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High Water #5
Even in Darkness
Even in Darkness
is the fifth book in the High Water series and blends contemporary mystery and suspense, dramatic situations, and high adventure that both boys and girls aged 12+ love.
While diving in Rockport Harbor, Parker Buckman makes a terrifying discovery. Haunting enough to keep him out of the water. His best friend, Harley, has his own dilemma—and needs Parker’s help. Meeting Harley halfway won’t cut it. Parker will need to be all in—which can only mean trouble.
Harley Lotitto is in more danger than anyone realizes. His Uncle Ray has cornered him into secretly finding recordings he’d hidden—before going to prison. Evidence powerful enough to get Ray out of jail—and put a worse man behind bars. If Harley succeeds, Quinn Lochran will get multiple life sentences. Lochran has a dark plan to make sure that evidence never sees the light of day. Ray’s ‘get-out-of-jail’ ticket might just become Harley’s death warrant—and Parker’s too.
Jelly and Ella know the boys are up to something. They want to help—but unless the boys open up—they feel powerless to do a thing. They have a feeling that the boys are going to need all the help they can get... and they’re right. These friends have survived deadly situations together before. But this time escape seems more hopeless than ever. What do you do when you’re surrounded by darkness... and dawn will never get there in time?
While diving in Rockport Harbor, Parker Buckman makes a terrifying discovery. Haunting enough to keep him out of the water. His best friend, Harley, has his own dilemma—and needs Parker’s help. Meeting Harley halfway won’t cut it. Parker will need to be all in—which can only mean trouble.
Harley Lotitto is in more danger than anyone realizes. His Uncle Ray has cornered him into secretly finding recordings he’d hidden—before going to prison. Evidence powerful enough to get Ray out of jail—and put a worse man behind bars. If Harley succeeds, Quinn Lochran will get multiple life sentences. Lochran has a dark plan to make sure that evidence never sees the light of day. Ray’s ‘get-out-of-jail’ ticket might just become Harley’s death warrant—and Parker’s too.
Jelly and Ella know the boys are up to something. They want to help—but unless the boys open up—they feel powerless to do a thing. They have a feeling that the boys are going to need all the help they can get... and they’re right. These friends have survived deadly situations together before. But this time escape seems more hopeless than ever. What do you do when you’re surrounded by darkness... and dawn will never get there in time?
- GenresFiction
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Tim Shoemaker
36 books103 followersTim Shoemaker is a speaker and author of eight books, including Dangerous Devotions for Guys; Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets, and Other Outdoor Devotionals; and Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals. He has three grown sons and has been happily married for over 32 years. His debut into the juvenile fiction market draws from his experience with kids as a volunteer youth leader for more than sixteen years.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 5, 2024
OH MY GOSH WOW…….that was incredible!!! I can’t remember I was on the edge of my seat that much…..so stress in a good way. I could not put this book down!!! Easily my second favorite in the series. (The Deep End is my favorite)
I love this series so much. I've loved seeing all of the characters grow up over the series. I really appreciated how they are now treated like younger men and women. I loved having the plot focus on Parker and Harley as they are my favorites to follow. I usually don't like villain povs because I find it less surprising but I really liked the villain pop in this book.
There’s a dog!!! oh my gosh, I love her.
Harley is one of my favorite characters of all time! And when I say I can’t imagine a better ending for him….i mean it!! It was perfect, I’m so happy!
I recently got to visit Rockport where this book is set and see the locations from the book which was sooo cool! The map at the back of the book came in so handy!
Please, please, please read this series!!! I love it so much!!!!
I love this series so much. I've loved seeing all of the characters grow up over the series. I really appreciated how they are now treated like younger men and women. I loved having the plot focus on Parker and Harley as they are my favorites to follow. I usually don't like villain povs because I find it less surprising but I really liked the villain pop in this book.
There’s a dog!!! oh my gosh, I love her.
Harley is one of my favorite characters of all time! And when I say I can’t imagine a better ending for him….i mean it!! It was perfect, I’m so happy!
I recently got to visit Rockport where this book is set and see the locations from the book which was sooo cool! The map at the back of the book came in so handy!
Please, please, please read this series!!! I love it so much!!!!
