Eden has written a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. No matter what happened Cameron was on the outskirts, watching, waiting, and planning. All of the characters were so dynamically written and had such a 3d perspective. I really liked Josh and Tucker and can't wait to see more of Blake, Sam, Josh, and Tucker in the future. I always know I've got a book I'm going to enjoy when I pick up a Cynthia Eden book, but I always wonder where she is going to take me this time? Just like usual, I can't wait to read the next in the series, about Tucker.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Net Galley
daisyknox's review against another edition
4.0
More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
Samantha is a disgraced former FBI profiler who was drummed out of the Bureau when she discovered her lover was the elusive serial killer she’d failed to stop. Her boss thought she was working with him and went after the wrong guy on purpose. She retreats to a solitary life on another coast, determined to start over, but he’s still out there and he’ll never let her go. Her only support is her adoptive father, the local chief of police, and her former partner, but he wants more than just to be partners again. This story was good and had a few twists but there were no surprises here and I found Samantha to be a little stiff. I enjoyed it overall through and did go on to read the rest of the series.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
5.0
French & English reviews
Le premier tome d'une série avec beaucoup de potentiel
Étant une fan de séries avec des serial killers, j'étais très curieuse de débuter cette série ... Et j'ai beaucoup aimé !
L'intrigue était hyper tordue dès le début (OMG comment on se remet du fait que son meilleur ami / amant est un serial killer !!) et j'ai adoré la façon dont l'intrigue s'épaissit ... Et bien sûr, la romance entre les deux partenaires Samantha et Blake (j'adore les héros badass avec une carrière militaire et hyper protecteur <3)
Bref, une romance où l'intrigue tordue est aussi passionnante que la romance Pour les fans d'Esprits criminels, je recommande !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The first book in a series with a lot of potential
Being a fan of series with serial killers, I was very curious to start this series ... And I really liked it !
The plot was super twisted from the start (OMG how do you get over the fact that your best friend/lover is a serial killer !!) and I loved how the plot unfolded and thickened ... And of course, the romance between the two partners Samantha and Blake (I love badass heroes with a military career and hyper protective <3)
In short, a romance where the twisted plot is as exciting as the romance For fans of Criminal Minds, I recommend it !
Le premier tome d'une série avec beaucoup de potentiel
Étant une fan de séries avec des serial killers, j'étais très curieuse de débuter cette série ... Et j'ai beaucoup aimé !
L'intrigue était hyper tordue dès le début (OMG comment on se remet du fait que son meilleur ami / amant est un serial killer !!) et j'ai adoré la façon dont l'intrigue s'épaissit ... Et bien sûr, la romance entre les deux partenaires Samantha et Blake (j'adore les héros badass avec une carrière militaire et hyper protecteur <3)
Bref, une romance où l'intrigue tordue est aussi passionnante que la romance Pour les fans d'Esprits criminels, je recommande !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The first book in a series with a lot of potential
Being a fan of series with serial killers, I was very curious to start this series ... And I really liked it !
The plot was super twisted from the start (OMG how do you get over the fact that your best friend/lover is a serial killer !!) and I loved how the plot unfolded and thickened ... And of course, the romance between the two partners Samantha and Blake (I love badass heroes with a military career and hyper protective <3)
In short, a romance where the twisted plot is as exciting as the romance For fans of Criminal Minds, I recommend it !
timitra's review against another edition
4.0
Rated 4.5 Stars
Cynthia Eden has a knack for writing Romantic Suspense that grabs your attention from the first sentence and does not let you go until the very last one. After The Dark was no different. It was filled with edge of the seat suspense and pulse pounding action, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Cynthia Eden has a knack for writing Romantic Suspense that grabs your attention from the first sentence and does not let you go until the very last one. After The Dark was no different. It was filled with edge of the seat suspense and pulse pounding action, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
After the Dark
4 Stars
Following a debacle that ended in the escape of a sadistic serial killer, FBI Profiler Samantha Dark finds returns home to Alabama at loose ends. When her former partner, Blake Gamble, arrives with troubling new details about the case, Sam is forced to confront her past. But can she overcome her demons, and will the man she loves accept her for who she is?
Series note:This is the first novel in Cynthia Eden's new Killer Instincts series. There is a prequel novella (Gathering Dusk), which provides an important introduction to the characters, as well as a Harlequin Intrigue (Abduction) set in the same world and portraying events mentioned in this book.
After the Dark has an intense and chilling serial killer plot, and Eden can always be relied upon to provide a suitably malevolent villain together with exciting action sequences.
Sam and Blake are both likable characters and their romance is satisfying overall. That said, their chemistry is not as tangible as some of Eden's other couples. Perhaps it is the fact that their relationship comes after a period of separation, but the heat and passion behind the words and love scenes is somewhat lacking. Moreover, Blake's overprotectiveness begins to chafe after a while, especially since Sam is a trained FBI agent and can take care of herself.
In sum, recommended for fans of serial killers and police procedurals as well as the TV show Criminal Minds. The rest of the series looks very promising.
