Harm None

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

Every Town Has A Secret. Agent Danielle Abney wasn't sure which was worse. Her job or the small town she was thrown into after a series of murders labeled the victims as witches. It was something out of Hawthorne. Or Hitchcock. Yet, the deeper Abney digs into her own investigation, she will learn that no matter how many times you can deny the truth, it will still be there. Still be waiting. And that truth will haunt her for the rest of her days.

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2019

About the author

Cynthia D. Witherspoon is an award winning writer of Southern Gothic, Paranormal Romance, and Urban Fantasy. She currently resides in South Carolina, but spent three years in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Always an avid reader, she began writing short stories in college. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in History from Converse College, and earned a Masters in Forensic Science at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be totally honest I wasn’t sure what to expect walking into this book. I’d read all of the oracle series ( I’m totally addicted) and the first of the Sybil series so I had some expectations in my head, then I see this is based on a detective and wondered if this was going to be a supernatural-less book and was kinda bummed to be honest. ( I don’t read blurbs really. I like being surprised I saw agent abney and stopped there ) Well this book did not disappoint!! I loved every part of this book! Except the ending lol. But seriously though, this book exceeding my initial expectations and took me down many paths trying to piece it all together before I got to the reveal! Hope this turns into a series!!

[Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Synclare Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great quick suspense read with mystery and a tad romance.
No cliffhanger but it leaves the door open for future possibilities.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~

Plot~ 4/5
Main Characters~ 4/5
Secondary Characters~ 4/5
The Feels~ 4/5
Pacing~ 4/5
Addictiveness~4/5
Theme or Tone~ 4/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 4/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 4/5
Originality~ 4/5
Ending~ 4/5
Book Cover~ Great
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook ~ purchased


Would I read more from this author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes

[dreamerinexile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Souls that harm none 5 stars

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first started reading Harm None but Cynthia D. Witherspoon had me hooked from Gary's chapter to the very end. I was shocked and taken aback by what transpired in the first chapter. My heart broke, I felt Gary's pain and the love he had for Aja. I felt his struggle, I felt his fear. And the ending to chapter 1 had me clutching my pillow with sadness.

Then came Abney, she didn't seem like your typical heroine, she didn't seem like the kick-ass, go in with guns. I loved her vulnerability, I loved the doubts that swirled around her head. And then the case was handed to her and off she went to the small blip in the map town called Aynor. The murders that took her to the small town was brutal and mysterious. Abney's first encounter with the town Chief left a lot to be desired but she persevered. She dug deep and asked hard questions and came up hard against a blank wall.

And then small snippets of the town and the Chief slowly started to reveal itself to Abney. The truth that complete blew her world apart. As the Chief and Abney dug deeper, Chief tried to help her escape the case, he knew the secret of the small town and he wanted to protect her. However, Abney was stubborn to boot and she refused and I would say regretted it.

The ending left be gasping cos I never expected the truth to be so close to home. So close to Abney's past and her origin. I loved the dynamics between Abney and the Chief and Aja and Parker. I do have some questions that I hope will be answered by Ms. Witherspoon but for now, Harm None had be stuck to my kindle. I wish it had more pages than it did.

The story was enthralling, mysterious, creepy and thrilling to read. If you wanna know if Abney survives the serial killer or whether the Chief is able to save her in time. All you gotta do is 1-click this kick-ass short story right now.

[Tamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved and ARC of this book from the author. I have loved her writing from the moment I read the first Grave Messges book and had great expectations for this book. I was not let down! From the moment I started I couldn't stop. The characters and plot are so compelling from the first chapter until the last! I can't wait f the next one!

[Sara Callaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was getting myself into but just by the blurb alone I knew I was in for a ride and that's exactly what I got. I can't say much more because this is the kind of book you should go into blind. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Cynthia Villarreal Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witches, Past Lives and Police Investigations, finding the truth can be hard work.

If you enjoy reading about past lives, witches and that sort of thing, this is the book for you. Truths, Lies, and Investigations, hard time trying to crack down the case,

[Jessica Miley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is new to me. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Unusual storyline that was captivating. I hope she continues on and this is a series. That Aynor town still has some stories to tell. Loved Aja. Would like to see her story. Will definitely check out this author’s other work.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not the romance I expected, Harm None was a fabulous book to squeeze into a busy weekend!

This is a dark read that would appeal to people who enjoy detective shows. It had the air of a well-rounded episode with an interesting story. I would happily recommend this if you’re after a fast-paced paranormal novella with more mystery than romance.

[M Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Cynthia Witherspoon so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The synopsis sounded interesting though. Harm None was a great quick mystery suspense read. It is going straight out of the gate with Agent Abney, Danielle, trying to prove herself as a State Department agent. She is your typical female cop with something to prove when she is assigned a case in Aynor, a little nowhere town in North Carolina.

Once she arrives she realises there is more going on then simple homicide. She meets Chief Scott Ellis who is hesitant to let her in on the town’s secrets. Scott is your standard good ‘ol boy small town Chief with a good heart.

Danielle quickly discovers she is more invested in the case then she realises.

The book is action packed with great twists and turns. Once the clues start coming in you don’t want to put it down as you try to figure out “who done it”.

The romance in the book is there but minimal and more of a background plot then the mystery of who is killing girls in Aynor.

The story doesn’t end in a cliffhanger but does leave you wondering what’s next? Maybe that will be explored in the future.

I did have a big remainder question at the end of the book; why did Parker send her there? Who’s side is he on?

All and all it was a good quick read that kept me wondering what was going to happen next and trying to figure it out before the book reviled who did it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something different and it kept my attention throughout. 
It's the second book I've read from this Author and I've enjoyed them both. 

Agent Danielle Abney is located to a remote small town to investigate a series of murders. There's a connection between all the victims and she has to find out what it is before the killer strikes again. 

Abney must immerse herself into small town life and find out their secrets. 
The thing about small towns is they all have them, things they don't like outsiders to know about. 

It was pretty clear early on that this town was shrouded in mystery. I was intrigued to find out what they were hiding. 

Abney has to work alongside the Sheriff of the town if she wants answers, the locals are less than accommodating. 

This story really kept me guessing, I wasn't sure who to trust but I liked feeling as if the town was trying to protect itself. 
I loved that the secrets were revealed slowly to build up the tension. It was a well thought out tale of mystery and suspense.

I'm hoping there's more from this small town and it's residents. 

[Strait Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so intriguing. It sucked me in from the start. Unlike most supernatural tales Harm None eases into it with a gentle grace. It has a little bit of everything you hope for when reading any sort of mystery. Intrigue and a fast pace but slow doling out of pieces of the puzzle. Just enough to keep you guessing but not so few as to lose interest.

It kept me up a few nights and when not reading I found myself mulling over the 'facts' and wondering just where this tale was headed. I cannot wait to read the second installment and find where the story goes from here.

[Julie Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It is well written and the plot was great. I just couldn't seem to connect with it.

[Joyffree · Rating 3 out of 5]

So did not even go in the direction I thought we were going!
I went into this pretty blind - To me that is one of the best ways to start a new series and or author.
This gave every twist and OMG moment double the whammy!
Abney is sent to a small town to investigate a series of murders but what she uncovers will shake the foundation of everything she once believed.
If you are looking for fast-paced supernatural suspense with a bit of a twist - no need to look further
The characters are vivid and well crafted and the back story only enhances the mystery and intrigue that is guaranteed to keep you engaged from cover to close
I have so many questions - I am going to hope that this is a first in series