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Cover Me in Darkness
Amanda Sinclair has to fight harder than most for everything she has after fleeing the cult that left her brother dead at her mother’s hand. Amanda works a quiet job in quality control for a small cosmetics company, trying to leave her past behind her—until she learns that her mother has committed suicide in the mental ward where she’s been locked away for the past ten years.
At first, Amanda believes that her mother killed herself, but when she looks through the personal belongings left behind, it seems her death may be related to the upcoming parole hearing for cult leader Patrick Collier. Teaming up with her mother’s psychologist, Amanda starts to peel away the layers of secrets that she’s built between herself and her own past, and what she finds is a truth that’s almost too big to believe.
At first, Amanda believes that her mother killed herself, but when she looks through the personal belongings left behind, it seems her death may be related to the upcoming parole hearing for cult leader Patrick Collier. Teaming up with her mother’s psychologist, Amanda starts to peel away the layers of secrets that she’s built between herself and her own past, and what she finds is a truth that’s almost too big to believe.
257 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 24, 2016
Find all my reviews on my blog: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com
Date Read: 08/22/16
Pub Date: 12/08/16
3.5 STARS
Amanda Sinclair has to fight harder than most for everything she has after fleeing the cult that left her brother dead at her mother’s hand. Amanda works a quiet job in quality control for a small cosmetics company, trying to leave her past behind her—until she learns that her mother has committed suicide in the mental ward where she’s been locked away for the past ten years.
At first, Amanda believes that her mother killed herself, but when she looks through the personal belongings left behind, it seems her death may be related to the upcoming parole hearing for cult leader Patrick Collier. Teaming up with her mother’s psychologist, Amanda starts to peel away the layers of secrets that she’s built between herself and her own past, and what she finds is a truth that’s almost too big to believe.
Clearly there is something wrong with me, as I seem to have some morbid fascination with reading cult based fiction like it’s going out of style. After reading many books this summer centering around this theme, it continually amazes me how they can all be so vastly different while covering a good bit of the same material. I was browsing NetGalley awhile back (read contributing to my undoing as a productive member of society) and came across this title; I wasn’t familiar with the author but based on the cover and blurb, I couldn’t pass it by. Who cares that I had 15 other books on my NetGalley list to read and review? This book had all the potential to fill that hole the size of Emma Cline’s The Girls while bringing a little more thrilling action to the mix.
I actually did enjoy this read, which I know some find hard to believe as they only see 4-5 star ratings as “good” or “positive”. This was almost a 4 star read for me, but the main character, Amanda, was hard for me to connect with. I felt some empathy for her, but had trouble agreeing with most of her actions throughout the story and wanted sit her down with a classic “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING” intervention. The pacing was extremely fast, so this was in all a very quick read that only came in at 288 pages; while it works for some books, I felt this one was a tad bit rushed in the ending and could have used a little more meat to fill the story and bring us to it’s conclusion. A bit predictable, but not a bad ending which stemmed from an entertaining mystery that held my attention well. I’d recommend this more to those who aren’t heavy into reading in the Mystery/Thriller genre, as you will likely figure out the ending easily due to many other stories going a similar route. If I hadn’t had such high expectations, this probably would have been a full 4 star review, and I can’t blame that on the author. If you’re looking for a quick read that will grab your attention, give this one a try.
* I received my copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you Midnight Ink for allowing me the opportunity to review this!
Date Read: 08/22/16
Pub Date: 12/08/16
3.5 STARS
Amanda Sinclair has to fight harder than most for everything she has after fleeing the cult that left her brother dead at her mother’s hand. Amanda works a quiet job in quality control for a small cosmetics company, trying to leave her past behind her—until she learns that her mother has committed suicide in the mental ward where she’s been locked away for the past ten years.
At first, Amanda believes that her mother killed herself, but when she looks through the personal belongings left behind, it seems her death may be related to the upcoming parole hearing for cult leader Patrick Collier. Teaming up with her mother’s psychologist, Amanda starts to peel away the layers of secrets that she’s built between herself and her own past, and what she finds is a truth that’s almost too big to believe.
Clearly there is something wrong with me, as I seem to have some morbid fascination with reading cult based fiction like it’s going out of style. After reading many books this summer centering around this theme, it continually amazes me how they can all be so vastly different while covering a good bit of the same material. I was browsing NetGalley awhile back (read contributing to my undoing as a productive member of society) and came across this title; I wasn’t familiar with the author but based on the cover and blurb, I couldn’t pass it by. Who cares that I had 15 other books on my NetGalley list to read and review? This book had all the potential to fill that hole the size of Emma Cline’s The Girls while bringing a little more thrilling action to the mix.
I actually did enjoy this read, which I know some find hard to believe as they only see 4-5 star ratings as “good” or “positive”. This was almost a 4 star read for me, but the main character, Amanda, was hard for me to connect with. I felt some empathy for her, but had trouble agreeing with most of her actions throughout the story and wanted sit her down with a classic “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING” intervention. The pacing was extremely fast, so this was in all a very quick read that only came in at 288 pages; while it works for some books, I felt this one was a tad bit rushed in the ending and could have used a little more meat to fill the story and bring us to it’s conclusion. A bit predictable, but not a bad ending which stemmed from an entertaining mystery that held my attention well. I’d recommend this more to those who aren’t heavy into reading in the Mystery/Thriller genre, as you will likely figure out the ending easily due to many other stories going a similar route. If I hadn’t had such high expectations, this probably would have been a full 4 star review, and I can’t blame that on the author. If you’re looking for a quick read that will grab your attention, give this one a try.
