I really enjoyed this Irish mystery! The case from 30 years ago was something that the main character found herself caught in the middle of when her partner was murdered in the scene of a crime and she was spared. Death followed her but left her alive. 30 years later, the original perpetrator has just died and a copycat killer is striking, bringing the haunting memories back to reality and onto Harte’s doorstep.
This was a fast paced mystery that had me guessing who was it; I had a thought for a while and was thankful to be wrong because that would have just been cruel. I also liked how the book touched on the difficulties of being taken seriously as a woman in law enforcement but Harte pushes past it by being the smartest of them all. She just keeps getting stuck in life threatening situations.
The narration of this book was great! I enjoyed the accent and it really put me in the setting.
Thank you Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

Julia has retired - escaped the peril of police work that defined most of her life. As she’s drawn back in by apparent copycat crimes, will she manage to escape once again? 👮‍♀️

Things I loved:
⏳ beautifully executed dual-timelines
🚓 Julia’s drive
🔍 whodunnit vibes

Super engaging mystery/thriller right from the jump. Things are eerie while avoiding stagnation. Highly recommend! 📖

"Weeping, followed by loud, anguished wails; someone inside this house was terrified, crying for help, begging for help.
Gritting her teeth she stepped inside."

Two timelines, a serial killer, a copy cat and a female main character with a dog named Mutt? Yep! I’m all in!

As a young Garda officer in the 90s, Julia is unprepared to come across a serial killer and what happens that night forever changes her. Years later Julia returns to Cork to finally lay the past to rest AND confront a killer.

The pacing was a perfect slow build of suspense matched with bursts of action; each timeline kept me fully invested. The character growth of Julia is evident and I enjoyed the nuances of her depth. The person she is in 1994 is brash, impulsive and reckless. The wiser 60 year-old Julia in 2024, is patient, calm and thinks before she acts.

Flora Montgomery’s performance was brilliant. I couldn’t get enough of her Irish brogue or musical lilt. Each person had a unique voice and the regional accents were distinctive. I highly recommend the audio paired with the book for a complete atmospheric experience!

The mystery had me guessing though I did have a sneaking suspicion that proved to be true. However, the way in which things play out will definitely catch you by surprise! The timelines come together to form a complete picture, though each has its own distinct feel. I enjoyed the 1994 narrative more and was a little disappointed by the result in 2024. The ending however, wrapped up nicely and hit just the right emotional note!
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Thank you HTP The Hive, HTP Books & Mira Books for my free copies. All opinions are mine.
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Potential spoiler content warnings below.




































⚠️Content Warnings: knife violence, violence, gun violence, death

Clever, intense, and not your ordinary agent-after-serial-killer plot. The characters are complex, and the dual timelines show a contrast between Harte in 2024 and 1994. The mystery was strong, the pace kept moving, and it was not something I could figure out in any way. Great debut.

"Thirty years ago, Julia helped to bring down the most prolific serial killer Ireland had ever seen, and while that case spurred a successful career and a bestselling book, it's also the reason she's in hiding now...When a copycat killer strikes, Julia is called back to active duty, but this time, she's not the young, naïve officer she was then."

I was surprised to find this was a debut novel! The characters were fleshed out, interesting, and the plot was intriguing! There were some twists and surprises, and the end was just a little unconvincing, but I definitely hope we get to read more books featuring Julia Harte. Flora Montgomery was amazing as narrator, and definitely contributed to the success of the book.

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for this ALC!

The Dark Hours had me breathless. It reminded me of the movie Longlegs, and I cannot imagine giving a higher compliment, because I am obsessed with that movie.

It’s a commonly used turn of phrase, but I was literally on the edge of my seat this entire book. What a hidden gem this book was. I didn’t want to do anything. I sat here, headphones on, starting at the wall, imagining the plot of this book playing out in my mind. The writing was *that* vivid.

I am truly blown away but how good this was. It was immersive, suspenseful, fantastically written. I want to inhale everything this author has ever written.

And the ending! I think I bit all of my nails off. I did not see it coming.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

Oh my goodness this was a dark read! But so good. If you’re a fan of tv shows like Broadchurch, Mare of Easttown, or Fargo, this book will be right up your alley. I couldn’t stop listening to the audio, the narrator was so compelling and delivered on the chilling, atmospheric vibes. Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my copy!

Retired Detective Inspector Julia Harte reluctantly agrees to consult on a new murder case that seems like a copy of a horrific set of murders committed thirty years earlier, in Cork, Ireland, when she was just a Garda. Those events haunt her even now and changed the course of her life and career.

Both mysteries, the 1994 case and the new connected 2024 case were riveting! Loved Julia, as a Garda back in 1994, and as the seasoned, retired Detective Inspector in 2024 trying for a life of anonymity.
As a new Garda she was eager to become a detective, but also desperate to find the cruel killer that struck at her personally. Back then, she rushed, a little reckless, but was smart and a quick learner. Julia in 2024 is comfortable in her own skin, trusts her instincts and doesn’t take unnecessary chances. I loved the relationship with her old boss and mentor, Des Riordan, a man who treated her opinions with respect even before she made detective. Something that wasn’t always the case with her being a woman on the job.

Sometimes a story will stall out in places when there’s a dual timeline, but this was a tightly woven narrative, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next! The story wrapped up in an exciting and satisfying conclusion!

This is my first time reading Amy Jordan. I’ll be on the lookout for whatever she comes up with next!

I alternately listened to and read an audio and e-copy. Flora Montgomery’s narration was excellent, bringing the character’s emotions and urgency of the story to life! I loved her Irish accent!

Thank you Netgalley for this stunning ARC by a new author. I devoured this book, both in print and audio format. The narrator was fantastic and when I couldn't listen, I was reading and finished it in two days. I found both time periods to be very intriguing and both kept my interest, which is not always the case. This one will definitely keep you reading or listening well into the night. I will remember Julia Harte and the rest of her team for a while and I will be ordering several copies for our library! Great job to Amy Jordan for her debut title.

I enjoyed this debut thriller. This story is told in alternating timelines of 1994 and the present. In chapter one we meet Julia and her partner Adrian who are investigating a serial killer. Fast forward to now and Julia finds herself in the middle of a copycat serial killer. Can I just say how happy I was to read about a 60 year old woman still out in the world doing amazing things?? I don't want to give the story away but this was an action packed thrill ride! Thanks you HTP and netgalley for the book to read and review! The narration was a great listen!

The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan is a gripping thriller that follows Julia Harte, who’s been living in hiding in a quiet Irish village after her role in capturing one of the country’s most notorious serial killers. For thirty years, she’s been haunted by the case that made her famous and ruined her life. But when a copycat killer emerges, Julia is forced out of her isolation and back into the world she left behind. This time, she’s not the same naive officer—she’s battle-worn, determined, and ready to stop the killer at any cost. The eerie coastal setting, combined with Julia’s personal demons and the high-stakes hunt for a murderer, makes this an intense, unputdownable read.

I’m somewhat of an outlier with the early reviews of THE DARK HOURS. It was just okay for me.

I didn’t like or dislike Julia, our main character. I should have loved her, if only for the way she rescued and treated Mutt, her canine sidekick. I’m not sure why, but I just didn’t connect on any real emotional level.

The story is told via dual timelines. We have separate investigations in each timeline, and a wide array of characters to keep track of. It felt spread thin, the consequence being a lack of character development and story depth.

I listened to the audiobook. Flora Montgomery does a great job with the narration. I found her engaging and easy to listen to.

*Thanks to Harlequin Audio and The Hive for the free audiobook download!*

Amy Jordan’s The Dark Hours caught me by surprise. I knew, from the early synopsis alone, that it was my kind of read, but I didn’t know how absolutely riveted I would be. Serial killers in dual timelines, connected by some unknown thread, but definitely involving Julia in some way…perfection. I only hope that we haven’t seen the last of Julia Harte with Flora Montgomery back as her voice.

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!

#TheDarkHours #AmyJordan #NetGalley #HTPInfluencers #HarlequinAudio #GiftedARCS #Ireland #Debut #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish

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.