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Shades of Death #1
No Darker Place
They want revenge. They need each other.
Detective Bobbie Gentry has one to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie's pain—and her desire for vengeance. He's on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie. But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she's forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.
Detective Bobbie Gentry has one to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie's pain—and her desire for vengeance. He's on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie. But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she's forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2017
473 people are currently reading
2939 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
544 books2,340 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 170 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
December 14, 2016
Do not read this when you have someplace to be or something important to do, like eat, sleep, or work. I could not put it down and the next thing I knew it was 3:am. I also don't recommend reading this after dark. A fast moving and intense read NO DARKER PLACE answers some questions and asks some more. Read Debra's THE BLACKEST CRIMSON while you wait for your pre-order of NO DARKER PLACE to be delivered.
September 18, 2017
2 stars even though I DNF'd at page 238
I felt like I started in the middle of a story but this was book #1. I just could not get into this book and put it down for almost 4 months. Then I decided to force myself to read it, but even by page 238 I'm still forcing my way into. It doesn't take much for me to put it down and do something else. I've read two books since putting this one down the second time.
With a little research in Goodreads, but not my library's system, I found that there was a #.5 novella. I hate this practice! When I start a series with book #1, I wanted it in fact to be the first book in the series. Adding a $1.99 (apparently e-book only) novella is just the latest in book marketing scams. The novella isn't the complete story, because that's book #1. And book #1 isn't a complete story because there is a 60 page prequel novella. In a weird twist, prequels are the new cliffhangers.
Unfortunately, I think all the character development happened in the novella. Another clear problem with having a prequel - underdevelopment of characters. The main character, Detective Bobby Gentry, has potential; but the problem with having characters that are so extremely damaged is it's hard to relate to them. And it's hard to feel that they should be in their positions (police detective) and carrying weapons along with a tunnel vision vendetta. She's clearly out for revenge and in the "real" world, you don't want them in the department and she shouldn't be cleared for duty. Everyone in the department is looking the other way and the one person who isn't is presented as a jerk. And yeah, he definitely seemed like a jerk.
I hate that Detective Gentry's partner calls her "girlie". It happens throughout the book and I cringed every time. In fact, her partner only appeared for very short segments and apparently only to call her "girlie". They have a good relationship and he's close to retirement but still, no excuses. When this is included I want it shown that it's unacceptable. And in this book it's clearly OK. However, the female LT did not go around calling the male officers, "boy". So clearly it's only acceptable behavior calling a woman a girl. There is a movement out there trying to show that this is unacceptable and I wish authors would take note of it.
The other main character Nick Shade, so far is mainly an enigma and his taking over the role of "silent" partner felt a bit strange to me. So far the killer, The Storyteller, can come and go without anyone noticing. I stopped reading when a FBI guy gets taken.
I have liked other books by Debra Webb and I really like her writing voice/style. I was really looking forward to this series and I'm disappointed that I can't get into this 1st book. Tim Gunn would be saying "Make it work." but it wasn't working for me.
Other people are liking this series, so maybe it's just me…but I returned this one and the second one in the series to the library.
I felt like I started in the middle of a story but this was book #1. I just could not get into this book and put it down for almost 4 months. Then I decided to force myself to read it, but even by page 238 I'm still forcing my way into. It doesn't take much for me to put it down and do something else. I've read two books since putting this one down the second time.
With a little research in Goodreads, but not my library's system, I found that there was a #.5 novella. I hate this practice! When I start a series with book #1, I wanted it in fact to be the first book in the series. Adding a $1.99 (apparently e-book only) novella is just the latest in book marketing scams. The novella isn't the complete story, because that's book #1. And book #1 isn't a complete story because there is a 60 page prequel novella. In a weird twist, prequels are the new cliffhangers.
Unfortunately, I think all the character development happened in the novella. Another clear problem with having a prequel - underdevelopment of characters. The main character, Detective Bobby Gentry, has potential; but the problem with having characters that are so extremely damaged is it's hard to relate to them. And it's hard to feel that they should be in their positions (police detective) and carrying weapons along with a tunnel vision vendetta. She's clearly out for revenge and in the "real" world, you don't want them in the department and she shouldn't be cleared for duty. Everyone in the department is looking the other way and the one person who isn't is presented as a jerk. And yeah, he definitely seemed like a jerk.
I hate that Detective Gentry's partner calls her "girlie". It happens throughout the book and I cringed every time. In fact, her partner only appeared for very short segments and apparently only to call her "girlie". They have a good relationship and he's close to retirement but still, no excuses. When this is included I want it shown that it's unacceptable. And in this book it's clearly OK. However, the female LT did not go around calling the male officers, "boy". So clearly it's only acceptable behavior calling a woman a girl. There is a movement out there trying to show that this is unacceptable and I wish authors would take note of it.
The other main character Nick Shade, so far is mainly an enigma and his taking over the role of "silent" partner felt a bit strange to me. So far the killer, The Storyteller, can come and go without anyone noticing. I stopped reading when a FBI guy gets taken.
I have liked other books by Debra Webb and I really like her writing voice/style. I was really looking forward to this series and I'm disappointed that I can't get into this 1st book. Tim Gunn would be saying "Make it work." but it wasn't working for me.
Other people are liking this series, so maybe it's just me…but I returned this one and the second one in the series to the library.
March 20, 2024
This is another book that is part of my “cleaning out the closet” of to-reads. It’s been on my list since Sept2020. As a fan of Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series, I’ve been checking out her other work. The first installment of her Devlin & Falco series was another one that had been on my list since 2020 too. I ended up DNFing that one in the first half. Enough said. This one I had to set it aside to read the prequel because of the constant reference to a previous event, that was made really clear, the reader should already know about. For the record, the prequel was so unnecessary and should have just been a prologue to this installment. Bad call on Webb’s decision to do that as well as the publisher’s decision to accept that and my rating reflects my opinion of that.
The book summary basically just lays out the premise for the primary storyline. The summary mentions the tragic history between Montgomery (AL) Det Bobbie Gentry and the Storyteller, Gaylon Perry, what it doesn’t mention is what happened to Bobbie in the prequel. In the prequel, the Storyteller murdered Bobbie’s husband, kidnapped Bobbie, held her hostage and raped and tortured her for weeks before she was able to attack and injure the Storyteller and escape. The Storyteller was able to escape before Bobbie was able to get help and lead the authorities to where she was held. It took several more weeks in the hospital recuperating, six months in PT recovering from the physical injuries. Bobbie is also in mandatory therapy for the psychological trauma she incurred before she could return to the job. Bobbie’s son was hit by a car during the escape of the Storyteller’s attack on Bobbie’s home. Suffice it to say, Bobbie is now a woman on a mission to put an end to the Storyteller, regardless of whether she lives or dies. All of that was in the prequel, so now you don't have to read it. Of course, if you want all the gory and gruesome details, have at it.
