With plenty of surprise moments, a soft faith thread, and an engaging story line, Darkwater Secrets is a must read for suspense fans. It will certainly keep you on your toes!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a Christian romantic suspense and is set in New Orleans. I am a pushover for books set in New Orleans This book is full of twists and turns and secrets. I love this book and this author

Awesome suspense!

This was a great start to the Darkwater Inn series. All of the main characters are very likable, and the suspense will definitely keep you guessing until the end. The French Quarter in New Orleans is a great setting for mystery and dark secrets.

I'm very happy that this book is part of a series, because it will definitely leave you wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book!

There was really nothing to dislike about reading this book. I loved the setting and the strong characters that were leading the reader down the alley ways of city and story. It was one that has many different levels to it and how it can come across I think to different readers.

I hadn't ever read a book by Robin Caroll and this storyline intrigued me. Darkwater Secrets takes us to New Orleans where hotel manager Adelaide becomes a suspect in a murder that takes place in her hotel. Her childhood friend Beau and coworker Dimitri join her in forces to help solve the mystery. There are other storylines that run parallel as they solve the crime with Dimitri finding out about a sister, the connection of Adelaide with murder victim and the love triangle between Dimitri, Beau, and Adelaide. I do wish the author had let us readers know which man Adelaide chose and hope she gives us a sequel with the characters.
The crime descriptions are more descriptive then more Christian suspense novels contain and some people may not enjoy that element.
I received a complimentary copy of DarkWater Secrets through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Exciting book with a captivating setting. Who doesn't love a creepy inn holding people with secrets?
Caroll writes a very solid love triangle. Done in the wrong way this just comes across as cheesy and dumb, but in this case, I was convinced and it added a great deal to the plot.
The one quibble I have is that I didn't really like how early the murderer was revealed. I like the mystery to be drawn out longer usually.
I was interested throughout, and that was probably because the romantic angle kept me invested. I look forward to the second book in the series.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Gilead Publishing and the author, Robin Carol, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Darkwater Secrets in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I found the storyline to be well thought out and written. It was a quick, easy read that holds your attention to the very end.
Well worth a read.

Since Christian suspense is my favourite genre, Robin Caroll's name appeared a lot in book recommendations and I wanted to try her books for quite a while.

The mystery had a "Cluedo" feel to it. There was a murder at a hotel and now the "how" and the "who" needs to be solved. I guessed the murderer correctly and also the reason why this person did it. I did however expected a bit more action in solving this case instead of how it was solved.

I enjoyed the characters, Addy and Beau and also Dimitri. There is a love triangle which started in this first book and would likely continue. The author did a great job of creating mysteries in the backstory of Addy and Beau which kept me reading. There was a few loose ends which I'm expecting to be resolved in the next few books.

Where the story lost it's appeal to me, was when "Voodoo" was introduced. I did not feel comfortable with this and skipped the parts where this was discussed. (about 20% give or take). One of the characters who is suppose to have a good relationship with God also blackmailed someone, which also did not feel right.

Not sure if I would continue this series. I will try one more book by this author to see if it is just this book that didn't connect with me.

Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll is book 1 in the Darkwater Inn series. Adelaide, the main character in the book, has to confront her past when a man is found murdered in the hotel she manages. Adelaide recognizes the man and soon evidence points to her guilt. The characters in this book are very interesting and the struggles with their faith really added to the story as well. As for the mystery, it was not easy to guess who committed the crime, which I love in a mystery. I highly recommend this novel to readers that love mysteries and love the South. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I don't typically read Christian fiction, but I love New Orleans, and do try to read as many books set there as I can. I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

Faith is evident in this book, but not overt. More of a steady presence that supports, rather than infringes.

Caroll's love of NOLA is evident in the richness and detail she adds to the story. I could see the places she talks about, envision them from her description. It captures the essence of the city, its quirkiness, its mystery, its culture in a lovely way.

The mystery is satisfying, and the characters are realistic and interesting.

