A Shannon Ames #01 series. Published by Inkubator Books (April 2020). They have been judged. The verdict – guilty. The sentence – death.
A big thank you to Blog Tour host Emma from DampPebbles.
Synopsis
They have been judged. The verdict – guilty. The sentence – death.
Two beautiful young women are found strangled, their bodies meticulously washed and groomed. The only thing they have in common – both worked as reporters for local TV stations. A coincidence? Or something more sinister?
Rookie Special Agent Shannon Ames is assigned to the case and soon impresses with her brilliant intuition and startling ability to think outside the box.
But as Shannon takes a more prominent role in the investigation, she finds herself drawn into a deadly dance with a master of deception, a serial killer whose victims all work in media – journalists, influencers, reporters. Shannon’s superiors are convinced it’s part of some grand attack on the free press, but she has a hunch these killings are much more targeted. And she follows that hunch - straight into the heart of darkness…
Into Darkness is a gripping mystery thriller that will keep you up all night as it races towards its shocking conclusion.
Review 3*
A fast-paced action thriller that can be devoured in one sitting. Shannon Ames is tenacious, determined, and will do whatever it takes to catch a killer, even if it means putting her career (and life) on the line.
Into Darkness is the reading equivalent of watching an afternoon action movie – think Mission: Impossible on a rainy Sunday – high-paced, energetic, and more twists and turns than a winding country road.
The plot line is stylish and captivating, the characters likeable - even the killer, who (no spoilers) puts forward a pretty convincing justification for their actions, no matter how heinous they may be (read it before you judge me!) – and, rather chillingly, no suspension of disbelief is required during the reading of this novel.
The world of news and media is often dark and seedy, and many souls are sold to the devil in exchange for a good story, I am sure. It is when those media personalities avoid accountability and refuse to take personal and social responsibility for the consequences of their reporting that the backlash can be deadly.
FBI Agent Shannon Ames is your typical female in a position of power – considered inferior to her male peers, the last to be picked for the metaphorical team, but ever determined to prove herself and be the best (because, well, let's be honest - she is the best). Ames is intelligent and determined, with a good intuition (there is a little of the Clarice M Starling about her) and whilst it was a little predictable that she was to go against her superiors and investigate a lead she ‘knew’ to be right, she does so with tenacity and fearlessness.
Author TJ Brearton feeds us little crumbs of Ames’ backstory every now and again, and these little pockets of the personal reveal just enough to make you want to get to know the real Shannon Ames. I guess I shall just have to wait for the future books in the series (sigh).
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About the Author:
T.J. Brearton’s books have reached half a million readers around the world and have topped the Amazon charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Manhattan, Brearton first worked in film before focusing on novels. His books are visually descriptive with sharp dialog and underdog heroes. When not writing, Brearton does whatever his wife and three children tell him to do. They live happily in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate, New York. Yes, there are bears in the Adirondacks. But it’s really quite beautiful when you’re not running for your life.
T.J. is the author of Dead Gone and many other crime thrillers. INTO DARKNESS will be his first novel published with Inkubator Books.
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BreartonTJ
Website: http://tjbrearton.net/