* I received my copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you Midnight Ink for allowing me the opportunity to review this!
February 7, 2017
Amanda Sinclair is a lab technician at an on-the-brink of big-time breakout cosmetics company in Chicago. And she has a secret.
Her mother killed Amanda's younger brother, and then tried to get Amanda to help her kill her other brother. For the past 10 years, her mother has been in a mental institution.
Today she received a phone call ... her mother has committed suicide.
Found in her mother's belongings are newspapers outlining her mother's crime and information about the cult leader that Amanda holds responsible for her mother going off the deep end. Amanda now believes someone intentionally killed her mother.
And then strange things begin to happen. Someone pushes her into oncoming traffic. Something she has eaten or drank was laced with a poison.
Who wanted her mother dead? Who wants Amanda dead? Why?
You can take your pick of suspects. Her mother's psychiatrist who seems to have taken a personal interest in Amanda. A young man, co-worker, who has been rebuffed from Amanda more than once. A young woman, also a co-worker, who seems to get real friendly, although they barely know each other. Her boss who is in the middle of selling his company... and Amanda has found some discrepancies in trials that were done. A woman who once worked at the mental institution, who seems to never have existed. The homeless man that Amanda has befriended?
This is a well-written mystery with lots of intriguing characters. Secrets abound ... characters lie. Who is Amanda to trust? Twists in the story line kept me turning pages until the very end.
I wish to thank the author / Midnight Ink / Netgalley who provided an uncorrected advance copy of this novel. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
Her mother killed Amanda's younger brother, and then tried to get Amanda to help her kill her other brother. For the past 10 years, her mother has been in a mental institution.
Today she received a phone call ... her mother has committed suicide.
Found in her mother's belongings are newspapers outlining her mother's crime and information about the cult leader that Amanda holds responsible for her mother going off the deep end. Amanda now believes someone intentionally killed her mother.
And then strange things begin to happen. Someone pushes her into oncoming traffic. Something she has eaten or drank was laced with a poison.
Who wanted her mother dead? Who wants Amanda dead? Why?
You can take your pick of suspects. Her mother's psychiatrist who seems to have taken a personal interest in Amanda. A young man, co-worker, who has been rebuffed from Amanda more than once. A young woman, also a co-worker, who seems to get real friendly, although they barely know each other. Her boss who is in the middle of selling his company... and Amanda has found some discrepancies in trials that were done. A woman who once worked at the mental institution, who seems to never have existed. The homeless man that Amanda has befriended?
This is a well-written mystery with lots of intriguing characters. Secrets abound ... characters lie. Who is Amanda to trust? Twists in the story line kept me turning pages until the very end.
I wish to thank the author / Midnight Ink / Netgalley who provided an uncorrected advance copy of this novel. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
November 2, 2016
Amanda’s mother is in a mental hospital, but still manages to commit suicide. Her mother was placed there ten years earlier for killing Amanda’s youngest brother. Amanda is still struggling with her part in this and with her allegiance to the cult they belonged to. She is quiet, withdrawn and doesn’t trust people or make friends easily. It doesn't take long for Amanda to start questioning her mother’s suicide. And for nasty things to start happening to her. In addition to this story line, there is a secondary plot involving Amanda’s job as a lab tech for a cosmetic company working on a potential blockbuster product.
I've read some of the other reviews that mention that Amanda is a difficult character to feel sympathy for. I didn't find that. I could immediately grasp her contradicting feelings for her mother. “Guilt. Shame. Frustration. Grief. They all swept in at once, threatening to swamp me.” And I could understand how the early events in her life made her afraid to trust or open herself to others.
That said, I had trouble with several of the writer’s devices to create a sense of drama. For example, with the role the police played, almost immediately suspecting she was giving them a false report. It felt too forced. Or the way Sam bounces back and forth between backing her and questioning her sanity.
Flip side, she does do a good job of keeping the suspense up about who to trust. Amanda’s co-workers are all so nice and helpful, it's hard to imagine that one of them might be out to get her.
I will also admit that I didn't see the ending coming.
My thanks to netgalley and Midnight Ink for an advance copy of this book.
I've read some of the other reviews that mention that Amanda is a difficult character to feel sympathy for. I didn't find that. I could immediately grasp her contradicting feelings for her mother. “Guilt. Shame. Frustration. Grief. They all swept in at once, threatening to swamp me.” And I could understand how the early events in her life made her afraid to trust or open herself to others.
That said, I had trouble with several of the writer’s devices to create a sense of drama. For example, with the role the police played, almost immediately suspecting she was giving them a false report. It felt too forced. Or the way Sam bounces back and forth between backing her and questioning her sanity.
Flip side, she does do a good job of keeping the suspense up about who to trust. Amanda’s co-workers are all so nice and helpful, it's hard to imagine that one of them might be out to get her.
I will also admit that I didn't see the ending coming.
My thanks to netgalley and Midnight Ink for an advance copy of this book.
December 8, 2016
I’m quite interested in cults and the psychological techniques they use to draw people in and manipulate them so Cover Me In Darkness really appealed to me.
The story centres around Amanda who, in the past was part of a religious organisation called the Children Of The Greater God with her mother. Following the suicide of her mother, Amanda suspects that all is not as it seems and fowl play may have been involved. What follows is a thriller in which Amanda seeks to uncover the truth putting her own life in jeopardy.
Cover Me In Darkness is a dark tale in which mental illness, religious fanaticism and mistrust all play a part. Amanda’s mother is in a secure psychiatric hospital following an horrific crime and Amanda is trying to move on with her life and keep her past hidden from her colleagues. I found Amanda to be quite a cold character and I understand that Rendahl has deliberately written her this way as the character is trying to conceal her past but I found her difficult to gel with. However, Rendahl effectively makes you question Amanda and her reliability which adds an interesting edge to the story.
