Dark Red - Ewiges Versprechen

by Susan Crandall

Ellis Greene remembers very little about the night of her cousin Laura's murder, but she does recall the face of the murderer. Ellis was the key witness to the crime, and her testimony helped put Hollis Alexander in jail for a long time. With Hollis behind bars, Ellis should feel safe, but the memory of that awful night still haunts her. Determined to free herself from the fear of being attacked like her cousin, Ellis has become an expert in self defense. However, when Ellis hears that Hollis has been paroled, she feels like a helpless teenager again--and she isn't the only one who notices that he's free.Laura's boyfriend Nate was one of the prime suspects for her murder. After the court case, many still believed that Nate was guilty and he left town to reinvent himself. Now, fifteen years later, he has returned to protect Ellis from suffering the same fate as her cousin. As soon as Ellis and Nate see one another, sparks fly. But Ellis hasn't let herself fall for a man in a long time, and she isn't sure whether she can trust Nate. As Laura's murderer zeroes in on Ellis as his next target, she must fight to stay alive while she finally discovers her true feelings about Nate.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary, Adult, Contemporary Romance

429 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Alas, the rumor is true, Susan was a dental hygienist in her previous career. However, she "retired" from that profession many years ago and has been a full-time author ever since--thanks to all of you fabulous readers.

Susan grew up in a small Indiana town, married a guy from that town, and then moved to Chicago for a while. She is pleased to say that she has been back in her hometown for many years and plans to stay.

She's received a RITA, two National Reader's Choice Awards and a SIBA Award for Fiction. Her books include an Indie Next Pick, Okra Picks, a Target Book Club pick, and are popular with book clubs.

THE MYTH OF PERPETUAL SUMMER will be released June 19, 2018.

Join her newsletter for new release announcements. http://susancrandall.net/newsletter/

Reviews

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Feb09

A tense and thriller of a read, “Seeing Red” by Susan Crandall will have you double checking your locks at night. I enjoy reading romantic suspense. I especially enjoy reading suspense that sends a shiver down my spine and keeps me guessing as to exactly who the bad guy is. Crandall’s latest delivers both of these sensations in spades.

Ellis was just thirteen when her beautiful cousin, Laura, was kidnapped from their room, raped, beaten, and left for dead. The initial suspect was Laura’s boyfriend and Ellis’ secret crush, Nate. It was Ellis’ insistence that resulted in the real attacker being caught and her testimony that put him away. But the horrible events of that time resulted in the loss of her friend Nate who left town immediately after the trial and the loss of her cousin Laura after four years in a vegetative state. Even fifteen years later, Ellis still lives with her fears. Walls of security and self-defense lessons don’t seem to help when Laura’s attacker is paroled and Ellis can’t forget the words he spoke after his conviction, “You’ll pay.” Suddenly Nate is back to protect her, those associated with the trial are attacked and more young women are dying. But the only ‘new’ faces are both the parolee and Nate. Surely, Ellis wasn’t wrong all those years ago?

With enough twists and turns to impress a LeMans driver, the plot of this novel has liberal red herrings and what feels like endless possibilities. I didn’t really guess the bad guy until the author threw him at me at the last minute, but looking back, the clues were there. I love stories like that. The author leads the reader on a merry chase after first one suspect, then another with each having means, motive, and opportunity. There are flashbacks to a younger Ellis with the woman now understanding nuances a teenager would have missed. When the action gets rolling, it’s pretty much non-stop until the intense ending that I’m not sure I breathed through until it was over! Truly a very satisfying read.

Set in the lazy tempo of a South Carolina beach town, the close-knit community is a perfect backdrop for all things wicked. The contrast between the innocence of a peaceful small town and youth and the larger city loaded with college age vices makes the crimes committed that much more shocking. This was my second read by Susan Crandall and I must say that it certainly won’t be my last. Of course, I’ll need to wait a bit after reading “Seeing Red”…to let my blood pressure level out.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen years ago, Ellis Greene helped convict Hollis Alexander, the man who kidnapped and brutally attacked her cousin Laura. Many of their family members suspected that Nate Vance, Laura’s boyfriend, was somehow involved in the crime, but all the evidence, including Ellis’s eyewitness testimony, pointed to Hollis Alexander. Even though Nate was innocent, his bad reputation caused him to leave town and start over somewhere new.

Now an elementary teacher in the same town, Ellis has grown into a strong woman who teaches self-defense classes to young girls. When she finds out that Hollis Alexander is out on parole, she fears for the safety of her family. After all, Hollis did threaten that Ellis would pay for putting him behind bars. Meanwhile, Nate Vance has returned to his hometown to help protect Ellis despite the fact that she denies needing any help. Together they unravel the secrets of the past while they track down the criminal and find themselves drawn into each other’s arms.

