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Edge of Sundown
Val Haverford’s sci-fi and Western novels made him a household name. But that was a decade ago. Creative stagnation led Val to withdraw into his idyllic cabin at the edge of Chicago’s lakefront, as far from the press and prying fans as possible.
When a number of people disappear after violent attacks, Val is pulled into a plot darker than any he could pen. As he digs into a dystopian conspiracy with disturbing similarities to incidents in his youth, he’s warned to watch his step—by a captivated reporter, his fast-rising competition, even his agent—before he becomes a target himself.
But Val’s fading health won’t let him quit. He has one chance to revive his career and reconcile the past before he—and everyone he loves—is silenced for good.
When a number of people disappear after violent attacks, Val is pulled into a plot darker than any he could pen. As he digs into a dystopian conspiracy with disturbing similarities to incidents in his youth, he’s warned to watch his step—by a captivated reporter, his fast-rising competition, even his agent—before he becomes a target himself.
But Val’s fading health won’t let him quit. He has one chance to revive his career and reconcile the past before he—and everyone he loves—is silenced for good.
234 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2020
About the author
Jennifer Worrell
16 books118 followersJennifer Worrell got hooked on writing stories in kindergarten using mimeographed prompts. Her supplier, Mrs. Davenport, kept a stash of the Purple Monster handy for a quick fix. Though she kicked the habit for a short time, Jenny's writing problem has spiraled out of control. But don't worry. She can quit whenever she wants to.
Her debut novel, Edge of Sundown, was re-released in January 2024.
Her short stories and essays have been published in As It Ought to Be, Quail Bell, Ink Foundry, To L.A. With Love, Hooghly Review, West England Bylines, NECKSNAP Magazine, Broken Antler Magazine, Channel Magazine, and many other fine magazines and anthologies. For a full list and more links, check out linktr.ee/JenniferWorrell.
Her debut novel, Edge of Sundown, was re-released in January 2024.
Her short stories and essays have been published in As It Ought to Be, Quail Bell, Ink Foundry, To L.A. With Love, Hooghly Review, West England Bylines, NECKSNAP Magazine, Broken Antler Magazine, Channel Magazine, and many other fine magazines and anthologies. For a full list and more links, check out linktr.ee/JenniferWorrell.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 7, 2020
This is an addictive murder mystery, caught up inside a conspiracy theory. Set in Chicago, the book oozes with details about a writer’s life and what it means for an author to publish in the current climate; a changing world full of book trailers, tweets and obsessive fans. Val (Valery) M Haverford, his eyesight now failing, and with a young, debut novelist snapping at his heels, has an impressive 39 novels under his belt – ranging from Westerns to Sci-Fi. He is, however, tired of churning out the same old thing and wants to make a comeback with a dystopian novel; something his fans won’t be expecting nor, perhaps, will want. When an intern at the agency screws up, and his novel’s climax is catapulted into the public domain, things take a very sinister turn and Val’s world is turned upside down.
I love Worrell’s attention to detail – neck ties the colour of ripe pumpkins, people lurking in the shadows with ‘glass blue eyes’, and someone knocking on a door like ‘a drunken moose’. Worrell paints vivid, atmospheric scenes, complete with a spooky cabin in the woods. The interaction between the characters feels very real – the arguments and the resulting sadness. Countless times, whilst reading, I wanted to reach out for the whisky tumbler; half-expecting to hear a tune playing on the jukebox in the background. The characterisation is great – Detective Marczek’s appearance set my teeth on edge. I really like Val’s closest friend and agent, Graham, who ‘inherited’ Val when he took over the agency from his father. There is a very ‘sweet’ touch around their tradition of indulging in a cigar to celebrate a completed novel. Graham’s wife, Anna, is also a great, complex character with her tireless work for her Foundation. Sandra, co-producer of On the Record, has the task of interviewing Val. With her cute, glowing pink nose, she adds romance and the possibility for Val to escape. She is a very useful literary character in that she teases out some of Val’s secrets about his past, including the reason for his compulsion to write this novel.
Right from the start there is mystery concerning the death of Val’s brother Michael and I like the way Worrell tantalises the reader with the snippets from their childhood, centred around a Viking boat with its Celtic knotwork and mysterious sketches for twin houses on the bank of the Gulf of Mexico. Strong themes of guilt and hidden jealousy work their way throughout the novel. There is a startling revelation three quarters of the way through the book which made me speed my way through to the thrilling conclusion. A superb, twisty and compelling debut.
I love Worrell’s attention to detail – neck ties the colour of ripe pumpkins, people lurking in the shadows with ‘glass blue eyes’, and someone knocking on a door like ‘a drunken moose’. Worrell paints vivid, atmospheric scenes, complete with a spooky cabin in the woods. The interaction between the characters feels very real – the arguments and the resulting sadness. Countless times, whilst reading, I wanted to reach out for the whisky tumbler; half-expecting to hear a tune playing on the jukebox in the background. The characterisation is great – Detective Marczek’s appearance set my teeth on edge. I really like Val’s closest friend and agent, Graham, who ‘inherited’ Val when he took over the agency from his father. There is a very ‘sweet’ touch around their tradition of indulging in a cigar to celebrate a completed novel. Graham’s wife, Anna, is also a great, complex character with her tireless work for her Foundation. Sandra, co-producer of On the Record, has the task of interviewing Val. With her cute, glowing pink nose, she adds romance and the possibility for Val to escape. She is a very useful literary character in that she teases out some of Val’s secrets about his past, including the reason for his compulsion to write this novel.
Right from the start there is mystery concerning the death of Val’s brother Michael and I like the way Worrell tantalises the reader with the snippets from their childhood, centred around a Viking boat with its Celtic knotwork and mysterious sketches for twin houses on the bank of the Gulf of Mexico. Strong themes of guilt and hidden jealousy work their way throughout the novel. There is a startling revelation three quarters of the way through the book which made me speed my way through to the thrilling conclusion. A superb, twisty and compelling debut.
November 20, 2020
Edge of Sundown is a presentation of the breakdown of a personality to its core. It is an introspective journey made by an author at the height of their game - Ms Worrell has plenty of other books under her belt. This then appears to be a book that concerns itself primarily with what people think.
And there is a lot of thought going on in this book.
The cast of characters is deliberately small, kept so by the onslaught of thought that we revolve around. I actually don't think I've ever read a book with so little dialogue in comparison to the thought process of its players - That alone makes it interesting reading, but the book screams at you with its premise. The language is evocative and beautiful. The scenes float by, cast on the thought processes of people at the end of their careers, tension and intention cleverly weaved throughout all of the interplays with one another. It's gripping. It's intelligent. Val, the main character, is as well rounded a character as any you will meet. His darkness, his despair, and his unflinching loneliness turn him into something noteworthy. A truly flawed hero.
Overall, Edge of Sundown is time well spent in an engaging world, populated by characters whose thoughts bleed off the page.
And there is a lot of thought going on in this book.
The cast of characters is deliberately small, kept so by the onslaught of thought that we revolve around. I actually don't think I've ever read a book with so little dialogue in comparison to the thought process of its players - That alone makes it interesting reading, but the book screams at you with its premise. The language is evocative and beautiful. The scenes float by, cast on the thought processes of people at the end of their careers, tension and intention cleverly weaved throughout all of the interplays with one another. It's gripping. It's intelligent. Val, the main character, is as well rounded a character as any you will meet. His darkness, his despair, and his unflinching loneliness turn him into something noteworthy. A truly flawed hero.
Overall, Edge of Sundown is time well spent in an engaging world, populated by characters whose thoughts bleed off the page.
