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Carolina Moon #1
Home Before Dark
Nothing good ever happens after dark.
Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.
Now her father is dead, and Daleigh fears she’s returned home too late to make things right. As she’s about to flee back to Nashville, she finds a hidden journal belonging to her father. His words hint that his death was no accident.
Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe that Daleigh may be on to something. Her father trusted the man, but Daleigh’s instant attraction to Ryan scares her. She knows her life and career, however dwindling it might be, are back in Nashville and that her time in the sleepy North Carolina town is only temporary.
As Daleigh and Ryan work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.
Home Before Dark offers a blend of Nicholas Sparks meets Mary Higgins Clark, a mix of charming small town life in North Carolina tangled in a gripping suspense.
Fiction/Inspirational/Romantic Suspense
Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.
Now her father is dead, and Daleigh fears she’s returned home too late to make things right. As she’s about to flee back to Nashville, she finds a hidden journal belonging to her father. His words hint that his death was no accident.
Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe that Daleigh may be on to something. Her father trusted the man, but Daleigh’s instant attraction to Ryan scares her. She knows her life and career, however dwindling it might be, are back in Nashville and that her time in the sleepy North Carolina town is only temporary.
As Daleigh and Ryan work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.
Home Before Dark offers a blend of Nicholas Sparks meets Mary Higgins Clark, a mix of charming small town life in North Carolina tangled in a gripping suspense.
Fiction/Inspirational/Romantic Suspense
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2013
365 people are currently reading
915 people want to read
About the author
Christy Barritt
340 books1,675 followersChristy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 8, 2018
Another great read from Christy Barritt.
Country music singer Daleigh McDermott is home for her father's funeral. He had an accident falling off a pier.
At least that is what she has been told.
But this small country town isn't all it seems.
What is going on at night?
Who is screaming? Is it really an animal?
Why is the river so popular at night?
This one didn't have the same high level creepiness that
had, but like that story, this one isn't fast-paced either but draws you in and wraps itself around you as you try to figure out what is going on.
The characters were well crafted. I connected with Daleigh as she grieved, and as everything in life seemed to be falling apart...oh, and completely understood why she hated her real name and just used Daleigh! I loved Ryan ~ what a hero! Hannah eventually grew on me. Vince was just a first class jerk!
I liked the use of Psalm 55:12-14.
Favourite Quotes
~ The process of slipping away from things that were important often happened so gradually that people didn’t realize how far they’d strayed until it was too late.
~ She had to turn off all these outside voices that taunted she wasn’t good enough and focus on finding God’s approval. He was the only one who really mattered.
~ Healthy relationships didn’t make you feel like crying all the time. They didn’t make you feel like you constantly had to change in order to be accepted.
~ “I think God is teaching me that my worth is found in him and not in any of my worldly successes.”
~ “People will come and go from your life, but family is constant. You should hang on to that.”
~ “The moon was reflected on the water. He leaned over the pier, touched the moon’s reflection, and told me that sometimes reaching your dreams was as easy as changing your perspective.”
~ Don’t let anyone talk down to you. Know that those you trust are more than capable of letting you down. Only speak the truth when you know it to be true.
Country music singer Daleigh McDermott is home for her father's funeral. He had an accident falling off a pier.
At least that is what she has been told.
But this small country town isn't all it seems.
What is going on at night?
Who is screaming? Is it really an animal?
Why is the river so popular at night?
This one didn't have the same high level creepiness that
had, but like that story, this one isn't fast-paced either but draws you in and wraps itself around you as you try to figure out what is going on.The characters were well crafted. I connected with Daleigh as she grieved, and as everything in life seemed to be falling apart...oh, and completely understood why she hated her real name and just used Daleigh! I loved Ryan ~ what a hero! Hannah eventually grew on me. Vince was just a first class jerk!
I liked the use of Psalm 55:12-14.
Favourite Quotes
~ The process of slipping away from things that were important often happened so gradually that people didn’t realize how far they’d strayed until it was too late.
~ She had to turn off all these outside voices that taunted she wasn’t good enough and focus on finding God’s approval. He was the only one who really mattered.
~ Healthy relationships didn’t make you feel like crying all the time. They didn’t make you feel like you constantly had to change in order to be accepted.
~ “I think God is teaching me that my worth is found in him and not in any of my worldly successes.”
~ “People will come and go from your life, but family is constant. You should hang on to that.”
~ “The moon was reflected on the water. He leaned over the pier, touched the moon’s reflection, and told me that sometimes reaching your dreams was as easy as changing your perspective.”
~ Don’t let anyone talk down to you. Know that those you trust are more than capable of letting you down. Only speak the truth when you know it to be true.
June 13, 2013
I love all Christy Barritt's books, but this was one of my favorites. It has the perfect blend of romance and suspense. I like that Daleigh was a strong woman who wasn't swayed by creepy Vince. Too often in books like these, the women are too forgiving and stay with the jerk far too long.
September 23, 2017
"Her dad was gone. She'd broken up with her boyfriend. She had a sister whose favorite hobby was insulting her. Where did she go from here?"
Daleigh McDermott's impressive music career is at a crossroads. Coming home to Hertford, North Carolina for her father's funeral has given her time to think, but her personal decisions suddenly fade into the background when she gets the sense that her father's death was not the accident that everyone thought it was. Turning to an unlikely ally, local mechanic Ryan Shields, with her suspicions, only exaggerates how much she doesn't know about this sleepy little river town. But there is one thing that Daleigh does know for sure; "nothing good ever happens after dark".
Enjoy this fast paced suspense with its healthy doses of romantic chemistry.
Daleigh McDermott's impressive music career is at a crossroads. Coming home to Hertford, North Carolina for her father's funeral has given her time to think, but her personal decisions suddenly fade into the background when she gets the sense that her father's death was not the accident that everyone thought it was. Turning to an unlikely ally, local mechanic Ryan Shields, with her suspicions, only exaggerates how much she doesn't know about this sleepy little river town. But there is one thing that Daleigh does know for sure; "nothing good ever happens after dark".
Enjoy this fast paced suspense with its healthy doses of romantic chemistry.
March 24, 2024
Romantic suspense that keeps you turning pages from start to finish as the main character tries to determine who killed her father even when the county sheriffs say it was an accident. Who's hiding secrets in small town North Carolina that might turn up the real truth when Daleigh and her next door neighbor try to find out what really took place?
October 24, 2015
I enjoyed reading this story. I related to some of the feelings that Daleigh was experiencing as I experienced the same feelings when I lost my father. Daleigh is not only dealing with the loss of her father, but also the possibility that her father was murdered. She begins her own investigation with the help of Ryan, a local mechanic, who was friends with her dad. As they are digging trying to find someone who may have had motive, she encounters some trouble. Daleigh is feeling very unsettled with life - both in her career and her relationships and learns to turn her troubles over to God and trust Him to show her what is best for her. Ryan was also dealing with his things that had happened in his past and what he thinks is the right thing to do, but turns out to be hurting him and others in the end. He finally realizes this and also learns to trust God. I love how Christy was able to take a story intertwined with mystery and suspense and use it to teach about trusting God.
September 27, 2013
This was my introduction to Christy Barritt's writing - and what an introduction it was! This Christian romance suspense title had me glued so the pages turned rapidly, keeping my up all night to solve the mystery of what happened to Daleigh's father. I was totally immersed in the story, hoping Daleigh and her new found boyfriend, Ryan, could solve the mystery without losing their own lives along the way.
The story also dealt with a few themes including estrangement and the toll it takes on relationships until healing begins to take place. This was apparent by the initial relationship witnessed between Daleigh and her sister. It also drives home that we son't always know whom we can trust; sometimes it's the people closest to us who hurt us most of all.
I will definitely read other titles by this author.
The story also dealt with a few themes including estrangement and the toll it takes on relationships until healing begins to take place. This was apparent by the initial relationship witnessed between Daleigh and her sister. It also drives home that we son't always know whom we can trust; sometimes it's the people closest to us who hurt us most of all.
I will definitely read other titles by this author.
April 1, 2014
I believe that a good mystery/thriller should keep the reader guessing and questioning what is going on. I must have a high standard for mysteries because "Home Before Dark" fell far short of the mark. I like to try and figure out things out in a mystery but I was barely interested in the mystery of the death of Daleigh's father. The love story was also uninteresting although I was more intrigued with Ryan's story, I wish that was more developed.
By the way I dislike names that are hard to read or are distracting. The name Daleigh was distracting to me. Is it pronounced like Dolly? If so just name the character Dolly!
By the way I dislike names that are hard to read or are distracting. The name Daleigh was distracting to me. Is it pronounced like Dolly? If so just name the character Dolly!
March 2, 2019
Daliegh McDermott returns to her hometown for father's funeral. She comes to believe that his death may not be accidental but investigating it puts her life in danger. It doesn't help that she has a rocky relationship with her sister. She makes friends with the local hunky mechanic. He helps her in her investigation but investigating her father's death puts her in grave danger. A highly suspenseful book that kept me turning pages.
April 15, 2014
A cute fluffy romance with mystery and not too preachy religion thrown in. I thought the ending was a little anti-climatic, but overall a cute read.
Moral Note: Some mild violence - talk of murder.
Moral Note: Some mild violence - talk of murder.
May 21, 2015
This was a really good story. I like Christy Barritt's style and how she gives just enough clues to help you figure out along with the characters.
February 19, 2019
I was super disappointed in this book. I have never read anything by Christy Barritt that I have not enjoyed. I picked this as a book club book. I’m sad I did as most have never read anything by this author and after reading this, I don’t think they will. It was a very hard book to do as a book club book too. As it was mostly filler story. There was no meat and potatoes. The only not completely obvious thing was who the killer was. But it was pretty typical. And why on earth with as much as I despise country music do I keep picking books that the main character is trying to be a country star? Lol There was also no mystery about the mechanic and the country girls romance. You could see that happening in the first two pages. They were already in love just by looking gazingly into each other’s eyes. Ugh, gag me now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2019
Appealing to Musiciians
All of Christy's books keep me up at night,but somehow the description neglected to say this was about a singer-songwriter (like me) or I would have read it first! Besides the mystery -murder and love themes, there are sub-themes about being controlled, used by the music industry, and decisions about living a quiet life versus being a touring musician. Loved it!
All of Christy's books keep me up at night,but somehow the description neglected to say this was about a singer-songwriter (like me) or I would have read it first! Besides the mystery -murder and love themes, there are sub-themes about being controlled, used by the music industry, and decisions about living a quiet life versus being a touring musician. Loved it!
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June 23, 2019Another good start for a Christy Barritt series!
I enjoyed this book even though it started a little slow but i kept going back to it...i finished at 3 in the morning!
I enjoyed the characters and their relationship to one another especially the two sisters. The storyline made these relationships believeable. I highly reccommend this book...how much so? I just ordered the second in the series!
I enjoyed this book even though it started a little slow but i kept going back to it...i finished at 3 in the morning!
I enjoyed the characters and their relationship to one another especially the two sisters. The storyline made these relationships believeable. I highly reccommend this book...how much so? I just ordered the second in the series!
January 27, 2023
I loved this book! It's another winner from Christy (I know, big surprise coming from me.). I loved the focus on the romantic and religious aspects of the story. It feels less like a mystery and more like a drama. It's got a soap opera vibe except it's totally wholesome and not littered with the problem found in those types of shows. I really enjoyed and am looking forward to continuing this series. Home After Dark should definitely be added to any mystery lovers TBR list!
September 19, 2017
Great book......loved the characters! The challenges that Daliegh faced were original, but finding the solution was quite an adventure . This mystery book will keep the reader on the edge of his seat.
I highly recommend it. I' m very anxious to read the next book in this series. I hope you enjoy this read.
I highly recommend it. I' m very anxious to read the next book in this series. I hope you enjoy this read.
September 29, 2021
Good suspense
Good suspense, but more into relationships - their edges, both rough and smooth. Family is examined - its warts, its warm fuzzies and more. And, two people who were as different as they could be looked st their lives through the lens of love and Christ, and decided on a new beginning.
Good suspense, but more into relationships - their edges, both rough and smooth. Family is examined - its warts, its warm fuzzies and more. And, two people who were as different as they could be looked st their lives through the lens of love and Christ, and decided on a new beginning.
August 27, 2017
Another stellar Barrit book.
Two sisters torn by grief and jealousy. When their father dies, and one believes it is murder, a dangerous storm starts to brew, along with unexpected romance.
Two sisters torn by grief and jealousy. When their father dies, and one believes it is murder, a dangerous storm starts to brew, along with unexpected romance.
November 27, 2017
Home Before Dark
This is a wonderfully told story of how sisters can get crossways, dreams can be lost, and sometimes you feel as if everything good in your life is gone. What a great story of the dark before the dawn!
This is a wonderfully told story of how sisters can get crossways, dreams can be lost, and sometimes you feel as if everything good in your life is gone. What a great story of the dark before the dawn!
April 29, 2018
I really like this book. The story was intriguing, romantic and mysterious. You wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. I guessed by the end who murdered her father, but I had no idea what happened to cause it. It was great all the way to the end.
June 3, 2018
What a story!
A love story, a mystery, family struggles, making things right, a happy ending. What more could a story be, events that you identify with, feelings you share. An enjoyable read, now for the next book in this series!
A love story, a mystery, family struggles, making things right, a happy ending. What more could a story be, events that you identify with, feelings you share. An enjoyable read, now for the next book in this series!
October 15, 2018
Good Read, Engaging Characters
I enjoyed this very much. I liked the characters and found them engaging. One of my favorites of Christy Barritt’s books, and I have read quite a few!
I enjoyed this very much. I liked the characters and found them engaging. One of my favorites of Christy Barritt’s books, and I have read quite a few!
December 29, 2018
Sweet story
Though the end result is fairly predictable, the overall story causes you to keep reading. There’s a mystery that adds to the momentum to continue reading (though I did guess “who dun it”). Overall, worth the time to read
Though the end result is fairly predictable, the overall story causes you to keep reading. There’s a mystery that adds to the momentum to continue reading (though I did guess “who dun it”). Overall, worth the time to read
March 27, 2019
WOW!!!!!!
This was another good book from this author. She has a way of adding just the right amount of intrique and mystery along with a healthy dose of faith in God and romance in a book to make a worthy read.
This was another good book from this author. She has a way of adding just the right amount of intrique and mystery along with a healthy dose of faith in God and romance in a book to make a worthy read.
July 17, 2019
Great book. Enjoyed the characters and the twists the story took as it played out. Looking to read another ASAP. Really enjoy the clean mystery with no foul language.
A a a a a a a a a a a s s a a j j g d hd
A a a a a a a a a a a s s a a j j g d hd
November 17, 2019
A beautiful story.
Things are not always as they see. Sometimes we lose sight of our dreams while trying to obtain them. Sometimes we need to step back a take a long look at where we are, and why we are there.
Things are not always as they see. Sometimes we lose sight of our dreams while trying to obtain them. Sometimes we need to step back a take a long look at where we are, and why we are there.
February 19, 2020
Christy Barritt was recommended to me by another member of a Facebook group I’m part of so I decided to check out her books. Boy I’m glad I did. Great romantic suspense story that kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
April 27, 2020
The first book in the Carolina moon series sees country musician Daleigh back home for her father's funeral. However, when she reads her dad's journal she begins to have doubts about whether her dad's death really was a tragic accident. Another great book by Christy Barritt
October 28, 2021
Home Before Dark is the 1st in a series by Christy Barritt. The author doesn’t disappoint with this 1st book. The characters are great, and the story keeps the reader guessing about who the bad guys are. This is a great mystery with a touch of romance. A definite great read!
October 24, 2022
I prefer her crime solving books
A ‘nice’ read. A bit of drama, not very well plotted or explained as it all came at a rush at the end. A happily ever after, and that’s it, a bit disappointing.
A ‘nice’ read. A bit of drama, not very well plotted or explained as it all came at a rush at the end. A happily ever after, and that’s it, a bit disappointing.
September 1, 2023
Amazing!
I do not usually read romance books. But this one has enough mystery in it to keep my attention! It had a very surprising ending!
Looking forward to reading more of this author!
I do not usually read romance books. But this one has enough mystery in it to keep my attention! It had a very surprising ending!
Looking forward to reading more of this author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews