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Allison Barton #2
The Darkest Web
What is more dangerous? The lies she tells or the truth she’s hiding?
Jane Knudsen is an exceptionally private and intimidatingly beautiful workaholic attorney. Unflappable and cool, she’s the last person likely to suddenly snap and murder one of her firm’s senior partners. Yet she’s become the most likely suspect in the crime. She’s retained Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, to represent her. It’s Allison’s job to believe Jane, even if Allison never really knew her. No one did. Jane always made sure of that.
For Allison, getting close to her client now grows more complicated with each new development in the case. There may be other suspects in the victim’s orbit—his harried assistant, his wrathful wife, his overly attached daughter—but everything points to Jane’s guilt. She had opportunity, access, the weapon, and a motive—and she’s hiding something else. And Jane would rather go to prison for life than reveal the secrets that could save her.
But what secrets are worse than murder? And what will Allison risk to discover them?
Jane Knudsen is an exceptionally private and intimidatingly beautiful workaholic attorney. Unflappable and cool, she’s the last person likely to suddenly snap and murder one of her firm’s senior partners. Yet she’s become the most likely suspect in the crime. She’s retained Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, to represent her. It’s Allison’s job to believe Jane, even if Allison never really knew her. No one did. Jane always made sure of that.
For Allison, getting close to her client now grows more complicated with each new development in the case. There may be other suspects in the victim’s orbit—his harried assistant, his wrathful wife, his overly attached daughter—but everything points to Jane’s guilt. She had opportunity, access, the weapon, and a motive—and she’s hiding something else. And Jane would rather go to prison for life than reveal the secrets that could save her.
But what secrets are worse than murder? And what will Allison risk to discover them?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2022
311 people are currently reading
3717 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Wright
5 books244 followersKristin lives in Virginia with her husband, two sons, and two beagles (one silly, one Machiavellian). She's a native of the Detroit area, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and has practiced law in many fields, including big firm litigation, criminal defense, personal injury, local government, and divorce and custody. She writes before work and behind the wheel of her car in the parking lots of many youth sport practices.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
April 27, 2022
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Writing: 5/5 | Plot: 4.5/5 | Ending: 4/5
THE PLOT
Jane Knudsen, described as beautiful, cold, and guarded like Fort Knox, finds her boss, Ray, shot in his office one morning. Although she maintains her innocence, Jane is suspect #1, and this is annoying because 1) who likes to be accused of murder and face life in prison? and 2) she has secrets she doesn't need the police nosing around in.
Jane hires Allison, her former UVA Law roommate, as her lawyer. As Allison digs into the case, and subsequently Jane's background, she starts to wonder if Jane is who she says she is, and what she's really capable of.
MY OPINION
Wow. Wow. WOW. I love legal thrillers, and this female-driven novel really hit the sweet spot for me. Kristin Wright's writing is fresh, balanced, and most of all... genuinely funny. Excerpts that made me laugh:
"As a motive for homicide, however, it was weak sauce."
"Go buck wild and replace all my plastic food storage containers."
"It helps that Karen is the most Karen of Karens."
Other excerpts I really enjoyed:
"No one would find me here, in the unmarked Honda Accord of law firms."
"I could feel my self-esteem going on vacation."
"He handed over money to his wife and daughter and thought it substituted for love." (Ouch)
"I had spent years reading psychology books and magazines to figure out why, when they've hurt us worse than anyone else can, we still so desperately crave lover and approval from our parents."
"Maybe men don't need romance. Maybe you all think of marriage as a way of organizing your lives. Making things more convenient. Cutting down on your commute, or something." (Topical/timely reference to that ongoing debate that men marry for convenience vs woman marry for love)
I also appreciated how Kristin tackled difficult subjects. And as someone who lived in Virginia for a brief amount of time, I felt more "connected" to the novel because I was familiar with Lynchburg and Charlottesville. I'll definitely be checking out her other books.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Great writing, fantastic sense of humour, great approach to sensitive/challenging topics
Cons: The "I'm so pretty, woe is me" "pretty privilege doesn't exist for me" comments were kinda annoying... Even though the author explains WHY... It's not like the horrid events are only reserved for society's most attractive. The ending was a bit rushed and one major component was left unexplored.
Follow me on IG I'm funny over there too (hopefully)
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Writing: 5/5 | Plot: 4.5/5 | Ending: 4/5
THE PLOT
Jane Knudsen, described as beautiful, cold, and guarded like Fort Knox, finds her boss, Ray, shot in his office one morning. Although she maintains her innocence, Jane is suspect #1, and this is annoying because 1) who likes to be accused of murder and face life in prison? and 2) she has secrets she doesn't need the police nosing around in.
Jane hires Allison, her former UVA Law roommate, as her lawyer. As Allison digs into the case, and subsequently Jane's background, she starts to wonder if Jane is who she says she is, and what she's really capable of.
MY OPINION
Wow. Wow. WOW. I love legal thrillers, and this female-driven novel really hit the sweet spot for me. Kristin Wright's writing is fresh, balanced, and most of all... genuinely funny. Excerpts that made me laugh:
"As a motive for homicide, however, it was weak sauce."
"Go buck wild and replace all my plastic food storage containers."
"It helps that Karen is the most Karen of Karens."
Other excerpts I really enjoyed:
"No one would find me here, in the unmarked Honda Accord of law firms."
"I could feel my self-esteem going on vacation."
"He handed over money to his wife and daughter and thought it substituted for love." (Ouch)
"I had spent years reading psychology books and magazines to figure out why, when they've hurt us worse than anyone else can, we still so desperately crave lover and approval from our parents."
"Maybe men don't need romance. Maybe you all think of marriage as a way of organizing your lives. Making things more convenient. Cutting down on your commute, or something." (Topical/timely reference to that ongoing debate that men marry for convenience vs woman marry for love)
I also appreciated how Kristin tackled difficult subjects. And as someone who lived in Virginia for a brief amount of time, I felt more "connected" to the novel because I was familiar with Lynchburg and Charlottesville. I'll definitely be checking out her other books.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Great writing, fantastic sense of humour, great approach to sensitive/challenging topics
Cons: The "I'm so pretty, woe is me" "pretty privilege doesn't exist for me" comments were kinda annoying... Even though the author explains WHY... It's not like the horrid events are only reserved for society's most attractive. The ending was a bit rushed and one major component was left unexplored.
Follow me on IG I'm funny over there too (hopefully)
March 27, 2022
That was really well done. This story challenges your perceptions of people, those assumptions you make in that first split second you meet someone. It hooked me in big time and I read the book in almost one sitting.
Thirty two year old Jane Knudsen is, by all accounts beautiful - stunningly, gorgeously beautiful. Women want to be her and men want to f*** her. Yet she goes out of her way to become insignificant, she dresses very conservatively, she rarely dates and she has no close friends even though, by all accounts she is friendly enough. It is almost as if she is hiding something, because of course she is.
Jane works as an associate at a law firm in Charlottesville. She is always the first to arrive at 6:00 am and often works into the night. One morning, as she heads into her boss’s office to collect something she senses right away there is something wrong. Her boss, Raymond (Ray) V. Corrigan Jnr lies dead on the floor in a pool of blood. Jane calls the police and then her former college roommate, Allison Barton, a successful criminal defence attorney to defend her on the charges she is sure will eventually follow.
Oh Jane didn’t kill Ray, there is a long line of people who would ahead of her in the queue for that - Ray was not well liked at the firm. No, Jane does have a secret though. It is something she been at great pains to hide. It is something she doesn’t want to share with her lawyer. But as the police dig deeper and come to arrest her for Ray’s murder she realises she needs to trust her lawyer or risk going to prison. She knows her secret provides a motive for Ray’s murder. That is she would consider the prison option is indicative of how desperate she is to keep her secret hidden. I’m not going to tell you either but, trust me, it is a very sad tale.
The characters were crisply rendered and it was interesting to see Jane and Allison slowly drawing towards friendship. As roommates they were not very close at all. There were no flat spots in the narrative. This one clipped along at an excellent pace throughout. I felt so sorry for Jane and hoped she could eventually find some happiness. I really enjoyed this book though. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Thirty two year old Jane Knudsen is, by all accounts beautiful - stunningly, gorgeously beautiful. Women want to be her and men want to f*** her. Yet she goes out of her way to become insignificant, she dresses very conservatively, she rarely dates and she has no close friends even though, by all accounts she is friendly enough. It is almost as if she is hiding something, because of course she is.
Jane works as an associate at a law firm in Charlottesville. She is always the first to arrive at 6:00 am and often works into the night. One morning, as she heads into her boss’s office to collect something she senses right away there is something wrong. Her boss, Raymond (Ray) V. Corrigan Jnr lies dead on the floor in a pool of blood. Jane calls the police and then her former college roommate, Allison Barton, a successful criminal defence attorney to defend her on the charges she is sure will eventually follow.
Oh Jane didn’t kill Ray, there is a long line of people who would ahead of her in the queue for that - Ray was not well liked at the firm. No, Jane does have a secret though. It is something she been at great pains to hide. It is something she doesn’t want to share with her lawyer. But as the police dig deeper and come to arrest her for Ray’s murder she realises she needs to trust her lawyer or risk going to prison. She knows her secret provides a motive for Ray’s murder. That is she would consider the prison option is indicative of how desperate she is to keep her secret hidden. I’m not going to tell you either but, trust me, it is a very sad tale.
The characters were crisply rendered and it was interesting to see Jane and Allison slowly drawing towards friendship. As roommates they were not very close at all. There were no flat spots in the narrative. This one clipped along at an excellent pace throughout. I felt so sorry for Jane and hoped she could eventually find some happiness. I really enjoyed this book though. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
April 23, 2022
The Darkest Web by Kristin Wright is second in the Allison Barton series but reads quite well as a stand-alone. Jane Knudsen, an exceptional beauty, is a lawyer working for a legal firm which values billable hours over the staff’s wellbeing. Her looks have always been a disadvantage because most people do not look at the person beneath the exterior. When her boss is murdered in his office, Jane is soon charged with his murder. Because she will need expert legal representation, she goes to Allison Barton, her roommate for their first year of law school. The two women have not seen each other since school a decade ago and are feeling unsure how the relationship will work. It will be up to Allison to determine who could have been responsible for the murder and there are many possibilities. Jane will need to overcome the memories of her horrible childhood which has cast a pall over her entire life. The book alternates between chapters by each woman, which works extremely well for the reader to get to know Jane and Allison. The Darkest Web is a tense and taut legal drama and the characters are realistically flawed. I look forward to reading more books by Kristin Wright. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2023
Jane Knudsen is a dedicated attorney whose past is a mystery even to those who think they know her. Early one morning she discovers her boss, one of the senior partners in the law firm, dead in his office. Jane is the most likely suspect as rumor has it that she was having an affair with him. She retains Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, to represent her.
I really enjoyed this well-written legal thriller and found that the pages went pretty quickly whenever I got into it. The story is told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Jane and Allison and they are both strong characters. There are some tense moments as well as some humorous moments and also some heartbreaking moments as we learn about Jane's past.
I plan to read the first book in this series, The Darkest Flower, which is available free from amazon with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Personally I don't feel that I missed anything by not reading it first though.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own. This book was published in April 2022.
I really enjoyed this well-written legal thriller and found that the pages went pretty quickly whenever I got into it. The story is told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Jane and Allison and they are both strong characters. There are some tense moments as well as some humorous moments and also some heartbreaking moments as we learn about Jane's past.
I plan to read the first book in this series, The Darkest Flower, which is available free from amazon with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Personally I don't feel that I missed anything by not reading it first though.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own. This book was published in April 2022.
April 23, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this legal mystery thriller from Kristin Wright!
This is my first book from this author, but I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.
The story was interesting, progressing in a nice pace and had a tragic childhood trauma intertwined with a murder mystery.
It really kept me glued it the (kindle) pages until the very end.
I really loved the characters, I found them to be well rounded and believable, The back story of the main suspect was truly heartbreaking and I loved the ending (bloody revenge galore!).
I think I would have to rate it 4.5 stars and I am happy to round it up to 5.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
This is my first book from this author, but I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.
The story was interesting, progressing in a nice pace and had a tragic childhood trauma intertwined with a murder mystery.
It really kept me glued it the (kindle) pages until the very end.
I really loved the characters, I found them to be well rounded and believable, The back story of the main suspect was truly heartbreaking and I loved the ending (bloody revenge galore!).
I think I would have to rate it 4.5 stars and I am happy to round it up to 5.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
February 28, 2022
On a whim a few months back I had downloaded The Darkest Flower, by Kristin Wright, and I was blown away with her writing style. The Darkest Web, is the follow up to this book and brings back Allison Barton, the hard hustling power attorney, from The Darkest Flower.
Now, series, are never usually my thing but when you read The Darkest Flower, you will understand why I was so eager to see a sequel was being released. The Darkest Web, can be read as a standalone but I would not recommend it . Also, the first book was amazing, why would you want to miss it?
The story centers around Jane and her old college room-mate, Allison (yay! Allison is back!) . Jane is the prime subject in a recent murder and she needs Allison's help but Jane has some secrets she would like to stay hidden (yikes!)
This novel is filled with deceitful secrets, twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I would love to see a third book happen. Again, totally not like me.
I have become a huge fan of Kristin Wright, and I am eager to see what she comes out with next! This is a book you dont want to miss so make sure to pre-order!
Now, series, are never usually my thing but when you read The Darkest Flower, you will understand why I was so eager to see a sequel was being released. The Darkest Web, can be read as a standalone but I would not recommend it . Also, the first book was amazing, why would you want to miss it?
The story centers around Jane and her old college room-mate, Allison (yay! Allison is back!) . Jane is the prime subject in a recent murder and she needs Allison's help but Jane has some secrets she would like to stay hidden (yikes!)
This novel is filled with deceitful secrets, twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I would love to see a third book happen. Again, totally not like me.
I have become a huge fan of Kristin Wright, and I am eager to see what she comes out with next! This is a book you dont want to miss so make sure to pre-order!
January 15, 2022
Big thanks to @Thomas and Mercer, as well as to @NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Darkest Web.
I loved this book!! It tells the story of Jane Knudsen, who is an exceptionally private and intimidatingly beautiful workaholic attorney. Yet, she’s also the most likely suspect in the murder of a senior partner. It also tells the story of Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, whom she retains to represent her. I was equally fond of both Jane and Allison!
First of all, I want to thank the author for the way the book was set up. Each chapter listed the name of the person narrating it. Honestly, I don't know why more authors don't do that.
I was intrigued the entire time I was reading - never bored for a moment! I feel strongly that the issue it delved into isn't mentioned enough in the real world, even though it happens far more than it should. I loved the end of the book! Loved it!!
I didn't realize this was the second book of the series but in my opinion, it reads well as a stand-alone. I'm happy this is a series and I can't wait to read the next one! I definitely recommend The Darkest Web!
#TheDarkestWeb #NetGalley
I loved this book!! It tells the story of Jane Knudsen, who is an exceptionally private and intimidatingly beautiful workaholic attorney. Yet, she’s also the most likely suspect in the murder of a senior partner. It also tells the story of Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, whom she retains to represent her. I was equally fond of both Jane and Allison!
First of all, I want to thank the author for the way the book was set up. Each chapter listed the name of the person narrating it. Honestly, I don't know why more authors don't do that.
I was intrigued the entire time I was reading - never bored for a moment! I feel strongly that the issue it delved into isn't mentioned enough in the real world, even though it happens far more than it should. I loved the end of the book! Loved it!!
I didn't realize this was the second book of the series but in my opinion, it reads well as a stand-alone. I'm happy this is a series and I can't wait to read the next one! I definitely recommend The Darkest Web!
#TheDarkestWeb #NetGalley
June 30, 2022
Wow! Just one word to describe this brilliant book & series. Kristin Wright found the sweet spot of the mystery/ thriller genre AND it's refreshingly not a police procedural!! I knew I HAD to read this book after reading the first book - The Darkest Flower. And what a book! I loved the characters - Jane Knudsen and the plot. There was so much suspense behind Jane's past and the reveal is shocking! I couldn't tell who the killer was even a page before the actual reveal that's how unpredictable it was and I LOVED it! Allison Barton is a such a great character! Her approach to every problem is sensible and Kristin makes everything feel so real unlike other books where you can tell stuff's written for shock value. I love this book and series and recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Kristin Wright for this arc!
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Kristin Wright for this arc!
April 13, 2022
3.5 stars.
Lawyer Jane Knudsen tries to stay as invisible as she can. When she comes to work early one morning to find her boss murdered, she realizes she's in serious trouble as she will be the chief suspect. Jane hires Allison Barton tot represent her. Although they roomed together in law school, Allison doesn't begin to know the secrets Jane has been keeping.
The story is driven by the two female characters. The mystery is finding out who killed the boss and what Jane is hiding. Since everyone hated the boss, there are suspects aplenty. I liked Allison. I missed the first book in this series but I'd like to find time to read it.
Lawyer Jane Knudsen tries to stay as invisible as she can. When she comes to work early one morning to find her boss murdered, she realizes she's in serious trouble as she will be the chief suspect. Jane hires Allison Barton tot represent her. Although they roomed together in law school, Allison doesn't begin to know the secrets Jane has been keeping.
The story is driven by the two female characters. The mystery is finding out who killed the boss and what Jane is hiding. Since everyone hated the boss, there are suspects aplenty. I liked Allison. I missed the first book in this series but I'd like to find time to read it.
December 19, 2021
The Darkest Web is a fast-paced, interesting story with lots of characters to analyze, critique, and love or hate, depending on who they are. The main story follows Allison and Jane as the story alternates between each of their points of views. When a murder occurs at Jane's law office, she is completely convinced she will be accused of the crime and so she asks Allison, her college roommate and a criminal defense attorney, for help. Truth is, they were never close back at school, Jane is very private and holds her secrets close. As a result she never lets anyone get close to her - then or now - and in the past Allison made assumptions about Jane that Jane never corrected.
As you read the story, you quickly realize that one of the main themes/topics is about making assumptions about individuals. What do we assume about women vs men? What are we more apt to believe when we hear a rumor? For Allison's part, I appreciated her character growth in realizing some of the mistakes and assumptions she had made in her past relating to Jane and how her bid to correct them helped open up the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and can recommend if you are looking for a light modern-day mystery that features women in lead roles. I hate books that drag on and thankfully this one never did. Every chapter brought you a new question or motive or event. One additional note: I didn't realize it was the 2nd of the series, but there were only minor references to the first book and had no trouble keeping up.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
As you read the story, you quickly realize that one of the main themes/topics is about making assumptions about individuals. What do we assume about women vs men? What are we more apt to believe when we hear a rumor? For Allison's part, I appreciated her character growth in realizing some of the mistakes and assumptions she had made in her past relating to Jane and how her bid to correct them helped open up the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and can recommend if you are looking for a light modern-day mystery that features women in lead roles. I hate books that drag on and thankfully this one never did. Every chapter brought you a new question or motive or event. One additional note: I didn't realize it was the 2nd of the series, but there were only minor references to the first book and had no trouble keeping up.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
March 3, 2022
Full of twists, secrets and drama, this legal thriller kept me guessing. This book was mostly fast paced, and we were introduced to several characters while trying to figure out who the real murderer was. At times, I wasn't sure myself which way the story was going!
Allison and Jane are both lawyers. They were old college roommates during law school, but they were never really friends. They reunite years later when Jane needs legal help. Each chaoter is told from the perspective of Jane or Allison and I loved getting a look inside each of their minds. There were many situations where each one made an assumption that was very offbase, but eventually they learn that they were wrong about each other. loved Allison's character and Jane really grew on me too!
The Darkest Web is the sequel to The Darkest Flower in the Allison Barton series. I have not read The Darkest Flower yet, but I was still able to understand and enjoy The Darkest Web as a standalone! I do plan to go back and read the first one because I really enjoyed this!
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I like the characters and I loved the plot. I look forward to reading more from this author.
*Please check trigger warnings before reading. This book has A LOT of them*
Allison and Jane are both lawyers. They were old college roommates during law school, but they were never really friends. They reunite years later when Jane needs legal help. Each chaoter is told from the perspective of Jane or Allison and I loved getting a look inside each of their minds. There were many situations where each one made an assumption that was very offbase, but eventually they learn that they were wrong about each other. loved Allison's character and Jane really grew on me too!
The Darkest Web is the sequel to The Darkest Flower in the Allison Barton series. I have not read The Darkest Flower yet, but I was still able to understand and enjoy The Darkest Web as a standalone! I do plan to go back and read the first one because I really enjoyed this!
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I like the characters and I loved the plot. I look forward to reading more from this author.
*Please check trigger warnings before reading. This book has A LOT of them*
February 13, 2022
Jane Knudsen is extremely private and often described as an ice queen, she keeps everyone at arms length although something everyone can agree on is that Jane is a stunningly beautiful woman. Jane who is a workaholic attorney is accused of killing her boss and seemingly had opportunity, she hires her ex law school roommate Allison Barton. Allison doesn't know Jane well, no one does and if she's honest with herself she was always jealous of Jane's good looks. It is her job to get to represent her client but is Jane hiding more than Allison bargained for?
Firstly, I had trouble putting this book down so I clearly enjoyed it. It flowed really well and I desperately wanted to know the big secret that Jane was hiding... which by the way is not for the faint of heart. The author doesn't skirt around the edges of difficult subject matter she delves right into it and fair warning it isn't pretty.
I equally liked and disliked Allison and Jane but ultimately I thought they made a powerhouse team. I was a bit sick and tired of hearing about the beauty of Jane and her so called privilege or lack thereof because of her beauty, it really did run through the heart of it and while it was there for a reason it did get laid on a bit thick at times.
This is a legal thriller so legal terms are par for the course but if I never have to hear the term 'billable hours' ever again it might just be too soon - it by no means ruins the book but man those lawyers ... is that all they think about? I also found Jane's 'secret' to be quite drawn out at times often going over and over the same elements which definitely added to the word count but perhaps not much more to the storyline.
Overall I found the book to be enjoyable, the writing style was super easy to follow with Jane and Allison's POV clearly labelled. The ending could be accused of being a little rushed and cut short with a large element of the story left untouched but it didn't ruin the overall book.
This is the second book in the series but you wouldn't know it as it can be read entirely as a standalone, you did not need the first one for any context at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advance readers copy of this novel for my honest review.
Firstly, I had trouble putting this book down so I clearly enjoyed it. It flowed really well and I desperately wanted to know the big secret that Jane was hiding... which by the way is not for the faint of heart. The author doesn't skirt around the edges of difficult subject matter she delves right into it and fair warning it isn't pretty.
I equally liked and disliked Allison and Jane but ultimately I thought they made a powerhouse team. I was a bit sick and tired of hearing about the beauty of Jane and her so called privilege or lack thereof because of her beauty, it really did run through the heart of it and while it was there for a reason it did get laid on a bit thick at times.
This is a legal thriller so legal terms are par for the course but if I never have to hear the term 'billable hours' ever again it might just be too soon - it by no means ruins the book but man those lawyers ... is that all they think about? I also found Jane's 'secret' to be quite drawn out at times often going over and over the same elements which definitely added to the word count but perhaps not much more to the storyline.
Overall I found the book to be enjoyable, the writing style was super easy to follow with Jane and Allison's POV clearly labelled. The ending could be accused of being a little rushed and cut short with a large element of the story left untouched but it didn't ruin the overall book.
This is the second book in the series but you wouldn't know it as it can be read entirely as a standalone, you did not need the first one for any context at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advance readers copy of this novel for my honest review.
April 18, 2022
Hi! If you're here, you've read The Darkest Web or are thinking about it--and I'm so glad, either way! Yes, I gave it five stars, because I think it's my best work yet (though I'm hoping the one I'm writing now will be even better, when it's finally done). Thanks for taking the time to meet Jane and greet Allison, and I hope you'll get in touch with me on IG or Twitter to tell me what you thought! -- KW
May 24, 2022
Arc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
~•~ Synopsis
"My life history had taught me to expect that I’d get what I deserved, and then I’d get a lot worse than that."
Jane Knudsen is an intimidatingly beautiful private attorney, one of her senior partners ends up dead, she finds him and becomes the prime suspect. She gets Allison, our other main character and her law school friend to represent her. Jane has a secret she would rather go to prison than tell everyone.
~•~ Plot
It was so slow in the beginning to the point I decided to dnf for a little bit but when I picked it up, I ended up enjoying it. It flowed well enough and was (good) okay.
~•~ Allison
"I’d have to go with white lies. Lawyers tell so many. I’d stopped feeling guilty about them— mostly.
Allison felt like the second lead compared to Jane. I don't have much to say about her, she was good and believable but she was just there as the attorney.
~•~ Jane
“You would survive,” I said. I didn’t want to go to prison either, but it probably wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to me. And people could survive a lot more than they knew."
Jane is definitely the highlight of this book for me. She was dark and strong... I love backstories in books and I felt like her backstory delivered!! Love that for her
~•~ Writing
"It was amazing how many ways, small and large, there were to be humiliated and betrayed, and how the little ones hurt almost as much as the big ones."
It faded into the background (just like a lot of thriller/mystery books I read), but it was just fine and did the job of telling the story.
~•~ Conclusion
🆗Plot
🆗✔️Characters
🆗Writing
--------------------------------
Rating system
❌= I did not like it
🆗= It was ok, I have nothing against but it doesn't stand out
✔️ = It was great and I wouldn't change anything about it
❌🆗 = Somewhere between I did not like it and ok
🆗✔️= Somewhere between ok and great
~•~ Synopsis
"My life history had taught me to expect that I’d get what I deserved, and then I’d get a lot worse than that."
Jane Knudsen is an intimidatingly beautiful private attorney, one of her senior partners ends up dead, she finds him and becomes the prime suspect. She gets Allison, our other main character and her law school friend to represent her. Jane has a secret she would rather go to prison than tell everyone.
~•~ Plot
It was so slow in the beginning to the point I decided to dnf for a little bit but when I picked it up, I ended up enjoying it. It flowed well enough and was (good) okay.
~•~ Allison
"I’d have to go with white lies. Lawyers tell so many. I’d stopped feeling guilty about them— mostly.
Allison felt like the second lead compared to Jane. I don't have much to say about her, she was good and believable but she was just there as the attorney.
~•~ Jane
“You would survive,” I said. I didn’t want to go to prison either, but it probably wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to me. And people could survive a lot more than they knew."
Jane is definitely the highlight of this book for me. She was dark and strong... I love backstories in books and I felt like her backstory delivered!! Love that for her
~•~ Writing
"It was amazing how many ways, small and large, there were to be humiliated and betrayed, and how the little ones hurt almost as much as the big ones."
It faded into the background (just like a lot of thriller/mystery books I read), but it was just fine and did the job of telling the story.
~•~ Conclusion
🆗Plot
🆗✔️Characters
🆗Writing
--------------------------------
Rating system
❌= I did not like it
🆗= It was ok, I have nothing against but it doesn't stand out
✔️ = It was great and I wouldn't change anything about it
❌🆗 = Somewhere between I did not like it and ok
🆗✔️= Somewhere between ok and great
March 13, 2022
The Darkest Web is the sequel to The Darkest Flower in the Allison Barton series by Kristin Wright. I have not read The Darkest Flower yet, but I was still able to understand and enjoy The Darkest Web as a standalone! I do plan to go back and read the first one because I really enjoyed this!
Full of twists, secrets and drama, this legal thriller kept me guessing. This book was mostly fast paced, and we were introduced to several characters while trying to figure out who the real murderer was. At times, I wasn't sure myself which way the story was going!
Allison and Jane are both lawyers. They were old college roommates during law school, but they were never really friends. They reunite years later when Jane needs legal help. Each chaoter is told from the perspective of Jane or Allison and I loved getting a look inside each of their minds. There were many situations where each one made an assumption that was very offbase, but eventually they learn that they were wrong about each other. loved Allison's character and Jane really grew on me too!
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I like the characters and I loved the plot. I look forward to reading more from this author!
*Please check trigger warnings before reading. This book has A LOT of them*
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Full of twists, secrets and drama, this legal thriller kept me guessing. This book was mostly fast paced, and we were introduced to several characters while trying to figure out who the real murderer was. At times, I wasn't sure myself which way the story was going!