December 7, 2020
Edge of Sundown is a thoughtful exposé of a famed author in the twilight of his years coming to grips with the shadows of his past while creating perhaps the greatest story he ever wrote. Unlike his previous novels, this one hits far too close to home as his research and prose exposes the seedy underbelly of an organization bent on forging a specific future for "the right" people using any means possible, including murder and terror.
As the protagonist, Val gets closer to completing his work, he is assaulted and his best friend is killed to quash the story before it ever reaches publication. Moreover, his closest friends, who have really become his only remaining family, as well as his love interest fall into the web of danger stirred up by his continued pursuit of the project.
Jennifer weaves an intricate tale of suspense and intrigue; of awareness of one's place in his or her own circles. This story is one that should be read and re-read. It reminds us that our actions, even our very existence impacts those around us in ways we cannot understand until the result of those actions comes crashing down like the lid of a coffin.
As the protagonist, Val gets closer to completing his work, he is assaulted and his best friend is killed to quash the story before it ever reaches publication. Moreover, his closest friends, who have really become his only remaining family, as well as his love interest fall into the web of danger stirred up by his continued pursuit of the project.
Jennifer weaves an intricate tale of suspense and intrigue; of awareness of one's place in his or her own circles. This story is one that should be read and re-read. It reminds us that our actions, even our very existence impacts those around us in ways we cannot understand until the result of those actions comes crashing down like the lid of a coffin.
October 17, 2020
Edge of Sundown is a beautifully written slow burn of a novel. Part mystery, part character study, the story is propelled by vivid prose, which brings the surroundings into crystal clear focus. You can see the city, the people, and the madness that lingers at the edges throughout. Sharp dialogue, hidden clues, and strong characters make this an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
October 18, 2020
Full disclosure: I read this as a early, pre-published version.
I couldn't put this down - protagonist Val is a complex man caught up in a darker world than he bargained for. Readers with a love of layers of within layers will enjoy this one.
I couldn't put this down - protagonist Val is a complex man caught up in a darker world than he bargained for. Readers with a love of layers of within layers will enjoy this one.
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June 4, 2026Giving away four free copies of this book with the original cover. Holler if you're interested. 48 contiguous US states only please.
February 23, 2021
Jennifer Worrell delivers on the promise of dark "noir" fiction in this debut novel practically from the very first page. EDGE OF SUNDOWN takes the reader to some intense places almost in a Heart of Darkness kind of way in its exploration of the cracked and jagged lines between good versus evil. The grit of the city of Chicago provides a fitting backdrop to the tale and is depicted so well that you can imagine being right there side by side with the protagonist as he faces his non-stop challenges. The plot is so twisty that it kept me guessing throughout and, in fact, I had the bad guy pegged as somebody else. And maybe the good guys too. If you are looking for a mind bender...this one's for you!
February 10, 2021
On the surface, Edge of Sundown is a noir-ish suspense novel about a writer who's latest novel seems to be coming true. That, in itself is gripping enough. But add in the city of Chicago as almost its own character, and the demons Val is staring down with every turn of the page, and you've got something completely unexpected. I tried, and failed, over and over again to predict what was coming, and couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
January 25, 2021
A twisted tale of an aging writer trying his best to publish one more hit...this time with an edgier theme.
The constant feeling of bad men lurking in the dark, along with Val's failing sight infused a persistent angst and had me constantly waiting for the worst. An engrossing, engaging but calamitous story. A fantastic debut novel! Looking forward to more.
The constant feeling of bad men lurking in the dark, along with Val's failing sight infused a persistent angst and had me constantly waiting for the worst. An engrossing, engaging but calamitous story. A fantastic debut novel! Looking forward to more.
November 17, 2020
Jennifer Worrell’s Edge of Sundown, is the rare book that takes all of your expectations and turns them on their hypothetical ear. What is supposed to be a simple who-done-it, does what genre does best—it makes you think. All through an engaging plot and compelling characters.
Val Haverford, seems another down-on-his-creative-luck writer, world-weary and a little entitled. But it’s not vanity that drives Val as much as the past. Haunted by an abusive childhood, a tragic death, and a lifetime of burnt bridges, Val is seeking redemption.
Betrayed by his health and a faltering imagination, Val has carved out a book radically different from the sun-seared-west-and-celestial-vistas that made his reputation as an innovative master of genre. Hewn from current events—seemingly random killings that may not be random at all—Val’s newest work is more of a tortured manifesto that leaves him as uneasy as elated. Still, his publisher and friend, Graham is all-too glad for another Haverford novel, the first in a decade.
On his return to the friendly-fire of publishing and sales, Val meets Sandra. An entertainment news reporter and producer facing down her own past and present demons. Val is drawn to her warm-as-toast personality and stunning good looks but as she shares her dreams, he finds a path beyond the past that haunts him and beyond the book he’s hinged so much of his life on.
Then, on the cusp of publication, Val’s life begins to outpace his fiction. His entire outline including the ending is dumped on the internet by an agency intern. Days later, Val is violently assaulted in his home. As disinterested as the police are in a minor isolated assault, they manage to tie it up as a random burglary.
But Val knows better. If his assailant’s words were not clear enough, the message in a missing computer and the only paper draft of his revisions is unmistakable: drop the book.
Torn between defiance and despair, Val resigns himself to walking away from the story, his redemption, and his comeback. Only a murder, too close to home compells him—first in print and then in action as an unwitting/unwilling sleuth–to follow up on his hunch. Through heartbreak and repeated betrayal Val continues to worry at the thread running through all the horror blanketing him.
But as violence spirals back around, can Val knit together the pieces of the mystery or will he become another random statistic?
EoS is unflinching and honest. Worrell delivers bill-come-due commentary—without ever turning preachy. Her Chicago, at once movie-and-TV-show familiar is menacing and otherworldly. Her protagonist, Val is true blue. As hard as it is to believe that this is a first book, EoS is a great introduction to a gifted author. I can’t wait to read what comes next.
Val Haverford, seems another down-on-his-creative-luck writer, world-weary and a little entitled. But it’s not vanity that drives Val as much as the past. Haunted by an abusive childhood, a tragic death, and a lifetime of burnt bridges, Val is seeking redemption.
Betrayed by his health and a faltering imagination, Val has carved out a book radically different from the sun-seared-west-and-celestial-vistas that made his reputation as an innovative master of genre. Hewn from current events—seemingly random killings that may not be random at all—Val’s newest work is more of a tortured manifesto that leaves him as uneasy as elated. Still, his publisher and friend, Graham is all-too glad for another Haverford novel, the first in a decade.
On his return to the friendly-fire of publishing and sales, Val meets Sandra. An entertainment news reporter and producer facing down her own past and present demons. Val is drawn to her warm-as-toast personality and stunning good looks but as she shares her dreams, he finds a path beyond the past that haunts him and beyond the book he’s hinged so much of his life on.
Then, on the cusp of publication, Val’s life begins to outpace his fiction. His entire outline including the ending is dumped on the internet by an agency intern. Days later, Val is violently assaulted in his home. As disinterested as the police are in a minor isolated assault, they manage to tie it up as a random burglary.
But Val knows better. If his assailant’s words were not clear enough, the message in a missing computer and the only paper draft of his revisions is unmistakable: drop the book.
Torn between defiance and despair, Val resigns himself to walking away from the story, his redemption, and his comeback. Only a murder, too close to home compells him—first in print and then in action as an unwitting/unwilling sleuth–to follow up on his hunch. Through heartbreak and repeated betrayal Val continues to worry at the thread running through all the horror blanketing him.
But as violence spirals back around, can Val knit together the pieces of the mystery or will he become another random statistic?
EoS is unflinching and honest. Worrell delivers bill-come-due commentary—without ever turning preachy. Her Chicago, at once movie-and-TV-show familiar is menacing and otherworldly. Her protagonist, Val is true blue. As hard as it is to believe that this is a first book, EoS is a great introduction to a gifted author. I can’t wait to read what comes next.
May 15, 2021
I'm always happy for books set in Chicago or New York, and this one's in Chicago, so, yay! It's a noir mystery-thriller about an author who rode the best-seller list for years with his popular fiction, but now is turning to something completely different: a novel inspired by the waves of violence taking place in his city. The problem is that his book is hitting too close to home for some, who start leaving him menacing warnings to stop writing it...and then the warnings gravitate to actual murder.
I liked Worrell's style a lot. She avoids the clipped, hard-boiled style of classic detective novels for a more atmospheric and lyrical style that nevertheless serves the story well. There are surprises along the way and some very real tension that you almost don't realize is building until about halfway through. It's a slow burn of a novel, but the heat's there, and when you realize it, wow! I liked this a lot.
(Disclosure: Worrell and I have followed each other on Twitter for a while and she gifted me this book in a Twitter giveaway.)
I liked Worrell's style a lot. She avoids the clipped, hard-boiled style of classic detective novels for a more atmospheric and lyrical style that nevertheless serves the story well. There are surprises along the way and some very real tension that you almost don't realize is building until about halfway through. It's a slow burn of a novel, but the heat's there, and when you realize it, wow! I liked this a lot.
(Disclosure: Worrell and I have followed each other on Twitter for a while and she gifted me this book in a Twitter giveaway.)
August 22, 2021
This book is one to savour, telling the story of a past-his-prime author who accidentally hits on a real-life conspiracy with the plot of his comeback novel. The writing is intelligent and atmospheric, and the reader is immersed in the underbelly of this fictional (I hope!) version of Chicago while still having to work just the right amount to unravel the mystery within. I loved it!
December 30, 2021
A tasteful sipper of a book. My life is hectic, so reading it a sip at a time was challenging because you had to work to hang onto the story line thread. Regardless, lovely prose and an interesting concept. A layered, understated read.
June 16, 2021
Intriguing tale!
What a fascinating story about an author who wrote fiction and fantasy based on perceived real-life events, only to find he hit a target too close to home for some folks. I'm so glad the one person I rooted for wasn't a baddie! Loved this story!
What a fascinating story about an author who wrote fiction and fantasy based on perceived real-life events, only to find he hit a target too close to home for some folks. I'm so glad the one person I rooted for wasn't a baddie! Loved this story!
June 25, 2021
A fast moving tale about a Sci-Fi and Western writer with failing eyesight. The characters in the story are engaging and carries the reader forward as the griping story unfolds. A tale full of atmosphere, with vivid scene setting and beautiful written.
July 20, 2024
A tense, visceral, often lyrical suspense tale, punctuated by emotional beats in a writer’s life as he finds himself stalked, attacked, hunted, and losing people to an enemy. Who is this enemy? The tension of the uncertainty, not knowing when they’re strike and how Valery will cope (or strike back) galvanizes the plot, thrummed amidst a lot of genuine heart.
This is a great read for creatives, looking for something with a lot of tension, a lot of mystery, and a lot of genuine emotion. I was drawn into Val’s plight, recognizing a lot of the stress he encountered, even as I shared his bafflement about what’s going on.
This is a great read for creatives, looking for something with a lot of tension, a lot of mystery, and a lot of genuine emotion. I was drawn into Val’s plight, recognizing a lot of the stress he encountered, even as I shared his bafflement about what’s going on.
April 22, 2025
I went into this REALLY wanting to love this book. I liked the premise and it seemed promising.
What I got was a prodding piece that didn't really seem to know what it wanted to be and had no idea where the narrative was going. maybe if the book was an extra hundred pages it might have be more coherant.
What I got was a prodding piece that didn't really seem to know what it wanted to be and had no idea where the narrative was going. maybe if the book was an extra hundred pages it might have be more coherant.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews