*thank you to Netgalley, Karen Rose and Hachette Australia for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


3.5 stars.

I quite enjoy Karen Rose's novels. She writes a great story and always seems to keep the reader interested. I had been a little iffy about reading a story involving PTSD and I also have that, but given that it was mostly about how he coped with it, I thought it would be safe and it was. It want triggering which I appreciated.

This story is the 4th in the series so that is something to keep in mind if you pick this up as a first read because some characters from the previous 3 novels are in here and as long a you don't mind not knowing the backstory for them, then it's fine to read as a standalone. Would definitely recommend this.

Edge of Darkness by Karen Rose is one of those books that I just had to keep reading. By rights I shouldn't even like it, it is full of crime, nasty crime and so many killings. However its the fight of good against evil and I know the evil is going to be eventually overcome.

I've only read two other books in this series but I want to go back and read all of them! Some day! In the meantime this was perfect and while it is part of a series it can stand alone, although it doesn't hurt to have met the characters before. Yes there are quite a few of them. The first time I read a book in the series I jotted down names and how they are related, and hey presto now there is "no problemo".

This is the story of Adam Kimble - detective and Meredith. We'd seen Adam withdraw from his family and friends - they didn't know why and neither did the reader. In this book all is revealed as Adam becomes centre stage. Adam and Meredith are always seeking to do what is right for others, they are both wounded people and are coping with their own dysfunctions. Yet their hears are full of love, loyalty and courage.

The story ranges over about a week - it is told from the viewpoint of many - Adam, Meredith, the perpetrator of the crimes and some of the victims. For a long while we don't know who is behind the shocking things that happen and when we do find out it is to discover that greed, jealousy, callousness and evil are alive and kicking in the heart of the person who has caused such devastation.

What draws me to these books are the strong bonds that exist between all the detectives, the people who help victims as does Meredith, the newspaper team and the IT team. Bonds of loyalty, support and love are strong. I loved Meredith's grandfather, I want to see more of Diesel the IT newspaper guy who walks a fine line in terms of the law and Dani the doctor - sister of one of the detectives. The little cameos of fun and humour don't hurt either.

Fast paced, full of tension, fantastic characters and a plot that took me away from my world into another. Can't ask for more.

When I talk about a series of linked books done well I usually refer to Karen Rose's work. Rose is an author I discovered a decade or so ago and think I've mentioned before that I mapped out some of the relationships between the characters in her early series to ensure I read her books in the right order (given that I started after she had published quite a few).

Essentially what she did was include a couple of key characters with a few peripheral characters playing minor roles. And it's one of those characters who'd pop up in the next book. Yes indeed.... every child wins a prize. She did however - back then - only write a few books in each series and (from memory) any characters we met before played pretty minor roles next time around.

This book is billed as the fourth in her linked series based in Cincinnati.  As a result it features quite a few characters readers have met before. And when I say quite a few, I mean shitloads. And in non-technical speak, I mean there were - I think - a few too many.

I enjoyed this book so the only negative for me was the fact there were so many characters in peripheral roles that the whole thing felt incestuous. Everyone was paired off with one another. I suspect we've met them through other books in the series but I actually found it quite ridiculous and - at times - overwhelming. Sure... bring back a character or two from a previous book, to tie them together (when introducing new leads in each book), but to include a dozen or so people - many of whom were not in pivotal roles and not really necessary to the plot - meant it was just confusing.

I assumed almost all of those in the book had previously had their own 'leading role' opportunity in one of the previous books... though there were one or two not-yet-together people who I'm sure will be back next time around.

I got distracted wondering who the cops were vs the FBI agents, vs the domestic violence workers, the doctors, the journalists, the animal shelter staff. SO. MANY. PEOPLE.

That aside, I enjoyed the plot, was mostly kept guessing and very much liked our two lead characters. Rose can be pretty much relied on to offer a good balance between romance and suspense, which this non-reader-of-romance appreciates. And she doesn't get too entrenched in sex scenes. In fact she gives us the sense she's written about them but doesn't in any detail (so there's no crass vs flowery boinking dilemma). It's actually quite perfect.

I did cringe a little at some of the romantic elements and the cliched protective manly men and (empowered yet) distressed damsels. And are people ever really that besotted?!! And of course I realise that's my own cynical perception about love, life and the universe in general filtering through... 

Other than the overwhelming number of players it's pretty easy to dive into this series part-way through as we're given new leads in each new book. I'm fairly sure I'll have forgotten who's who by the time the next book comes out but I know that won't matter and I'll enjoy it nonetheless.