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Violet Darger #10
When Darkness Falls
Her body seems to hover above the forest floor. Arms and legs torn away from the trunk. A bloody stump mounted upright on a skewer.
Not just a corpse. A warning.
The most recent body was discovered in the woods just beyond a logging cabin. Dismembered. Put on display. Ghostly pale skin stark against the forest's green.
Before that, two campers were found a few miles off. Cut apart. Impaled. Left in public places where they'd surely be found.
The grisly crimes summon FBI profiler Violet Darger to a tiny island off the Alaskan coast -- 2,500 square miles of forested land populated by just 6,000 souls.
Here, in the primordial wilderness, she'll face off with a shadowy killer unlike anything she's seen. Raging. Brutal. Elusive.
He waits. Seethes. In the woods. In the dark. Always watching. He waits.
Darger digs into the history of torso killers to try to understand the psychology behind the crimes. Finds a legacy of savagery dating back over a hundred years.
Aggression beyond comprehension. A recurring phenomenon of human behavior that chills her.
Human anatomy used to mark out territory. Corpses made totems to warn off others. It happens over and over again.
Who could carry out such brutality? And why?
Understanding the interior world, the motivations, of this type of killer will be the key to solving the case.
The dark woods hold his secrets tightly. The terrain itself shielding him, giving him an edge over those in law enforcement seeking him.
When a storm moves in, Darger finds herself in peril deep in his territory. Vulnerable. Exposed. Walking right into his trap.
He waits.
Not just a corpse. A warning.
The most recent body was discovered in the woods just beyond a logging cabin. Dismembered. Put on display. Ghostly pale skin stark against the forest's green.
Before that, two campers were found a few miles off. Cut apart. Impaled. Left in public places where they'd surely be found.
The grisly crimes summon FBI profiler Violet Darger to a tiny island off the Alaskan coast -- 2,500 square miles of forested land populated by just 6,000 souls.
Here, in the primordial wilderness, she'll face off with a shadowy killer unlike anything she's seen. Raging. Brutal. Elusive.
He waits. Seethes. In the woods. In the dark. Always watching. He waits.
Darger digs into the history of torso killers to try to understand the psychology behind the crimes. Finds a legacy of savagery dating back over a hundred years.
Aggression beyond comprehension. A recurring phenomenon of human behavior that chills her.
Human anatomy used to mark out territory. Corpses made totems to warn off others. It happens over and over again.
Who could carry out such brutality? And why?
Understanding the interior world, the motivations, of this type of killer will be the key to solving the case.
The dark woods hold his secrets tightly. The terrain itself shielding him, giving him an edge over those in law enforcement seeking him.
When a storm moves in, Darger finds herself in peril deep in his territory. Vulnerable. Exposed. Walking right into his trap.
He waits.
492 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2022
1510 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Vargus
52 books1,097 followersLex Vargus is the co-author of over 20 thriller and horror novels.
FIND LEX ON:
Amazon - Twitter - LTVargus.com
BOOKS BY LT VARGUS
The Violet Darger series
The Victor Loshak series
The Charlotte Winters series
FIND LEX ON:
Amazon - Twitter - LTVargus.com
BOOKS BY LT VARGUS
The Violet Darger series
The Victor Loshak series
The Charlotte Winters series
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
July 4, 2022
Yet another awfully swell horror story from my fave terror inducing duo 😮
I had a teensy bit of doubt that this latest Darger tale could outdo Couple Killers, which scared me sleepless. This book was scarier, because of its location, isolation, harsh environment, inhospitable weather conditions, lack of communication, bears, spiders, snakes... oh--and a sadistic maniacal killer who is especially barbaric. What's not to like? Please keep writing, Lex & Tim. Thanks bunches. 😃
I had a teensy bit of doubt that this latest Darger tale could outdo Couple Killers, which scared me sleepless. This book was scarier, because of its location, isolation, harsh environment, inhospitable weather conditions, lack of communication, bears, spiders, snakes... oh--and a sadistic maniacal killer who is especially barbaric. What's not to like? Please keep writing, Lex & Tim. Thanks bunches. 😃
March 10, 2025
This one was also good, never disappointed in this series. The serial killer the Agents are hunting, is in the wilderness of Alaska. Never a dull moment in this one. Lots of action. You need to read this series!!!! Highly recommend it.
October 6, 2022
Holy moly this was a page turner! I’ve enjoyed all the Darger & Loshak books but this one was the best yet! I honestly could not put it down. I want to say more but don’t want to spoil anything. It was gruesome & graphic, as you’d expect from a serial killer thriller, but this series is written in such a way that I don’t feel the need for brain bleach after reading. I don’t know how the authors will top this one, but I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment to find out!
September 13, 2022
When Darkness Falls - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
FBI Agents Violet Darger and Loshak are plunged into a nightmare case, where they're trapped, along with other innocents at the mercy of the elements, wild terrain - and a necromaniacal serial-killer, defending 'his' lands against those who invade it to search for the missing, or to stop his hunts.
To find out who survives and who triumphs over the 'Butcher', get your unputdownable, scream-out loud, Violet Darger FBI Mystery Thriller Book 10, When Darkness Falls, by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain today!
A must for fans of Stephen King, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs.
FBI Agents Violet Darger and Loshak are plunged into a nightmare case, where they're trapped, along with other innocents at the mercy of the elements, wild terrain - and a necromaniacal serial-killer, defending 'his' lands against those who invade it to search for the missing, or to stop his hunts.
To find out who survives and who triumphs over the 'Butcher', get your unputdownable, scream-out loud, Violet Darger FBI Mystery Thriller Book 10, When Darkness Falls, by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain today!
A must for fans of Stephen King, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs.
June 5, 2024
Unfortunately not as promised, too many descriptives which took away the thrill ... i was expecting a pkit twist at the end but NO, we know who the killer is since mid of the book .. not the best thrill book i have read
November 17, 2022
There's the Darger I know and love!
After my sheer disappointment with book #9, it felt good...no, GREAT to be back into what felt like a normal Violet Darger book again. It had all the right and proper ingredients culminating into the nail-biting thriller that it was. It was suspenseful. Stressful. Violent. Grotesque. Sad. Tragic. I got to spend a significant amount of time with Darger, Loshak, and a smattering of other characters contributing their narratives for a rather brutal story. It had all. The. THINGS. This friggin' story was like being in actual horror movie, a comment I had made in my Kindle during a pivotal moment in the story. And imagine my delight when even Darger herself made that very comment.
Now as much I loved the thrilling ride this story was, there was still that sense of wrongness to it that compelled me to withhold that 5th star I was hoping to throw at it. It wasn't a HUGE thing, but it was a significant thing. Now I know this is fiction, as all Darger's books are. I know there's gonna be some sensationalism that's designed to rev up the excitement level. I get that and often love it. I wouldn't be a fan of these books if they weren't amped up to the levels that they are. However, even I'VE gotta draw the line somewhere. And I'm sorry, but the villain in this book was just VERY extra, practically magical. It made the entire third act, despite the glorious suspense-level, feel almost too ridiculous. This villain might as well have been a mutant with the
powers of teleportation. I simply couldn't buy what was being sold to me and I so wanted to buy it.
So yeah, the third act of this book was mighty messy. Because of the multiple perspectives, the timelines among characters often felt erratic and nonsensical. One character might face a threat over HERE, while another character faces a threat over THERE. And yet, it's the same threat. The main scenic location at first felt grand in scale, but then felt small again, due to my aforementioned problem with the villainy. It felt very long-winded because of this. It also didn't help that my favorite duo authors seemed to have run out of steam, opting to end the entire story rather abruptly without fully closing out some doors that had been opened, including the villain's motive. *groan* Sometimes I can appreciate authors forcing me to leave things to my imagination, but other times I just wanna say, "Can't YOU just finish the damn story?" I mean, don't get me wrong. This story does end. But man, the manner in which it does so (especially after the ordeal you're forced to experience along with the characters) just comes across so incredibly cheap. I just felt like it should have earned itself a far better ending than what it got.
At any rate, there was far more done right than wrong in this book, and, despite my aforementioned complaints, I had a hell of a good time on this ride. I look forward to the next entry with much gusto, as per usual.
Click here for my notes and highlights
After my sheer disappointment with book #9, it felt good...no, GREAT to be back into what felt like a normal Violet Darger book again. It had all the right and proper ingredients culminating into the nail-biting thriller that it was. It was suspenseful. Stressful. Violent. Grotesque. Sad. Tragic. I got to spend a significant amount of time with Darger, Loshak, and a smattering of other characters contributing their narratives for a rather brutal story. It had all. The. THINGS. This friggin' story was like being in actual horror movie, a comment I had made in my Kindle during a pivotal moment in the story. And imagine my delight when even Darger herself made that very comment.
"He looked around at all of them. Nervous and sweaty. Reminded Darger of someone in a horror movie, which she supposed they basically were."
Now as much I loved the thrilling ride this story was, there was still that sense of wrongness to it that compelled me to withhold that 5th star I was hoping to throw at it. It wasn't a HUGE thing, but it was a significant thing. Now I know this is fiction, as all Darger's books are. I know there's gonna be some sensationalism that's designed to rev up the excitement level. I get that and often love it. I wouldn't be a fan of these books if they weren't amped up to the levels that they are. However, even I'VE gotta draw the line somewhere. And I'm sorry, but the villain in this book was just VERY extra, practically magical. It made the entire third act, despite the glorious suspense-level, feel almost too ridiculous. This villain might as well have been a mutant with the
powers of teleportation. I simply couldn't buy what was being sold to me and I so wanted to buy it.
So yeah, the third act of this book was mighty messy. Because of the multiple perspectives, the timelines among characters often felt erratic and nonsensical. One character might face a threat over HERE, while another character faces a threat over THERE. And yet, it's the same threat. The main scenic location at first felt grand in scale, but then felt small again, due to my aforementioned problem with the villainy. It felt very long-winded because of this. It also didn't help that my favorite duo authors seemed to have run out of steam, opting to end the entire story rather abruptly without fully closing out some doors that had been opened, including the villain's motive. *groan* Sometimes I can appreciate authors forcing me to leave things to my imagination, but other times I just wanna say, "Can't YOU just finish the damn story?" I mean, don't get me wrong. This story does end. But man, the manner in which it does so (especially after the ordeal you're forced to experience along with the characters) just comes across so incredibly cheap. I just felt like it should have earned itself a far better ending than what it got.
At any rate, there was far more done right than wrong in this book, and, despite my aforementioned complaints, I had a hell of a good time on this ride. I look forward to the next entry with much gusto, as per usual.
Click here for my notes and highlights
June 9, 2025
This is one of the best murder mysteries I have read. The characters were wonderful. Violet Darger is an FBI profiler who has been sent to a small Alaska town to help the police find a serial killer who has murdered and brutally mutilated three people near a logging camp. Darger and two men from the logging camp, a policeman, and the police chief go to investigate the crime scenes to help find out who the killer is. When the vehicle they are in can't go any further due to a washed out road, they decide to hike to the logging camp. The policeman decides to retrieve the security cameras placed around the camp while the others stay at the camp to eat a meal. When he hasn't returned by the next morning, they decide to go back to the vehicle to call for help. When they find the vehicle destroyed along with the radio, they decide to hike back to camp where they find the policeman's severed head on a stake in the center of the yard, they barricade themselves inside the cabin. The rest of the book details the steps the group makes to get back to police headquarters and how to avoid being another victim. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end wondering if any of them would survive and if the killer would be caught. I highly recommend this book as a high action thriller. This is my voluntary and honest review.
July 10, 2022
Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the authors but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.
Darger and Loshak are back for the wildest case yet.
When Alaska comes to mind, people have many thoughts and most of them are stereotypes. Anything from Eskimos to perpetually cold weather, to bigfoot, this region of the United States has been shrouded with wild misconceptions. So, with little lay of the land and barely recovered from the previous case, Darger and Loshak are called out to the frozen north to assist with tracking and apprehension of “The Butcher”. Currently not much is known about the culprit, only that his hunting ground currently appear to be in the remote logging forests. With the logging season coming to an end and the weather turning more and more unpredictable, Darger and Loshak find themselves split up to lead different teams in their efforts to catch the killer. But Darger and her team become the next targets when what initially started out as a quick check of a logging camp becomes a struggle for survival against the elements and a killer. More than ever, Darger needs to rely on her wits and any survival skills she may have picked up along the way if she wants to leave the woods alive.
When Darkness Falls is the 10th in the long running Violet Darger series of novels by writer duo Tim McBain and LT Vargus. Picking up shortly after the close of “The Couple Killer” the duo head to small town Alaska for their next assignment. No strangers to travel or back-to-back cases, this trip is especially hard as Loshak is putting on a brave face while still trying to recover from a recently sustained injury. This leaves him in a reduced capacity at best and borderline useless at the worst, but this seems to spur Loshak into action to help his partner when a miracle is desperately needed. Being a long-time reader of this series, Loshak’s current state reminded me of the duo’s first pairing in the novel “Dead End Girl”. Whether this was an intentional “easter egg” or an unintentional development I still found it to be a nice touch. And as it was brought to my mind, I also could not help but contrast how the dynamic between the two agents have evolved over the last 10 books in this series.
From the Prologue, the stage is set, and the lines are drawn. With a slightly slower start than other books in this series, once the action picked up it really felt like one of those old school horror movies where the victims are in an unmanageable position, just trying to find a place to hide before the next victim is picked off. With the book clocking in at a little under 500 pages, at times I seriously wondered if I was reading the final installment in this series. Just when I thought I had something riddled out, another wrinkle, or event or, thunderstorm came along to wash away that theory like the mountain roads in the logging forests. If you are looking for a book that is every bit the thrill ride from beginning to end, McBain and Vargus never fail to deliver.
Darger and Loshak are back for the wildest case yet.
When Alaska comes to mind, people have many thoughts and most of them are stereotypes. Anything from Eskimos to perpetually cold weather, to bigfoot, this region of the United States has been shrouded with wild misconceptions. So, with little lay of the land and barely recovered from the previous case, Darger and Loshak are called out to the frozen north to assist with tracking and apprehension of “The Butcher”. Currently not much is known about the culprit, only that his hunting ground currently appear to be in the remote logging forests. With the logging season coming to an end and the weather turning more and more unpredictable, Darger and Loshak find themselves split up to lead different teams in their efforts to catch the killer. But Darger and her team become the next targets when what initially started out as a quick check of a logging camp becomes a struggle for survival against the elements and a killer. More than ever, Darger needs to rely on her wits and any survival skills she may have picked up along the way if she wants to leave the woods alive.
When Darkness Falls is the 10th in the long running Violet Darger series of novels by writer duo Tim McBain and LT Vargus. Picking up shortly after the close of “The Couple Killer” the duo head to small town Alaska for their next assignment. No strangers to travel or back-to-back cases, this trip is especially hard as Loshak is putting on a brave face while still trying to recover from a recently sustained injury. This leaves him in a reduced capacity at best and borderline useless at the worst, but this seems to spur Loshak into action to help his partner when a miracle is desperately needed. Being a long-time reader of this series, Loshak’s current state reminded me of the duo’s first pairing in the novel “Dead End Girl”. Whether this was an intentional “easter egg” or an unintentional development I still found it to be a nice touch. And as it was brought to my mind, I also could not help but contrast how the dynamic between the two agents have evolved over the last 10 books in this series.
From the Prologue, the stage is set, and the lines are drawn. With a slightly slower start than other books in this series, once the action picked up it really felt like one of those old school horror movies where the victims are in an unmanageable position, just trying to find a place to hide before the next victim is picked off. With the book clocking in at a little under 500 pages, at times I seriously wondered if I was reading the final installment in this series. Just when I thought I had something riddled out, another wrinkle, or event or, thunderstorm came along to wash away that theory like the mountain roads in the logging forests. If you are looking for a book that is every bit the thrill ride from beginning to end, McBain and Vargus never fail to deliver.
October 20, 2022
Agent Darger lost in the woods but gets her killer...
In Alaska. Killings in the woods around lumber jacks sends Loshack and Darger to Alaska. While something is murdering lumber jacks, Darger and Loshack travel to Alaska to find the killer. While Loshack tries to information from the lumber guys, Darger ends up in the woods with a group of girl campers. A murder occurs near the camp, so Darger flees from the Camp with the campers. Of course the killer follows them. A major storm washes away many of the roads and bridges forcing Darger and the campers to flee. But the killing doesn't stop. Darger and the girl run from the killer and hole up in a cave. The killer shows up and Darger tells the girl to stay in the cave while she tracks the cunning killer. I can't describe the back and forth of the cunning killer and Darger...but you will want to find out. The best Violet Darger episode yet!
In Alaska. Killings in the woods around lumber jacks sends Loshack and Darger to Alaska. While something is murdering lumber jacks, Darger and Loshack travel to Alaska to find the killer. While Loshack tries to information from the lumber guys, Darger ends up in the woods with a group of girl campers. A murder occurs near the camp, so Darger flees from the Camp with the campers. Of course the killer follows them. A major storm washes away many of the roads and bridges forcing Darger and the campers to flee. But the killing doesn't stop. Darger and the girl run from the killer and hole up in a cave. The killer shows up and Darger tells the girl to stay in the cave while she tracks the cunning killer. I can't describe the back and forth of the cunning killer and Darger...but you will want to find out. The best Violet Darger episode yet!
February 28, 2024
Darger and Loshak are on the hunt for their next serial killer. What makes serial killer different than the ones they’ve chased in the past? Will the location in rural Alaska make their job harder or easier? Will they be shunned as outsiders or embraced as saviors? What is the motivation for the killings, the brutality, and why now? These are some of the questions, circumstances, and maybe even barriers that must be addressed if they are going to solve these case and stop the killings.
I have been really enjoying this series about these 2 different FBI profilers and their relationship over the course of their combined cases. The characters continue to grow and because of the nature of their jobs the world continues to expand. The plots with their twist, turns, and surprises continue be worth reading. The pace of the stories are fast but slow down when it needs to concentrate on specific characters, plot lines, and reveals making the story pop.
I have been really enjoying this series about these 2 different FBI profilers and their relationship over the course of their combined cases. The characters continue to grow and because of the nature of their jobs the world continues to expand. The plots with their twist, turns, and surprises continue be worth reading. The pace of the stories are fast but slow down when it needs to concentrate on specific characters, plot lines, and reveals making the story pop.
September 25, 2025
Well the plots get crazier, Darger manages to get herself captured yet again, knocked out almost completely yet again, but plays possum as a serial killer (Rambo this time) drags her off to kill her, but is able to grab a rock (undetected) and proceed to bash this man who has killed, I don’t know maybe 20 others plus a lot of search and rescue and man hunter dogs. Why he’s walking below the cave she managed to get into during a blinding rainstorm isn’t clear, but there he is. And she goes off after him, which he recognizes, ambushes her, and though he has easily dispatched large fighting men, she overcomes him.
The plots are so unreal but the problem is the books are well written and hard to put down, you get drawn into the action (which Loshak misses almost entirely because of a bum knee and being high on medication most of the book, and so missing the fact that Darger never came back from her day trip) anyway. They are compellingly readable nonetheless. So four stars for that.
The plots are so unreal but the problem is the books are well written and hard to put down, you get drawn into the action (which Loshak misses almost entirely because of a bum knee and being high on medication most of the book, and so missing the fact that Darger never came back from her day trip) anyway. They are compellingly readable nonetheless. So four stars for that.
September 9, 2022
OMG Exciting Mystery
Agents Loshack and Darger make such a great team. While this story left most of the action to Darger. Loshack had a good handle of the situation.
Both are FBI profilers who often team up on high profile or just horrendous cases. In this one, there was rugged terrain, a deranged killer (as usual) and lots of action. I was compelled to keep reading as the killer was identified early on. Normally when that happens the book drags on. Not so in this case.
Once the killer was identified, the team had the arduous task of capturing him before he committed more murders and dismemberments. It was tough going reading about the innocents, and searchers and their dogs he killed during the pursuit.
All in all a great read. Thanks again for another exciting story.
Agents Loshack and Darger make such a great team. While this story left most of the action to Darger. Loshack had a good handle of the situation.
Both are FBI profilers who often team up on high profile or just horrendous cases. In this one, there was rugged terrain, a deranged killer (as usual) and lots of action. I was compelled to keep reading as the killer was identified early on. Normally when that happens the book drags on. Not so in this case.
Once the killer was identified, the team had the arduous task of capturing him before he committed more murders and dismemberments. It was tough going reading about the innocents, and searchers and their dogs he killed during the pursuit.
All in all a great read. Thanks again for another exciting story.
December 29, 2022
Faulty ending
Spoiler
This was a good read but near the end there is helicopter crash that should have been heard for miles in the wilderness but several of the characters seem not to have heard it. That got in my head and distracted me from the story. Then our warrior woman abandons a child without telling her so she can single handedly follow the killer. Of course, she gets captured and unlike every other victim he decides to wait to kill her. She takes him out in a scene that is so wrong because he caves so quickly. This book was so well done and truly terrifying but such a week ending left me disappointed. One more book in the series is probably just as well for now. I am growing weary of the strong, intelligent female showing incredibly poor judgement so many times.
Spoiler
This was a good read but near the end there is helicopter crash that should have been heard for miles in the wilderness but several of the characters seem not to have heard it. That got in my head and distracted me from the story. Then our warrior woman abandons a child without telling her so she can single handedly follow the killer. Of course, she gets captured and unlike every other victim he decides to wait to kill her. She takes him out in a scene that is so wrong because he caves so quickly. This book was so well done and truly terrifying but such a week ending left me disappointed. One more book in the series is probably just as well for now. I am growing weary of the strong, intelligent female showing incredibly poor judgement so many times.
July 12, 2022
When Darkness Falls - there are many threats facing Darger some from nature and one psychopath
I always enjoy the Darger and Loshak books. This is another very interesting nail biter. I wasn't sure where the authors would go with this story of a psychopath and his penchant for grisly murders. The story evolves slowly, but each chapter brings the reader closer to the individual that could strike them at any moment. Add to this threat, the unknown danger of being in a Washington mountain soaking wet in sub-freezing temperatures and bears, staying alive is a high priority for Violet. I've never been disappointed with any book by L. T. Vargus and Tim McBain, I'm very glad to see the series continuing.
I always enjoy the Darger and Loshak books. This is another very interesting nail biter. I wasn't sure where the authors would go with this story of a psychopath and his penchant for grisly murders. The story evolves slowly, but each chapter brings the reader closer to the individual that could strike them at any moment. Add to this threat, the unknown danger of being in a Washington mountain soaking wet in sub-freezing temperatures and bears, staying alive is a high priority for Violet. I've never been disappointed with any book by L. T. Vargus and Tim McBain, I'm very glad to see the series continuing.
January 21, 2024
What an unbelievably scary roller coaster ride!
When Darkness Falls hooked me from the beginning, and its fast pace took off from there. Murphy’s Law ruled the day as Darger & the other law enforcement personnel just could not catch a break from Mother Nature or the crazed killer. Violet Darger is a great character. Although always a bit impatient, she uses her brain and instinct to figure out her best course of action. Her partner, Loshak, was almost no help to her this time around because he was just 4 weeks out from knee surgery, and eating Vicodin like candy. There were some very likable characters in the book, and their reactions were very real as the killer kept them on the run for their lives. What a scary ride this book was!!
When Darkness Falls hooked me from the beginning, and its fast pace took off from there. Murphy’s Law ruled the day as Darger & the other law enforcement personnel just could not catch a break from Mother Nature or the crazed killer. Violet Darger is a great character. Although always a bit impatient, she uses her brain and instinct to figure out her best course of action. Her partner, Loshak, was almost no help to her this time around because he was just 4 weeks out from knee surgery, and eating Vicodin like candy. There were some very likable characters in the book, and their reactions were very real as the killer kept them on the run for their lives. What a scary ride this book was!!
December 28, 2025
I can’t decide how I feel about this book, I seen some really good reviews online so I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m personally not a fan of third person stories which is probably why I didn’t give this a higher rating, there were a lot of characters to keep track of and the narrator referred to each character by their last name, which took me a while to figure out who was who.
There was constant action which was really nice, although I didn’t like how this ended. I feel like the serial killer should’ve had a better story and an actual reason as to why he was killing all these people. But instead we never really got to know the underlying motive. Overall this wasn’t bad, just not my style, there was no romance aspect, just simply a thriller
There was constant action which was really nice, although I didn’t like how this ended. I feel like the serial killer should’ve had a better story and an actual reason as to why he was killing all these people. But instead we never really got to know the underlying motive. Overall this wasn’t bad, just not my style, there was no romance aspect, just simply a thriller
July 5, 2022
Never thought I'd leave anything but 4 or 5 stars for a Darger novel, but I just couldn't do it this time. In fact, it was a DNF for me. Instead of being a tight, riveting plot with sharp dialogue, the authors spent the vast majority of the time delving endlessly into every thought that entered Violet's mind. Ad nauseum. Found myself literally skipping through multiple paragraphs -- even occasionally pages -- just to get to some action. Terrible disappointment. Wish she'd go back to writing books like Bad Blood; SO superior. That's the book that made me keep reading this series. Her latest novels don't even come close.
January 5, 2023
The Violet Darger series of books are really suspenseful. There are so many scenes that you just feel yourself tensing up, anticipating something gruesome. When Darkness Falls does not disappoint. In fact, I may have to stop reading these books because my insides keep getting knotted up. The descriptions of the scenes are so vivid, and I find myself making comments out loud and my husband has learned to ignore me when I'm reading these books. I will say, at times, Violet gets herself in such a predicament that you just want to shake her, but she always gets out of it even though battered and bruised. Looking forward to reading the next adventure!
June 27, 2022
This was definitely a rollercoaster ride. You never know who is next. Sometimes the characters didn't use common sense while out and about. I realize they weren't thinking things could happen to them. It was interesting watching how everybody dealt with what was going on. Loshak on one side and Darger on the other side. I kind of missed the banter between Loshak and Darger. This is a stand alone book but I would recommend reading the whole series. I loved the suspense, action and mystery of When Darkness Falls. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.
August 7, 2022
Taut thriller
A chilling story of predator and prey in the Alaskan wilderness. A brutal serial killer stalks and terrorizes the teams that search for him . How many will die before his reign of madness is brought to an end? Will FBI profiler Violet Darger, in the wilderness with one of the teams searching for the killer, survive in the wet, cold storms the weather has brought in when the killer begins to pick them off one by one? If you're up for an all-nighter nail biter, you'll find out.
A chilling story of predator and prey in the Alaskan wilderness. A brutal serial killer stalks and terrorizes the teams that search for him . How many will die before his reign of madness is brought to an end? Will FBI profiler Violet Darger, in the wilderness with one of the teams searching for the killer, survive in the wet, cold storms the weather has brought in when the killer begins to pick them off one by one? If you're up for an all-nighter nail biter, you'll find out.
June 8, 2023
A favorite author and two of my favorite characters, Darger and Loshak. What could possibly go wrong?
This was the first Violet Darger book I had no problem setting aside. Way too violent for me. I found myself scanning pages instead of reading them... getting past the grossness of the heaviest violence and on to calmer scenes. It really felt like the primary purpose of the book was to string together violent scenes rather than to actually tell a story.
All I felt when I finished reading this book was relief. So glad that it was over.
This was the first Violet Darger book I had no problem setting aside. Way too violent for me. I found myself scanning pages instead of reading them... getting past the grossness of the heaviest violence and on to calmer scenes. It really felt like the primary purpose of the book was to string together violent scenes rather than to actually tell a story.
All I felt when I finished reading this book was relief. So glad that it was over.
November 16, 2023
The Alaskan wilderness
How does Agent Darger always manage to end up in the most dangerous situations? You notice that her partner isn’t fighting for his life. In this book I could have done with about 100 pages less of the descriptions of the pine trees, hemlocks, ferns, pine needles and the forest hikes up and down the hills and valleys. I get it. They are in a forest. But with that said, the protagonist here is definitely a great case study and keeps you interested in what he will do next.
How does Agent Darger always manage to end up in the most dangerous situations? You notice that her partner isn’t fighting for his life. In this book I could have done with about 100 pages less of the descriptions of the pine trees, hemlocks, ferns, pine needles and the forest hikes up and down the hills and valleys. I get it. They are in a forest. But with that said, the protagonist here is definitely a great case study and keeps you interested in what he will do next.
June 14, 2025
Good Book
Darger and Loshank are in Alaska. Someone is killing people in the woods around a small town. Darger is part of a group of people who go out to the previous crime sites. Oops mistake!!! So they are in the middle of nowhere Alaska and killer in the woods. 5 people in the party. Group think isn’t so good for this group. Loshank is in town trying to figure out who is doing the killing. He does, but it doesn’t do them any good since he is after the group in the woods…..scary…
Darger and Loshank are in Alaska. Someone is killing people in the woods around a small town. Darger is part of a group of people who go out to the previous crime sites. Oops mistake!!! So they are in the middle of nowhere Alaska and killer in the woods. 5 people in the party. Group think isn’t so good for this group. Loshank is in town trying to figure out who is doing the killing. He does, but it doesn’t do them any good since he is after the group in the woods…..scary…
July 3, 2022
Compelling... Intense
From the beginning, the story captivated! The unknown lurking in every page. Aware that, when the Ranger went to check the cameras, he would not return. Also aware that "The Butcher" would continue to kill methodically until no one was left! Having no doubt Varger would prevail, the climactic confrontation at the end was unpredictable in the way it played out. SUPERB story. Please don't let it be the last Varger story!
From the beginning, the story captivated! The unknown lurking in every page. Aware that, when the Ranger went to check the cameras, he would not return. Also aware that "The Butcher" would continue to kill methodically until no one was left! Having no doubt Varger would prevail, the climactic confrontation at the end was unpredictable in the way it played out. SUPERB story. Please don't let it be the last Varger story!
July 7, 2022
This is the most terrifying book yet that I have read by Vargus and Mcbain. I was drawn in to the story line to the point that it felt like I was one of the characters in the book that was being hunted down. I want to go into more depth and detail about that, but I am afraid I might spoil the story for someone else. Sorry about that. Also, I want to mention that this is the first book I've ever wrote a review about. That is how good it is.
July 8, 2022
I loathe anything that even resembles a spoiler, and I don't know how to discuss what I did or didn't particularly like about this entry without at least coming close to something like that, so I'll just say that if you liked the first nine books, and/or the half a dozen or so Loshak books, then I can't see any reason why you wouldn't like this as well -- and perhaps, like me, there may be a reason you'd like this one a little more.
July 10, 2022
Darger at her best!
Such a page turner that I couldn’t put the book down. Vargas and McBain have written the ultimate Darger novel. Set in Alaska, the woods and bears were a character themselves. Each chapter kept getting better. No spoilers here. You’ll have to read it to find out what happens to Darger (and Loshak too). Can’t wait til the next one! Hurry up and bring it on Vargus and McBain!
Such a page turner that I couldn’t put the book down. Vargas and McBain have written the ultimate Darger novel. Set in Alaska, the woods and bears were a character themselves. Each chapter kept getting better. No spoilers here. You’ll have to read it to find out what happens to Darger (and Loshak too). Can’t wait til the next one! Hurry up and bring it on Vargus and McBain!
July 24, 2022
Fantastic read!
Loved this book. It was exciting and fast-paced. Kept me on my toes. Darger was her exceptionally driven self, but showed a vulnerability when pushed to her limits. The story was well-crafted and the details the authors included in describing the setting made me feel as if I was caught in a cold, wet forest completely lost and alone. When Darkness Falls did not disappoint!
Loved this book. It was exciting and fast-paced. Kept me on my toes. Darger was her exceptionally driven self, but showed a vulnerability when pushed to her limits. The story was well-crafted and the details the authors included in describing the setting made me feel as if I was caught in a cold, wet forest completely lost and alone. When Darkness Falls did not disappoint!
November 27, 2023
Done it again
The book starts slowly, which is quite unusual. But just as I began to think about putting it aside....well, fireworks started.
Darger and Loshak are like strawberries and cream, a great combo. This time Loshak is nursing an injury, so most of the action falls to Darger. She is a woman not to be beaten even when the odds are very seriously against her. One criticism: overuse of the word 'maw'.
The book starts slowly, which is quite unusual. But just as I began to think about putting it aside....well, fireworks started.
Darger and Loshak are like strawberries and cream, a great combo. This time Loshak is nursing an injury, so most of the action falls to Darger. She is a woman not to be beaten even when the odds are very seriously against her. One criticism: overuse of the word 'maw'.
December 8, 2023
Good story
I enjoyed this book, with the following exceptions: 1. the only non-captive snakes in Alaska, as far as I know, are harmless garter snakes. 2. Nobody goes into the wilderness of SE Alaska without wellies and rain gear. Other than those little quibbles, the characters were believable, the writing was acceptable, and the story was exciting. I liked it enough to check out the next book.
I enjoyed this book, with the following exceptions: 1. the only non-captive snakes in Alaska, as far as I know, are harmless garter snakes. 2. Nobody goes into the wilderness of SE Alaska without wellies and rain gear. Other than those little quibbles, the characters were believable, the writing was acceptable, and the story was exciting. I liked it enough to check out the next book.
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