Allison and Jane are both lawyers. They were old college roommates during law school, but they were never really friends. They reunite years later when Jane needs legal help. Each chaoter is told from the perspective of Jane or Allison and I loved getting a look inside each of their minds. There were many situations where each one made an assumption that was very offbase, but eventually they learn that they were wrong about each other. loved Allison's character and Jane really grew on me too!
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I like the characters and I loved the plot. I look forward to reading more from this author!
*Please check trigger warnings before reading. This book has A LOT of them*
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December 23, 2021
An outstanding legal thriller that intrigues your brain, shocks your senses and compels you to complete it in a single sitting.
When 32-year old insurance lawyer Jane Knudsen is implicated in the murder of her boss, Ray Corrigan, she retains her college roommate, Allison Barton, as her defense lawyer. While Jane has always been referred to as Ice Queen, untouchable, odd duck, cold fish, etc. Allison realizes that no one ever really knew her old roommate that well. But as she digs into her new client's past to help save her, Allison uncovers secrets so disturbing, that she is forced to rethink her first impressions about the beautiful enigma that is Jane.
I honestly can't decide what I loved more - the characters or the plot. Criminal defense lawyer and single mom Allison comes across as a very relatable and everyday woman - flawed, insecure and judgemental, but quick to accept her mistakes and make amends. Jane starts off as an ambiguous character, guarded in her interactions and thoughts, but once her explosive truth is out, you can't help but seethe in righteous indignation at the appalling injustice that has been meted out.
The first book in the series made me a fan of the author; the second one sealed her spot in my list of favourite authors. Though I greatly missed the snark and sarcasm of the previous book, the narrative remains just as taut and spellbinding as before. The author has dealt with a horrific crime in a very sensitive manner in the plot without getting too preachy or graphic, but ensuring that the repercussions of the crime on the victim, remain imprinted in the minds of the reader.
Overall, a quick and engrossing read that explores an issue that is not talked about enough. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
When 32-year old insurance lawyer Jane Knudsen is implicated in the murder of her boss, Ray Corrigan, she retains her college roommate, Allison Barton, as her defense lawyer. While Jane has always been referred to as Ice Queen, untouchable, odd duck, cold fish, etc. Allison realizes that no one ever really knew her old roommate that well. But as she digs into her new client's past to help save her, Allison uncovers secrets so disturbing, that she is forced to rethink her first impressions about the beautiful enigma that is Jane.
I honestly can't decide what I loved more - the characters or the plot. Criminal defense lawyer and single mom Allison comes across as a very relatable and everyday woman - flawed, insecure and judgemental, but quick to accept her mistakes and make amends. Jane starts off as an ambiguous character, guarded in her interactions and thoughts, but once her explosive truth is out, you can't help but seethe in righteous indignation at the appalling injustice that has been meted out.
The first book in the series made me a fan of the author; the second one sealed her spot in my list of favourite authors. Though I greatly missed the snark and sarcasm of the previous book, the narrative remains just as taut and spellbinding as before. The author has dealt with a horrific crime in a very sensitive manner in the plot without getting too preachy or graphic, but ensuring that the repercussions of the crime on the victim, remain imprinted in the minds of the reader.
Overall, a quick and engrossing read that explores an issue that is not talked about enough. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2022
THE DARKEST WEB is about lawyer Allison, who is called upon to defend Jane, her former law school roommate, in the murder of her boss, only to discover she knows even less about the elusive Jane than she thought. This is a tense, gripping read, with a very dark secret at its core. The dual narration between Allison and Jane keeps us on our toes as we work through various suspects, and I loved how the mystery of Jane’s past was slowly unraveled to the reader. Kristin Wright can do no wrong, if you ask me, and this book continues to prove that.
February 11, 2022
This book grabbed my attention right from the start, it had a very strong beginning and continued with that pace and intrigue until about 2/3 of the way through. Overall I liked it a lot. Two strong heroines, one with a lot of mysteries in her past, and two heroines I cared about. would read more by this author 4.5
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March 5, 2022Having enjoyed Wright’s previous legal thriller, The Darkest Flower, I was excited to get my hands on this one. While I loved it and it wrapped up nicely, I was disappointed to discover that this will be the final Alison Barton book. Friends, this is what happens when we don’t leave Amazon reviews and support authors - like TV series, it gets cancelled when viewership numbers decline. ARGH. We’ve lost a fantastic opportunity; a legal thriller written by a lawyer.
Alison Barton returns in book 2 with a new (?) client who brings more to the table than a probable case! Those who were interested in seeing Emmett return, he’s back!
Insurance defence lawyer Jane Knudsen finds her boss dead in his office at Blackwood, Payne and Vivant when she arrives early to work. Knowing that she’ll be considered a prime suspect, she hires Alison Barton, her former law school roommate, to defend her. Told from both Jane and Alison’s POV, this fast-paced and compelling story exposes the challenges lawyers have when they are confident their clients are withholding information. Not only is Alison challenged at work, but she’s also still finding it difficult to co-parent.
This book is like a well-made hero sandwich; at first glance, it looks like any other meat in a bun sandwich. It isn’t until you take and bite and get into it that you realize it’s stuffed with multiple types of meat and multiple types of cheeses alongside a variety of garnishes. At first glance, Jane’s case looks cut and dry, but as the layers are peeled back, Jane’s life is stuffed full of surprises. Wright has certainly given the series a great goodbye with all these secrets and twists!
I was thankful for the reminder that all is not as it seems and everyone needs to be treated with the respect they deserve.
I was gifted this book by Kristin Wright, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Alison Barton returns in book 2 with a new (?) client who brings more to the table than a probable case! Those who were interested in seeing Emmett return, he’s back!
Insurance defence lawyer Jane Knudsen finds her boss dead in his office at Blackwood, Payne and Vivant when she arrives early to work. Knowing that she’ll be considered a prime suspect, she hires Alison Barton, her former law school roommate, to defend her. Told from both Jane and Alison’s POV, this fast-paced and compelling story exposes the challenges lawyers have when they are confident their clients are withholding information. Not only is Alison challenged at work, but she’s also still finding it difficult to co-parent.
This book is like a well-made hero sandwich; at first glance, it looks like any other meat in a bun sandwich. It isn’t until you take and bite and get into it that you realize it’s stuffed with multiple types of meat and multiple types of cheeses alongside a variety of garnishes. At first glance, Jane’s case looks cut and dry, but as the layers are peeled back, Jane’s life is stuffed full of surprises. Wright has certainly given the series a great goodbye with all these secrets and twists!
I was thankful for the reminder that all is not as it seems and everyone needs to be treated with the respect they deserve.
I was gifted this book by Kristin Wright, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 5, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I previously read thr first book in the series, in which Alison Barton defends a client from attempted murder charges. The high profile case allowed Alison to start her own law practice. Alison is dating ADA Emmett Amaro and sharing custody of her daughter Libby with ex husband Steve and his new wife Karen, who he was cheating on Alison with prior to their divorce.
Alison receives an email from her 1st year law school roommate Jane Knudson, who wants to hire her. Jane just found her boss Ray Corrigan dead in his office and is fearful she will be the suspect the police go after. Jane has secrets she's trying to keep.
Alison and Jane become reacquainted and really get to know each other more, while the police investigate and narrow in their suspect pool. Then Jane is arrested for murder, and she finds out she has friends who support her bail.
This mystery is part whodunnit and part what happened in Jane's past to make her such a loner. TW needed for Jane's back story - it is a tough one. In the end, the way the mystery of who killed Ray was resolved made sense and was yet more complicated than it might seem. I was okay with the last info bomb dropped on Alison this time. I would like to see more on Alison in the future.
TW for physical and sexual abuse, child pornography, creepy AF pervert men, gun threats, abduction, religious indoctrination, in description of past. 4/5☆
Alison receives an email from her 1st year law school roommate Jane Knudson, who wants to hire her. Jane just found her boss Ray Corrigan dead in his office and is fearful she will be the suspect the police go after. Jane has secrets she's trying to keep.
Alison and Jane become reacquainted and really get to know each other more, while the police investigate and narrow in their suspect pool. Then Jane is arrested for murder, and she finds out she has friends who support her bail.
This mystery is part whodunnit and part what happened in Jane's past to make her such a loner. TW needed for Jane's back story - it is a tough one. In the end, the way the mystery of who killed Ray was resolved made sense and was yet more complicated than it might seem. I was okay with the last info bomb dropped on Alison this time. I would like to see more on Alison in the future.
TW for physical and sexual abuse, child pornography, creepy AF pervert men, gun threats, abduction, religious indoctrination, in description of past. 4/5☆
January 10, 2022
THE DARKEST FLOWER was such a great book with darkly comedic undertones that I was thrilled to find out a sequel was in the works. THE DARKEST WEB reprises Allison Barton, the whip-smart lawyer from the first book.
Jane Knudsen is a workaholic attorney--no kids, no husband; she's married to the job. But when she finds one of her firm's senior partners dead at his desk, she becomes the prime suspect. Allison is her former law school roommate, so she reaches out to her for representation. Allison takes the case out of an abundance of guilt for the way she treated Jane in law school. She fed the fuel to rumors that were going around about Jane, and she never showed her any support when one rumor in particular turned ugly.
Allison is relieved to find an abundance of other suspects with far greater motive than Jane, but Allison can't over the fact that Jane is hiding something...and boy, is Jane hiding something.
I hope book two turns into a series. I love both Allison's character and the two cases she has investigated, but I really love how her character has grown and evolved in just two books. I absolutely can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve. A big thank you to the author for sharing an early copy of this book with me. Releases April 12, 2022, from Thomas and Mercer/Amazon Publishing.
Jane Knudsen is a workaholic attorney--no kids, no husband; she's married to the job. But when she finds one of her firm's senior partners dead at his desk, she becomes the prime suspect. Allison is her former law school roommate, so she reaches out to her for representation. Allison takes the case out of an abundance of guilt for the way she treated Jane in law school. She fed the fuel to rumors that were going around about Jane, and she never showed her any support when one rumor in particular turned ugly.
Allison is relieved to find an abundance of other suspects with far greater motive than Jane, but Allison can't over the fact that Jane is hiding something...and boy, is Jane hiding something.
I hope book two turns into a series. I love both Allison's character and the two cases she has investigated, but I really love how her character has grown and evolved in just two books. I absolutely can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve. A big thank you to the author for sharing an early copy of this book with me. Releases April 12, 2022, from Thomas and Mercer/Amazon Publishing.
January 5, 2022
Jane is a tax lawyer who obviously has a past she needs to hide. She arrives at work to find he boss murdered. Jane gets in touch with her old college room mate, Allison. Allison is the lawyer from the fist in the series although you could read this as a stand alone. The investigation that follows is mingled with discoveries about Jane’s past and Allison’s developing romantic relationship with Emmett. I enjoyed the twists and revelations (some of which were deeply tragic). There was a bit with Josh that seemed over the top. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC. .
April 9, 2022
Definitely a page turner. And keeping you interested in what is going on. Alway's more to people's life stories. Might have trigger warnings for some...not sure whether to mention as could be a spoiler as well.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
May 9, 2022
This series may revolve around Allison Barton but in each book thus far, another character has stolen all the thunder. Allison all but fades away in the shadow of the women she represents. They are the true stars of this series so far and I'm here for them.
December 27, 2021
I enjoyed Kristin Wright's debut novel in this series and so when I saw the second book come up on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it and it was just as good as the first book. The Darkest Web introduces us to lawyer Jane Knudsen who has come in and found her boss's body dead on his floor. She knows how it looks and is afraid she would be pinpointed as the number one suspect. Jane contacts one of her old roommates from law school, Allison Barton. Allison hasn't seen or heard from Jane since law school and the pair reunite. Allison will soon learn that Jane is still a beauty but that her beauty comes with a price and that it is this that makes her the prime suspect. At school, Jane was always private and now Allison is about to discover why as she delves into Jane's background. I felt for Jane and it now too has given me a different perspective on people that are "naturally beautiful" without effort and how they wish they could be known for more than just their looks. As the story goes on, we learn that Jane's boss had lots of enemies - far and wide and any one of them is more than capable of murder. I did enjoy this story as I love how the cases that Allison takes are more intricate and on a personal level. What I hated was freaking Karen and then Libby and her whining and playing the parents against each other and then when Allison's partner wanted to be together and include Libby, she acted like he was a weirdo. It's like I know you are only 6 years old Libby but make up your mind or Allison stop giving your daughter all the power - you are the parent/mother. I am now looking forward to Book #3 and seeing what other cases that author Kristin Wright can come up with in future books.
December 21, 2021
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I found this very readable and I enjoyed the style, although I preferred the first in this series. Here Allison represents Jane, an old roommate from law school, on the charge of murdering her boss. Jane seems to be in hiding, yet she also works hard as a lawyer. She tells no one about her past, and Allison comes to realize she never really knew anything about her while they were students ether. After a few chapters of this, Jane's past starts to be revealed, and it is a very distressing one. I felt the author returned to details of what had happened to her more frequently than was necessary. The final chapter struck me as unnecessary and left a bad taste in my mouth - was it supposed to make us feel better for Jane? The important points which had been made about how women are treated throughout the novel were somewhat muddied for me.
The Emmett and Libby scene at the end was adorable. I hope there are more in this series.
I found this very readable and I enjoyed the style, although I preferred the first in this series. Here Allison represents Jane, an old roommate from law school, on the charge of murdering her boss. Jane seems to be in hiding, yet she also works hard as a lawyer. She tells no one about her past, and Allison comes to realize she never really knew anything about her while they were students ether. After a few chapters of this, Jane's past starts to be revealed, and it is a very distressing one. I felt the author returned to details of what had happened to her more frequently than was necessary. The final chapter struck me as unnecessary and left a bad taste in my mouth - was it supposed to make us feel better for Jane? The important points which had been made about how women are treated throughout the novel were somewhat muddied for me.
The Emmett and Libby scene at the end was adorable. I hope there are more in this series.
April 12, 2022
Another incredible legal thriller by Kristin Wright. Like with The Darkest Flower, Alison finds herself defending charged with murder, but what I love about these books is that we get the point of view of the accused as well. In this book, it's mysterious, beautiful Jane, a woman who isn't a stranger to the rumor mill who now finds herself the lead suspect in a murder trial. Kristin's writing is always incisive with a keen observation for what makes people tick. This book is twisty, dark, and full of surprises.
July 19, 2021
Wright has done it again in her addictive sophomore novel THE DARKEST WEB! Disturbing as it is captivating, this female-driven legal thriller includes all the elements that made Wright's debut so successful, with twists and turns to make any reader consume it in one go as I did. THE DARKEST WEB will have you questioning the benefits of beauty and how well we truly know our colleagues. So grateful I got a chance to read an advanced copy!
April 19, 2022
The Darkest Web will have you captivated from the first chapter. A boss that is hated by everyone found dead in his office. A list of suspects that include his wife and daughter. A lawyer who is known for leaving the office late and arriving early finds the deceased. Nasty rumors swirling around the office like a tornado. This is a fast-paced legal thriller, that will keep you on your toes and switching suspects quicker than you can devour the words. It is extremely well written, and the execution is perfection. Your mind will be tumbling from one character to the next, thinking they are guilty at one point or another. You will be completely enraptured by the two main characters, Jane and Allison. They met when they were roommates in law school and were never close. When Jane comes to Allison needing an attorney, Allison drops everything and comes to her aid. Will they be able to uncover the truth before Jane's well-guarded secrets come to light?
I loved how Kristin Wright slowly unravels Jane's past. She has always been known as beautiful, uptight, rigid, the Ice Queen. No one knows where she came from, or who exactly Jane is. That is the way she wants to keep it. Her secrets are numerous, layered, and hidden so seemingly perfect that you would never know what her past held. The past that has shaped and molded her into what she is today. As Allison begins to uncover more and Jane must finally come clean, you will be shocked and dismayed at the life she left. You will see why it is so hard for her to open up and trust another person. Every time she does, she gets burned. Will she be able to put down her guard and allow Allison in?
I loved this book! It is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The writing is crisp and never leaves you bored. Wright will have your attention the entire way through. Thank you to Kristin Wright, Thomas and Mercer, and TLC Book Tour for sending me this amazing read. I am off to add the first book to my list!
I loved how Kristin Wright slowly unravels Jane's past. She has always been known as beautiful, uptight, rigid, the Ice Queen. No one knows where she came from, or who exactly Jane is. That is the way she wants to keep it. Her secrets are numerous, layered, and hidden so seemingly perfect that you would never know what her past held. The past that has shaped and molded her into what she is today. As Allison begins to uncover more and Jane must finally come clean, you will be shocked and dismayed at the life she left. You will see why it is so hard for her to open up and trust another person. Every time she does, she gets burned. Will she be able to put down her guard and allow Allison in?
I loved this book! It is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The writing is crisp and never leaves you bored. Wright will have your attention the entire way through. Thank you to Kristin Wright, Thomas and Mercer, and TLC Book Tour for sending me this amazing read. I am off to add the first book to my list!
December 25, 2023
it started promising, but turned into a predictable chain of events. Certain things were repeated multiple times, which was annoying, characters that were described as smart, bright people did stupid things, admitted that it was stupid and then turned around and did even stupider things ... and the characters were all lawyers ...
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