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Lexi Cole #1
Fear the Dark
The serene snowscapes of Vermont are the last place Detective Lexi Cole, a linguistics expert, expects to find murder scenes adorned with shattered mirrors. Cole's investigation grows eerily personal as details surrounding her twin's unresolved death resonate with each new discovery. In the kaleidoscope of broken glass and riddles left by elusive killers, will Cole be able to tap her linguistics expertise and find the truth before her fate mirrors that of her lost sibling?
“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FEAR THE DARK is book #1 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.
The Lexi Cole mystery series is a riveting cat-and-mouse crime thriller that weaves a tapestry of chilling surprises and intense excitement. It breathes new life into the suspense genre with its innovative approach, showcasing a captivating lead character who is sure to steal your heart and compel you to read on well past bedtime. Fans of Rachel Caine, Karin Slaughter, and Lisa Regan are sure to fall in love.
Future books in the series will soon be available!
“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.
“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FEAR THE DARK is book #1 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.
The Lexi Cole mystery series is a riveting cat-and-mouse crime thriller that weaves a tapestry of chilling surprises and intense excitement. It breathes new life into the suspense genre with its innovative approach, showcasing a captivating lead character who is sure to steal your heart and compel you to read on well past bedtime. Fans of Rachel Caine, Karin Slaughter, and Lisa Regan are sure to fall in love.
Future books in the series will soon be available!
“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2024
595 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
Ava Strong
149 books223 followersAva Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the MEGAN YORK suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit her website.
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 27, 2024
Free book, but hard to finish
This book had a decent serial killer plot but no substance. It repeated itself with some of the same descriptions over and over and over and over. I was tired of hearing about Cole's internal struggle, her relentless pursuit of justice, her chestnut hair, and a hundred mentions of her scar. Characters weren't developed fully to the point you can't picture them in your mind. Not much dialogue. Endless repetitious scenery description that became old quickly. This author needs to read some Gregg Olsen and Harlan Coben. Their stories flow with the written word seamlessly. I almost didn't finish and at the end you just don't care about who did it or the detectives. Won't be reading this author again.
This book had a decent serial killer plot but no substance. It repeated itself with some of the same descriptions over and over and over and over. I was tired of hearing about Cole's internal struggle, her relentless pursuit of justice, her chestnut hair, and a hundred mentions of her scar. Characters weren't developed fully to the point you can't picture them in your mind. Not much dialogue. Endless repetitious scenery description that became old quickly. This author needs to read some Gregg Olsen and Harlan Coben. Their stories flow with the written word seamlessly. I almost didn't finish and at the end you just don't care about who did it or the detectives. Won't be reading this author again.
September 28, 2024
So much unnecessary repetition throughout this book! How many times do we say “we’ve got our guy” but they don’t and have to go back to the drawing board or square one. How many times do we have to mention the chill of the air? Lexi’s boots crunching in the snow, echoing and clicking. Lexi’s scar, her grip on the steering wheel. A lot of this book felt like “copy and paste”. Definitely it reading the next one.
November 2, 2024
Completely ruined by endless repetition. At least 50 mentions of her dead sister, 28 of her green eyes, 26 of her twitching, itching, throbbng scar, and 18 of her wavy chestnut hair (that inexplicably turns auburn or rust-coloured on occasion). Then we have Riggs' salt & pepper hair, and Lexi's white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and click-clacking boots there's a constant chill in the air, which one might expect during a Vermont winter! Get rid of the incessant t repetition and this book would be 50 pages of a formulaic story.
Incidentally, a basket case like Lexi would be suspended from any real police work until she got her head sorted out following months of counselling.
I loved the author's Remi Charente books. This series appears to have been written by not-so-intelligent AI
Incidentally, a basket case like Lexi would be suspended from any real police work until she got her head sorted out following months of counselling.
I loved the author's Remi Charente books. This series appears to have been written by not-so-intelligent AI
June 6, 2025
I felt like the main character trying to find the killer was interesting but you can’t go one page without her mentioning the color of her hair, the color of her eyes, her scar, or her dead sister. Like we get it you already mentioned these details, move on.
October 30, 2024
I like this author, but not this book, did not need to be told every chapter that Lexi had striking green eyes and wavy chestnut hair.
Another one who joined law enforcement due to her twin sister being murdered, but guess what, every chapter let's you know it's unsolved🙄
We didn't get to know any other characters, besides her partner, who said very little, no time line, no idea if it was day or night.
Nearly didn't bother finishing the book, didn't care who did it in the end.
Another one who joined law enforcement due to her twin sister being murdered, but guess what, every chapter let's you know it's unsolved🙄
We didn't get to know any other characters, besides her partner, who said very little, no time line, no idea if it was day or night.
Nearly didn't bother finishing the book, didn't care who did it in the end.
June 12, 2024
Not a bad story but a bit confusing sometimes as there was little to no reference to the time of day or night. At one point the two detectives were called to a murder around midnight, then after checking scene they went back to office and it appears they worked all night!? Might try another in series before deciding a higher rating..
December 14, 2024
Fear the Dark Read
I did read Fear the Dark, not my favorite "who done it".
I'm trying to be kind, it has a plot and a background story, however, poorly written. Too many adjectives!, too many repeat descriptions of boot s crunching in the snow.
No real mystery, no real tie to Lexi Cole's sister's murder.
Sorry, but a disappointment.
I did read Fear the Dark, not my favorite "who done it".
I'm trying to be kind, it has a plot and a background story, however, poorly written. Too many adjectives!, too many repeat descriptions of boot s crunching in the snow.
No real mystery, no real tie to Lexi Cole's sister's murder.
Sorry, but a disappointment.
August 27, 2024
The book of endless metaphors.
January 3, 2025
Too much repeat verbiage and too many unnecessary metaphors.
May 12, 2025
Redundancy
While I did find this book to be engaging, many times over certain phrases, words, similes were repeated making it a little boring. I continued reading hoping that the secret to the seemingly overuse would reveal a deeper meaning, maybe in the next book.
Examples, the crunch if snow, the whiteness of the scar, the plume of breath... Nearly a quarter if the book could be eliminated without repeated stories, lines, head conversations.
Still reading The Remi Laurent Series.
While I did find this book to be engaging, many times over certain phrases, words, similes were repeated making it a little boring. I continued reading hoping that the secret to the seemingly overuse would reveal a deeper meaning, maybe in the next book.
Examples, the crunch if snow, the whiteness of the scar, the plume of breath... Nearly a quarter if the book could be eliminated without repeated stories, lines, head conversations.
Still reading The Remi Laurent Series.
June 29, 2024
Fear grips the town as the toll from the serial killer rises. They have a suspect, but then he is cleared.
And then another body is found.
And then another suspect.
And on and on.
But then finally.....
And then another body is found.
And then another suspect.
And on and on.
But then finally.....
September 28, 2024
Repetitious. I found myself scanning the pages. Finished the book in warp speed.
July 20, 2025
Nah.
Typos: characters names not capitalised. The same sentence repeated (in a place you can tell it is not intentional).
Bro this is not a GCSE language paper, you don't get extra marks for having a smile or metaphors in every sentence. It just makes it hard to actually read.
"Lexi countered, her mind churning like the coffee grinder behind the counter — coarse, relentless, seeking the grounds of truth in a murky cup of possibilities." Like this is a good sentence. But when every sentence is as wind-a-bout and filled with imagery as this one, the book becomes a chore to read.
We're on chapter 5 on page 40. 10 pages per chapter is indictive of the writing. There's content pages and a prolouge in those pages as well so the chapters are well under 10 pages. The whole book just feels rushed.
""Feels like we're chasing a shadow, Mike. Every time we think we're close..." Lexi's voice trailed off as she clenched her fists, the leather of her gloves creaking." Bro this was your first lead and we're only on page 57... what are you on about. Feels like the author is just cramming in detective clichés with no regard for how they actually fit into the story.
Continuity errors: Lexi says "We need to know where you were the night Jenna died." And the suspect answers "I was at the lodge,". And that's fine but they never told him when Jenna was murdered!! They only told him she was murdered and the guy was shocked and then the "where were you on the night she was killed" question and he didn't know when she was murdered, let alone when! Five second ago he didn't know she was dead! Also this whole scene is kinda icky bc the suspect was stalking Jenna and yet the author keeps using the word "love" without really condemning his actions. Like "Only genuine love could have preceded this sort of grief". Like bro he's a stalker and he wasn't in love he was a creep obsessed with her, let's not diminish the horror of stalking.
I stopped recording things that were irritating me after page like 70. I'll tell ya, it doesn't get any better. I had to skim it just to get through it. Don't start this books, don't do it to yourself.
Typos: characters names not capitalised. The same sentence repeated (in a place you can tell it is not intentional).
Bro this is not a GCSE language paper, you don't get extra marks for having a smile or metaphors in every sentence. It just makes it hard to actually read.
"Lexi countered, her mind churning like the coffee grinder behind the counter — coarse, relentless, seeking the grounds of truth in a murky cup of possibilities." Like this is a good sentence. But when every sentence is as wind-a-bout and filled with imagery as this one, the book becomes a chore to read.
We're on chapter 5 on page 40. 10 pages per chapter is indictive of the writing. There's content pages and a prolouge in those pages as well so the chapters are well under 10 pages. The whole book just feels rushed.
""Feels like we're chasing a shadow, Mike. Every time we think we're close..." Lexi's voice trailed off as she clenched her fists, the leather of her gloves creaking." Bro this was your first lead and we're only on page 57... what are you on about. Feels like the author is just cramming in detective clichés with no regard for how they actually fit into the story.
Continuity errors: Lexi says "We need to know where you were the night Jenna died." And the suspect answers "I was at the lodge,". And that's fine but they never told him when Jenna was murdered!! They only told him she was murdered and the guy was shocked and then the "where were you on the night she was killed" question and he didn't know when she was murdered, let alone when! Five second ago he didn't know she was dead! Also this whole scene is kinda icky bc the suspect was stalking Jenna and yet the author keeps using the word "love" without really condemning his actions. Like "Only genuine love could have preceded this sort of grief". Like bro he's a stalker and he wasn't in love he was a creep obsessed with her, let's not diminish the horror of stalking.
I stopped recording things that were irritating me after page like 70. I'll tell ya, it doesn't get any better. I had to skim it just to get through it. Don't start this books, don't do it to yourself.
November 20, 2024
Warning, this is not the book to read in the dark if you are alone. It really is chilling.
Brianna sells houses and some days are better than others. Today wasn't that great and she has a thundering headache. She has arrived home very tired and with a thundering headache. She begins to relax on the sofa but hears a creak of floorboards but sees nothing, but begins to feel uneasy, as if she's not alone. She looks around and everything is as it should be, but she still feels uneasy. Then a voice from behind says softly "beautiful evening isn't it", turns round and screams, the last sound she will ever make as he smiles as he strangles her. He had been waiting in a darkened alcove waiting for her to come home.
He had never met her but despised her. Before he leaves he breaks a mirror and begins to rearrange the pieces around her body, surrounding her with images of herself. Then leaves. This is the first of the four young women he kills in quick succession.
Over the next few days three more beautiful young girls are going to be found strangled with shards of mirrored glass spread out in a pattern around their bodies. Lexi Cole and Mike Brennan are detectives in a town in the snowy mountains of Vermont where this spate of killings begins.
I was alone when I read this as hubby working away, big mistake, I couldn't go to bed even though I had checked doors and windows repeatedly, so the cats and I slept on the sofa with all the lights on and with the very big torch by my side as a just in case!! This is ridiculous I kept telling myself, it's just a book! Definitely, definitely not one to read alone on a darkened evening. (I don't count the cats as company, all they would do is miaow and wonder if intruders carry treaties).
Brianna sells houses and some days are better than others. Today wasn't that great and she has a thundering headache. She has arrived home very tired and with a thundering headache. She begins to relax on the sofa but hears a creak of floorboards but sees nothing, but begins to feel uneasy, as if she's not alone. She looks around and everything is as it should be, but she still feels uneasy. Then a voice from behind says softly "beautiful evening isn't it", turns round and screams, the last sound she will ever make as he smiles as he strangles her. He had been waiting in a darkened alcove waiting for her to come home.
He had never met her but despised her. Before he leaves he breaks a mirror and begins to rearrange the pieces around her body, surrounding her with images of herself. Then leaves. This is the first of the four young women he kills in quick succession.
Over the next few days three more beautiful young girls are going to be found strangled with shards of mirrored glass spread out in a pattern around their bodies. Lexi Cole and Mike Brennan are detectives in a town in the snowy mountains of Vermont where this spate of killings begins.