Overall, this was a fun read I would recommend to lovers of romantic suspense, Christian fiction readers, and mystery readers who aren't opposed to reading a Christian fiction title.

I enjoyed this intriguing mystery with fun relatable characters. Adelaide Fountaine is the hotel manager dealing with personal trauma and now a murder in the hotel she managed. Weird thing is that she knew this man and it wasn’t the name everyone says his name is.

Adelaide is unaware of the three young men that are interested in her for something more than just friendship they currently had. Each doesn’t want to cross over the line of friendship and spoil things. Each of these men have a hand in helping her in dealing with the murder in the hotel.

I was pleasantly surprised by this story and at the same I was fascinated to learn about New Orleans and what goes on in the city. The music, the food, Mardi Gras party and it’s voodoo. I liked the natural spiritual thread that challenges the characters faith, hope and the spiritual struggle dealing with the occult.

This would make a good book club pick. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher/NetGalley.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag
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“Darkwater Secrets” kept me glued to my iPad like few books have. It takes a special book to slow down my commute home in favor of a beachside bench to keep reading, and this certainly was that.

I felt the climax/reveal of the killer was a tiny bit underwhelming—there’d been so much buildup that I’d expected it to be harder won than it was.

Still, a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of the Cheney Duvall series will enjoy this book’s setting in Louisiana; it felt like a modern take on “Secret Place of Thunder”, and I may have geeked out at obscure connections that only I probably made!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was an interesting look at New Orleans and some of the world down there. The mystery was interesting! I look forward to reading more books in the series!

As a long-time reader of novels by Robin Caroll, I have come to expect a well-planned plot with compelling characters and enough unexpected twists to keep me on my toes. Darkwater Secrets did not disappoint! The story revolves around the murder of a guest at the historic Darkwater Inn in the French Quarter of New Orleans and as evidence is gathered, the number of suspects begins to increase. To make things even more interesting a potential love triangle becomes evident.

As the reader learns more about the victim, she may reach the conclusion that this thoroughly reprehensible man deserved to die – but murder is murder and justice must be served. I was somewhat surprised when the identity of the murderer was revealed and like the primary characters was sympathetic with the motivation behind the crime. I felt that the case was resolved to my satisfaction and that justice was served with compassion.

I thoroughly enjoyed Darkwater Secrets and look forward to the next installment of the Darkwater Inn series.

I have to say the first chapter or so was a bit slow at catching my attention but once the action started it gripped me to the end! I wasn't sure what to expect in this read but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed how the faith of the characters played a role in this story along with other cultures practices. This story has a mystery to and once the crime was solved I thought the book would be over,but I was wrong. The author wasn't finished with the growth of the characters and I really loved seeing how Addy grew in the end. I love reading books that take place in my home state and especially New Orleans with it's unique dimensions and cultural. I do have to say though, the author note at the end calls New Orleans Cajun Country, which it is not. It's actually Creole Country. There are restaurants that may call their food Cajun but it isn't authentic Cajun,atleast not any I have eaten at,I have been sorely disappointed when ordering Cajun food in New Orleans until my bestie reminded me they cook it differently there,it's actually Creole cooking. Also if you Google Cajun Country, you'll see Acadiana pop up,which is made up of 22 parishes which do not include New Orleans. I actually live in the heart of Cajun Country. Besides that I loved seeing the author bring in some of the actual places,sites,food and cultural of New Orleans into the story

The French Quarter in New Orleans is the perfect setting for the mystery and suspense of this novel. The captivating story had me read through it in one sitting as I was eager to find out who commented the crimes. Though it has some dark themes, it also deals with forgiveness.

I highly recommend this read and am waiting for the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adelaide Fontaine is the General Manager of the Darkwater Inn in New Orleans, but she might not be for much longer. Not if her boss has his way. She is—unknowingly—being pursued by two men: Beau, a police officer and longtime family friend, and Dimitri, the son of the hotel’s owner, who wants to be a chef rather than follow the management path his father has laid out for him.

As if that wasn’t complicated enough, life is about to get more complicated when a body is discovered in one of the hotel’s rooms … and the body has links to Adelaide’s hidden past.

Adelaide, Beau, and Dimitri are all great characters (and I usually loathe the love triangle plot).
There is plenty of action, plenty of secrets, and plenty of clues to consider as I wondered who-dun-it. What’s most interesting is that finding the culprit wasn’t the end of the story—it was almost as though the murder were the vehicle to explore some deeper personal issues …

There are elements of romance, suspense, mystery, plenty of secrets and even a little voodoo. Yes, voodoo in a Christian novel. As one of the characters says, the Bible wouldn’t need to warn us against demons and evil if they didn’t exist. All in all, an excellent novel, and I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks to Gilead Publishing for providing a free ebook for review.

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to visit. Nothing beats the sultry atmosphere of the city that has seen its share of colorful citizens, historic events, and renewed hope after tragedy. Robin Caroll has set her newest series right in the heart of the French Quarter, and the first book, Darkwater Secrets, captures all the sights, smells, and tastes of New Orleans. The novel is a wonderful combo of mystery and suspense, romance and drama as good as a seafood gumbo. I give this book a recommended rating.

While the setting is so very satisfying — carnival season with scenes at the St. Louis cemetery, Cafe du Monde, and St. Louis Cathedral — I really, really liked the characters. At the center of the novel is Adelaide Fountaine, general manager of the historic (but fictional) Darkwater Inn. She along with junior hotel owner Dimitri Pampalon and Detective Beau Savoie fuel the story. Along with a murder, there are secrets galore — everyone seems to be hiding something. Add to the mix some voodoo and real life struggles, and you have an intriguing plot. The novel has a definite Christian worldview, yet only one character really lives out his faith. I found this very realistic. Within the faith thread is the complex issues of justice and revenge. At the heart is the question of whether real justice can be achieved and whether people can take that into their own hands when the system fails. I thought the author handled the argument expertly. The story certainly made me think.

Darkwater Secrets was a page turner. Don’t be surprised if you look at the clock to discover you’ve stayed up way too late! 😉 I think for those groups who enjoy intrigue and mystery, it is an excellent choice for a book club. Twisting and turning with plenty to discuss. The mystery is solved at the end of the novel, but there is plenty more to come. I am eagerly awaiting book 2. And for those of you who find themselves wishing for some of Dimitri’s delicious dishes, there is Recipes from The Darkwater Inn — free for Kindle. Yum!

Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion and review.

This was a great start to a new series. After reading it. I want to go to New Orleans more now than I did before. I would love to stay at an old style hotel , like the Darkwater, and lunch at Cafe du Monde. I like the characters, Addy, Beau and Dimitri, I cannot wait to see where the story takes these three, as well as their supporting cast. It was a great summer read and barely lasted the weekend. Good storyline, I liked the way it played out and great set up for future books. Will definitely reading future books in this series.

It's been a long time since I've read a novel by Robin Caroll, and reading her new release, which is the first of her Darkwater Inn series, reminded me why I enjoy her novels so much.

The New Orleans setting of this book is both mysterious and intriguing.
Every time I read the name Pampalon I was reminded of my birth mother. Her last name was Pampolina, and my biological father was an ancestor of the Trizini's who designed the house used in the Steel Magnolia's movie, which is in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a location used in the book.
Reading this book for me was a peek into my birth family's history, and interestingly it felt like home.

Ms. Caroll creates a very realistic setting. With customs, food, celebrations, the folkways of voodoo,
made me feel as though I was in the middle of the historic French Quarter.

My Bottom Line:

This mystery is more than a cozy who-dun-it. It is a suspenseful, thriller. Just when I thought I figured something out I was proven wrong, which makes a great suspense read. Each of the character's were well developed and their dilemma had you emotionally invested. The culture and customs of New Orleans as well as the inspirational thread was really what made this a new favored read. I highly recommended!