October 18, 2024
Great book!!! Harley, Ella, Jelly, Parker and Wilson are an amazing group of Christian (well, as Wilson would say, “His Muskogee Warrior blood”) teenagers who have to trust God to keep them safe in this dangerous hunt for the truth…as Grams said, “Death comes in threes.”
I love how this author continues to build on each character’s faith and personality. And Tim Shoemaker doesn’t spare the main characters!!
Can’t wait to see if Mr. Shoemaker continues this series. Big fan of The Highwater books.
I love how this author continues to build on each character’s faith and personality. And Tim Shoemaker doesn’t spare the main characters!!
Can’t wait to see if Mr. Shoemaker continues this series. Big fan of The Highwater books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
4.5 stars?? Basically 5 stars, I just had a couple things that weren’t my favorite.
WOW! What an amazing conclusion to the High Water Series! I felt like this book wrapped up the series really well. It was another high stakes mystery and brings back some bad guys from book 3.
And pretty much all the main characters from the previous books, so that was fun! I’m going to go through each of the characters I have comments on lol.
Like all (I think) the other books in this series, we get some of the villains POV. Really not pleasant, but what can you expect I guess. Not really much to say about them, they played there parts as villains well.
Parker’s faith has just grown so much in the last books in the series, and I just love those parts. His character really grew on me! There is a lot more faith content than in the first 2ish books of the series. And it’s so neat how his faith impacts his friends.
Once again, Harley is a big part of the plot, and he is just like the best character. His faith grows in this book, and he has just had SO much character growth throughout the whole series. I think the way the author handled him being in the foster system was just so well done! I felt like the feelings and thoughts he had were so realistic. And, Ms. Lopez is seriously the sweetest. The ending!! Oh my goodness. The end bumped my rating to 5 stars!
There is one sweet line between Harley and Ella but nothing else (sadly…but I can appreciate how the author kept any romance out of the story)
Speaking of Ella, I thought she didn’t have much character growth in this story, which was really a bummer. But, I still like her.
Okay, Jelly was awesome in this book! We finally get to see some real character growth with her. She has an experience towards the end where she really has to put her trust in God, and that was so cool. She grew on me a lot in this book! I feel like the girls interactions with Scorza were a little better. Not as much name calling. Still feel like there could be some work there.
So the couple things I didn’t like as much. The influence Ella’s grandma had on them throughout the book. The boys don’t believe her superstitions at all, but I feel like the girls kinda got caught up in it. And, when three people did end up dying, I feel like it kinda made her superstitions sound true. I know it’s hard for people to get past that kind of thinking if that’s all they’ve known, but I feel like the author should have addressed that more.
Also, there is one scene with the villains, that involves Harley’s dead uncle. Just revolting kinda, so I would caution younger readers.
Okay, and I was kinda hoping there would be something with Ms. Lopez and Jelly’s dad, but I also liked the turn of events with her being Harley’s foster mom.
Anyways, those things aside, I really enjoyed this book, especially the end! Sad to see these characters go, but I think it would be really cool if the author wrote another series of them when there a little older…idk just an idea. I will definitely be recommending this book to teens who want action and adventure!
⚠️Content wise (and spoilers): This would more be for younger readers. Parker finds a dead body in the water. Harley’s uncle is murdered (no details tho). One of the villains is eaten by a shark at the end (no details). Also, one of the bad guys performs this “ritual” at a “funeral” for Harley’s uncle and it’s gross in my opinion. He does it to scare the girls. Last, Ella’s grandmother is pretty superstitious and definitely has an influence on the girls sometimes.
WOW! What an amazing conclusion to the High Water Series! I felt like this book wrapped up the series really well. It was another high stakes mystery and brings back some bad guys from book 3.
And pretty much all the main characters from the previous books, so that was fun! I’m going to go through each of the characters I have comments on lol.
Like all (I think) the other books in this series, we get some of the villains POV. Really not pleasant, but what can you expect I guess. Not really much to say about them, they played there parts as villains well.
Parker’s faith has just grown so much in the last books in the series, and I just love those parts. His character really grew on me! There is a lot more faith content than in the first 2ish books of the series. And it’s so neat how his faith impacts his friends.
