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The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles #1
Her Darkest Nightmare
THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart.
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart.
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2016
1157 people are currently reading
9128 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
238 books6,963 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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December 19, 2025
MINDHUNTERS
I serial killer sono per la stragrande maggioranza uomini: esistono anche serial killer di sesso femminile, ma gli assassini sono abbondantemente più numerosi di sesso maschile. Le statistiche sugli omicidi rivelano che nel 92,7% dei casi in cui la vittima è una donna, l'omicida è un uomo, e nel caso di vittime maschili, il 94,4% degli assassini è anch'esso un uomo.
E tra gli uomini assassini, quelli di razza bianca sono la netta maggioranza.
Brenda Novak ha un obiettivo: portare avanti la trama, raccontare fatti e accadimenti. Sia attraverso la descrizione che i dialoghi: raramente ne ho letti di tanto didascalici e improbabili, di quelli definiti ‘che non si possono ascoltare’.
Questo vuol dire che cura e scrittura, voce e tono, vanno a farsi benedire: semplicemente appartengono ad altro genere di libro e soprattutto ad altra statura di scrittore o scrittrice.
Tanto per non avere dubbi – l’esatto contrario di come si racconta sullo schermo, dove il flashback arriva molto dopo – Novak spara subito un prologo ben più che esplicito dove si apprende l’orribile e traumatica esperienza della protagonista alle prese col fidanzato rivelatosi serial killer.
Novak fa in modo di ripeterci ancora e ancora quello che è successo nel caso a noi lettori fosse scappata una virgola.
Naturalmente la sedicenne fanciulla da quel momento passerà la vita a studiare la psicologia degli assassini seriali.
Fino al punto da diventare fondatrice e direttrice di una clinica psichiatrica di massima sicurezza dove sono ospitati i peggiori serial killer d’America.
E dove a me, lettore ingenuo, viene da pensare che il bestiale trauma subito da adolescente spingerà Evelyn a trasformarsi in una raffinata assassina seriale, la più esperta di tutte. Ma, evidentemente, mi sono fatto un altro film.
Rimane che la scelta di affidare la direzione di un carcere psichiatrico di massima sicurezza popolato da pluriomicidi a una donna nei suoi trent’anni che ha vissuto un’esperienza come la sua è decisione alquanto peregrina: facile prevedere che Evelyn sia più interessata a punire che curare, a vendicare le vittime che spiegare e prevedere le menti assassine.
Sorvolo sulla componente erotica, mi limito a un secco no comment. È aspetto importante perché il trauma vissuto a sedici anni ha interrotto la vita sessuale di Evelyn, che naturalmente è di una bellezza mozzafiato: ma Novak ne scrive alla sua maniera, didascalica e ripetitiva.
Da annotare che nell’inverno dell’Alaska, quando la neve blocca la circolazione di auto che non siano a ruote motrici, la psichiatra si presenta sul luogo del lavoro, inclusa la cella di un detenuto, in gonna e tacchi. Nemmeno il freddo ossessivo le impedisce di essere sexy.
Perché l’ho letto? Una recensione positiva, sfortunatamente convincente. E, l’ambientazione: questo stranissimo anacronistico estremo lembo degli US, che negli stessi giorni mi ha spinto a vedere una altrettanto brutta e maldestra serie TV fino all’ultimo episodio (decimo!!) pur continuando a ogni scena a ripetermi ‘ossignur, ma quanto è brutta’.
Ho appreso che questo è il primo titolo di una trilogia. Che mi guarderò bene dal leggere.
I serial killer sono per la stragrande maggioranza uomini: esistono anche serial killer di sesso femminile, ma gli assassini sono abbondantemente più numerosi di sesso maschile. Le statistiche sugli omicidi rivelano che nel 92,7% dei casi in cui la vittima è una donna, l'omicida è un uomo, e nel caso di vittime maschili, il 94,4% degli assassini è anch'esso un uomo.
E tra gli uomini assassini, quelli di razza bianca sono la netta maggioranza.
Brenda Novak ha un obiettivo: portare avanti la trama, raccontare fatti e accadimenti. Sia attraverso la descrizione che i dialoghi: raramente ne ho letti di tanto didascalici e improbabili, di quelli definiti ‘che non si possono ascoltare’.
Questo vuol dire che cura e scrittura, voce e tono, vanno a farsi benedire: semplicemente appartengono ad altro genere di libro e soprattutto ad altra statura di scrittore o scrittrice.
Tanto per non avere dubbi – l’esatto contrario di come si racconta sullo schermo, dove il flashback arriva molto dopo – Novak spara subito un prologo ben più che esplicito dove si apprende l’orribile e traumatica esperienza della protagonista alle prese col fidanzato rivelatosi serial killer.
Novak fa in modo di ripeterci ancora e ancora quello che è successo nel caso a noi lettori fosse scappata una virgola.
Naturalmente la sedicenne fanciulla da quel momento passerà la vita a studiare la psicologia degli assassini seriali.
Fino al punto da diventare fondatrice e direttrice di una clinica psichiatrica di massima sicurezza dove sono ospitati i peggiori serial killer d’America.
E dove a me, lettore ingenuo, viene da pensare che il bestiale trauma subito da adolescente spingerà Evelyn a trasformarsi in una raffinata assassina seriale, la più esperta di tutte. Ma, evidentemente, mi sono fatto un altro film.
Rimane che la scelta di affidare la direzione di un carcere psichiatrico di massima sicurezza popolato da pluriomicidi a una donna nei suoi trent’anni che ha vissuto un’esperienza come la sua è decisione alquanto peregrina: facile prevedere che Evelyn sia più interessata a punire che curare, a vendicare le vittime che spiegare e prevedere le menti assassine.
Sorvolo sulla componente erotica, mi limito a un secco no comment. È aspetto importante perché il trauma vissuto a sedici anni ha interrotto la vita sessuale di Evelyn, che naturalmente è di una bellezza mozzafiato: ma Novak ne scrive alla sua maniera, didascalica e ripetitiva.
Da annotare che nell’inverno dell’Alaska, quando la neve blocca la circolazione di auto che non siano a ruote motrici, la psichiatra si presenta sul luogo del lavoro, inclusa la cella di un detenuto, in gonna e tacchi. Nemmeno il freddo ossessivo le impedisce di essere sexy.
Perché l’ho letto? Una recensione positiva, sfortunatamente convincente. E, l’ambientazione: questo stranissimo anacronistico estremo lembo degli US, che negli stessi giorni mi ha spinto a vedere una altrettanto brutta e maldestra serie TV fino all’ultimo episodio (decimo!!) pur continuando a ogni scena a ripetermi ‘ossignur, ma quanto è brutta’.
Ho appreso che questo è il primo titolo di una trilogia. Che mi guarderò bene dal leggere.
May 25, 2017
4 Cradle Robbing Stars
*Mild Spoilers
"Well? What are you going to choose?" "Depends." "On what?" "Are you read to spread your legs for me?"-Evelyn and Amarok
Let me just say that when I started this book I honestly wasn't very excited. It took so long (a year) for this book to come since I read the last book Hanover House, that I lost interest. I hate when books take forever to come out. I read 100s of books and I tend to forget something I read a year and 200 books in the past. The good news is that Brenda Novak did a great job of grabbing my attention immediately and had me hooked on the story from page 1. I really enjoyed this book almost as much as the Hanover House (the first book). It was an excitingly suspenseful thriller that kept be guessing til the end. The only thing I didn't really like was how much Evelyn was trippin' over herself dating a younger man. Amarok was 7 years younger then her and the way she went on you would have thought she was 60 and he was 18. She used it to push him away and it got on my nerves. I can understand that a older woman might feel a little insecure, but He was 29 and she was 36 that isn't a huge deal and she made herself out to be a cradle robbing cougar.
"You didn't mind being my friend last night. Maybe we didn't have sex, but we came damn close to it. I can still smell you on my fingers."-Amarok
Quick question Amarok why haven't you washed your damn hands yet?? lol
The age difference was just a little bit too much. Evelyn and Amarok already had a ton to overcome with her horribly traumatizing past and the age thing just felt like overkill drama. Other than that I really loved this book. I was absolutely over the moon for Amarok. He was so sexy, understanding, charming, and just an all around good guy that he really made the book for me. Evelyn was also very endearing. She had lived through something that would have broke many but she has been fighting back and empowering herself since she was a teen. I loved her drive and understood her pain and fear of a relationship. I was glad that she was brave. I love strong, smart, take charge heroines! I also felt that Evelyn and Amarok's relationship was realistic and very sweet. It wasn't rushed which is good because after everything Evelyn suffered I wouldn't believed their feelings if she just jumped into a relationship without problems and fear. Amarok was so support. God I loved him!
"I didn't expect this. Not so soon." "I figure if I want you to lower your defenses, I have to lower mine first. One of us has to take the lead. I can't put that on you, not after all you've been through." "So you're going to be our fearless leader?" she teased. "I'm going to fight for what I'm feeling," he said. "In spite of Jasper. You already mean too much to me. I don't want to lose you."-Evelyn and Amarok
"I hope you don't mind that Penny knows we're together." "We're together?" she echoed.
"I'm not merely worshiping at your feet?"-Amarok and Evelyn
The action and suspense in this book was great. The whole in the psychopath minds thing was very interesting. The quotes at the start of each chapter from real life serial killers really upped the creepy, thrill factor for me. This book kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew who the bad guy was something else would happen then I was guessing again. It kept the book's pace flowing and I never got bored. The ending OMG the ending was so subtlety creepy that it gave me chills. It also gave a glimpse of things to come. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I just hope I don't have to wait a year for it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense and criminal mind thrillers.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
*Mild Spoilers
"Well? What are you going to choose?" "Depends." "On what?" "Are you read to spread your legs for me?"-Evelyn and Amarok
Let me just say that when I started this book I honestly wasn't very excited. It took so long (a year) for this book to come since I read the last book Hanover House, that I lost interest. I hate when books take forever to come out. I read 100s of books and I tend to forget something I read a year and 200 books in the past. The good news is that Brenda Novak did a great job of grabbing my attention immediately and had me hooked on the story from page 1. I really enjoyed this book almost as much as the Hanover House (the first book). It was an excitingly suspenseful thriller that kept be guessing til the end. The only thing I didn't really like was how much Evelyn was trippin' over herself dating a younger man. Amarok was 7 years younger then her and the way she went on you would have thought she was 60 and he was 18. She used it to push him away and it got on my nerves. I can understand that a older woman might feel a little insecure, but He was 29 and she was 36 that isn't a huge deal and she made herself out to be a cradle robbing cougar.
"You didn't mind being my friend last night. Maybe we didn't have sex, but we came damn close to it. I can still smell you on my fingers."-Amarok
Quick question Amarok why haven't you washed your damn hands yet?? lol
The age difference was just a little bit too much. Evelyn and Amarok already had a ton to overcome with her horribly traumatizing past and the age thing just felt like overkill drama. Other than that I really loved this book. I was absolutely over the moon for Amarok. He was so sexy, understanding, charming, and just an all around good guy that he really made the book for me. Evelyn was also very endearing. She had lived through something that would have broke many but she has been fighting back and empowering herself since she was a teen. I loved her drive and understood her pain and fear of a relationship. I was glad that she was brave. I love strong, smart, take charge heroines! I also felt that Evelyn and Amarok's relationship was realistic and very sweet. It wasn't rushed which is good because after everything Evelyn suffered I wouldn't believed their feelings if she just jumped into a relationship without problems and fear. Amarok was so support. God I loved him!
"I didn't expect this. Not so soon." "I figure if I want you to lower your defenses, I have to lower mine first. One of us has to take the lead. I can't put that on you, not after all you've been through." "So you're going to be our fearless leader?" she teased. "I'm going to fight for what I'm feeling," he said. "In spite of Jasper. You already mean too much to me. I don't want to lose you."-Evelyn and Amarok
"I hope you don't mind that Penny knows we're together." "We're together?" she echoed.
"I'm not merely worshiping at your feet?"-Amarok and Evelyn
The action and suspense in this book was great. The whole in the psychopath minds thing was very interesting. The quotes at the start of each chapter from real life serial killers really upped the creepy, thrill factor for me. This book kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew who the bad guy was something else would happen then I was guessing again. It kept the book's pace flowing and I never got bored. The ending OMG the ending was so subtlety creepy that it gave me chills. It also gave a glimpse of things to come. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I just hope I don't have to wait a year for it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense and criminal mind thrillers.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
August 9, 2016
3.5 stars
I loved the first half of this book. Seriously loved it. A great mix of romance and suspense, I was convinced it would end up a new favorite.I don’t know what happened though. Strike that. Yes, I do. The ending didn’t live up to the rest of the story.
Coming off of an emotionally draining read, I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for. I started six different books, only to set them aside in frustration because I just wasn’t feeling it. Lucky number seven did the trick though. There was something about Her Darkest Nightmare that hooked me from the start. Well, a few things - the ominous tone, the remote location, the gaggle of psychos and the sexy Alaska state trooper.
Evelyn's made a career out of studying psychos, all in an effort to better understand Jasper, the boyfriend that held her captive and left her for dead when she was 16. Even now, twenty years later, those three horrific days color her entire life. She’s spearheaded the opening of a prison that’s housing the most dangerous psychopaths in remote Alaska. I’m talking so remote there’s only one trooper to protect the entire town. When body parts start turning up, things get scary. Throw in the blizzards, the perpetual darkness and the lack of cellphones and I was on the edge of my seat.
In steps Amaroke to handle the investigation. They have history and he wants a relationship. Of course, she doesn’t think she can handle it, so she pushes him away. If you were going to try with anyone, it would definitely be him. Amaroke is perfection.
It was around the 60% mark that the story started to take a turn and I found myself less and less engaged. Evelyn’s insecurities and her constant nagging about the age difference felt really repetitive.
The biggest thing that bothered me though was the ending. It felt weak in comparison to the rest of the story. There were too many things thrown in to keep the reader in the dark about who the true culprit was. I just didn't buy that so many men were out to get Evelyn. How unlucky could one woman be? It felt like overkill. And it was all resolved way too easily for my liking.
Even though this wasn't my favorite book, the epilogue intrigued me enough to consider picking up book two.
*ARC provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I loved the first half of this book. Seriously loved it. A great mix of romance and suspense, I was convinced it would end up a new favorite.
Coming off of an emotionally draining read, I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for. I started six different books, only to set them aside in frustration because I just wasn’t feeling it. Lucky number seven did the trick though. There was something about Her Darkest Nightmare that hooked me from the start. Well, a few things - the ominous tone, the remote location, the gaggle of psychos and the sexy Alaska state trooper.
Evelyn's made a career out of studying psychos, all in an effort to better understand Jasper, the boyfriend that held her captive and left her for dead when she was 16. Even now, twenty years later, those three horrific days color her entire life. She’s spearheaded the opening of a prison that’s housing the most dangerous psychopaths in remote Alaska. I’m talking so remote there’s only one trooper to protect the entire town. When body parts start turning up, things get scary. Throw in the blizzards, the perpetual darkness and the lack of cellphones and I was on the edge of my seat.
In steps Amaroke to handle the investigation. They have history and he wants a relationship. Of course, she doesn’t think she can handle it, so she pushes him away. If you were going to try with anyone, it would definitely be him. Amaroke is perfection.
It was around the 60% mark that the story started to take a turn and I found myself less and less engaged. Evelyn’s insecurities and her constant nagging about the age difference felt really repetitive.
The biggest thing that bothered me though was the ending. It felt weak in comparison to the rest of the story. There were too many things thrown in to keep the reader in the dark about who the true culprit was. I just didn't buy that so many men were out to get Evelyn. How unlucky could one woman be? It felt like overkill. And it was all resolved way too easily for my liking.
Even though this wasn't my favorite book, the epilogue intrigued me enough to consider picking up book two.
*ARC provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 22, 2016
The story resumes about six months after the prequel with Hanover House up and running. Dr. Evelyn Talbot has a team of psychiatrists in place who are analyzing some of the most twisted minds in the country, all serial killers. When a woman's mutilated body is found in the middle of a developing snowstorm, Evelyn finds herself embroiled in the case and questions whether Jasper Murphy has found her in this Alaskan frontier.
What I liked about the story was the underlying suspense of whether Jasper was behind the murder. Drawing Evelyn's past history into the forefront provided a good level of tension. I also liked Amorak's role in the story, as well as his developing relationship with Evelyn.
Where things bogged down for me was with Evelyn's constant ruminations about her past and reasoning for this specialized prison. It just became tedious and slowed the pace. There were some moments, too, where I had to do some serious belief suspensions regarding Evelyn's behavior.
This is a unique series that continues to intrigue me, even though the full immersion into these sick minds got to be a bit much at times and I guessed the villain early on. Be sure to have a palate cleansing book waiting for you after you read this one! 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
What I liked about the story was the underlying suspense of whether Jasper was behind the murder. Drawing Evelyn's past history into the forefront provided a good level of tension. I also liked Amorak's role in the story, as well as his developing relationship with Evelyn.
Where things bogged down for me was with Evelyn's constant ruminations about her past and reasoning for this specialized prison. It just became tedious and slowed the pace. There were some moments, too, where I had to do some serious belief suspensions regarding Evelyn's behavior.
This is a unique series that continues to intrigue me, even though the full immersion into these sick minds got to be a bit much at times and I guessed the villain early on. Be sure to have a palate cleansing book waiting for you after you read this one! 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
March 30, 2019
4.5 rounded up full
Her Darkest Nightmare is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series from Brenda Novak. However, there was a prequel novella released to this series, Hanover House. I am hoping to read this soon, to get the full background story or most of it.
Reading this first as a standalone is fine as enough of the history is covered to fill you in.
I have to agree with a few of the other reviewers, that the first 40-45% is the best bit. The good doctor does go on a bit about age difference between her and her love interest. Not exactly huge. That part gets a bit boring.
The ending is good although a little bit far fetched. Having said that i have bought book 2 and the prequel, so I am becoming a fan of the series.
Overall, I'm a fan of this series and will definitely be continuing on wit
Her Darkest Nightmare is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series from Brenda Novak. However, there was a prequel novella released to this series, Hanover House. I am hoping to read this soon, to get the full background story or most of it.
Reading this first as a standalone is fine as enough of the history is covered to fill you in.
I have to agree with a few of the other reviewers, that the first 40-45% is the best bit. The good doctor does go on a bit about age difference between her and her love interest. Not exactly huge. That part gets a bit boring.
The ending is good although a little bit far fetched. Having said that i have bought book 2 and the prequel, so I am becoming a fan of the series.
Overall, I'm a fan of this series and will definitely be continuing on wit
August 22, 2016
Following last year's prequel Hanover House, Her Darkest Nightmare is Brenda Novak's first full-length novel in The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. The prequel provides a bit more details about the protagonists but even without it, it's easy to follow this, as there is plenty of background information provided.
Hanover House is a maximum security facility in a remote Alaskan location housing some of the most dangerous serial killers. It was founded by Evelyn who has made her career studying psychopathic behavior after she was brutally attacked and left for dead by her boyfriend, Jasper, when she was sixteen years old.
When employees go missing and body parts turn up, Evelyn and her on/off love interest Amarok, the sole State trooper in the area, must determine whether the greatest danger comes from within or from outside the walls of the prison.
I thought this was an okay romantic suspense novel, but for my personal taste, it was a bit too mild. The pace was a little slow in parts, but at the end, suddenly everything was resolved in no time at all. It was just far too easy. While reading Hanover House last year, I really enjoyed getting the killer's point of view. There were a couple of passages here from the perpetrator's perspective, but I would have liked more. I enjoyed the storyline about corruption and "services rendered" within the facility, but the person responsible for the murders was far too predictable.
