The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan
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This debut crime thriller follows Julia, a retired police detective who must face down a vicious killer and the memories that haunt her from a serial killer 30 years ago.
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What I liked:
-The audio was really good. Also since this is set in Ireland the audio helped so much with pronunciation. Definitely recommend!
-This mystery was atmospheric and utterly engaging. I was drawn in from the first chapter to who was committing these crimes and how it could be related to what happened in the past.
-I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll be brief. But I really liked it.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I would recommend for your next mystery/thriller read.

Two different mysteries, decades apart and the same detective at the heart of it. This was like reading two books at once :) Genuinely enjoyed it.

The Dark Hours appears to be this author's debut under the name Amy Jordan, but I realized she also writes under the name Amy Cronin and I have added all books under that pen name to my TBR! This book was a slow but steady build for me, and I loved the mix of crime and detective fiction. Julia is our only viewpoint throughout the book which jumps between 2024 where she is (currently retired) looking for a missing girl and apparent copycat killer, and 1994 when she is hunting the original serial killer whose crimes are being copied. The back and forth was labeled in each chapter, but I did still find myself getting confused with which timeline I was in. I think this may just be an issue where it didn’t translate as well into audio, and reading the book might be better.

Be that as it may, I did quite enjoy the audiobook which is narrated by Flora Montgomery. I thought she was the perfect person to give voice to Julia as well as the book as a whole, and every emotion our FMC experienced came through in her voice and inflections. I felt the suspenseful moments even more thanks to the audio, and I would still recommend it if you can keep the timelines straight. Probably a plus if you completely focus on the audiobook while listening too. 😉 There are a lot of dark and unsettling aspects to the story and times that were detailed and a little gory. I got completely lost in Jordan’s writing and the twist was superb! I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Read this if you are looking for vivid writing, a mind-blowing twist, and complex relationships.

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

The Dark Hours

This book was a 3.5 ⭐ for me rounded up to 4.

I love books about Ireland and just learning about how things are in different parts of the world.

While I was listening to this book, I found it intriguing and wanted to get to the bottom of what was actually happening. There are some aspects of the book that I really enjoyed. I found the story telling was there, but the characters left a little to be desired.

For me, I read/listen to so many books that if a book really leaves a mark, I will remember it and something about it long after I read it. Excellent or horrible. And this was middle of the road for me. It wasn't, "Holy Cow that was incredible!", but it also wasn't, "why do so many people like this book?" either.

So, at the end of this, I would say, if you like police procedurals, Ireland, and want a good story that will keep you on your toes. Go for it!

This, this book right here is how you do a thriller about an investigator. Amy Jordan knocked it out of the park with this debut and I am shook. I absolutely ate this book up.
Every chapter gave me answers and so many more questions at the same time. I could not have guessed the ending if I tried, even if I did guess the killer of 1994. (Go me!)
We follow Julia Harte in 1994 while she was a part of the Serial Killer case that changes her entire life and was the case that started her career as an investigator. Then, told in dual timelines, we hop back to 2024 where a new case with a copy cat killer comes to the surface. Can Julia help in this new case even with the past hovering over her, or will everything happen all over again?
I don't want to give too much away with this book because reading this in real time will give you a thrill that you deserve. If you are looking for a speedy read that will keep you guessing and on your toes then I highly recommend reading this! You won't regret it!

This book was so wonderful, the narration was great, and the sound quality was amazing! I felt so connected to the FMC and the things she was experiencing in the book, her never stop searching approach to her cases was phenomenal. The characters had depth, faults, and substance, and watching them progress over the course of the novel was so interesting. The twists were believable and the pacing was great!

Julia helped put away a serial killer in 1994. Now, thirty years later, he dies in prison. But his crimes are being repeated.

This is told in alternating timelines. I kind of found it distracting in this book. I was never able to get really hooked because the story would change. It made it just okay for me.

Flora Montgomery narrates the audiobook and it was enjoyable.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

THE DARK HOURS is an exemplary crime thriller that weaves back and forth through time to deal with two related cases. Jordan pulled me in with complex characters, multifaceted investigations, and all the gritty police procedural details I love in a story like this.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. Julia is a relatable and candid character who has endured trauma and loss. She does her best to cope, but the reader soon understands that her past decisions and actions weigh heavily on her. Yet, as I was reading, I felt she still had a sliver of hope to cling to. Well, that and her dog.

Having the reader follow each case, both past and present, could have become muddled very quickly due to the similarities in the situations. However, Jordan expertly explores each investigation in a way that is unique to both while still allowing the past to inform the present. Then there's the tension and build-up of suspense. The pace was just right, and the reveals unfolded at moments in the narrative where you are clamoring for more information yet still captivated by what just happened. Honestly, it was downright addictive.

I don’t know if we will see Julia Harte or any of the cast again in any future books. But what I do know is that I am anxiously awaiting Amy Jordan’s next release.

Audiobook Note: Narrator Flora Montgomery brings a wonderful pace to this thriller as the investigation is explored. Having spent about half the time listening to this book, I can say it did a good job of capturing the tense and pulse-pounding moments.

I really enjoyed this one! The story was engaging and kept me entertained from the get go. I particularly liked the switch in timelines because I think it really gave the story context, as opposed to just being told what happened in the past. Julia was a great character, and it’s a rarity that I read a police procedural that involves a person older than middle-aged. I had a feeling who was the killer in 1994, but I was completely clueless for 2024. I also really liked the narrator. Her voice had an almost musical quality that was not only beautiful, but it really made the story sing for me. The ending was bittersweet, but it also had a sense of hope. All in all, a solid five stars for me!

Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the free audiobook.

I loved how dark this thriller was. No frills and all chills, set in Cork, Ireland. This was right up my alley! We meet retired Detective Inspector Julia Harte, who comes back to help catch Ireland’s most gruesome copy cat serial killer. Coming from a time and case that she’s tried to put behind her, she’s now the focal point of this killers game.

This novel had my heart pounding and the audiobook narration was so good! I would love to see this adapted as a tv special.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Ireland
Genre: Psychological Thriller

The Dark Hour is an utterly gripping, masterfully crafted thriller that will keep you on edge from the first page to the last. An atmospheric blend of psychological tension, police procedural, and deeply personal reckoning, this novel is an absolute must-read for crime fiction fans.

From the chilling opening in 1994 to the pulse-pounding present-day investigation, the story never lets up. Julia Harte is a phenomenal protagonist—tough, intelligent, and haunted by a past she can’t outrun. Her journey from a young officer shattered by a horrifying crime to a seasoned investigator determined to stop a ruthless killer is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The dual timeline is expertly handled, seamlessly weaving past and present as the truth unfolds in shocking and unexpected ways.

The setting adds another layer of richness to the novel. The misty, brooding landscapes of Ireland are brought vividly to life, enhancing the novel’s eerie, suspenseful tone. The killer’s methodical, twisted modus operandi is genuinely chilling, and as the tension builds, every new discovery tightens the noose in a way that is both thrilling and terrifying.

With razor-sharp writing, relentless pacing, and an ending that will leave you breathless, The Dark Hour is crime fiction at its finest. It’s not just a story about catching a killer—it’s about confronting fears, facing the past, and finding strength in the darkest moments. An absolute five-star read!
#netgalley #thedarkhour #booked_this_weekend

The Dark Hours hooked me from the very beginning and didn’t let go. This book takes place in Ireland. Julia Harte is a former police detective who brought out of retirement to consult on case that is eerily similar to one she solved 30 years ago. This crime thriller is told in duel timelines - present day and 1994 (30 years ago). It is dark and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t believe this is Amy Jordan’s debut novel! I will be reading her future books! Flora Montgomery did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for letting me read this ARC.

Intriguing, as I learned this was a debut novel when I came here to add it!

Julia Harte is now a retired Garda /Investigator. She is living in a small town in Ireland. BUT, crimes happening now (2024) are EERILY similar to those she was investigating back in 1994! When her partner was killed… right before her eyes…
But, the serial killer who was murdering women at the time, is now dead! So, how is this happening?? And, why?? And, why does it seem like Julia is being targeted? Again??

Told in dual timelines, which for me WAS confusing at times, we see two very similar serial killers. But, Julia IS RETIRED now….
Still, she’s asked to come back and shed some light on the case…and so, she’s back. Right in the thick of it!!

I will say that I never guessed the ‘whodunnit’ !!

Looking forward to seeing more from this new author!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#TheDarkHours by #AmyJordan. Narrated nicely by #FloraMontgomery.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date was in January, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!! ***

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Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a woman who is a retired investigator. In 1994, she investigates a serial killer who targeted young women and herself. Now in 2024, young girls are being killed again in the same fashion and she is back investigating this new killer.

I really enjoyed this book! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. The narrator was great and I would recommend.

I liked how the story jumped from 1994 and 2024. It kept the story interesting and I liked the parallels between the different timelines. The mystery kept me interested and I enjoyed following the two cases.

The characters were interesting and likeable. I liked following the main character and her thoughts.

I would definitely recommend this one!

Former Guarda detective Julia Harte has been living a quiet life in a small village in Ireland, trying to put the past behind her. One cast that haunts her still is finally feeling like it will go to rest when the serial killer she helped put away in 1994 has dies in prison. That case was the one that got her partner killed and was the final straw in the ending of her marriage.

But the hopes of moving on are quickly dashed when Julia is summoned back to Cork. There have been new killings, and the signs are all pointing back to that case in 1994. But he is dead, so why is someone copying his killings? And why is the killer leaving clues that all come back to Julia 30 years later?

This was another great read from a debut author! Amy Jordan has created a twisted case that will keep you guessing throughout. Told in dual timelines from 1994 and present day, you get little clues that relate the two cases and see the impact they have both had on Julia's life. The story has great layers of detail both about the cases, but also about Julia's private life and it keeps you wanting more of the story. The audiobook was very well done and the narrator perfectly voiced Julia's character. Pulled me right into the story and I flew through this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the audiobook for review.

I don’t typically go for police procedural thrillers, however the opening scene of this had my heart pounding and I was invested in seeing the plot through to the end.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did a great job. I loved her accent and she has a calming voice I’d put somewhere close to middle aged which fitted the profile of the character she was portraying making the whole experience more believable.

You know the feeling you get on a dark cold night when there’s a noisy downpour of rain going on outside? That’s the vibe you get with this book and how I felt throughout reading. Knowing a serial killer / copy cat killer is out there somewhere in the shadows watching their prey, definitely gives you the heebiejeebies.

Thank you for the gifted copy!

Garda Julia Harte was on the force in Cork in 1994 when her partner was struck down by a serial killer. Now, 30 years later, someone is copying the work of that killer. Julia, an author who retired after catching the original culprit, is summoned back to Cork to help with the investigation.

This was an excellent story that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good police procedural. I literally had no guesses as to who the copycat killer was. I do wish the solving of the '90s murders had been teased out a bit longer.

Good audiobook narration. I always enjoy an Irish accent.

I love a mystery set in a place I have never been. It gives me a way to travel to the dark parts of each community no matter where it is. This was a story about how one person can make ripples that have devasting consequences. I may have figure out who but not the why!!

The audio narration was great!

This story is told in third person and follows Julia Harte, a retired police investigator in Ireland who is requested when a murder investigation has eerie similarities to murders committed by a now deceased serial killer that she helped apprehend when she was a Garda. The story is told in dual timelines mirroring the current investigation with the events of 1994 in clearly labeled chapter headings. I thought the dual timelines were handled strategically, interweaving the two investigations and giving just enough information to keep me engaged without frustration as details of the past gave a sense of foreboding to the current storyline.

I loved the juxtaposition of the relationships that Julia had with various characters in the past and present, especially with Des. I commiserated with the younger Julia and her frustration at being sidelined as a woman and trying to balance her career and marriage. She also has that run into a situation without thinking bit that often makes me scream in frustration. I enjoyed her more mature perspective in looking back on those events and the experience she lent to the new investigation despite the new generation’s efforts to sideline her again. The more things change…

I primarily listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Flora Montgomery. This was my first time listening to this narrator. I enjoyed her characters’ voices, and the compelling tone used to describe the various aspects of the mystery and suspenseful moments.

Recommended to readers that enjoy atmospheric mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley, MIRA Books, Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Hive, and Harlequin Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

As a fan of psychological thrillers, I eagerly dove into the audiobook version of "The Dark Hours" by Amy Jordan. Unfortunately, my listening experience left much to be desired.

While the premise was intriguing, I found the story's pacing slow and drawn-out, causing my interest to wane as the narrative seemed to drag on. A faster pace and tighter storyline could have elevated this thriller to the edge-of-your-seat listen I'd hoped for.

Additionally, though this is a matter of personal taste, I struggled to connect with the narrator's Irish accent.L, which distracted me from fully immersing myself in the story.