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Gia Santella #11
Dark Shadows
The 11th book in the USA TODAY Bestselling series.
From the moment a killer took her family away from her, Gia has fought tooth and nail against a threatening/looming destiny she’s been unwilling to confront—that of a lone wolf vigilante assassin.
Over the years, she’s created new families, dived into new loves and relationships, but one after the other, every family unit she’s tried to form has been taken away -- one way or the other.
Distraught at the possibility of losing everything yet again, Gia takes off for the south of France intent on living a hedonistic life the way she knows how to best: drinking, smoking, sunbathing topless and spending long lust-filled nights with smooth-chested men.
But nothing is ever that simple for Gia.
Her plans to indulge her every fantasy are shattered when one of those beautiful young people end up dead in her villa.
Now it’s up to Gia to make sure more bodies don’t stain her parquet floors. And that the sophisticated French detective doesn’t end up taking her into custody for it all.
BUY NOW IF YOU WANT HEART-POUNDING STAY-UP-ALL NIGHT READING!
From the moment a killer took her family away from her, Gia has fought tooth and nail against a threatening/looming destiny she’s been unwilling to confront—that of a lone wolf vigilante assassin.
Over the years, she’s created new families, dived into new loves and relationships, but one after the other, every family unit she’s tried to form has been taken away -- one way or the other.
Distraught at the possibility of losing everything yet again, Gia takes off for the south of France intent on living a hedonistic life the way she knows how to best: drinking, smoking, sunbathing topless and spending long lust-filled nights with smooth-chested men.
But nothing is ever that simple for Gia.
Her plans to indulge her every fantasy are shattered when one of those beautiful young people end up dead in her villa.
Now it’s up to Gia to make sure more bodies don’t stain her parquet floors. And that the sophisticated French detective doesn’t end up taking her into custody for it all.
BUY NOW IF YOU WANT HEART-POUNDING STAY-UP-ALL NIGHT READING!
ebook
First published September 29, 2020
235 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Belcamino
98 books421 followersKristi Belcamino is a USA TODAY bestselling author, an Agatha, Anthony, Barry & Macavity, award finalist, a newspaper cops reporter, and an Italian mama who makes a tasty biscotti.
Newsletter Sign up: https://www.subscribepage.com/KristiB...
FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Related to Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Gia (prequel novella)
Lone Raven (novella)
Taste of Vengeance
Queen of Spades Thrillers
Related: Eva (prequel novella)
Vigilante Crime Series:
Stand Alones:
Nonfiction
Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series:
Blessed are the Dead
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Merciful
Related:
The Saint (prequel novella)
Misc:
City of Angels
Tomb of the Queen
Crush Your Query
Newsletter Sign up: https://www.subscribepage.com/KristiB...
FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Related to Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Gia (prequel novella)
Lone Raven (novella)
Taste of Vengeance
Queen of Spades Thrillers
Related: Eva (prequel novella)
Vigilante Crime Series:
Stand Alones:
Nonfiction
Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series:
Blessed are the Dead
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Merciful
Related:
The Saint (prequel novella)
Misc:
City of Angels
Tomb of the Queen
Crush Your Query
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 27, 2020
Dark Shadows - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Gia Santella is coming to terms with the 'loss' of her true love/husband Nico to the awful illness that is Alzheimer's Disease, as he needs 24/7 professional care in a specialised facility and doesn't recognize her any more.
With gay friend Dante's help and support she travels to Cannes during the world-famous Film Festival, where she meets a group of twenty-somethings and her R&R turns into a scene from a horror movie, as one by one her young housemates start dying!
How will Gia and/or the police resolve who the killer is?
What link does Ryder have with Gia's covert career?
When does Gia return to Barcelona - and why?
As always, Kristi Belcamino's heiress vigilante Gia's adventures will grab you by the heart-strings, as we learn more about her back story and the tragedy of losing her loved ones before their time, plus how she fights for the weak and the underdog, always striving to do the right thing for justice to be done.
Get your copy of Dark Shadows as soon as you can - just have a box of chocolates and another of tissues to hand - you're sure to need both!
Gia Santella is coming to terms with the 'loss' of her true love/husband Nico to the awful illness that is Alzheimer's Disease, as he needs 24/7 professional care in a specialised facility and doesn't recognize her any more.
With gay friend Dante's help and support she travels to Cannes during the world-famous Film Festival, where she meets a group of twenty-somethings and her R&R turns into a scene from a horror movie, as one by one her young housemates start dying!
How will Gia and/or the police resolve who the killer is?
What link does Ryder have with Gia's covert career?
When does Gia return to Barcelona - and why?
