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Witness In the Dark
What began as a picture-perfect summer vacation for college student Jenny Brodie has swiftly become a nightmare. When she left home on the back of her horse one sunny morning, she couldn’t have imagined what awaited her in the Utah desert. Now the darkness is closing in, and there is no way out. The woman saw what he did—she witnessed the shots he fired, the murder he committed. But she’ll never talk. He’s made sure of that. For a man desperate to hide his crimes, the pressure steadily rises as Jenny’s community bands together to find the missing young woman. As the searchers grow ever closer to discovering what he has hidden, so too does his desperation. He will stop at nothing to keep the woman hidden—but he has underestimated the second witness to his evil a young girl determined to protect Jenny. As the trail runs cold, will help come for Jenny before time runs out?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 4, 2017
Jenny just finished her first year at BYU and is home for the summer in the desert of Utah. When she witnesses a murder, her life is put in danger as the killer tries to make sure she'll never be able to rat him out. The danger and suspense that hangs over Jenny and this small town is tangible and had me on the edge of my seat through a good chunk of the story.
I typically prefer my stories to show me what's happening, instead of telling me, but the telling worked in a wondrous way that completely engaged me, making me feel a part of the story and drawing me close to the characters. I could almost feel Jenny's fear and pain and the evilness radiating off of this man.
I enjoyed learning about Jenny's more recent past, as she almost seems to flashback on those moments while in her scary situation. The way the events pull together helps to build the characters into something dimensional and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. Some of the dialogue is a little old-fashioned, but it's still enjoyable.
Content: mild violence (murder, etc); mild romance; mild-moderate religious elements (not preachy, but the characters are LDS and events occur to support that).
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I typically prefer my stories to show me what's happening, instead of telling me, but the telling worked in a wondrous way that completely engaged me, making me feel a part of the story and drawing me close to the characters. I could almost feel Jenny's fear and pain and the evilness radiating off of this man.
I enjoyed learning about Jenny's more recent past, as she almost seems to flashback on those moments while in her scary situation. The way the events pull together helps to build the characters into something dimensional and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. Some of the dialogue is a little old-fashioned, but it's still enjoyable.
Content: mild violence (murder, etc); mild romance; mild-moderate religious elements (not preachy, but the characters are LDS and events occur to support that).
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
February 6, 2017
For me, this book would be one of my greatest nightmares. Imagine being hurt and pushed down a mining shaft, left there to die. That is what happens to Jenny Brodie. She tried to do a good deed and instead witnessed a murder.
Even though the premise of the book is the stuff of nightmares, it was very interesting. Jenny remembers the events that lead up to the mine shaft. The memories have significance to the events that are going on with situation. I loved Clara, the mute girl who had a lot of love and compassion, even though she didn't receive a lot of either.
The reader also gets to peek in on the rescue efforts. The friends, boyfriend, and family of Jenny are desperately searching for her. It illustrates how prayer and dreams can lead to inspiration. There are many great messages in the book. To me, two of the big ones were faith and prayer.
This book has violence and a little girl who suffers from neglect. I would consider it a clean read.
Even though the premise of the book is the stuff of nightmares, it was very interesting. Jenny remembers the events that lead up to the mine shaft. The memories have significance to the events that are going on with situation. I loved Clara, the mute girl who had a lot of love and compassion, even though she didn't receive a lot of either.
The reader also gets to peek in on the rescue efforts. The friends, boyfriend, and family of Jenny are desperately searching for her. It illustrates how prayer and dreams can lead to inspiration. There are many great messages in the book. To me, two of the big ones were faith and prayer.
This book has violence and a little girl who suffers from neglect. I would consider it a clean read.
February 6, 2017
First off, this is an LDS fiction book. It has references specific to the Mormon religion- talk of God, going to church and praying.
In this book, there is no mystery for the reader. We know everything that happened and most of the book is waiting for the characters to figure it out as well. I'm not sure I loved that approach- there is just something about a mystery/suspense that holds more tension when the reader is trying to figure things out as well.
Jennie was a likable and strong girl. Her heart and determination was evident from the very beginning of the book. It was in direct contrast with the evil and and unsteadiness of the "bad guy".
It took me a good one third to one half of the book to really start enjoying this story. I wasn't a fan of how the first part of the book played out. The current situation flopped back and forth with flashbacks. It was slow going as it set up for the rest of the book. Once I reached about the halfway point, I was engaged and interested. The story moved more quickly and I was anxious to know how it would all play out. I would call this a light suspense novel.
Content: Some violence and peril. Clean.
- I received a copy of this book free from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
In this book, there is no mystery for the reader. We know everything that happened and most of the book is waiting for the characters to figure it out as well. I'm not sure I loved that approach- there is just something about a mystery/suspense that holds more tension when the reader is trying to figure things out as well.
Jennie was a likable and strong girl. Her heart and determination was evident from the very beginning of the book. It was in direct contrast with the evil and and unsteadiness of the "bad guy".
It took me a good one third to one half of the book to really start enjoying this story. I wasn't a fan of how the first part of the book played out. The current situation flopped back and forth with flashbacks. It was slow going as it set up for the rest of the book. Once I reached about the halfway point, I was engaged and interested. The story moved more quickly and I was anxious to know how it would all play out. I would call this a light suspense novel.
Content: Some violence and peril. Clean.
- I received a copy of this book free from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 19, 2017
Who would have thought that Giving a Primary lesson to 6 year olds could save your life! This is an on the
edge of your seat book waiting to see if Jenny will be rescued or have a dark shaft for her grave!
edge of your seat book waiting to see if Jenny will be rescued or have a dark shaft for her grave!
August 27, 2019
This was a quick and fun mystery. There were a few, yeah right, parts and a few times I rolled my eyes etc, but I liked how the plot came full circle. It did hop perspectives from different characters but I felt like, even on audio, I was able to keep up with who was "talking" in the different parts.
February 7, 2017
This story was amazing in its ability to pull me in and keep me dying to figure out the ending. It was very well written, going back and forth from different characters' perspectives, which rounded out the story. It gave insight that a story told only from one perspective cannot give you. I can not imagine the pain and fear of being down a shaft with no water, no food and no hope at all. But Larson did a great job putting the reader there with Jennifer, experiencing the moments with her. This was a thrilling and captivating suspense novel with some romance as well. More action and suspense! The tie-in to Joseph and the coat of many colors was beautifully and brilliantly done. If you want a quick read that will have you engaged from the start, then Witness in the Dark is the book for you!
I received a copy of this book for free and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book for free and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2017
I absolutely adore this book! A very creative way of telling a story! Cannot even imagine all the emotions this would bring if it were really true. WOW! This need to be turned into a movie! SO. SO. SO. GOOD!!! LOVED. IT!!!
October 4, 2017
This is a quick read that takes place in a small Utah town. I've never lived in a small town, but I loved hearing about small town life and the characters that came and went. I liked how everything came together in the story, but it didn't wow me.
January 8, 2019
Not my favorite. It was an interesting story but there were a lot of mistakes. My only problem with people writing about law enforcement and crimes is when they don’t know their stuff. It makes the story tedious and a bit frustrating to read.
May 7, 2019
Have you ever wanted to go inside a book and tell the leading characters they are being dumb and the answer is closer than they think?
Jenny suffered unneeded pain. While those who loved her ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.
Jenny suffered unneeded pain. While those who loved her ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.
June 2, 2017
This was okay, very short, fast read. Felt like this story could've been told in four chapters or so, not 200 pages. Very predictable, probably won't read again.
June 10, 2017
Really liked it after the first 7 chapters those ones went back and forth too much
May 21, 2020
I couldn't put down this little mystery
September 13, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It definitely kept my attention. A great book to get lost in over the weekend .
June 16, 2023
a good short story to read. Liked to read about Tooele and other Utah towns. Good book for the Church of Later day saints.
November 28, 2023
Honestly this book was pretty boring, so only one star
March 15, 2024
Faith can help in dark times.
August 12, 2024
All the different times she was almost saved and the crazy man who kept her there. I was enthralled with this book! It was psychological.
February 9, 2017
Excellent! Couldn't put it down.
March 17, 2017
Good suspense but a little too convenient/unbelievable.
March 10, 2017
A page turner with great characters and a very satisfying conclusion. Don't miss it!
January 30, 2017
I love it when a book sucks me in so much that I don't want to do anything besides continue reading it to see what happens! This was one of those books for me.
I really loved Jenny's character! Holy cow, what an amazing young woman. She's the Bishop's daughter, she's been attending BYU, but she's home for the summer and willing to help out with whatever needs done, including teaching the 6 year old CTR class. I love the care and detail she puts into teaching these kids that she doesn't really know and I loved how later in the story, her teaching comes back to help her.
Anyway, Jenny sees something that she shouldn't have seen and she ends up thrown down an old mine shaft. This is where her real character shows. I was amazed by how she was able to calmly go back through her memories to find out exactly what had happened to her and even why. I loved the way she still cared for Clara, enough really to lay down her own life instead of getting the sweet girl into trouble.
The plot of this one is great! I loved the whole thing and I loved how the whole thing from beginning to end fit together. This was a great book that I didn't want to put down until I had read every word!
I really loved Jenny's character! Holy cow, what an amazing young woman. She's the Bishop's daughter, she's been attending BYU, but she's home for the summer and willing to help out with whatever needs done, including teaching the 6 year old CTR class. I love the care and detail she puts into teaching these kids that she doesn't really know and I loved how later in the story, her teaching comes back to help her.
Anyway, Jenny sees something that she shouldn't have seen and she ends up thrown down an old mine shaft. This is where her real character shows. I was amazed by how she was able to calmly go back through her memories to find out exactly what had happened to her and even why. I loved the way she still cared for Clara, enough really to lay down her own life instead of getting the sweet girl into trouble.
The plot of this one is great! I loved the whole thing and I loved how the whole thing from beginning to end fit together. This was a great book that I didn't want to put down until I had read every word!
October 13, 2019
This was really more like 3.5 stars rather than 4 but I rounded up. The story was a bit haunting so hard to stop as I was anxious for the resolution. They church references were super cheesy and a bit over the top. The boyfriends complete meltdown was also a little over the top. All that being said, I was sucked in and overall enjoyed the read.
February 4, 2017
Very predictable.
April 18, 2017
Very fast read, very hard to put down as you are gripped with a fear like the victims wondering if anyone will find her in time. This is a new author for me and I didn't even read the back! I was drawn to it just by the title and cover. Will definitely read more by this author.
April 22, 2017
Sorry, I read far too many books with detailed forensics to believe that a body shot in a barn and lay there while the murderer beats up a witness and rounds up a horse, can then be moved to a truck to look like a suicide and have the cops actually believe it. Lividity! Was what I was screaming out in my head the entire time the people in the book were believing that the guy had killed himself. Then again the murderer wiped down the truck of finger prints including the weapon. Wouldn't that be suspicious. How does one wipe down ones truck of finger prints after one is dead? The lack of finger prints would be suspicious.
Drugs in hubcaps? How do you balance that?
Drugs in hubcaps? How do you balance that?
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews