Dark River

A Mountain Mystery #6

by D.R. Shoultz

EMILY AND JAMES BOOK #2
Professor Adam Parker, a renowned Civil War historian, disappears from his mountain home while on sabbatical researching lost war treasures. A shattered kitchen window and filaments from a Taser found inside Parker’s home indicate foul play.

Emily Edwards, a strong-willed, gun-toting mountain woman, and James Wolsey, her cool and collected partner, seek clues to the kidnapping of their close friend. Frustrated with the lack of progress by state and local law enforcement, the young couple launches a parallel investigation into Parker’s disappearance.

Several suspects surface as the search for the 68-year-old professor intensifies, but it’s a race to find lost Civil War gold that leads to the New River and will determine who lives and who dies.

Genres: Fiction

295 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2021

About the author

An author of mystery/crime novels, D.R. (Donn) Shoultz hails from Delavan, a small town in central Illinois, but has resided in the Southeastern U.S. most of his adult life. Donn and his wife Claudia have recently moved from their longtime residence in the Carolina Mountains to a home atop the Cumberland Plateau in Crossville, Tennessee. Claudia continues to share her considerable editing experience in shaping Donn's novels. In their free time, they both enjoy traveling and hiking nearby wooded trails with their dog, Milo.

Donn began writing fiction more than a decade ago following a sales and marketing career that took him across the world. His early work featured Miles Stevens, a time-traveling CIA agent, sent back from 2050 and his home in Langley, Virginia to intercept historic tragedies already in the history books.

Donn’s recent focus is adding stories to his Mountain Mystery Series. In each Mountain Mystery, tension rises quickly. The mystery (usually a murder) makes an early appearance. Hometown heroes spring into action, searching for clues, often competing with local law enforcement as they move closer and closer to danger. The stories are set in fictitious mountain communities with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop. Clues are sprinkled throughout with twists keeping readers off balance. These books are great for weekend reads, offering crisp, fast-moving chapters and up-all-night suspense.

If you’re looking for a mystery series with legs, this is it. Your favorite sleuths from the initial stories return in future novels, making them a series within the Mountain Mystery collection of novels.

In order of publication, his books include:

Miles Stevens Series
* Melting Sand
* Cyber One
* Gone Viral

Mountain Mystery Series
* At the River's Edge (Emily Edwards #1)
* Butcher Road (Jack Fowler #1)
* Fallen from Sight (Ryan Nelson #1)
* A Town Divided (Luke Maxwell #1)
* A Town in Fear (Luke Maxwell #2)
* Dark River (Emily Edwards #2)
* Road to Justice (Jack Fowler #2)
* Rising River (Emily Edwards #3
* Border Town (Luke Maxwell #3))

Donn's short stories, which he interweaves between writing novels, are an eclectic collection of tales looking at the lives of lovers, schemers, everyday people, and even pets. Each includes a twist and is designed to bring a tear and/or a smile to the reader. His stories have received national contest recognition, including from Writer's Digest magazine. His short story collections include:

* It Goes On
* Most Men

You can find more about Donn and his writing at DRShoultz.com.

Reviews

[Mickey Solan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. Since it was a Goodreads win this is a first time author for me. Emily and James run a furniture business. Emily is also friend with Dr Parker who has helped Emily connect with her ancestors. Well a murder has occurred Dr Parker is missing. Someone is looking for buried gold bars and would kill to get them. 42 bars.. enjoyed this mystery. Would recommend

[KAREN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free Kindle copy of Dark River from Goodreads recently. This book is a quick read with an interesting story line. Civil war treasure (gold) is sought after by treasure hunters resulting in death and betrayal. The protagonist (a young woman) and her husband assist the police (not always with their blessing) to solve the case before a professor friend meets his demise. I enjoyed the story but would have liked the author to develop the characters and their motivations more. I came away with new knowledge about treasure hunting, but felt like I didn't know the characters very well.

[Jamie U · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a free copy of this book from the publishers through a Goodreads giveaway. This wasn't a bad book. It kept my interest, I was surprised enough with the ending. The main character was a little annoying to me and I don't really think the police would let her get away with the things she did but whatever. I live in the NC mtns just outside of Asheville so it was neat knowing the area they were talking about.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising twists keep you guessing in this book. A search for a missing professor, a hunt for lost gold and a list of suspects that keeps growing! Follow the trails through North Carolina to see what happens!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my attention throughout

[Rose Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't impressed

Story was not very interesting. Heroine is obnoxious and character development weak. I won't be reading any more of this series.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

A book where this town women and her boy friend find out that her friend has been kidnapped he is processed that's working on civil war history.

[Kay Newsom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 3rd Book in Series

So enjoyed the 3rd book from the series “A Mountain Mystery”, Dark River. Once again, opening chapter quickly grabbed my attention. Interesting characters. Love the twists and turns that keep you guessing “who done it” right up until the end. Keep them coming D.R. Shoultz!