This novel was my first foray into romantic suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting, Belle Island, South Carolina, was richly detailed. Everyone knows everyone in this small town, which makes it difficult to hide from danger. The action started on the first page and didn't let up until the story's conclusion. Multiple points of view revealed frequent plot twists that had me wondering who Ellis could really trust. The elements of suspense and romance were well-balanced throughout the novel, and the sexual tension grew as Ellis and Nate's friendship developed into something more.

This fast-paced, suspenseful, intricately-plotted novel is highly recommended for fans of romance, suspense, and mystery.


Title: Seeing Red
Author: Susan Crandall
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 2/1/2009
Page Count: 432
ISBN: 0446178578

[Bobbie Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Red
Written By: Susan Crandall
Published By: Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, 2009, First Edition, 432 pages, softcover
ISBN 978-0446178570

Seeing Red grabbed my attention right away and held it to the very last page! This story is unique and has a wonderful flow and momentum that kept me riveted; I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The plot twists were creative and suspenseful. The relationship between Ellis and Nate escalates quickly and the sparks fly between them as they try to find her cousin’s twisted and depraved rapist and keep Ellis safe from the ever increasing danger to herself. The characters are all very well...


**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress....

[Mojca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally my perseverance with this author has paid off. I actually liked this book quite a bit (more than the previous ones I read by this author). The suspense was gripping, the villain a mystery until the end, the tension palpable, the hero and heroine were rather likable characters, the mysteries were plenty and so were the lies and half-truths.

Granted, it wasn't a masterpiece of romantic suspense fiction (especially due to the severe lack of romance), but definitely the best I read by this author.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay book. I've just come to the conclusion that romantic suspense is not my thing. For me, the "romantic" part of the genre label is misleading because too many books that don't make any claim to the romance genre often have more romance than the "romantic suspense" I've read.

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The point of a review is (usually) to enlighten fellow readers about how wonderful a book is. It's also meant to bring free advertising, sorta speak, to the publisher/author of that book. That being said, it is really hard for me when I have to sit down and write a review about a book that, well, didn't quiet make it to my 'favorite' pile. Unfortunately, this is one of those very reviews.

Seeing Red was one of the four books I received from a publisher a few weeks ago. Although romantic suspense novels are not my usual reading of choice, I figured I'd give it a try-- Hey, I'm willing to try anything once, plus the cover was interesting, and the story sounded promising. When I started it, I had hoped that it would be quick and fast-paced, like a good mystery/suspense novel. However, the story started out slow, a bit too much for my taste, and I don't think that it ever really reached the pace that I was hoping for.

Like I said before, I hate writing a negative review, but at the same time, I have to be honest, since it's not a summary, it's my opinions that make up the review. Keep in mind, when I do write a negative review, I try to make it known that while I may not have enjoyed that particular book, that doesn't necessarily mean that EVERYONE else has to put it on their 'Never Read' list. It could be that I just wasn't in the mood for that specific genre of book, and I was a bit harsh on my rating.

In theory, it should be easier to pinpoint what went wrong in a book that would cause the reviewer to give it a bad rating, right? Wrong. Or, at least that's what it's like for me. I find it easier to point out all the positive, good things about a book. Sometimes it's more difficult to explain why a book failed to hold my attention. Again, this is one of those times.

Seeing Red wasn't a horrible book (believe me, I've read much, much worse!), but it also didn't meet my expectations either. It was an 'okay' book, nothing really stood out about it that screamed 'Amazing!', but it wasn't so boring or terrible that I couldn't finish it or threatened to torture it just so I would never have to look at it again. I simply felt like there was no real passion between the characters. I kept thinking, "It'll get better, I just have to give it time", but even after I finished the book, there wasn't one character that I wanted to revisit. I don't know about you, but after I've finished a really good book, the story, the characters, stay with me for days, months, years even, and I want to know more. This time, I couldn't even begin to tell you what went on between half the characters or what happened for most of the book. When I closed the book, it's almost like everything I'd just spent three days reading...left. Again, it's not that the writing or story was horrible, but it just doesn't stick with you after you are done. But maybe it's just me...

Maybe if I've known that, though it's called a 'romantic suspense', Seeing Red is really more of a straight forward mystery kind of book, I could have enjoyed the story line a bit more, without the conflicting expectations. The romance was so sparse, I could have put it on a 3 by 5 card, and what was there was very G-Rated. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I've read some tame romances that were just as wonderful as some of the more erotic ones, but it was more than just the lack of sex scenes in this one that disappointed me. I'm still not sure how Nathan and Ellis got together-- I didn't really see the connection, nor did I believe in it. And aren't both of those suppose to be main points in a romance? Once again, I can't say that this was the complete fault of the author-- I've heard more than a few rave reviews about this book. It might very well just be me. Sometimes, even the most well written books in history have still failed to win over the love of all the readers of the world...

On the positive side, the story did pick up considerably towards the last half of the book. Not quiet enough to wow me, but more than enough to make me realize that the book wasn't a total waste of time. It had it's fair share of action and excitment at times, and while following the perverted plans of Hollis, I felt a shiver fear and disgust (not a bad thing, at least when you are reading a mystery). I wasn't bored out of my mind, but I wasn't captivated either. Again, maybe if the author had played up one genre more than the other, or worked a bit more on tying the two together seemlessly, my review could be different? If it had been a total mystery, with no romance thrown in, would my opinion change? Or if she'd worked on the main characters developments and the way their love blossomed in the story instead of focusing so much of the time on the crimes? Maybe.

3.5/5 STARS! I can't repeat it enough times: Seeing Red wasn't a complete flunk, and if you thought about reading this book, or you've read her previous books and enjoyed them, then give this one a try. Maybe check it out from the library first, but even if you buy it, it's not a waste of money. It's simply, in my view, a mediocre romance novel. Maybe her other books are much better, and maybe I'd enjoy them, I don't know. One day, I might try another book of Crandall's, and my opinion could change. But until then, I've still got to put this one aside. It's going on my shelves (as some would call it, a 'keeper'), because it's not bad enough to warrant being thrown out. But if/when I wish to trade some of my books at the used bookstore, I hate to say it, but Seeing Red may just be on the top of my (small) pile to go.

[Sandy Bergeson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't relaize it was "romantic suspense" or I wouldn't have read it. The set-up for the romance is just waaaaay too obvious even though some of the thriller sections are more interesting. It's basic romance writing 101...

[Kelly Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Susan Crandall lived in Chicago and worked as a dental hygienist before pursuing her writing career. This title, Seeing Red, follows other titles: Pitch Black, A Kiss in Winter, On Blue Falls Pond, Promises to Keep, Magnolia Sky, The Road Home, and Back Roads. She resides in Indiana with her husband and two children.
Fifteen years ago, Ellis Greene was the only witness to the horrendous kidnapping and murder of her beloved cousin, a crime that still had her small town cautious and stumped. The man who she testified against and helped to convict is now out on parole and damned determined to get his revenge. Ellis was tired of living her life in terror, fearful to go out into the night or even form an attachment to anyone. She was lonely, guilt-stricken, and worse- scared senseless that her cousin’s killer was going to come after her. When her childhood friend, Nate Vance, left town shortly before the trial, the small South Carolina community began to suspect that he played a part in the murder. So, he stayed away to keep her safe. Emerging from the shadows, Nate returns to the only person who believed him then, to protect the woman capturing his heart now. No longer the teenager of all knees and elbows, Ellis has grown into a beautiful and strong young woman. As two friends become reunited, startling secrets begin to unfold making everyone wonder what really happened that night fifteen years ago. And was the truth worth seeking if another girl would die?
First of all, I want to give the author a massive amount of credit for truly understanding what it is like to be a victim and able to portray that so the reader can feel that devastation, fear, and torment that they face. It doesn’t end with a conviction and in some cases it never really goes away. That understanding gave these characters life in a realistic manner not often seen and had you relating to each word you read. The book was hard to put down and I didn’t find any areas where I lost interest. The suspense was fast-paced and the romance was irresistible. The little bits of point-of-view change were clever, giving you just enough to bite. I found the secondary characters very intriguing, as well. Bravo for understanding the Carolinas and a southern mindset, too.
Seeing Red, by Susan Crandall, is a complex, compelling, and well-written book. Most definitely an author to keep your eye out for.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer

[Mackenzie RM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Seeing Red by Susan Crandall.

A woman, Ellis Greene was the sole eye-witness to her cousin's vicious rape and eventual death fifteen years earlier. Nate Vance, once a suspect to the vicious crime left town after the rapist was convicted. Fifteen years later - the present, he comes back to Belle Island to see Ellis has grown into a strong and beautiful woman who needs his help. As Ellis and Nate try to beat the criminal at his game, they become closer than ever before. Shocking secrets begin to emerge from the past, leaving Ellis and Nate wondering what really happened on that night fifteen years earlier.