I was alone when I read this as hubby working away, big mistake, I couldn't go to bed even though I had checked doors and windows repeatedly, so the cats and I slept on the sofa with all the lights on and with the very big torch by my side as a just in case!! This is ridiculous I kept telling myself, it's just a book! Definitely, definitely not one to read alone on a darkened evening. (I don't count the cats as company, all they would do is miaow and wonder if intruders carry treaties).
November 26, 2024
Detective Lexi Cole’s sadness about the loss of her twin sister to a serial killer in her hometown is still raw. And when another serial killer begins leaving bodies behind, it’s hard for her to put her feelings aside as she investigates the case.
Driven to bring this serial killer to justice, she hopes that this will be the thing that brings the families of the girls some peace, unlike the peace her family has yet to find.
I enjoyed the amount of possible suspects that seemed to have valid motives for killing the victims, yet there wasn’t enough evidence to pin them as the killer. The author truly left the reader in the dark until the very end as to who the killer is.
That being said, I do wish there had been more explanation or flashbacks of Lexi with her sister as the case unfolded. Mainly because she talks the whole book about how her sister’s murder affected her but as the reader, I feel like I needed more on her and her sister’s relationship to make these feelings and loss more genuine.
Overall, I did like the book, however.
Driven to bring this serial killer to justice, she hopes that this will be the thing that brings the families of the girls some peace, unlike the peace her family has yet to find.
I enjoyed the amount of possible suspects that seemed to have valid motives for killing the victims, yet there wasn’t enough evidence to pin them as the killer. The author truly left the reader in the dark until the very end as to who the killer is.
That being said, I do wish there had been more explanation or flashbacks of Lexi with her sister as the case unfolded. Mainly because she talks the whole book about how her sister’s murder affected her but as the reader, I feel like I needed more on her and her sister’s relationship to make these feelings and loss more genuine.
Overall, I did like the book, however.
December 5, 2025
This was very disappointing. It has the bones of being a good story but it all kind of gets a bit lost with the constant references to Lexi's dead twin which isn't really that relevant. Not to mention the constant and irritating mentions of her chesnut hair hanging over her shoulders and the scar above her eyebrow feeling itchy. It was infuriating. What has her hair got to do with the plot??? It was mentioned all the time, if it wasn't hanging over her shoulder it would be brushed back or in her eyes! What the heck? Made no sense. 2 stars only.
*************************
The serene snowscapes of Vermont are the last place Detective Lexi Cole, a linguistics expert, expects to find murder scenes adorned with shattered mirrors. Cole's investigation grows eerily personal as details surrounding her twin's unresolved death resonate with each new discovery. In the kaleidoscope of broken glass and riddles left by elusive killers, will Cole be able to tap her linguistics expertise and find the truth before her fate mirrors that of her lost sibling?
*************************
The serene snowscapes of Vermont are the last place Detective Lexi Cole, a linguistics expert, expects to find murder scenes adorned with shattered mirrors. Cole's investigation grows eerily personal as details surrounding her twin's unresolved death resonate with each new discovery. In the kaleidoscope of broken glass and riddles left by elusive killers, will Cole be able to tap her linguistics expertise and find the truth before her fate mirrors that of her lost sibling?
March 17, 2025
I'm not sure when I had to go back and reread any portion of a book because I drift off from boredom. This wasn't just a single moment, nor a single instance either. I struggled to finish this book. Why did I feel I needed to? That's an excellent question!
The story wasn't long, but it could easily have been shortened by taking out the fluff. I am also finding the authors lately don't appear to find reading through their work before publication necessary anymore. Now, it is more about churning out books in quantity than quality.
Don't hate me for this, but it sounded like a soap opera made for TV with murder added into it for added effect. I can't imagine a guy finding this book appealing with the constant reflection and whining the main female character did. I'm female, and it drove me nuts.
Not recommended 👎
📚 📚
The story wasn't long, but it could easily have been shortened by taking out the fluff. I am also finding the authors lately don't appear to find reading through their work before publication necessary anymore. Now, it is more about churning out books in quantity than quality.
Don't hate me for this, but it sounded like a soap opera made for TV with murder added into it for added effect. I can't imagine a guy finding this book appealing with the constant reflection and whining the main female character did. I'm female, and it drove me nuts.
Not recommended 👎
📚 📚
October 30, 2025
Great story but needs editing
I really want to give this more stars but I can’t. The story was solid but the writing made it a difficult book to read. Endless repeated descriptions. How many time do I need to be told ‘her green eyes flashed’ or ‘her breath clouded before her’ her boots crunched in the snow’ if it’s so damn cold out why did the bank have its AC on? If you took out all the repetition this book would be half as long. Don’t even get me started on Lexi and Mike were partners, Mike was her partner’ her partner Mike, her scar flashed, she could feel her scar winking’ above her eyebrow her scar…Every time a phrase was repeated it took me out of the story. Disappointing because the story itself was good. Unfortunately this will be the only book by this author for me.
I really want to give this more stars but I can’t. The story was solid but the writing made it a difficult book to read. Endless repeated descriptions. How many time do I need to be told ‘her green eyes flashed’ or ‘her breath clouded before her’ her boots crunched in the snow’ if it’s so damn cold out why did the bank have its AC on? If you took out all the repetition this book would be half as long. Don’t even get me started on Lexi and Mike were partners, Mike was her partner’ her partner Mike, her scar flashed, she could feel her scar winking’ above her eyebrow her scar…Every time a phrase was repeated it took me out of the story. Disappointing because the story itself was good. Unfortunately this will be the only book by this author for me.
January 20, 2025
interesting
This book was interesting. It was a good mystery and kept you guessing throughout the story. I would have to say my only complaint was that at some points the writing could be a little repetitive. For example: the color of her eyes and the number of times it mentions her gripping the steering wheel is a lot. And I really wanted more background story on what happened to her sister because we didn’t get much of that and that is supposed to be what is driving her. That being said, the storyline was great and the amount of red herrings in this book kept you guessing until the end. It was an enjoyable story and I will read the next installment in hopes of there being a little more about what happened to her sister.
This book was interesting. It was a good mystery and kept you guessing throughout the story. I would have to say my only complaint was that at some points the writing could be a little repetitive. For example: the color of her eyes and the number of times it mentions her gripping the steering wheel is a lot. And I really wanted more background story on what happened to her sister because we didn’t get much of that and that is supposed to be what is driving her. That being said, the storyline was great and the amount of red herrings in this book kept you guessing until the end. It was an enjoyable story and I will read the next installment in hopes of there being a little more about what happened to her sister.
October 3, 2025
good writing
Ava Strong is well beyond the average mystery writer. Every once in a while, reading one of her books, I come across phrases that strongly remind me of Miss Marple mysteries. In Fear the Dark, Lexi and her partner Mike are on the trail of a serial killer whose victims have a commonality but no trail to the killer. Through minuscule clues and good investigation, they hope to track down the killer before yet another murder occurs.
One thing I have noticed in several mysteries I have read recently is that many of these detectives suddenly seem to have an unsolved sister’s murder that drives them. I’m not saying that this is negative, but it does become repetitious after several books with the same driving force.
Ava Strong is well beyond the average mystery writer. Every once in a while, reading one of her books, I come across phrases that strongly remind me of Miss Marple mysteries. In Fear the Dark, Lexi and her partner Mike are on the trail of a serial killer whose victims have a commonality but no trail to the killer. Through minuscule clues and good investigation, they hope to track down the killer before yet another murder occurs.
One thing I have noticed in several mysteries I have read recently is that many of these detectives suddenly seem to have an unsolved sister’s murder that drives them. I’m not saying that this is negative, but it does become repetitious after several books with the same driving force.
November 2, 2024
Started ok but soon got very boring with all the repetitiveness… from Lexi’s green eyes to her click clacking boots to her chestnut hair, which turned inexplicably rust coloured at one point to her sisters unsolved murder to her scar throbbing to the crunch of the snow & cold chilled air to her breath fogging in the cold air… please! At one point one suspect was handcuffed to the table in interrogation and yet he still managed to lean back in his chair and fold his arms!!! I skipped a lot of the descriptions and just read the dialogue in the end to get to the conclusion of the book… I won’t be reading any more books by this author … life’s too short!
October 15, 2024
Fear The Dark
The plot of the book was good. I love Ava Strong’s books but this one bothered me concerning the description of the female protagonist that seemed to be in every chapter. I read it over and over again about her green eyes, and the description of the scar on her forehead. It was like a record playing over and over. We got it the first time around. The readers are not dense. We do not have to be reminded that she has green eyes or a scar. If it’s filler, please use something else in the future.
The plot of the book was good. I love Ava Strong’s books but this one bothered me concerning the description of the female protagonist that seemed to be in every chapter. I read it over and over again about her green eyes, and the description of the scar on her forehead. It was like a record playing over and over. We got it the first time around. The readers are not dense. We do not have to be reminded that she has green eyes or a scar. If it’s filler, please use something else in the future.
October 31, 2024
"Fear the Dark" starts with potential but quickly deteriorates due to excessive repetition. The constant emphasis on the protagonist's hair and eye color, alongside relentless references to her sister's unsolved murder, detracts from the story. Things would often be stated the exact same way like it was just cut and paste. As police officers they seem to latch onto a single clue and jump to conclusions. Overall, this novel feels like a missed opportunity, as it squanders its initial promise. This is a definite miss for me.
November 7, 2024
I read several books a week, and honestly had trouble finishing this one. Not much character development and plot a little flat. No real suspense, author didn’t lead us anywhere. She was repetitive with lexi hair description and twin dying. Why would Lexi tells her partner how her sister died, wouldn’t he already have known? No other people introduced in story, no fleshing out the community. Conclusion was quick, a little boring no build up or excitement. They had some very obvious suspects all with alibis.really not attached to these characters.
January 28, 2025
I couldn’t get more than about 1/3 of the way through this. I didn’t care for the writing AT ALL. An example; The FBI asked a suspect when the was the last time he saw the victim. “Two weeks ago”, at which point they told him that she was dead, murdered. He reacted with “disbelief”. They asked him where he was on the night she was murdered. How in the world would he know that if he didn’t know she was dead and hadn’t seen her in two weeks? And he had an answer for them. IMMEDIATELY!! I have a hard time getting past little things like that.
February 8, 2025
Shattered pieces
A killer is killing young women will Lexi Cole & her partner be able to find the killer before someone else dies? They have had so many false leads and Lexi fears that another victim will be found. Can she take things slow and to think more clearly before rushing in? A good read. Good characters. Lexi is driven to find her sister's killer but she gets blinded at times by that grief. Her partner Mike has his own problems with the bottle. But they trust each other and work well together
A killer is killing young women will Lexi Cole & her partner be able to find the killer before someone else dies? They have had so many false leads and Lexi fears that another victim will be found. Can she take things slow and to think more clearly before rushing in? A good read. Good characters. Lexi is driven to find her sister's killer but she gets blinded at times by that grief. Her partner Mike has his own problems with the bottle. But they trust each other and work well together
October 20, 2024
Bloated with tons of metaphors and similes and copy-pasted descriptions of the same scenes. Tons of copy-pasted descriptions of the MC’s hair color and scar above her eye. Even sections of conversations were copy-pasted from one page to the next with no acknowledgement. Search the phrase “sister’s unsolved murder” and it was probably used at least three times per chapter.
Only finished it because it was short and easy credit for my reading challenge. 😬
Only finished it because it was short and easy credit for my reading challenge. 😬
June 14, 2024
Decent read
The story was good, no idea who the killer could be, which is a rarity in so many books. Such twisted minds. The only let down was the amount of references to the deceased sister in almost every chapter and more than once. Very annoying. If I knew who the killer was I wouldn't have carried on reading as it was very off putting. Still good plot.
The story was good, no idea who the killer could be, which is a rarity in so many books. Such twisted minds. The only let down was the amount of references to the deceased sister in almost every chapter and more than once. Very annoying. If I knew who the killer was I wouldn't have carried on reading as it was very off putting. Still good plot.
September 5, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled with the repetitiveness of the content.
I loved this author's Remi Laurent Series (first book The Death Code), but i felt like this book lacked editing? Or was rushed and not fully developed?
I'll probably give book 2 a try to see if this was just a fluke.
I loved this author's Remi Laurent Series (first book The Death Code), but i felt like this book lacked editing? Or was rushed and not fully developed?
I'll probably give book 2 a try to see if this was just a fluke.
October 19, 2024
A phrase that was used to much.
The plot was very good. After the first chapters,the author repeatedly stated wavy,chestnut, shoulder length hair. Also every time this appeared,another comment about her dead sister cold case. I got so tired of this in every chapter,I would glance off this until I picked up another thought about what the book was about.
The plot was very good. After the first chapters,the author repeatedly stated wavy,chestnut, shoulder length hair. Also every time this appeared,another comment about her dead sister cold case. I got so tired of this in every chapter,I would glance off this until I picked up another thought about what the book was about.
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