Dark House

Paris Murphy #3

by Theresa Monsour

Serene Ransom needs something hot for a cold Minnesota night. Clancy fits the bill--a sexy bartender packing a loaded gun. Serene gives him an urge to use it. Now these two reckless lovers are on the lam--and pulling detective Paris Murphy closer to the darkness than ever before.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

356 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Aka Terri Persons (Theresa Monsour Persons)

Reviews

[Darcia Helle · Rating 2 out of 5]

An overall disappointment. The writing and plot dragged in spots. Monsour writes in fragmented sentences that get kind of annoying after 4 or 5 in a row. The plot was simple (if not a little odd) and there were no surprises, twists, or suspenseful moments to keep the reader guessing. Also, I found one of the characters unbelievable. Serene Ransom is straight-up crazy (which you gather very early in the story), yet she has managed to maintain a high-level position at a university. She has absolutely no redeeming qualities and I find it impossible to believe that she could have functioned at all in her given position.

[Susan Colson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of the book kept my interest, but I must say that I was a bit disappointed in the final chapters. The storyline led you to believe there was some deep, dark secret -- when all it turned out to be was nothing more than typical. No gasping, surprise ending. I, too, was not a fan of all the fragmented sentences.

[Mark Giordano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story which I suspected had a much deeper story line but which never really got there. An unstable woman and equally unstable young man kill a man in a small town bar late one evening and then move in together while the police from the small town and larger city coordinate to put the pieces together. I enjoyed this book but can't say I loved it.

[Kirsten Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was torture getting through this book. The book is full of overly descriptive paragraphs. It kind of worked in tense or suspenseful moments but not for the whole book. Here is a random example

They stepped next to Murphy’s Jeep Grand Cherokee, parked next to Jack’s BMW. She opened the drivers door. Tossed her purse on the front seat. Got in. Set her coffee mug in a holder between the seats. Slipped the key in the ignition. Turned on the jeep and cranked up the heater. A blast as cold as that from an air conditioner blew from the vents. She leaned over and snatched an ice scraper off the floor of the front passengers side. She slid out the drivers side and slammed the door. Jack opened the front passengers door, set his mug in the other holder, reached down and took another scraper off the floor. Slammed the door shut. While the interior warmed, the two scraped snow and ice from the jeeps windows. Steam rolled out their mouths while they worked and talked.

Or another where a woman sips her drink. Puts down her glass. Picks up her cigarette. Inhales. Then taps ash into her ashtray. She puts the cigarette down. Picks up her drink. Etc.

Then on top of all that nonsense a recipe shows up. A full recipe right out of left field. The hilarious part is that I needed a book with a recipe in it for one of my library challenge books. So this book was not a total loss.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catch is a local ex-hockey hero who had a bad fall breaking both his ankles and now works in the local bar. Having had a run-in with the law he mostly stays by himself. One night a stranger dressed in pink walks into the bar and catches his attention. The pink lady, as she is referred to by catch, is on a downward launch after she gets told she is being fired for sleeping with her young students. Little do they know they would change each other lives forever. what's left of their forever anyway. One bad decision after another is made and the thin line of reality is blurred. Murder, sex, trust, and revenge keep this tale going. Something around every corner with these two and then there's the police.

[Sarah Boser · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was a bit dark/twisted - seemed even moreso since it took place in the state I live in so the places referenced were ones I have heard of. Not the worst book I've read, but definitely not the best.

[Jolene · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't like the characters, not well written, I didn't finish.

[Barb Czz]

This was interesting. I was not thrilled

[Diane Large · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not likable characters. Serene Ransom was completely unstable, but was a professor at a university. The ending was disjointed. Don't know why I even finished it.

[Joy Feazell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book, the first in this series was good, but these last two have been wonderful.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok so far, only one person dead, not my usual book. not a serial killer with a cop searching for him kinda book so far.

This wasnt what I thought it would be. It wasnt worth the $5 I spent to buy it. I usually love paris murphy stories, but this one stunk. A crazy english professor with alot of cats and a young bartender on the run?! really?! stupid, stupid.

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seldom have I been so disappointed by a book. I really liked Monsour's first two books, but this one is a mess -- silly plot, affected writing (she writes in extreme sentence fragments, which is infuriating), and bad editing. It was just plain hard to finish.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author!

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish, just so slow and couldn't keep my interest and I will finish even not very good books :(

[Bebe Four · Rating 2 out of 5]

2+

[Marstheslayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really slow read that felt like it dragged on forever. Kinda repetitive. Also has animal violence with was uncalled for.

[CocoaBe3tle · Rating 3 out of 5]

What on earth did I just read ...