If you are looking for a suspenseful Christian romance than this is the one for you. The characters are relatable with an action-packed story that is so real it will pull you into the story from the start. I received an audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for my advanced audiobook.

This is a twisty, dark and gripping story. I listened to the audio of this and I found myself trying to find more excuses to listen to it. Oaklynn is a compelling character as her past trauma has shaped her into the woman she is today. Hopeful for a new start, she is troubled to investigate a series of murders that resemble her serial killer father's. The Canadian Watchers Squad send in Caleb to help with the case. Oaklynn has trouble letting people in her life and therefore makes their relationship challenging. It developed slowly and the reader/listener got to see how they worked through their pasts and fought for their future. The mystery of who is the serial killer and how the cult is related is very well done. It was far into the book before I figured it out. It does have a faith based them running through it but is not preachy. I felt like her coming back to faith was a little sudden and not very believable. The narrator is good and the suspense excellent. A good read except maybe if you are home alone.

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene Turner, should come with trigger warnings or caution for those who have experienced trauma.

This is a new author to me and although really well written and would appeal to a lot of readers, your "typical" Christian Fiction reader - this would be too dark for them and again, depending on your past, this could be a hard read or one to avoid. I almost did not complete this read and probably should have, due to the very dark content.

Imagine the unimaginable - this was Oakland's past and then add her father is a serial killer, no wonder she hunts them down now. When a copycat killer is out there taunting her with the buried secrets from her past and following her dead serial killer's father MO, she has to stop him. Well written but be warned if this is not what you think of Christian Fiction - this is much darker.

📖 Bookish Thoughts
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I struggled with the pacing and found the plot hard to believe.

I also didn’t connect with the characters, and the writing style just wasn’t a fit for me personally.

That said, I know this may still resonate with readers who enjoy small-town thrillers.

🎧 Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was so good! Oaklynn’s story was unique and interesting! Without giving too much away, I loved seeing how she overcame the demons of her past and how the people close to her supported and encouraged her. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will certainly be reading more of Turner’s books in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner

Dealing with the trauma of her past, Constable Oaklynn Brock, finds herself reliving the nightmares of her childhood with a father that was a serial killer.

This book deals with some pretty tough topics that many might find triggering so, keep that in mind before reading. Those topics are approached with a little too much detail for my personal preference, but many would not find it too difficult to read.

I found the cult aspect of this story to be intriguing, but the big reveal of the leader felt slightly anticlimactic even amidst the drama ensuing at the reveal. The inner workings of the Light Paragons is such a crucial part of the story, but that felt unresolved in many ways.

Now, to all the positive things about this book. There are several characters that kept me guessing until the end. I was sure I knew who the leader would end up being, and I missed it! Then, I couldn’t narrow down the serial killer to just one guess. The way the author writes the thoughts from the killers POV is one of the best aspects of the mystery. You see glimpses of his thought process all along the way that build a foundation for their end story.

I highly enjoyed the faith elements in this novel because the characters felt like they had a believable, workable faith.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced audio copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

This was a great christian suspense book! The audio was very well done and easy to listen to at a faster speed. The book is dark and definitely deals with trauma so check for trigger warnings (sexual abuse, cults, etc.). Once I got into the book, I wanted to keep listening to see what was going to happen next. It was written in such a way that you felt with the characters as they experienced things. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys christian suspense.

I listened to an advanced copy of the book curtesy of NetGalley and Harlequin Audio.

"We all have darkness within us. We just have to choose to snuff it out. Wise words. But would that darkness consume him all over again?"

Constable Oaklynn Brock is determined to fight her childhood trauma by putting other wrong doers into jail. But when her current case hits close to her past, she is not sure that she can survive. Will she be a victor or a victim?

As a part of the elite Watcher Group, Caleb Greene knows that his skills could help solve the serial killer case. Yet having to go back into a situation reminiscent of his past is overwhelming at best. Can he fully overcome his past to embrace transformation as well as forgiveness?

The back story added interest to the plot even though some of Oaklynn's past is truly horrible. Her choice to overcome evil is not always easy. Because of all of the intensity and back story, I would call this book a psychological thriller. Just enough details are given to add weight to the story without being graphic or overly edgy. The book is unpredictable, and I did not guess the villain.

Romance plays a part in this story. The small-town setting is compelling since one gets connected to the townspeople. Faith and overcoming evil are both critical to the plot.

The cast of characters in this book are very memorable. I am hopeful that this book is the start of a new series as the Watchers (aka "the good guys") are worth getting to know. As for the "bad guys," hopefully none of them appear again. The Protege is truly a creepy character!

Potential trigger alerts: mentions of childhood abuse; cult behavior; crimes, suicide. Although this book may not be for every reader, there is a strong element of redemption. The characters overcome their tough pasts by learning to trust in God despite the circumstances. In my opinion, this book is for older teens and up.

Despite the tragedies involved, I do recommend this book for readers who enjoy romantic suspense. Glad that I read and listened to the book through copies on NetGalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

Reading Journal Details
Book: Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner
Format Read:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

My Quick Take Review
A layered, faith based mystery that tactfully explores dark themes, family dynamics, and deep buried secrets. While a few plot points felt predictable, Echoes of Darkness delivers steady suspense and meaningful character development.

Some Key Features & Vibes
🏔️ Canada setting
⛪ Christian fiction
🐈 Copy cat killer
💐 Lilies (flowers)
㊙️ Buried secrets

My Full Review
This is my first dive into Darlene L. Turner's work, and I have to say she knows how to craft a layered mystery! Echoes of Darkness is a Christian fiction thriller that combines suspense with emotional and spiritual growth in a way that feels authentic and captivating.

I really enjoyed the family dynamics woven into this story, along with the long buried secrets that gradually come to light as the story progresses. Oaklynn Brock made for a compelling protagonist; her resilience and determination really shone through, and her chemistry with Caleb Greene was a highlight. Their banter and conversations felt genuine, and I liked how their shared history added complexity to their relationship as the case unfolded. The romantic suspense didn't feel forced, and instead, organically unraveled.

The tension builds at a steady pace throughout the narrative, and I appreciated the ongoing themes of perseverance and acceptance that run alongside the mystery. The audiobook narrator, Leonor A. Woodworth, also deserves a shoutout for keeping the pacing tight and the tension alive with a pleasant, engaging, and easy to follow voice.

One thing I wish we'd seen more of was Oaklynn fully stepping into her lead role on the case. While her manager clearly believed in her by giving her the assignment—not just her personal ties to the case—that leadership aspect often felt overshadowed by her interactions with Caleb. I would've loved to see more moments of her taking charge with her fellow constable.

Some of the story beats were a bit predictable, but that didn't take away from the overall experience. The book handles some dark and weighty themes with tact and sensitivity, making for a very solid mystery with heart and meaningful purpose.

Thank you Harlequin Audio, Darlene L. Turner, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced listener's copy (ALC) of this deeply layered thriller in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is an amazing thriller! The story is unique, I love the characters, the mystery and suspense are riveting! There's a serial killer and a cult. We know some info up front, but there is a whodunnit that needs to be figured out. The creep factor is "just right." There's family, friendship and a romance, too!

I listened to the audio, and it is superb! Highly recommended!

I throughly enjoyed Echos of Darkness. The story kept me hooked from the beginning. I had suspected who the bad guy was early on, but I was still fully invested in how the story unfolded. The relationship between Oaklynn and Caleb was really sweet. I really enjoyed the Biblical truth woven throughout the story.

The audiobook was done well and I really enjoyed listening.

I think this one may be a bit too dark for me. I was expecting the serial killer although I guess I hoped it was the one from Oaklynn’s childhood not a current one. I also did not expect a cult or fairly graphic descriptions of the murder victims. Did not expect child sexual abuse. While the child abuse was not graphically described, it was such a part of what Oaklynn currently faced in her mind that it was a constant presence in the story.
Caleb Green is a strong male lead. He has darkness in his past but strives to move in the light.
Oaklynn Brock is a good constable, but the situations she faces in the book are too much for where she is at emotionally and spiritually.
The discussion of God was a large part of the story. That’s a good thing. I’m not sure of the balance portrayed between light and dark though.
The romantic part worked and the ending was a nice touch.
The narrator of the audiobook is good at terrifying the reader with the story.
This was the first book I’ve read by the author. I think I would read the blurb more carefully and take it more under advisement before attempting another by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin audio for the opportunity to read this book.

***Let me start this review off by saying two things: one, I think my opinion of this book is probably one of the outliers (for several reasons), and two, this is not my normal genre- I typically do not read/listen to Christian mysteries/thrillers, even though I am a believer-I don't usually read Christian fiction. Please take these into consideration when reading***

This book is a quickly paced book that has a nicely moving plot and for the most part, relatable characters. If Christian fiction is the typical book/genre that you go for, then yes, this is your next book.

This book is everything it claims to be, and that is about it for me. I did not find that it was anything special, and I what is challenging for me, is I don't know how these normally go. Are they all kind of like this? Is the romantic plot line all about the same? I honestly don't know.

So, this just wasn't the book for me. I do think there are a lot of people that are going to really enjoy this book, based on the reviews written by those who read this genre on a very regular basis, that just isn't me.

Please, please, if you are at all interested in this book, go for it. Don't let my outlying opinion stop you- give it a shot.

A gripping battle between darkness and light! I couldn't put it down! I enjoyed how the narrator brought this story to life.

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

ALC review of the audiobook.

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. I didn’t care for the writing. It was very repetitive and felt like it was trying too hard to be dark. It seemed like the author researched possible bad things to make happen to the characters and put them all in there. I don’t know if there are trigger warnings in the actual book, but you should check trigger warnings before reading if you have any triggers you want to avoid.

I didn’t really care for the characters either. There were so many that it was hard for me to keep up with who was who and what they were doing. Nothing really made them stand out to me.

With regard to the audiobook specifically, it was nothing special. It felt like someone was just reading the book, not really like a production. Very monotone.

It’s only getting 2 stars instead of 1 because every guess I had about what was going on was wrong. So it gets a point for surprising me. (**SPOILER-ISH**- Not that it was that good of a surprise due to that whole no characters really standing out thing.)

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Genre: Christian Suspense; Crime Thriller
Setting: Northern Ontario, fictional town of Kenorapeake Falls

Echoes of Darkness pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final breath-stealing chapter. Darlene L. Turner masterfully weaves suspense, trauma, and redemption into a story that is as emotionally compelling as it is darkly thrilling.

Constable Oaklynn Brock is one of the most layered protagonists I’ve read in a long time—strong yet scarred, haunted by a past that won’t stay buried. Growing up as the daughter of a notorious serial killer? That alone would wreck most people. But Oaklynn is determined not to be defined by her bloodline, even as the murders in Kenorapeake Falls begin to mirror her father’s twisted legacy. Her inner turmoil, her fierce drive to protect others, and her determination to rise above her family’s shame gave this story so much heart beneath all the grit.

Caleb Greene is the perfect counterbalance. Cautious, principled, but not immune to the shadows of his own past. Watching him and Oaklynn work together—reluctantly at first, then with growing trust—was just as gripping as the investigation itself.

The creepy cult element layered even more tension into an already fraught mystery. The Light Paragons gave me chills, and the way Turner tied their presence into the unfolding murders made everything feel urgent and disturbingly plausible. Every chapter left me wondering who Oaklynn could trust—and whether she’d survive what was coming next.

This book had it all: small-town secrets, chilling murders, a strong female lead with emotional depth, and a mystery that kept twisting in unexpected ways. If you’re a fan of intense crime thrillers with a thread of hope woven through the darkness, this one’s for you.
#netgalley #echoesofdarkness #booked_this_weekend

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner, narrated by Leonora A. Woodworth. This is my first time reading this author and it didn’t disappoint. With twists and turns and depth of characters, you will love this Christian mystery suspense. Surviving childhood trauma is Constable Oaklynn Brock whose father was a notorious serial killer. She teams up with Caleb Greene of the Canadian watchers squad to track a serial killer who is a crafty protégé of her father’s killings. Both hiding secrets and with shaky Faith, can they find their Faith and stop this killer before either they become the next victim or someone they love. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Harlequin Audio for this Arc. This is my honest review. Releases June 24, 2025

Warning, while this is a Christian book it's content is extremely heavy and focuses on trying overcome and take down true evil. Cults, serial killers, all kinds of domestic and child abuse, suicide, drugs....Both of the main characters are trying to move past the trauma of their childhood and prevent others from having to suffer like they did. Unfortunately they don't know who all is involved in the current threat and the unsubs seem to stay one step ahead. Will good overcome evil at the end of this battle?

Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario, Canada

Dark topics in this novel! Oaklynn Brock has gone to the extent of changing her name and cities to sever the connection to her serial killer father. Unfortunately, there's a copy cat serial killer on the loose that knows Oaklynn's true identity.

Added to the darkness is the presence of a cult called Light Paragons that are luring in young people in particular.

Oaklynn partners with special task force member Caleb Green to put an end to the madness.

Great cover! Nice job by the narrator.

Book/audiobook Review: Echoes in the Darkness
By Darlene L. Turner Narrated By: Leonor A. Woodworth
Book ⭐️⭐️⭐️Narration⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Love-Inspired Trade, Darlene L. Turner and Netgalley for allowing me to review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oaklynn Brock has moved to a small City in North Ontario to be a constable, in the hopes she can get away from the stigma of being the daughter of a serial killer. Caleb Greene is ex-military, and has a psychology background, and he is a member of a group called the watchers. This is a team set up of highly skilled individuals that can work to help Police. Oaklynn finds out her dad is dead in prison,on the very day a copycat killer emerges. Caleb is sent in to help the constables find the killer.

I liked this book. The story was definitely gripping. However, the characters aggravated me. The main character and the way she would not confide in Caleb so he could help her was a bit annoying. Obtuse is a word that comes to mind for her. I do love that we saw growth in her character. Caleb was great but he to missed a couple of obvious things. I love that we got to meet the other sister. Here is hoping that this is a series. I will read it even though I only gave this book 3 stars.


I listened to this book on audio. It is well done. Leonor A. Woodworth does a good job narrating the story. The listener can distinguish who is talking, especially when is it comes to distinguishing between the voice of Oaklynn and the voice of Caleb. They are slightly different.

I would reccomend this book to anyone looking for a phycological(ish) thriller that is clean. If you are scared of a little faith content then this might not be the book for you.

#echoesinthedarkness #netgalley