Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Guest Review by Sophia Rose - Wait For Dark - Kay Hooper


Today I'm so excited to let my blogger friend Sophia Rose take over with a guest review. She'll be doing this a couple of times a month.
Sophia Rose take it away!

Enjoy!
Wait For Dark by Kay Hooper
#17 Bishop/Special Crimes Unit
Paranormal Thriller
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 3.7.17
Pages: 336
ISBN-13: 978-0425280942
Rating: 4
Format: Paper Copy
Source: Penguin Group
Sellers: Amazon B&N Kobo


GoodReads Blurb:
An SCU team investigates a string of accidents, only to uncover a deadly and deliberate monster in the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper.
In Clarity, North Carolina, the residents have fallen victim to an unfortunate series of events. Seemingly random accidents have taken the lives of several citizens in the small mountain town. But these deadly coincidences are anything but. Something is on the hunt in Clarity, and the only clue as to what is a cryptic note given to the victims 24 hours before they meet their ends: “Wait for dark.”
Sheriff Mal Gordon knows how to handle his town, but he has no idea how to handle this. Hollis Templeton and her team from the Special Crimes Unit, including her partner and lover, telepath Reese DeMarco, are called in to investigate.
But while the SCU has prepared them for the unknown, the incredible evil stalking Clarity shakes the team to their core when one of their own is targeted. Now Hollis, the “cat with nine lives” finds herself facing death again.
And this time, not even her partner can protect her...


Review:



A small mountain community is rocked by a series of deadly accidents never realizing there is a dark evil in their midst until the sheriff's bad feeling leads him to bring in the FBI's Special Crimes Unit.

I was introduced to this compelling, dark, and gritty thriller series with the release of the previous book, Fear the Dark. Violent and inexplicable crime that has a woo-woo element is the forte of Bishop and his team of psychic agents.

My favorite part of the story is the creepy beginning when there is something terrifying in the shadows and preying on unsuspecting folks and then seeing the team come in and work every angle of the crimes until they become the predators. The case seems more than difficult in the beginning, but slowly clues are uncovered and the killer, who does have a narrative part, starts to feel the pressure.

The story has a strong human element along with the horrors of the bad guy. There is the intro to Mal Gordon and his sheriff's department and then the FBI team sent in flipping through a large group of narrators. These folks have their flaws and strengths that make them good at what they do and make me connect with them and root for them. In Wait for the Dark, the author brings back the team of Hollis Templeton and Reese DeMarco while adding a pair of new agents, Kirby and Cullen, on their first case. Hollis and Reese are the key players once things get going.

Hollis was nearly destroyed by her own life tragedy before joining the team and has seen her share of evil which makes her shut down her emotions, forget to rely on her team, and take it all on herself. However, she is partnered with the stolid and dependable Reese who made it clear he has feelings for her and he is her partner and will not be pushed aside so he will carefully handle her troubles and be there for her when she is ready. There is as much suspense riding on this pair to figure out how to work together and be stronger as there is with the case they are working on.

I will confess that though I loved this one and was really into it on one level that I had an odd detached feeling, too. I think it was Hollis and her emerging new psychic powers. It was interesting, but more of a distraction to me when I wanted to focus on the group, the case, and even the romance rather than that. I also felt the actual killer and his issue was a let down compared to the early set up and ongoing build up. But that said, this was exciting and kept me guessing as well as riveted to the end.

I really need to go back and get the earlier books and I fully plan to continue with the series. These are for those who enjoy thriller or romantic suspense that's got a paranormal element and just a dash of romance.






Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.







Sophia’s Social Media Links: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose



About The Author:
KAY HOOPER is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series, including Fear the DarkHauntedHostageHavenBlood TiesBlood Dreams, and Blood Sins, and the Bishop Files series, including A Deadly Web and The First Prophet.

21 comments:

  1. Great review Sophia Rose I remember loving Kay's series, but alas I have to catch up. Thanks for guest reviewing today!
    xo

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    1. I have one more from her backlist on my shelf, but I want to catch up on all of them, too. Thanks for having me, Debbie! :)

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  2. Great review Sophia! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! :D

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    1. You betcha! Hope you get the chance to try one of her books. :)

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  3. Sounds like a great series, thanks!

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  4. Your small detachment seems to be a small kink compared to the entirety of the story. Maybe it would've been better if the powers were scrapped?

    Great review per usual!

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    1. Yes, it was a very small kink in the overall enjoyment, Braine. I didn't mind the powers, but I got distracted when it kept going on and on about her abilities. Oh well. Well worth it. :)

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  5. I don't like gritty thriller but for all its spooky beginning it seems to mellow and I love the team become the predators!

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    1. That is definitely the pattern I've noticed in this series, Kathryn. The first few chapters can get the hairs on your arms standing on end, but as they start to solve the crime, it turns more into murder mystery than spooky.

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  6. Awesome review, Sophia. Thank you for sharing. I've never read romantic suspense with the element of paranormal before. I'll consider this one. I think I need romantic suspense to spice up my reading experience. A little bit variety. :-D

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    1. Oh yes, Geybie! Romantic Suspense would be a great spice to add to your reading. :) I think these were my first encountere with the genre combo, too.

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  7. Sophia, you have me adding book one to my wishlist...you know this screams me :)

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    1. Okay I have to pipe in here Kim, I'm surprised you haven't gobbled up this series its like Heather Graham's paranormal romantic suspense series only darker. It is right up your alley :)

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  8. Yep, you really must. :) I think it's your thang, too.

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  9. Great review, Sophia. I am not a fan of RS with paranormal usually, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one. :)

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    1. Yes, the paranormal element will not be for everyone. It's a fun mashing of genres for me. Thanks, Angie!

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  10. Ooo maybe too creepy for me? LOL I'm glad you enjoyed it even with some of the elements that weren't total strengths.

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    1. I might be going out on a limb, but I think you might just squeeze by on the creepy factor. It's always strong right up front and then loses some of that as unexplained stuff starts getting explained.
      But yeah, I do have to read these in broad daylight. LOL, fellow wuss here. ;)

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    2. No I agree Sophia Rose I think Anna would be okay with it.

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  11. Sounds like a great book, Sophia. I'm not familiar with the series. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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