Falling Darkness

South Shores #3

by Karen Harper

At the mercy of a treacherous sea

Claire Britten's training never prepared her for this the forensic psychology curriculum didn't cover plane crashes. Or how to help fellow survivors cope, seven frightened people huddled in two small rafts awaiting a rescue that may never come. Especially when three of them are your ex-husband, your young daughter and the man you love, Nick Markwood, whose pursuit by a criminal mastermind forced you all to run in the first place.

When the bedraggled crew finally reaches dry land, they are still far from safe. Nick tries to secure transport to their witness-protection placement, urging everyone to stick to the identities laid out for them. They don't need any complications. But when danger follows them to their supposed safe haven, Claire and Nick no longer know who is helping or harming them. Racked by doubt and mistrust, still hunted, they must band together or fall.

"

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2017

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything by this author before and , I must admit, it has been a nice surprise. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I will read more by her as this is the third book in a series. I love FBI stories.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an action packed thriller that does not disappoint. It is a wild ride from one country to the next. It kept me guessing from the very start. I never knew what was going to happen next. Loved it!!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and it does not disappoint, you are going to be in a plane crash, and then explore Cuba, and finally you are going to be driving a snowmobile on Mackinaw Island, boy life sure does not get dull.
Now that our friends are in the WITSEC, we have hopes that their lives are about to get better and the evil will be caught and their will be an end to their plight.
Surprises are in store for Nick and Claire and even little Tess, and Jace is going to have to accept that life goes on. What a ride we are in for and we pick up some extra people to live with us. Of course, nothing is ever on an even keel here, and unfortunately there is another murder, but who did it and who will be next.
Your mind in going to be guessing in all areas, and when you think you know some of the answers, you may just change your mind. Do you really think the older man with dementia could hurt someone? What about another person who maybe in WITSEC, but not part of their group, yes the suspects abounds, but are we even close.
You will be quickly page turning for answers, a really great end to a great series.
I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Mira Publishing and was not required to give a positive review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

At the end of the second book in this series, Drowning Tides, Claire Britton, new husband Nick Markwood, ex-Jace, their daughter Lexi, and a few others have managed to escape a crashing airplane and are now trapped between two rafts in shark-infested waters. With what seems like a miracle, they survive, but they are still followed by the very danger that keeps Claire, Nick and Jace in close proximity.

Claire and Jace had been married and had daughter Lexi. Jace, a pilot, left and divorced Claire, a forensic psychologist. He could not deal with the fact that she suffers from narcolepsy. However, Jace still feels very drawn to her and had wanted her back. While running from Claire's new husband, Nick's, enemy, Jace got drawn further into their lives and drama, hoping against hope to win Claire back.

While Jace has adjusted to the fact that he will never get Claire back, he remains a devoted father and now the trio of adults are transported to a safe haven - with help from the FBI. A new life awaits all of them.

Although their new living environment is beautiful, they are faced with the ugly, in the manner of another murder. As the FBI has put them in WITSEC, they don't know anyone else but each other, so who can they trust?

As the first two books in the series, the tension is very high, with excellent pacing, as is the romantic element involving Claire and Nick. Fortunately for readers, this book does not end with a pulsating cliff-hanger, yet we are definitely left wanting much more for the new couple and their growing family. As of the writing of this review, I just completed the fourth book in the South Shore series, Shallow Grave, and am currently reading the fifth, Silent Scream. Book six is in my immediate TBR, Dark Storm.

[☆.。.:*・°☆Love2Read♡HEAs☆.。.:*・°☆ {Anne} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated 4.8 Stars

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free Harlequin book that was a great gift. Very enjoyable and exciting. Actually, a bit unrealistic because could anyone really withstand two enemies trying to destroy them? I liked the interaction between Claire and Nick. A lovely couple entirely in love with an adorable little girl and her funny and believable comments. I wouldn't mind reading more of this series, especially if they are as action packed as this one.

[Roberto Junior · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive, predictable, nondescript characters.

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd book in series.
Action - packed from the start. This story does pick up where book #2 ends.
I'm enjoying the characters and setting.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is starting out to be very very good. I like this author the more I read of her. This to me was an exciting adventure and the story seemed to stay on track and the characters I love.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice action right from the start since this picks up where book two ended. This is a good thriller.