Rendahl does a great job of getting across how Amanda’s mother felt in the years following her killing her own child, a tragic event spurred on by her mental health difficulties and her belief that she was protecting the children from becoming ‘bad’. For me, however, it didn’t strongly come across what impact the cult had had on her mental health and the subsequent tragedy. Would she have gone on to commit a similar act if she hadn’t become involved with the Children Of The Greater God? I would have liked more exploration of the psychological impact the cult had on Amanda and her mother.
I found the book a little slow at times. Quite a lot of it focuses on Amanda’s job in a laboratory and while unusual occurrences are taking place within the lab, it just did not grab me or hold my interest. There are some creepy moments, but for some reason it just didn‘t quite hit the mark for me.
I really liked the premise of the book but felt a bit disappointed in the ending despite the fact it was not what I was expecting. I guess I wanted more emphasis on the cult aspect and wanted to get deep within it and it’s wider impact but I didn’t feel I got this. I also found it difficult to ’get on’ with the main character resulting in me not really empathising with her, despite all she had been through. Great idea and I can’t fault the writing, but sadly it lacked something for me.
Thanks to Eileen Rendahl, Midnight Ink and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.
The story centres around Amanda who, in the past was part of a religious organisation called the Children Of The Greater God with her mother. Following the suicide of her mother, Amanda suspects that all is not as it seems and fowl play may have been involved. What follows is a thriller in which Amanda seeks to uncover the truth putting her own life in jeopardy.
Cover Me In Darkness is a dark tale in which mental illness, religious fanaticism and mistrust all play a part. Amanda’s mother is in a secure psychiatric hospital following an horrific crime and Amanda is trying to move on with her life and keep her past hidden from her colleagues. I found Amanda to be quite a cold character and I understand that Rendahl has deliberately written her this way as the character is trying to conceal her past but I found her difficult to gel with. However, Rendahl effectively makes you question Amanda and her reliability which adds an interesting edge to the story.
Rendahl does a great job of getting across how Amanda’s mother felt in the years following her killing her own child, a tragic event spurred on by her mental health difficulties and her belief that she was protecting the children from becoming ‘bad’. For me, however, it didn’t strongly come across what impact the cult had had on her mental health and the subsequent tragedy. Would she have gone on to commit a similar act if she hadn’t become involved with the Children Of The Greater God? I would have liked more exploration of the psychological impact the cult had on Amanda and her mother.
I found the book a little slow at times. Quite a lot of it focuses on Amanda’s job in a laboratory and while unusual occurrences are taking place within the lab, it just did not grab me or hold my interest. There are some creepy moments, but for some reason it just didn‘t quite hit the mark for me.
I really liked the premise of the book but felt a bit disappointed in the ending despite the fact it was not what I was expecting. I guess I wanted more emphasis on the cult aspect and wanted to get deep within it and it’s wider impact but I didn’t feel I got this. I also found it difficult to ’get on’ with the main character resulting in me not really empathising with her, despite all she had been through. Great idea and I can’t fault the writing, but sadly it lacked something for me.
Thanks to Eileen Rendahl, Midnight Ink and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.
March 6, 2017
For the past ten years, Amanda has tried to forget her past and move on with her life as ten years ago her mother killed her younger brother Jackson and tried to kill her other brother Dylan and wanted Amanda's help. One thing led to another, and her mother ended up pleading insanity and ended up in a mental institution. Ten years ago, her mother was a cult, and during that time, the cult leader Patrick also went to prison. Now ten years later, Amanda's mother is dead, and Patrick is being released from prison. Amanda turns up to the asylum only to discover her mother's suicide isn't as straightforward as it seems. As Amanda goes digging for the truth about what happened to her mother, it seems that someone is out to get Amanda and keep her from talking. They are also doing a bang-up job to make her look like she is the crazy one as more people are getting killed along the way and it looks like Amanda is the one making the killings. Has Amanda inherited her crazy killer mom genes or does someone want Amanda stopped and will go to lengths to see her either dead or locked up? Find out in this fast-paced Cult thriller Cover Me in Darkness by Eileen Rendahl.
February 15, 2017
NetGalley provided ARC.
Though fairly predictable, this was a decent mystery. The main character of Amanda was not particularly likable so that lent to a certain amount of not really caring about what happened to her.
Though fairly predictable, this was a decent mystery. The main character of Amanda was not particularly likable so that lent to a certain amount of not really caring about what happened to her.
July 10, 2019
I didn't hate it, but it wasn't what I expected. I'm not sure what else to say.
February 4, 2017
Amanda used to be in a cult with her mother,but then her mother went crazy and killed her youngest brother. She is put away as not guilty by reason of insanity. Years later when Amanda is working in a job she loves and while not revealing much about herself she seems to be doing okay. Then her mother commits suicide or does she?
Amanda is a little stiff of a character but I definitely did understand the author's reason for this. The cult background was interesting too. The only thing I didn't like was the secondary plot twist. I would have given it 3.5 stars but rounded up because I did like the cult past connection.
Amanda is a little stiff of a character but I definitely did understand the author's reason for this. The cult background was interesting too. The only thing I didn't like was the secondary plot twist. I would have given it 3.5 stars but rounded up because I did like the cult past connection.
November 28, 2016
I struggled with what to rate this book because I really liked it. It was a fascinating perspective: what happens to people who survive horrific events long after the news vans leave? How do they move on? Or can they?
But what bumped it down to 3 stars are some key issues, including he ending. More on that later.
The story centers on Amanda, who managed to prevent her mother from murdering one of her brothers, but was too late to save her youngest brother 10 years earlier. At the time, the family were members of a cult, which Amanda blames for pushing her mother over the edge. At the beginning of the novel, Amanda learns her mother has committed suicide in the psychiatric hospital she had been kept in since the murder. But then, Amanda finds evidence that there might be more to it than that. And then strange things start happening at work and in her personal life. She quickly realizes things are happening that may destroy the life she's carefully constructed.
This book was good. I really, truly enjoyed the story. But once things started picking up and moving to the conclusion, it kind of fell apart. The ending was terribly rushed. Just over all at once. And with numerous, gaping plot holes that didn't get fixed or resolved. I don't want to give them away, but if love to chat with someone who's read it to see what they think. Maybe I'm overthinking things.
The stuff that did get resolved was fairly easy to figure out. I don't mind figuring out some things, but when the only "big reveals" are incredibly obvious, it's frustrating. That's why those other plot points need to be resolved too! To provide depth!
Also, I felt frustrated with Amanda. At the end of the novel, she was in the exact same place she was at the beginning: feeling obligated to support someone who did her numerous wrongs. She basically willingly traps herself in a cycle of never ever moving on. But this I'm more forgiving of, because maybe that's how it is with people who survive things like this. I can't imagine being in her place. But more discussion of this may have been helpful. But again, the ending was rushed, so we didn't get any discussion of these nuances.
Overall, this was a good book, but I was left feeling frustrated. With a little more development, this book could be great. Absolutely.
Proceed with caution.
But what bumped it down to 3 stars are some key issues, including he ending. More on that later.
The story centers on Amanda, who managed to prevent her mother from murdering one of her brothers, but was too late to save her youngest brother 10 years earlier. At the time, the family were members of a cult, which Amanda blames for pushing her mother over the edge. At the beginning of the novel, Amanda learns her mother has committed suicide in the psychiatric hospital she had been kept in since the murder. But then, Amanda finds evidence that there might be more to it than that. And then strange things start happening at work and in her personal life. She quickly realizes things are happening that may destroy the life she's carefully constructed.
This book was good. I really, truly enjoyed the story. But once things started picking up and moving to the conclusion, it kind of fell apart. The ending was terribly rushed. Just over all at once. And with numerous, gaping plot holes that didn't get fixed or resolved. I don't want to give them away, but if love to chat with someone who's read it to see what they think. Maybe I'm overthinking things.
The stuff that did get resolved was fairly easy to figure out. I don't mind figuring out some things, but when the only "big reveals" are incredibly obvious, it's frustrating. That's why those other plot points need to be resolved too! To provide depth!
Also, I felt frustrated with Amanda. At the end of the novel, she was in the exact same place she was at the beginning: feeling obligated to support someone who did her numerous wrongs. She basically willingly traps herself in a cycle of never ever moving on. But this I'm more forgiving of, because maybe that's how it is with people who survive things like this. I can't imagine being in her place. But more discussion of this may have been helpful. But again, the ending was rushed, so we didn't get any discussion of these nuances.
Overall, this was a good book, but I was left feeling frustrated. With a little more development, this book could be great. Absolutely.
Proceed with caution.
July 8, 2017
How do you live with yourself when you believe your little brother was murdered by your half-mad mother, apparently with your help? Amanda Sinclair has tried to put her youthful past behind her, has grown into an important job as a lead quality control testing scientist for a new and exciting company.
Out of that past she receives word that her mother has committed suicide. Far from settling her emotions and closing a door on that episode, she slowly begins to realize that the woman’s death may somehow be linked to the upcoming release from prison of the leader of a cult to which her mother once belonged. Beset by emotions, Amanda concentrates on final verifications of a new product in her lab and the results are raising questions about some of the reports already submitted.
Add a wise and sympathetic cop, suspicious but supportive, colleagues and the keen observations of a talented author and here is a novel to be remembered.
While I’m not sure about the title, I strongly endorse this dark emotion-filled novel of suspense. It is very well written, insightful, thoughtful and the central character, Amanda Sinclair, comes alive on the page. The pace and the setting are well handled and easily evoke the locale. Although not for the more timid reader of murder mysteries, “Cover Me In Darkness,” is well worth the time and attention of serious readers.
December 6, 2016
Publishing 12/8/16!
Poor Amanda flees the cult her mother is immersed in, and who she blames for her mother's mental illness and the death of her brother. When she finds out her mother committed suicide, she feels something is off and her past comes to haunt her. A loner by nature, she starts to doubt her own eyes and has to learn to trust someone in order to get to the bottom of random coincidences, the increasing death toll and her own sanity. Who can she trust though, when no one seems to believe her?
A fast paced, quick ride of a mystery. Great for a weekend read if you want to be entertained. I did find a couple parts that felt a bit repetitive and some tiny inconsistencies that puzzled me but didn't take away from the feel of the story. The ending was a bit too tidy for my usual taste, but that could very well just be a mood thing for me. And while I could see some things coming from a mile away, there were definitely some intertwining things that came as a surprise, and that's always a fun thing to find in a book.
Poor Amanda flees the cult her mother is immersed in, and who she blames for her mother's mental illness and the death of her brother. When she finds out her mother committed suicide, she feels something is off and her past comes to haunt her. A loner by nature, she starts to doubt her own eyes and has to learn to trust someone in order to get to the bottom of random coincidences, the increasing death toll and her own sanity. Who can she trust though, when no one seems to believe her?
A fast paced, quick ride of a mystery. Great for a weekend read if you want to be entertained. I did find a couple parts that felt a bit repetitive and some tiny inconsistencies that puzzled me but didn't take away from the feel of the story. The ending was a bit too tidy for my usual taste, but that could very well just be a mood thing for me. And while I could see some things coming from a mile away, there were definitely some intertwining things that came as a surprise, and that's always a fun thing to find in a book.
August 20, 2016
Amanda is very quiet, a dull job in a lab as a tech and you don't think you will like her very much. But that rapidly changes. Amanda had been in a cult with her mother and two brothers. One night her mother wakes her up and Amanda discovers mother has killed the youngest son, and wants Amanda to help her kill the older boy. Amanda is able to summon help, mothers goes to prison and Amanda hopes to live quietly and that no one discovers who she is. Amanda wants no friends, dislikes being touched and just wants to do her job and be left alone. But then she gets a call, her mother, who was in a psychiatric facility, has died. Amanda feels her mother was murdered and tries to investigate further. Her investigation is complicated by the fact that no one believes her and a conspiracy is evolving at work concerning Cover Me, a cosmetic lotion being developed. I came to like Amanda and hoped her life would turn around.
December 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book but at no point did I feel drawn in to either the writing or the characters. The premise, a girl who survives a cult after stopping her mother from killing both of her brothers, is pretty good. This makes Amanda sound strong. But somehow the story after that didn't live up to the start. Her mom dies, the leader of the cult is released from prison, and she is having problems at work. Are they related? Are the problems in her head? The story line felt incongruous at various points in the book. Me? If I were tracking down a killer or feeling like I was being tracked by a killer, I probably wouldn't stop to have a one night stand. In contrast to my frequent comment that books need to be shortened, I think this one could have used a bit more length and flushing out. But, a nice easy read.
A preview copy was provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review.
A preview copy was provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This book is quite a way from publication date so only a couple reviews on Goodreads at this point - but I would give it a high 4 star rating and am surprised at the few low ratings!
This was a good mystery that pretty much left me guessing. It had a great premise - Amanda was raised by a mentally-ill mom who got involved in a cult. It unfortunately led to tragic consequences for their entire family.
Years later, Amanda is successfully working in a cosmetic company startup as a lab tech and has been able to hide her past. Until events from the past start coming into the future. Is Amanda at fault? Is someone trying to silence her?
I carried this book around with me hoping for a few minutes to read it. Great read!
This book is quite a way from publication date so only a couple reviews on Goodreads at this point - but I would give it a high 4 star rating and am surprised at the few low ratings!
This was a good mystery that pretty much left me guessing. It had a great premise - Amanda was raised by a mentally-ill mom who got involved in a cult. It unfortunately led to tragic consequences for their entire family.
Years later, Amanda is successfully working in a cosmetic company startup as a lab tech and has been able to hide her past. Until events from the past start coming into the future. Is Amanda at fault? Is someone trying to silence her?
I carried this book around with me hoping for a few minutes to read it. Great read!
August 7, 2016
The description of this novel drew me in. The main character, Amanda, finds out her mother who was linked to a local cult has committed suicide. The cult leader is due to be released from jail soon, which leads Amanda to think that the two events intertwine. Did her mother commit suicide after all?
The beginning on the book had me intrigued, but it fell flat by the end. There was too much going on without any major plot points. When there was a new event, it happened so quickly that it was easy to look over. The character development was lacking as well. I wanted to root for Amanda, her childhood memories were descriptive and thrilling, but there was nothing to keep me hooked to her journey.
The beginning on the book had me intrigued, but it fell flat by the end. There was too much going on without any major plot points. When there was a new event, it happened so quickly that it was easy to look over. The character development was lacking as well. I wanted to root for Amanda, her childhood memories were descriptive and thrilling, but there was nothing to keep me hooked to her journey.
December 8, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is a good one as crime fiction usually intrigues me; unfortunately, the writing does not do the story justice. Disjointed and sometimes non-grammatical, I feel the book is in need of serious editing. Amanda's mother's involvement with a cult is a tragedy for the whole family. But again, the plot seems to waver quite a bit and the whole book suffers for it. Only my opinion.
The premise is a good one as crime fiction usually intrigues me; unfortunately, the writing does not do the story justice. Disjointed and sometimes non-grammatical, I feel the book is in need of serious editing. Amanda's mother's involvement with a cult is a tragedy for the whole family. But again, the plot seems to waver quite a bit and the whole book suffers for it. Only my opinion.
August 3, 2016
I have not read any books by Eileen rendahl but I will certainly look out for her in the future. Brilliant read did not have a clue until the end how it was going to come to a conclusion. Definitely worth reading
December 12, 2016
When Amanda was seventeen she gave a homeless person twenty dollars to buy her a bottle of flavored Vodka. The next morning Amanda feels someone trying to wake when all she wants to do is have the room stop spinning and get rid of the awful taste in her mouth. Then Amanda realizes her mother is trying to wake her up and what she had told Amanda. Amanda went in the bathroom and dialed 911 as her mother Lisa had killed her three year old brother Jackson and wanted Amanda to help her kill her eleven year old brother Dylan. Lisa was sending her boys to God so they could stay innocent it was too late for Lisa and Amanda. Amanda and Lisa belonged to a cult called The Children of God which was ran by Patrick Collier. Collier had pulled Lisa into his cult when she was unraveling and took over their lives.Patrick was a preacher and life coach to his cult. He was Lisa’s spiritual adviser. More than anyone Patrick set into motion the events that had finally broken Amanda’s family completely. Ten years later Amanda worked in a lab for Bellefontaine Cosmetics. She ;loved her job and the best part is no animals were used for testing instead artificial skin which was very expensive was used. Amanda would not tolerate any kind of cruelty to anyone or thing. Amanda was out with coworkers when she got the call her mother had killed at the mental hospital she had been in for ten years Amanda quickly went home. The next day she called Dylan who hated his mother but had the right to know. She also called her dad even though he was remarried and liked to pretend Lisa had never existed and most of the time the same thought were for Amanda and Dylan. When Lisa was still alive clarity had been a nightmare unlike other mentally ill patients as then Lisa had to come to terms with what she had done. Amanda had made the trip to her mother every other weekend. Someone had broken into Amanda’s called and left a typed note that said “ keep your mouth shut” and under the note was a small toy spiderman figure with the head broken off. Then Amanda almost got ran over twice in one day by the garage she parked her car in. While going through her mother's things from the hospital she found a picture of her young brother Jackson and two newspaper articles one had been about Jackson’s murder and the other had been about Collier coming up for parole. Lisa was mad and called her mother's doctor who came to her flat the next day obviously someone on the inside of the mental hospital had got these things to Lisa that had pushed her over the edge. The doctor told Amanda to call him Sam and he would get back to her as soon as he found out anything. Then strange things started happening to Amanda like her being pushed in front of a car and being poisoned.
I had mixed feelings about this story and I didn’t hate but didn’t love it either. I was drawn to the story in the beginning but by the end of the story had lost most of my interest. I didn’t connect with Amanda so therefore didn’t have sympathy for her or at least not much. There just seemed to be too much going on in this story. I would have liked to seen more of the impact of the cult on Amanda and her mother and also about Patrick Collier and the cult itself and its inner workings. The plot was good. I did enjoy the twists in this story.
I had mixed feelings about this story and I didn’t hate but didn’t love it either. I was drawn to the story in the beginning but by the end of the story had lost most of my interest. I didn’t connect with Amanda so therefore didn’t have sympathy for her or at least not much. There just seemed to be too much going on in this story. I would have liked to seen more of the impact of the cult on Amanda and her mother and also about Patrick Collier and the cult itself and its inner workings. The plot was good. I did enjoy the twists in this story.
December 9, 2016
This review, and many more, can be found on my blog Girl About Library I'd love to hear what you thought of the book!
I got sucked in for this read you guys! "Cover Me In Darkness" was a total back cover read. You know that feeling- you read the synopsis and then hook, line, and sinker - you have to read the book, like now. I saw the synopsis for this book - hmm, murder mystery meets cult escapee? - um yes, sign me up, please!
My favorite elements of "Cover Me In Darkness" were the plot and the main character, Amanda.
Amanda is painfully introverted, and her comfort in being alone is only magnified after her adolescent trauma. She holds her time at the cult and her mother's crime close to her chest, refusing to let others in to what she feels, rightfully, is kind of a freak show. As an introvert myself, I enjoyed her mannerisms, and also felt for her struggle to both enjoy and live her life as an introvert, while balancing her social and work responsibilities.
Without giving too much away, there were definitely a couple of chillingly creepy moments during the book and I really enjoyed the ride of the mystery. The story was well paced and kept me reading. I did predict who was responsible for the murder mystery aspect about 15% of the way into the book, but still enjoyed seeing how it would play out. The book became less who did the crime, and more how would the main character prove they did it.
I gave 2.5 stars to "Cover Me In Darkness" because, while there many things about the plot that I enjoyed, the writing was just not there for me.
The author, Eileen Rendahl, has a background in YA and Romance, which I wasn't surprised to learn after reading this book. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great things about both of those genres, but the things that kind of irk me about them really stood out in this book.
For example, there was a lot of foreshadowing and hinting at some horribleness or another that the main character had endured. And while on the one hand this tactic did keep me reading, I was also annoyed. This is a good strategy to build intrigue once, maybe twice, tops- but "Cover Me In Darkness' had a regular pattern of it and it got old, quickly.
As for the romance, which there are several solid story lines of in the book- there was definitely a romance novel feel to them. I don't know if the word "quivering" was actually used, but that was the vibe. The romance story line could easily have been left out , and I really think that the book would've benefited from it.
I got sucked in for this read you guys! "Cover Me In Darkness" was a total back cover read. You know that feeling- you read the synopsis and then hook, line, and sinker - you have to read the book, like now. I saw the synopsis for this book - hmm, murder mystery meets cult escapee? - um yes, sign me up, please!
My favorite elements of "Cover Me In Darkness" were the plot and the main character, Amanda.
Amanda is painfully introverted, and her comfort in being alone is only magnified after her adolescent trauma. She holds her time at the cult and her mother's crime close to her chest, refusing to let others in to what she feels, rightfully, is kind of a freak show. As an introvert myself, I enjoyed her mannerisms, and also felt for her struggle to both enjoy and live her life as an introvert, while balancing her social and work responsibilities.
Without giving too much away, there were definitely a couple of chillingly creepy moments during the book and I really enjoyed the ride of the mystery. The story was well paced and kept me reading. I did predict who was responsible for the murder mystery aspect about 15% of the way into the book, but still enjoyed seeing how it would play out. The book became less who did the crime, and more how would the main character prove they did it.
I gave 2.5 stars to "Cover Me In Darkness" because, while there many things about the plot that I enjoyed, the writing was just not there for me.
The author, Eileen Rendahl, has a background in YA and Romance, which I wasn't surprised to learn after reading this book. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great things about both of those genres, but the things that kind of irk me about them really stood out in this book.
For example, there was a lot of foreshadowing and hinting at some horribleness or another that the main character had endured. And while on the one hand this tactic did keep me reading, I was also annoyed. This is a good strategy to build intrigue once, maybe twice, tops- but "Cover Me In Darkness' had a regular pattern of it and it got old, quickly.
As for the romance, which there are several solid story lines of in the book- there was definitely a romance novel feel to them. I don't know if the word "quivering" was actually used, but that was the vibe. The romance story line could easily have been left out , and I really think that the book would've benefited from it.
October 29, 2016
Is this one good? Yes, actually - so much so that I read the whole thing on a day when we were having guests for dinner (well okay, it was just slow-cooker veggie-beef soup, crusty bread and store-bought brownies with ice cream washed down by easy peasy apple cider mimosas, but still...)
Once I started, in fact, I really didn't want to put it down. So, it helps that it's under 300 pages which - according to the running tally on my Kindle Fire that turned out to be accurate - would take me just over 3 hours to finish. If half-stars were possible, I'd give it 4.5, by the way, and that means a big thank-you to the author and publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Amanda Sinclair is a lab technician at an on-the-brink of big-time breakout cosmetics company in Chicago. She loves her job, and she's happy that no one there knows her real identity: The daughter of a woman who murdered her young son (Amanda's brother). As a result, for the past decade, her mother has been confined to a psychiatric hospital. Then out of the blue, Amanda gets a dreaded phone call; apparently, despite the hospital's tight security measures, her mother has committed suicide.
As Amanda sifts through her mother's meager belongings, she finds a couple of items suggesting that her mother was upset about the upcoming parole of charismatic leader Patrick Collier, who was convicted of embezzling substantial funds from his cult to which her late mother, and Amanda herself, once belonged. Not a bad theory, obviously, but since this isn't the first time her mother has tried to kill herself, Amanda - and her mother's hunky psychologist - question how was she able to succeed on this go-round.
Meanwhile, Amanda's work life is taking an unexpected turn as well, with questions arising about the efficacy (and safety) of an about-to-be-launched product that's been generating considerable buzz in the industry. Could it be that someone - one of Amanda's trusted co-workers, perhaps - is trying to put the kabosh on a potential company takeover that would mean a financial windfall for the entire team?
Needless to say, everything gets resolved in nail-biting fashion - but you'll just have to read it for yourself to learn the details because I'll never tell. FYI, Rendahl also writes under the names of Eileen Carr (romantic suspense) and Kristi Abbott (cozy mysteries). Well, guess that means I've got a few more of her books to check out!
Once I started, in fact, I really didn't want to put it down. So, it helps that it's under 300 pages which - according to the running tally on my Kindle Fire that turned out to be accurate - would take me just over 3 hours to finish. If half-stars were possible, I'd give it 4.5, by the way, and that means a big thank-you to the author and publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Amanda Sinclair is a lab technician at an on-the-brink of big-time breakout cosmetics company in Chicago. She loves her job, and she's happy that no one there knows her real identity: The daughter of a woman who murdered her young son (Amanda's brother). As a result, for the past decade, her mother has been confined to a psychiatric hospital. Then out of the blue, Amanda gets a dreaded phone call; apparently, despite the hospital's tight security measures, her mother has committed suicide.
As Amanda sifts through her mother's meager belongings, she finds a couple of items suggesting that her mother was upset about the upcoming parole of charismatic leader Patrick Collier, who was convicted of embezzling substantial funds from his cult to which her late mother, and Amanda herself, once belonged. Not a bad theory, obviously, but since this isn't the first time her mother has tried to kill herself, Amanda - and her mother's hunky psychologist - question how was she able to succeed on this go-round.
Meanwhile, Amanda's work life is taking an unexpected turn as well, with questions arising about the efficacy (and safety) of an about-to-be-launched product that's been generating considerable buzz in the industry. Could it be that someone - one of Amanda's trusted co-workers, perhaps - is trying to put the kabosh on a potential company takeover that would mean a financial windfall for the entire team?
Needless to say, everything gets resolved in nail-biting fashion - but you'll just have to read it for yourself to learn the details because I'll never tell. FYI, Rendahl also writes under the names of Eileen Carr (romantic suspense) and Kristi Abbott (cozy mysteries). Well, guess that means I've got a few more of her books to check out!
November 11, 2019
I've read a lot of books that seem to be telling two different stories; where the plot line is split and would probably hold my attention a lot better if it picked one and stuck with it; but this might be the first time that the end of the story tries to justify having those two different plot lines throughout. I will give Cover Me In Darkness credit for that at least. Other than that, I can't say I was a fan. The cult aspect of the story (one that was pretty important in terms of getting someone to pick up the book, in my opinion and based on the plot summary on the back of the book) ended up being not only unimportant, but largely tossed to the side, along with the circumstances that led to Amanda leaving the cult. Her mother's breakdown was important in the first few chapters, but after that, it became more of a patsy to get other characters involved than anything. And based on the plot summary, I was not expecting for the cosmetology company Amanda ended up working for to be such a big part of the story (and the majority of the reason it felt like you were reading two stories at once), and it was just not interesting enough to hold my attention. Overall, I feel like there were two ideas that could have been stories of their own, but the time and effort put into both was not enough to fully flesh them or the characters inhabiting them out.
September 4, 2020
A woman's life goes off the rails when her mother's death coincides with the release of a cult leader. Amanda is notified that her mother, involuntarily committed at an insane asylum, presumably committed suicide. The mother involved Amanda in a cult lead by a charismatic reverend due to be released from prison for financial mismanagement. Strange happenings begin to occur making Amanda fear for her life and her sanity. In the meantime, she discovers troubling results at her job as a lab tech for a cosmetics concern. With the help of her mother's handsome psychiatrist, Amanda braves the doubt and fear in an effort to forge a path through the chaos and resolve the nightmares of the past.
this is a readable book although ultimately the motivation made absolutely no sense. Amanda and mother were merely unpleasant blips of a past gone and forgotten. Targetting Amanda really made no sense. the people in the book were either extraordinarily careless or stupid. For instance, the ME picked up troubling toxicology but did not go any further than passing along reports. It was hard to believe that the cult was watching Amanda and her brother from a distance for all those years. It was engaging but in the final analysis, there were too many implausibilities to satisfy.
this is a readable book although ultimately the motivation made absolutely no sense. Amanda and mother were merely unpleasant blips of a past gone and forgotten. Targetting Amanda really made no sense. the people in the book were either extraordinarily careless or stupid. For instance, the ME picked up troubling toxicology but did not go any further than passing along reports. It was hard to believe that the cult was watching Amanda and her brother from a distance for all those years. It was engaging but in the final analysis, there were too many implausibilities to satisfy.
September 30, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.
Have you ever read a book, enjoyed it and yet when someone asks you how it was and what is was about you blank? That's the issue I have run into with this title. I liked it! I liked the story a lot, I liked the characters. But I have nothing to say about it outside of it's good. This is not helpful, I realize, when trying to give other people an idea if the book is something they would enjoy or not.
What I keep thinking I will say about it actually belongs on the back cover of it for anyone to read. And anyone can read a description. I'm not sure if this inability to review the book is due to my inability to come up with words or because the story itself is hard to talk about outside of the description on the back of the book. So, you are welcome. I'm of no help if *you* are trying to decide if this is a book that you want on your to-read list. All I can give you is - it's good, I liked it. *Shrug*
Have you ever read a book, enjoyed it and yet when someone asks you how it was and what is was about you blank? That's the issue I have run into with this title. I liked it! I liked the story a lot, I liked the characters. But I have nothing to say about it outside of it's good. This is not helpful, I realize, when trying to give other people an idea if the book is something they would enjoy or not.
What I keep thinking I will say about it actually belongs on the back cover of it for anyone to read. And anyone can read a description. I'm not sure if this inability to review the book is due to my inability to come up with words or because the story itself is hard to talk about outside of the description on the back of the book. So, you are welcome. I'm of no help if *you* are trying to decide if this is a book that you want on your to-read list. All I can give you is - it's good, I liked it. *Shrug*
December 8, 2016
. Amanda Sinclair has tried to escape from her past. Memories of how, when part of a religious cult, her mother murdered her youngest child and tried to get her to help murder another, haunt her still. However she has made a new life for herself- even if it is a lonely one! When she hears her mother, who has been in a psychiatric facility since the killing, has committed suicide the past starts to catch up with her. She finds herself in danger with no idea who she can trust.
This book kept me guessing throughout. It is a well paced story and I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review it
This book kept me guessing throughout. It is a well paced story and I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review it
December 16, 2020
A story of one woman attempting to move on with her life but her mothers suicide threatens her anonymous life she leads now.
The story centres around Amanda who, in the past was part of a religious organisation called the Children Of The Greater God with her mother. Following the suicide of her mother, Amanda suspects that all is not as it seems and fowl play may have been involved. What follows is a thriller in which Amanda seeks to uncover the truth putting her own life in jeopardy.
A story that held me for hours while i read and read. The characters are all fully fleshed out and I enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the book.
The story centres around Amanda who, in the past was part of a religious organisation called the Children Of The Greater God with her mother. Following the suicide of her mother, Amanda suspects that all is not as it seems and fowl play may have been involved. What follows is a thriller in which Amanda seeks to uncover the truth putting her own life in jeopardy.
A story that held me for hours while i read and read. The characters are all fully fleshed out and I enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the book.
May 27, 2022
I had read a few mixed reviews, so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Cover Me in Darkness as much as I did. I thought Amanda was the ideal narrator, somewhat unreliable and definitely broken from her complicated past. I assumed the story would be a slow burn, but there's actually a good amount of action, all of the terrible things happening to Amanda added to the tension and made me more invested in the mystery. The writing style could've been more compelling but the plot more than made up for it. Recommend for fans of mysteries with a cult twist.
February 4, 2017
Cover Me In Darkness by Elieen Rendahl is about Amanda Sinclair who has to fight harder than most for everything she has after fleeing the cult that left her brother dead at her mother’s hand. I really like this story because of how the author allows the story takes a tragic twist when she learns that her mother has committed suicide in the mental ward where she’s been locked away for the past ten years. I also really like this book because of the suspence that takes place when Amanda believes that her mother killed herself, until she starts to peel away the layers of secrets. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. because of the mysterious elements that the author portrays in the book. Not to mention how the author takes the reader back to before she encounters life-changing events that she had to cope with.
December 24, 2017
Once I started reading, this book was impossible to put down. The mystery dragged me in and I had to find out what happened. There were so many surprises and twists that I didn't see coming, and I really connected to the main character, Amanda. It was kind of an emotional roller coaster, in a good way.
August 8, 2019
Just OK if you want a quick beach read. Amanda is being stalked (she thinks) by a cult that caused her mother to commit murder and also has problems at work. She is a lab tech and suspects that the great clinical study results from a new drug her company is developing have been falsified. Turns out the two events are connected in this highly implausible who dun it.
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