This was an amazing read, I was hooked from the beginning wondering what would happen and how everything would all play out. I was so sure I knew who the criminal was at the beginning, it seemed so obvious but as I read further my thoughts on who the criminal was changed and began to jump back and forth between two people. As in every good mystery the real criminal isn't who you'd expect at the beginning; this held true in this book. I was pretty surprised to see who it was near the end.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They all had their flaws, yet their flaws in some cases seemed to almost improve the plot.

This is the first book I've read by Crandall and I can't wait to read something else by her in the near future!

[Ns · Rating 3 out of 5]

You might want to double check your locks and windows before heading off to bed tonight, that is if you're not already engrossed in reading it until dawn or having finished reading are too nervous to fall asleep.

Seeing Red is an intense thriller; there is a lot of tension throughout the novel. A killer is paroled and intent on claiming revenge, and as secrets are unraveled things are not quite what they seem. There is no long-winded character and background introductions, rather the suspense is immediate and lasting. As such, as the story progresses there are flashbacks which works quite well.

In the midst of all this is Ellis Greene, whose sole witness testimony is what convicted Hollis Alexander and sent him to prison. Now he is out, but he is not the only one to re-enter her life. Nate Vance, is Ellis childhood friend who she believes his innocent, despite the rest of the town believing otherwise. His mission is to protect her but he has his own secrets. Together Ellis and Nate must trust in one another and keep one step ahead of a killer who is once again bringing fear and chaos to a once peaceful town.

The action and romance was well balanced but it is the tension and suspense of it all that kept me reading long into the night. The suspense was the fast-paced and kept me on edge and the few well-placed twists attributed to a good thriller.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though romantic-suspense is not my normally preferred genre, I must compliment Susan Crandall for her excellent book, Seeing Red.

She is a master of character-driven plots with continuously escalating tension -- hallmarks of good authors.

Her writing style is smooth and flawless, without any of the irritating typos and formatting errors that are so common today.

She seamlessly moves the storyline from scene to scene, giving the reader a good sense of the surroundings without burdening the action or slowing the pace.

I could easily visualize the locales in the story and appreciated some of the every day nuances that make the characters' emotions and responses very real.

The story builds to an exciting climax quickly followed by a resolution of the conflict.

[Manda Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great romantic suspense. Crandall takes some romance and some suspense and blends them together into a highly-readable, page-turning concoction.

The hero, Nate, is a great broody alpha and the heroine, Ellis, is sympathetic and appealing. I didn't figure out who-done-it until he revealed himself at the end. Which is pretty rare for someone like me who cut her eyeteeth on Law & Order.

Set in the South Carolina low country, which I believe is a new location for Crandall, Seeing Red is, in my opinion, Crandall's best book yet.

Well played, Ms. Crandall. Well played.

[Sania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good romantic suspense! And seeing red was a good one with a equal balance of romance n suspense! I loved Ellis n Nate's characterizations. I would love to read more of Ms Crandall's books, her writing is beautiful. And the best part was the ending...it was bit different (obviously it was hea) n liked how Ellis and Nate reunites as Nate had some practical difficulties in his life to tie up.

[Donna Lee Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now reading seeing red, I have never read this author before and I am really enjoying her. It is a good mystery so far. What a great story, I am going to get her previous book, she is a wonderful writer and I enjoyed her book alot.

[Ericka Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the suspense in this book. The characters were likeable although there was one really TSTL moment by the heroine. And, to be honest, I'm not sure the hero wasn't a bit of a villain but I fell a little bit in love with him anyway.

[Karen Spade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

I really enjoyed this book. The reason I gave it three stars is that I thought it had too many main characters and, also, it jumped around from character to character too much. That was kind of annoying.

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense is as thick as the pain and emotional damage from a long-past event that is suddenly in the limelight again. A great read filled with action and psychological drama.

[Corky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Crandall is a local author who I met at my library. I enjoyed this psychological thriller. Good plot; interesting characters that exhibited growth.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5-star read

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book to read by this author..Excellent..This was a mystery that kept me guessing to the very end..

[Dixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember reading any books by this author. I see she has quite a few out. This was a good suspensful mystery. I enjoyed reading it!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Crandall and I have been friends since Kindergarten. Her books are hard to put down once you get started reading them

[HJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

reread 10/2014

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suspense thriller...a little romance...not really my thing. Just OK.

[Bubbe]

This is the wrong Seeing Red; I meant Seeing Redd. I have not read this book.

[Pagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5/10
Okay

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book and what a twist in the end. I was so shocked to read it.

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon preorder,Amazon received

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, Nate ;)