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When Darkness Falls #1
The Gathering Storm
Stephanie Walker lives a peaceful life until her undependable and dishonest father, Marty Walker, suddenly arrives at her home pleading with Stephanie to come with him to his Harrington Lodge in the beautiful Ozarks. Stephanie, suspicious of her father’s motives declines her father’s invitation.
After his departure, Stephanie discovers the diamond necklace she borrowed from her aunt is missing. Racing through a raging thunderstorm, Stephanie drives to the lodge to reclaim the stolen item.
But when she arrives, Stephanie finds her father dead, her aunt’s diamond necklace gone and a pair of handcuffs fitted just for her. Stephanie’s claims of innocence fail to sway the local sheriff, who produces several pieces of evidence linking her to the murder. With a shaky alibi and a vindictive stepmother, Stephanie turns to a lodge employee for help. But will Brad Wilson’s assistance lead Stephanie to the real killer or prove to be her undoing? Like a gathering storm on a warm summer evening, Stephanie’s world darkens until she’s forced to turn to the one true source of knowledge. But what she learns about her father, family and her own inner demons is more horrifying than the lies she’s come to believe. The truth can set you free. It can also kill you.
After his departure, Stephanie discovers the diamond necklace she borrowed from her aunt is missing. Racing through a raging thunderstorm, Stephanie drives to the lodge to reclaim the stolen item.
But when she arrives, Stephanie finds her father dead, her aunt’s diamond necklace gone and a pair of handcuffs fitted just for her. Stephanie’s claims of innocence fail to sway the local sheriff, who produces several pieces of evidence linking her to the murder. With a shaky alibi and a vindictive stepmother, Stephanie turns to a lodge employee for help. But will Brad Wilson’s assistance lead Stephanie to the real killer or prove to be her undoing? Like a gathering storm on a warm summer evening, Stephanie’s world darkens until she’s forced to turn to the one true source of knowledge. But what she learns about her father, family and her own inner demons is more horrifying than the lies she’s come to believe. The truth can set you free. It can also kill you.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2006
239 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 11, 2019
This was a really good book. Kind of a days of our lives murder mystery. Lot's of drama drama drama form the residents of the lodge. The actual murderer was a surprise.
December 7, 2017
I give The Gathering Storm a four-star rating. It’s a fun, clean read for a tense mystery. Warren keeps the action moving, throwing in some clever twists. A couple had me thinking I should have picked up on that clue or I should have seen that coming. But she had me turning the pages through to the end. Her l use of colorful similes lost their impact as they became too frequent. I went back and counted four similes and three metaphors in the first chapter alone, and the pattern continued through every chapter. They began to take me out of the moment. The redeeming quality is the story itself and how it unfolds.
December 4, 2018
Awesome! What a plot! Keeps the reader immersed in the story!
From the very beginning the reader is absorbed in trying to put the clues together to figure out who the murderer is. But that's not all. There is still danger. Until the murderer is caught there are attempts on other lives. The characters are well developed and most of them seem likeable as you get to know them. But there is a villain among them. Who could it be? And what could be the motive? Will others be killed before the case is solved? Who might be the next victim? What a complex plot! This book was equal to some of the New York Times best sellers I've read. I highly recommend this book.
From the very beginning the reader is absorbed in trying to put the clues together to figure out who the murderer is. But that's not all. There is still danger. Until the murderer is caught there are attempts on other lives. The characters are well developed and most of them seem likeable as you get to know them. But there is a villain among them. Who could it be? And what could be the motive? Will others be killed before the case is solved? Who might be the next victim? What a complex plot! This book was equal to some of the New York Times best sellers I've read. I highly recommend this book.
August 16, 2017
Suspense, murder and a little romance
I chose a 5 star rating because I felt it was worth it. A woman comes home to find her father waiting for her after 3 years of being away , her mom has just died and she believes he is their to borrow money. He ask her to come to where he lives with his new wife, he believes someone is trying to kill him. She refuses so he stills a diamond necklace form her which makes her follow him to the place, but she gets there he has been murdered. Lots of suspects, lots of clues you decide who did it.
I chose a 5 star rating because I felt it was worth it. A woman comes home to find her father waiting for her after 3 years of being away , her mom has just died and she believes he is their to borrow money. He ask her to come to where he lives with his new wife, he believes someone is trying to kill him. She refuses so he stills a diamond necklace form her which makes her follow him to the place, but she gets there he has been murdered. Lots of suspects, lots of clues you decide who did it.
July 15, 2021
A good, clean read
Stephanie Walker’s father has been in and mostly out of her life. He comes to ask her to come to his lodge to be able to give him some insight. Even though she says “no” she ends up going to retrieve what she knows he has stolen from her. She is then faced with trying to solve 2 murders. My only drawback is the end of the Book was easily too pat for my taste.
Stephanie Walker’s father has been in and mostly out of her life. He comes to ask her to come to his lodge to be able to give him some insight. Even though she says “no” she ends up going to retrieve what she knows he has stolen from her. She is then faced with trying to solve 2 murders. My only drawback is the end of the Book was easily too pat for my taste.
May 25, 2017
Hooked
This was very interested. I got because it was a Christian book. I wasn't sure if it would keep me interested but was very surprised it did. I was going back in further trying to figure it all out and had a few surprises. I good book to read.
This was very interested. I got because it was a Christian book. I wasn't sure if it would keep me interested but was very surprised it did. I was going back in further trying to figure it all out and had a few surprises. I good book to read.
October 5, 2017
The Gathering Storm
Again, this is another new author to me. I felt this book was worth the five star rating I gave it, because it was another page-turner from the beginning to the end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Again, this is another new author to me. I felt this book was worth the five star rating I gave it, because it was another page-turner from the beginning to the end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 7, 2019
A New Favorite Author (to add to the ...bunch of others)
Barbara is amazing. Though I figured out the mystery, it was not easy! The misdirections were not easy to figure out. The characters were amazingly developed. I'll be reading another book by her soon!
Barbara is amazing. Though I figured out the mystery, it was not easy! The misdirections were not easy to figure out. The characters were amazingly developed. I'll be reading another book by her soon!
May 24, 2019
A Spiritual Writing
The Gathering Storm by Barbara Warren begins with a murder and ends with the discovery of another murder. Along the way there are attempts on people's lives but spirituality is always present in this novel.
The Gathering Storm by Barbara Warren begins with a murder and ends with the discovery of another murder. Along the way there are attempts on people's lives but spirituality is always present in this novel.
May 25, 2019
Stephanie Walker lives a peaceful life until her undependable and dishonest father, Marty Walker, suddenly arrives at her home pleading with Stephanie to come with him to his Harrington Lodge in the beautiful Ozarks.
May 6, 2017
Too far fetched!
Plot too silly. Characters totally unbelievable. Liked the setting in Missouri and Arkansas. It did hold my interest enough that I was compelled to finish.
Plot too silly. Characters totally unbelievable. Liked the setting in Missouri and Arkansas. It did hold my interest enough that I was compelled to finish.
June 7, 2019
Great mystery
This is a exciting story with lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. It keeps you guessing to the very end.
This is a exciting story with lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. It keeps you guessing to the very end.
June 23, 2021
Well done!
Here is a fast moving, entertaining mystery... with some good, clean romance, Faith, and redemption mixed in. Another good author to add to my list!
Here is a fast moving, entertaining mystery... with some good, clean romance, Faith, and redemption mixed in. Another good author to add to my list!
March 20, 2025
Excellent Read!!
March 2, 2017
Independence, MO. Stephanie Walker (daughter) worked at the Total Woman Boutique.
Julie was her boss.
Marty Walker (father/husband) wanted Stephanie to come to Harrington Lodge (Eagle Rock, MO.).
Stephanie (daughter) got there & went to his room.
He had been murdered.
Lance Harrington (Marty’s stepson) came to investigate.
He called Brad Wilson (lodge employee, forest expert, maintenance).
& then Monica Harrington (50, Marty’s wife, country singer) showed up.
Sheriff Rob Daugherty (Barry Co.) was on his way.
Later someone whacked Stephanie on the head. She was now in the hospital.
Lance came to pick her up.
Tom Allison (Marty’s lawyer) came to read the will.
Harry Patton had been retained as Stephanie attorney.
Someone was still trying to frame Stephanie for Marty’s murder.
Brad had found Heather down by the lake. She was barely alive.
Marty had collected yrs. of music memorabilia & it needed to be catalog it & what was junk thrown away.
Clyde asked Stephanie to help.
Tara Harrington (Lance’s wife) had disappeared.
Would the murder crime get solved?
When I was a teen I & the foster brothers used to go to the Roaring River State Park with our foster parents.
They loved to fish & camp-out.
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free bookfunnel; Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Julie was her boss.
Marty Walker (father/husband) wanted Stephanie to come to Harrington Lodge (Eagle Rock, MO.).
Stephanie (daughter) got there & went to his room.
He had been murdered.
Lance Harrington (Marty’s stepson) came to investigate.
He called Brad Wilson (lodge employee, forest expert, maintenance).
& then Monica Harrington (50, Marty’s wife, country singer) showed up.
Sheriff Rob Daugherty (Barry Co.) was on his way.
Later someone whacked Stephanie on the head. She was now in the hospital.
Lance came to pick her up.
Tom Allison (Marty’s lawyer) came to read the will.
Harry Patton had been retained as Stephanie attorney.
Someone was still trying to frame Stephanie for Marty’s murder.
Brad had found Heather down by the lake. She was barely alive.
Marty had collected yrs. of music memorabilia & it needed to be catalog it & what was junk thrown away.
Clyde asked Stephanie to help.
Tara Harrington (Lance’s wife) had disappeared.
Would the murder crime get solved?
When I was a teen I & the foster brothers used to go to the Roaring River State Park with our foster parents.
They loved to fish & camp-out.
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free bookfunnel; Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
June 12, 2017
Good Christian mystery and romance
September 26, 2016
Generally a good storyline with sufficient twists & turns, but some character development is needed & the ending felt contrived - almost slapped together.
March 7, 2013
Stephanie Walker last saw her father three years previously at her mother’s funeral. Suddenly he showed up at her Independence, Missouri, home and invited her to visit the Lodge in the Ozarks where he and his second wife lived. Stephanie had not been in touch with the woman for whom he had left her and her mother when she was a young child and she refused. Right after he left, though, she had a change of mind after finding that he had stolen a necklace, leaving in its place a note telling her where to find him. Very upset, she took off after him, driving during a very treacherous rainstorm. When she stormed into the Lodge and up to his room, she found his body.
She also met his second family and their extended family as well as other surprising people.
The Lodge held several secrets, including the disappearance of her stepmother’s daughter-in-law three years earlier. She learned that no one really liked her father, making the list of suspects quite long. The daughter-in-law was also not admired.
Eventually, of course, she is able to put the puzzle together.
The story is well-told though I was able to figure out one major deception midway through the book. The characters are rather stable and show little change. I found it unrealistic that the police would make her remain at the Lodge for an extended period of time since she lived in the same state.
There is strong subplot to the book: The need for people to be Christian; not just Christian but the right kind of Christian. A few of the characters were quite judgmental about anyone who wasn’t one. It added very little to the plot and the part it did play at the end was contrived. It seemed to have been included to pander to a particular audience.
I read this e-book via a free Amazon download.
She also met his second family and their extended family as well as other surprising people.
The Lodge held several secrets, including the disappearance of her stepmother’s daughter-in-law three years earlier. She learned that no one really liked her father, making the list of suspects quite long. The daughter-in-law was also not admired.
Eventually, of course, she is able to put the puzzle together.
The story is well-told though I was able to figure out one major deception midway through the book. The characters are rather stable and show little change. I found it unrealistic that the police would make her remain at the Lodge for an extended period of time since she lived in the same state.
There is strong subplot to the book: The need for people to be Christian; not just Christian but the right kind of Christian. A few of the characters were quite judgmental about anyone who wasn’t one. It added very little to the plot and the part it did play at the end was contrived. It seemed to have been included to pander to a particular audience.
I read this e-book via a free Amazon download.
February 15, 2015
I was gifted this book by the author herself in return for my honest review.
Barbara Warren writes well and makes this storyline as interesting as it can be, I personally didn't find this a page turning read, but I DID find it a pleasant read. It was like a 'who dunnit' kind of book for me.
Hard going at the start, but I did persevere and I am glad I did, it picked up in the second half of the book.
Stephanie was quite persuaded very cleverly by her Father to return to the family home. [Extranged Father] so that was the tiny bit I couldn't get my head around as it seemed to me she gave in too easily, but, I overcame that with reasoning "we sometimes choose to do things out of character" type of syndrome.
Later we find that Stephanie doesn't trust him and never had trust him, so I am again left thinking, why did she leave her comfortable home then?
Harrington Lodge where she returns to hold secrets, and we begin to see what they are and unravel them as we hold close to the book.
I can't say its the best thriller or who dunnit I have read, but its an OK read. Just a few things maybe need ironing out or further explaining.
I see some other reviews have been similar to mine. So helps me to feel less comfortable writing this. I never find it easy to give negatives, I try to find positives in everything I do.
My Positive is:
The author has a great book on her hands and it has a great future with some revision.
Thank you Barbara Warren for allowing me to read and review this book you sent me.
February 11, 2017
very good
July 5, 2013
I read the first couple of pages of a book and if it doesn't catch my interest I stop reading and don't buy the book. This book caught my interest right away with the drama between the main character and her father. I just had to find out what would happen. It was like that though out the book. I just had to keep turning pages to find out what would happen.
It was an entertaining book that read like a Christian Romance. A fun way to pass the time. I liked the ending :)
It was an entertaining book that read like a Christian Romance. A fun way to pass the time. I liked the ending :)
June 7, 2014
What do an absentee father, country music, Harrington Lodge and stolen jewelry have to do with each other? Murder and suspense. Before the first chapter is over, one is drawn into the events leading up to and including a father's murder. The interaction between the suspects brought drama and attempted murder. It did not take long for the events to grab my attention and keep me reading until I finished. This is an excellent Christian fiction suspense tale.
March 23, 2015
The Gathering Storm is clean Christian murder mystery. It is well written and an entertaining read. I felt like I was able to get to know the main character, Stephanie, well and liked her personality throughout the story.
As I read it I found that it kept me guessing and the second half of the book really picked up. This is the second book by Warren that I have read and I look forward to what she comes up with next.
As I read it I found that it kept me guessing and the second half of the book really picked up. This is the second book by Warren that I have read and I look forward to what she comes up with next.
September 2, 2016
An intense drama that leads us to a surprising conclusion. The characters were well developed and likable. I found the writing style to be clear and straightforward.
The plot was very interesting and complex and I followed the fast paced dialogues that were appropriate as the mystery is finally uncovered. A nice mix of mystery and romance.
A very good read.
The plot was very interesting and complex and I followed the fast paced dialogues that were appropriate as the mystery is finally uncovered. A nice mix of mystery and romance.
A very good read.
October 20, 2022
Interesting characters and a plot filled with mystery, suspense, and romance kept me reading The Gathering Storm. The many plot twists and turns made me change my mind often about who was the murderer, and the ending surprised me. Once all the drama ends, the Harrington Lodge in the Ozarks might be a nice place for a vacation.
April 23, 2013
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I plan to read more of her work. I enjoyed the resort setting and the mystery plot with just a little romance thrown in. A classic Who-Done-It style mystery with several suspects, it kept my attention from beginning to end.
June 17, 2014
A wonderful, clean who-dun-it with Christian overtones that keeps you guessing all the way to the end! This story had me going with thinking one person killed Marty, then I thought that maybe it was someone else. All the way to the end where I was like "I never saw THAT coming!"
November 21, 2012
I gave a half attempt at reading this book. According to my kindle I made it through 14%. I have to stop. I have so many books to read and this one just isn't doing it for me.
November 25, 2012
Read the e-book. Several typos, repeated words and other technical errors. Characters flat, predictable and not very engaging. Keep trying, BW.
January 30, 2016
Good clean reading
I really enjoy reading clean fiction. No need for bad language, this book proves that. Awesome author keep up the clean writing
I really enjoy reading clean fiction. No need for bad language, this book proves that. Awesome author keep up the clean writing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews