Darkness Lane

Geneva Chase #2

by Thomas Kies

Random Road introduced Geneva Chase - to murders straight out of a nightmare - six bodies found naked and cut to ribbons in a posh Connecticut home.

Having survived this and a personal tragedy, Geneva's story still includes alcoholism and career challenges compounded by the rocky finances of her newspaper employer. But she's working. She's fighting the urge to reconnect with a magnetic yet married lover. And she's raising a rebellious young lady who is not her daughter but a cherished legacy.

Nevertheless the newshound in Geneva spurs her to bad if not downright dangerous choices as two unrelated crimes unexpectedly collide. A fifteen-year-old-girl at her ward's high school has vanished along with her English teacher. Is this same-old, same-old, or something more? And then there's the abused woman who torched her sadistic husband, and how to keep her out of the clutches of powerful mobsters - and thus, out of the news.

Out on the crime beat, Geneva works to unravel the connection, if any, between these two disparate stories while her newspaper is put up for sale, a high-flying Hollywood production lights up the town, and her personal battles accelerate. Jarring twists and turns include charming movie stars, treacherous diamond merchants, adultery, sex traffickers, and murder. While the clock ticks and Geneva works desperately to find the missing student, she comes to the horrible realization that she's in over her head.

Darkness Lane, the second novel in the Geneva Chase Mystery Series, hurtles along at a breakneck speed where nothing is what it seems, and where art and reality collide in a terrifying climax.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

266 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Author of the Geneva Chase Mystery Series, Thomas Kies lives and writes on a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina with his wife, Cindy.

He has a long career working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York, and is currently working on his next novel.

When he’s not writing mysteries, Thomas Kies is the President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

Reviews

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of 3 (so far), it is very well written with a terrific leading character Geneva Chase is a female crime reporter who is a fantastic writer, but her constant battle with alcoholism stops her getting and holding on to the job she deserves. As well as the alcohol problem she has three marriages, behind her and is currently in love with a married man!
Despite all this she is an extremely like able character, especially when she's making stupid, drink induced decisions - it makes her human and easy to identify with. She is definitely a tough fighter.
I sincerely hope there are many more books in this series

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva Chase .. a multi-layered character. She's a reporter for a newspaper that may be sold, a damaged woman who is an alcoholic, albeit a high functioning one. She's been married three times, has had two affairs with married men, and always seems to be making the wrong decisions. She is also legal guardian to a teenager, Caroline the daughter of a man she had planned to marry before his death.

Caroline's best friend has gone missing and the police turn up a video showing Bobbi Jarvis getting into a car driven by her school coach. Just a few days prior, Bobbi's dad was murdered. Is there a connection? Geneva was the one who found Bobbi's dad ... she's still having nightmares about what she saw.

Geneva is also investigating a woman accused of murdering her husband ... after surviving more than 20 years of physical abuse. This case leads her to some very bad men. She's been followed, a gun has been shot through her living room window, and her 'daughter' has been threatened.

Suddenly these seemingly unconnected crimes start to merge. Jarring twists and turns include charming movie stars, treacherous diamond merchants, adultery, sex traffickers, and murder. While the clock ticks and Geneva works desperately to find the missing student, she comes to the horrible realization that she's in over her head.

This is very well written with a terrific leading character. Geneva is definitely flawed, but she's doing all she can to fight her private demons. Caroline is the typical teenage girl .. a little surly, part little girl part young woman.

Although this is second in a series, it does quite well as a stand alone --- just enough background information to keep the reader interested, not enough to keep the reader from wanting to take a look at RANDOM ROAD .. the first book. There's a bit of cliff hanger that leads me to believe there will be a third installment coming.

Many thanks to the author / Poisoned Pen Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad the publisher re-released the first book in this series, Random Road, which put Geneva Chase on my radar. Darkness Lane is the second book in the series, there is a 3rd with a fourth due out in August. So far the first 2 have been short quick reads at just over 250 pages, perfect for summer!

Geneva Chase is the definition of flawed character. She's an alcoholic who sleeps with married men and has burned through numerous reporter jobs leaving her back at her hometown paper which is now up for sale. On top of all of this she's newly a parent as she is the guardian of a teenager, Carolyn.

Carolyn's best friend, Bobbi, goes missing just as her life is taking off. She's snagged a role in an upcoming soon to be Broadway play along side some huge movie and television stars. Geneva "Genie" picks up the story since this one is personal. While investigating the clues get stranger and stranger and then she finds Bobbi's father ghastly murdered, but she can't be sure it's connected.

Lots of twists and turns in this story which will leave you unsure which way to look. This story wraps up in a highly satisfying way and then it drops the bomb that hooks you into looking for the next one.

[Laura Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t stop turning the pages. Ending was a shocker!

Had to force myself to stop reading to go to bed and couldn’t wait to finish reading it. A thriller from start to finish with unexpected twists and turns throughout. Geneva Chase is the perfect lead character. Flaws and all. Beginning to wonder what goes on in the author’s head that he can write such a brilliant and six dimensional female character.

Can’t wait for the next book! Keep an eye on Tom Kies. He is sure to be the next chart topping NY Times bestselling author. This series would make a great movie!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva is still a hot mess, but there is something I just love about her. I hope there are more books coming.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Vivid descriptions. Kept me captivated from the first page to the last. An excellent read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Amy Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast-paced exciting episode with Geneva Chase. Perfect sequel to Random Road. Here, Genie gets wrapped up in another series of murders, this time closer to home than ever before.

[Aristotle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tumbler of Absolut
Geneva's answer to all her problems.

A well written sophomore Geneva Chase mystery.
A fifteen year old girl goes missing along with her high school english teacher.
An abused woman douses her husband with gasoline and sets him ablaze.
Crime reporter Geneva Chase is hunting for answers to these unrelated stories. Or are they unrelated?
What shocking secrets will Geneva uncover that will not only put her in danger but her fifteen year old ward Caroline as well.

This was a good follow up to 'Random Road'. 'Darkness Lane' focused more on the investigative journalism story and less on Geneva's dysfunctional personal life. Geneva needs a life coach. Someone who will help her discover what her obstacles or challenges might be, and help her choose a course of action to make her life and Carolines life be what she wants them to be.
Step 1. Lay off the vodka
Step 2. Stop dating married men
Step 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook). More like 3.5 stars. Fun 2nd book in the series! And that’s despite knowing what the deal was pretty much right after the characters were introduced. And despite the main female character sometimes coming off more like how men ‘think’ women talk/think, rather than how we actually do. Also...trafficking is a pretty well-known business, these days...maybe it doesn’t need to be spoon fed to the reader quite so much? I guess what I’m saying is, give your readers a little more credit. Still, I’d probably give the 3rd book a go.

[Carolyn Injoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Lane (Geneva Chase Mysteries Book 2) by Thomas Kies continues with a story about a reporter, Geneva Chase who was introduced in the previous book "Random Road". She's working the crime beat and is compelled to investigate two unrelated crimes.

It includes her personal battles.

I gave this book four stars.

I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Lane-...

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Caroline, Geneva's ward, loses out a part in a prestigious play, she is jealous of her best friend. But, when that best friend, Bobbi, goes missing, Geneva follows a storyline that could lead to finding Bobbi. While investigating some crimes in the area, including the burning of an abusive husband, Genie realizes that some of this is leading back to Bobbi's disappearance.
Genie also runs afoul of the Tolbonov brothers that she suspects are the Russian mob. She wonders if this is all tied together.
This book has a lot - mob, abuse, S & M, trafficking, murder, and more. Geneva is again struggling with her alcoholism, and managing a 15 year old teen, as well as her own up and down love life.
I really like Genie and the situations she gets into as she investigates. Looking forward to book 3!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva Chase is a gutsy woman -- and her connections with local law enforcement always give her the best scoops and a close proximity to danger.

A year after her partner's death, Gennie is grappling with raising his fifteen year old daughter, her job at a failing newspaper, and her struggles with alcohol. When Caroline's close high school friend goes missing after being last seen getting in their drama teacher's car, Geneva has a personal stake in following the lead and trying to bring her ward's friend home safely. Her stories are helping the paper create desperately needed clicks and reads, but the leads are close to home. The case puts her in the crosshairs of some powerful and dangerous people which will force her to rely on her street smarts to stay safe and uncover the truth.

This series is particularly fun for me because of the Fairfield County connections!

[Dawn McNary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geneva Chase d’or NOT disappoint in book 2! Sadly she is still drinking and dysfunctional in relationships and work, but that is what makes this character work. After the mutilation and murder of the swingers in upscale Fairfield County how would Ms Chase secure the future of the newspaper. After the love of her life tragically dies how would Ms Chase begin again? After the events of the last year how would Ms Chase stay sober? The start of book 2 is about how this all worked itself out and then quickly the book moves from “where are they now” social babble to Who killed Bobbi!!!!! The author does a remarkable job - twisting a story to bring characters near to each other or even within circles we all share!

[savreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75✨
Unfortunately didn��t hit for me like the first in the character series, Random Road. I’m not exactly sure why.
I don’t think I really loved how it went off on a story line that didn’t end up having anything to do with the missing girl. Though I believe that was done as a route to set up the next book, which I do understand. I started having my suspicions about the people who DID have something to do with it partway through the book. So that always discounts some points.
I had a hard time with how some things were touched on, but not covered all too much. You read about Genie’s drinking, and often her internal monologue about how she needs to stop this, but there’s nothing that comes of it, no action taken. I don’t like the lack of resolution found for some of the character things brought up, and only the resolution of the case. If there is writing about character’s flaws, and it’s acknowledged that they should do something about this, it feels unsatisfying if it isn’t done.
Nothing all too special here. I felt the story could have been drawn out a big longer by adding details and taking more time on things, but I digress.
I won’t be continuing the Geneva Chase Mystery series.

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series, really a wild ride with Geneva as she navigates being a mom and chasing the next big story. Her morally gray choices of men she ends up with, even for a night, continue to be intriguing as part of her redemptive journey. This one has some really scary people in it, and a surprising enemy comes to light in the end; very #metoo.

Favorite Line ~ "When it came to sex, Frank was Dom Perignon. Mike Dillon was Papst Blue Ribbon in a can. Sure, you can catch a buzz with both, but who doesn't like the taste of champagne?"

[Jennifer Gottschalk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast pace, intense read, this was a satisfying by simple story.

The characters were likeable but they were on the 'one dimensional' end of the scale. Having the lead as a functioning alcoholic might not have been the best option and for me this detracted from the wider story and made for a fairly uncomfortable reading experience.

For the most part I liked this one but it was not good enough to merit more than three stars.

[Virginia Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

I heard about this series at a murder mystery dimmer at Carteret Community College. The author Thomas Kiess was a part of the story which was based on the characters of his books. My daughter and I loved it. We read Ramdom.Road first and loved Geneva Chase. She's a great reporter but has a lot of issues like !most of us. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty interesting but parts are simply not plausible. The sex trafficking part seems accurate, but the movie actor who wants to have success with anyone and everyone and has his brother in law kill anyone who doesn’t go along? Lots of sociopaths in this one.

[Claire Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. As I’m reading I’m assuming this person did that, meanwhile it was all the opposite. The ending made me gasp. I would’ve never guessed. I love love love this book! Will be starting the 3rd one next in the collection.

[Sheila McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Geneva Chase series. I may have liked this one a little less than the first one. This author doesn't do a very good job of writing as a woman. But I'm invested now. I know I will read books 3 and 4 (partly because I got Book 4 as a gift).

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was difficult to like any of the characters in this book.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a soft blanket and bedtime read but you don’t lose interest. Well narrated by Rebecca Gibel.

[David Daggett]

Another great book by Kies. The best so far.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Geneva Chase, crime reporter, series gets better.

[Deanna Barkhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t remember a ton from any of these books specifically since the story lines intertwine so well. He does a great job of recapping in Each book so you could read them separate.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I’m really enjoyed the main character, Geneva Chase. I thought the twists and turns were fun and scary in this book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva Chase is back! Carolyn’s friend goes missing. A scary man seems to be following Geneva. She hurries to find the missing girl and take care of the problems that attract bed guys.

[Rita Bookreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series. Still good!!!

[KayKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read both books in the series within a week, and I have to say I love what the author has offered so far. The plot is well composed, pacey and believable. I am certainly looking forward to read more adventures of Geneva.

In the second installment, Geneva still has her own personal battles to fight: grief over her fiance, alcoholism, and parenting. A missing case of a teenage girl and few brutal murders keep Geneva busy on her crime beat as a newspaper reporter. The cases are interesting to follow though the motives behind the brutalities are slightly little weak albeit the they sound perfectly legitimate.

All in all, "Darkness Lane" is a satisfactory read with a good plot that has potential. I sure look forward to the future releases by the author.