There is also Nick Shade, who hunts serial killers, and his mission is very much in line with Bobbie’s mission, although we don’t discover the reason until much later in the story. After watching Bobbie for months, Nick realizes what Bobbie is doing. Bobbie now plans to draw the Storyteller out, using herself as bait, in order to kill the Storyteller and Nick has decided that he is going to be there when the Storyteller comes for Bobbie again. None of this is a spoiler because it was revealed really early in the story. Most of the story flips back and forth between Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller, who has kidnapped his next victim and is raping and torturing her; he has also kidnapped two children and is using them as bait to draw Bobbie out.
Somewhere around the halfway point, I had made the decision that I would not be continuing with this series, but I would finish this installment. While I do love the crime thriller and murder mystery genres, sometimes there are books/stories that just get to me. While many stories in these genres have rape and torture in them, I prefer the ones that don’t focus on the nitty gritty details of every violation and the gory and descriptive scenes of torture. I just prefer the mention of them without all the horrific details. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read Karin Slaughter anymore or horror either.
It’s also one of the reasons I like Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series too. While Finn was a rape survivor, that part of her story wasn’t described to the overwhelming details that Bobbie’s was and I appreciated that. Webb seems to have toned down that part of her writing by the time she got around to writing the Finley O’Sullivan series. I’m still a fan of Webb, but I’m not a fan of this series. While the characterization and pacing of the story were good, the content and the writing style was very disappointing.
TW: Brutal rape and torture scenes
The book summary basically just lays out the premise for the primary storyline. The summary mentions the tragic history between Montgomery (AL) Det Bobbie Gentry and the Storyteller, Gaylon Perry, what it doesn’t mention is what happened to Bobbie in the prequel. In the prequel, the Storyteller murdered Bobbie’s husband, kidnapped Bobbie, held her hostage and raped and tortured her for weeks before she was able to attack and injure the Storyteller and escape. The Storyteller was able to escape before Bobbie was able to get help and lead the authorities to where she was held. It took several more weeks in the hospital recuperating, six months in PT recovering from the physical injuries. Bobbie is also in mandatory therapy for the psychological trauma she incurred before she could return to the job. Bobbie’s son was hit by a car during the escape of the Storyteller’s attack on Bobbie’s home. Suffice it to say, Bobbie is now a woman on a mission to put an end to the Storyteller, regardless of whether she lives or dies. All of that was in the prequel, so now you don't have to read it. Of course, if you want all the gory and gruesome details, have at it.
There is also Nick Shade, who hunts serial killers, and his mission is very much in line with Bobbie’s mission, although we don’t discover the reason until much later in the story. After watching Bobbie for months, Nick realizes what Bobbie is doing. Bobbie now plans to draw the Storyteller out, using herself as bait, in order to kill the Storyteller and Nick has decided that he is going to be there when the Storyteller comes for Bobbie again. None of this is a spoiler because it was revealed really early in the story. Most of the story flips back and forth between Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller, who has kidnapped his next victim and is raping and torturing her; he has also kidnapped two children and is using them as bait to draw Bobbie out.
Somewhere around the halfway point, I had made the decision that I would not be continuing with this series, but I would finish this installment. While I do love the crime thriller and murder mystery genres, sometimes there are books/stories that just get to me. While many stories in these genres have rape and torture in them, I prefer the ones that don’t focus on the nitty gritty details of every violation and the gory and descriptive scenes of torture. I just prefer the mention of them without all the horrific details. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read Karin Slaughter anymore or horror either.
It’s also one of the reasons I like Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series too. While Finn was a rape survivor, that part of her story wasn’t described to the overwhelming details that Bobbie’s was and I appreciated that. Webb seems to have toned down that part of her writing by the time she got around to writing the Finley O’Sullivan series. I’m still a fan of Webb, but I’m not a fan of this series. While the characterization and pacing of the story were good, the content and the writing style was very disappointing.
TW: Brutal rape and torture scenes
February 10, 2017
This edge of your seat thriller gives you chills. The sick and twisted things the killer known as the Storyteller does to his victims is the stuff a nightmares.
First off – be sure to read The Blackest Crimson before reading this book. That prequel, is where the killer destroyed Bobbie's life and helps you to understand her determination to bring him down no matter the cost to her own life. Detective Bobbie Gentry has spent over 7 months recovering from both the physical and mental damage the Storyteller did to her. She's lost everyone that matters to her along with her will to live. When it becomes clear that the killer is back for her she vows bringing him down will be the last thing she does.
In this book we are introduced to the other main protagonist of the series. Nick Shade starts off as a mysterious man who inserts himself into the investigations of finding serial killers and helps bring them to justice. He has been following the Storyteller for while and becomes even more fascinated with finding him after finding out Bobbie Gentry survived her ordeal with him but knows that's just going to make the killer more determined to get her again and Nick will be waiting.
Both Nick and Bobbie have been through hell in their lives and are at different places mentally when this book starts. Nick being the son of one of the worst serial killers wants nothing more than to put as many as he can behind bars – to do this he must stay detached from all emotions – which becomes harder the more he is around Bobbie. Bobbie doesnt even look to the future – she doesnt plan on being in it so she has emotional distanced herself from those who care for her. By the end she manages to come to terms with her grief to a point enough that she wants there to be tomorrow.
Solid start to what looks to be a great series. Can't wait for future books.
First off – be sure to read The Blackest Crimson before reading this book. That prequel, is where the killer destroyed Bobbie's life and helps you to understand her determination to bring him down no matter the cost to her own life. Detective Bobbie Gentry has spent over 7 months recovering from both the physical and mental damage the Storyteller did to her. She's lost everyone that matters to her along with her will to live. When it becomes clear that the killer is back for her she vows bringing him down will be the last thing she does.
In this book we are introduced to the other main protagonist of the series. Nick Shade starts off as a mysterious man who inserts himself into the investigations of finding serial killers and helps bring them to justice. He has been following the Storyteller for while and becomes even more fascinated with finding him after finding out Bobbie Gentry survived her ordeal with him but knows that's just going to make the killer more determined to get her again and Nick will be waiting.
Both Nick and Bobbie have been through hell in their lives and are at different places mentally when this book starts. Nick being the son of one of the worst serial killers wants nothing more than to put as many as he can behind bars – to do this he must stay detached from all emotions – which becomes harder the more he is around Bobbie. Bobbie doesnt even look to the future – she doesnt plan on being in it so she has emotional distanced herself from those who care for her. By the end she manages to come to terms with her grief to a point enough that she wants there to be tomorrow.
Solid start to what looks to be a great series. Can't wait for future books.
December 19, 2016
5 Stars's for Debra Webb's "No Darker Place", a true thrill ride from start to finish!
This book is a dark,suspenseful, physiological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and peeking into the dark corners of your room as you are reading it.
Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. A fast paced story that will have you flipping the pages well into the night.
Detective Bobbie Gentry has been though hell, her life destroyed at the hands of a serial killer, The Storyteller. Now, the only thing that keeps her putting one foot in front of the other each day is the driving need for revenge.
This book has a dark intensity. As the clock ticks, more lives are in danger from this mad man. His single minded determination to have Bobby back, to recapture the one that got away, drives him into a new level of depravity. Bobby decides that the only way to stop him, to end it once and for all, is to give him what he wants, herself. One of them will die and Bobbie is determined it will be him by her hand alone.
