Certain Dark Things

Alex & CJ #2

by Erica Abbott

The page-turning follow-up to the sizzling Fragmentary Blue...


When off-duty officer Chris Andersen interrupts an assault and uses deadly force, Internal Affairs Inspector C.J. St. Clair is assigned to the case. Her first point of contact is Captain Alex Ryan, Andersen’s boss... and C.J.’s new girlfriend.


Candidates for District Attorney would love to use the case to bolster their platforms, and both sides pressure C.J. to find in favor of their version of events. Alex fears that Chris, an open lesbian, will be hung out to dry by Colorado politics, regardless.


As the media and political tensions escalate, Alex offers moral support to Chris while friction between her and C.J. rises as well. Though they both knew their relationship would be tested by their work, neither of them thought it would be this hard.

Genres: Lesbian, Mystery, LGBT, Romance, Crime, Lesbian Fiction, Queer

ebook

First published August 14, 2012

About the author

Erica Abbott had been an attorney for nearly thirty years, many spent working with law enforcement and local government as a prosecutor. She had also taught legal courses, studied bridge and golf—mastering neither—and had appeared as a performer and singer in numerous local community theater productions in her beloved Denver, Colorado.

Erica Abbott's debut novel, Fragmentary Blue, was awarded an Alice B. Lavender Certificate for 2013.

GCLS Goldie Awards:
Taken In, Finalist, Mystery/Thriller
Desert Places, Finalist, Romantic Suspense/Intrigue/Adventure
One Fine Day, Finalist in Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Fragmentary Blue, Finalist in Lesbian Debut Author
Certain Dark Things, Finalist in Lesbian Mystery/Thriller.

Erica Abbott passed away on the 4th of July, 2020—just a few weeks before her last book [Un]Common Ground was released.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sequel..very descriptive,insightful and an interesting storyline...not as good as 'Fragmentary Blue'

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved book 1 Fragmentary Blue While this book didn't quite feel the same, it was still a very enjoyable read. It was really nice to visit with characters I love so much, and can't wait to read book 3.
C.J. St. Clair, has to be in the top 5 of my favorite characters in LesFic. Even with her being in these action packed, crime mystery books, you could easily stick her in a Melissa Brayden romance and she would be perfect. Characters are so important to me, and Abbott did such a wonderful job with her. Now Alex, needed a little sense knocked into her, in this book. It was hard watching their relationship be tested, but it did add a bit of angst and made me believe Alex and C.J. loved each other even more than I though. That's something I love about these books, while they are action/crime/mystery books, Abbott does not neglect the romance at all. These books include a great love story.
I have already bought book 3 and can't wait to read it. If you enjoy a good crime/mystery book, with likeable characters and a great romance, don't pass these up. But please start at book 1 Fragmentary Blue

[Pin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Fragmentary Blue yesterday and its sequel Certain Dark Things today. That says it all. Both books worked for me and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
Good job, Ms. Abbott... I became your fan today. :)

[Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not read this book unless you have read 'Fragmentary Blue'. While the story can stand alone, you'll not understand nor appreciate the characters' actions here unless you knew their backstory which was fully explored in the first book.

Alex and CJ's relationship is tested severely in this sequel as someone gets in the way...someone both of them are trying their utmost to help. And sometimes, even crossing the line of propriety.

Unlike the first book which was a suspenseful and thrilling police procedural with a nice murder mystery and hot romance attached, this is more of an Internal Affairs investigation thing where they were just trying to justify a police killing. The bad guy is dead. The good guy (a lesbian cop) pulled the trigger. But politics wants to make a big stink out of it, at the expense of the cop. Innocent or trigger-happy? Thats the main mystery here.

The author weaves a believable and realistic IA investigation while at the same time exploring the various issues that couples face after they get together--jealousy, insecurity, office flings, trust, forgiveness.. It's excellent as a character study and if you love Alex and CJ from the previous book (which I did), then don't miss this. Alex and CJ's love is tested to the limits--can they get back on track? And will Chris, a player and heatbreaker, ever change her ways?

Otherwise, if murder mysteries are your thing, give this a pass.

[Bib · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I chanced upon this book, I realized I have forgotten a lot of details in its prequel, Fragmentary Blue. Anyway, I like the angst and tension when CJ suspected Alex is having an affair with Chris Anderson.

15 June 2017 I read this book again, and added one more star to the rating. I like how the author craft out the characters and their emotions so smoothly.

[Alealea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way how love doesn't conquer it all in this book.
It's hard, complex, messy and complicated, especially when outside pressure come battering from all sides.
So the characters stumbles, have lapse of judgement and put their happiness in peril by loosing view of the big picture. I ache for CJ and her fears, I ache for Alex and her struggle.

And if I despise Christ for being such a moron, I really empathize with Beth, who is like the perfect innocent, young, terrified, naive, struggling, and brave.

Rereading it, I'm so topping the rating to five stars !

[Sky. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I have no Idea why i read this but I lost count of how many time I rolled my eyes while reading it 🤣

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and I'm looking forward to book 3.

I very much love the two main characters and the secondary characters add intersting parts to the story. The story is divided in half part romance and half part crime and both worked very good. Where in book one CJ and Alex were falling in love with each other, in this book they have to face insecurity, doubt and threat. The relationship was really tested. Will their love be strong enough?

Both strings are very well developed and written. The crime and action scenes were interesting and threatening. The interaction between the people realistic and believeable. And also Chris is changing into a likeable character.

Book 1 was a little bit more suprising, but I think that's in the nature of a series, in book 1 everything and everybody is new. In book 2 you know some things from before, but you learn more about the main characters and new ones were added. And that's why I love series.

My rating 4 stars.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction of Chris Henderson wasn't an appealing one in this book, although Elizabeth Ramirez's innocent sweetness more than makes up for it. It was hard reading things from Henderson's point of view especially when she was so set on getting between Alex and CJ.

I think CJ's character shines here, both as an IA inspector and as a woman in a loving relationship. For someone scared to lose the woman she loves, Alex made questionable choices that could have ended badly for her. I'm glad CJ spoke up so they were able to sort it out.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone must have told the author about her incorrect use of the word Y'all. It is completely absent in this one! There were a couple of "you alls" thrown in...but that was it! Much better!

This book picks up a bit later in Alex and CJ's life. They are an estblished couple and living together, etc. Intersting plot with a little twist. Lots of angst. I really enjoyed it.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

UTTERLY STUNNING

I am really glad I decided to read this series because I feel like the books just get better. I love the relationship between Internal Affairs Inspector C.J. St. Clair and Captain Alex Ryan. It seems very compatible. The only thing that pinches me is that I have a very hard time picturing them. I have failed to build a physical form for them in my head. But I am so in love with their dynamic and most things just seem to work with them.


They had a slight lack of communication in this book and that caused some crazy-ass but so worth-it angst, I was in cloud 9. CHAPTER 11 IS JUST AN ULTIMATE CUP OF TEA. THE EMOTIONS, so raw and intense. It really broke my heart when CJ couldn't stay away from Alex, but then I got pissed because she wasn't confronting her about the whole late-to-be-revealed-misunderstanding. But the angst in-between it all was so intense and exciting.


I usually don't like it when the MC become the secondary. And in this case, I will hate it even more because the series is titled Alex and CJ, so I am adamantly not interested in other characters suffering, joy or agony but my wives only. Chris was so annoying and the way she kept pushing herself onto Alex, girl, I almost wanted her to lose her job and just drop dead. And then when her innuendo led to CJ hurting and then Alex as well, girl, I would have fed her cow dung. That evil bitch.


There is something sweet and beautiful in the way Erica Abbot expresses the emotions of CJ and Alex, while both are together and while each is on her own. It is really so sweet and authentic and really beautiful. I love it tremendously. There is that scene when CJ was explaining to Vivian how Alex makes her feel and mygawd, I was on floor high with feels. CHAPTER 7 WAS A TREAT on CJ's part and CHAPTER 11 WAS MENDING. Like break my heart, but make sure you can mend it as well.


Could have been a five-star but a little more work needs to be done with Alex's involvement in these cases. I want them to be on the same side and working together. Not what is happening so far. 2 more books to go, hopefully that did improve since the books are already published.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you respond when temptation knocks? Answer or not answer. Alex and CJ are excellent at what they do and have a solid relationship with caring family and friends. I enjoyed the story line of book two and look forward to reading book three.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5- LOVED IT!

The love between the two main characters is so beautiful. I have gotten really caught up in their story. It makes me sad knowing that I will never have that kind of love.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a difficult book on many levels. To withstand. To read. To enjoy. Mistakes were made. Relationships fluctuated. Hard to read.

While jogging an off-duty police officer comes across a man assaulting a woman. She attempts to get him to stop. He runs. She chases. He trips. Turns, brandishes a knife, lunges, is shoot. Killed.

Police arrive. Other police. Assaulted woman is no where to be found. IA is called. In the form of Inspector C.J. St. Claire. Who is awoken in the arms of her life partner Captain Alex Ryan.

C.J. learns that the off-duty police officer is actually the new detective in the investigations department. Contacts head of that department. One Captain Ryan.

Investigations by IA, lead by Inspector St. Claire, and investigations by an outside party, to investigate the criminal part occur.

Chris Andersen, the off-duty police officer who shot and killed that man who was attacking the woman, acts like a jackass throughout. Flirts outrageously. Sleeps around. Acts like she has the maturity level unsuited for police work.

Investigations continue. Conflict develops between one C.J. St. Claire and one Alex Ryan. Investigations end. Book over.

Interesting enough book. Painful book in many ways. Story told from the point of view of CJ St. Claire, Alex Ryan, and Chris Andersen. Characterizations were quite good all the way around. Main, side characters. Story-line was solid, if painful. Mystery was . um . . . plausible.

I rather liked the book for the vast majority of it. I think the epilogue was . . . fluffy and stuff, but . . . not something I really wanted to read. I don't mean I liked it but for the epilogue. I think I enjoyed 75% of the book. 24.9% of the book was painful. 0.1% was fluffy. I have no idea what I mean by that.

What I do know is that I was ready to immediately read the second book after I read the first book in this series. Then I read the description of that book. And reviews for that book. And took forever to actually try it. Then I finally did. And liked it well enough. Now I want to rush out and read the third book. Maybe I should just get it and read it without reading the description and reviews, hmms? Bah, who am I kidding. I can't do that. I have to at least look at the description.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for an interesting crime thriller with a touch of romance and some interesting interactions between the different characters, but what the author seemed to want was pathetic emotional games with CJ and Alex. I really hated big chunks of this book.

[Mayra Luria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Erica Abbott doesn’t describe this as a series but the continuation of Alex and CJ’s story is as great a read as the first. Engaging, romantic, great crime solving, great characters, humor and just plain great reading.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like this one as much as #1 - Fragmentary Blue. Much more frustrating personal angst brought on by poor communication.

[Kathleen O'Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in this series, the two loving cops continue to sizzle on the pages. Good police tale and good lesbian romance.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic about problems that might face an established couple! I loved it.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent sequel

An action-packed, entertaining story with interesting characters & riveting plot lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book.

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Diana P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that keeps you hooked, no doubts about it. This time the story centers around their relationship. I was excited after the first one and was expecting the continuation of a great romance mixed with some mystery/crime here. I have no complains on the latter. However, the way the "situation" that creates the angst here was handled left me quite unsatisfied. The situation is basically Alex kissing back a secondary character. I think the kiss was an interesting way to spice up the story. However... maybe it's my emotional side talking but I just wished that this scene had been portrayed differently. Perhaps, Alex being taken by surprise by a kiss that she doesn't expect nor reciprocate but that lasted enough to be seen and misinterpreted by C.J. I think it'd have had the intended effect at the end and so C.J's reaction to it would've felt right (forgiving and forgetting easily). But since it wasn't because Alex did kiss her back (that's what felt so wrong to me, her response) I think the trust-situation between them was overlooked, especially considering C.J's past. Anyway, for me, this somehow made me reflect on how powerful was their love or better yet, Alex's love, which btw was quite unsettling considering how strong, intense and sweet their love was portrayed in the first book. Seeing the other reviews I'm quite sure I'm the only one who sees it this way. A small thing, sure, but still.

All in all, it was an interesting read.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good follow up to "Fragmentary Blue". The characters are well drawn and the story was engaging. This is really more about the characters than about the police-procedural genre. Abbott tells a good story and though some of it seemed rushed (especially one specific relationship) the primary couple was well portrayed.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this novel contained both the humor and fast-paced plot of the first in the series (Fragmentary Blue), it also revolved around the relationship difficulties of the two main characters. I had been so delighted with CJ and Alex's relationship that their problems diminished the book's appeal to me.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

I loved Certain Dark Things by Erica Abbott. Excellent continuation of the CJ and Alex series. Great combination of thriller and romance.

[Endlesscribbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now starting book3