I really like the premise of these books, though. The combination of the cold and wild location in Alaska with the setting of a facility where psychopaths are being researched is really interesting, but I wish there had been more depth to that setting. Instead, there was too much focus on a woman having a relationship with a man who is 7 years younger. Didn't see the big deal in that.
Recommended for anybody who enjoys light and entertaining romantic suspense without my preference for dark, twisted, and complex.
Overall, 3.5 stars and I definitely intend to pick up book 2, "Hello Again", because the excerpt seemed very appealing.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hanover House is a maximum security facility in a remote Alaskan location housing some of the most dangerous serial killers. It was founded by Evelyn who has made her career studying psychopathic behavior after she was brutally attacked and left for dead by her boyfriend, Jasper, when she was sixteen years old.
When employees go missing and body parts turn up, Evelyn and her on/off love interest Amarok, the sole State trooper in the area, must determine whether the greatest danger comes from within or from outside the walls of the prison.
I thought this was an okay romantic suspense novel, but for my personal taste, it was a bit too mild. The pace was a little slow in parts, but at the end, suddenly everything was resolved in no time at all. It was just far too easy. While reading Hanover House last year, I really enjoyed getting the killer's point of view. There were a couple of passages here from the perpetrator's perspective, but I would have liked more. I enjoyed the storyline about corruption and "services rendered" within the facility, but the person responsible for the murders was far too predictable.
I really like the premise of these books, though. The combination of the cold and wild location in Alaska with the setting of a facility where psychopaths are being researched is really interesting, but I wish there had been more depth to that setting. Instead, there was too much focus on a woman having a relationship with a man who is 7 years younger. Didn't see the big deal in that.
Recommended for anybody who enjoys light and entertaining romantic suspense without my preference for dark, twisted, and complex.
Overall, 3.5 stars and I definitely intend to pick up book 2, "Hello Again", because the excerpt seemed very appealing.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2017
***** 4.5 Stars *****
I highly recommend reading Hanover House before starting this book. The prequel will give you a better idea of Evelyn Talbot's traumatizing history, and it will also explain why she is in the middle of Alaska studying psychopaths.
This thriller has everything! Mystery. Suspense. Romance. My mind was always spinning.
I can't wait to read the next book!
I highly recommend reading Hanover House before starting this book. The prequel will give you a better idea of Evelyn Talbot's traumatizing history, and it will also explain why she is in the middle of Alaska studying psychopaths.
This thriller has everything! Mystery. Suspense. Romance. My mind was always spinning.
I can't wait to read the next book!
September 3, 2019
I wouldn’t call this a thriller, it’s definitely a romance/suspense.
After something that happened to the main character it left her with a lot of questions.
Hanover House was born hoarding the most worst serial killers.
Body parts started appearing as staff went missing.
The first 40% was fine but I soon became a bit fed up with the plot.
This author is known for her romance. I’ve read some previous books and loved them but I just can’t get the hang of her thought processes with a thriller.
My thanks for my copy though from St Martins Press via Net Galley
After something that happened to the main character it left her with a lot of questions.
Hanover House was born hoarding the most worst serial killers.
Body parts started appearing as staff went missing.
The first 40% was fine but I soon became a bit fed up with the plot.
This author is known for her romance. I’ve read some previous books and loved them but I just can’t get the hang of her thought processes with a thriller.
My thanks for my copy though from St Martins Press via Net Galley
September 12, 2018
Serial killers meet romance novel, and unfortunately it wasn't a comfortable mix.
I wavered - hard - between two and three stars for this one, and in the end I rounded up because the parts that are done well, really are done well. The research behind the psychology of psychopaths, both clinical and sub-, is up to date and obviously thoroughly done. The Alaskan setting is used effectively but never overwhelms the reader or feels like a travel brochure. There's also two pets in the book that make it the whole way through without being fridged!
But when it wasn't working, it was offputting. The romance side of the story has a tendency to butt in at inappropriate moments, and some of the writing was clunky: A sudden rush of panic paralyzed her as quickly as a shot of succinylcholine chloride., for example. And that one was mid-romantic encounter!
There's also maybe two good men in the entire book, one the love interest, the other who manages about a paragraph of on-page time, and the rest are controlling, serial killers, corrupt or otherwise majorly unpleasant. Oh, and Evelyn's father, and a policeman in the lower 48. They're both geographically distant, and warrant a couple of sentences at most, though. It's not just the men who suffer, though it was more noticeable with them - there's only a handful of decent people featured at all, and it had a tendency to become overwhelming.
So in the end, while I love an Alaskan setting, and a good serial killer storyline, this series is not going to be the one for me. The search continues!
I wavered - hard - between two and three stars for this one, and in the end I rounded up because the parts that are done well, really are done well. The research behind the psychology of psychopaths, both clinical and sub-, is up to date and obviously thoroughly done. The Alaskan setting is used effectively but never overwhelms the reader or feels like a travel brochure. There's also two pets in the book that make it the whole way through without being fridged!
But when it wasn't working, it was offputting. The romance side of the story has a tendency to butt in at inappropriate moments, and some of the writing was clunky: A sudden rush of panic paralyzed her as quickly as a shot of succinylcholine chloride., for example. And that one was mid-romantic encounter!
There's also maybe two good men in the entire book, one the love interest, the other who manages about a paragraph of on-page time, and the rest are controlling, serial killers, corrupt or otherwise majorly unpleasant. Oh, and Evelyn's father, and a policeman in the lower 48. They're both geographically distant, and warrant a couple of sentences at most, though. It's not just the men who suffer, though it was more noticeable with them - there's only a handful of decent people featured at all, and it had a tendency to become overwhelming.
So in the end, while I love an Alaskan setting, and a good serial killer storyline, this series is not going to be the one for me. The search continues!
February 28, 2018
La vicenda si svolge nel piccolo villaggio di Hilltop, remota località dell’Alaska dove l’inverno è gelido e le bufere di neve sono quasi all’ordine del giorno. Da quando, tre mesi prima, è stata aperta Hanover House, una clinica psichiatrica di massima sicurezza che ospita con finalità scientifiche i più feroci serial killer d’America, nessuno dorme più sonni tranquilli e a nulla servono le rassicurazioni di Evelyn Talbot, la psichiatra trentenne e determinata che dirige l’istituto insieme al collega Fitzpatrick.
I detenuti di Hanover House venivano selezionati con cura secondo i crimini commessi e i comportamenti manifesti. Era una delle caratteristiche che rendeva unico il centro, oltre al nome accogliente (“casa” al posto di “carcere”) e al fatto che fosse focalizzato sulla ricerca e sulla terapia e non sulla pura e semplice detenzione.
L’apparente tranquillità viene meno quando nella neve avviene un macabro ritrovamento: i resti di una donna, orrendamente martoriata. Per il giovane sergente Amarok è la conferma di ciò che ha sempre temuto: portare un branco di efferati assassini a pochi metri dalle loro case e dalle loro famiglie è stata una decisione estremamente pericolosa. Ma la sua fermezza si scontra con il fascino fragile e misterioso di Evelyn, il cui passato nasconde il più nero e atroce degli incubi.
Dopo essere diventata psichiatra, otto anni prima, si era dedicata a studiare i misteri dei più spietati assassini.
Alaska è in realtà il primo volume di una serie con protagonista la psichiatra Evelyn Talbot.
Ogni capitolo si apre con una citazione di un serial killer, stupratore, necrofilo e così via. Devo dire che oltre ad essere una cosa originale è anche la parte che più ho apprezzato di questo libro.
Noi serial killer siamo i vostri figli, siamo i vostri mariti, siamo ovunque. E ancora molti, fra i vostri bambini, moriranno domani.
Ted Bundy, serial killer, stupratore, rapitore e necrofilo
Sono sincera, Alaska non è stata una lettura spiacevole. Ho divorato questo libro in pochissimo tempo, non riuscivo a staccarmi anche se molte cose, per quanto mi riguarda, sono state prevedibili fin dall’inizio, a partire dall’assassino. Io non so se sia a causa degli studi psicologici che ho fatto, non so se sia perché nel corso degli anni ho letto moltissimi gialli e thriller, fatto sta che quasi sempre individuo fin da subito il colpevole e anche con Alaska è successo.
Brenda Novak cerca di sviare il lettore in tutti i modi possibili, servendo su un piatto d’argento prove a carico di un determinato personaggio e forse anche per questo si è tirata la zappa sui piedi. Quando in un thriller, fin dall’inizio, punti il dito su uno o due personaggi che potrebbero essere perfetti come assassini, beh, è chiaro che non lo sono. E infatti è andata come previsto. Non appena è stato presentato un certo personaggio mi sono detta “è chiaro che sia lui, è evidente, è il meno sospetto, quello che resta ai margini, quello a cui nessuno penserebbe“.
Quando in un libro di questo genere si riesce a capire subito chi ha fatto cosa, per quanto mi riguarda, il libro in questione perde la sua validità.
A parte questo aspetto, che ripeto, può essere una mia “deformazione professionale” è indubbio che Alaska catturi il lettore, anche per lo stile avvincente di Brenda Novak e infatti di per sé la storia non è male ma c’è un però.
Secondo me ci sono degli eventi non sense che sono diventati tali a causa della situazione in cui sono stati inseriti e a causa della ripetizione delle scene. Cerco di spiegarmi meglio.
La protagonista, a causa di un’esperienza precedente, ha problemi seri nel rapportarsi con l’altro sesso: sia per quanto riguarda il fidarsi sia per quanto riguarda la sfera sessuale. Qui sorge uno dei maggiori problemi di questo libro. Non è ammissibile e nemmeno veritiero che nella realtà, nel bel mezzo di un omicidio efferato, ci si ritrova a parlare di sesso con l’uomo che ci piace. Hai appena ritrovato un pezzo di braccio nel tuo letto e parli dei tuoi problemi sessuali con l’uomo di cui sei innamorata nonché unico poliziotto del quartiere? Seriamente, qui i problemi sono altri!