As always, Kristi Belcamino's heiress vigilante Gia's adventures will grab you by the heart-strings, as we learn more about her back story and the tragedy of losing her loved ones before their time, plus how she fights for the weak and the underdog, always striving to do the right thing for justice to be done.
Get your copy of Dark Shadows as soon as you can - just have a box of chocolates and another of tissues to hand - you're sure to need both!
October 1, 2020
Never a spoiler in my reviews, here's what you need to know! After you read the blurb and you are completely intrigued you need to one-click this book without hesitation. Even though there are many books before it, the book is so well-written and the character descriptions so vivid, there is no need to go back right now, it's okay to start here...I found this book to be spellbinding! There were many edge of your seat parts that had me swiping my Kindle pages non-stop to see where it was going. I found this book to be quite difficult to put down or get anything else done while I was reading it. Gia has quickly become one of my FAVORITE characters and I love following her and her personal brand of justice! Action-packed, no lack of suspense, and even elicits some (unexpected) emotions. I can't wait for the next in the Gia series, or for that matter, can't wait for Kristi's next book. I received an ARC, this opinion is mine alone and is voluntarily submitted.
October 3, 2020
Dark Shadow
I did enjoy this book as Gia is more investigator than killer. The introduction is informative outlining what Gia has been going through with Nico. Kristi Belcamino provides a very sensitive description of how Alzheimer’s affects both the individual with the disease and also how it affects the relationships they have with others.
The action builds as Gia heads to Cannes, France. Boredom causes her to invite a strange group of young Americans to share her rented villa. The description of the house and the French Riviera is a contrasting backdrop for the actual plot. As one dead body is found and another soon afterward, Gia knows she has invited another dark shadow inti her life. As the climax builds, Gia solves the mystery of who did the killing. I liked how Kristi tried to parallel Gia’s past history with that of the killer. There was less blood thirsty violence in this book maybe because of the setting in Cannes or maybe to contrast with the changed life that Gia had been living with Nico. There was more focus on relationships and how they affect an individual. Even with the changes mentioned above, I still wanted to see how it ended so I did read the book quite quickly.
I did enjoy this book as Gia is more investigator than killer. The introduction is informative outlining what Gia has been going through with Nico. Kristi Belcamino provides a very sensitive description of how Alzheimer’s affects both the individual with the disease and also how it affects the relationships they have with others.
The action builds as Gia heads to Cannes, France. Boredom causes her to invite a strange group of young Americans to share her rented villa. The description of the house and the French Riviera is a contrasting backdrop for the actual plot. As one dead body is found and another soon afterward, Gia knows she has invited another dark shadow inti her life. As the climax builds, Gia solves the mystery of who did the killing. I liked how Kristi tried to parallel Gia’s past history with that of the killer. There was less blood thirsty violence in this book maybe because of the setting in Cannes or maybe to contrast with the changed life that Gia had been living with Nico. There was more focus on relationships and how they affect an individual. Even with the changes mentioned above, I still wanted to see how it ended so I did read the book quite quickly.
September 27, 2020
Excellent read. Gia has lost so much in her life. She needed a break from everything. Gia goes to the south of France to a villa to spend some alone time, sit in the sun and read books. After a couple days, that gets boring. She heads into town to find some excitement and she meets a group of friends. They connect and come back to continue the party at her villa. A murder sets Gia into motion as she works through who could be the killer among them. This book is emotional with what Gia has gone through but our kick butt gal continues on.
October 19, 2020
A good mystery
Gia’s love and family life has me in tears. I just want a happy outcome for this girl and man after many books she continues to be put through the wringer in terms of romantic love.
Years have passed when this book starts and it is with devastating news regarding Nico. On vacation Gia works to heal, but instead finds herself in another murder plot. There is a new man who Dante introduced her to and some fun crime solving moments. Rosalie is mentioned and it shows that since she left for martial arts training in the last book she is now a trained killer and appears to be avoiding Gia and Nicos decline.
This was a good book that added to the series and shows Gia’s growth and maturity, but the crime and action was more tangential to Gia then a focus. Also I just hope she gets a happy time romantically that lasts for more than a hook🤷🏻♀️
The prologue to the next book sounds great and as always I am enjoying this series!
Gia’s love and family life has me in tears. I just want a happy outcome for this girl and man after many books she continues to be put through the wringer in terms of romantic love.
Years have passed when this book starts and it is with devastating news regarding Nico. On vacation Gia works to heal, but instead finds herself in another murder plot. There is a new man who Dante introduced her to and some fun crime solving moments. Rosalie is mentioned and it shows that since she left for martial arts training in the last book she is now a trained killer and appears to be avoiding Gia and Nicos decline.
This was a good book that added to the series and shows Gia’s growth and maturity, but the crime and action was more tangential to Gia then a focus. Also I just hope she gets a happy time romantically that lasts for more than a hook🤷🏻♀️
The prologue to the next book sounds great and as always I am enjoying this series!
September 29, 2020
Dark Shadows
I was happy to be a part of the ARC team to read Kristis new book!
Kristi Belcamino has done it yet again with book 11 in the Gia Santella series.
The story is the continued tale of Gia as she struggles to find balance in her life after worrying about Nico and Rose . Gia heads to the Cannes film festival in the South of France ,where she is staying in a large villa to enjoy some alone time. Soon Gia finds herself not alone and heading into trouble! I read the book in one sitting and as much as I love the story I found this one to be quite sad. However the story leaves you hanging on the edge waiting for the next book in the Gia, Rose and Evas saga!
I was happy to be a part of the ARC team to read Kristis new book!
Kristi Belcamino has done it yet again with book 11 in the Gia Santella series.
The story is the continued tale of Gia as she struggles to find balance in her life after worrying about Nico and Rose . Gia heads to the Cannes film festival in the South of France ,where she is staying in a large villa to enjoy some alone time. Soon Gia finds herself not alone and heading into trouble! I read the book in one sitting and as much as I love the story I found this one to be quite sad. However the story leaves you hanging on the edge waiting for the next book in the Gia, Rose and Evas saga!
October 4, 2020
While on vacation I thought I would start Dark Shadows but couldn’t put it down. Gia needed a getaway and I felt her need for that. The characters and references to memories make it such a welcome read. It can be stand alone like the others but you really don’t want to miss all of this authors works in this series and Queen of Spades too, and the newest featuring Rose/Rosalie. This story took place in one locale and you felt like you were there with the characters. Even Jay Collins was noted!. Anxiously waiting for the next where it looks like Rose and Gia may be finding trouble and resolving it too, as only they can.
September 28, 2020
This was a bit different from the usual Gia story. A welcome break from her worries for Nico and Rose, but she finds herself in another mess of trouble. Making some new friends in France has turned into a new adventure. It was refreshing to know Gia was attempting to relax from her burdens and grow as herself. I received my copy from the author and wrote my review voluntarily.
September 30, 2020
Always an adventure
Latest book with Gia, and we see her take a new path in life. In true Gia style, stuff goes sideways! There’s some dancing, drinking, beautiful sights, sex, death and tears. But she keeps going like the Boss Bi*€h she is and we love her for it!
We can’t ever have enough of Gia! Start with book one, bring a few bottles to drink, and we shall see you soon! You won’t regret this rabbit hole!
Latest book with Gia, and we see her take a new path in life. In true Gia style, stuff goes sideways! There’s some dancing, drinking, beautiful sights, sex, death and tears. But she keeps going like the Boss Bi*€h she is and we love her for it!
We can’t ever have enough of Gia! Start with book one, bring a few bottles to drink, and we shall see you soon! You won’t regret this rabbit hole!
September 29, 2020
This one is hard for me, as I do like Gia, but I really dislike what happened to Nico's storyline. He went from being such a strong and powerful man, to a family man, and then got really sick, and Gia left....
The rest of the story has Gia back to her pre-Nico self, drowning her sorrows in booze, until she meets a group of people and invites them to stay with her. Unfortunately, the group has a lot of secrets and when people start to die, and the killer could only be one of them, Gia puts her skills to use to try to figure out who it is, before more people get hurt.
This wasn't my favourite Gia story, but it wasn't a bad book. I just questioned some things, mainly regarding her relationship with Nico.
The rest of the story has Gia back to her pre-Nico self, drowning her sorrows in booze, until she meets a group of people and invites them to stay with her. Unfortunately, the group has a lot of secrets and when people start to die, and the killer could only be one of them, Gia puts her skills to use to try to figure out who it is, before more people get hurt.
This wasn't my favourite Gia story, but it wasn't a bad book. I just questioned some things, mainly regarding her relationship with Nico.
September 26, 2020
Gia needs some alone time and goes to a villa in France. She runs into a group of people and they join her at her table in a bar. They have a problem and do not have a reservation, so Gia invites them to stay at her villa. Things heat up when one of them ends up dead in the pool. And then another one ends up dead. This is another Gia Santella novel that will keep your interest.
September 29, 2020
Wow! This book made me sad with the twist to Gia's life but then I guess Gia iis one of those folk who can never have a peaceful happy life for long. And she is recognizing that once again in this book when she befriends some young persons in France she is rewarded with a murder for her momentary kindness. Another great read in Gia's journey.
September 25, 2020
Well, Kristi Belcamino has done it again! Another spell-binding, fast-moving story. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Poor Gia...has been thru so much but, at the same time, has experienced great love from friends and family. I love this series, as well as all the books with Gia, Eva, Rose and Giovanna! I look forward to the next book featuring Gia and Rose.
September 25, 2020
As usual Kristi Belcamino and Gia deliver. A somber book compared to the past books but and excellent read.
October 3, 2020
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Great book plenty twist and turns. Fair warning this book took me through all of the emotions from laughing to crying.
September 29, 2020
Another great Gia story. Things are changing for her and unfortunately not in a good way. Gia rents a villa in the South of France only to encounter a murderer, up close and personal. Can she figure it out in time?
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September 29, 2020Thanks so much for reading!
December 23, 2021
BRILLIANT! Loved Ryder ~ loved that Dante is still always there for Gia ~ loved Nico's story ~ poignant, utterly devastating, but real ~ as always with this series, I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!!!! Could Ms Belcamino write faster, perhaps? But, no ~ the stories wouldn't be as good, so ~ carry on ~ in your own time ~
February 3, 2021
Let’s Relax, Well Maybe
This is a great transition story for Gia. She mourns losses, tries to get her life in order, indulge her wild side (or so she hopes), and center herself while dealing with another disaster. These should be easy to do in the south of France at the Cannes Film Festival, but nothing ever is easy when it comes to Gia’s life. A lot of us have all been through these emotions at one time in our life, though maybe not all at the same time. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. I lost all track of time. I was lost in Gia’s world again. I finished it in record time. This is a great book and a wonderful addition to the Gia universe.
This is a great transition story for Gia. She mourns losses, tries to get her life in order, indulge her wild side (or so she hopes), and center herself while dealing with another disaster. These should be easy to do in the south of France at the Cannes Film Festival, but nothing ever is easy when it comes to Gia’s life. A lot of us have all been through these emotions at one time in our life, though maybe not all at the same time. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. I lost all track of time. I was lost in Gia’s world again. I finished it in record time. This is a great book and a wonderful addition to the Gia universe.
July 1, 2021
Heartaches
After caring for Nico for 4 years his Alzheimer disease has gotten worst. He no longer knows Gia nor his daughter Rose. Once Nico doesn't recognize Rose anymore she leaves Barcelona. Gia needs sometime away so goes to
Cannes for the film festival. After meeting some younger
people they find out that their reservations where lost and had no hotel rooms. Gia invites them to stay at her villa.
That evening one of the guys is murdered. Gia is needs to solve the case in order to leave Southern France. The home contacts Gia that Nico has gotten pneumonia.
Well written story with strong and believable characters.
Always waiting for the next Gia book.
After caring for Nico for 4 years his Alzheimer disease has gotten worst. He no longer knows Gia nor his daughter Rose. Once Nico doesn't recognize Rose anymore she leaves Barcelona. Gia needs sometime away so goes to
Cannes for the film festival. After meeting some younger
people they find out that their reservations where lost and had no hotel rooms. Gia invites them to stay at her villa.
That evening one of the guys is murdered. Gia is needs to solve the case in order to leave Southern France. The home contacts Gia that Nico has gotten pneumonia.
Well written story with strong and believable characters.
Always waiting for the next Gia book.
November 15, 2020
Quick easy read
Gia is off to France to recharge her batteries, leaving Nico behind in his dementia state. She comes upon a group of young, twentiesh tourists that have lost their reservation in a villa. Gia asks them to come and stay at the large villa she is living in, and they join her. Jealousy and murder follow. The police arrest the wrong person, and it is up to Gia to find the right one. ENJOY!
Gia is off to France to recharge her batteries, leaving Nico behind in his dementia state. She comes upon a group of young, twentiesh tourists that have lost their reservation in a villa. Gia asks them to come and stay at the large villa she is living in, and they join her. Jealousy and murder follow. The police arrest the wrong person, and it is up to Gia to find the right one. ENJOY!
November 30, 2020
My name is Lynn, not Ms but Mr have read several of Gia books and I have gone
To bed later than I had expected. The plot continues to expect you to continue turning pages. Thank you for the entertainment.
To bed later than I had expected. The plot continues to expect you to continue turning pages. Thank you for the entertainment.
May 12, 2021
Gia
Not the best of Kristis works. Belabored the effort on trying to develop characters lacked action and brutality tha lived in Her other novels
Not the best of Kristis works. Belabored the effort on trying to develop characters lacked action and brutality tha lived in Her other novels
June 14, 2021
Gia is a caring bad ass woman
January 22, 2021
Gia is one of my all-time favorite characters ~ she's just so REAL! I love reading about her journey through life ~ she's a bad-ass vigilante; a mother to a shattered young girl; in tangled relationships; a single young woman; a best friend ~ but no longer a daughter ~ all of this, and she is very likable ~
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews