Dark Intent

This was a very pleasurable suspense story. I enjoyed it very much. It was a really great story and I think most suspense readers will enjoy it.

Dark Intent is a small town murder mystery that will have you captivated from the start. The story begins with a dog returning home with a human hand, and from there an investigation is opened with your favorite detectives: Rachel and Rob. Upon inspecting the crime scene, they realize they don't have one murder to solve, but two. Now they must find the connection between the two women and bring the killer to justice.

Immediately Carolyn Ridder Aspenson's writing had me hooked. I was transported to this small town and got to know its residents. One thing I loved about the writing was every scene mattered. I wasn't left with a book thinking "Well that could've been shorter". You don't have to read the other books to follow the story which was appreciated. The story was easy to follow and I grew to love the characters. I read this as an ARC in the middle of a reading slump and it was exactly what I needed. Now I have to go back and read the rest of the series! I highly recommend if you're in the mood for a thriller/mystery.

As usual Rachel Ryder is a terrific character. I have read every book and this author has outdone herself. Rachel and her partner Rob have once again solved the crime and kept me up way too late. Can be read as a standalone but i the series in order is worth it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
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Dark Intent by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the ninth installment in the Rachel Ryder series. This gripping crime thriller takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the small town of Hamby, where the past and present collide in a chilling manner.

The story opens with the disappearance of Jenn Berman at the summer fair. Her family’s indifference is shattered when a dog returns home with a bloodied hand, leading investigators to a gruesome discovery: Jenn’s body in a shallow grave. But the shock doesn’t end there. 

Aspenson masterfully weaves a tale of intrigue and danger, keeping us on the edge of our seats. The connection between the two murders is both fascinating and horrifying, and the detectives’ race against time to uncover the truth is filled with unexpected twists and turns. 

The author’s writing is tight and engaging, with realistic dialogue that brings the characters to life. The small-town setting adds an extra layer of tension, as secrets long buried threaten to resurface and wreak havoc. Aspenson’s ability to create a palpable sense of dread and urgency is commendable, making this book hard to put down.

However, the story does have its moments of predictability, and some readers might find the resolution too convenient. Despite these minor flaws, Dark Intent is a solid addition to the Rachel Ryder series and a must-read for fans of crime thrillers.

Dark Intent is a captivating read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson has once again delivered a thrilling mystery that showcases her talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged narratives. If you’re a fan of detective stories with strong female leads, this book is definitely worth your time.

This is a book that I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC copy from the author (Carolyn Ridder Aspension), her author (Severn Rivers Publishing(, and the fine folks at NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Dark Intent is the ninth book in the Rachel Ryder series, detailing the day-to-day crime-solving abilities of Rachel Ryder and her colleagues in small-town Hamby, GA. and though some of the back story would have been helpful, the book still made sense without having read the earlier titles. This gripping crime thriller takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the small town of Hamby, where the past and present collide in a chilling manner.

The past comes back to haunt a small town when one murder leads to the discovery of another. When a troubled teenager, Jenn Berman, goes missing at the summer fair in Hamby, his uncaring family fails to notice. That is until a loose dog returns home with a bloodied hand. Investigators are led to a developing subdivision where they find Jenn's body in a shallow grave. The town is shocked by the murder, and Detectives Rachel Ryder and Rob Bishop are assigned the case to deliver justice for Jenn. But upon further inspection of the crime scene, a jaw-dropping discovery is another body is found buried deeper in the same grave. The remains belong to Caroline Turner, a teenager who also went missing from the summer fair almost four decades ago. The connection between the murders is undeniable. As Rachel and Rob race to narrow down their suspect list and inch closer to the truth, a dangerous threat emerges, putting those they love at risk.

On a five-star scale, this book is easily worthy of three and three-quarter stars in my opinion, and would easily be enjoyed by aficionados of police procedurals and small-town politics. While I enjoyed the story (this is the first book by this author that I have read, so I could easily see myself going back to read more of her work), I did find some of her descriptions and metaphors to be extremely excessive not to mention cheesy and bland (which kind of pulled me out of the story).

I liked the relationship between Ryder and Bishop. They appear to have a good rapport. The camaraderie between the team is fantastic! When one was down, they all rallied around to be there for each other. The analysis conducted pulled the evidence together. The team never gave up and were definitely determined to find the murderer. The plot was good, though a bit slow at times and this book felt like a slow burn for me.

As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth

Loved it! The character development was top notch but the plot was a bit predictable. I knew the antagonist almost immediately. But there were some subplots I didn't see coming. Even though this book was part of a series, I appreciate I picked up this book not knowing that and understood enough background to know exactly what was going on and still want to find the rest of the series to backtrack. This was my first read by Aspenson but it most definitely will not be my last!!

Detective Rachel Ryder and her partner, Rob Bishop are called to the scene of a shallow grave with a hand extending upward through the dirt. The body of a missing young woman is uncovered, but that's not all. Underneath is evidence of another body having been buried decades earlier. The discovery of teeth provides the identification of the older remains as another young woman who went missing in the past. As Rachel and her team work to solve both murders, there are many twists and turns that lead them to a surprising discovery. It's a great read.

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to read your book Dark Intent early

This has definitely got to be one of my top reads of the year and cant wait to buy the book once it comes out 😁

The book flowed well with the writing from page to page, I came to adore the whole detective team but Rach was definitely my favourite and not just because she was a main character

I would like to thank Netgalley, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and Severn River Publishing for the chance to read Dark intent. This is the first book by this author for me but now I think I will be reading more of her books. The main Character Rachel Ryder is someone that people can relate to. She is one person I would not want go make angry. I found the way the supporting characters especially her partner very relatable to. The story is one thar caught me from the beginning. I was surprised in the twists of the book. I found it to be one I couldn't put down. If you want to read a book that surprised you especially the ending then this is it. I say it is a must read.

Another page-turner in a great series. Rachel and Rob are back and the case they are chasing is full of intrigue and twists. The entire cast of characters are engaging. I'm completely invested in all of them. I didn't see the reveal ahead of time. This is my favorite series by this author and this book is a prime example of why.

I’d like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc.

Imagine letting your dog outside and he rewards you by bringing home a human hand. That’s right, a hand. Now you must call the police, answer questions and you guessed it, wrestle your k9 for the appendage. lol Police find the grave which contains not just one, but two bodies. Who are they? How long have they been here? Why would someone want them dead?

Let me first say, the beginning was slow for me. The first half really didn’t keep me hooked like I’d hoped it would. There were just so many characters and I couldn’t keep track of who was who. I held on because I wanted to know who the killer was, like we all do. The second half was fast paced and kept me hooked. So much was happening and everyone was being targeted, I had to keep going. Now I don’t know if it’s just me or it was on purpose but one scene gave away the killer without literally saying it was them. If you’re a thriller/mystery reader I’m sure it stuck out to you as well like ‘now just wait a damn minute..’ 🤔 All that to say, this is a good book and I would definitely recommend.

The past comes back to haunt a small town when one murder leads to the discovery of another. When a troubled teenager, Jenn Berman, goes missing at the summer fair in Hamby, his uncaring family fails to notice. That is until a loose dog returns home with a bloodied hand. Investigators are led to a developing subdivision where they find Jenn's body in a shallow grave. The town is shocked by the murder, and Detectives Rachel Ryder and Rob Bishop are assigned the case to deliver justice for Jenn. But upon further inspection of the crime scene, a jaw-dropping discovery is another body is found buried deeper in the same grave. The remains belong to Caroline Turner, a teenager who also went missing from the summer fair almost four decades ago. The connection between the murders is undeniable. As Rachel and Rob race to narrow down their suspect list and inch closer to the truth, a dangerous threat emerges, putting those they love at risk.