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hazel88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was pretty action packed but I felt like the ending was bit of a let down. Still a worthwhile read
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
Into the Dark was my first Karen Rose novel and I’m so excited to be able to read all the rest!
This was truly a pageturner. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free review copy - I also bought the audiobook when I couldn’t stop reading.
There was a lot going on in this book - and I was jumping in late to the series but I had no problems following what was happening. Two young brothers are escaping an abusive home and end up in the care of Dr Dani Novak and Diesel Kennedy. In order to keep the boys safe - Dani and Diesel end up teaming up with their friends and investigating a serial killer.
Dani is HIV positive and this is the first romance I’ve read where that has been represented. There are also multiple characters who are deaf. I learned a lot without ever feeling that I was being lectured.
I am really looking forward to going back through the other books already out in the series and learning more about all the side characters.
Content warning: so many - basically if you have triggers, proceed with caution. Child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, gun violence, drug abuse, parental neglect, car accident, human trafficking.
This was truly a pageturner. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free review copy - I also bought the audiobook when I couldn’t stop reading.
There was a lot going on in this book - and I was jumping in late to the series but I had no problems following what was happening. Two young brothers are escaping an abusive home and end up in the care of Dr Dani Novak and Diesel Kennedy. In order to keep the boys safe - Dani and Diesel end up teaming up with their friends and investigating a serial killer.
Dani is HIV positive and this is the first romance I’ve read where that has been represented. There are also multiple characters who are deaf. I learned a lot without ever feeling that I was being lectured.
I am really looking forward to going back through the other books already out in the series and learning more about all the side characters.
Content warning: so many - basically if you have triggers, proceed with caution. Child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, gun violence, drug abuse, parental neglect, car accident, human trafficking.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
Happy Sunday! On the blog today, we have a very special treat. I bring to you my spot on the blog tour for Into the Dark by Karen Rose. Thank you to Anne Cater and the publisher for my spot on the tour and a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own and completely unbiased.
I absolutely adore everything Karen Rose writes. She always encapsulates me into a bubble of frenetic energy and doesn’t let go until the very last page. Shivers ran down my spine with her dark and compelling narrative. If you haven’t read the rest of the books in the series then have no fear it is easy to read this on its own, Karen gives more than enough information to fill in the gaps.
The opening scene is typical Karen Rose, I was gripped, and I was loving it. Karen has built a wonderful collection of loveable characters in this series, including Police Officers, Counsellors, FBI etc. The characters are strong and captivating, and I have loved them all. She truly displays what is good and right with human nature and restores my faith in humanity time and time again. She’s juggling a complex universe with a core of taut tension. I cared deeply for all the characters, the true sign of an author with immense talent.
Enter Diesel and Dani, this is a book that has been long awaited and boy did it not disappoint. The love and affection that is obvious from Diesel is so utter endearing. He doesn’t need many words to make that obvious, his actions are everything. Their relationship is heart wrenching and I ached for them. They have been through the proverbial wringer. Life can be perfect and then it can be turned upside down. Dani has struggled through a dark and painful past so much, so she now pushes away the best thing that has happened to her in a long time. The author has captured the melancholic essence of the character so perfectly, nothing is forced or put on. It is exactly as it should be. She is such a genuine and caring soul. Never one to put herself first, she is always concerned and worried about the wellbeing of others. She runs a free clinic for people that otherwise couldn’t afford her help. She’s a gem in the rough.
Dani has her reasons for trying to push Diesel away. In a lot of ways, she’s going through a period of immense grief. She is grieving for the life that she had pictured for herself that now won’t happen. It won’t get better in time. Her HIV positive status is going to stay with her. She doesn’t want to stop Diesel having the life that he deserves. But, she also deserves to have a good life. Diesel loves her more than anything and would do anything to make her happy if only she would let him. So much is going on with her that she is struggling to see what is in front of her face.
The thriller part of this story completes the magnificence of this novel. I hope you enjoy a good helping of murder and gore galore. Buckle in your in for a hellish ride. This novel in my opinion is one of her best yet. Karen Rose is back in a complete white-knuckle ride and I’m happy to be here experiencing it. I didn’t want this book to end but at the same time I couldn’t stop reading, it was 3am before I knew it. A dark and dangerously addictive read.
I absolutely adore everything Karen Rose writes. She always encapsulates me into a bubble of frenetic energy and doesn’t let go until the very last page. Shivers ran down my spine with her dark and compelling narrative. If you haven’t read the rest of the books in the series then have no fear it is easy to read this on its own, Karen gives more than enough information to fill in the gaps.
The opening scene is typical Karen Rose, I was gripped, and I was loving it. Karen has built a wonderful collection of loveable characters in this series, including Police Officers, Counsellors, FBI etc. The characters are strong and captivating, and I have loved them all. She truly displays what is good and right with human nature and restores my faith in humanity time and time again. She’s juggling a complex universe with a core of taut tension. I cared deeply for all the characters, the true sign of an author with immense talent.
Enter Diesel and Dani, this is a book that has been long awaited and boy did it not disappoint. The love and affection that is obvious from Diesel is so utter endearing. He doesn’t need many words to make that obvious, his actions are everything. Their relationship is heart wrenching and I ached for them. They have been through the proverbial wringer. Life can be perfect and then it can be turned upside down. Dani has struggled through a dark and painful past so much, so she now pushes away the best thing that has happened to her in a long time. The author has captured the melancholic essence of the character so perfectly, nothing is forced or put on. It is exactly as it should be. She is such a genuine and caring soul. Never one to put herself first, she is always concerned and worried about the wellbeing of others. She runs a free clinic for people that otherwise couldn’t afford her help. She’s a gem in the rough.
Dani has her reasons for trying to push Diesel away. In a lot of ways, she’s going through a period of immense grief. She is grieving for the life that she had pictured for herself that now won’t happen. It won’t get better in time. Her HIV positive status is going to stay with her. She doesn’t want to stop Diesel having the life that he deserves. But, she also deserves to have a good life. Diesel loves her more than anything and would do anything to make her happy if only she would let him. So much is going on with her that she is struggling to see what is in front of her face.
The thriller part of this story completes the magnificence of this novel. I hope you enjoy a good helping of murder and gore galore. Buckle in your in for a hellish ride. This novel in my opinion is one of her best yet. Karen Rose is back in a complete white-knuckle ride and I’m happy to be here experiencing it. I didn’t want this book to end but at the same time I couldn’t stop reading, it was 3am before I knew it. A dark and dangerously addictive read.
mpr2000's review
4.0
This is a story I’ve been waiting for a long time from the Karen Rose series, Doctor Dani Novak has been present in her last books but never as the main character. I loved her story, a doctor ready to help anyone but that the circumstances never helped her. She has VHI so doesn’t want any partner for fear to transmit him the virus, but she has been secretly in love with the coach Diesel Kennedy. Diesel has tried so many times to take Dani on a date, but always having the same answer, no. Maybe this case will be their chance to surpass their fears and trust each other?
Because this will not be an easy case, Michael Rowland and his younger brother Joshua haven’t had an easy life, a mother that doesn’t seem to love them and an abusive step father is their day to day, but everything will get worst when Michael will see his step father being killed. Dani and Diesel will be involved in the case and will try to keep these two little brothers together and safe, but it would not be easy when danger is surrounding them at every step.
Into the Dark has been a deep story, so many emotions involved with the characters; none of them had an easy past and will make the reader want a happy ending for all of them! Really, how many suffer can a person resist?
This had been a fast action thriller; with a killer with feelings, brave characters and a little bit of love, of course!
This is the 5th book of the series Cincinnati, I would highly recommend you to read all the series, there are so many characters and stories between them that you’ll loose half of the story without knowing their background and the connection between them. I’ll admit that I am a big fan of Karen Rose stories so I know all of their characters, but I’ll have this story in a special place!
Into The Dark is the nail bitting story you’ll need for the weekend, just one advice, once I start reading one of Karen Rose books I can never stop… good luck!
Because this will not be an easy case, Michael Rowland and his younger brother Joshua haven’t had an easy life, a mother that doesn’t seem to love them and an abusive step father is their day to day, but everything will get worst when Michael will see his step father being killed. Dani and Diesel will be involved in the case and will try to keep these two little brothers together and safe, but it would not be easy when danger is surrounding them at every step.
Into the Dark has been a deep story, so many emotions involved with the characters; none of them had an easy past and will make the reader want a happy ending for all of them! Really, how many suffer can a person resist?
This had been a fast action thriller; with a killer with feelings, brave characters and a little bit of love, of course!
This is the 5th book of the series Cincinnati, I would highly recommend you to read all the series, there are so many characters and stories between them that you’ll loose half of the story without knowing their background and the connection between them. I’ll admit that I am a big fan of Karen Rose stories so I know all of their characters, but I’ll have this story in a special place!
Into The Dark is the nail bitting story you’ll need for the weekend, just one advice, once I start reading one of Karen Rose books I can never stop… good luck!
xabbeylongx's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Spoilers Ahead:
I think this book was quite average, in regards to Karen Rose's works. Not her best, but definitely not her worst.
We start off the book by following Michael saving his younger brother, Joshua. It's clear that his stepfather is a bad man, and has taken Joshua somewhere, intending to do something with him, but Michael saved him. Despite being deaf, he manages to move quietly, and finally escapes him. Just as he thinks he's away from danger, he spots someone with his stepfather, who was still hunting him down, and the big, bald man kills him, sticking him in the back of his van. Michael takes Joshua home, unsure as to what's happened, and when the man comes back in to check on Joshua, he wants to shoot him, but fails, and the man leaves.
When Joshua's mother doesn't come to collect him from football practice, Diesel is worried, and even more so when Michael turns up to collect him. Something isn't right, as Michael is injured, and he finds out that their mother is abusive to Michael. He is worried to trust Diesel, as he is also a big, bald man, although Diesel doesn't understand the reason behind his fear yet. Michael's main concern is looking after Joshua, but when he gets to the hospital -Diesel's friend Dani Novak's hospital - and she finds him bleeding, she knows he's been abused. They immediately take the kids, Dani being an emergency foster provider, and they go to a safe house there. Things are a little tense, as Dani and Diesel have unfinished business, but they put it aside for the children, whom they seem to care for quite a lot.
When their stepfather's remains are found in the river, all fingers point to Michael, especially when his mother, who is an abusive addict, accuses Michael of killing him, and abusing her. They know it can't be him, especially when she is also killed.
The real killer, Cade Kaiser, is on a mission to find Michael. The fisherman who spotted him knew of his identity, and he had to snip off loose ends. What he didn't realise, however, is that Joshua had a brother, who also saw his identity. So, like all the other loose ends he tied up, he had to do the same to Michael. He couldn't get in, however. He shot a few of their close circle, but, most of them being police officers or FBI agents, they persevered, and kept him safe.
When a Grant Masterson is uncovering facts about his brother, who has mysteriously disappeared after looking into the disappearance of their sister, he finds out Wesley, his brother, went undercover to find Laurel. He must have found what he was looking for, although he posed as a TW paedophile to find the information. Laurel was sold, and although her friend got away when Wes went to find her, she didn't make it. Unfortunately, Wes was part of the paedophile's that Cade was killing off, one by one. He was killing abusers, child molesters, and he wasn't upset at doing so, for he felt he was helping people out. However, he was torturing them as well, like his father did to him. Wes ended up dead, like all the other paedophiles in the ring.
When Greg, Dani's brother, is called into the hospital, they all know none of them called them. Greg, being deaf also, didn't hear them until they pulled up outside to stop him from going in. Then they heard screams of fellow doctors, and they had to go in and save them. Diesel got shot, and it turns out Cade was also shot, his leg infected from being unable to seek medical attention when lying low. He wanted Dani to open the medicine cabinet, but then Diesel is punching him, almost until he's not breathing anymore. He dies in the hospital a few days later, but not before they find his hostages. Dani and Diesel finally get together, and officially adopt Michael and Joshua into their family.
Okay, so you know the drill. The plot itself was amazing - heart-wrenching, melancholic, just downright tragic. It always is when there are children involved, but Michael and Joshua really had my heart. And the fact that Michael had Diesel to talk to, who had also suffered the same abuse Michael had, and I could honestly just sob thinking about it. Found family is a new trope I never thought I'd enjoy so much, but it really worked for me. It was like they were all different pieces of a puzzle, but somehow they all fit together, and it was magical. I truly love the group of misfits as a family.
However, I have some minor critiques - the usual. The romance was way too fast, and way too sex-based for me. It's like they haven't spoken to each other in ages, and there is all this baggage - which both of them have - and it's almost like why is everyone arguing about not getting together? Surely they should just get together. I don't know, I usually like the working together with baggage sort of thing, but this was way too dramatic. It was like he would die if she didn't touch him, and it just felt a tiny bit weird, and really not realistic. Especially when the main focus should have been on the children, and not their rocky relationship status. Obviously, I would have loved the romance if it had been a bit slower, a bit calmer, and not fully just based on their obviously high libidos.
It was almost a bit repetitive too. It just felt like everyone was crying at the hint of something sad happening, which was a lot as this book covers a lot of heavy, sensitive topics, and a lot of the phrases written were said throughout the book, multiple times. It wasn't really fresh writing, and after a while, it just got a little boring.
I do like the ending. I'm not a fan of already knowing the killer throughout, because I like trying to figure it out along with the characters as to who's behind it, but I can appreciate that Cade was doing what he thought was a good thing. It's a controversial subject, because yes, he is killing people, but he's also killing people so that they can't hurt others anymore, so it's morally compromising. As far as an antagonist goes, I like him. Apart from the torturing part - although, with his trauma, it's kind of understandable.
I think this book was quite average, in regards to Karen Rose's works. Not her best, but definitely not her worst.
We start off the book by following Michael saving his younger brother, Joshua. It's clear that his stepfather is a bad man, and has taken Joshua somewhere, intending to do something with him, but Michael saved him. Despite being deaf, he manages to move quietly, and finally escapes him. Just as he thinks he's away from danger, he spots someone with his stepfather, who was still hunting him down, and the big, bald man kills him, sticking him in the back of his van. Michael takes Joshua home, unsure as to what's happened, and when the man comes back in to check on Joshua, he wants to shoot him, but fails, and the man leaves.
When Joshua's mother doesn't come to collect him from football practice, Diesel is worried, and even more so when Michael turns up to collect him. Something isn't right, as Michael is injured, and he finds out that their mother is abusive to Michael. He is worried to trust Diesel, as he is also a big, bald man, although Diesel doesn't understand the reason behind his fear yet. Michael's main concern is looking after Joshua, but when he gets to the hospital -Diesel's friend Dani Novak's hospital - and she finds him bleeding, she knows he's been abused. They immediately take the kids, Dani being an emergency foster provider, and they go to a safe house there. Things are a little tense, as Dani and Diesel have unfinished business, but they put it aside for the children, whom they seem to care for quite a lot.
When their stepfather's remains are found in the river, all fingers point to Michael, especially when his mother, who is an abusive addict, accuses Michael of killing him, and abusing her. They know it can't be him, especially when she is also killed.
The real killer, Cade Kaiser, is on a mission to find Michael. The fisherman who spotted him knew of his identity, and he had to snip off loose ends. What he didn't realise, however, is that Joshua had a brother, who also saw his identity. So, like all the other loose ends he tied up, he had to do the same to Michael. He couldn't get in, however. He shot a few of their close circle, but, most of them being police officers or FBI agents, they persevered, and kept him safe.
When a Grant Masterson is uncovering facts about his brother, who has mysteriously disappeared after looking into the disappearance of their sister, he finds out Wesley, his brother, went undercover to find Laurel. He must have found what he was looking for, although he posed as a TW paedophile to find the information. Laurel was sold, and although her friend got away when Wes went to find her, she didn't make it. Unfortunately, Wes was part of the paedophile's that Cade was killing off, one by one. He was killing abusers, child molesters, and he wasn't upset at doing so, for he felt he was helping people out. However, he was torturing them as well, like his father did to him. Wes ended up dead, like all the other paedophiles in the ring.
When Greg, Dani's brother, is called into the hospital, they all know none of them called them. Greg, being deaf also, didn't hear them until they pulled up outside to stop him from going in. Then they heard screams of fellow doctors, and they had to go in and save them. Diesel got shot, and it turns out Cade was also shot, his leg infected from being unable to seek medical attention when lying low. He wanted Dani to open the medicine cabinet, but then Diesel is punching him, almost until he's not breathing anymore. He dies in the hospital a few days later, but not before they find his hostages. Dani and Diesel finally get together, and officially adopt Michael and Joshua into their family.
Okay, so you know the drill. The plot itself was amazing - heart-wrenching, melancholic, just downright tragic. It always is when there are children involved, but Michael and Joshua really had my heart. And the fact that Michael had Diesel to talk to, who had also suffered the same abuse Michael had, and I could honestly just sob thinking about it. Found family is a new trope I never thought I'd enjoy so much, but it really worked for me. It was like they were all different pieces of a puzzle, but somehow they all fit together, and it was magical. I truly love the group of misfits as a family.
However, I have some minor critiques - the usual. The romance was way too fast, and way too sex-based for me. It's like they haven't spoken to each other in ages, and there is all this baggage - which both of them have - and it's almost like why is everyone arguing about not getting together? Surely they should just get together. I don't know, I usually like the working together with baggage sort of thing, but this was way too dramatic. It was like he would die if she didn't touch him, and it just felt a tiny bit weird, and really not realistic. Especially when the main focus should have been on the children, and not their rocky relationship status. Obviously, I would have loved the romance if it had been a bit slower, a bit calmer, and not fully just based on their obviously high libidos.
It was almost a bit repetitive too. It just felt like everyone was crying at the hint of something sad happening, which was a lot as this book covers a lot of heavy, sensitive topics, and a lot of the phrases written were said throughout the book, multiple times. It wasn't really fresh writing, and after a while, it just got a little boring.
I do like the ending. I'm not a fan of already knowing the killer throughout, because I like trying to figure it out along with the characters as to who's behind it, but I can appreciate that Cade was doing what he thought was a good thing. It's a controversial subject, because yes, he is killing people, but he's also killing people so that they can't hurt others anymore, so it's morally compromising. As far as an antagonist goes, I like him. Apart from the torturing part - although, with his trauma, it's kind of understandable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
summermusings's review against another edition
4.0
I think the narrator nailed all the different voices including the kids. As with all Karen Rose books, I appreciate the tie ins with characters from other stories.
weebyw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Karen Rose just KNOWS what she's writing about like. every book the romance & suspense is just too good. This is one in particular was also incredibly heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual violence
catgood's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent read! It was my first book by Karen Rose, and I potentially should have read the previous books in this series first because there’s a TON of crossover. However, she did an excellent job of giving context without making it clumsy and cumbersome but also didn’t leave it up in the air so the reader had no idea what was going on and wouldn’t without reading the previous books.
I love how long the book was because you got so much development of the plot and characters and enough time to flesh things out. The books deals with some pretty heavy topics (CW for child abuse, murder, to name a few) but the author wrote an excellent romantic suspense. I’m checking out her back catalog now!
I love how long the book was because you got so much development of the plot and characters and enough time to flesh things out. The books deals with some pretty heavy topics (CW for child abuse, murder, to name a few) but the author wrote an excellent romantic suspense. I’m checking out her back catalog now!
jessiebwriting's review against another edition
5.0
I love Karen Rose!!! This story was so well written and the pacing just kept your heart racing. Throughout it, you're on the edge of your seat and certainly terrified that a character may die. This one doesn't hide the killer's identity but that doesn't stop the twists and shocking reveals. I was also happy to finally get Dani and Diesel's story and was so happy with the ending. This story also hits you in the feels - lots of tears and honestly, rage too. I would definitely add a trigger warning to this story. There is child abuse and characters struggling with the trauma of experiencing childhood sexual abuse. These were often gut-wrenching scenes to read so please practice self-care while reading. A fantastic read that I couldn't put down but also was on the edge of my seat terrified of what might happen next. A beautiful romance and story about family and healing.