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Darkwater Cove #1
Darkwater Cove
Three years ago, FBI agent Darcy Gellar almost died at the hands of a serial killer.
Struggling with her demons, Darcy moves her family to Genoa Cove. With the sadistic killer she captured serving a life sentence, she hopes a peaceful life along the ocean will end her nightmares.
Then a body surfaces along the coast. And the evidence points to one the killer Darcy put behind bars three years ago. Either Darcy caught the wrong man, or an apprentice serial killer stalks paradise. Then the murderer takes another life, and the nightmare of three years ago rushes forth to claim Darcy.
Now Darcy isn’t simply unraveling a mystery. She’s facing a killer who knows what frightens her most. He won’t stop until he takes her life and destroys her family.
But the killer should beware. Darcy stopped a serial killer once. And she’ll do it again.
"An exciting, page-turning gem" - Showcasing Books
The page-turning serial killer thriller fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan, Mary Burton, and Thomas Harris will love. From the bestselling author of The Scarlett Bell Dark Thriller series.
Praise for Dan
"I was actually turning pages on my Kindle so fast, I thought I would burn it out." - Amazon Review
"One of the most exciting writers to burst upon the scene in quite some time." - Brian Keene, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author
"Characters that you can care about. Read this in one sitting. Scary as hell. Locked my doors even." - Amazon Review
"Dan builds tension like few others can. His prose is rich and his characters are memorable. I dare you to read a Padavona story with the lights out." - Zach Bohannon, author of the Empty Bodies series
"Read the complete series. Absolutely awesome author." - Amazon Review
Indie Thriller Novel of the Year Finalist
Struggling with her demons, Darcy moves her family to Genoa Cove. With the sadistic killer she captured serving a life sentence, she hopes a peaceful life along the ocean will end her nightmares.
Then a body surfaces along the coast. And the evidence points to one the killer Darcy put behind bars three years ago. Either Darcy caught the wrong man, or an apprentice serial killer stalks paradise. Then the murderer takes another life, and the nightmare of three years ago rushes forth to claim Darcy.
Now Darcy isn’t simply unraveling a mystery. She’s facing a killer who knows what frightens her most. He won’t stop until he takes her life and destroys her family.
But the killer should beware. Darcy stopped a serial killer once. And she’ll do it again.
"An exciting, page-turning gem" - Showcasing Books
The page-turning serial killer thriller fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan, Mary Burton, and Thomas Harris will love. From the bestselling author of The Scarlett Bell Dark Thriller series.
Praise for Dan
"I was actually turning pages on my Kindle so fast, I thought I would burn it out." - Amazon Review
"One of the most exciting writers to burst upon the scene in quite some time." - Brian Keene, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author
"Characters that you can care about. Read this in one sitting. Scary as hell. Locked my doors even." - Amazon Review
"Dan builds tension like few others can. His prose is rich and his characters are memorable. I dare you to read a Padavona story with the lights out." - Zach Bohannon, author of the Empty Bodies series
"Read the complete series. Absolutely awesome author." - Amazon Review
Indie Thriller Novel of the Year Finalist
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2020
1646 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Dan Padavona
100 books607 followersAuthor of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 27, 2020
This book delivers on being a gripping serial killer thriller, and in its audiobook format it was one that I didn’t want to stop listening to until that last word was spoken, which then set the stage for what comes next. Typically, series like this don’t seem to resolve the story, but in the case of Darkwater Cove, the immediate story finds a resolution even though the underlying issue is the foundation for further stories. If you enjoy a good who-done-it filled with plenty of action and misdirection this is an excellent candidate, and if you enjoy audiobooks, Meghan Kelly’s narration brings this story to life, her ability to give the various characters distinct voices and personalities is excellent.
March 24, 2025
**A grand effort, but a failure, nevertheless**
If you wanna watch my sanity slowly unravel as I read through this thing, by all means....click here (spoilers imminent). This just was not a good book, mostly due to the poor writing and bad character development. Pardon the rant, but....it must be done.
Transitions between scenes are often VERY instantaneous, so you feel like you're being yanked around as a reader. There's minimal to no close-out of moments within chapters or of the chapters themselves. Here's an example for a time when a man called Gilmore was at the house:
Furthermore, while I appreciate that the author seems to know the importance of describing scenes for readers to visualize, he's doing it all at once. It's like me talking about the beauty of a sunset view over the rippling effect of the water after a frog with the colorful patterns jumped in from the moss-covered log that was there since the beginning of the rainy season which thankfully saved the land from a long, difficult drought that had sadly triggered a few fires earlier in the year. And here you thought I was just going to talk about the sunset. *facepalm*
Worse than the writing are the characters, the main one in particular named Darcy. You're told she's an ex-FBI agent/profiler, but good luck believing it. It's a job you don't get to see her do like at ALL since the trauma she experienced in chapter 1 forces her to retire early by chapter 2. That means you'll only be TOLD about her skills in narrative form. You have to get through the rest of the book reading how very NOT FBI-like she is. You also have to experience what a horrible mother she is. So now she's bad at being FBI-minded and motherly-minded. Seriously, she's terrible.
Not only does this woman befriend a man she has difficulty trusting (called Bronson), but she also ignores it all and brings him into her life anyway. She lets her 17-year-old son leave the house on his own for various reasons, even AFTER she discovers there's a killer on the loose. She also at one point sends her 14-year-old daughter home with Bronson (!), who she constantly questions, accuses, distrusts, and doesn't even really KNOW. And yet, he's still an acceptable candidate to spend some alone time with her pre-teen daughter?! She even opts to bring her daughter along with her to face off against the serial killer. I wish I was joking. Mother-of-the-year right here, folks.
To make matters even WORSE, the whole killer angle was a big bust too. You're naturally gonna suspect Bronson, thanks mostly to Darcy's paranoia about him. But even if you refuse to believe it's Bronson, the author does your work for you, outright MAKING you believe he's the obvious villain by giving him forcible and inexplicable shifts in personality. He did this so much that I actually preferred Bronson NOT be the bad guy just because of how annoyingly cliché and predictable that'd be. I was relieved when it seemed someone ELSE was the villain at one point, but alas, it was not to be. It still ended up being Bronson anyway. Such a waste.
This was just all around a bad book. The high ratings are quite baffling, but hey, we all have our tastes. I wanted to give it two stars for at least not being the worst book of I ever read, but it just didn't feel right, not with how disappointed I ultimately felt in the end with way too many things. It failed to wow me and thus, by default, failed to make me a fan of it. I'll not continue this series.
If you wanna watch my sanity slowly unravel as I read through this thing, by all means....click here (spoilers imminent). This just was not a good book, mostly due to the poor writing and bad character development. Pardon the rant, but....it must be done.
Transitions between scenes are often VERY instantaneous, so you feel like you're being yanked around as a reader. There's minimal to no close-out of moments within chapters or of the chapters themselves. Here's an example for a time when a man called Gilmore was at the house:
"Should take me an hour if you don't mind me banging around out here."
The Gilmore van drives away.See what I mean? First is a snippet of dialogue with no response from any other character, only for it to abruptly end in the next. There's plenty more moments like this in the book, one paragraph has something happening, and the next is a sudden jump into something else. It got old. Fast.
Furthermore, while I appreciate that the author seems to know the importance of describing scenes for readers to visualize, he's doing it all at once. It's like me talking about the beauty of a sunset view over the rippling effect of the water after a frog with the colorful patterns jumped in from the moss-covered log that was there since the beginning of the rainy season which thankfully saved the land from a long, difficult drought that had sadly triggered a few fires earlier in the year. And here you thought I was just going to talk about the sunset. *facepalm*
Worse than the writing are the characters, the main one in particular named Darcy. You're told she's an ex-FBI agent/profiler, but good luck believing it. It's a job you don't get to see her do like at ALL since the trauma she experienced in chapter 1 forces her to retire early by chapter 2. That means you'll only be TOLD about her skills in narrative form. You have to get through the rest of the book reading how very NOT FBI-like she is. You also have to experience what a horrible mother she is. So now she's bad at being FBI-minded and motherly-minded. Seriously, she's terrible.
Not only does this woman befriend a man she has difficulty trusting (called Bronson), but she also ignores it all and brings him into her life anyway. She lets her 17-year-old son leave the house on his own for various reasons, even AFTER she discovers there's a killer on the loose. She also at one point sends her 14-year-old daughter home with Bronson (!), who she constantly questions, accuses, distrusts, and doesn't even really KNOW. And yet, he's still an acceptable candidate to spend some alone time with her pre-teen daughter?! She even opts to bring her daughter along with her to face off against the serial killer. I wish I was joking. Mother-of-the-year right here, folks.
To make matters even WORSE, the whole killer angle was a big bust too. You're naturally gonna suspect Bronson, thanks mostly to Darcy's paranoia about him. But even if you refuse to believe it's Bronson, the author does your work for you, outright MAKING you believe he's the obvious villain by giving him forcible and inexplicable shifts in personality. He did this so much that I actually preferred Bronson NOT be the bad guy just because of how annoyingly cliché and predictable that'd be. I was relieved when it seemed someone ELSE was the villain at one point, but alas, it was not to be. It still ended up being Bronson anyway. Such a waste.
This was just all around a bad book. The high ratings are quite baffling, but hey, we all have our tastes. I wanted to give it two stars for at least not being the worst book of I ever read, but it just didn't feel right, not with how disappointed I ultimately felt in the end with way too many things. It failed to wow me and thus, by default, failed to make me a fan of it. I'll not continue this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2021
lord this was awful
I can’t come up with the right words for this book. It’s all over the place…and making a former FBI agent an irrational, irresponsible, drug taking mother is a stretch. Won’t bother with the rest of the series.
I can’t come up with the right words for this book. It’s all over the place…and making a former FBI agent an irrational, irresponsible, drug taking mother is a stretch. Won’t bother with the rest of the series.
February 8, 2025
My Review and Thoughts:
I am a huge fan of serial killer stories. So, this plot was a plus to me going into it. I knew that the book had a strong storyline that I knew I would at least take to. Real monsters are scary. I feel when books capture a real lifestyle killer it makes the book all the scarier and more horrible and that is what this book has. It’s a perfect tale of a serial killer, complex and dramatic with intense scenes that depict true life monstrosities.
The characters and scenarios displayed through the book, lingers deep in the pores of emotional torment. This is an exciting, page turning gem of written word. The characters are so well drawn out and the actions displayed perfect themselves inside your imagination. The book truly is a page turner.
Darcy is a retired FBI agent. She captured one of her worst criminals, a serial killer. She hopes to live a peaceful life with her family. Until as you would guess it, a body pops up. Not just any murder, but the murder of this person has all the details of the serial killer already in jail. Is this a copycat, or is this a cat and mouse game of horrors?
Something Padavona does is twist and turns your mind. He builds the emotions. He creates the tension. He masters the dread. He takes jigsaw pieces of the story, placing them one little connected piece at a time, until it explodes in perfect clarity.
I loved Darkwater Cove. I loved everything about it. I loved the characters, dread, fear, emotions, tension and most of all a clear viewpoint of entertainment mastered. Darkwater Cove is described as a gripping Serial Killer book and that is what this book is. But this book has so much more to it than just a serial killer book. It’s meaty in plot, thick layered actions, juicy tidbits to move you along, and perfectly tender and rough in spots that build up to the final moments.
Darkwater Cove is one of those books to read and talk about and spread to others. A great plotted book. Written with perfect ease. It flows in actions and drama. All the horrors are displayed in perfect clarity.
Would I Return to this Book: Absolutely? This is one of those books you can return to down the road. The characters are perfectly built. The plot is complex. The start, middle and end all work in Grade A+ reality.
Would I Recommend: Easily. Do you love mysteries? Do you love Serial Killer horror? Do you love great characters and fast action moments? Then this is the book for you.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Final Words: Juicy, Intense Perfection. Brutal.
I am a huge fan of serial killer stories. So, this plot was a plus to me going into it. I knew that the book had a strong storyline that I knew I would at least take to. Real monsters are scary. I feel when books capture a real lifestyle killer it makes the book all the scarier and more horrible and that is what this book has. It’s a perfect tale of a serial killer, complex and dramatic with intense scenes that depict true life monstrosities.
The characters and scenarios displayed through the book, lingers deep in the pores of emotional torment. This is an exciting, page turning gem of written word. The characters are so well drawn out and the actions displayed perfect themselves inside your imagination. The book truly is a page turner.
Darcy is a retired FBI agent. She captured one of her worst criminals, a serial killer. She hopes to live a peaceful life with her family. Until as you would guess it, a body pops up. Not just any murder, but the murder of this person has all the details of the serial killer already in jail. Is this a copycat, or is this a cat and mouse game of horrors?
Something Padavona does is twist and turns your mind. He builds the emotions. He creates the tension. He masters the dread. He takes jigsaw pieces of the story, placing them one little connected piece at a time, until it explodes in perfect clarity.
I loved Darkwater Cove. I loved everything about it. I loved the characters, dread, fear, emotions, tension and most of all a clear viewpoint of entertainment mastered. Darkwater Cove is described as a gripping Serial Killer book and that is what this book is. But this book has so much more to it than just a serial killer book. It’s meaty in plot, thick layered actions, juicy tidbits to move you along, and perfectly tender and rough in spots that build up to the final moments.
Darkwater Cove is one of those books to read and talk about and spread to others. A great plotted book. Written with perfect ease. It flows in actions and drama. All the horrors are displayed in perfect clarity.
Would I Return to this Book: Absolutely? This is one of those books you can return to down the road. The characters are perfectly built. The plot is complex. The start, middle and end all work in Grade A+ reality.
Would I Recommend: Easily. Do you love mysteries? Do you love Serial Killer horror? Do you love great characters and fast action moments? Then this is the book for you.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Final Words: Juicy, Intense Perfection. Brutal.
April 19, 2020
Darkwater Cove - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Widowed ex-FBI profiler Darcy Gellar has a traumatic past, that she wants herself and her teenagers, son Hunter and daughter Jennifer to be free of, in Darkwater Cover, Book 1 of Dan Padanova's riveting, Darkwater Cove Psychological Thriller Series.
Genoa (aka Darkwater) Cove is the small town that Darcy hoped her little family would be happy to make a new start in, (after the injury and mental trauma she suffered in her previous case, plus lingering grief from the tragic unexpected death of her beloved husband) having retired early from the Agency.
Although the serial killer she was able, finally, to put away still languishes behind bars, Darcy's night terrors persist and rebellion and withdrawal by her kids wounds her feelings deeply too.
Local residents and law enforcement seem distant at best and hostile at worst, making the harassed Mom question if she made the right move from Georgia.
When a survivor of the same serial killer gets back in touch, Darcy fears the worst.
Is she right to be afraid? Is the killer targeting her again too?
Who can she trust around the family and inside their home?
Read Dan Padavona's gripping psychological thriller, Darkwater Cove and find out the truth hidden behind secrets and lies, while forgetting all about the Covd-19 pandemic, as you play detective and reveal the new killers' shocking identity... it's amazing!
Widowed ex-FBI profiler Darcy Gellar has a traumatic past, that she wants herself and her teenagers, son Hunter and daughter Jennifer to be free of, in Darkwater Cover, Book 1 of Dan Padanova's riveting, Darkwater Cove Psychological Thriller Series.
Genoa (aka Darkwater) Cove is the small town that Darcy hoped her little family would be happy to make a new start in, (after the injury and mental trauma she suffered in her previous case, plus lingering grief from the tragic unexpected death of her beloved husband) having retired early from the Agency.
Although the serial killer she was able, finally, to put away still languishes behind bars, Darcy's night terrors persist and rebellion and withdrawal by her kids wounds her feelings deeply too.
Local residents and law enforcement seem distant at best and hostile at worst, making the harassed Mom question if she made the right move from Georgia.
When a survivor of the same serial killer gets back in touch, Darcy fears the worst.
Is she right to be afraid? Is the killer targeting her again too?
Who can she trust around the family and inside their home?
Read Dan Padavona's gripping psychological thriller, Darkwater Cove and find out the truth hidden behind secrets and lies, while forgetting all about the Covd-19 pandemic, as you play detective and reveal the new killers' shocking identity... it's amazing!
December 6, 2021
❗️Research age demographics, CWs, and TWs for these books prior to reading to determine whether or not they're appropriate for you.
This story completely drew me in and kept be enthralled for hours. Darcy managed to survive impossible hurdles and lifelong devastation but kept her head above water. Jennifer and Hunter are both normal teens just try to survive a harsh teenage existence without losing themselves all together ❤ Amy was brought into their circle through utterly devastating circumstances but Darcy tried to help her find herself again and feel safe in her own home.
Bronson is a skilled manipulater who manages to take complete control over all types of situations without you even realizing it. My heart hurt because he seemed so genuine and caring which is what Darcy and the kids needed but ended up being the Devil in disguise.
This story kept me on the edge of my seat and had me in tears a few times as well.
I know that I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens in the end with Darcy and the kids.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Happy Reading 📚 😊
•tags•
#books #bookblog #bookclub #bookblogger #bookishlove #bookrecs #bookstagram #booktalk #booktok #bookworm #bloggerstyle #fortheloveofbooks #igreads #readmore #readersofig #readersofinstagram
This story completely drew me in and kept be enthralled for hours. Darcy managed to survive impossible hurdles and lifelong devastation but kept her head above water. Jennifer and Hunter are both normal teens just try to survive a harsh teenage existence without losing themselves all together ❤ Amy was brought into their circle through utterly devastating circumstances but Darcy tried to help her find herself again and feel safe in her own home.
Bronson is a skilled manipulater who manages to take complete control over all types of situations without you even realizing it. My heart hurt because he seemed so genuine and caring which is what Darcy and the kids needed but ended up being the Devil in disguise.
This story kept me on the edge of my seat and had me in tears a few times as well.
I know that I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens in the end with Darcy and the kids.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Happy Reading 📚 😊
•tags•
#books #bookblog #bookclub #bookblogger #bookishlove #bookrecs #bookstagram #booktalk #booktok #bookworm #bloggerstyle #fortheloveofbooks #igreads #readmore #readersofig #readersofinstagram
August 16, 2020
Stories that grab my attention and make me think are some of my favorite. Dan Padovana did just that with Darkwater Cove. Darcy is a retired FBI agent, with a tragic past. Trying to start over, she moves with her two kids. Danger is lurking, and signs of the serial killer she put away are coming out. But how can that be? He is in jail? Padovana masterfully weaves a web of fear and deceit. Each time I had an idea of what was going on, I was pulled into another direction. Darcy is flawed, and it's so hard not to want to help her! Hitting roadblocks, figuring out who can be trusted and dealing with difficult teens make this story intriguing! Surprises at ever turn, I loved it, and the slight cliffhanger has left me wanting more.
Meghan Kelly brings this story to life with an amazing narration. Her talent for storytelling was shining in this story. Her voices easy to distinguish makes the listen fantastic, but what really drove it home for me was her ability to inflect the suspense. I was on the edge of my seat. Loved this story and can't wait for book 2
Meghan Kelly brings this story to life with an amazing narration. Her talent for storytelling was shining in this story. Her voices easy to distinguish makes the listen fantastic, but what really drove it home for me was her ability to inflect the suspense. I was on the edge of my seat. Loved this story and can't wait for book 2
January 26, 2020
Dan Padavona grabbed my attention in the prologue and kept it too the end. In my opinion the story is compelling. The down fall is it ends in a cliffhanger which I saw coming. I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!!! Yet I will continue to read Darkwater Cove. I'm a sucker for punishment. I found Darcy Gellar very flawed but she loves her family more than anything. I thought Dan Padavona did a good job of hiding things this kept me turning the pages. I had my guesses as to who was doing what and who was not doing anything very early in the book. A couple of my guesses were dead on, my guess as to who was doing the killing was way off base. The was several murders but it was not gory, in my opinion. I've read many books like this and some get so gory it's hard to read. I can't wait to see where Dan Padavona takes the next book. In my opinion if you like reading serial killer mysteries and don't mind cliffhangers it's worth reading. I read on Kindle Unlimited.
June 7, 2020
Where is the Love...
This story is about a medically retired FBI profiler, a widow with 2 children and the agent that brought a serial killer to justice. The 3 stars rating is for Darcy’s problematic mothering and for allowing strangers into her home. These are not the actions of a mother hyper alert to the danger surrounding her and her family. She doesn’t know Bronson, her martial arts/self defense teacher but allows him to move in with her and her 14 year old daughter and 18 year old son, at one point even allowing him to stay in her home ALONE with her daughter. WTH? Spoiler alert, she allowed a tech from her new alarm company to freely roam her home Without Asking for an ID? When I read that, I knew where the danger was coming from and the rest of the book provided the how.
This story is about a medically retired FBI profiler, a widow with 2 children and the agent that brought a serial killer to justice. The 3 stars rating is for Darcy’s problematic mothering and for allowing strangers into her home. These are not the actions of a mother hyper alert to the danger surrounding her and her family. She doesn’t know Bronson, her martial arts/self defense teacher but allows him to move in with her and her 14 year old daughter and 18 year old son, at one point even allowing him to stay in her home ALONE with her daughter. WTH? Spoiler alert, she allowed a tech from her new alarm company to freely roam her home Without Asking for an ID? When I read that, I knew where the danger was coming from and the rest of the book provided the how.
October 18, 2020
Really enjoyed this one and looking forward to reading the next in the series!
FBI agent Darcy Gellar is a profiler and a good one until she meets face to face with a serial killer she has been following. Though she survives the attack from him, and he goes to prison, the trauma still lives with her. She retires from the FBI and moves her family away from their home.
She has a teenage son and daughter, Hunter and Jennifer. All she wants is a quiet life and never to see the serial killer again. She checks to make sure that he is still in prison. But, now, someone is back at her new home and killings are the same as before. She believes the serial killer is out and looking for her.
Really great book and could not read it fast enough!
FBI agent Darcy Gellar is a profiler and a good one until she meets face to face with a serial killer she has been following. Though she survives the attack from him, and he goes to prison, the trauma still lives with her. She retires from the FBI and moves her family away from their home.
She has a teenage son and daughter, Hunter and Jennifer. All she wants is a quiet life and never to see the serial killer again. She checks to make sure that he is still in prison. But, now, someone is back at her new home and killings are the same as before. She believes the serial killer is out and looking for her.
Really great book and could not read it fast enough!
December 9, 2021
Great Read
I've already read Dan Padavona's other series Wolf Lake and I REALLY enjoyed it and couldn't get through it fast enough, so when I started this series I was excited to see what he could bring to another set of characters and a new setting and he did not disappoint. This first book was great and I enjoy that this time around there were some twists and things I truly was not expecting based on the Wolf Lake Series. I love that this main character is a female with older children.
One of the things I love about Dan Padavona's work is his ability to work characters into over arcing and connected stories so I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes the characters from this series.
I've already read Dan Padavona's other series Wolf Lake and I REALLY enjoyed it and couldn't get through it fast enough, so when I started this series I was excited to see what he could bring to another set of characters and a new setting and he did not disappoint. This first book was great and I enjoy that this time around there were some twists and things I truly was not expecting based on the Wolf Lake Series. I love that this main character is a female with older children.
One of the things I love about Dan Padavona's work is his ability to work characters into over arcing and connected stories so I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes the characters from this series.
April 30, 2022
Almost too disturbing for 5 stars, but...
...that means great writing. I could not pur this book down. I was on edge from page one until the last word. Gripping is an understatement. I think I held my breath most of the book. This is about a serial killer, so it's not pretty. But I was so very pleased the author didn't fill it with gratuitous profanity and sexual content. As I say in many of my reviews, great writing doesn't need that to make a great read. I usually give myself a break after reading suspense this thrilling, but not this time. Picking right up in the next in series. I'm glad to have found a new author that writes a good book without a dystopian feel to it.
...that means great writing. I could not pur this book down. I was on edge from page one until the last word. Gripping is an understatement. I think I held my breath most of the book. This is about a serial killer, so it's not pretty. But I was so very pleased the author didn't fill it with gratuitous profanity and sexual content. As I say in many of my reviews, great writing doesn't need that to make a great read. I usually give myself a break after reading suspense this thrilling, but not this time. Picking right up in the next in series. I'm glad to have found a new author that writes a good book without a dystopian feel to it.
November 24, 2020
Finished it last night actually, in 4 days, while time is not on my side (workload, baby countdown, etc), so this tells something, at least to me!
While it is not perfect writing, sometimes the feeling that some connecting phrases were missing... did it matter? Hell no, this was addictive, hard, very hard to put down... first time I read anything from this author, but the next one is already lined-up and waiting for me on the couch (can’t wait for my lunch break to start!) Interesting is that we’ve just started watching The Following... (Kevin Bacon... ) which is quite a similar story (check idmb!)
Recommended? Highly!!!
While it is not perfect writing, sometimes the feeling that some connecting phrases were missing... did it matter? Hell no, this was addictive, hard, very hard to put down... first time I read anything from this author, but the next one is already lined-up and waiting for me on the couch (can’t wait for my lunch break to start!) Interesting is that we’ve just started watching The Following... (Kevin Bacon... ) which is quite a similar story (check idmb!)
Recommended? Highly!!!
July 16, 2021
The story of an ex-FBI profiler who seems to be revisited by the serial killer she put away. The story kind of dragged on but had good parts so I kept going. The last 1/4 of the book was well worth the wait. But here’s the thing… this book was published in January 2020. The guy wrote 5 more books for the series in the same year! So if you like this one there’s a lot more to check out.
Reminded me of a Kevin Bacon series Re a serial killer, that I really liked but was cxled. I read this book because I heard the author on a great podcast called ‘Meet the Thriller Author’. I’ve found a number of great read from this podcast.
Reminded me of a Kevin Bacon series Re a serial killer, that I really liked but was cxled. I read this book because I heard the author on a great podcast called ‘Meet the Thriller Author’. I’ve found a number of great read from this podcast.
January 22, 2022
Abandoned at 30%
Oof what a wild crazy ride at just page 73.
The writing style wasn't your typical style. There was no closure between chapters. I can't explain it. It felt like you are just reading one very long chapter after another. Oof
The first chapter was like YESSSSSS finally a great book and then it was like uhhhhh noooooooo
It felt like I was watching a movie with really bad acting. I can't explain it but wow, this book was not worth it
Oof what a wild crazy ride at just page 73.
The writing style wasn't your typical style. There was no closure between chapters. I can't explain it. It felt like you are just reading one very long chapter after another. Oof
The first chapter was like YESSSSSS finally a great book and then it was like uhhhhh noooooooo
It felt like I was watching a movie with really bad acting. I can't explain it but wow, this book was not worth it
March 19, 2022
At one point, Darla begins to think she's lost her edge, her law enforcement skills. No kidding! She doesn't trust her instincts and mostly ignores or downplays obvious warning signs. For a former FBI profiler, she doesn't have a clue far too often. Way too trusting, especially with certain people and considering her circumstances.
Speaking of obvious, far too much was obvious early on. Other things were well foreshadowed, but one situation in particular was so obvious Darla could have been in the running for TSTL.
Some things were excellent, and I may decide to read the next book in the series just to see. The flaws, however, make this just barely 3 stars for me.
Speaking of obvious, far too much was obvious early on. Other things were well foreshadowed, but one situation in particular was so obvious Darla could have been in the running for TSTL.
Some things were excellent, and I may decide to read the next book in the series just to see. The flaws, however, make this just barely 3 stars for me.
February 24, 2020
Retired FBI agent Darcy Gellar thought she was safe from the serial killer who ended her career. She will learn that she can’t run away from the killer or his followers, only now, they are targeting her children. Padavona has written an intriguing, fast-paced thriller in Darkwater Cove. Filled with suspense, twists and turns, and red herrings, this book was a page turner. Though I dislike cliffhangers, it fit well with the ending of this novel and I do look forward to picking up the next one in the series. I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
July 24, 2023
Good thing this is fictional, because who in their right mind let's a man you just met come stay at your house, alone with your teenage kids? I understand being scared and you would think an ex cop would be trust worthy, however, we all know dirty cops exist. For being a retired FBI agent Darcy isn't very smart. It was way too obvious Bronson was involved. So obvious that I wished he wasn't. Despite all that I did enjoy the book and am on to the 2nd book. I am interested in finding out who's helping Rivers in prison.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2025
The only reason I’m not rating this as 5 stars is because I knew who it was! Otherwise this book was amazing! I’ve already downloaded book 2 of the series and I can’t wait to start.
I’m wondering if she’s going to end up going back to k to the FBI at some point or if that is even possible. Sounds like she can’t be a consultant based on her conversation with her old partner but you never know.
Very suspenseful. Dark and edgy. If murder, mystery, and serial killers are your thing, I think you would enjoy this book!
I’m wondering if she’s going to end up going back to k to the FBI at some point or if that is even possible. Sounds like she can’t be a consultant based on her conversation with her old partner but you never know.
Very suspenseful. Dark and edgy. If murder, mystery, and serial killers are your thing, I think you would enjoy this book!
March 1, 2020
Slow to start but worth the reading
The beginning of this book caught my interest but eventually after 40% thru I was losing interest. I thought I would stop reading but the reviews were so good I decided to keep reading. I'm glad I did because it was an awesome story. I did feel that it was pretty obvious who the bad guy was but the story came thru in other characters to keep your eyes on.
I was given a copy of the book to read. I am providing my honest review.
The beginning of this book caught my interest but eventually after 40% thru I was losing interest. I thought I would stop reading but the reviews were so good I decided to keep reading. I'm glad I did because it was an awesome story. I did feel that it was pretty obvious who the bad guy was but the story came thru in other characters to keep your eyes on.
I was given a copy of the book to read. I am providing my honest review.
June 13, 2020
Not a bad book but it ends without concluding the story, and even the motive of the secondary antagonist in this book isn't explained.
Would've been 3 stars if not for the unfinished ending that forces you to buy the second book.
I don't care enough about the characters to do so, and I certainly don't care for being strung along in this way, so that will be a pass.
Also has some sloppy errors with spelling, an incorrect verb, and a switched name.
Would've been 3 stars if not for the unfinished ending that forces you to buy the second book.
I don't care enough about the characters to do so, and I certainly don't care for being strung along in this way, so that will be a pass.
Also has some sloppy errors with spelling, an incorrect verb, and a switched name.
June 20, 2020
Questionable
I have to agree that some of the book was action packed and on the edge but realistically it was lacking. One would assume once trained as an FBI agent the skills would stay with. The protagonist was in my estimation kind of weak in the skills that she was taught. Where was the instinct. She acted more like an ordinary scared scatterbrained Mother protecting her young.
I have to agree that some of the book was action packed and on the edge but realistically it was lacking. One would assume once trained as an FBI agent the skills would stay with. The protagonist was in my estimation kind of weak in the skills that she was taught. Where was the instinct. She acted more like an ordinary scared scatterbrained Mother protecting her young.
July 8, 2020
Darcy is not your typical heroine. She has lost her husband and now raises two children on her own. She has also been physically attacked and thus emotionally scarred. Her son wants to help but he is also traumatized by the loss of his father and his mother's problems. They love each other but they don't communicate well which leaves him open to an adult friendship which may or may not be the best. Read it and see. This is the kind of book that grabs you and keeps you enthralled.
September 12, 2020
Former FBI agent, Darcy has moves to Darkwater Cove to keep her family safe. Except, the serial killer that she put behind bars 3yrs ago...and whom had almost killed her, seems to be taunting her. When bodies begin to show up, it’s up to Darcy and her former FBI partner to catch a killer. Not to mention the friend who betrays her. Good story, although it tends to read as a draft. Kudos to the narrator...her performance kept me listening to the end.
March 13, 2021
Wow! Intense!
This one was a sensational thriller, and I rarely use the word! Darcy, an ex-FBI profiler put away a serial killer who wants revenge. She moved her family to Genoa Cove, NC. She thought they could make a new life there, but everything goes wrong, additionally she has another serial killer of which she needs to find. This one is a fan of Rivers, the one she put away! Believe me, you will have rapid heart rate reading this one!
This one was a sensational thriller, and I rarely use the word! Darcy, an ex-FBI profiler put away a serial killer who wants revenge. She moved her family to Genoa Cove, NC. She thought they could make a new life there, but everything goes wrong, additionally she has another serial killer of which she needs to find. This one is a fan of Rivers, the one she put away! Believe me, you will have rapid heart rate reading this one!
October 27, 2021
A single mother who struggles with very real issues raising teenagers but also a kick-ass agent trying to keep her kids safe from a serial killer who torments her—what's not to love? I enjoyed being introduced to Padavona's Darkwater series—all the twists and turns and thrills—and look forward to more. And I'm not just saying that because the heroine's name is Darcy. Thanks for a good ride/good read.
October 19, 2022
This book is the first novel of the series.
I read "Dead and Buried", the prequel, more than a year ago and enjoyed it a lot.
This book is even better. It explores the lives of all the characters and delves deeply into the family's issues with traumatic events.
There are elements of FBI Thriller, serial killers, and psychology running through this.
I hope that the rest of the series will be just as good.
I read "Dead and Buried", the prequel, more than a year ago and enjoyed it a lot.
This book is even better. It explores the lives of all the characters and delves deeply into the family's issues with traumatic events.
There are elements of FBI Thriller, serial killers, and psychology running through this.
I hope that the rest of the series will be just as good.
February 11, 2023
Reading this book is like listening to someone talk about themselves in the third person. It was very annoying. I kept going, thinking the story might be worth it...but the main character, supposedly a retired top ranking FBI behavioral analysis agent, acts like a complete dumbass. I made it a little past halfway before I jumped to the end and saw that it ended exactly as anyone whose ever read a book before would have predicted. I will not being reading the rest of the series.
August 15, 2020
An excellent thriller that kept me listen non-stop wanting to know what would happen next.
Darcy and her family are great characters: flawed, conflicted and with a lot of issues but very, very human.
And the storyline is complex, filled with red-herrings and enthralling.
Meghan Kelly does a good job with the narration.
Darcy and her family are great characters: flawed, conflicted and with a lot of issues but very, very human.
And the storyline is complex, filled with red-herrings and enthralling.
Meghan Kelly does a good job with the narration.
May 19, 2021
It’s fairly good
Reasonable book, decent read.
A bit linear, sparely populated with characters and significant events.
Could do with been part of a longer more complex book, that actually took the main plot to a significant conclusion.
I suspect some will continue reading because it doesn’t whist others won’t bother for the same reason.
Reasonable book, decent read.
A bit linear, sparely populated with characters and significant events.
Could do with been part of a longer more complex book, that actually took the main plot to a significant conclusion.
I suspect some will continue reading because it doesn’t whist others won’t bother for the same reason.
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