Once again, Harley is a big part of the plot, and he is just like the best character. His faith grows in this book, and he has just had SO much character growth throughout the whole series. I think the way the author handled him being in the foster system was just so well done! I felt like the feelings and thoughts he had were so realistic. And, Ms. Lopez is seriously the sweetest. The ending!! Oh my goodness. The end bumped my rating to 5 stars!
There is one sweet line between Harley and Ella but nothing else (sadly…but I can appreciate how the author kept any romance out of the story)
Speaking of Ella, I thought she didn’t have much character growth in this story, which was really a bummer. But, I still like her.
Okay, Jelly was awesome in this book! We finally get to see some real character growth with her. She has an experience towards the end where she really has to put her trust in God, and that was so cool. She grew on me a lot in this book! I feel like the girls interactions with Scorza were a little better. Not as much name calling. Still feel like there could be some work there.
So the couple things I didn’t like as much. The influence Ella’s grandma had on them throughout the book. The boys don’t believe her superstitions at all, but I feel like the girls kinda got caught up in it. And, when three people did end up dying, I feel like it kinda made her superstitions sound true. I know it’s hard for people to get past that kind of thinking if that’s all they’ve known, but I feel like the author should have addressed that more.
Also, there is one scene with the villains, that involves Harley’s dead uncle. Just revolting kinda, so I would caution younger readers.
Okay, and I was kinda hoping there would be something with Ms. Lopez and Jelly’s dad, but I also liked the turn of events with her being Harley’s foster mom.
Anyways, those things aside, I really enjoyed this book, especially the end! Sad to see these characters go, but I think it would be really cool if the author wrote another series of them when there a little older…idk just an idea. I will definitely be recommending this book to teens who want action and adventure!
⚠️Content wise (and spoilers): This would more be for younger readers. Parker finds a dead body in the water. Harley’s uncle is murdered (no details tho). One of the villains is eaten by a shark at the end (no details). Also, one of the bad guys performs this “ritual” at a “funeral” for Harley’s uncle and it’s gross in my opinion. He does it to scare the girls. Last, Ella’s grandmother is pretty superstitious and definitely has an influence on the girls sometimes.
July 15, 2025
ok, this one was wonderful too, BUT, there could have been a little more put into that poem...cause like....I figured it out as soon as I saw it while no one else in the book figured it out till right before they almost didn't have enough time and it made me feel like they were kinda stupid for not seeing it....so...yeah...but aside from that it was great!
November 16, 2024
I'm so sad this is (possibly) the last book. If it is, it was a heck of a finale to the series, but I'm going to miss these characters!
February 12, 2025
7-stars!!!!!!!
(Spoilers will be marked with "🚨" at the beginning and end of the spoiler)
I literally have no words for how amazing this book is. Chapter 109 was perfect in so many ways. I think incorporating the Code of Silence series being a series in this made it feel more real.
🚨Pez adopting Harley brought me to tiers I was so happy, I was adopted when I was 2 days old and my dad died when I was 4 so it's kinda similar to Harley's life and I get what it feels like to have ppl who care about you and love you but not have it feel completely like family have a family cuz my family doesn't fully feel like family to me so Harley is my full time confort character🚨.
The plot twist was great minus the fact I kinda saw it coming . I'm honestly so sad this is (possibly hopefully not) the last book. Don't get me wrong, it was a great end to the series. I'm just going to SERIOUSLY miss it so badly, everything about it (including KitKat). Before I picked The Second Storm back up last week, I was drifting away from my faith. After I started reading it again, it brought me back. Also, Pez and Harley are the best duo ever.
This book messed with my emotions so much. One moment, you'll be crying tiers of joy the next you'll be crying tiers of sadness. It kinda felt like life in a way, like, one day you'll be happy the next you'll be sad, and during both the sad and happy days you'll probably get annoyed or mad at someone or something, just like this book. Tim Shoemaker is my #1 favorite author of all time.
The epilogue was kinda random, though.
(Spoilers will be marked with "🚨" at the beginning and end of the spoiler)
I literally have no words for how amazing this book is. Chapter 109 was perfect in so many ways. I think incorporating the Code of Silence series being a series in this made it feel more real.
🚨Pez adopting Harley brought me to tiers I was so happy, I was adopted when I was 2 days old and my dad died when I was 4 so it's kinda similar to Harley's life and I get what it feels like to have ppl who care about you and love you but not have it feel completely like family have a family cuz my family doesn't fully feel like family to me so Harley is my full time confort character🚨.
The plot twist was great minus the fact I kinda saw it coming . I'm honestly so sad this is (possibly hopefully not) the last book. Don't get me wrong, it was a great end to the series. I'm just going to SERIOUSLY miss it so badly, everything about it (including KitKat). Before I picked The Second Storm back up last week, I was drifting away from my faith. After I started reading it again, it brought me back. Also, Pez and Harley are the best duo ever.
This book messed with my emotions so much. One moment, you'll be crying tiers of joy the next you'll be crying tiers of sadness. It kinda felt like life in a way, like, one day you'll be happy the next you'll be sad, and during both the sad and happy days you'll probably get annoyed or mad at someone or something, just like this book. Tim Shoemaker is my #1 favorite author of all time.
The epilogue was kinda random, though.
February 1, 2026
4.5 rounded up for this review! I'm trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but there might be a few small ones down below. :)
Another great book in the High Water series! The plot, as always, was gripping and had me reading almost all day to get through it. The character growth in this book was also awesome and I loved getting to see so many of the characters working towards the truth. Harley and Parker have my heart, but honestly all the characters are so relatable and so realistic that you feel like they could walk off the page. I also love Pez, and let's just say I was really happy that a certain someone from the past decided to pop in again.
The biggest thing that bugged me about this series is that I fully expected a certain person from the second book to make another appearance. When that didn't happen, I felt like it was a bit of a loose end, but for the most part I think that's okay.
All in all, a great series that I would 100% recommend!
Another great book in the High Water series! The plot, as always, was gripping and had me reading almost all day to get through it. The character growth in this book was also awesome and I loved getting to see so many of the characters working towards the truth. Harley and Parker have my heart, but honestly all the characters are so relatable and so realistic that you feel like they could walk off the page. I also love Pez, and let's just say I was really happy that a certain someone from the past decided to pop in again.
The biggest thing that bugged me about this series is that I fully expected a certain person from the second book to make another appearance. When that didn't happen, I felt like it was a bit of a loose end, but for the most part I think that's okay.
All in all, a great series that I would 100% recommend!
July 10, 2025
This was a fun ending to the series. I enjoyed this easy read and all the familiar characters. There is plenty of suspense and mystery to keep you guessing. I am glad the author tries to emphasize the importance of the faith throughout the book. Some of the characters were kind of irritating with being superstitious but overall the faith was wrapped in nicely. This a clean read that teens will enjoy.
I received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. These are my thoughts.
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August 28, 2024I have so many thought on this book but I will try to keep it concise. I love Tim Shoemaker books. I think he fills a niche in teen novels for good, clean mystery thrillers. His writing style is great. I love the faith aspect that he weaves in. And the character development is great. The friend group is fun. This book contains those same great traits! But... there are some really creepy moments in this book, that left me a little puzzled as to why they got so dark. To the author's credit, it did not stay in the creepy for long. But there were some moments where I was said whoa... There was also a very superstitious character. For this to be a Christian, faith based novel, I felt that these superstitions should have been dealt with more at the end. It felt like all the characters were believing these superstitions at the end, instead of relying on God in those moments. I need to sit on whether I actually recommend this to the teens in life... probably I will only let the older demographic read this one. I would appreciate a slightly toned down dark/creepy factor for my adolescents.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars for a great writing style and filling a genre that is greatly lacking.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars for a great writing style and filling a genre that is greatly lacking.
November 20, 2024
Oh my goodness, I've been looking forward to Even in Darkness ever since I read Second Storm earlier this summer.
One last adventure with the five friends... I know all good things must end, but I am sad that there won't be anymore new stories with Parker, Wilson, Harley, Jelly, and Ella. Even in Darkness is full of the same character dynamics and friendships that I love about this group, so they do get a great final send off.
To be honest, this was not my favorite book by Mr. Shoemaker plot-wise (which is why I gave it four stars), though I can't explain why. I still enjoyed it a lot, but something didn't click with me like most of his other books have.
I won't spoil anything, but let me just say that the ending was amazing (so happy for a certain character)--and we finally get to learn the big deal about Ella's Masterson story. (That scene is AWESOME!)
Overall, I really enjoyed Even in Darkness, and I can't wait to see what Mr. Shoemaker's next fiction novel is going to be!
One last adventure with the five friends... I know all good things must end, but I am sad that there won't be anymore new stories with Parker, Wilson, Harley, Jelly, and Ella. Even in Darkness is full of the same character dynamics and friendships that I love about this group, so they do get a great final send off.
To be honest, this was not my favorite book by Mr. Shoemaker plot-wise (which is why I gave it four stars), though I can't explain why. I still enjoyed it a lot, but something didn't click with me like most of his other books have.
I won't spoil anything, but let me just say that the ending was amazing (so happy for a certain character)--and we finally get to learn the big deal about Ella's Masterson story. (That scene is AWESOME!)
Overall, I really enjoyed Even in Darkness, and I can't wait to see what Mr. Shoemaker's next fiction novel is going to be!
September 18, 2024
Mystery, danger, drama . . . and sharks will keep readers turning the pages of Shoemakers latest book for teens.
Harley Lotitto's jailbird uncle has given him a mission. It's one he'd like to ignore, but Harley can't ignore the threats to his new-found family and friends if he fails to complete it. The more Harley digs into the clues his uncle has given him, the darker—and deadlier—the whole situation gets.
Is it all connected to the string of burglaries plaguing the community? And what about that body found floating in the harbor?
Packed with non-stop action and filled with "real-life" applications of faith, this book does not disappoint! And though this is Book 5 in the series, it is still great as a standalone. Fabulous!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Harley Lotitto's jailbird uncle has given him a mission. It's one he'd like to ignore, but Harley can't ignore the threats to his new-found family and friends if he fails to complete it. The more Harley digs into the clues his uncle has given him, the darker—and deadlier—the whole situation gets.
Is it all connected to the string of burglaries plaguing the community? And what about that body found floating in the harbor?
Packed with non-stop action and filled with "real-life" applications of faith, this book does not disappoint! And though this is Book 5 in the series, it is still great as a standalone. Fabulous!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 17, 2024
Perfect Ending to a Fantastic Series!
Our family has absolutely loved this series, especially this one! From the title to the seriously creepy bad guy to the riddle to the shark, this one captures your imagination! It's been fun to see the main characters growing in their friendships and faith. Tim ended this series so well, we wish there was just one more!
Our family has absolutely loved this series, especially this one! From the title to the seriously creepy bad guy to the riddle to the shark, this one captures your imagination! It's been fun to see the main characters growing in their friendships and faith. Tim ended this series so well, we wish there was just one more!
November 6, 2025
The friends find themselves deep in danger as they try to figure out clues Harley’s Uncle sent him and Parker’s discovery underneath a boat in the harbor has them all unnerved. Finally realizing they need help, the teens admit that it will take all hands on deck to solve this one in time to save their lives.
August 18, 2025
I'm way outside of the recommended age range for these books, but the appeal to young boys still gets me! Adventure, danger, and high stakes---all can be found. Pro tip: use a flashlight to read even in darkness.
July 5, 2024
I'm still gathering my thoughts, but one thing is sure: I don't like this as the final book. Full RTC.
June 23, 2025
I am in shock by this final book in the High Water Series. Absolutely my favourite and I love the themes throughout!
September 6, 2025
*see my review for book one*
https://theradicalreader.com/high-wat...
https://theradicalreader.com/high-wat...
October 30, 2025
This whole series is amazing! You must, MUST read!
Agh! I love this book so much! The climactic scene is spectacular! I love the intense loyalty of the characters and the strength they find in God. I admire how the guys defend the girls even unto death. I pumped my fist in the air so many times in this series. My sister call that a “Yes, yes, YES! Moment”. There were so many “Yes, yes, YES! Moments”!
You seriously have to read this. 😀
Agh! I love this book so much! The climactic scene is spectacular! I love the intense loyalty of the characters and the strength they find in God. I admire how the guys defend the girls even unto death. I pumped my fist in the air so many times in this series. My sister call that a “Yes, yes, YES! Moment”. There were so many “Yes, yes, YES! Moments”!
You seriously have to read this. 😀
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews