Light and Darkness

Izzy Llewellyn Small Town Suspense #3

by Zara Evans

Some wounds never heal.
Some hunters never quit.
Some truths can get you killed.

Sheriff Izar "Izzy" Llewellyn is growing into her role in Darkness, California, but now faces a contentious special election. The last thing she needs is a dead body high in the Sierra Nevadas, or the FBI agents who sweep into her small town, bringing painful reminders of the career—and life—she left behind.

When evidence in the case points to local doctor Cole Barrow, Izzy's personal and professional lives collide. Her instincts tell her Cole is innocent, but the FBI sees an open-and-shut case. As a former agent herself, Izzy knows how quickly they'll move to make an arrest—and how blind they can be once they've settled on a suspect.

With a second woman missing and time running out, Izzy must navigate treacherous mountain peaks and even more dangerous human nature to uncover the truth. But in a town called Darkness, shining a light on buried secrets can be deadly...

Light and Darkness is a gripping small town suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accidentally skipped this book and had to read it after book 4. That book was excellent, which helped to downgrade this one. Mainly, however, this book falters on an erroneous assumption: that a murder in a national park would be handled by the FBI. It's not. The National Park Service has its own investigative branch for such things. Izzy dealing with the FBI again had to happen, but this wasn't the case for it.
Some things were outside the realm of plausibility, too, like Izzy safely making the trip back.

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy Reading

I have found myself looking forward to each volume in this series! Thank you Ms. Evans for keep
ing me involved in this series. Reading about a strong lead female character brings a satisfying relationship to my reading experience. I appreciate how you are bringing all the characters together to form a satisfying union. I am looking forward to reading your next volume. Thank you again!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

'm so glad I discovered this series. At last, a gripping detective/mystery story without bad language, excessive violence or sex scenes. I really liked having a female protagonist as Izzy, newly appointed interim sheriff in a town in California called Darkness (for the record who would want to live in a town called Darkness!) The story involves her personal life and emotions plus all the secrets of the town Darkness. A town where she used to live but left after her father, a former sheriff, was killed in the line of duty. There's a romantic interest in the town doctor, Cole. It was twists and turns that kept me reading or listening into the night. I especially like the Audible recording. It had a female and male narrator. The female voice narrated from Izzy's point of view and a male voice narrated from Cole's point of view. Great narration! I would HIGHLY recommend it! I've now read/listened to the first 3 in this series. Each one kept me reading/listened into the night. I felt sorry for my husband as I was always listening to my book instead of him!

[TC Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect these books are AI.

I've read the Darkness series books and find them to be quick, almost script-like reads. The characters are likeable and interesting, but don't possess "warmth" or much emotion. The writing style, while detailed with facts and figures, is passive and distant. No twists, no need for intuition -- just linear and narrative. Considering there is no real information on this author (no bio, no photos) and the fact that six books have been generated in one year, I am suspicious, and frankly sad for the true authors out there.

[RE Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better! I really like Evans' writing style, and the procedural aspect is fascinating too. Plus, her characterization of both Izzy and Cole is subtle yet thoughtful, and I feel like I'm getting to know each of them more (along with the secondary characters) in each book. The mystery here was intriguing also -- just very good all around!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would! I lost a lot of sleep due to this book, as I was totally unable to put it down until I finished. I haven't read a book in a while that was so well written and the ending was great! Can't wait for the next one in this series. I have already downloaded it but didn't start yet as I need some sleep!!! LOL Don't hesitate reading this one!

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the series and it is still holding my interest. The mountain scenes were well written. But the poor editing in the kindle version was distracting. I didn’t see that in the first two books and hope I will not see it in the remaining ones which I will be starting tomorrow. Fair warning

[margaret waniska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hard to put down book!

Izzy and Cole take another wild ride, this time in the frigid mountains. The author is so descriptive with her writing. You can actually picture what's happening as you are reading. Nonook plays a key role in helping to catch the bad guy. I like how each character has their own personality. Ready for the next one!

[Margaret Shumaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping tbriller

This series is so good. This book is filled with mountain action;the adventure and the mountains are beautifully described. The author excellent describing the landscape, in this case an icy and snowy one. As always the characters are carefully drawn and this is an original plot.

[Jan Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Suspense #3

Another great Izzy and Cole novel. This one brings back Cole's history in Afghanistan when he was a physician in the service. Excellent story. Looking forward to #4 when it comes out in June.

[Dawn Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series

Izzy still has trouble knowing exactly who she can trust. I can't wait to see how things work out with the deputy trainee, Jenny. Cole is the target this time and this killer is highly trained. I wish they'd just have the election already too.

[Emma Gail Hamlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

I love this book it was great reading and full of action and suspense. The story line was haunting knowing this kind of incidents really happens in the military.I love the puppy.

[Tânya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving Zara Evans, Izzy Llewellyn series is amazing, Light and Darkness was AWESOME, holy moly, I wanted to bury someone, while reading this, my poor husband walked by and grabbed my butt and I almost hurt the poor man.
Zara Evans had me so engrossed in this story (well all of them to date), that I was unwilling to set my book down, even to refill my glass.

[Susan A. Piffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read

Another mesmerizing murder mystery with twists and turns. The original characters combined with a few new including some from the FBI. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a mystery and a good read!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Great story, great characters and great writing. Please write faster Zara Evans highly recommend this series of books. You won't be sorry you read.

[Genia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book four comes out soon - yea!

[paulette dismang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy

The story of FBI agent turned small town sheriff and solving mysteries is so cool You will love these stories as I did Zara Evans is a fabulous story teller

[Dale Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, thrilling book

I could hardly put this book down. The excitement and tense situations kept me reading past my bedtime. Now, I'm ready for the next book in this series.

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Izzy continues to fight the patriarchal institution she now heads while fighting for Cole's freedom. This series gets better with each book!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

Love these books - great characters, plots, and action. The characters are developing more nuances with each book. Have already obtained the next book in this series !

[Betsy Fatzinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of the series so far. Exciting from beginning to end. I can’t wait to go on to the next!

[Claudette Wilmarth]

I'm loving this series characters. Action packed, on the edge of my chair suspense. I'm looking forward to continuing this series.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

I love following Sheriff Llewellyn’s cases and seeing how she develops into her new career and relationships. This book was by far the best and most intriguing!

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, series of books

Great characters, intense stories, I couldn't put the first three books down due to the descriptions and writing. Enjoy, every minute.

[Lynette Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories. But the editing needs work. Several places through out the book and whole series have word missing in the sentences.

[Cynthia L Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy makes a new friend when the Game Warden calls her to the site of a dead body. The FBI gets called in because it appears the body was murdered on federal land, which means it's FBI Jurisdiction. The Senior agent is understanding of working together but the junior agent is young and is not good with people. When a connection to Cole is uncovered, the young agent is determined to arrest Cole for the murder even though she has no evidence that he did it.

The FBI characters were interesting. Ms Evens did an excellent job of making me hate the young FBI Agent.