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Rosemary Mountain Mystery #3
Danger in the Darkness
Some secrets just won’t stay buried.
Daphne Sullivan wants justice for her mother’s murder, falsely ruled suicide over twenty years ago. The case is ice cold until Daphne finds her mother’s hidden journal and discovers the truth about what happened in Eileen’s last days. One thing is clear—finding Eileen’s killer will mean uncovering a web of corruption going back decades, and threatening the powers that rule this mountain town.
Daphne’s boyfriend, Emerson Jones, is determined to protect the woman he loves—if she’ll let him. But this is Daphne’s fight, and she would rather walk into the darkness alone than risk him getting hurt again. She’ll push him away before putting him in danger, even if it means losing her chance at happily ever after.
She won’t stop digging until she takes down her mother’s murderer. But the killer she seeks is closer, and more deadly, than she can possibly imagine.
Daphne Sullivan wants justice for her mother’s murder, falsely ruled suicide over twenty years ago. The case is ice cold until Daphne finds her mother’s hidden journal and discovers the truth about what happened in Eileen’s last days. One thing is clear—finding Eileen’s killer will mean uncovering a web of corruption going back decades, and threatening the powers that rule this mountain town.
Daphne’s boyfriend, Emerson Jones, is determined to protect the woman he loves—if she’ll let him. But this is Daphne’s fight, and she would rather walk into the darkness alone than risk him getting hurt again. She’ll push him away before putting him in danger, even if it means losing her chance at happily ever after.
She won’t stop digging until she takes down her mother’s murderer. But the killer she seeks is closer, and more deadly, than she can possibly imagine.
- GenresFiction
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2023
About the author
Nicole Gardner
14 books60 followersMystery + Romantic Suspense author. Writer of quaint towns with cozy vibes, romantic suspense, and plot twists you'll never see coming. Nicole lives in Arkansas with her husband, sons, and two dogs. If she’s not at her desk writing, you’ll probably find her in the garden or creating teas and tinctures in her kitchen.
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www.nicolegardnerbooks.com
Newsletter: https://nicolegardnerbooks.com/newsle...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Overall it’s an entertaining series but I wouldn’t put it in three books. I wish there were subtle clues about the main plot throughout the books instead of spoil it all out on the last one. It wasn’t predictable to me so I guess that’s a victory. As for the characters I wish they could be more solid and less empty. The only one I bonded with was Fiona. She’s not the main character but it’s the most interesting and captivating. I loved her and will miss her.
Overall it’s an entertaining series but I wouldn’t put it in three books. I wish there were subtle clues about the main plot throughout the books instead of spoil it all out on the last one. It wasn’t predictable to me so I guess that’s a victory. As for the characters I wish they could be more solid and less empty. The only one I bonded with was Fiona. She’s not the main character but it’s the most interesting and captivating. I loved her and will miss her.
September 15, 2023
Best book of the three.
There was nothing particularly worth pointing out about the author’s portrayal of Appalachia here. In fact, she managed to point out a bit of its diversity and some of its issues quite well.
The only bones I have to pick with this one is the ever-present shout out to the Harry Potter generation, “the second sight”, which has no place in a mystery novel. I’d much rather the main character be surprisingly clever than encounter the cop out of supernatural abilities. And the fact that this plot, like the other books, devolves into the main character and sidekick getting kidnapped again. Which is also a cop out: it’s all just a little too easy when the murderer unveils themselves by getting unnecessarily messy at the end.
The identity of “Mr. Boddy” did surprise me. The reference to the Godfather was disappointingly cliche and perhaps that’s why I didn’t catch on sooner. And there will be those who say putting a minor mob boss smack in the middle of Central Appalachia is a stretch, but I can assure you it’s not. There are dark places here where everyone knows you don’t go - if you do, no one will see you ever again. And it was a perfect place for a fugitive to start over with a whole new identity and never be found up until the 1980s. Just don’t get the idea that we’re *all* Hatfields and McCoys because then you’re just drinking the koolaid of the “hillbilly” stereotype and erring by being too general.
Of the three books, this one was the most problem-free. The readability that the other volumes had is also here. A quick and easy entertaining read for vacation or a flight. Kinda like watching a marathon of “Psych” on Peacock streaming service: funny, quirky, predictable, escapism pretending to be a mystery. Family friendly. And fun.
There was nothing particularly worth pointing out about the author’s portrayal of Appalachia here. In fact, she managed to point out a bit of its diversity and some of its issues quite well.
The only bones I have to pick with this one is the ever-present shout out to the Harry Potter generation, “the second sight”, which has no place in a mystery novel. I’d much rather the main character be surprisingly clever than encounter the cop out of supernatural abilities. And the fact that this plot, like the other books, devolves into the main character and sidekick getting kidnapped again. Which is also a cop out: it’s all just a little too easy when the murderer unveils themselves by getting unnecessarily messy at the end.
The identity of “Mr. Boddy” did surprise me. The reference to the Godfather was disappointingly cliche and perhaps that’s why I didn’t catch on sooner. And there will be those who say putting a minor mob boss smack in the middle of Central Appalachia is a stretch, but I can assure you it’s not. There are dark places here where everyone knows you don’t go - if you do, no one will see you ever again. And it was a perfect place for a fugitive to start over with a whole new identity and never be found up until the 1980s. Just don’t get the idea that we’re *all* Hatfields and McCoys because then you’re just drinking the koolaid of the “hillbilly” stereotype and erring by being too general.
Of the three books, this one was the most problem-free. The readability that the other volumes had is also here. A quick and easy entertaining read for vacation or a flight. Kinda like watching a marathon of “Psych” on Peacock streaming service: funny, quirky, predictable, escapism pretending to be a mystery. Family friendly. And fun.
October 5, 2024
🖍️ In this third of the Rosemary Mountain Mystery trilogy, Daphne finally gets her hands on Eileen’s journal, thanks to Janet. Thank you! It only took the third book to get there, and I was happy. But what about poor, Emerson Jones, Daphne’s on- again, off-again, and back on-again boyfriend? Well, Daphne just did not want to break his fragile disposition: “No, it wasn’t for me that I was afraid to open the journal. It was for him.” Good heavens. Any man I was with who I thought couldn’t handle something like that would be out the door, post haste. I never did like Emerson. After all, he also ran off to Wisconsin and effectively disappeared, instead of facing his ‘feelings’ and having respect for Daphne.
There is something strange about the relationship between Daphne and Fiona; it is creepy and somewhat unnatural. There is nearly a 50-year age difference between them, they seem to be best friends, and between Daphne’s so-called “second sight” (clairvoyance) and Fiona’s hocus pocus booga booga with herbs and roots, there’s something hinky about it all. Besides, I do not understand Daphne putting up with Fiona’s pushy demeanor.
So, keep reading the story – the killer might surprise you; I thought my surprise was that I thought so (who the killer was) in the first book, but I was curious enough to read the trilogy to delight in the writing style of the author, Danger in the Darkness.
The format of this book is one of my least favorite styles, because the chapters go back and forth between characters speaking in the first person. The whiplash effect between characters is annoying, but the story does get told eventually.
Nicole Gardner’s writing style is intelligent, smooth, and clean – those are important to my reading preferences and sensibilities. I enjoyed reading Danger in the Darkness. I still do not like most of the characters, particularly the crude and busybody Fiona Flanagan, yet the mark of a good writer is to bring out emotion in readers. Nicole Gardner does that – excellently!
☞How I came across this book: Reading the Rosemary Mountain Mystery trilogy by Nicole Gardner.
🟣 Kindle.
✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎
There is something strange about the relationship between Daphne and Fiona; it is creepy and somewhat unnatural. There is nearly a 50-year age difference between them, they seem to be best friends, and between Daphne’s so-called “second sight” (clairvoyance) and Fiona’s hocus pocus booga booga with herbs and roots, there’s something hinky about it all. Besides, I do not understand Daphne putting up with Fiona’s pushy demeanor.
So, keep reading the story – the killer might surprise you; I thought my surprise was that I thought so (who the killer was) in the first book, but I was curious enough to read the trilogy to delight in the writing style of the author, Danger in the Darkness.
The format of this book is one of my least favorite styles, because the chapters go back and forth between characters speaking in the first person. The whiplash effect between characters is annoying, but the story does get told eventually.
Nicole Gardner’s writing style is intelligent, smooth, and clean – those are important to my reading preferences and sensibilities. I enjoyed reading Danger in the Darkness. I still do not like most of the characters, particularly the crude and busybody Fiona Flanagan, yet the mark of a good writer is to bring out emotion in readers. Nicole Gardner does that – excellently!
☞How I came across this book: Reading the Rosemary Mountain Mystery trilogy by Nicole Gardner.
🟣 Kindle.
✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎
May 20, 2023
A perfect ending to this trilogy! So many surprises arise in this book, but the author kindly gives readers the answers to our burning questions. It is a clean read, without being cheesy. The characters and the setting are easy to fall in love with, and the storyline is thrilling!
I cannot wait to read more from this new author!
I cannot wait to read more from this new author!
January 18, 2026
😮😮😮😮
I waited until I finished the first three books to give a review. Wow, what a story!!! I was immediately grabbed and pulled in by Ms. Gardner's ability to tell a story. Just when I thought I had figured it out, off on another tangent we'd go! Full of romance, intrigue, and mystery with a little second sight thrown in, I highly recommend this book!
I waited until I finished the first three books to give a review. Wow, what a story!!! I was immediately grabbed and pulled in by Ms. Gardner's ability to tell a story. Just when I thought I had figured it out, off on another tangent we'd go! Full of romance, intrigue, and mystery with a little second sight thrown in, I highly recommend this book!
January 20, 2026
Nicole Gardner does it again in Danger in the Darkness. From start to finish, I was glued to the pages. The secrets run deep, the tension never lets up, and that Mr. Boddy reveal 👀 completely blindsided me — I was SHOOK! I love when a book surprises me this much, and this one delivered. An absolute must-read and a solid 5-star series!
June 12, 2026
LOVE this series
I absolutely love this series and am sad that there is only one book left for me to read. The mysteries throughout are captivating and the story that continues from book to book about the characters makes me want to read more about their lives after, even if there is no mysteries left.
I absolutely love this series and am sad that there is only one book left for me to read. The mysteries throughout are captivating and the story that continues from book to book about the characters makes me want to read more about their lives after, even if there is no mysteries left.
May 8, 2023
An incredible ending to the Rosemary Mountain mystery of who killed Eileen. I did NOT see that coming. What an incredible mystery. I highly recommend this seriea beginning with Secrets in the Cottage.
August 30, 2025
Danger!!
I sincerely love this story!! As I read it, I’m aware that in the back of mind I’m trying to “see “ if I have been near to the place where this story happened. I can’t but I’m certain I would like to be there. I’m sad the story ends here! 😢
I sincerely love this story!! As I read it, I’m aware that in the back of mind I’m trying to “see “ if I have been near to the place where this story happened. I can’t but I’m certain I would like to be there. I’m sad the story ends here! 😢
November 13, 2025
Murders in a small town, stretching back 30 years
Someone has been murdering people in a small mountain town, but also hiding the bodies. What connects them, and who is the murderer?
Someone has been murdering people in a small mountain town, but also hiding the bodies. What connects them, and who is the murderer?
February 1, 2026
The Res head
This series has kept me reading at every possible minute I could find. The suspense and romance flowed perfectly. I was always anxious to find out what was coming next. I can't wait to read more about Fiona.
This series has kept me reading at every possible minute I could find. The suspense and romance flowed perfectly. I was always anxious to find out what was coming next. I can't wait to read more about Fiona.
April 22, 2026
repetative and boring.
Poorly written. Grammar and punctuation, even allowing for Americanisms, are excruciating. Was there not an editor? Mentally correcting it gets to become irritating.
Poorly written. Grammar and punctuation, even allowing for Americanisms, are excruciating. Was there not an editor? Mentally correcting it gets to become irritating.
July 14, 2026
Finally we discover who Mr. Body is. I was so sad about it. Daphne's need to protect everyone, gets her in trouble so much. Emerson finally makes peace with his past, hallelujah. Again Fiona is the bomb.
May 29, 2023
Great plot twists! Great story line a catching series that for my total attention!!
July 11, 2023
Did NOT see that twist coming! By 1/3 of the way through, I couldn’t put it down!
October 13, 2024
Great finish and all the loose end, tied up in a bow.
December 3, 2024
Loved the series. Great characters.
January 16, 2025
Each subsequent book in this series I enjoyed a little more as I got to know the characters and scenarios a bit better. I had guessed the whodunnit, but not till shortly before it was revealed.
February 21, 2025
Great book
Great book. Completely surprised me. I thought I knew who it was but in the end it was someone completely different and unexpected.
Great book. Completely surprised me. I thought I knew who it was but in the end it was someone completely different and unexpected.
June 29, 2025
very good read
This is the third in a series and liked the characters a great deal. Will add this author to my list.
This is the third in a series and liked the characters a great deal. Will add this author to my list.
September 20, 2025
Excellent plot and suspense with lots of twists.
January 31, 2026
Good Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in this series and am looking forward to reading Fionas' story in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in this series and am looking forward to reading Fionas' story in the future.
February 15, 2026
I loved this series! Lots of surprises!
May 28, 2026
rosemary mountain mystery series
I read all 3 books in 3 days I couldn’t put them down, they were really exciting, I never saw any of it coming. Thank you.
I read all 3 books in 3 days I couldn’t put them down, they were really exciting, I never saw any of it coming. Thank you.
September 21, 2026
Amazing
Loved all 3 stories. A must read for e every one. I was hooked from book 1. Thank you for writing these stories.
Loved all 3 stories. A must read for e every one. I was hooked from book 1. Thank you for writing these stories.
February 7, 2026
The Best is Yet to Come
This was probably the most stressful of the three books, but it was very cleverly written, and tucked me in so that I kept reading every moment I could find! Nicole Gardner has great instincts. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery, realistic characters, and some heartfelt romance for the topping will love this series!
This was probably the most stressful of the three books, but it was very cleverly written, and tucked me in so that I kept reading every moment I could find! Nicole Gardner has great instincts. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery, realistic characters, and some heartfelt romance for the topping will love this series!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews