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Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries #5
Dark Vows
They say you shouldn’t meet trouble halfway, but Inspector Danny Quirke never has to worry about that. Trouble always finds him.
When a house fire rocks his small town of Kildevil Cove, Danny’s inquiries into the house’s mysterious inhabitants prompt the dispatch of Inspecteur Blaise Pascal from Quebec.
Pascal arrives in perpetual ill humor, but he’s an expert on this particular family. If anyone can determine whether this is a missing persons case or something more sinister, it’s Pascal.
Pity he doesn’t want to share.
Danny’s cop instincts say Pascal’s secrets are the key to solving this case. But before he can untangle that mystery, a local fishing trawler hauls up a dead body, and a murder victim is found eviscerated on his bed, a grisly message painted on the wall in his own blood. Are these deaths related to the house fire? Who is the message for? And can Danny find the culprit before they carry out the last act of their sinister plan?
When a house fire rocks his small town of Kildevil Cove, Danny’s inquiries into the house’s mysterious inhabitants prompt the dispatch of Inspecteur Blaise Pascal from Quebec.
Pascal arrives in perpetual ill humor, but he’s an expert on this particular family. If anyone can determine whether this is a missing persons case or something more sinister, it’s Pascal.
Pity he doesn’t want to share.
Danny’s cop instincts say Pascal’s secrets are the key to solving this case. But before he can untangle that mystery, a local fishing trawler hauls up a dead body, and a murder victim is found eviscerated on his bed, a grisly message painted on the wall in his own blood. Are these deaths related to the house fire? Who is the message for? And can Danny find the culprit before they carry out the last act of their sinister plan?
- GenresMystery
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 2, 2023
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
In what is supposed to be the last book of the series, several new characters (and one notable one from the previous books) bring a truckload of drama to the lives/work of Kildevil Cove's PD. No-one is as they seem (at least to Danny and crew) and there are some very disturbing passages that unfold before our eyes as these characters reminisce or relive scenes / images from their past. As the grisly body count starts to rise and as these new characters start 'exiting stage left' one by one, they leave behind a shocked aftermath as can be found post a tornado blowing through.
Luckily, there's hardly any contributing drama on the 'homefront' as Danny and Tadhg's married life appears to still be in somewhat of a 'honeymoon' stage; the same cannot be said for others in the PD crew. The author makes a decent stab at winding up several 'loose' plot threads that over-arch a few of the books but alas - much of the mystery as to Danny's ancestry still remains unsolved. And it's because of this that I'm desperately hoping the author will produce one more book in this well-crafted, gritty series.
In what is supposed to be the last book of the series, several new characters (and one notable one from the previous books) bring a truckload of drama to the lives/work of Kildevil Cove's PD. No-one is as they seem (at least to Danny and crew) and there are some very disturbing passages that unfold before our eyes as these characters reminisce or relive scenes / images from their past. As the grisly body count starts to rise and as these new characters start 'exiting stage left' one by one, they leave behind a shocked aftermath as can be found post a tornado blowing through.
Luckily, there's hardly any contributing drama on the 'homefront' as Danny and Tadhg's married life appears to still be in somewhat of a 'honeymoon' stage; the same cannot be said for others in the PD crew. The author makes a decent stab at winding up several 'loose' plot threads that over-arch a few of the books but alas - much of the mystery as to Danny's ancestry still remains unsolved. And it's because of this that I'm desperately hoping the author will produce one more book in this well-crafted, gritty series.
February 22, 2023
I am not sure if this book is intended to be the last in the series but everything was wrapped up quite nicely. Danny seems to be in a good place ( except for his knees).
The team within this series work so well together, each playing to their strengths.
I hope there are more in the series.
The team within this series work so well together, each playing to their strengths.
I hope there are more in the series.
February 1, 2023
ARC from the publisher.
April 30, 2023
** 4.5 Stars **
March 21, 2023
I don't know where to begin with this phenomenal book!
First of all, I always delight in the experience with any book by J. S. Cook, and The Kildevil Cove Mysteries are one of my all-time favorites of any suspense/mystery reads.
I loved visiting with Danny, Tadhg and the gang again. I love every chance to visit the stunning Newfoundland setting in these novels. With every book, the fabulous, moody landscape offers a new and unseen vision of this marvelous land! The author's passion for the country and its turbulent, splendid atmosphere and beauty is so clear and I marvel at how she commands this prose in such a way that the surroundings are so memorable that I see them long after the story has ended.
THIS book, however, introduced a new character and I immediately fell in love with him! Inspecteur
Blaise Pascal, a mysterious and darkly delightful investigator from Quebec who has come to Kildevil Cove on a joint case with Danny and his team.
The twists and turns that commenced upon Pascal's arrival kept me glued to the book. With this intriguing character, nothing ...nothing...was what it seemed. And I LOVED that!
Sorry, Danny and Tadhg, but I really fell hard for Pascal and hope---even though this is the author's last book in this series---that Cook will reprise him in further books!
A series of his own, perhaps? Hinting...
Oh! And this colorful character, Pascal, brings into the mix his assistant, Prud’Homme, who seems so shy and retiring. But, oh, boy, he packs a surprise of his own, and---although I didn't think I could like him more---I found myself nodding, smiling, really digging him! Another character I hope to see more of!
Once again, I found myself with the reading of a Cook novel, marveling that it should be a Netflix series. SO vividly written, so thoroughly captivating, descriptive. Smart prose, characters who come to LIFE on the page.
And, once again, I highly recommend Cook and her fabulous writing and this series...and this intense, darkly beautiful book!
First of all, I always delight in the experience with any book by J. S. Cook, and The Kildevil Cove Mysteries are one of my all-time favorites of any suspense/mystery reads.
I loved visiting with Danny, Tadhg and the gang again. I love every chance to visit the stunning Newfoundland setting in these novels. With every book, the fabulous, moody landscape offers a new and unseen vision of this marvelous land! The author's passion for the country and its turbulent, splendid atmosphere and beauty is so clear and I marvel at how she commands this prose in such a way that the surroundings are so memorable that I see them long after the story has ended.
THIS book, however, introduced a new character and I immediately fell in love with him! Inspecteur
Blaise Pascal, a mysterious and darkly delightful investigator from Quebec who has come to Kildevil Cove on a joint case with Danny and his team.
The twists and turns that commenced upon Pascal's arrival kept me glued to the book. With this intriguing character, nothing ...nothing...was what it seemed. And I LOVED that!
Sorry, Danny and Tadhg, but I really fell hard for Pascal and hope---even though this is the author's last book in this series---that Cook will reprise him in further books!
A series of his own, perhaps? Hinting...
Oh! And this colorful character, Pascal, brings into the mix his assistant, Prud’Homme, who seems so shy and retiring. But, oh, boy, he packs a surprise of his own, and---although I didn't think I could like him more---I found myself nodding, smiling, really digging him! Another character I hope to see more of!
Once again, I found myself with the reading of a Cook novel, marveling that it should be a Netflix series. SO vividly written, so thoroughly captivating, descriptive. Smart prose, characters who come to LIFE on the page.
And, once again, I highly recommend Cook and her fabulous writing and this series...and this intense, darkly beautiful book!
February 27, 2023
Inspector Deiniol “Danny” Quirke, has gotten his position back on the RNC (Royal Newfoundland Constabulary), in Kildevil Cove. He’s been married now to Tadhg Heaney for six months, and has gained a family in Tadhg, Lilly and Easter. Life has seemed to calmed some for Danny, but as time has gone on his knees have plagued him too long for Taghg’s liking. Danny is meeting with his doctor, Roman St Croix and the news is not good. With advanced osteoarthritis, both knees need to be replaced and soon. Surgery and rehabilitation are hard for Danny to face and it will take a year for him to be back on his feet. Danny has also struggled with his own personal issue, he’s been lied too, about his parents and now he’s painfully searching for the truth.
Now Danny finds himself in the midst of a house explosion. At the scene, Danny finds Inspector Cillian Riley, now left with a limp, after recovering from a horrid accident from last winter. He reports to Danny that, the Caron’s are new to the small town and had relocated from Quebec. Gerard Caron can be located but his wife, Amalie and six year old son Joseph are missing.
With enough information into the Caron’s, Danny decides to contact the Surete (French police department) and before he know it he’s face to face with, Inspecteur Blaise Pascal, Surete du Quebec. Pascal is a man that is dominate, rude, pompous and uses his charms when it benefits him. Danny pleads his case that the RNC can handle the crime but Chief Inspector Adrian Molloy feels its needed to show they will work with other regional police forces. The RNC really has to build up their reputation from the last situation that almost destroyed them.
Danny doesn’t trust the smart mouth Pascal and believes he’s keeping secrets from him. But Danny is determined to solve the case with or without Pascal. The Caron’s aren’t the only mystery, there’s murder, bodies and a message.
J.S. Cook creates another dark, suspenseful, gory and twisted murder mystery in “Dark Vows.” J.S. Cook never stops amazing me with the complexity of each murder case. From the very first page I was immersed in the story and couldn’t put it down. “Dark Vows” is not only a dark theme with the terrifying killers and murders but with a very twisted relationship that the story builds around. Each crime is vivid and meticulously described to it’s clarity.
Besides Danny and his own issue of hopefully finding his true family, there’s Blaise Pascual. Pascual is a man that feels like he doesn’t belong. He carries some very dark and painful secrets, right up until the end. The odd connection Pascual has with Prud’Homme makes him even more of a mystery.
There’s also others of the RNC that bring their own personal situations to the story: It seems the relationship between Cillian Riley and Kevin Carbage is a little shaky. June Carbage and girlfriend Amy’s relationship will take a most unusual turn. Of course, there are the other colorful characters of Danny’s team: Bobbi Lambert, forensic chief; Dr. Reagan Lampe of the Carbonear morgue; Constable Sarah Avery; Constable Dougie Hughes and Alan English volunteer fire chief, that bring their expertise to the investigation.
I especially like how J.S. Cook brings those private moments at home between Danny and Tadhg. The dialogue and dialect of their country really adds to that special, long lasting relationship. The author also does amazing with Blaise Pascual with the addition of his French language to make this novel even more outstanding.
If you love intense murder mysteries, I highly recommend “Dark Vow” and the entire “Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries.” I have never passed up a J.S. Cook novel. For me, Cook is one of the most talented and entertaining authors that I have ever read. I will continue to follow her and watch for the next book.
Now Danny finds himself in the midst of a house explosion. At the scene, Danny finds Inspector Cillian Riley, now left with a limp, after recovering from a horrid accident from last winter. He reports to Danny that, the Caron’s are new to the small town and had relocated from Quebec. Gerard Caron can be located but his wife, Amalie and six year old son Joseph are missing.
With enough information into the Caron’s, Danny decides to contact the Surete (French police department) and before he know it he’s face to face with, Inspecteur Blaise Pascal, Surete du Quebec. Pascal is a man that is dominate, rude, pompous and uses his charms when it benefits him. Danny pleads his case that the RNC can handle the crime but Chief Inspector Adrian Molloy feels its needed to show they will work with other regional police forces. The RNC really has to build up their reputation from the last situation that almost destroyed them.
Danny doesn’t trust the smart mouth Pascal and believes he’s keeping secrets from him. But Danny is determined to solve the case with or without Pascal. The Caron’s aren’t the only mystery, there’s murder, bodies and a message.
J.S. Cook creates another dark, suspenseful, gory and twisted murder mystery in “Dark Vows.” J.S. Cook never stops amazing me with the complexity of each murder case. From the very first page I was immersed in the story and couldn’t put it down. “Dark Vows” is not only a dark theme with the terrifying killers and murders but with a very twisted relationship that the story builds around. Each crime is vivid and meticulously described to it’s clarity.
Besides Danny and his own issue of hopefully finding his true family, there’s Blaise Pascual. Pascual is a man that feels like he doesn’t belong. He carries some very dark and painful secrets, right up until the end. The odd connection Pascual has with Prud’Homme makes him even more of a mystery.
There’s also others of the RNC that bring their own personal situations to the story: It seems the relationship between Cillian Riley and Kevin Carbage is a little shaky. June Carbage and girlfriend Amy’s relationship will take a most unusual turn. Of course, there are the other colorful characters of Danny’s team: Bobbi Lambert, forensic chief; Dr. Reagan Lampe of the Carbonear morgue; Constable Sarah Avery; Constable Dougie Hughes and Alan English volunteer fire chief, that bring their expertise to the investigation.
I especially like how J.S. Cook brings those private moments at home between Danny and Tadhg. The dialogue and dialect of their country really adds to that special, long lasting relationship. The author also does amazing with Blaise Pascual with the addition of his French language to make this novel even more outstanding.
If you love intense murder mysteries, I highly recommend “Dark Vow” and the entire “Kildevil Cove Murder Mysteries.” I have never passed up a J.S. Cook novel. For me, Cook is one of the most talented and entertaining authors that I have ever read. I will continue to follow her and watch for the next book.
February 23, 2023
This is actually my first book from this series and the author. I'd say that Dark Vows can be read as a standalone but as you go through the story, there are clearly parts that talk about previous events that makes me interested in going back to the start and working my way through.
Things start with a literal bang and leaves more questions than answered when the mum and son aren't discovered in the house. The dad is still around and as an electrician, is a prime suspect but cannot offer anything to the investigation. In comes Inspector Pascal and he's both frustrating and necessary to possibly solving this case.
Dark Vows is quite an intricate story, with our main MC's being Danny Quirke, Inspector on Kildevil Cove, and Blaise Pascal, an Inspector from Quebec, who is called in to assist due to his knowledge of the possible victims/suspects. I have to say, things got so much more so complicated than I was expecting with regards to the crimes, secrets and complex relationships that are revealed. You have to pay attention as we go through the story with hints that are dropped, especially when we switch to several different characters POV. I was gripped with the plot of the crime from the start and then, as the story evolves with more information coming in, it gets twisted and dark.
There are a good team of people on Kildevil Cove that bring a lot to the police department. Each feels like they can be trusted to do their job but, when in one or two's POV, there are possible hidden secrets that they don't want others to know. It makes me intrigued to know if they will be getting their own story or if that would come about in a future book in the series. From the information given it's clear that Danny has been through a lot to get to where he is today, settled with his husband and step daughter, but there is family history that is bothering him along with those painful knees that are causing him a lot of trouble. Blaise is a hard man but has been through so much, as his body will attest to. As a child, a man and a father, there's a lot of pain that is slowly revealed through the book. The way he is written makes him quite a hard character to like, or even get to know as he seems to talk in riddles or not at all. By the end, I was very happy to see progress between him and Danny with what they investigate and go through.
The book is well written. A lot of detail is given in all of the scenes that allows the reader to really visualise what has happened in the crime scenes and feel the tension between the inspectors, affection between husbands, and a psycopath and their obsession. The villain is excellently written, comes across as incredibly intelligent but also ever so slightly insane. I did find myself slightly confused a couple of times when characters were going somewhere in Quebec of Montreal. A lot of specific detail is given to the area and, having never been there, I had no idea where it was being referred to. I also found myself coming out of the story on occasion with the amount of french used. Of course, Pascal is from Quebec and speaks it as his main language as so will use it a fair amount but as it is something that I have very little knowledge of I found myself trying to work out what was being said or skipping the sentence entirely.
Overall, a well written crime mystery with very intriguing characters that keep you thinking and guessing throughout. It's possible that it is better read in order, just because of the progression of the characters through the series but I still enjoyed reading it and had no trouble following what had happened in the previous books.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Things start with a literal bang and leaves more questions than answered when the mum and son aren't discovered in the house. The dad is still around and as an electrician, is a prime suspect but cannot offer anything to the investigation. In comes Inspector Pascal and he's both frustrating and necessary to possibly solving this case.
Dark Vows is quite an intricate story, with our main MC's being Danny Quirke, Inspector on Kildevil Cove, and Blaise Pascal, an Inspector from Quebec, who is called in to assist due to his knowledge of the possible victims/suspects. I have to say, things got so much more so complicated than I was expecting with regards to the crimes, secrets and complex relationships that are revealed. You have to pay attention as we go through the story with hints that are dropped, especially when we switch to several different characters POV. I was gripped with the plot of the crime from the start and then, as the story evolves with more information coming in, it gets twisted and dark.
There are a good team of people on Kildevil Cove that bring a lot to the police department. Each feels like they can be trusted to do their job but, when in one or two's POV, there are possible hidden secrets that they don't want others to know. It makes me intrigued to know if they will be getting their own story or if that would come about in a future book in the series. From the information given it's clear that Danny has been through a lot to get to where he is today, settled with his husband and step daughter, but there is family history that is bothering him along with those painful knees that are causing him a lot of trouble. Blaise is a hard man but has been through so much, as his body will attest to. As a child, a man and a father, there's a lot of pain that is slowly revealed through the book. The way he is written makes him quite a hard character to like, or even get to know as he seems to talk in riddles or not at all. By the end, I was very happy to see progress between him and Danny with what they investigate and go through.
The book is well written. A lot of detail is given in all of the scenes that allows the reader to really visualise what has happened in the crime scenes and feel the tension between the inspectors, affection between husbands, and a psycopath and their obsession. The villain is excellently written, comes across as incredibly intelligent but also ever so slightly insane. I did find myself slightly confused a couple of times when characters were going somewhere in Quebec of Montreal. A lot of specific detail is given to the area and, having never been there, I had no idea where it was being referred to. I also found myself coming out of the story on occasion with the amount of french used. Of course, Pascal is from Quebec and speaks it as his main language as so will use it a fair amount but as it is something that I have very little knowledge of I found myself trying to work out what was being said or skipping the sentence entirely.
Overall, a well written crime mystery with very intriguing characters that keep you thinking and guessing throughout. It's possible that it is better read in order, just because of the progression of the characters through the series but I still enjoyed reading it and had no trouble following what had happened in the previous books.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
September 4, 2023
More investigating from Danny, June and the gang - but this time with Blaise Pascal from Montreal/Mont Tremblant aiding in catching an arson suspect.
Personally Tadgh and Lily are still about and this element provides the stability.
The investigation is fraught as Danny and Blaise knock heads a lot. But we learn about Blaise’s past and wrap,up his cold case at the same time as Dannycurrent, but older threads get wrapped up too.
So now, it this the end or will Blaise return?
Personally Tadgh and Lily are still about and this element provides the stability.
The investigation is fraught as Danny and Blaise knock heads a lot. But we learn about Blaise’s past and wrap,up his cold case at the same time as Dannycurrent, but older threads get wrapped up too.
So now, it this the end or will Blaise return?
February 27, 2023
Apparently 'Dark Vows' will be the last in the Kildevil Cove series, and I'm so sad! Danny Quirke, Tadhg Heaney, twins Kevin the June Carbage and the other (mostly gay) officers of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary have become old friends who will be much missed, and apart from anything else, we still haven't got to the bottom of the mystery of Danny's Welsh parentage.
But at least Danny and Tadhg's marriage is back on track in 'Dark Vows', even if other relationships end up on the rocks, and with the arrival of enigmatic Montreal detective Blaise Pascal (yes, really) to 'help' investigate the disappearance of a Quebecois family whose house has gone up in flames there's plenty of tension, crossed wires and one-upmanship to keep the pages turning. Nothing, it seems, can be taken at face value, least of all Inspecteur Pascal's real motive for being in St Johns in the first place. Oh, and Danny's disgraced boss Moira Fraser makes an unwelcome re-appearance, of sorts ...
Several loose ends and possibilities are left hanging at the end, so do I detect a sliver of hope that we haven't, after all, heard the last of Kildevil Cove?
But at least Danny and Tadhg's marriage is back on track in 'Dark Vows', even if other relationships end up on the rocks, and with the arrival of enigmatic Montreal detective Blaise Pascal (yes, really) to 'help' investigate the disappearance of a Quebecois family whose house has gone up in flames there's plenty of tension, crossed wires and one-upmanship to keep the pages turning. Nothing, it seems, can be taken at face value, least of all Inspecteur Pascal's real motive for being in St Johns in the first place. Oh, and Danny's disgraced boss Moira Fraser makes an unwelcome re-appearance, of sorts ...
Several loose ends and possibilities are left hanging at the end, so do I detect a sliver of hope that we haven't, after all, heard the last of Kildevil Cove?
August 25, 2023
More! More!
I am completely enamored with these books. JS Cook has done an exceptional job with the twists and turns and keeping the pages turning. I hope they make these into movies and keep the characters exactly the way they are. Waiting for the next installment.
I am completely enamored with these books. JS Cook has done an exceptional job with the twists and turns and keeping the pages turning. I hope they make these into movies and keep the characters exactly the way they are. Waiting for the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews