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Shot in the Dark #3

Lured in the Crimson

Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26
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The spellbinding third book in the Shot in the Dark series. Full synopsis to be revealed!

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385 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 18, 2026

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About the author

Mary Dublin

12 books184 followers
Mary Dublin was born and raised in the heart of Florida and has had a passion for storytelling since childhood. Her love for words began at a young age, where she found solace in books that transported her to fantastical worlds and inspired her to begin dreaming of her own stories.

After completing her Bachelor's degree in Character Animation/Emerging Media, Mary went on to pursue a career in communications and take on her dream of becoming a writer. With her unique style of writing, Mary's books are a blend of aching romance, heart-pounding drama, and suspense. Her characters are flawed, complex, and leave a lasting impression on her readers.

Apart from writing, Mary is a passionate traveler, and her experiences in different parts of the world inspire elements in her novels. When she's not writing, she can be found practicing yoga, trying new hiking trails, or curled up with a good book on a rainy day.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
331 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
Thank you so much to the authors for this ARC. This series already means so much to me, and to so many other readers, and it’s such an honor to be given this opportunity.

#LuredintheCrimson #WingedFables #MaryDublinandAnneKendsley #ShotintheDarkSeries #Book3 #Romantasy #Reading #BookReviews

Title: Lured in the Crimson

Authors: Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley

Format: eBook

Publisher: Winged Fables

Publication Date: June 18, 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Themes: Found family, grief, humans as monsters, paranormal,

Trigger Warnings: death, violence, gore, body horror, parental abuse, light homophobic language, profanity, alcohol use, magic, magic realism,



I have been waiting anxiously for this gem for over a year, and it’s finally here! We rejoin Sylvia, Jon, and Cliff as they continue their journey to find a safe place for Sylvia and her family since being banished from her home. Their journey has brought them to the snowy Colorado mountains. There, they find a hotel that contains sinister goings on. As they fight for the greater good, Cliff is forced to confront some pieces of his past, and Sylvia comes face-to-face with some hard truths and unexpected turns of fate.

The time I spend in this world with these characters is a gift that I will always be grateful for. The world-building and character development are gorgeous, and the whole thing feels as if I can reach out and touch it. As with the other two books, the influence from the TV show that so many of us love, Supernatural, is alive and well. It achieves this without directly copying Supernatural. Jon and Cliff are their own characters with their own pasts and their own abilities. They do share the irresistible connection that Sam and Dean do. That magical vulnerability between the two of them, the three of them after Sylvia joins them, is the thing that really makes this book series so important to those of us who are lucky enough to have found it. This installment gives us more of that vulnerability when our heroes face not only impossible odds and agonizing choices, but an emotional roller coaster as well. I was dying to give them hugs. The writing is so poignant and so lovely.

The twists and turns that around every corner made this not only an emotional read but an exciting one. I was faced with the dilemma of desperately wanting this book to last and being ravenous to find out what happened. Each of the books in this series thus far has presented me with this delightful “book stress”. Every reader of fantasy, of romance, of horror, or of just a really great story with really great characters will find a new fictional family here. Highly recommend this. Just be sure to start with the first book, Shot in the Dark.
Profile Image for Nessia.
15 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 12, 2026
Lured in the Crimson is the kind of third installment that doesn’t just raise the stakes—it rips the floor out from under you and dares you to keep up. Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley deliver a breathtaking, high‑stakes descent into illusion, danger, and desire that had me clinging to every page like a lifeline.

On the cusp of reaching Aelthorin, Sylvia, Jon, and Cliff are thrown violently off course when a desperate message from their mentor, Tammy, pulls them deep into the Aspen mountains. What they find is a gilded hotel dripping in glamour and lies—a place where nothing is what it seems, and everyone is playing a role. A conman with a silver tongue, a witch with secrets in her smile, and a timid glamour fairy pull them into a mission that feels impossible: sabotage the infamous Crimson Gala, where the nation’s elite quietly traffic in monsters, magic, and the kind of power that corrupts everything it touches.

And at the center of it all waits Eros—a collector whose cruelty is matched only by his obsession with supernatural relics and the beings he cages. His presence turns every moment razor‑sharp.

This book shines brightest in its character unraveling. Cliff’s past comes roaring back with devastating clarity, forcing him to confront truths he’s spent years burying. Sylvia’s arc is nothing short of magnetic—her pull toward a gemstone that could unite her with Jon or destroy them both is a perfect blend of yearning, fear, and fate. And Jon… his quiet devotion and internal war make every shared moment between them feel like a spark in a powder keg.

The tension is relentless. The emotional stakes are brutal. The found family threads are richer than ever. And the themes—identity, sacrifice, forbidden love—hit with the force of a spell you can’t shake.

This is urban romantasy at its finest: cinematic, feral, and beautifully human beneath all the magic. Fans of Supernatural, Fern Gully, and romantasies with teeth will devour this installment.

Lured in the Crimson doesn’t just continue the Shot in the Dark series—it ELEVATES it!
Profile Image for MrsB (Angi).
51 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
This is the third book in the Shot in the Dark series and while I was a tad impatient, it was beyond worth the wait. This series tells the story of a tiny fairy (think Crysta from Fern Gulley or Tink) who finds herself alongside two monster hunters (Think Sam and Dean Winchester). As the story continues, these two authors take these characters (and us readers) on a journey of love, hurt, betrayals, deception, and healing.

In this story, our trio of main characters find themselves at a black tie heist. We are introduced to a few new characters and have reunion with some previous characters. Some we love, some we love to hate. The action scenes had me tapping my kindle so hard I was flipping multiple pages at once lol. You’ll find your jaw on the floor at the unexpected twists and reveals. I was so angry at one point, I was mentally drafting an email to the authors demanding to know why that plot point existed because how dare they? And then the cliffhanger at the end? These two know how to write a story to keep you coming back for more.

This book was (so far) my favorite of the three. While all three are top tier urban fantasy books, this one really pulled at my heart strings. The way they delved into the emotions of some of the characters really hurt my heart. While the banter is still there, and a certain Hollywood star cameo had me laughing, this book felt deeper emotionally and it was beautifully constructed. This series just keeps getting better and I am here for ride.

Thank you to the authors for allowing me to be an arc reader again. I cannot wait for this book to be released to the world.
Profile Image for Katie  Owen.
29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 16, 2026
Lured in the Crimson ARC Review

Book 3 in the Shot in the Dark series, and honestly? This one was full of jaw-dropping betrayals, new characters to love, and one insane cliffhanger. Not to mention monsters on top of monsters.

Following Sylvia, Jon, and Cliff out of Louisiana (thank goodness), they find themselves at a fancy hotel brimming with magic and trouble almost immediately. Which is honestly right on brand for them at this point.

Ben, a fairy, Lee, a con-man, and Delilah, a witch, completely stole my heart. They were such a fun addition to the story and really gave this book that found family feeling. They also save Zia, a noble fairy, who I predict will change things for a certain someone.

The pacing in this was so fast in the best way. New monsters are revealed, tensions keep building, and Jon is forced to make a difficult decision involving a very familiar face.

Mary and Ann had me raging through the this book. Every time I thought things couldn’t get worse, another unexpected twist would happen. I was genuinely questioning everyone and half convinced there were lingering trust issues waiting to explode. By the end, I was literally sitting there like, “What NOW?!”

This book was such a ride, and that ending left me staring at the wall. There has to be more because I need answers immediately.

Honestly, this series has become such a comfort read for me in the same way Supernatural is a comfort show. Every book feels like a new episode, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Jon, Sylvia, and Cliff and their journey.
Profile Image for Heather Connolly.
6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Thank you Mary & Anne for the opportunity to ARC read Lured in the Crimson! (And thank you for indulging my multiple Instagram DMs as I made my way through it!)

I am so happy to be back in this world! As a Supernatural fan (and let’s be honest — a Jensen & Jared fan), I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far!

Adding in the fairy elements (our girl Sylvia) and the romance makes this the perfect fantasy series for fans of the show! Even if you’ve never watched Supernatural, you’ll still be able to appreciate the witty characters, sassy dialogue, and crazy adventures they all get up to!

Here are the vibes of this book boiled down into one sentence: “She shook him off viciously, her dress doing little to restrain her range of movement—like she was born to slaughter people in formalwear.”

Honestly, these books just keep getting better and better! Mary Dublin & Anne Kendsley’s writing is incredible and so seamless that I would never guess this was written by two authors.

Lured in the Crimson is definitely worth the read! We meet some incredible new characters (that I seriously hope follow us into future books!!) as well as some big bads that made me want to chuck my Kindle across the room.

The black tie heist was such a fun storyline to read, and the tense, uncertain moments from page to page had me finishing this in less than two days! I couldn’t put it down, and I hope you won’t want to either!

I am, however, EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED BY THAT ENDING!!!!
Profile Image for Christina Lyons (irb_beach_girl).
50 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 15, 2026
Ok so I'm blown away.
I was already having fun with this series ....but this one was the icing on the cake!

First let me say thank you to the authors , Mary Dublin and Anne Kindsley, for trusting me with yet another of your babies with an advanced readers copy to read. You guys have out done yourselves, again!

I absolutely love the use of enemies-to-lovers (my fav! 🤭), found family, forced proximity, paranormal, supernatural and so many other tropes that just flowed so naturally within this storyline. I enjoyed how the side characters became important characters, how the slight background information was subtle but huge and impactful, and how it all came together perfectly keeping me engaged and wanting to know what happens next!

I found myself rooting for characters and getting teary eyed at times without even realizing it. The witty and snarky banter is right up my alley and I laughed out loud many times! Sylvia will always be my favorite!!!♥️

I absolutely enjoyed this book and I can't wait for it to come out so I can buy it to add to my collection!! I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a great story with a lot of fun magic, paranormal /supernatural beings and interesting adventures!!
Profile Image for Soha Amer.
453 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 16, 2026
Dark tension, dangerous chemistry, and addictive suspense. Lured in the Crimson delivers the kind of dark romantic suspense that keeps you completely locked in from start to finish. The atmosphere feels dangerous, seductive, and emotionally intense, with every interaction carrying tension beneath the surface.

This book thrives on mystery, secrets, and the constant feeling that nobody is fully telling the truth. The “shot in the dark” energy of the series continues here with layered suspense, morally gray choices, and relationships that blur the line between attraction and destruction.

The chemistry is one of the strongest parts of the story. Every confrontation feels charged, every emotional moment hits harder because of the danger surrounding the characters, and the darker themes add intensity without losing the emotional core.

What really stands out is the atmosphere—the crimson imagery, hidden motives, emotional manipulation, and lingering sense of threat create a story that feels cinematic and immersive.

If you love dark romance mixed with suspense, dangerous attraction, secrets, betrayal, and emotionally messy characters, this is the kind of book that completely pulls you under.

“Some people don’t fall into danger. They walk toward it willingly.”
Profile Image for Priyanka.
31 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 18, 2026
Lured in the Crimson is book 3 in Shot in the Dark series, and this series...ahh!!!!

Okay first of all I want to thank the authors for providing me with an ARC. Thank you, Thank you! I love Sylvia, Jon, and Cliff and being able to read book 3 in this series is EVERYTHING!!!

In book 3, our girl Sylvia's quest continues for finding her a powerful gem that will help her in her transformation. Look I know Jon and Cliff are big shot hunters and technically this is their world but in my head Sylvia is the big boss and we are just living in her world okay. Anyway my girl's quest is interrupted when Jon and Cliff receive a cry for help from their old mentor. Off they go to help this mentor and well everything is just super fast paced, in a good way, from there. Like BOOM there's so much happening in this hunt and so many new people you meet. And these new people, omg, BIG FAN of them...I need more of Delilah, Lee, and Ben...like I need a whole book just with them, I love them so much! Please give me more of them I'm begging...

And Cliff...oh we get to know more about him in this book and I am so excited to learn more in future book.

If you are a fan of Supernatural, monster hunting, romantasy, this series is perfect for you. Book 3 comes out on June 18!!
Profile Image for Isabela.
137 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
I received this as an ARC, thank you to the authors, and honestly, this series continues to be such a fun ride. If you’re into supernatural stories with that familiar “monster hunting, tension-filled partnership, dark roads and darker secrets” kind of vibe, this really scratches that itch. You can absolutely feel the inspiration woven through it, but it still manages to stand on its own and build its own atmosphere.

What I continue to enjoy most about these books is the dynamic between the characters. There’s chemistry, tension, loyalty, frustration—all the things that make partnerships in this kind of story actually compelling to follow. The balance between action, supernatural elements, and emotional moments works really well, and the pacing kept me engaged the whole time.

I also appreciated that the story doesn’t rely only on nostalgia or references to carry it. It has its own identity, its own darker tone, and enough intrigue to keep me wanting more. Definitely a strong continuation for me, and after loving the first two books already, this one absolutely held up. Easy 4.5★.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lured in the Crimson absolutely hooked me from the very first chapter. If you love fantasy, suspense, supernatural twists, and endings that leave you immediately needing the next book — this series is for you.

Every chapter had some kind of turn I didn’t see coming, and the pacing never slowed down. It gave me major Supernatural vibes in the best way possible while still feeling unique and addictive on its own. The mix of danger, mystery, fantasy, and emotional tension kept me completely invested the entire time.

I finished this book in a day and a half because I physically could not put it down. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, another twist pulled me right back in.

The ending? Brutal in the best possible way — the kind that immediately makes you need the next book.

Highly recommend if you love:
✨ fantasy
✨ supernatural themes
✨ plot twists
✨ suspense/thrillers
✨ binge-worthy series

Definitely one of those books that stays in your head after you finish
Profile Image for Beth.
229 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 15, 2026
Nooooo!!!!
Bring them BACK!
I am no where near ready to say goodbye!
This was the PERFECT final book of a trilogy - except for being the final book! Questions were answered, a new issue was raised and dealt with.
Even those slightly pesky Easter eggs!
If you know me at all, you know I love this series. The WHIMSY alone had me hooked! And although I will never apologize for being Team Cliff, I do dearly love all our MCs.
If you’re missing the fun of a fairy sized fairy and the drama of the men who love her, the Shot in the Dark series is exactly what you’re looking for!
Sylvia just wants adventure and shiny things. She’s my kind of fairy! Jon & Cliff just want to shoot things - until they meet her.
The relationships unfold throughout the entire series and across a couple of realms. I’ve become very attached to the whole crew! So much so that I’m planning a little fairy garden in the event any one needs a place to rest or stash something pretty.
Thanks to the authors for gifting me the arc! I loved being a part of Sylvia’s journey! It has been quite the honor💕
Profile Image for Stacy Grierson.
39 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own. What can I say, another brilliant book from these talented ladies. As a Supernatural fan, reading their 1st book I was apprehensive but, I dived head first into the 2nd book, with no hesitation. When the opportunity to ARC read book 3 was announced, I was straight in to apply. Lured in the Crimson is full of tender moments, plot twists, shock reveals & discovery. I love how the main characters have developed over the 3 books & the way new characters were introduced. I didn't expect the twists & I have to admit, I was as worried about Cliff as Sylvia at times. I kept waiting on something to go wrong & I can't believe I have to wait until 2027 to find out what on earth happened.
2 reviews
Read
May 15, 2026
This is my favorite book in the series so far! The story is rich in excitement. I loved the fact that we get more of Cliffs story. The connection and love between characters was a privilege to read and experience. Can not wait for the next chapter of this beautiful story!!💚
Profile Image for Stacy Van Buskirk .
97 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 20, 2026
I will be reviewing this book at a later time.
Profile Image for Kendra Workman.
53 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 15, 2026
I had high expectations, and these ladies exceeded them. There's sweet moments that will have you giggling and kicking your feet, banter, and moments that will make you drop your book (and your jaw) in shock. What's not to love?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews