It's extremely possible I've grown out of Karen Harper books. Some of her earlier suspense was absolutely superb, but the last few series and trilogies just lost it for me. Falling Darkness is the third in a mini series and I struggled. Definitely have to read them in order otherwise you're lost. Thank you NetGalley for the galley copy

Did not finish.

When I requested this ARC, I had no idea it was Book 3 in a series. Having not read the previous novels, I was dropped into the middle of a scene with no clue what was happening, why it was happening or to whom it was happening. I made numerous attempts to try and get into this novel and in the end, with many more ARCs to read, I did not finish it. I will review it or give it a bad rating simply because it was dropped into the middle of a series. It's certainly not the fault of the author, and in this case, it's by an author I've always liked. I hope that in the future, you mention in your Netgalley blurbs when an ARC is not the first book in a series.

At the mercy of a treacherous sea...

Claire Britten's training never prepared her for this--the forensic psychology curriculum didn't cover plane crashes. Or how to help fellow survivors cope, seven frightened people huddled in two small rafts awaiting a rescue that may never come. Especially when three of them are your ex-husband, your young daughter--and the man you love, Nick Markwood, whose pursuit by a criminal mastermind forced you all to run in the first place.

When the bedraggled crew finally reaches dry land, they are still far from safe. Nick tries to secure transport to their witness-protection placement, urging everyone to stick to the identities laid out for them. They don't need any complications. But when danger follows them to their supposed safe haven, Claire and Nick no longer know who is helping or harming them. Racked by doubt and mistrust, still hunted, they must band together--or fall.



* * * * *



FALLING DARKNESS is the third book in the South Shores series but I have to admit that I was rather impressed by how well it stands on its own. I had the opportunity to read the first book but somehow skipped over the second. Even so, I didn't feel lost and immediately became engrossed in the book.


Ms. Harper has done a wonderful job with the characters. They are all ones I found easy to emphasize with enough that I was holding my breath during some of the tense scenes. I am especially impressed by Claire who is such a strong woman even with all of her rather unique medical issues. I also feel bad for Jace, Claire's ex-husband, because what could be worse then being stuck with your ex-wife who you are still in love with and her new husband?


The plot also flows at a nice pace and will keep you turning the pages just to find out who did what. The dialogue is witty and amusing in places. I also found the ending to be rather satisfying.



I do recommend this book to my readers who enjoy romantic suspense. I do want to issue a warning though that there is some violent scenes in this book so perhaps not appropriate for younger readers.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

Falling Darkness is the third book in Karen Harper’s South Shores Series. Somehow, I read the books out of order which means that I have only read the first and third books so far. Events that happened in the second book were referenced in this one so I would not say that this is a standalone book. I was definitely at a loss for some things that had happened previously. Nonetheless, I feel confident that I can give an honest review.

The central theme throughout all of these books is that attorney Nick Markwood is on the run from a man named Clayton Ames who killed his father years ago and made it look like a suicide. This time, Nick and family/friends are in WITSEC on a remote island after their plane had previously crashed in Cuba and they had been hunted by Clayton Ames. Nick’s entourage includes his new wife and former consultant Forensic Psychologist Claire Markwood, her ex-husband Jace, their daughter Lexi, and several other people which seems to be very odd for WITSEC.

For as much as I wanted to like this series, I felt that the main storyline played out far too long. I literally lost interest in bringing Ames to justice. To make matters worse, another killer was brought into the mix which made Nick and his crew seem like a magnet for serial killers at this point. The main characters were likeable enough but their social dynamics just didn’t seem realistic and was suffocated with tension. There is no way that anyone would agree to pose as the brother of their ex-wife’s husband regardless of how much they wanted to stay near their daughter. Plus, is anyone that unlucky? As the Scooby Gang got closer to solving another mystery, at least the action intensified but at that point I just wanted to get it over with. I won’t reveal the ending so I will just say that it was a long time coming.

Recommended for: hadji

This is the third book in this series, and it does not disappoint, you are going to be in a plane crash, and then explore Cuba, and finally you are going to be driving a snowmobile on Mackinaw Island, boy life sure does not get dull.
Now that our friends are in the WITSEC, we have hopes that their lives are about to get better and the evil will be caught and their will be an end to their plight.
Surprises are in store for Nick and Claire and even little Tess, and Jace is going to have to accept that life goes on. What a ride we are in for and we pick up some extra people to live with us. Of course, nothing is ever on an even keel here, and unfortunately there is another murder, but who did it and who will be next.
Your mind in going to be guessing in all areas, and when you think you know some of the answers, you may just change your mind. Do you really think the older man with dementia could hurt someone? What about another person who maybe in WITSEC, but not part of their group, yes the suspects abounds, but are we even close.
You will be quickly page turning for answers, a really great end to a great series.
I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Mira Publishing and was not required to give a positive review.

This is one series that reads like one story broken into three distinct parts in order to meet size and publishing deadlines.  So while I normally thrive on picking up a book out of sequence I had to go back and read Books 1 and 2 before I could read this one. The series starts with a bang literally and then Nick Markwood opposing counsel is offering Claire a job which she can't resist. Before long Claire is embroiled in a love almost at first sight with Nick and running for her life with her entourage of ex-husband and child along with lover into parts unknown and scary.

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Having solved murders in the first two books in the series Claire and Nick turn state's witness against Nick's enemy who's gunning for them. As they flee from all that is safe and familiar with body guard and nanny in tow their plane that is taking them away into witness protection develops engine trouble and leaves them stranded in the ocean off the coast of Cuba.

Through a series of adventures where they're befriended by a fisherman and his family they find themselves in Havana trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities who are hunting them. During this time in a freakish coincidence they unmask their enemies hideaway. Fortunately they're able to get in touch with the FBI and make their way through the Guantanamo Bay US base to their witness protection safe haven.

As is the case with them, the body count doesn't seem to let up. Were they followed? or does their enemy have contingencies for contingencies. This is a thrilling conclusion to a well told tale. Between Claire's interesting and different medical condition to the dynamics of an ex-husband who finds he still loves his wife to a new romance and husband and a criminal master mind who's playing God forcing them to do things his way the story is as chilling as it's exciting.

I love her books. The characters and setting keep you wanting to read her books. Well plotted mystery

Falling Darkness is book 3 in a series and while I didn't read book 2 I was able to catch up after a few chapters.
This book will keep readers questioning everything they are reading and the second the read thinks they have it figured out. Bam the readers will begin to questions everything they have read wondering if they could be wrong this whole time.
Karen Harper is able to pull reader from page to page with excitement and fear of what will happen next and could that old man really hurt someone?

This is a must read book for the summer reading list.

Advance Copy from Netgalley and the publisher

Nick and Claire are in witness protection until they can testify in a major trial. With the criminals in hot pursuit at every turn they end up in Michigan where the snow is deep and snowmobiles are the main transportation. A great suspense story with fast pacing and very believable bad guys. 3rd book of the South Shores series it's very stand alone. Karen Harper is a good writer pulling you in and not letting you stop reading until the last chapter.

I am pretty disappointed in this book. Harper writes solid fiction, but this was a bit on the boring side. I know what you're thinking... how can a book about a plane crack be boring? I don't know how, but she created just such a book.

Forensic psychologist Claire Britten, her ex-husband, daughter, and lover have been in a horrific plane crash, and together with a handful of survivors, they are adrift in the ocean in two tiny life rafts. Claire is filled with worry that they might never be rescued and guilt, because the reason they were all aboard the same flight was because they were fleeing from the underworld criminal in pursuit of her lover Nick Markwood, and anyone he loves. Even when they are safely back on land, the plan for them to assume their new identities under Witness Protection goes awry and Nick and Claire are left with no one to trust but themselves. Karen Harper puts as much effort into developing her characters as she does building the suspense.