[Charlene Doiron · Rating 4 out of 5]

good! didn't realize it was the third in a series but it didn't even really matter! enjoyed it!

[Cynthia Dalton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if it was too many characters (almost all of whom had a alias) or just not well told. Family on the run from a wanted man go first to Cuba (by a boating accident) where he just happens to be hiding, then after being rescued to Mackinac Island. There their WitSec handler (FBI rather than US Marshalls for unexplained reasons) is killed. They go to a local festival and are briefly shown on Inside Edition (shouldn't they have been warned not to go where there were cameras???) so of course the bad guy finds them. Just seemed shallow and formulaic to me.

[Craig Wakefield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if I have read any other Karen Harper books. This is the third book in the South Shores series. I thought that I had read others books in this series until I started this book. I am not one that typically gives on a book. I dis struggle through this one though. From the heat of Cuba to the coldness of Mackinac the locales do not make up for the lackluster character development.

[Mary Crowe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book poorly written - there are inconsistencies in the story line. The characters are shallow and predictable and not one is particularly likeable. Had to make myself finish this one.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful for the entire book!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in this trilogy, against running from Ames. Forensic psychologist, important lawyer and her daughter Lexi are not clear yet. This book starts off when their govt plane goes down in the shark infested waters near Cuba. A kind fishingman saves them. It would mean death for him and his family if caught. Their daughter arrives by bus. She is going to be a doctor and paid the same wage as everyone. Everyone would like to leave. The country has become a soul sucking place. The group of Americans must get to GITMO to get aid from our soldiers, but the journey is a perilous one. The student doctor begs to go with them, and more twists and turns. The final destination is on an island in Michigan yet all is not well there. They like their handler until the crazy madman is caught, but soon another body is discovered. They no longer know who to trust. Who else knows they are all protected by the FBI? One weird attack, and strange occurrence after another keeps happening. They worry since one of them is with child now. Three ladies, plus a girl child, and four men. They are all in one house on an island, with a frozen lake, and most of the town shut down. The killer is on his way. It is very exciting and has an ending. A very suspenseful one. I gave it a 5 since they all had to fight for their lives, and protect each other against an unknown killer, and terrorizer, as well as hide out from the puppet master, the worst killer of all. I liked all the characters. I thought Claire, and Nick stayed strong for all of them. Great reading.

[Shai Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

FALLING DARKNESS is the third book in the South Shores series but I have to admit that I was rather impressed by how well it stands on its own. I had the opportunity to read the first book but somehow skipped over the second. Even so, I didn't feel lost and immediately became engrossed in the book.


Ms. Harper has done a wonderful job with the characters. They are all ones I found easy to emphasize with enough that I was holding my breath during some of the tense scenes. I am especially impressed by Claire who is such a strong woman even with all of her rather unique medical issues. I also feel bad for Jace, Claire's ex-husband, because what could be worse then being stuck with your ex-wife who you are still in love with and her new husband?


The plot also flows at a nice pace and will keep you turning the pages just to find out who did what. The dialogue is witty and amusing in places. I also found the ending to be rather satisfying.



I do recommend this book to my readers who enjoy romantic suspense. I do want to issue a warning though that there is some violent scenes in this book so perhaps not appropriate for younger readers.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

[Deane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, a book in this series that has a good ending. I doubt that I read more of Harper's books because they are very tense; I can't imagine that anyone's life has that many near-death experiences. I didn't like the idea of the cliff-hanger endings of the first two books.

Her stories are easy to follow but I never felt I really 'knew' the characters; even Nick, Claire and Jace are only surface people; deeper than the other characters but so much information about them is not revealed.

I also think Harper gets confused with the time frame....a flashback over something that happened a few pages back in the present becomes much further in the past. It is amazing how much excitement, adventure, escapes, and frightening experiences can happen in a matter of a few days.

The books are quick reads because the pace is so hectic....a constant page turner.

[Anson Battoclette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling Darkness was so entertaining! I was burdened with learning the names (and the witness protection fake name counterparts) of 6 or more characters on the first page, which was overwhelming at first. That was until I realized that this was the 3rd installment in a series of which I had not read the first 2. Overcoming that was not all too difficult, and for the most part the story of this particular novel did a great job of being self-contained. Lexi and her imaginary friend pissed me off a little bit but it all made sense come the end. It was a lovely mystery novel that took me through multiple settings and interesting locations/situations. I really enjoyed reading about Mackinac Island, and the historical houses & landmarks in the area. It was very interesting to me to research the buildings and events described in the novel!

[Sadie VanderKodde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first quarter of this book was super intense and exciting, but it went downhill from there. This was definitely the weakest of the series. It dragged on at times, contained unnecessary information (I don't care how to drive a snowmobile. Just tell me they learned how, not all the nitty gritty details.), and I felt like the dialogue was forced. That said, I did still enjoy it. I'm invested in the characters now and enjoy their interactions and growth. And I really liked the setting of this one since I'm a Michigan girl who has been to Mackinac Island many times. I've been to the fort, Mission Church, and Arch Rock - so it was fun to read about them in this story.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire Britten is a forensic psychologist.
But her training did not cover the plane crash they have just experienced.
Her and her husband go after dangerous criminals and looks like the plane was sabotaged by the
guy they are trying to put in jail. However, now they are in a life and death situation in Cuban waters and if they get caught by the Castro regime they are in deep trouble there too.
They have to get out of Cuba and back tot he US.
They were on their way to a hiding place in Witness protection.
Their small group must figure out what is going on fast before they are silenced. Because they are going to be hunted and in danger until they do.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a definite page turner. The suspense on each and every page caught your imagination and if you don't feel the threats in the story, you have not received the sensation the book offers.

It also took me back in time: to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island from my visits in 2008 and 2010. The family is placed on the island away from the threats, but, all is lost when the wife and daughter are in a fashion show.

I loved the trip down memory lane, and would recommend this book to anyone who has been to the Grand.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very weak 3 stars. After reading the first book, I thought this was going to be a good series. And then the second book for me was just a little on the unbelievable side. In this book, like how many ways could you almost die? Now I realize this is a work of fiction. But it just went too far in the scenarios that this person could come for you or how many possible ways is he going to try to kill you? I’m very much on the fence about reading the next two books. Based on how the other books went, I’m going to guess that uncle Clayton rises from the dead.

[Diana Haub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in this series, but not the last just a finishing off of that part of the storyline. They will continue this series with the same characters and where their lives lead them. I have enjoyed this series. Glad it came to the final conclusion that it did. I still think the time spent referencing the previous books takes up too much time and breaks the flow of the storyline. They were still enjoyable.

[Carolyn Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice final book in this trilogy. I like how each book has its own mystery with the overriding intrigue continued throughout. You probably don't "have to" read these 3 in order, but it really helps to know the history of the characters as the trilogy progresses. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and see how things play out now that things should go back to normal (*wink wink*) for our characters.

[Jean Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this not realizing that it was a third book in a series. Therefore I read it as a standalone. The cast of characters was ok, but it was obvious that I was suppose to know them well and what went before. The mystery was okay, but the boogie man, again, was suppose to be larger than life and, as I hadn’t read the previous books, he was not. So, four stars only as this didn’t read that great as a standalone.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick and Claire are in witness protection until they can testify in a major trial. With the criminals in hot pursuit at every turn they end up in Michigan where the snow is deep and snowmobiles are the main transportation. A great suspense story with fast pacing and very believable bad guys. 3rd book of the South Shores series it's very stand alone. Karen Harper is a good writer pulling you in and not letting you stop reading until the last chapter.

[Trude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Harper has always been a favorite of mine...and she doesn't disappoint with this book. The 3rd in the South Shores series it starts out with a plane crash and Claire, Lexington, Nick and Jace in a raft hoping for rescue. The suspense and danger ratcheting up from there. I highly recommend this book!
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins on the water off the coast of Cuba progresses onto the island of Cuba. From Cuba to Mackinac Island in Michigan. Claire Britten, her husband, Nick Markwood, her daughter ,Lexi, her ex-husband, Jace and others are on this journey because they are trying to survive against a killer. The trip has lots of terror but a few light moments. The book is a page turner so quick reading.