4 Stars
Following a debacle that ended in the escape of a sadistic serial killer, FBI Profiler Samantha Dark finds returns home to Alabama at loose ends. When her former partner, Blake Gamble, arrives with troubling new details about the case, Sam is forced to confront her past. But can she overcome her demons, and will the man she loves accept her for who she is?
Series note:This is the first novel in Cynthia Eden's new Killer Instincts series. There is a prequel novella (Gathering Dusk), which provides an important introduction to the characters, as well as a Harlequin Intrigue (Abduction) set in the same world and portraying events mentioned in this book.
After the Dark has an intense and chilling serial killer plot, and Eden can always be relied upon to provide a suitably malevolent villain together with exciting action sequences.
Sam and Blake are both likable characters and their romance is satisfying overall. That said, their chemistry is not as tangible as some of Eden's other couples. Perhaps it is the fact that their relationship comes after a period of separation, but the heat and passion behind the words and love scenes is somewhat lacking. Moreover, Blake's overprotectiveness begins to chafe after a while, especially since Sam is a trained FBI agent and can take care of herself.
In sum, recommended for fans of serial killers and police procedurals as well as the TV show Criminal Minds. The rest of the series looks very promising.
booknookie's review against another edition
2.0
You can read a complete and a more detailed review at my blog.
So, to conclude it all, I liked the story even though it was predictable and you got to know it all already in the beginning. I did however don’t like the characters and the general dynamic in the story. Probably had higher hopes for the book, than what I should have had.
So, to conclude it all, I liked the story even though it was predictable and you got to know it all already in the beginning. I did however don’t like the characters and the general dynamic in the story. Probably had higher hopes for the book, than what I should have had.
trollshiddenlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
A Romantic Suspense it is!
Enough romance in there without taking over the story. The actual plot is twisted and just sucks you in. Nice show of teamwork and not just between Dark and Gamble but the whole force. A hard read to put down.
Enough romance in there without taking over the story. The actual plot is twisted and just sucks you in. Nice show of teamwork and not just between Dark and Gamble but the whole force. A hard read to put down.
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
4.0
**4.5 Stars**
After the Dark is the first book in a new romantic suspense series by an author who does suspense so well. I’ll pretty much follow Cynthia Eden wherever she goes, but I love when she writes a good, thrilling story with a twisted killer the most.
Samantha may be my favorite Eden heroine yet. A disgraced FBI profiler, Samantha isn’t one to stay down for long. Her determination and drive constantly force her forward, even when there are twists and turns in every direction. She’s gutsy, ballsy, and a little on the stubborn side (okay, a lot). Her skill to see things others can’t, to want to find all of the answers whether it puts herself at risk, to constantly want to be better–lovers of romantic suspense will love this kickass heroine for all of that alone. What better way to complement her than to give her a strong, skilled man by her side who has the ability to let her lead, to give her the freedom to do things her way even if it’s scary to risk her. Their romance sparked quickly and carried throughout the pages. In a high-risk job, attraction can be detrimental, but here, in this story, it made the characters stronger, more brave.
I’ll admit I didn’t read the prequel, but I got along just fine without it. Eden writes some of the darkest and genius-like killers in her stories, and she always writes such fascinating material around them. I love trying to figure out who the bad guy is, what the motives are, and how all of it will end because most of the time I’m wrong, and there’s a twist embedded somewhere in the story, which is the funnest part of reading her tales. I’m greatly looking forward to the next novel in the series and seeing where else this series will take me. If you love romantic suspense, I know you’ll love this story and where Eden beautifully takes us with her masterful storytelling.
**Received an early copy via NetGalley; Voluntarily reviewed**
After the Dark is the first book in a new romantic suspense series by an author who does suspense so well. I’ll pretty much follow Cynthia Eden wherever she goes, but I love when she writes a good, thrilling story with a twisted killer the most.
Samantha may be my favorite Eden heroine yet. A disgraced FBI profiler, Samantha isn’t one to stay down for long. Her determination and drive constantly force her forward, even when there are twists and turns in every direction. She’s gutsy, ballsy, and a little on the stubborn side (okay, a lot). Her skill to see things others can’t, to want to find all of the answers whether it puts herself at risk, to constantly want to be better–lovers of romantic suspense will love this kickass heroine for all of that alone. What better way to complement her than to give her a strong, skilled man by her side who has the ability to let her lead, to give her the freedom to do things her way even if it’s scary to risk her. Their romance sparked quickly and carried throughout the pages. In a high-risk job, attraction can be detrimental, but here, in this story, it made the characters stronger, more brave.
I’ll admit I didn’t read the prequel, but I got along just fine without it. Eden writes some of the darkest and genius-like killers in her stories, and she always writes such fascinating material around them. I love trying to figure out who the bad guy is, what the motives are, and how all of it will end because most of the time I’m wrong, and there’s a twist embedded somewhere in the story, which is the funnest part of reading her tales. I’m greatly looking forward to the next novel in the series and seeing where else this series will take me. If you love romantic suspense, I know you’ll love this story and where Eden beautifully takes us with her masterful storytelling.
**Received an early copy via NetGalley; Voluntarily reviewed**