Un’altra cosa che alla lunga non mi è piaciuta è stato il comportamento insicuro di Evelyn, in costante ricerca di certezze da parte dell’uomo che fin da subito le dice di essere innamorato di lei. In questa storia quello che ha bisogno di certezze è lui, non lei. Certo, capisco che sia ancora traumatizzata dall’esperienza precedente ma una volta accertata dei suoi sentimenti è ora di finirla, altrimenti si rischia di cadere nel banale e nell’annoiare i lettori, com’è accaduto con me dopo la quinta volta che leggevo gli stessi dialoghi, le stesse paranoie e le stesse paure.
Credo che Alaska abbia una buona idea di fondo, ho letto thriller di gran lunga peggiori (come La ragazza del treno) e le citazioni iniziali sono una chicca che danno un tocco in più al libro; spero che, essendo una serie, nei prossimi libri i problemi di Evelyn restino più sullo sfondo, rendendo marginale l’aspetto romance e puntando invece sull’aspetto thriller. Pur con i suoi difetti resta una lettura interessante e anche piacevole che vi posso consigliare.
Non era poi così cupo e spaventoso. Io mi sono divertito… uccidere è un’esperienza spassosa.
Albert DeSalvo, lo Strangolatore di Boston
I detenuti di Hanover House venivano selezionati con cura secondo i crimini commessi e i comportamenti manifesti. Era una delle caratteristiche che rendeva unico il centro, oltre al nome accogliente (“casa” al posto di “carcere”) e al fatto che fosse focalizzato sulla ricerca e sulla terapia e non sulla pura e semplice detenzione.
L’apparente tranquillità viene meno quando nella neve avviene un macabro ritrovamento: i resti di una donna, orrendamente martoriata. Per il giovane sergente Amarok è la conferma di ciò che ha sempre temuto: portare un branco di efferati assassini a pochi metri dalle loro case e dalle loro famiglie è stata una decisione estremamente pericolosa. Ma la sua fermezza si scontra con il fascino fragile e misterioso di Evelyn, il cui passato nasconde il più nero e atroce degli incubi.
Dopo essere diventata psichiatra, otto anni prima, si era dedicata a studiare i misteri dei più spietati assassini.
Alaska è in realtà il primo volume di una serie con protagonista la psichiatra Evelyn Talbot.
Ogni capitolo si apre con una citazione di un serial killer, stupratore, necrofilo e così via. Devo dire che oltre ad essere una cosa originale è anche la parte che più ho apprezzato di questo libro.
Noi serial killer siamo i vostri figli, siamo i vostri mariti, siamo ovunque. E ancora molti, fra i vostri bambini, moriranno domani.
Ted Bundy, serial killer, stupratore, rapitore e necrofilo
Sono sincera, Alaska non è stata una lettura spiacevole. Ho divorato questo libro in pochissimo tempo, non riuscivo a staccarmi anche se molte cose, per quanto mi riguarda, sono state prevedibili fin dall’inizio, a partire dall’assassino. Io non so se sia a causa degli studi psicologici che ho fatto, non so se sia perché nel corso degli anni ho letto moltissimi gialli e thriller, fatto sta che quasi sempre individuo fin da subito il colpevole e anche con Alaska è successo.
Brenda Novak cerca di sviare il lettore in tutti i modi possibili, servendo su un piatto d’argento prove a carico di un determinato personaggio e forse anche per questo si è tirata la zappa sui piedi. Quando in un thriller, fin dall’inizio, punti il dito su uno o due personaggi che potrebbero essere perfetti come assassini, beh, è chiaro che non lo sono. E infatti è andata come previsto. Non appena è stato presentato un certo personaggio mi sono detta “è chiaro che sia lui, è evidente, è il meno sospetto, quello che resta ai margini, quello a cui nessuno penserebbe“.
Quando in un libro di questo genere si riesce a capire subito chi ha fatto cosa, per quanto mi riguarda, il libro in questione perde la sua validità.
A parte questo aspetto, che ripeto, può essere una mia “deformazione professionale” è indubbio che Alaska catturi il lettore, anche per lo stile avvincente di Brenda Novak e infatti di per sé la storia non è male ma c’è un però.
Secondo me ci sono degli eventi non sense che sono diventati tali a causa della situazione in cui sono stati inseriti e a causa della ripetizione delle scene. Cerco di spiegarmi meglio.
La protagonista, a causa di un’esperienza precedente, ha problemi seri nel rapportarsi con l’altro sesso: sia per quanto riguarda il fidarsi sia per quanto riguarda la sfera sessuale. Qui sorge uno dei maggiori problemi di questo libro. Non è ammissibile e nemmeno veritiero che nella realtà, nel bel mezzo di un omicidio efferato, ci si ritrova a parlare di sesso con l’uomo che ci piace. Hai appena ritrovato un pezzo di braccio nel tuo letto e parli dei tuoi problemi sessuali con l’uomo di cui sei innamorata nonché unico poliziotto del quartiere? Seriamente, qui i problemi sono altri!
Un’altra cosa che alla lunga non mi è piaciuta è stato il comportamento insicuro di Evelyn, in costante ricerca di certezze da parte dell’uomo che fin da subito le dice di essere innamorato di lei. In questa storia quello che ha bisogno di certezze è lui, non lei. Certo, capisco che sia ancora traumatizzata dall’esperienza precedente ma una volta accertata dei suoi sentimenti è ora di finirla, altrimenti si rischia di cadere nel banale e nell’annoiare i lettori, com’è accaduto con me dopo la quinta volta che leggevo gli stessi dialoghi, le stesse paranoie e le stesse paure.
Credo che Alaska abbia una buona idea di fondo, ho letto thriller di gran lunga peggiori (come La ragazza del treno) e le citazioni iniziali sono una chicca che danno un tocco in più al libro; spero che, essendo una serie, nei prossimi libri i problemi di Evelyn restino più sullo sfondo, rendendo marginale l’aspetto romance e puntando invece sull’aspetto thriller. Pur con i suoi difetti resta una lettura interessante e anche piacevole che vi posso consigliare.
Non era poi così cupo e spaventoso. Io mi sono divertito… uccidere è un’esperienza spassosa.
Albert DeSalvo, lo Strangolatore di Boston
August 12, 2016
Evelyn Talbort has devoted the past twenty years of her life to studying the minds of the most depraved, evil, soulless killers in the world. She has a personal interest in what drives these psychotic killers to brutally torture and murder their victims, as she was a victim of one at age sixteen when she was kidnapped and tortured by her boyfriend, Jasper, who escaped capture. Eve is always looking over her shoulder, painfully aware that he is out there somewhere watching, waiting for his shot at revenge on her for escaping. She hopes her studies may someday prevent another woman from having to experience the same horrible nightmare she lived through.
Eve is now living in a small, remote town in Alaska, working as Director of Hanover House - a maximum security facility that houses the kind of monsters who stalk her nightmares. Eve is a loner who emits No Trespassing signals when anyone tries to get close enough to break through her emotional roadblocks. She knows psychopaths are masters at disguise, deceit, and manipulation - she was fooled by one once. She will never trust anyone again. And how well Alaskan State Trooper Amarok knows it. He's tried repeatedly to break through Eve's frigid barriers to no avail. Every woman in the small Alaskan town desires Sgt. Amarok - sexy, strong, protective, honest - all he has to do is smile at a woman and she'll climb into his bed. He, however, only has eyes for Eve. When a monster snow storm cuts the small town off from the outside world for several days, Eve finds herself snowed in with Amarok - and despite her rebuffs, things begin to heat up between them. And just as quickly, the walls drop back into place as female body parts start showing up around town. Eve's nightmares begin again - could it be? Has her past - Jasper - caught up with her? Or has one of the evil psychopaths escaped Hanover House?
There's a serial killer on the prowl in this frozen, isolated town, and his sights are set on Eve. An inmate with an obsession with Eve delivers a dire warning - Not all monsters are locked behind these bars. With twists and turns, Novak spins an ominous tale of lies, deceit, murder, and monsters in the dark as the edge of your seat suspense builds throughout Her Darkest Nightmare. A strong supporting cast makes guessing the identity of the killer difficult as the reader is led to suspect first one person and then another. While the story is riveting, the only issue I had came with a climax/ending that seemed a little...well, anti-climatic, after the heart-racing, ominous intensity of previous chapters. I felt it deserved a little more attention and time than it garnished. Having said that, Her Darkest Nightmare is a great read - one filled with everything nightmares are made of + a romance that gives you hope. A Must Read!
*Many thanks to St. Martin's Publishing & Netgally for an ARC of this book for review.
Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews
Eve is now living in a small, remote town in Alaska, working as Director of Hanover House - a maximum security facility that houses the kind of monsters who stalk her nightmares. Eve is a loner who emits No Trespassing signals when anyone tries to get close enough to break through her emotional roadblocks. She knows psychopaths are masters at disguise, deceit, and manipulation - she was fooled by one once. She will never trust anyone again. And how well Alaskan State Trooper Amarok knows it. He's tried repeatedly to break through Eve's frigid barriers to no avail. Every woman in the small Alaskan town desires Sgt. Amarok - sexy, strong, protective, honest - all he has to do is smile at a woman and she'll climb into his bed. He, however, only has eyes for Eve. When a monster snow storm cuts the small town off from the outside world for several days, Eve finds herself snowed in with Amarok - and despite her rebuffs, things begin to heat up between them. And just as quickly, the walls drop back into place as female body parts start showing up around town. Eve's nightmares begin again - could it be? Has her past - Jasper - caught up with her? Or has one of the evil psychopaths escaped Hanover House?
There's a serial killer on the prowl in this frozen, isolated town, and his sights are set on Eve. An inmate with an obsession with Eve delivers a dire warning - Not all monsters are locked behind these bars. With twists and turns, Novak spins an ominous tale of lies, deceit, murder, and monsters in the dark as the edge of your seat suspense builds throughout Her Darkest Nightmare. A strong supporting cast makes guessing the identity of the killer difficult as the reader is led to suspect first one person and then another. While the story is riveting, the only issue I had came with a climax/ending that seemed a little...well, anti-climatic, after the heart-racing, ominous intensity of previous chapters. I felt it deserved a little more attention and time than it garnished. Having said that, Her Darkest Nightmare is a great read - one filled with everything nightmares are made of + a romance that gives you hope. A Must Read!
*Many thanks to St. Martin's Publishing & Netgally for an ARC of this book for review.
Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews
August 5, 2016
Evelyn Talbot has spent her life trying to find out what makes a psychopath and how to better understand them. She was tortured and almost killed by her high school boyfriend, Jasper, and is dealing with that as best she can. Evelyn obtained funding for her project the Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town which will be the home to the worst of the worst killers to be sent there for study to try to understand how their minds work.
When there is a killing in the small town that Evelyn now calls home her facility is immediately under suspicion since it house so many killers. The investigation has now put Evelyn back to working with Sergeant Amarok to find out who is behind the killings, could it be that Jasper is back after Evelyn yet again?
Her Darkest Nightmare is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series from Brenda Novak. However, there was a prequel novella released to this series, Hanover House. In the prequel you get a closer look at Evelyn's move to Alaska and meeting Amarok along with the man that has haunted her since her attack twenty years before.
Now with this first full length story it could be read as a standalone novel as you do get enough background into the characters to read the current story but I'd highly suggest picking up the novella just for the depth it will bring to the series.
The series focuses on Evelyn and her work as a psychiatrist trying to study serial killers after her own run in with one in the past. She's a very flawed character who has shut herself off most of her life and only concentrates on her work. Local law officer Amarok is taken with Evelyn but she has every excuse as she battles her inner turmoil of being close to anyone. The pair end up working together to solve the brutal homicide and grow closer while doing so.
Overall, I'm a fan of this series and will definitely be continuing on with it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
When there is a killing in the small town that Evelyn now calls home her facility is immediately under suspicion since it house so many killers. The investigation has now put Evelyn back to working with Sergeant Amarok to find out who is behind the killings, could it be that Jasper is back after Evelyn yet again?
Her Darkest Nightmare is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series from Brenda Novak. However, there was a prequel novella released to this series, Hanover House. In the prequel you get a closer look at Evelyn's move to Alaska and meeting Amarok along with the man that has haunted her since her attack twenty years before.
Now with this first full length story it could be read as a standalone novel as you do get enough background into the characters to read the current story but I'd highly suggest picking up the novella just for the depth it will bring to the series.
The series focuses on Evelyn and her work as a psychiatrist trying to study serial killers after her own run in with one in the past. She's a very flawed character who has shut herself off most of her life and only concentrates on her work. Local law officer Amarok is taken with Evelyn but she has every excuse as she battles her inner turmoil of being close to anyone. The pair end up working together to solve the brutal homicide and grow closer while doing so.
Overall, I'm a fan of this series and will definitely be continuing on with it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
September 6, 2016
Very much enjoyed this one - its very twisted. And sexy. All good things. Review to follow!
April 21, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I thought that this was pretty good. It wasn't great but it was good. I have been excited about this book since I read the prequel novella Hanover House a couple of years ago. This is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot series but I do recommend reading the prequel novella first if at all possible since it really sets up the series well. I had a pretty good time with this book and was eager to learn how everything would work out in the end.
Evelyn Talbot has a lot of experience with psychopaths. As a teenager, her boyfriend killed her friends and almost killed her as well after torturing her for several days. As an adult, she has dedicated her life to learning more about psychopaths. She was the driving force behind opening Hanover House, a facility that houses and studies these individuals.
Sergeant Amarok is the local law enforcement. He is an Alaskan State Trooper and the only real authority in the town. He has to deal with dangerous weather condition and whatever other issues come up in the area. When it appears that a murder has occurred, he is the one tasked with figuring everything out.
This book had a lot of really great elements. It was an exciting story. There was more than a few scenes that really had me worried that things might go poorly for the characters. The mystery was rather complex and kept me guessing until the very end of the book. I liked the romance between Evelyn and Amarok. They really seemed perfect together and I loved how their personalities complimented each other.
There were a few things about the story that seemed a bit off. I did like the romance between Evelyn and Amarok but I didn't care for the way that it seemed to take over the rest of the story at times. The book spends a lot of time in Evelyn's head and she spent so much time thinking about Amarok. I kind of thought she should have been thinking about the murderer running around the town but that is just me. I also thought is was unrealistic that Amarok would have been left to deal with everything on his own. I would think that a murderer on the loose would have been enough to get a few reinforcements sent to his little town.
Therese Plummer did a great job with this book. I found the book to be a pretty quick listen that I really enjoyed. Overall, I think that the narrator did a nice job with the character voices although I did find a couple of the voices to be rather similar at first. I thought she did a great job with adding excitement to the book at just the right moments. I would definitely listen to this talented narrator again in the future.
I do recommend this book to others. This wasn't a perfect book but I had a lot of fun with it. I am really looking forward to finding out what else might threaten Evelyn and Hanover House very soon.
Initial Thoughts
This was good. Not great, but good. Right now I am giving it 3 stars but I may bump it to 4 after I give myself some time to think about it. The book focused on the romantic relationship of Evelyn just as much as the murders and corruption happening all around her. Some parts of the book were unbelievable although entertaining. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story.
Book source: Audible purchase
I thought that this was pretty good. It wasn't great but it was good. I have been excited about this book since I read the prequel novella Hanover House a couple of years ago. This is the first full length book in the Evelyn Talbot series but I do recommend reading the prequel novella first if at all possible since it really sets up the series well. I had a pretty good time with this book and was eager to learn how everything would work out in the end.
Evelyn Talbot has a lot of experience with psychopaths. As a teenager, her boyfriend killed her friends and almost killed her as well after torturing her for several days. As an adult, she has dedicated her life to learning more about psychopaths. She was the driving force behind opening Hanover House, a facility that houses and studies these individuals.
Sergeant Amarok is the local law enforcement. He is an Alaskan State Trooper and the only real authority in the town. He has to deal with dangerous weather condition and whatever other issues come up in the area. When it appears that a murder has occurred, he is the one tasked with figuring everything out.
This book had a lot of really great elements. It was an exciting story. There was more than a few scenes that really had me worried that things might go poorly for the characters. The mystery was rather complex and kept me guessing until the very end of the book. I liked the romance between Evelyn and Amarok. They really seemed perfect together and I loved how their personalities complimented each other.
There were a few things about the story that seemed a bit off. I did like the romance between Evelyn and Amarok but I didn't care for the way that it seemed to take over the rest of the story at times. The book spends a lot of time in Evelyn's head and she spent so much time thinking about Amarok. I kind of thought she should have been thinking about the murderer running around the town but that is just me. I also thought is was unrealistic that Amarok would have been left to deal with everything on his own. I would think that a murderer on the loose would have been enough to get a few reinforcements sent to his little town.
Therese Plummer did a great job with this book. I found the book to be a pretty quick listen that I really enjoyed. Overall, I think that the narrator did a nice job with the character voices although I did find a couple of the voices to be rather similar at first. I thought she did a great job with adding excitement to the book at just the right moments. I would definitely listen to this talented narrator again in the future.
I do recommend this book to others. This wasn't a perfect book but I had a lot of fun with it. I am really looking forward to finding out what else might threaten Evelyn and Hanover House very soon.
Initial Thoughts
This was good. Not great, but good. Right now I am giving it 3 stars but I may bump it to 4 after I give myself some time to think about it. The book focused on the romantic relationship of Evelyn just as much as the murders and corruption happening all around her. Some parts of the book were unbelievable although entertaining. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story.
Book source: Audible purchase
June 30, 2016
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!
This was a slow and torturous suspenseful ride! I truly enjoyed it, when I thought I had guess right I well I didn't shit!! What a twisted ride. I love the couple in this book and I can't freaking wait for book two already definitely a great start of a new series!
suspense, crime, mystery, serial killer? Sign me up!! Even if I eat all y nails by the time I'm done lmao
~~~~~BLURB~~~~~
THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart.
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…
This was a slow and torturous suspenseful ride! I truly enjoyed it, when I thought I had guess right I well I didn't shit!! What a twisted ride. I love the couple in this book and I can't freaking wait for book two already definitely a great start of a new series!
suspense, crime, mystery, serial killer? Sign me up!! Even if I eat all y nails by the time I'm done lmao
~~~~~BLURB~~~~~
THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER
Evelyn Talbot knows that a psychopath can look perfectly normal. She was only sixteen when her own boyfriend Jasper imprisoned and tortured her—and left her for dead. Now an eminent psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind, Evelyn is the force behind Hanover House, a maximum-security facility located in a small Alaskan town. Her job puts her at odds with Sergeant Amarok, who is convinced that Hanover is a threat to his community…even as his attraction to beautiful Evelyn threatens to tear his world apart.
BEGINS WITH AN ESCAPE FROM HER PAST
Then, just as the bitter Alaskan winter cuts both town and prison off from the outside world, the mutilated body of a local woman turns up. For Amarok, this is the final proof he needs: Hanover has to go. Evelyn, though, has reason to fear that the crime is a personal message to her—the first sign that the killer who haunts her dreams has found her again. . .and that the life she has so carefully rebuilt will never be the same…
January 4, 2018
Evelyn Talbot ist Psychologin. Sie arbeitet in einem Gefängnis in Alaska, das vorwiegend Psychopathen aufgenommen hat. Evelyn möchte durch ihre Arbeit mehr über die Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt und den Antrieb von Psychopathen herausfinden bzw. lernen. Sie selbst wurde vor zwanzig Jahren, als sie 16 war, Opfer eines Psychopathen. Sie wurde gefoltert und ihr wurde die Kehle aufgeschlitzt. Sie konnte nur überleben, da der Täter sie damals für tot hielt. Als eine Gefängnisangestellte brutal ermordet wird, scheint sich der Alptraum von damals für Evelyn zu wiederholen.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mir hat dieses Buch sehr gut gefallen. Es war sehr spannend und zum Teil auch sehr grausig und gruselig. Die Atmosphäre war für diesen Thriller sehr passend; ich konnte mir die Dunkelheit und die Eiseskälte in Alaska sehr gut vorstellen, dazu das Grauen des Mordfalls.
Die Sprache ist zum Teil recht derb, da u.a. die Insassen des Gefängnisses sich nicht gerade höflich ausdrücken.
Auch ein gutes Stück Erotik ist in der Geschichte enthalten, da Evelyn sich in den zuständigen Polizisten verliebt und versucht, mit ihm eine Beziehung aufzubauen, was durch ihr Erlebnis in der Vergangenheit sehr erschwert wird.
Wer diese Mischung mag - Spannung und Erotik - wird sich von diesem Buch sicher gut unterhalten fühlen können.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mir hat dieses Buch sehr gut gefallen. Es war sehr spannend und zum Teil auch sehr grausig und gruselig. Die Atmosphäre war für diesen Thriller sehr passend; ich konnte mir die Dunkelheit und die Eiseskälte in Alaska sehr gut vorstellen, dazu das Grauen des Mordfalls.
Die Sprache ist zum Teil recht derb, da u.a. die Insassen des Gefängnisses sich nicht gerade höflich ausdrücken.
Auch ein gutes Stück Erotik ist in der Geschichte enthalten, da Evelyn sich in den zuständigen Polizisten verliebt und versucht, mit ihm eine Beziehung aufzubauen, was durch ihr Erlebnis in der Vergangenheit sehr erschwert wird.
Wer diese Mischung mag - Spannung und Erotik - wird sich von diesem Buch sicher gut unterhalten fühlen können.
March 31, 2021
I read the prequel to this book, HANOVER HOUSE, late last year. This new series by Brenda Novak follows psychiatrist Evelyn Talbot. She was tortured and left when she was only 16. Evelyn now works with the very same type of psychopaths that almost killed her. She needs to understand them. Her pet project has been creating the Hanover House in remote Hilltop, Alaska. It is the only facility that seeks to study and understand America’s most dangerous killers. Evelyn’s nightmare begins when the mutilated body of a local woman is found. For the only cop in the town, Amarok, it confirms his beliefs that Hanover House has brought crime to his town. When a body part is found in Evelyn’s bed, she is sure it is her ex who was never caught. Together Evelyn and Amarok must figure out if it is the man who almost killed her or a new evil lurking among them.
This isn’t my normal sort of read. I can’t help loving the characters though. I love that Evelyn has made it her life’s mission to understand how someone who looks so normal could be a serial killer. She is damaged goods, there is no doubt about that. She uses her past to motivate her. The only place that she isn’t healed is in her love life. I could completely see how someone who was tortured by their first love might have issues getting intimate with anyone else. I was rooting so hard for Evelyn and Amarok to be together. I won’t tell you if got my wish, but I think it was a nice distraction from all the horror these two face in this story.
Everyone who knows me, knows I would love to move to Alaska. The rugged terrain and remoteness really sounds peaceful. This location is actually anything but for the characters in this story. Between the actual work Evelyn does with the convicts and the sketchy people who work with her, Evelyn is surrounded by crazy. This story moves at a great pace. I was horrified for everyone at Hilltop and disgusted at the actions of some of the characters. I was eager to see what happened and how Evelyn would remain in control over Hanover House and if she could actually use her experience to outwit the killer.
The author starts every chapter with a quote from a known convicted psychopath. Although these infamous killers don’t make any appearances in this story, their quotes add something special to this book. It helped me to remember that people like those Evelyn works with are real. This makes the behavior and speech of the patients Evelyn is working with all the more frightening.
I love the protagonist and the setting of this series. This story is complete enough to be a stand-alone. I am excited to know it is part of a series. I am definitely a fan of the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles!
May 22, 2018
I had many issues while reading this story. I struggled my way through to the middle, then somehow things got a little bit more interesting and the rest of the story flew by, till the very predictable end.
The heroine took all the wrong decisions possible to help the culprit catch her in the end, fell in all the traps somehow justifying herself with a logic that challenges mine.
The writting is full of platitudes and reminds me of novels from the '90s.
As for the romance, it seems forced on the H and h at best, tasteless and unexplainable at worst.
It saddens me to say, I won't bother reading the rest of the series.
The heroine took all the wrong decisions possible to help the culprit catch her in the end, fell in all the traps somehow justifying herself with a logic that challenges mine.
The writting is full of platitudes and reminds me of novels from the '90s.
As for the romance, it seems forced on the H and h at best, tasteless and unexplainable at worst.
It saddens me to say, I won't bother reading the rest of the series.
September 6, 2016
Whenever Brenda Novak releases a new book it always goes to the top of my to read list. There is a good reason, because she always delivers a fantastic read. This book is a mystery thriller and also an in-depth, up close and personal look into the mindset of psychopathic serial killers. It was a bit too in depth for me which is why I gave it 4.5 stars, but in true Brenda Novak fashion, this was extremely well written and compelling!
Evelyn Talbot thought she knew her boyfriend, Jasper, when she and he were high school sweethearts. She then finds herself kidnapped, raped repeatedly for days and left for dead when Jasper slits her throat and walks out the cabin door. Also gruesomely murdered by this boyfriend she was in love with, were three of her girlfriends. Jasper escapes into thin air and Evelyn makes it her life's work to track him down and also try to understand serial killers/rapists by becoming a psychiatrist. Now twenty years after being attacked, she has opened a maximum security prison named Hanover House in a small town of Alaska where the worst of the worst psychopaths are the inmates and she is studying and doing in depth interviews with them to try and understand what makes them tick. Since Hanover House opened, women who work for the facility go missing and are eventually found dead and viciously dismembered.
Due to the severe trauma she went through at age sixteen, Evelyn has been unable to have a meaningful relationship with a man. Pure panic sets in to get intimately close. Enter obscenely handsome police Sergeant Amarok, who has the hots for Evelyn and wants to tear down all the walls she has built around herself. He also has a full-time job trying to track down a crazed killer.
Really great read and Book 1 of The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. I love a series ;)
Evelyn Talbot thought she knew her boyfriend, Jasper, when she and he were high school sweethearts. She then finds herself kidnapped, raped repeatedly for days and left for dead when Jasper slits her throat and walks out the cabin door. Also gruesomely murdered by this boyfriend she was in love with, were three of her girlfriends. Jasper escapes into thin air and Evelyn makes it her life's work to track him down and also try to understand serial killers/rapists by becoming a psychiatrist. Now twenty years after being attacked, she has opened a maximum security prison named Hanover House in a small town of Alaska where the worst of the worst psychopaths are the inmates and she is studying and doing in depth interviews with them to try and understand what makes them tick. Since Hanover House opened, women who work for the facility go missing and are eventually found dead and viciously dismembered.
Due to the severe trauma she went through at age sixteen, Evelyn has been unable to have a meaningful relationship with a man. Pure panic sets in to get intimately close. Enter obscenely handsome police Sergeant Amarok, who has the hots for Evelyn and wants to tear down all the walls she has built around herself. He also has a full-time job trying to track down a crazed killer.
Really great read and Book 1 of The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. I love a series ;)
September 18, 2020
Inaspettato! Bel thriller, ottima suspence. Storia d'amore, e relativi dialoghi, un po' banale ma per il resto bellissimo libro.
Molto scorrevole e di facile lettura.
Essendo il primo libro di una serie credo che, in futuro, leggerò gli altri.
Molto scorrevole e di facile lettura.
Essendo il primo libro di una serie credo che, in futuro, leggerò gli altri.
October 31, 2016
Dr Evelyn Talbot was held captive by her psychopathic boyfriend Jasper, when she was sixteen. He raped and tortured her for three days. He also did the same to her three best friends, the only difference - Evelyn lived to tell her horrific story, her three friends didn't. Jasper was never caught, and Evelyn went on to study psychiatry and became among the top in her field.
Evelyn went on to establish Hanover House, a mental health facility for psychopaths, the first of its kind. Here at Hanover House, buried in the heart of Alaska, Evelyn hopes to study a prison full of psychopaths, to discover what makes them tick, why they do the terrible things they do, and how to stop them. But then a woman is found horribly mutilated and the hunt for a murderer is on.
The first half of this book was slow for me. There was a lot of romance, and racy love scenes which are not what I look for in a book. Evelyn annoyed me because she was so beautiful, every man good or bad wanted to take her to bed. The state trooper was impossibly handsome, and all the women drooled over him. Once I managed to get past this though, and the more the plot deepened and the excitement built, I really began to enjoy this book, and really tried to figure out who the murderer was, and believe me, there are a lot of red herrings here.
I loved the setting. Alaska in the middle of a bitter winter. Where the roads are impassable unless you drive a snowplough, and where there is only one law officer, despite a prison full of psychopaths just outside the town. This all added to a really creepy atmosphere.
At the beginning of every chapter we are presented with a quote from a real, true life serial killer, in which they explained or attempted to explain, how they felt, why they did what they did, essentially, what makes them tick. I really didn't like those quotes, and I wish they had been left out. Why should they be given a platform to tell us how or why they did what they did and how it made them feel. I don't want to know. I found their words deeply disturbing.
On the whole this was a good book. It came at things from a different angle to the usual thriller. This is the first in a series with Dr Evelyn Talbot at the helm. Before this book there is an e-novella, Hanover House and it might be a good idea to read it first if you can. I hadn't realized this and wondered why the characters would hint back to previous events the summer before which had obviously been covered in the novella, and I would have liked to have read it first.
Thank you to the publisher Headline via bookbridgr for my paperback copy of this book.
Evelyn went on to establish Hanover House, a mental health facility for psychopaths, the first of its kind. Here at Hanover House, buried in the heart of Alaska, Evelyn hopes to study a prison full of psychopaths, to discover what makes them tick, why they do the terrible things they do, and how to stop them. But then a woman is found horribly mutilated and the hunt for a murderer is on.
The first half of this book was slow for me. There was a lot of romance, and racy love scenes which are not what I look for in a book. Evelyn annoyed me because she was so beautiful, every man good or bad wanted to take her to bed. The state trooper was impossibly handsome, and all the women drooled over him. Once I managed to get past this though, and the more the plot deepened and the excitement built, I really began to enjoy this book, and really tried to figure out who the murderer was, and believe me, there are a lot of red herrings here.
I loved the setting. Alaska in the middle of a bitter winter. Where the roads are impassable unless you drive a snowplough, and where there is only one law officer, despite a prison full of psychopaths just outside the town. This all added to a really creepy atmosphere.
At the beginning of every chapter we are presented with a quote from a real, true life serial killer, in which they explained or attempted to explain, how they felt, why they did what they did, essentially, what makes them tick. I really didn't like those quotes, and I wish they had been left out. Why should they be given a platform to tell us how or why they did what they did and how it made them feel. I don't want to know. I found their words deeply disturbing.
On the whole this was a good book. It came at things from a different angle to the usual thriller. This is the first in a series with Dr Evelyn Talbot at the helm. Before this book there is an e-novella, Hanover House and it might be a good idea to read it first if you can. I hadn't realized this and wondered why the characters would hint back to previous events the summer before which had obviously been covered in the novella, and I would have liked to have read it first.
Thank you to the publisher Headline via bookbridgr for my paperback copy of this book.
April 10, 2018
SERIE THE EVELYN TALBOT CHRONICLES N. 1
Come al solito la biblioteca mi tenta. L'ho visto sugli scaffali dei nuovi arrivi, ho letto la trama, e l'ho prenotato. E' arrivato prima del previsto e non ho avuto il coraggio di mandarlo indietro. Mi ispirava troppo. Una volta aggiunto qui su GR scopro che è il primo di una serie...uff..un'altra!
Cque, inizio a leggere e mi intriga da subito. Ma subito scopro anche che è un romance thriller. Non me lo aspettavo. Così come non mi aspettavo di divorarlo in tre giorni.
Devo dire che l'idea mi è molto, ma molto piaciuta. Evelyn dopo essere sopravvissuta a 15 anni al rapimento e alle sevizie del suo ragazzo psicopatico, decide di studiare psicologia criminale e aprire una prigione dove poter studiare il comportamento degli psicopatici. Aprirà questa prigione in Alaska. Qui è osteggiata dai cittadini e soprattutto dal capo della polizia.
Un bel giorno spariscono due inservienti della prigione...e qui inizia il tutto.
Ora la parte thriller, e la storia della prigione mi sono piaciute. Mi hanno tenuta incollata alle pagine, anche se verso la fine avevo capito.
La parte romance, se da un lato ci stava per smorzare i toni, dall'altro l'ho trovata proprio banale e ripetitiva. Peccato. Il tenente l'ho adorato *_*
Il libro in sè ha molto potenziale, ma secondo me non è bel sfruttato. Essendo però il primo di una serie gli lascio il beneficio del dubbio.
Anche perchè finisce facendomi venir voglia di leggere immediatamente il prossimo. Spero esca presto!
Quindi un'altra chance gliela do. Staremo a vedere.
Una chicca sono le frasi di apertura dei capitoli. Frasi vere dette dai serial killer. Sono davvero inquietanti.
Come al solito la biblioteca mi tenta. L'ho visto sugli scaffali dei nuovi arrivi, ho letto la trama, e l'ho prenotato. E' arrivato prima del previsto e non ho avuto il coraggio di mandarlo indietro. Mi ispirava troppo. Una volta aggiunto qui su GR scopro che è il primo di una serie...uff..un'altra!
Cque, inizio a leggere e mi intriga da subito. Ma subito scopro anche che è un romance thriller. Non me lo aspettavo. Così come non mi aspettavo di divorarlo in tre giorni.
Devo dire che l'idea mi è molto, ma molto piaciuta. Evelyn dopo essere sopravvissuta a 15 anni al rapimento e alle sevizie del suo ragazzo psicopatico, decide di studiare psicologia criminale e aprire una prigione dove poter studiare il comportamento degli psicopatici. Aprirà questa prigione in Alaska. Qui è osteggiata dai cittadini e soprattutto dal capo della polizia.
Un bel giorno spariscono due inservienti della prigione...e qui inizia il tutto.
Ora la parte thriller, e la storia della prigione mi sono piaciute. Mi hanno tenuta incollata alle pagine, anche se verso la fine avevo capito.
La parte romance, se da un lato ci stava per smorzare i toni, dall'altro l'ho trovata proprio banale e ripetitiva. Peccato. Il tenente l'ho adorato *_*
Il libro in sè ha molto potenziale, ma secondo me non è bel sfruttato. Essendo però il primo di una serie gli lascio il beneficio del dubbio.
Anche perchè finisce facendomi venir voglia di leggere immediatamente il prossimo. Spero esca presto!
Quindi un'altra chance gliela do. Staremo a vedere.
Una chicca sono le frasi di apertura dei capitoli. Frasi vere dette dai serial killer. Sono davvero inquietanti.
July 18, 2020
This was a quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Enjoyed it more than the other books I’ve read by Brenda Novak. 4.5★s!
dnf
February 9, 2025Basta. Ci stavo dietro da più di una settimana e non riuscivo a convincermi ad andare oltre.
Scrittura lentissima, capitoli eterni, i protagonisti che pensano solo al sesso quando c’è un assassino in libertà che fa a pezzi le amiche della protagonista e chi più ne ha più ne metta.
So che la Novak è una scrittrice di libri rosa, e la trama di questo thriller era davvero buona, anche le scene sanguinose lo erano, ma è già tutto prevedibile (l’assassino si capisce subito chi è, gli spoiler hanno confermato la mia teoria), e anche se la protagonista è stata stuprata e seviziata per giorni, con davanti agli occhi i cadaveri delle sue amiche, tutto perchè il suo fidanzatino era uno psicopatico, non vuole più fare sesso ma quando vede Amarok non pensa a nient’altro, neanche a salvarsi la pelle, insomma, cose un po’ strane e dell’altro mondo, specialmente perchè lei si caga addosso a sapere che Jasper la sta ancora cercando.
Un altra serie che non concluderó e di cui non sentiró la mancanza.
Scrittura lentissima, capitoli eterni, i protagonisti che pensano solo al sesso quando c’è un assassino in libertà che fa a pezzi le amiche della protagonista e chi più ne ha più ne metta.
So che la Novak è una scrittrice di libri rosa, e la trama di questo thriller era davvero buona, anche le scene sanguinose lo erano, ma è già tutto prevedibile (l’assassino si capisce subito chi è, gli spoiler hanno confermato la mia teoria), e anche se la protagonista è stata stuprata e seviziata per giorni, con davanti agli occhi i cadaveri delle sue amiche, tutto perchè il suo fidanzatino era uno psicopatico, non vuole più fare sesso ma quando vede Amarok non pensa a nient’altro, neanche a salvarsi la pelle, insomma, cose un po’ strane e dell’altro mondo, specialmente perchè lei si caga addosso a sapere che Jasper la sta ancora cercando.
Un altra serie che non concluderó e di cui non sentiró la mancanza.
September 21, 2016
Finished Brenda Novak's Her Darkest Fear and to say I was disappointed is putting it mildly...almost a wall banger for me. Never mind about the non payoff of the bedroom scene (strictly off page) after the long buildup of a tease, but you have one bad guy who was nicked by his heart, escape from the hospital right after it happens, gets caught, suffers another heart arrest, escapes again make it all the way across Alaska in the winter with nothing I am assuming, but what he managed to steal. Then end up dead at another person's house, what was the point? Why not kill him at the hospital? I am just unclear of what role he was to play there at the end. Then the same person that was a part of that killing just heads back to the lower 48 with an apology via a 3rd party with no charges over what he did to our heroine?? He gets to continue to practice??? Really????
February 6, 2017
Note to self: if you ever find yourself 36 years old and a super dreamy 29 year old Alaskan state trooper is madly in love with you, don't constantly beat him over the head about your age difference. It's no fun for anyone.
September 15, 2016
This was a great first installment to a new series, which focuses on a psychiatrist, Evelyn Talbot, that started a psychiatric prison for psychopaths in Alaska. As you can imagine, things don't all go well.
Evelyn was held captive and tortured by her boyfriend when she was sixteen. This has directly affected the direction her life has taken. She has focused her life solely on work, which entails finding out why psychopaths do what they do, and has not had a boyfriend/lover in 20 years.
In this book she has a tenuous relationship that she seems to constantly cause rifts in. (Make sure to read the prequel for more background on this relationship!) She is constantly trying to read into what she thinks others are thinking and second guessing everything. So, for example, at 78% into the book she is still asking her love interest, “Who are you interested in?” At this point he’s already stated it so many times that I’m frustrated with her. I mean really, does he he need to tattoo it in bold on his forehead?? Of course, this is explained by the attack by her teenage boyfriend and it is understandable, but a bit too repetitive.
The story had many twists and turns, some shocking edge-of-your-seat moments, and some lovey time as well. Overall, it was interesting and kept me engaged. If it wasn’t for the repetition of several themes, at which I began to sigh and roll my eyes, I might have been tempted to give it 5 stars.
Also, this book contained quotes at the beginning of each chapter that were so interesting. Often, I skip over those parts, but I found myself reading every one. They were quotes of notorious serial killers and rapists, etc. It was fascinating to me to see how they think. Make sure you read them!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Evelyn was held captive and tortured by her boyfriend when she was sixteen. This has directly affected the direction her life has taken. She has focused her life solely on work, which entails finding out why psychopaths do what they do, and has not had a boyfriend/lover in 20 years.
In this book she has a tenuous relationship that she seems to constantly cause rifts in. (Make sure to read the prequel for more background on this relationship!) She is constantly trying to read into what she thinks others are thinking and second guessing everything. So, for example, at 78% into the book she is still asking her love interest, “Who are you interested in?” At this point he’s already stated it so many times that I’m frustrated with her. I mean really, does he he need to tattoo it in bold on his forehead?? Of course, this is explained by the attack by her teenage boyfriend and it is understandable, but a bit too repetitive.
The story had many twists and turns, some shocking edge-of-your-seat moments, and some lovey time as well. Overall, it was interesting and kept me engaged. If it wasn’t for the repetition of several themes, at which I began to sigh and roll my eyes, I might have been tempted to give it 5 stars.
Also, this book contained quotes at the beginning of each chapter that were so interesting. Often, I skip over those parts, but I found myself reading every one. They were quotes of notorious serial killers and rapists, etc. It was fascinating to me to see how they think. Make sure you read them!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2017
Read for the URR 2017 New Year's Reading Challenge prompt Dark Romance.
SPOILERS FOR WHO THE KILLER IS, DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW
First thriller I've read in a while and it was GREAT. My library has categorised this as 'romance' and for the sake of the challenge mentioned above I'm sticking with that label, but here at GR I've shelved it as a 'thriller' because I would say this is more a thriller with some romantic aspects, rather than a romance with some thriller aspects. There are a couple of sex scenes, but the plot's focus are the murders and Evelyn's work at Hanover House.
I had the killer picked from the first time we met him, but I never would have guessed his motive. As soon as Glenn was discussed as being so polite and attentive to both Lorraine and Evelyn I became suspicious that he'd killed Lorraine because of a fantasy relationship with her that he'd created in his mind after she 'encouraged him' by smiling at him or thanking him for doing something nice for her. I also felt like his reaction to the 'news' that Lorraine was dead was a little bit off, immediately 'assuming' it was a car accident and blaming it on her bald tires. I never believed Jasper was involved in Evelyn's more recent nightmares in any way and I felt like Fitzpatrick was too easy a choice, plus I didn't believe that the organised criminal who killed and dismembered Lorraine and then staked her head in a public place would be the same person who exploded at Evelyn over her decision to bring in a 'patient' of her own without consulting with him first. If Fitzpatrick was going to explode like that I doubt he'd have the patience to dismember a body and display it, so I was never fooled by that red herring.
In summation, I really loved this story - the characters, the plot, the atmosphere, the idea of Hanover House (really creepy) in a remote Alaskan town (fantastic place to put a fictional house of serial killers, not so much in real life and I'm glad I live in a country that gets an equal amount of day to night hours) - and I can't wait to read more of the series. I hope to be able to convince my library to buy a copy of the prequel novella, Hanover House, otherwise I'll have to wait for who knows how long for Hello Again (it has a publishing date of August 2017, but we all know how reliable those expected dates can be), the next book in the series.
SPOILERS FOR WHO THE KILLER IS, DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW
First thriller I've read in a while and it was GREAT. My library has categorised this as 'romance' and for the sake of the challenge mentioned above I'm sticking with that label, but here at GR I've shelved it as a 'thriller' because I would say this is more a thriller with some romantic aspects, rather than a romance with some thriller aspects. There are a couple of sex scenes, but the plot's focus are the murders and Evelyn's work at Hanover House.
I had the killer picked from the first time we met him, but I never would have guessed his motive. As soon as Glenn was discussed as being so polite and attentive to both Lorraine and Evelyn I became suspicious that he'd killed Lorraine because of a fantasy relationship with her that he'd created in his mind after she 'encouraged him' by smiling at him or thanking him for doing something nice for her. I also felt like his reaction to the 'news' that Lorraine was dead was a little bit off, immediately 'assuming' it was a car accident and blaming it on her bald tires. I never believed Jasper was involved in Evelyn's more recent nightmares in any way and I felt like Fitzpatrick was too easy a choice, plus I didn't believe that the organised criminal who killed and dismembered Lorraine and then staked her head in a public place would be the same person who exploded at Evelyn over her decision to bring in a 'patient' of her own without consulting with him first. If Fitzpatrick was going to explode like that I doubt he'd have the patience to dismember a body and display it, so I was never fooled by that red herring.
In summation, I really loved this story - the characters, the plot, the atmosphere, the idea of Hanover House (really creepy) in a remote Alaskan town (fantastic place to put a fictional house of serial killers, not so much in real life and I'm glad I live in a country that gets an equal amount of day to night hours) - and I can't wait to read more of the series. I hope to be able to convince my library to buy a copy of the prequel novella, Hanover House, otherwise I'll have to wait for who knows how long for Hello Again (it has a publishing date of August 2017, but we all know how reliable those expected dates can be), the next book in the series.
August 25, 2016
In January, I read Hanover House which gave us both the history of our heroine and introduced us to Hanover House. A maximum-security prison spearheaded by Evelyn (Eve) Talbot a psychiatrist who specializes in the criminal mind. She has brought the worst serial killers in the US to this prison. Her hope is to gain insight into their minds. While it is not wholly necessary to read the prequel, it does share Evelyn’s unique background and a budding romance with local law enforcement Sergeant Amarok. Personally it's worth the effort.
Winter is in full force when the mutilated body of a local woman is discovered. With tensions already uncomfortable between residents and Hanover House, folks are quick to suspect a prisoner. With all prisoners accounted for Novak begins a twisted mystery, with a side dish of romance, and shares tension within Hanover House.
Novak gave the reader plenty of suspense while lending some believability to this chilling tale. I cannot speak to the police procedure as I imagine these remote locations differ, but I would have liked aid from the larger police force in Anchorage. While it created more intimacy and kept the story contained I prefer realism. Red herrings and plausible suspects kept me guessing. Side stories added twists and complications.
Hanover House continues to have a strong presence, as we were privy to prison workings, research and interviews with inmates. Novak’s portrayal of these killers is downright chilling. Salacious and illegal activities within the prison walls added additional tension but also affected the overall pacing of the story. While these threads were interesting, I struggled with the periods of inactivity and craved more action. Thankfully, threads were developed and Novak tied them into the main mystery.
The romance continues to be enjoyable and we see progression as Eve and Amarok. Eve is still stubborn but I loved seeing her begin to depend on someone else and admire her courage when dealing with her peers and patients. Novak brought fuzzy moments and a little heat to the romance. I love Amarok’s approach to Eve and look forward to seeing their relationship strengthen.
For those who read Hanover House, Jasper is still very much in the picture and we did get a few updates. Her Darkest Nightmare delivered an intense mystery with likeable characters. I look forward to the next novel and recommend the series to fans of romantic suspense, and crime thrillers involving serial killers.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Winter is in full force when the mutilated body of a local woman is discovered. With tensions already uncomfortable between residents and Hanover House, folks are quick to suspect a prisoner. With all prisoners accounted for Novak begins a twisted mystery, with a side dish of romance, and shares tension within Hanover House.
Novak gave the reader plenty of suspense while lending some believability to this chilling tale. I cannot speak to the police procedure as I imagine these remote locations differ, but I would have liked aid from the larger police force in Anchorage. While it created more intimacy and kept the story contained I prefer realism. Red herrings and plausible suspects kept me guessing. Side stories added twists and complications.
Hanover House continues to have a strong presence, as we were privy to prison workings, research and interviews with inmates. Novak’s portrayal of these killers is downright chilling. Salacious and illegal activities within the prison walls added additional tension but also affected the overall pacing of the story. While these threads were interesting, I struggled with the periods of inactivity and craved more action. Thankfully, threads were developed and Novak tied them into the main mystery.
The romance continues to be enjoyable and we see progression as Eve and Amarok. Eve is still stubborn but I loved seeing her begin to depend on someone else and admire her courage when dealing with her peers and patients. Novak brought fuzzy moments and a little heat to the romance. I love Amarok’s approach to Eve and look forward to seeing their relationship strengthen.
For those who read Hanover House, Jasper is still very much in the picture and we did get a few updates. Her Darkest Nightmare delivered an intense mystery with likeable characters. I look forward to the next novel and recommend the series to fans of romantic suspense, and crime thrillers involving serial killers.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
September 5, 2016
"I want you badly. I've wanted you since the first moment I laid eyes on you."
I was hooked after I read Hanover House, prequel to this book. I LOVE thrillers, especially ones focusing on serial killers. I have a healthy obsession with serial killers. I want to know what makes them tick. Why they do the things they do, what goes on in their criminal minds. And that is exactly what Evelyn Talbot is trying to find out. She opened up Hanover House, a maximum-security facility, in Hilltop Alaska. They only house the most dangerous serial killers. Many of these killers were super creepy and gave me goosebumps.
Evelyn is a very strong character who has been through so much in the past. Instead of being afraid of the world she wants to figure out how to stop these killers. Then we have her love interest Sergeant Amarok, I love him so much! He is very patient, strong, protective and loyal. I just loved reading about them. But what I loved most was the mystery and suspense in this book. I had a couple of theories and the author did a great job by confusing me. I loved the plot twists and all the secondary characters. The author even made me feel sad about one deranged serial killer, but that can also be because I have a thing for the dark villains. This book is a great start. I can't wait for the next book and what the author has in store for Evelyn and Amarok!
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