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Katrina Williams #2

A Particular Darkness

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From the author of A Living Grave comes a gripping police procedural featuring sheriff's detective Katrina Williams as she exposes the dark underbelly of the Missouri Ozarks . . .
 
DREDGING UP THE TRUTH
 
Still recovering from tragedy and grieving a devastating loss, Iraq war veteran and sheriff's detective Katrina Williams copes the only way she knows how—by immersing herself in work. A body's just been pulled from the lake with a fish haul, but what seems like a straightforward murder case over the poaching of paddlefish for domestic caviar quickly becomes murkier than the depths of the lake.
 
Soon a second body is found—an illegal Peruvian refugee woman linked to a charismatic tent revival preacher. But as Katrina tries to investigate the enigmatic evangelist, she is blocked by antagonistic FBI agents and Army CID personnel. When more young female refugees disappear, she must partner with deputy Billy Blevins, who stirs mixed feelings in her, to connect the lake murder to the refugees. Katrina is no stranger to darkness, but cold-blooded conspirators plan to make sure she'll never again see the light of day . . .

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2017

32 people are currently reading
199 people want to read

About the author

Robert E. Dunn

15 books236 followers
I wasn't born in a log cabin but the station wagon did have wood on the side. It was broken down on the approach road into Ft. Rucker, Alabama in the kind of rain that would have made a Biblical author jealous. You never saw a tornado in the Old Testament did you? As omens of a coming life go, mine was full of portent if not exactly glad tidings.

From there things got interesting. Life on a series of Army bases encouraged my retreat into a fantasy world. Life in a series of public school environments provided ample nourishment to my developing love of violence. Often heard in my home was the singular phrase, "I blame the schools." We all blamed the schools.

Both my fantasy and my academic worlds left marks and the amalgam proved useful the three times in my life I had guns pointed in my face. Despite those loving encounters the only real scars left on my body were inflicted by a six foot, seven inch tall drag queen. She didn't like the way I was admiring the play of three a.m. Waffle House fluorescent light over the high spandex sheen of her stockings.

After a series of low paying jobs that took me places no one dreams of going. I learned one thing. Nothing vomits quite so brutally as jail food. That's not the one thing I learned; it's an important thing to know, though. The one thing I learned is a secret. My secret. A terrible and dark thing I nurture in my nightmares. You learn your own lessons.

Eventually I began writing stories. Mostly I was just spilling out the, basically, true narratives of the creatures that lounge about my brain, laughing and whispering sweet, sweet things to say to women. Women see through me but enjoy the monsters in my head. They say, sometimes, that the things I say and write are lies or, "damn, filthy lies, slander of the worst kind, and the demented, perverted, wishful stories of a wasted mind." To which I always answer, I tell only the truth. I just tell a livelier truth than most people.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,713 followers
October 29, 2017
4.5 Stars

She's called "Hurricane" for a reason. Sheriff's Detective Katrina Williams is still recovering from the loss of her husband. She's also dealing with PTSD. While serving in the military, something awful happened to her, something that she is still coming to terms with. She's feisty, and willing to cross the line when necessary. She's full of anger, hence the reason she is required to receive counseling while she's carrying a gun.

When a body is found submerged head down in the lake, Katrina is called to investigate. what begins as a murder because of poaching of a certain fish that greatly resembles caviar leads to another body .. an illegal refugee woman. She is linked to to a revival preacher. And when she tries to question the behind-the-scenes movement, the FBI and Army CID intervene.

Katrina is a multi-layered character. Not only the physical scars, but the severe psychological damage is so very real and well-written. She used to drink her memories away, these days its only orange soda and an occasional ice tea. Secondary characters lend an air of credibility .. her father and uncle, both retired military men. The Sheriff who appreciates Katrina, but still as to rein her in every now and then. Then there's Billy ... one of her colleagues, and possibly the only friend she has.

The story premise is a good one .. it's full of movement with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. Although second in a series, this one does well as a stand alone,however, I always recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / Netgalley for the digital copy of this well-written crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
3,216 reviews72 followers
July 20, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of A Particular Darkness, the second novel in the Missouri based Detective Katrina "Hurricane" Williams series.

Katrina gets a call from her friend and colleague, Billy Blevins, to go out to a murder scene. Once there she finds a man who has been drowned in a fishing net. Further investigation leads her to a revivalist tent and more questions than answers but she is swimming in deep waters when the Feds turn up and try to shut down her investigation.

What a read. The intelligent, detailed plotting, strong sense of place, intertwining relationships, protagonist with a troubled past and flashbacks, violence and raw, honest first person narrative are reminiscent of James Lee Burke's work but maybe this isn't surprising given the rural setting.

I am in awe of Mr Dunn's ability to take a simple, backwater crime and turn it into a much, wider, deeper tale and do it plausibly because the conspiracy at the heart of the novel is unbelievably realistic and should give the government pause for thought. The final irony of the novel made me laugh out loud.

Much of Katrina's trouble lies in the trauma of being raped and left for dead in Iraq by superior officers and the army's response to it by trying to dismiss her for tarnishing its reputation. Many younger readers may find this unbelievable but there are plenty of documented cases to make it not just possible but probable. It does, however, bring in to question how you loyally serve your country and there is a wonderful exchange between Katrina and one of the G-Men on this subject which offers food for thought. Whatever the rights and wrongs Mr Dunn is convinced that the organs of government will do everything it takes to protect themselves from adverse scrutiny or comment. How very apt in current times.

It is way too complicated to summarise the intertwining relationships in this novel but they add a certain frisson to the narrative as they expose the eternal conflict of family v beliefs. As each person's role unfolds it is fascinating to see how this dichotomy works.

The characterisation is excellent and each one has a role to play. There is no wastage or irrelevancy. Obviously this is the Katrina show - I refer to her as Katrina as she doesn't like the nickname Hurricane although it sums up her character perfectly (God help anyone who gets in her way). In many ways she is a bit of a stereotype, angry, violent, traumatised, grieving for her dead husband, on the wagon but continually tempted, especially when someone tries to derail her by leaving her bottles of whiskey and undergoing job mandated therapy but she is more than that with her mixture of searing self analysis and flagellation and her inability to navigate or see clearly her personal relationships. The novel is as much her character study as it is murder investigation and it makes for powerful reading. I love all the little details in the novel that say so much like Billy taking her to feel the sunshine or her friend Clare making her homemade root beer. It's these simple gestures that show she is not alone.

I love everything about A Particular Darkness and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.
Profile Image for Todd Simpson.
848 reviews35 followers
August 2, 2017
Wow, what a fantastic book. I really enjoyed Robert’s first novel involving the Detective Katrina Williams in ‘A Living Grave’, and I’m glad he carried on with the same wonderful characters into a series. Besides his easy writing style, I really enjoy the background and depth the Author has put into the characters. For me, this is what really sets a truly great book apart from other thrillers. Katrina still struggles with her demons from her time in Iraq. Being viciously assaulted by her superior officers is preventing her from having close relationships with anyone, and it also doesn’t help her job when she has the occasional blackout. Initially when she’s called out to investigate a dead body in the water, it looks like a simple murder. However it doesn’t take long to run into a brick wall, with some very dangerous people wanting the investigation dropped. Katrina isn’t called the Hurricane for nothing, and she certainly isn’t the type of person to let something go. This story really intrigued me, with so many twist and turns, and a brilliant plot. I also loved the ending. If you haven’t read a Robert E Dunn novel before, then I highly recommend you do.
Profile Image for Mommacat.
625 reviews31 followers
July 23, 2017
A PARTICULAR DARKNESS is a good novel for so many reasons. I hope you've read the first Katrina Williams story so that you can jump right in.

Author Robert Dunn created a world of flawed, real people who do stupid, hateful and hurtful things to one another. As a military brat himself he wrote what he knew about and his character Katrina follows in her family's footsteps and goes for a career in the military, then chooses to join the sheriff's department.

Her cases are convoluted and gruesome. More power to you if you can figure out the answers by the midpoint! Robert Dunn has penned one fine book here, unlike most thrillers out there. The publishers at Lyrical Underground have already asked him for another, and I couldn't be happier to see this series continue. Fine writing, thoughtful titles and very real scenarios make this a series not to be missed.

Look for An Interview with Robert Dunn to run on my blog, Cat After Dark in August 2017.
Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews84 followers
September 6, 2017
This is not a stand Alone Novel. You will need to read the first one in the series to really understand the reasons for why the characters act and communicate the way they do.
Robert Dunn creates a world where people are flawed as normal humans. They are hurtful, angry and want to get back at the people who hurt them the most.
Katrina is a very flawed characters who works hard to put the past behind her without working though the issues. answers she seeks. The author paints Katrina PTSD and her use of alcohol to deal with her demons. The PTSD is very vivid and readers will find themselves growing to care of Katrina and her future.
The story starts off with a dead body which will hook readers though the twist and turns the story takes them though.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Lyrical Underground Kensington Books for the advance copy
Profile Image for Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read.
3,441 reviews113 followers
August 26, 2017
Katrina is back and dealing with a new murder case. In the midst of an investigation, she's still dealing with PTSD, a recent loss, and a drinking problem. This second book in the series is just as compelling as the first. Dunn has a talent for keeping a complex story moving with great characters and interesting dialogue.
Profile Image for Peggy Jaeger.
Author 76 books1,670 followers
July 20, 2017
Katrina "Hurricaine" WIlliams is back in Dunn's newest, A Particular Darkness. When called to an apparent drowning/murder, Katrina suspects things are not exactly what they seem. Fish poaching, sex trafficking, and gun running abound in this novel, set against the dark beauty of the Ozarks.
Since we last met Hurricane, she has married and then become a widow when her husband Nelson succumbed to cancer. Now, rich beyond the need to work, Katrina never the less wants to do what she does best: be a cop. WHen the dead man turns out to be former military, an alphabet soup of government agencies descends on her tiny town. Add in a suspicious traveling revival show run by an enigmatic and egomaniacal son of the Ozarks, and Katrina's cup runs over with mystery, murder, Russian fish poachers and a plot that rivals the Iran Contra deal of the 80's.
Through it all, Katrina remains her indomitable self, always stretching the limits of the law in order to get to the truth. She is truly one of the best written female characters around because she is so true to her inner core set of ideals and values that she just exudes the archetype of the female warrior in every sense of her being.
The back story we first heard about in the first book about her military career and the subsequent tragedy that befell her while in service plays a very large role in this book. So does her fight with her alcoholism. Dunn's treatment of Katrina's PTSD is so vivid and so en point, it makes me wonder if he himself was ever in the service and if so, what atrocities he witnessed.
This book is by no means an easy, finish in one day read. It's gritty, raw in its emotions, and delves into a plotline that could have a great deal of potential in real life today, a very scary thought indeed.
5 well deserved stars for another great Katrina Williams story.
I was given an arc from Netgalley for an honest opinion of this book and my honest opinion is that it is a fabulous read.
Profile Image for ItsAboutTheBook.
1,447 reviews30 followers
July 14, 2018
Review can be read at It's About The Book

4.5 stars

Robert Dunn’s second book in the series about “Hurricane” Katrina Williams takes you on a thrill ride of a mystery a lot like the hurricanes this summer. Destructive, relentless, and devastating, Katrina barrels through life with the devil riding shotgun on her shoulder.

Is she trying to kill herself?

What would it take to calm the storm in her life?

Beautiful words don’t mask the harsh truths that happen in Katrina’s world, but the author uses them to great effect while creating a haunting world full of loss. Things have happened since we left her last, and Katrina’s back at the therapist. She’s also not back in the department yet, so when she gets a call from a friend and fellow officer Billy about finding a body, she goes in an unofficial capacity.

I think the author was either more clever than any other writer on the planet or just crazy lucky when he gave her that sobriquet, because it’s the perfect metaphor not only for this character but for anyone who has suffered through the horrific death wish called PTSD. Within Katrina’s mind, the storm rages on, and who can blame her for fighting back when it escapes into her real world? Gritty, mesmerizing and strong, this book will stay in your head.

Thanks DJ!
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews38 followers
August 9, 2018
I struggle so with my reviews on this book because I am once again on the fence. On the one hand you have a woman who enlisted and although women were not to see combat she did. She along with countless other women were assaulted and abused and not always by insurgents. This resulted in sever ptsd for her and continues to cause her problems. Yes it is a real issue and inexcusable. That being said we get a constant inner dialogue about how she is working to stay sober and the struggle with her inner demons and anger. She is called hurricane for a reason after all. The mystery is well done with a number of twist thrown in to keep you off the trail. The deaths are brutal and personal. Her side kick Billy draws her into the battle but he will have to depend on her to get him out of it.

This is my second book by this author, he shows he can truly spin a yarn and make the mystery aspect good and mysterious. His characters are the full gambit ranging from just butte ugly mean and rude to the other end of the spectrum. You will get pulled in and thrown about but oh what a ride.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,555 reviews9 followers
September 6, 2018
A Particular Darkness

The second book in the Katrina Williams series is A Particular Darkness. This book takes place months after the first one ended. Katrina’s experienced another loss in her life and is starting back to work after having some personal time off work. She gets called out by her friend, and coworker Billy for a body found at the lake. And we’re back to following Katrina working through the twists and turns of a death that takes unexpected turns. This story was a lot more convoluted and multi-layered than the first one. There are more shady characters introduced that I was immediately suspicious of.

This book runs the gamut from poaching to refugee women to a tent revival preacher to more difficulties with military personnel. And, if Katrina’s loss at the beginning of the book isn’t enough, she suffers more loss. Loss that I really took exception with. Honestly, I was so mad about it, I had to take a break from the story.

Again, I felt like Katrina’s behavior was dangerous and reckless. She has a reputation in her town as the Hurricane who takes no sh*t or names. On one hand, I didn’t think that was a bad thing, but again, the other part of me is thinking, she’s a police officer. It’s unsafe for her to be on the force with the actions she takes. She’s given chance after chance, when the reality is she shouldn’t be allowed to be a police officer. Her job gives her protection to be the out of control, reckless, violent person and that’s horrible.

I thought for a little while that there was growth with Katrina and everything she has experienced, but that thought didn’t last long. Plus, how could we see growth when she can’t get more than a second of happiness. Which is why she gets so much leeway. Her life is crap, why shouldn’t she be an alcoholic?

Once again, the police procedural part of the story was really well done. Though I guessed part of what was happening, even my twisted mind couldn’t expect all the bad guys doing bad things that ended up happening in this book. I enjoyed being able to work along with Katrina as she discovered clues and tried to unravel a twisty tale to find the culprit or culprits. For me, as much as this storyline can twist and turn, it’s absolutely my favorite part. I like for my police procedurals to have characters with stable personal lives so the story can focus on the mystery/detective part.

Again, I enjoyed this book and thought the author did a great job building the case in this book. He also does a great job of crushing any happiness the main character may hope to achieve (hahahaha), if you enjoy that type of story! Not to worry, he leaves Katrina with a smidgen of a chance of some happiness in the romantic portions but I expect nothing at this point. Don’t go into this book expecting some HEA endings. Go into this book expecting a well-written crime drama with resolutions to the case Katrina is working.

Rating: 4 stars
Profile Image for James Weaver.
Author 16 books81 followers
November 3, 2017
Very solid follow-up to Dunn's "A Living Grave". Great action and character development. Dunn's writing style and descriptive prose make this an easy and compelling read. Can't wait to read another installment of Katrina Williams.
Profile Image for Steve.
20 reviews13 followers
June 21, 2018
Dunn is a fine novelist with great imagery and well defined characters. The plot becomes a bit confusing but the end result is a satisfying action packed mystery.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews