Dark Endings: A Psychic Detective Romantic Suspense

by Katie Mettner

Sporting a new prosthesis and the emotional scars that go with it, former detective and reluctant psychic Grace Willis books a short stay in Black Hollow in search of peace--instead, she finds a body. With her own career derailed, she'll team up with the handsome Sheriff Ewan Weaver to root out the methodical killer terrorizing his small town. But can Grace learn to harness the visions she's always suppressed before she becomes the next victim?

Detective Grace Willis is a below-knee amputee.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2024

About the author

Katie Mettner wears the title of 'the only person to lose her leg after falling down the bunny hill' and loves decorating her prosthetic leg to fit the season. She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her own happily-ever-after and spends the day writing romantic stories with her sweet puppy by her side. Katie has an addiction to coffee and dachshunds and a lessening aversion to Pinterest — now that she’s quit trying to make the things she pins.

Read about more of Katie's adventures as an amputee writer at http://katiemettner.com/
Come chat with Katie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiemettner/
Are you a Pinner? Pin with Katie
https://www.pinterest.com/katie_mettner/

Reviews

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get a very early copy to read. AND boy did I devour. I love woowoo with mystery in my books and Katie Mettner killed it. See what I did there. 😂

I also love how she shines a light on people with disabilities. Her books are unique and she writes in a way that immediately immerses you into the story. I sure hope this becomes a series because I’m in. I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR.

[DebM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thriller, mystery romance! Turns out that’s a combination makes for a great read!!

Detective Grace Willis is a cop and a murder mystery author in the side. Since she no longer has a job as a detective she’s heading to a resort for a writing retreat. She’s at a fork in the road regarding her career and she’s hoping this writing retreat may help her decide which way to go. She also has a special gift of premonitions but she’s not sure if she will ever use them in law enforcement again Grace is also an amputee because of her former detective job. She can thank her ex-colleagues for that.

On her way to the resort she sees the Sheriff on the side of the road with the hood of his car propped up. She pulls to the side to offer her assistance. Sheriff Ewan Weaver is a bit skeptical that she can get his car running, but she makes him a believer. But as she gets ready to head to the resort she pats his SUV and she gets a vision of a shadow figure before returning to her car.

The mystery develops into a fast-paced good thriller that wants you to keep reading!

The characters mesh very well together and you want to keep turning the page to see “whodunnit”!

Another great read from Katie hopefully she’ll continue to write more thriller romance!

This will be available on March 6, 2025n

[Angela Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this action packed pages. I admire that Katie's characters may have a disability but they have adapted in order to continue with life.
When Grace arrives in Black Hollow for a writers retreat after being asked to leave the retreat she stumbled upon a body as once a cop always a cop she offers to help the local sheriff before another body is found.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written story about a woman who has been through a lot as a cop and is trying to rebuild when she gets pulled into a twisted killer's plot. Her psychic abilities has been called into question by people who don't believe in them until they help them solve a case. Now she is their only hope to put a monster behind bars.

Ewan and Grace make a great team and I love how writing gets pulled into the plot because it makes this story unique. Grace is a pillar of strength with her disability not slowing her down a bit. Her mind is her best weapon and her biggest asset.

I found myself immersed in the case and kept reading in suspense to see how the mystery would be solved. I really loved the way the case played out. I hope that we see more books like this from Katie Mettner. She just keeps getting better with every book.

[Patricia Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh. I loved this book. It had it all. Emotions, suspense, heat.!
Grace shows up in Black Hollow for a writers retreat. When she finds a body, the mystery is on. Can her and Chief Ewan figure out who is killing before it’s too late?
Loved every minute of this book, especially the psychic aspect. Hoping to see more of Grace and Ewan.

[Bella Crooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM SO OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!!!! IT WAS PERFECT. Detective Grace Willis and Sheriff Ewan Weaver are a DREAMYYYYY COUPLE!! Dark Endings is fast paced, gripping and had some dark parts that were really scary but I just I LOVED IT! The plot was so much fun I love when Katie Mettner dips her toes into the world of crime detective 😍 I NEED BOOK 2 NOW!! Everyone go read this INCREDIBLE book by my friend Katie Mettner!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! 5 stars is not enough for this book! I couldn't put this down, read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end. It will keep you on the edge if your seat.

Grace and Ewan meet on her way into town when his patrol vehicle is broke down, she helps him out. She is on her way into town for a writers retreat.

What is going on at a writers retreat at Black Hollow and how is it connecting to the authors at this retreat, Grace and a few other authors are attending?

Grace and Ewan end up working together when terror hits Black Hollow .

Grace is a former Detective who is trying to work through an ordeal that has caused her to leave her job.
Ewan has trauma of his own. You will find out about both of these when you read their story! The race is on to find out who is terrorizing this community and what the claimed ressons are. Enjoy this fast paced suspense read when it releases!

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

With finishing Dark Endings I have read seven of the wonderfully talented Katie Mettner’s books. Honestly, until I checked I had no idea I’d read that many, but all seven were books that grabbed and held my attention from start to finish. Again, frankly, this was the best of the seven.

I really identified and connected with Detective Grace Willis. As a retired female Police Officer, it was easy for me to empathize with some of the “good ole boys” attitude and treatment Grace experienced before she was driven out of her job supposedly because of her physical disability.

Sheriff Ewan Weaver, who eventually partners with Grace and becomes embroiled in a serial killer investigation, is also easy to feel for once we learn he’s no stranger to death either.

Together these two make a skilled investigative team. They also make a lovely couple who I’m certainly hoping to see more of in future books.

Thanks so much to Katie for a chance to get my eyes on an early copy. Please be scoping out retailers for Katie’s work. You won’t be disappointed.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie did it again, grabs you in, and keeps you involved right till the end. Forecast, it's going to be another great series.

[Judy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is still struggling with her disability and leaving the police force. She feels she was forced out by ‘the good ole boys’ and didn’t get a chance to prove to herself she could still do the job. While taking a retreat for her hobby of writing books she meets Ewan, the sherif of the town. For the first time since her accident she finds a man interesting.
The next morning while out walking Grace find a dead body. The sheriff needs her help since small towns are understaffed. When he finds she has a unique ability he is skeptical. Can she prove she’s not crazy? The twists and turns of the investigation make it difficult to predict the killer. I never saw the ending coming but loved every moment of it.
A MUST read.

[Tracy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader of all things Katie, and this book blew me away from the first page.
Katie knocked it out of the park with this one. Meet Grace, a former detective who has pretty much treated unjustly. Attempting to move to a new career as a writer, Grace decides to go to an author retreat, where again, she was treated wrong by the authors and organizer of the retreat. A casual walk on the beach turns into something more. A body… Killed in a unique way and cleaned for all evidence. Enter Ewan, the sheriff in town, who she already had a chance meeting with. Grace has abilities to see things, find out how this leads to an interesting investigation, with the Sheriff.

[Jennifer Kayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story. Grace goes away to finish writing her novel and while there finds a,dead body. She ends up solving the mystery and falling in love with the sheriff. Hope there will be more with Grace and Ewan.

[Larissa Schuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very hard to put down, as i wanted to know what happened next. I want to know what happens with Grace and Ewan. Will there be more of Detective Grace and Sheriff Ewan?

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 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.

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery - Grace is a former cop/police procedural author still coming to terms with her life after a kidnapping resulting in a permanent disability when she stumbles across a dead body. Ewan is a small-town sheriff still healing from his wife’s murder. Together, they work to stop a serial killer. The story line and characters are well developed such that you really want them to find their HEA. I like how this author is able to write strong female characters who may find themselves in dangerous situations but not due to a silly move on their part. I definitely recommend this book. It is standalone but I would enjoy future visits to BlackHollow. There were side characters that could use their own story.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run from Katie Mettner! She is must read author! Former detective turned writer Grace is going away on a writers retreat. Upon attending the 1st activity of the retreat, Grace aka Aurora finds she has differing opinions from the person in charge of the activities. Grace decides to stay on at the bed and break fast to work on her writing. The next morning while walking on the beach she discovers a dead body. Enter sheriff Ewan. The small town doesn’t have all the necessary resources to solve a murder case. So Grace agrees to help investigate. Then another B&B guest discovers another body. Another murder victim. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Will Grace and Ewan give into the attraction growing between them? This book is action packed, with a little romance mixed in. You will not be disappointed in this book

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story from Katie. From the first word to the last word you will not want to put the book down.

There are so many amazing topics discussed, loads of suspense, and a bit of a romance.

Katie weaves a tale that is mysterious, a bit disturbing but also very relevant around the current craze in the book community.

I loved her approach to the topics and how she wove in an authors retreat.

Ewan and Grace are a great team. They are determined to find the serial killer..as they spend time together some sparks fly. I love how much Ewan respects and appreciates Grace’s knowledge and research abilities.

As with all other books…you will learn about someone living with a disability.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please, please, please let this be book 1 in a series. I absolutely love the premise, and yours is a unique take on so many levels. I became Grace in Dark Endings. I saw Sheriff Ewan through her eyes. I gained knowledge on prothesis and how it can effect emotional and physical.. While searching for the killer we learn more about Black Hollow, Grace and Ewan and the literary world. My toes are crossed, my fingers are crossed there will be a book 2. Thank you so much for the advanced copy. I freely volunteer my honest thoughts and opinions. #DarkEndings #PsychicDetective #KatieMettner

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspenseful read which I highly recommend. Katie Mettner has hit another home run with this stand alone suspenseful book.

Grace Willis is an amputee and a former detective turned writer. She also has a spell gift of “visions”. She is headed to a writers retreat when she meets Sheriff Weaver. Once at the retreat she discovers a dead body. Since the Sheriff is short staffed he needs Grace’s help. Can these two learn to trust each other as they search for a killer? One who may also have killed the Sheriffs wife.

Don’t miss this stay on the edge of your seat story.

I received a free ARC copy in return for a free review.

[Imogen Dior · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dark Endings! The plot, characters and suspense were done so well. I loved both Grace and Ewan and the connection they had from the beginning. Grace was a very strong character who had been through so much and was just trying to find where she fit and what to do next. I really liked how Katie showed us that a disability does not mean you have to stop in your chosen career, you can still be just as good at it even if there is some adjustment needed. We saw Grace start to go through that adjustment and really start to trust herself again. I really liked Ewan too. He was very patient and loving and had gone through a lot too. I really liked the suspense and secondary characters also.

[Jennifer Bowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Hot sheriff, feisty psychic medium. I see this becoming a new favorite series if Katie decides to turn it into one!

Since Grace starts off at a writing retreat, I love how there’s descriptions of some of the sub-genres of romance. I find that very helpful for people who may not have known what they are or ever heard of some of them.

100% a page turner, keep you on the edge of your seat, one more chapter because you need to know what happens next.

Thank you Katie for always giving me the opportunity to read an ARC for you, it’s always a pleasure ♥️

[Jessica Gwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mettner’s Dark Endings is a nail-biting suspenseful story and it’s set in the bookish world. One cannot ask for much more than that. I really enjoyed seeing how Grace’s visions could be used to help her solve cases. It’s a really intriguing and unique take on a detective story. I hope there are more books to come in this series!

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Grace is a strong independent woman who didn’t let her disability get the best of her. She did what she knew she had to in order to stay safe and get justice for the victims. Ewan was a hard working man who let Grace do what she had to. Glad this book ended the way it did.

[MELISSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being sure about this new author, I cautiously began reading. A nice surprise. A strong female and former detective struggles with her confidence as she is entangled in a murder investigation in a small town. With experience and sharp wit she helps the sheriff with the investigation. And with this, the author develops a mystery, a romance and interwoven throughout a FMC dealing with a prosthetic leg. This author does a fine job of describing the daily challenges of caring for herself physically, mentally and emotionally and not allowing a prothesis to define her life. I liked all of this book. Well done.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Willis used to be a detective, until a horrific incident caused her to have a below-knee amputation. This leads to her retirement. But there is something special about Grace. She was so successful as a detective because she has the ability to psychically connect with crime scenes. A mere touch can give her insight into where to look.

She is trying to move on, writing detective novels rather than doing detective work. But when she attends a writer's retreat, she will be pulled right back in.

This book has it all. It is thrilling, mysterious, and with a healthy sprinkling of romance. I love that it shows a realistic representation of a person with a disability. It was interesting to see how much everyday actions can have an impact to a person with an amputated limb. I also appreciated the inclusive language in the author's note. Sometimes it is difficult to know what the right thing to say is. Learning from someone with firsthand experience is incredibly valuable.

[Lisa Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Kind of scary, since it could be real. Shows the strength of women as well as those with physical challenges.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting suspenseful story with intense emotional characters that are compelling to watch as they explore, discover and unravel the murder mysteries placed before them.

[Charlotte Hicks]

This is amazing!! Katie has out done herself with thrilling mystery and love story. I work s crazy schedule, but found myself making time for this one. It grabs your attention to start with and just won't let go!

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story! From over coming a new disability to romance, and of course suspense! This book will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I highly recommend Dark Endings!

[Vickie Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you on your toes from start to finish. I loved Grace and Ewan’s love story.