Nick Shade, a self designated hunter of serial killers has a dark hidden past of his own. He is a shadow, constantly moving and never getting close to anyone. He has been watching Bobbie and now has put The Storyteller at the top of his list. Will he be able to save Bobbie from herself and end The Storyteller's reign of terror?
This book will take your breath away and have your heart pumping, and at the end it will leave you ready for more!
This book is a dark,suspenseful, physiological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and peeking into the dark corners of your room as you are reading it.
Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. A fast paced story that will have you flipping the pages well into the night.
Detective Bobbie Gentry has been though hell, her life destroyed at the hands of a serial killer, The Storyteller. Now, the only thing that keeps her putting one foot in front of the other each day is the driving need for revenge.
This book has a dark intensity. As the clock ticks, more lives are in danger from this mad man. His single minded determination to have Bobby back, to recapture the one that got away, drives him into a new level of depravity. Bobby decides that the only way to stop him, to end it once and for all, is to give him what he wants, herself. One of them will die and Bobbie is determined it will be him by her hand alone.
Nick Shade, a self designated hunter of serial killers has a dark hidden past of his own. He is a shadow, constantly moving and never getting close to anyone. He has been watching Bobbie and now has put The Storyteller at the top of his list. Will he be able to save Bobbie from herself and end The Storyteller's reign of terror?
This book will take your breath away and have your heart pumping, and at the end it will leave you ready for more!
February 12, 2017
Another I wanted to love this book, I really did. It's written by an Alabama author, and one I've enjoyed reading before. This was a good story, well written and intense; but it just never quite fully drew me in. This is one of my least favorite RS tropes - the serial killer preying on the cop/agent who is after him; and I never could work up much empathy for Bobbie. I didn't find her to be a well fleshed-out character. When you don't care one way or the other about the lead, it's hard to get invested in their story.
Still, I will read the next book. This is the first book of a new series, and many first books are uneven while an author gets a series on its feet. I've always enjoyed Webb's "Faces of Evil" series; and have high hopes for this one.
Still, I will read the next book. This is the first book of a new series, and many first books are uneven while an author gets a series on its feet. I've always enjoyed Webb's "Faces of Evil" series; and have high hopes for this one.
March 27, 2018
The Storyteller is alive and well and heavy into practicing his trade! Not for the weak of heart or stomach. The main character, Bobbie Gentry (no not the Country Singer), is as flawed and damaged as much as anyone can get. Great read, the race is on to catch "Gaylon Perry" - the Storyteller. He is brutal in his psychopathic way and he's saving most of his anger and vengeance for Bobbi!
Really liking this series.
4 stars adn 2 thumbs up!
Really liking this series.
4 stars adn 2 thumbs up!
May 1, 2018
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
NO DARKER PLACE (Shades of Death #1) by Debra Webb is an intense, psychological thriller with a sadistic serial killer who had me checking my own doors before bed. This is an edge of your seat read. (Please Be Aware: This book does contain graphic violence. I would also suggest that you read the prequel, The Blackest Crimson first.)
Detective Bobbie Gentry has recovered physically and returned to duty after her escape from the notorious serial killer, The Storyteller. Mentally, she has only one goal, find and kill the killer who destroyed her family.
Nick Shade understands Bobbie’s desire for vengeance. He has a secret past of his own. He is on the hunt for The Storyteller and he knows his best chance of catching him is to stay close to Bobbie, the only person to survive The Storyteller. Nick is finding it difficult to stay emotionally uninvolved as Bobbie becomes more and more reckless as people she knows become victims.
Will Nick protect Bobbie from herself even if his target gets away? Bobbie has to decide if she can trust this stranger, who can read her so well. Can both of these broken people come together to stop The Storyteller from finishing Bobbie’s story?
This thriller has so many psychological twists and turns in all of the characters, not just the serial killer. At times it can be almost too intense and yet, I could not put it down. Bobbie’s backstory is heart wrenching. Nick’s backstory is being revealed gradually throughout the book and I was continually surprised. The Storyteller is terrifying.
I am really looking forward to reading more in this series to see how Bobbie and Nick proceed forward with their lives.
NO DARKER PLACE (Shades of Death #1) by Debra Webb is an intense, psychological thriller with a sadistic serial killer who had me checking my own doors before bed. This is an edge of your seat read. (Please Be Aware: This book does contain graphic violence. I would also suggest that you read the prequel, The Blackest Crimson first.)
Detective Bobbie Gentry has recovered physically and returned to duty after her escape from the notorious serial killer, The Storyteller. Mentally, she has only one goal, find and kill the killer who destroyed her family.
Nick Shade understands Bobbie’s desire for vengeance. He has a secret past of his own. He is on the hunt for The Storyteller and he knows his best chance of catching him is to stay close to Bobbie, the only person to survive The Storyteller. Nick is finding it difficult to stay emotionally uninvolved as Bobbie becomes more and more reckless as people she knows become victims.
Will Nick protect Bobbie from herself even if his target gets away? Bobbie has to decide if she can trust this stranger, who can read her so well. Can both of these broken people come together to stop The Storyteller from finishing Bobbie’s story?
This thriller has so many psychological twists and turns in all of the characters, not just the serial killer. At times it can be almost too intense and yet, I could not put it down. Bobbie’s backstory is heart wrenching. Nick’s backstory is being revealed gradually throughout the book and I was continually surprised. The Storyteller is terrifying.
I am really looking forward to reading more in this series to see how Bobbie and Nick proceed forward with their lives.
April 8, 2017
No Darker Place by Debra Webb
Shades of Death series Book #1
4.5 Stars
From The Book:
Detective Bobbie Gentry has one objective: to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie's pain—and her desire for vengeance. He's on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie. But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she's forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.
My Views:
A top-rate story with a wonderfully, twisted villain in the "Storyteller". He's just the type that the reader loves to hate and hope for his demise in the end. The character of Bobbie Gentry was a little over the top but you can see and understand where she's coming from. What we didn't really need to tell the story or make it any more sellable was a romance in the middle of the hunt. For me that lost it a star. Another physiological thriller that the fans of this genre will "just have to read."
Shades of Death series Book #1
4.5 Stars
From The Book:
Detective Bobbie Gentry has one objective: to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie's pain—and her desire for vengeance. He's on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie. But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she's forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.
My Views:
A top-rate story with a wonderfully, twisted villain in the "Storyteller". He's just the type that the reader loves to hate and hope for his demise in the end. The character of Bobbie Gentry was a little over the top but you can see and understand where she's coming from. What we didn't really need to tell the story or make it any more sellable was a romance in the middle of the hunt. For me that lost it a star. Another physiological thriller that the fans of this genre will "just have to read."
November 21, 2019
Detective Gentry’s life is so tortured, how she ever got out of bed is beyond my understanding. When she teems up within Nick, the serial killer hunter, she finally has a chance at getting her life back. The serial killer called The Storyteller is definitely a sick animal that needs to be taken down.
Well written, exciting, suspense ..... really enjoyed this one.
Well written, exciting, suspense ..... really enjoyed this one.
December 20, 2016
Reading ‘No Darker Place’ is akin to watching a spectacularly fatal train crash where you can't look away because the disaster is morbidly compelling: it’s meticulously written, with the sheer brutality of every kill making me cringe and wince. There’s a raw edge that never lets go, parallels drawn between the serial killer’s psyche and his victims and an unflinching portrayal of a damaged woman’s psyche whose loss and guilt fuelling her reckless agenda for revenge which is in turn skilfully used and manipulated by the Storyteller…well, it all makes for a very engrossing read, though the subject in question in itself makes it a difficult book to ‘like’ or to call a favourite.
I did find both protagonists rather compelling—though the insertion of several POVs of secondary characters seemed unnecessary—and their motivations sufficiently complex to make them multi-dimensional enough to like. But if Bobbie Gentry’s personality is well laid out, the very, very mysterious and enigmatic Nick Shade—whom we barely know as an interfering civilian in search of his own absolution—remains very much a closed book and near impossible to grasp at this point in time. This isn’t a romance by any chance; interactions between Bobbie and Nick are terse, wary and somewhat suspicious, lined only by the very slightest hint of heat if you squint hard enough. Needless to say, Nick and Bobbie are not in a place for anything beyond accepting each other as temporary ‘partners’ but I felt their pull towards each other immediately, heightened by the tension of the escalating case and the odd connection they’d forged in their hunt for the Storyteller who in many ways, seemed larger than life and almost humanly impossible to kill.
’No Darker Place’ is probably a good addition for crime-aficionados, disturbing and graphic enough for those who enjoy going deep into a crime scene and the psychology that can be used to analyse the heck out of a warped killer. As the first full-length novel in a series, it feels very unfinished nonetheless, the path ahead still murky for the protagonists who don’t quite have what they’re looking for…yet.
*ARC by negalley
(always grateful, mind)
I did find both protagonists rather compelling—though the insertion of several POVs of secondary characters seemed unnecessary—and their motivations sufficiently complex to make them multi-dimensional enough to like. But if Bobbie Gentry’s personality is well laid out, the very, very mysterious and enigmatic Nick Shade—whom we barely know as an interfering civilian in search of his own absolution—remains very much a closed book and near impossible to grasp at this point in time. This isn’t a romance by any chance; interactions between Bobbie and Nick are terse, wary and somewhat suspicious, lined only by the very slightest hint of heat if you squint hard enough. Needless to say, Nick and Bobbie are not in a place for anything beyond accepting each other as temporary ‘partners’ but I felt their pull towards each other immediately, heightened by the tension of the escalating case and the odd connection they’d forged in their hunt for the Storyteller who in many ways, seemed larger than life and almost humanly impossible to kill.
’No Darker Place’ is probably a good addition for crime-aficionados, disturbing and graphic enough for those who enjoy going deep into a crime scene and the psychology that can be used to analyse the heck out of a warped killer. As the first full-length novel in a series, it feels very unfinished nonetheless, the path ahead still murky for the protagonists who don’t quite have what they’re looking for…yet.
*ARC by negalley
(always grateful, mind)
February 7, 2017
I was given an ARC copy of No Darker Place by Debra Webb the author so I could review the book.
The first thing I am going to tell you to do is to read the prequel, The Blackest Crimson, so you have the background to this book so you know what is going on or else you will feel like you are starting in the middle of the story and you will be lost and it will take you forever if you ever figure out what is going on in the book.
As for this book the Storyteller is back to finish Bobbie's story and Bobbie is ready to let him but at what cost? Nick Shade is a man on a mission to hunt and take down serial killers and he plans on taking down the Storyteller. Can Bobbie and Nick stop this mad man before he finishes Bobbie's story?
I found this book twisted on many levels. The things the Storyteller does to his victims and to mess with Bobbie are off the charts crazy and some of them bothered me on levels that I am not use too reading
in Webb's work. This book is definitely not for someone who likes light reading. Some of the things that happened in this book I walked away going "Why did she add that?" Then after thinking about it I realized Webb was making this book real and man did she.
No Darker Place is a look in the mind of a crazy serial killer obsessed with finishing off the one that got away and also the dark places a mind goes when it feel like it has lost everything and has nothing left to fight for except for revenge. This is a deep psychological thriller that you know who the killer is and you know his every move but you are not sure if Bobbie and Nick Shade will be strong enough to save all the people the Storyteller puts in danger to punish Bobbie and Bobbie herself.
I am giving No Darker Place four out of five stars.
The first thing I am going to tell you to do is to read the prequel, The Blackest Crimson, so you have the background to this book so you know what is going on or else you will feel like you are starting in the middle of the story and you will be lost and it will take you forever if you ever figure out what is going on in the book.
As for this book the Storyteller is back to finish Bobbie's story and Bobbie is ready to let him but at what cost? Nick Shade is a man on a mission to hunt and take down serial killers and he plans on taking down the Storyteller. Can Bobbie and Nick stop this mad man before he finishes Bobbie's story?
I found this book twisted on many levels. The things the Storyteller does to his victims and to mess with Bobbie are off the charts crazy and some of them bothered me on levels that I am not use too reading
in Webb's work. This book is definitely not for someone who likes light reading. Some of the things that happened in this book I walked away going "Why did she add that?" Then after thinking about it I realized Webb was making this book real and man did she.
No Darker Place is a look in the mind of a crazy serial killer obsessed with finishing off the one that got away and also the dark places a mind goes when it feel like it has lost everything and has nothing left to fight for except for revenge. This is a deep psychological thriller that you know who the killer is and you know his every move but you are not sure if Bobbie and Nick Shade will be strong enough to save all the people the Storyteller puts in danger to punish Bobbie and Bobbie herself.
I am giving No Darker Place four out of five stars.
December 10, 2016
4.25 WOW, very intense, psychological thriller. Didn't want to put it down. It was graphic in a few spaces, but went with the topic. If you like a good thriller then this is for you. Pre-order it now
February 19, 2022
“𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑠𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟.”
And he was. The storyteller is a disgusting filth and I was very disturbed with the killings and torture. I know it’s a thriller and it’s about serial killer but there was nothing about rape mentioned any where and that left a bad taste in me. Fortunately it wasn’t very descriptive but knowing what the victims have to endure on top of the sexual assault made my blood boil.
Apparently there is a prequel to this first book in the series that gave some insight to the situation Det Bobby endured and upon recovering she made it her mission to find The Storyteller to kill him. She was assisted by mysterious Nick Shade who has his own vigilante mission.
It ticks off all the boxes I like in a thriller except sexual assault. With what the women are going through in the world nowadays I just find it non essential for it to be included in a storyline. Sometimes it is just not really necessary. Because of this, I was deliberating between 3 or 4 stars.
I had this book on my TBR since 2020 and I’m glad I’ve finally got to it. I will try a couple more books to see if I like the author’s books.
And he was. The storyteller is a disgusting filth and I was very disturbed with the killings and torture. I know it’s a thriller and it’s about serial killer but there was nothing about rape mentioned any where and that left a bad taste in me. Fortunately it wasn’t very descriptive but knowing what the victims have to endure on top of the sexual assault made my blood boil.
Apparently there is a prequel to this first book in the series that gave some insight to the situation Det Bobby endured and upon recovering she made it her mission to find The Storyteller to kill him. She was assisted by mysterious Nick Shade who has his own vigilante mission.
It ticks off all the boxes I like in a thriller except sexual assault. With what the women are going through in the world nowadays I just find it non essential for it to be included in a storyline. Sometimes it is just not really necessary. Because of this, I was deliberating between 3 or 4 stars.
I had this book on my TBR since 2020 and I’m glad I’ve finally got to it. I will try a couple more books to see if I like the author’s books.
July 21, 2018
Dark, gritty, intense, edge of your seat ride. I couldn't put this book down.
In The Blackest Crimson we meet Detective Bobbie Gentry, we see her devastating story.
In No Darker Place we see her rise from the ashes broken with revenge on her mind. This book from the first page was an edge of your seat ride, with a sick and twisted killer that just won't ease up...The Storyteller. This book is intense and dark, really dark. Murder and mayhem from start to finish. It was a fantastic read, it reminded me of a Karen Rose book, so very dark with high octane action. I was pacing, trying to put the book down so that it would last longer but unable to stop reading. The characters in this book leapt off the pages, from the bad guy to the hero's. I really hope we get deeper into the character and story behind Nick Shade. This book was absolute genius. I have to say this may be the best Debra Webb book and I love her but this book...WOW. Just a phenomenal read...she took dark and depraved murder/suspense to a new level. So well written, you will be blown away. My mind is blown. So looking forward to more in this new series!!!!! This book is the definition of a Thriller!
In The Blackest Crimson we meet Detective Bobbie Gentry, we see her devastating story.
In No Darker Place we see her rise from the ashes broken with revenge on her mind. This book from the first page was an edge of your seat ride, with a sick and twisted killer that just won't ease up...The Storyteller. This book is intense and dark, really dark. Murder and mayhem from start to finish. It was a fantastic read, it reminded me of a Karen Rose book, so very dark with high octane action. I was pacing, trying to put the book down so that it would last longer but unable to stop reading. The characters in this book leapt off the pages, from the bad guy to the hero's. I really hope we get deeper into the character and story behind Nick Shade. This book was absolute genius. I have to say this may be the best Debra Webb book and I love her but this book...WOW. Just a phenomenal read...she took dark and depraved murder/suspense to a new level. So well written, you will be blown away. My mind is blown. So looking forward to more in this new series!!!!! This book is the definition of a Thriller!
December 16, 2016
Ms. Webb outdoes herself, yet again, in the first full length book in this new series. Detective Bobbie Gentry is the only survivor of The Storyteller, a vicious serial killer still on the run. She is determined to go back to work and stay on point until she takes this soulless killer down. In walks Nick Shade, a shadowy figure who, apparently, is well known by her bosses and the FBI. It would seem that he is as equally determined to protect her as he is to take the Storyteller out himself.
This book is heartrending, at times heartbreaking, petrifying, devastating yet, also healing.
My favorite kind of book is the one I do not want to put down because I HAVE to see what's going to happen in the next chapter!
This book is exactly that kind!
This book is heartrending, at times heartbreaking, petrifying, devastating yet, also healing.
My favorite kind of book is the one I do not want to put down because I HAVE to see what's going to happen in the next chapter!
This book is exactly that kind!
February 8, 2017
If you enjoy a thrilling roller coaster ride, then you'll love this one. Not many authors make me lose myself in the story without seeing the writer, but Debra Webb has done just that. Her new series comes on the scene with a bang; starring embattled Montgomery detective Bobbie Gentry.
Start the series with the short story, the Blackest Crimson. It'll definitely whet your appetite for the ride.
Start the series with the short story, the Blackest Crimson. It'll definitely whet your appetite for the ride.
December 17, 2016
Very intense thriller. Didn't want to put it down.
April 10, 2017
There is no darker place than the mind of a serial killer.
Tension started mounting the minute I started reading this book by Debra Webb. I'm not sure I can take a breather, I know I will become deeply involved in the story. Bobby Gentry, police officer, is the first survivor of kidnapping and torture by the Storyteller, a serial killer who normally sticks to a once-a-year killing. Since he met Bobby, once a year was no longer the case. How could he carry on with the same timing once she had escaped? Even after he killed her husband and her baby died. Bobby's long healing physically and mentally is still taking its toll on her when she is finally allowed back in the force. This is a story of revenge. She believes it is "her" case and wants to solve it herself, taking extreme chances, trying to draw him out of the woodwork so to speak. Her prime objective is to kill him. She knows he will be waiting for her. Now she fears he has taken the nurse who treated her. She knows that he will commit the same horrors on Gwen as he did to her. There is no darker place than the mind of a serial killer.
Who is the stranger who is hunting the killer? He seems to have been stalking him for a very long time, but he is not with the police nor the FBI. Although both groups are aware of him and his search, no one knows who he is. This is a very tense and well-written thriller. As always, there is a back story that is as horrific as the present; and indeed the back story here runs true to form. Now Bobby's biggest nightmare is coming to life. A sudden shock of fear as women begin to arrive at the police station asking for Detective Bobby Gentry and bringing with them photos of their children who have suddenly gone missing. This is Book 1 of the Shades of Death novels and it definitely fits this novel. There are many shades of death. There is so much included in this story line, victims of illness, accident, and yes, definitely murder, but not your normally quick and deadly murder. Enough to make your toes curl and your heart pound. Who can outwit and remove the Storyteller before he can claim Bobby once again?
Tension started mounting the minute I started reading this book by Debra Webb. I'm not sure I can take a breather, I know I will become deeply involved in the story. Bobby Gentry, police officer, is the first survivor of kidnapping and torture by the Storyteller, a serial killer who normally sticks to a once-a-year killing. Since he met Bobby, once a year was no longer the case. How could he carry on with the same timing once she had escaped? Even after he killed her husband and her baby died. Bobby's long healing physically and mentally is still taking its toll on her when she is finally allowed back in the force. This is a story of revenge. She believes it is "her" case and wants to solve it herself, taking extreme chances, trying to draw him out of the woodwork so to speak. Her prime objective is to kill him. She knows he will be waiting for her. Now she fears he has taken the nurse who treated her. She knows that he will commit the same horrors on Gwen as he did to her. There is no darker place than the mind of a serial killer.
Who is the stranger who is hunting the killer? He seems to have been stalking him for a very long time, but he is not with the police nor the FBI. Although both groups are aware of him and his search, no one knows who he is. This is a very tense and well-written thriller. As always, there is a back story that is as horrific as the present; and indeed the back story here runs true to form. Now Bobby's biggest nightmare is coming to life. A sudden shock of fear as women begin to arrive at the police station asking for Detective Bobby Gentry and bringing with them photos of their children who have suddenly gone missing. This is Book 1 of the Shades of Death novels and it definitely fits this novel. There are many shades of death. There is so much included in this story line, victims of illness, accident, and yes, definitely murder, but not your normally quick and deadly murder. Enough to make your toes curl and your heart pound. Who can outwit and remove the Storyteller before he can claim Bobby once again?
March 8, 2025
So this was way darker then I thought. Maybe dark isn’t the right word cause I like dark. Nonsensical? Or something. But things happened that to me didn’t need to happen.
On page rape galore
Everyone dying
Pointless violence
We didn’t need to be in the mind of the serial killer since his pov was just so vile and graphic but didn’t add to the story.
Men being raped woman being raped kids being kidnapped people dying everywhere and ……NO ROMANCE!
Ok so there were a few sweet scenes but I’m sorry this didn’t have enough romance to be labeled romantic suspense.
No safety other than lots of rape, violence and death
No real romance and open ending
The story itself wasn’t bad I do enjoy serial killers stories but this was just torture porn
On page rape galore
Everyone dying
Pointless violence
We didn’t need to be in the mind of the serial killer since his pov was just so vile and graphic but didn’t add to the story.
Men being raped woman being raped kids being kidnapped people dying everywhere and ……NO ROMANCE!
Ok so there were a few sweet scenes but I’m sorry this didn’t have enough romance to be labeled romantic suspense.
No safety other than lots of rape, violence and death
No real romance and open ending
The story itself wasn’t bad I do enjoy serial killers stories but this was just torture porn
March 5, 2018
When this books starts, Bobbie Gentry has physically recovered from a horrific near-death experience with a serial killer, the Storyteller. Besides torture, he murdered her husband and child. Bobbie is just as obsessed with finding the Storyteller to get revenge and stop him as he is obsessed with finding her to finish his story with her death. Enter Nick Shade, a serial killer hunter. The chase is on.
This book is fast paced and engaging, and I'll probably read the next in the series. I did however, balk at a few lines, such as "She completed him" and felt there was a little too much repetition.
This book is fast paced and engaging, and I'll probably read the next in the series. I did however, balk at a few lines, such as "She completed him" and felt there was a little too much repetition.
March 3, 2017
I struggled for days in an attempt to write this review. I couldn’t find the words to do this book justice. When I finished reading, I just sat and stared at the book for a long time trying to comprehend the depth of the story that I had just read. I could say all the usual “thriller writing at its best,” “fast-paced,” action-packed. “a rollercoaster ride,” and while it is all that and so much more, all I could say was “WOW”! Do yourself a favor and read NO DARKER PLACE. You won’t be disappointed.
February 28, 2017
This was another good read that will keep you siting on the edge of your seat and waiting for the next victim.
A little back story, In the Blackest Crimson, we get to meet Bobbie Gentry, who is a police detective with the Montgomery Police Department. Bobbie was working on a case, that would turn her world upside down. After seeing the horrific death of her husbands and finding out that her son is also gone. With everything that has happen to Bobbie, she was now a changes the person forever. Nothing will ever be the same for her. It is as if the nightmares will never end.
Everything, begin when Bobbie, decided to take a case of a possible serial killer., not know that the evil killer would take over her life forever. She became the next target of this evil killer. After about seven months Bobbie Gentry, is back on the job, but with a difference mind set. She will do anything and everything that she can to stop the serial killer, who took everything from her. The name that was given to this serial killer was called the Storyteller. One things for sure the revenge is what is driving her to get this killer.
Nick Shade, is also on a mission to stop the Storyteller. With that said Nick, is known by the FBI, but they don’t acknowledge him. He has been able to solve many cases, but he will never get the credit for it. Nick, is like a ghost, now you see him and now you don’t. Nick is a hunter of serial killer that you don’t know he is there, until the evil is gone.
All that I can say is that Debra Webb, has done it again. She takes you into the mind of a stone-cold killer. The suspense is so very real that it sounds like it is straight from the news headlines. If you are looking for a page turner than this is the book for you. She gives you lots of suspense, and great characters that you will never forget long after the last page.
A little back story, In the Blackest Crimson, we get to meet Bobbie Gentry, who is a police detective with the Montgomery Police Department. Bobbie was working on a case, that would turn her world upside down. After seeing the horrific death of her husbands and finding out that her son is also gone. With everything that has happen to Bobbie, she was now a changes the person forever. Nothing will ever be the same for her. It is as if the nightmares will never end.
Everything, begin when Bobbie, decided to take a case of a possible serial killer., not know that the evil killer would take over her life forever. She became the next target of this evil killer. After about seven months Bobbie Gentry, is back on the job, but with a difference mind set. She will do anything and everything that she can to stop the serial killer, who took everything from her. The name that was given to this serial killer was called the Storyteller. One things for sure the revenge is what is driving her to get this killer.
Nick Shade, is also on a mission to stop the Storyteller. With that said Nick, is known by the FBI, but they don’t acknowledge him. He has been able to solve many cases, but he will never get the credit for it. Nick, is like a ghost, now you see him and now you don’t. Nick is a hunter of serial killer that you don’t know he is there, until the evil is gone.
All that I can say is that Debra Webb, has done it again. She takes you into the mind of a stone-cold killer. The suspense is so very real that it sounds like it is straight from the news headlines. If you are looking for a page turner than this is the book for you. She gives you lots of suspense, and great characters that you will never forget long after the last page.
August 22, 2017
I received an ARC through Goodreads.
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Wow that was so intense!!! The story is told through Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller's point of view. There are a number of disturbing scenes, so BEWARE! But the intensity leading up to the climax was there and you could feel the burn for revenge and second chances.
Bobbie, once had it all. A loving family, a good police career and a lovely home....until the Storyteller set his sights on Bobbie. Now Bobbie, the sole survivor of this serial killer, is recklessly putting herself out there, in an attempt to take down the Storyteller for everything he did.
Now the Storyteller is back and he is slowly torturing Bobbie with various victims that he captures, tortures, kills and a few that he eventually "releases". Bobbie is going nuts. In steps Nick, with an unusual interest in hunting down serial killers
Together they race against the clock, well Bobbie who is reluctant to let anyone step in and help her get her revenge, to find these missing people before the worst happens. You can see and feel how the Storyteller relishes in causing suffering and pain and the pleasure he gets out of all this.
The book is full of raw emotions, unspeakable horrors and the drive that keeps each main characters going. It will keep you at the edge of your seat while you slowly see Bobbie drive into the inevitable train wreck. Definitely a thrilling read.
---
Wow that was so intense!!! The story is told through Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller's point of view. There are a number of disturbing scenes, so BEWARE! But the intensity leading up to the climax was there and you could feel the burn for revenge and second chances.
Bobbie, once had it all. A loving family, a good police career and a lovely home....until the Storyteller set his sights on Bobbie. Now Bobbie, the sole survivor of this serial killer, is recklessly putting herself out there, in an attempt to take down the Storyteller for everything he did.
Now the Storyteller is back and he is slowly torturing Bobbie with various victims that he captures, tortures, kills and a few that he eventually "releases". Bobbie is going nuts. In steps Nick, with an unusual interest in hunting down serial killers
Together they race against the clock, well Bobbie who is reluctant to let anyone step in and help her get her revenge, to find these missing people before the worst happens. You can see and feel how the Storyteller relishes in causing suffering and pain and the pleasure he gets out of all this.
The book is full of raw emotions, unspeakable horrors and the drive that keeps each main characters going. It will keep you at the edge of your seat while you slowly see Bobbie drive into the inevitable train wreck. Definitely a thrilling read.
February 28, 2017
Debra Webb’s newest book of her Shades of Dark series is a breathtaking spellbinder mystery that will thrill those fans of Webb’s FACES OF EVIL series. Her protagonist, Detective Bobbie Gentry is passionate about catching the serial known as “The Storyteller.” Webb provides Bobbie’s backstory including details of the losses Bobbie has endured at the hands of the “The Storyteller” The Storyteller’s history why he obsessed Detective Bobbie Gentry.
The storyline takes off so fast it will make readers’ heads spin. Webb introduces support characters providing their history and the role they play as the author’s storyline progresses. She creates subplots adding direction changes to her story, building the intrigue and suspense at the turn of each page. Bobbie is willing to risk everything to take out the person who has destroyed her reason to live. Webb shares a connection between Nick Shade and the serial killers and causing Bobbie to become cautious about trusting him. Webb keeps her readers in the dark up to her very last page when she unveils the shocking ending. Debra Webb’s NO DARKER PLACE is a psychological thriller causing readers to keep the lights on.
The storyline takes off so fast it will make readers’ heads spin. Webb introduces support characters providing their history and the role they play as the author’s storyline progresses. She creates subplots adding direction changes to her story, building the intrigue and suspense at the turn of each page. Bobbie is willing to risk everything to take out the person who has destroyed her reason to live. Webb shares a connection between Nick Shade and the serial killers and causing Bobbie to become cautious about trusting him. Webb keeps her readers in the dark up to her very last page when she unveils the shocking ending. Debra Webb’s NO DARKER PLACE is a psychological thriller causing readers to keep the lights on.
could-not-finish
July 8, 2018Too dark for me.
February 27, 2017
A spine-chilling thriller that had me mesmerized, completely under the spell with the masterfully crafted twists in the plot, in the hunt for the serial killer who has returned to finish what he failed to do before.
I wasn't aware that there was a prequel to this series, The Blackest Crimson, and even though the story can be easily read as a standalone, I think I would have enjoyed the beginning of No Darker Place more if I had read the prequel first. But this story on its own pulled me in and held my interest, there's no doubt about it.
The culprit in the story, the serial killer, known as the Storyteller, has couple chances to give his point of view into the events unfolding. The ways he tortures his victims with are callous, horrifying, brutal, and unthinkable (reader be aware of rape scene). The only one who has survived him is Detective Bobbie Gentry.
Bobbie was still alive, but her soul had died in the hands of the monster, as he took away everything she held precious in her life, her husband and her son. Now with determination, she is after him like never before. She has nothing to lose, this is the moment that kept her going through the rehab, to eliminate the Storyteller so he will never hurt anyone else again. She was ready to die for the task, just come and get her, she was waiting.
I admire Bobbie, I am not going to say she was easy to relate to since I can't imagine what she had to go through in the hands of that beast in the prequel. But I could understand the need she had to seek revenge, to eliminate him. She is a complex character, and the healing process she goes through on the pages of the tale is a miracle in itself, that miracle being the only hope and light in the utter darkness of the sick minded serial killer's world.
Nick Shade fascinated me. His personal past has driven him to live in the shadows of the world, hunting the cruelest criminals there is, the serial killers. He lives on the edge of the law, he has his own rules and ways to get the information he needs to accomplish what he seeks - elimination of the threat. His secrets hold the keys to understand him, as well as to his success with his crusade.
The connection between Bobbie and Nick might have been fragile but it was obvious. The bond is unique, even physical in nature, yet there's no romantic texture to their relationship at any time during the story. What they share wakes the feelings alive again inside Bobbie, helping her to embrace life and living again, leaving a tiny possibility of maybe something developing between them down the road, if they survive the mission they are on.
The story is told from several different points of view and even thought Bobbie and Nick do get the majority of the screen time, the other detectives in the team are also introduced. As often is the case, when many characters have their time to share, the intensity of the main plot development lessen. There were some scenes that were building up the series and had nothing to do with the plot twist of this story, and I found them distracting.
No Darker Place is a riveting story that took a fast hold of my mind, an intriguing plot with twists that left me gasping with horror and fear. There were times that I realized I was covering my eyes to stop myself reading the vile acts of the horrid man. Yet the capable and bright detectives with their ability to find clues allured me into the tale convinced me there was justice and gave a prospect of the righteousness to win. A compelling and engrossing start to the new enthralling series.
~ Four Spoons
I wasn't aware that there was a prequel to this series, The Blackest Crimson, and even though the story can be easily read as a standalone, I think I would have enjoyed the beginning of No Darker Place more if I had read the prequel first. But this story on its own pulled me in and held my interest, there's no doubt about it.
The culprit in the story, the serial killer, known as the Storyteller, has couple chances to give his point of view into the events unfolding. The ways he tortures his victims with are callous, horrifying, brutal, and unthinkable (reader be aware of rape scene). The only one who has survived him is Detective Bobbie Gentry.
Bobbie was still alive, but her soul had died in the hands of the monster, as he took away everything she held precious in her life, her husband and her son. Now with determination, she is after him like never before. She has nothing to lose, this is the moment that kept her going through the rehab, to eliminate the Storyteller so he will never hurt anyone else again. She was ready to die for the task, just come and get her, she was waiting.
I admire Bobbie, I am not going to say she was easy to relate to since I can't imagine what she had to go through in the hands of that beast in the prequel. But I could understand the need she had to seek revenge, to eliminate him. She is a complex character, and the healing process she goes through on the pages of the tale is a miracle in itself, that miracle being the only hope and light in the utter darkness of the sick minded serial killer's world.
Nick Shade fascinated me. His personal past has driven him to live in the shadows of the world, hunting the cruelest criminals there is, the serial killers. He lives on the edge of the law, he has his own rules and ways to get the information he needs to accomplish what he seeks - elimination of the threat. His secrets hold the keys to understand him, as well as to his success with his crusade.
The connection between Bobbie and Nick might have been fragile but it was obvious. The bond is unique, even physical in nature, yet there's no romantic texture to their relationship at any time during the story. What they share wakes the feelings alive again inside Bobbie, helping her to embrace life and living again, leaving a tiny possibility of maybe something developing between them down the road, if they survive the mission they are on.
The story is told from several different points of view and even thought Bobbie and Nick do get the majority of the screen time, the other detectives in the team are also introduced. As often is the case, when many characters have their time to share, the intensity of the main plot development lessen. There were some scenes that were building up the series and had nothing to do with the plot twist of this story, and I found them distracting.
No Darker Place is a riveting story that took a fast hold of my mind, an intriguing plot with twists that left me gasping with horror and fear. There were times that I realized I was covering my eyes to stop myself reading the vile acts of the horrid man. Yet the capable and bright detectives with their ability to find clues allured me into the tale convinced me there was justice and gave a prospect of the righteousness to win. A compelling and engrossing start to the new enthralling series.
~ Four Spoons
April 12, 2017
This was an intense, dark psychological thriller that I couldn't put down! This book will definitely make my top 5 reads of the year. Morbidly compelling yet fascinating at the same time you are drawn in and can't leave. Webb's insights into the both the serial killer and those hunting him make for an interesting parallel between the damage done to both and how that drives the decisions they make. Nick Shade is the mysterious man that seems to be known by Bobbie's superiors but an unorthodox hunter himself. He finds himself trying to protect Bobbie from the Storyteller while realizing she has her own agenda to bring the killer down. I would definitely recommend reading the prequel first to better understand the story and the characters. When I finished reading the book, I found myself going over it days later and reviewing all that had transpired, truly the sign of a well crafted story.
March 1, 2017
**Disclaimer: I highly recommend reading the prequel, Blackest Crimson, of this series first as you'll get necessary background information on the heroine.**
Bobbie, a detective that followed in her Dad's footsteps, is still, understandably, struggling with the heartbreaking loss she suffered eight months ago. Both her husband and son were tragically taken from her, and she herself was held hostage and tortured. (You read about this in the prequel.) Thankfully, Bobbie escaped, though the man responsible for all of it, The Storyteller, did too.
As law enforcement is trying to peacefully end a hostage situation involving four children, Bobbie is surprised upon hearing the man, Mr. Evans, will let the children go if she'll take their place. Once they're safe, Mr. Evans confesses and informs Bobbie of the part she plays in all of it.
"He said he has to finish your story." - Mr. Evans
The Storyteller has finally returned and Bobbie is determined to make him pay for all he took from her. Unfortunately, the chief of police, a man she's known her whole life and refers to as Uncle Teddy, learns of her connection to the case and places her on administrative leave for her safety.
But being on the sidelines while they hunt the evilness that has descended on their town yet again, doesn't work for Bobbie. However, she may not have to as Nick Shade, a man simply known as a hunter of serial killers, is looking for the same as Bobbie...vengeance and has no problem using, err working with Bobbie to lure The Storyteller into a trap.
When Nick and Bobbie finally meet, he sees through her facade, all she believes she's hiding, how she's distanced herself from almost every facet of her past life, and her willingness to use herself as bait, knowing full well she may not survive another round with Storyteller. But Bobbie has forever been changed by her loss and ordeal and knows she'll never be the same. As she grows increasingly reckless in her attempts to capture The Storyteller, Nick has to decide what's more important...protecting Bobbie or ridding the world of another killer.
"Tell me, Detective, what do you think your chances are of surviving him a second time?" - Nick
But Nick doesn't know everything about Bobbie. What she trust wants is to have her husband and son back, though she knows it's impossible. So she focuses on a dream she can achieve...
"What she wanted above all else...was to die. But Gaylon Perry had to die first." - Bobbie
Can Nick and Bobbie work together to catch the Storyteller? Will Bobbie successfully draw him out by using herself as bait? Can Nick keep his emotional distance from Bobbie while investigating their prey? Or is this the one case he can't hold himself apart from? Will Bobbie get her greatest wish? Are Nick and Bobbie building both a personal and professional partnership? Or are they only connected by their hunt for justice, a connection that ends when the Storyteller is caught? Will Nick and Bobbie ever cross paths again?
One-click now and follow along as one woman struggles to find the will to live again, and meet the man determined to give her the closure she needs to do so. The next title in the series, A Deeper Grave, releases May 30, 2017. I'm anxiously the story and seeing what's next for Bobbie, and possibly Nick.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Bobbie, a detective that followed in her Dad's footsteps, is still, understandably, struggling with the heartbreaking loss she suffered eight months ago. Both her husband and son were tragically taken from her, and she herself was held hostage and tortured. (You read about this in the prequel.) Thankfully, Bobbie escaped, though the man responsible for all of it, The Storyteller, did too.
As law enforcement is trying to peacefully end a hostage situation involving four children, Bobbie is surprised upon hearing the man, Mr. Evans, will let the children go if she'll take their place. Once they're safe, Mr. Evans confesses and informs Bobbie of the part she plays in all of it.
"He said he has to finish your story." - Mr. Evans
The Storyteller has finally returned and Bobbie is determined to make him pay for all he took from her. Unfortunately, the chief of police, a man she's known her whole life and refers to as Uncle Teddy, learns of her connection to the case and places her on administrative leave for her safety.
But being on the sidelines while they hunt the evilness that has descended on their town yet again, doesn't work for Bobbie. However, she may not have to as Nick Shade, a man simply known as a hunter of serial killers, is looking for the same as Bobbie...vengeance and has no problem using, err working with Bobbie to lure The Storyteller into a trap.
When Nick and Bobbie finally meet, he sees through her facade, all she believes she's hiding, how she's distanced herself from almost every facet of her past life, and her willingness to use herself as bait, knowing full well she may not survive another round with Storyteller. But Bobbie has forever been changed by her loss and ordeal and knows she'll never be the same. As she grows increasingly reckless in her attempts to capture The Storyteller, Nick has to decide what's more important...protecting Bobbie or ridding the world of another killer.
"Tell me, Detective, what do you think your chances are of surviving him a second time?" - Nick
But Nick doesn't know everything about Bobbie. What she trust wants is to have her husband and son back, though she knows it's impossible. So she focuses on a dream she can achieve...
"What she wanted above all else...was to die. But Gaylon Perry had to die first." - Bobbie
Can Nick and Bobbie work together to catch the Storyteller? Will Bobbie successfully draw him out by using herself as bait? Can Nick keep his emotional distance from Bobbie while investigating their prey? Or is this the one case he can't hold himself apart from? Will Bobbie get her greatest wish? Are Nick and Bobbie building both a personal and professional partnership? Or are they only connected by their hunt for justice, a connection that ends when the Storyteller is caught? Will Nick and Bobbie ever cross paths again?
One-click now and follow along as one woman struggles to find the will to live again, and meet the man determined to give her the closure she needs to do so. The next title in the series, A Deeper Grave, releases May 30, 2017. I'm anxiously the story and seeing what's next for Bobbie, and possibly Nick.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
March 2, 2017
You will not want to put this book down. High intensity and suspenseful from page one through the end. This thriller will leave you breathless. It has a great villain filled with pure evilness. Detective Bobbie Gentry is an amazing, damaged character. She merely exists to kill the psychopath who tortured her 8 months ago. The mysterious Nick Shade is perfect in his role as a serial killer hunter. He tries to balance staying in the background, watching over Bobbie without becoming involved, encouraging her not to give up and to reclaim her life and trying to find the villain. The supporting characters are all interesting and play important roles to tell this story. The plot is filled with suspense and action. I was engrossed the entire book. Note: if you haven’t read the prequel – The Blackest Crimson-you really should-it’s terrifying good and explains what Bobbie went through.
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