⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
You ever crack open a book thinking you’re in for a quiet, eerie mystery and then—bam!—it grabs you by the collar and drags you straight into its stormy, pulse-pounding world? That’s exactly what Dark Endings did to me, and let me tell you, I was not prepared for how much I’d love every twist, turn, and shadow lurking in Black Hollow.
From the moment former detective Grace Willis steps into town, you can feel the weight she carries. She’s not just running from her past—she’s trying to piece together a future that still feels unsteady beneath her. With a new prosthesis where her leg used to be and a psychic gift she’s spent years ignoring, Grace is looking for a little peace. Instead, she stumbles across a body, and just like that, she’s pulled right back into the hunt for a killer.
Katie Mettner does a phenomenal job balancing Grace’s sharp detective instincts with her raw, human vulnerability. I could feel her frustration when her prosthetic ached, sense her unease when the visions clawed at her mind, and practically hear the cautious but undeniable pull between her and Sheriff Ewan Weaver. Oh, and speaking of Ewan? Let’s just say if small-town sheriffs were a brand, he’d be the gold standard—steady, protective, and just the right amount of rugged charm to make Grace (and the rest of us) take notice.
But make no mistake, Dark Endings is first and foremost a mystery, and a darn good one at that. The killer isn’t just lurking in the shadows; they’re methodical, terrifyingly precise, and always a step ahead. The tension builds with each page, twisting tighter and tighter until you’re practically holding your breath, flipping pages like your life depends on it. And let’s not forget the setting—Black Hollow isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself, full of secrets, whispers, and that creeping sense of something’s not right here.
What I really loved, though, was how Mettner wove Grace’s disability into the story. It’s an undeniable part of her, but it doesn’t define her. She fights, she falters, she pushes through—just like any great detective. The way her prosthesis is written felt real, from the physical strain to the moments of resilience that make you want to cheer out loud for her.
So, if you’re in the mood for a thriller that keeps you guessing, a heroine with grit and heart, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry, Dark Endings should be at the top of your list. Just… maybe keep the lights on. Black Hollow has a way of creeping under your skin.