Thirty years ago, Julia Harte was a young Garda officer whose courageous actions helped take down James Cox, a prolific serial killer who had been preying on young women. After a successful detective career and a bestselling book, Julia retired to a remote village, still haunted by the past and all alone except for her beloved dog Mutt. When two women are found murdered in the exact manner as the old killings, Julia returns to Cork to help solve the case and catch a copycat killer.

I am so impressed by Amy Jordan’s debut thriller! Julia’s story is told over two timelines, each of them tightly plotted and equally compelling. I’ve been loving this trend toward more mature FMCs, and Julia is such a great protagonist, dedicated and daring even when it may cost her everything. The serial killer/police procedural aspect is action packed and propulsive, but it was Julia’s personal relationships that delivered a surprisingly emotional touch that really elevated this novel. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!

Flora Montgomery narrates the audiobook and her gentle, lilting accent brings authenticity to the Irish setting. She embodies Julia perfectly, which really had me connecting with Julia on a deeper level even though the narrative is written in the third person.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

The Dark Hours by @amyjordanbooks is a dark and moody serial killer thriller. The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover, it’s gorgeous! In the book we follow the main character Julia in dual timelines as she’s dealing with a serial killer and her own personal challenges related to her job and her relationships. I was definitely on the edge of my seat at times! I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed Flora Montgomery’s narration.

🔪"The Dark Hours" by Amy Jordan🔪
"The Dark Hours" is a gripping thriller that will keep your heart racing! A violent serial killer is on the loose in Ireland, and the tension is undeniable.

Julia Harte, a determined rookie Garda, is the heart of this story. Her ambition to excel in a challenging male-dominated field is admirable, but her journey is far from easy. A routine noise complaint leads to a devastating tragedy, leaving scars that haunt her both professionally and personally.

Fast forward thirty years, and Julia is retired and tucked away in a quaint, remote town with her lovable sidekick, a little dog named Mutt, whom she rescued from an upsetting situation. But tranquility is short-lived when her former boss reaches out—Cork is under siege by a new serial killer, one who is eerily replicating the crimes of the past.

For an even more immersive experience, I recommend the audiobook version of "The Dark Hours". The audio format adds a new dimension to the story, skillfully navigating between the two timelines and intertwining Julia's emotional journey with her professional challenges.

As Julia returns to Cork to lend her expertise, she quickly realizes that the copycat killer is always one step ahead, making this cat-and-mouse game more dangerous than ever. This dark and unsettling police procedural is not just a story, it's an immersive experience that will captivate you from the first page to the last.

Thank you to HTP/Harlequin Audio and the author for providing access to the ALC and ARC through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own!

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3.75 stars

This is a strong crime/thriller debut that reveals solid ongoing potential for the author and for these characters.

The narrative flows through two timelines and features Julia Harte, a police detective who is retired in the present day but was very active in critical cases earller in her career. Readers get insight into a case that changed Julia's life in 1994 and then we get to learn how and why that case seems to be coming up again in 2024. Julia's increasing concern and interest in the modern case become easy to understand as readers are right there for the origin story, too. Like all mindful writers of this genre, Jordan provides insight into Julia's character, her losses, her regrets, and her motivations along the way. Julia's growth became more compelling for me than the central thrills, but transparently, this is almost always the case when I read books of this nature.

My top draw to this book was the Irish setting, and it is one of the characteristics I'll remember most fondly when I reflect on this book. Ireland is a magical place for many reasons, including the ability to seemingly disappear in plain sight. That all comes together nicely here.

I will absolutely come back for more from this author, and while I don't think this book is intended to be part of a series, if it were, I'd be thrilled to continue on with the characters, whom I grew to really root for throughout.

After her career as a retired detective Julia’s only desire is to live a quiet life tucked away in a small Irish town. When the serial killer she put away dies in prison and a copycat killer emerges, Julia is thrust away from her life of solitude and back into the unrelenting world of solving crimes.

This police procedural features dual timeline mysteries set in 1994 and present day as Julia seeks to confront the echoes of the past. Debut author Amy Jordan touches on women in the workforce and the sexism they are so often confronted with. Flora Montgomery did a fantastic job bringing the tension of the story to life with her audiobook narration. THE DARK HOURS is a riveting debut to add to your TBR.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-get spooked when the power goes out
-are drawn to Irish crime fiction
-appreciate a middle-aged protagonist

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.