So Dark the Night

by Margaret Daley

On a tragic night, photographer Emma St. James lost not only her vision, but her memory. The police believed she'd witnessed her beloved brother's murder, but her mind refused to remember. She was lost and alone, until a stranger reached out with a touch she couldn't see.

Rev. Colin Fitzpatrick would never forget the moment he saw Emma's lovely face just seconds before she ran out in front of his car. She'd been fleeing something or someone but she was his responsibility now. But with the killers desperate to find Emma, it would take divine intervention to keep them both alive.

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of seventy-six books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Reviews

[Bird Bengel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever rented from my local public library. I think I was in late middle school and I remember thinking, “this is genuinely the best book I’ve ever read!” Well, I don’t necessarily think that now lol, but it’s not because I’ve grown less fond! It’s corny, it’s fast paced but gets dull a few times, it’s VERY Hallmarky if Hallmark was a Christian-oriented channel mixed with a bit of Lifetime, but it still has a charm to it. It was such an innocent book, and uplifting. I’m sure Christian grandmas eat this shit UP!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So Dark the Night" is awesome! A riveting, nail biting Inspirations suspense-romance novel. It is also emotional, especially when Emma loses her vision due to the traumatic event of seeing her brother murdered. Not only could she see nothing but blackness, her memory of the events of that night were just beyond her grasp. Emma is feeling frustrated, helpless and hopeless, but the handsome Reverend is able to teach her to trust in the Lord with all her heart and pray the vision and memory would return soon. I love happy endings and this one was delightful! I highly recommend it to anyone! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on whether site allows half star ratings). It's actually probably between a 3.5 and a 4 for me but not quite a 4.

I read the first 2/3 of the book and felt like I couldn't put it down--but finally I had to (to sleep). When I came back to it after work the next day, I didn't find it as intriguing.

It was hard to see Emma struggle with what we consider everyday tasks while she was blind. I liked that Colin thought to get her Bible CDs to listen to and that she did listen to them and absorb some of the lessons from them. I also liked that Emma reconciled with her father. (I wish they'd also addressed her rift with her mother--but then again, if they had, I'd probably say the story was unrealistic.)

I did not guess who hired the killers until it was revealed. But I'm not always good at guessing that so YMMV.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you enjoy in a Romantic Suspense book: A crime that has to be solved, dangerous situations from which to escape, family disfunction, and sweet romance between Colin and Emma. I liked all the characters. I would like to see Aunt Grace have a relationship someday. Emma is blinded for a while and as a nurse I appreciated how Colin and Grace helped her cope.

I was not totally surprised by the bad guy, but he would not have been my first guess.

[Carolyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different forms of Darkness

This is a suspenseful, romantic story. Who is the perpetrator and why? Why did someone hire two thugs to kill Emma's brother? Now why did they want to kill her? Was it his business partner? Was it his girlfriend? Was it someone connected to the job when he worked for his father? Why did one of the thugs look familiar?

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good book

This was a really, really good story. I loved it and could not put it down. Also I never did figure out who the murderer was. Great plot, awesome romance and great characters.

[Karen O'Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

This was such an exciting and inspiring story. Margaret Daley is an amazing author and I can't wait to read more of her books. Thank you, Margaret, for this wonderful story.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of action and suspense in the plot of this novel. I enjoyed watching Emma and Colin bond and learn to trust each other as they tried to find out who was responsible for killing her brother. This book is a good read.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

So Dark the Night is a very well-written suspense. The book has a good plot and believable characters. I recommend this book.

[Shelia Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Linda Reville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

I really enjoyed this book. I was kept guessing for the whole book on ego the bad guy was. I also enjoyed reading about Emma's journey of faith.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very suspenseful book that I enjoyed reading.

[Teresa Pollock]

Goodness out of evil

This book had fast grabbing power. I couldn't put it down. I love seeing God's light come shinning forth out of darkness.

[Raymond Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book

I enjoyed this book so much. I will be looking for more books by this author. She kept my attention the whole time

[Doris Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Tricia Cox garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Dark the Night

Good story. Her brother is murdered in front of her. She escapes, but looses her sight and memory. Good clean romance.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet suspenseful

Page turning suspense and a Christ centered story that I’ve come to expect from Margaret Daley. I loved this story!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma St. James, well-known and respected photographer, is at home in a world of high society, where the rich and powerful rule.

Then she witnesses her brother's murder, and her entire life turns upside down. Emma loses her vision in an accident while fleeing from the murderers. Taken under the wing of the handsome minister who feels responsible for her safety, she enters a brand new realm - a world where God rules supreme and family and friends know the true meaning of those words. Under Rev. Colin Fitzpatrick's gentle guardianship, she feels safe and protected, and finds herself thinking of the kind minister as much more than a willing bodyguard. But can two people from such different worlds find a way to create one of their own? And will the killers on Emma's trail let her live long enough to try?

So Dark the Night is a tense tale of love and intrigue, woven throughout with delicate strands of simple faith, like golden threads to strengthen the rich fabric. Margaret Daley feeds the mind, heart and spirit in this heartwarming, spine-tingling masterpiece.

Don't part the cover if you don't have time to finish - this one cannot be put down!

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma St. James witnesses her brother's murder, is chased through the woods, & as she runs into the highway is shot, causing a car to hit her. Her world goes black. When she comes to, her world is still black - she can't see & she's lost her memory of what has just happened.

Rev Colin Fitzpatrick can't forget the moment Emma ran out in front of his car & he thought he had killed her; nor can he forget the shock he felt when he discovered someone had shot her. Realising the danger Emma is in, he is determined to give her a safe place to recuperate & gain her memory, while supporting her as she makes the adjustments to living in a dark world & discovering why her brother was murdered.

A tender love story plays out amidst the evil pursuing them.

Vanished - Sequel to So Dark the Night

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being seen by two thugs who shoot her brother, Emma runs off and is chased by them. The slam of the gunshot to her shoulder spins her into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Emma's divorced parents are famous. Her father has had nothing to do with her for many years. Now both parents want to come to her aid and she'll have none of it.

What was her brother Derek involved in that someone would want him dead? Perhaps he was still working for their father. Emma enlists the help of Colin who "ran into her" earlier.

What isn't quite believable is like so many romance novels where the man knows the woman's every need, making it sickly sweet. If it wasn't for the mystery aspect, I wouldn't be reading this at all unless I was already bored.

All in all, a pretty good read.

[Deb]

emma's life is turned upside down when she drives out to her family's cabin to meet her brother. unfortunately, she stumbles across a murder as her brother is shot in front of her and she has to scramble to escape with her life. in her flight, she runs in front of a car driven by a local pastor. he takes her to the hospital and watches out for her as she recovers. the accident and trauma of what she witnessed causes her to go blind, and she cannot remember what happened. so of course the rest of the book deals with her struggle to try to remember what has happened, her budding relationship with the pastor who saved her, and her questions of faith. if you like good clean romantic suspense with a good message this will fit the bill.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense and great romance! Emma St. James witnessed her brother's murder, then a freak accident after being shot caused her to lose her thought and her memory of the entire horrific event. The man who hit her - Reverend Colin Fitzpatrick decides to take care of her and help her figure out who killed her brother.

Between the drama of Emma's parents, the mystery itself, Colin's fiesty aunt and twin teenage daughters, and a blooming romance this book has a lot of different emotions and experiences! I enjoyed every moment of this book, though I did want to throttle Emma's mother! I was plesantly surprised to be surprised with the conclusion of this mystery!

T.J.'s story is covered in "Vanished," the sequel to this book. I actually read it months ago and wish I hadn't!

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good...but not great.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery. Emma is going to spend a few days with her brother at the family cabin. Through the window she witnesses two men murder him. With the killers behind her, she runs into the road and is hit by a car. When she comes to there is a blank period in her memory. She is also unable to see.

[Olean Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good suspense story. It was hard to put down. Between Emma’s struggle to remember and the danger she was in joined with the Rev. Fitzpatrick trying to help her and his own guilt of hitting her. This was very good reading

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This suspenseful Christian page turner was definitely a ride. Lots of killing, chasing, and a quick read that kept me guessing. A nice little family book with murder of course. Will look for the others in the series.

[Charity Hargrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book kept me on my feet

[V.K. Sansone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good read Margaret! I am now through and it was one great ride to be taken on! Real suspense and the right touch of romance! :)