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Into the Dark
IT’S THE MOMENTS FROM OUR PAST THAT BIND US.
Branch Manager Emilie Davis is having a day like any other–until two masked men storm into WestOne Bank demanding cash. Her hopes of a quick end to her terror are dashed when she realizes one of the men has no interest in the bank’s money. Emilie is his prize, and he’s come to claim her.
When hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan and Las Vegas SWAT enter the bank on a rescue mission, Emilie’s captor makes a shocking escape into the abyss that lies beneath the city: the Las Vegas storm drains, a refuge for the downtrodden and the desperate.
HOW WILL IT END?
Who is the man the media has dubbed the “Taker?” Why is he after Emilie, and what is the connection he’s convinced they share?
Emilie can’t run from the Taker, and she can’t escape her own past. As her life closes in on her, she has nowhere to turn but to Nathan. The lines of professionalism blur as Nathan becomes determined to save Emilie. Together they venture into the depths beneath Las Vegas and discover a shocking piece of the puzzle.
But the Taker remains one step ahead. Desperate for the threat to emerge from the shadows, Emilie makes a bold move to reclaim her life, and it may cost her everything.
Branch Manager Emilie Davis is having a day like any other–until two masked men storm into WestOne Bank demanding cash. Her hopes of a quick end to her terror are dashed when she realizes one of the men has no interest in the bank’s money. Emilie is his prize, and he’s come to claim her.
When hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan and Las Vegas SWAT enter the bank on a rescue mission, Emilie’s captor makes a shocking escape into the abyss that lies beneath the city: the Las Vegas storm drains, a refuge for the downtrodden and the desperate.
HOW WILL IT END?
Who is the man the media has dubbed the “Taker?” Why is he after Emilie, and what is the connection he’s convinced they share?
Emilie can’t run from the Taker, and she can’t escape her own past. As her life closes in on her, she has nowhere to turn but to Nathan. The lines of professionalism blur as Nathan becomes determined to save Emilie. Together they venture into the depths beneath Las Vegas and discover a shocking piece of the puzzle.
But the Taker remains one step ahead. Desperate for the threat to emerge from the shadows, Emilie makes a bold move to reclaim her life, and it may cost her everything.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
87 people are currently reading
1102 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Green
43 books1,198 followersStacy Green is the author of the Lucy Kendall thriller series and the Delta Crossroads mystery trilogy. ALL GOOD DEEDS (Lucy Kendall #1) won a bronze medal for mystery and thriller at the 2015 IPPY Awards. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner-up for best mystery/thriller at the 2013 Kindle Book Awards.
Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.
She is currently working on a new crime fiction series and is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo, Helin and Fountain Literary Management for literary and dramatic rights.
Website: stacygreenauthor.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/StacyGreenAuthor
Twitter: @StacyGreen26
Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.
She is currently working on a new crime fiction series and is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo, Helin and Fountain Literary Management for literary and dramatic rights.
Website: stacygreenauthor.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/StacyGreenAuthor
Twitter: @StacyGreen26
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 28, 2013
3.5 I love romance wrapped in suspense, danger and mystery. I was intrigued by the synopsis for Stacy Green’s novel Into the Dark and agreed to review it. Set in Las Vegas, we interact with the LA police, FBI and get inside the mind and lives of victim Emilie Davis and her serial stalker dubbed the “Taker”. From the streets to the tunnels of Las Vegas this tale kept me turning the pages.
The tale begins when branch manger Emilie Davis gets flowers without a card, as she takes them to the front lobby two masked men enter the bank firing off rounds and an intense hostage negotiation begins between Nathan Madigan of the Las Vegas Swat team and the two perps. One of the masked men takes an interest in Emilie and she quickly realizes he is there for her. Incredible perception on Nathan’s part puts an end to the situation but not before the creepy perp makes a surprise escape into the cities underground. The cops slowly begin to realize this was a carefully laid plan to abduct Emilie, but Nathan worries about the primary detective getting the job done. His interest in Emilie is different, and it could land him in trouble with his commanding officers. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful and filled with well-fleshed out characters and a villain who gave me goosebumps.
Never have I met two primary characters with so much emotional baggage. Emilie left home at eighteen, is estranged from her mother and recently divorced. I liked Emilie but grew to admire her as she came into herself. Nathan blames himself for the death of his uncle when he was a teen and carries it with him everywhere. He is solid, dependable and really good at accessing people. I immediately connected with him. The interaction between them started off as you would expect a victim and the man who she sees as her savior would. Slowly their relationship grew into something more, and Green handled it well. It felt real, complicated and genuine. Suspects, bank employees, law enforcement officers and family members added to the suspense, and complexity of the characters. The Taker was downright creepy and his back-story and methodical methods gave me shivers.
Into the Dark took me on a fast paced ride, and I enjoyed myself. The twists and turns into the psyche of the Taker, and those who aided him were fascinating, and tripped me up. I thought I knew who the inside man was and was surprised when all was revealed. The back-stories to Nathan and Emilie were interesting and added depth to both characters. While I am not sure all of it was necessary I liked the way the author weaved it into the tale. The relationship felt genuine and we got a little sweetness and a touch of heat. The climatic scenes towards the end kept me turning the pages and the conclusion left me satisfied.
Fans of romantic suspense and crime thrillers will enjoy Into the Dark. This is Green’s first published work and I look forward to reading more from her. Her next thriller will be a darker, grittier tale set in the Deep South.
I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The tale begins when branch manger Emilie Davis gets flowers without a card, as she takes them to the front lobby two masked men enter the bank firing off rounds and an intense hostage negotiation begins between Nathan Madigan of the Las Vegas Swat team and the two perps. One of the masked men takes an interest in Emilie and she quickly realizes he is there for her. Incredible perception on Nathan’s part puts an end to the situation but not before the creepy perp makes a surprise escape into the cities underground. The cops slowly begin to realize this was a carefully laid plan to abduct Emilie, but Nathan worries about the primary detective getting the job done. His interest in Emilie is different, and it could land him in trouble with his commanding officers. The tale that unfolds was suspenseful and filled with well-fleshed out characters and a villain who gave me goosebumps.
Never have I met two primary characters with so much emotional baggage. Emilie left home at eighteen, is estranged from her mother and recently divorced. I liked Emilie but grew to admire her as she came into herself. Nathan blames himself for the death of his uncle when he was a teen and carries it with him everywhere. He is solid, dependable and really good at accessing people. I immediately connected with him. The interaction between them started off as you would expect a victim and the man who she sees as her savior would. Slowly their relationship grew into something more, and Green handled it well. It felt real, complicated and genuine. Suspects, bank employees, law enforcement officers and family members added to the suspense, and complexity of the characters. The Taker was downright creepy and his back-story and methodical methods gave me shivers.
Into the Dark took me on a fast paced ride, and I enjoyed myself. The twists and turns into the psyche of the Taker, and those who aided him were fascinating, and tripped me up. I thought I knew who the inside man was and was surprised when all was revealed. The back-stories to Nathan and Emilie were interesting and added depth to both characters. While I am not sure all of it was necessary I liked the way the author weaved it into the tale. The relationship felt genuine and we got a little sweetness and a touch of heat. The climatic scenes towards the end kept me turning the pages and the conclusion left me satisfied.
Fans of romantic suspense and crime thrillers will enjoy Into the Dark. This is Green’s first published work and I look forward to reading more from her. Her next thriller will be a darker, grittier tale set in the Deep South.
I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
January 16, 2013
They say you should start your novels with a bang, but author Stacy Green lulls her readers with quiet mystery for just the right number of heartbeats first, before setting a powerfully unsettling mix of human reverie and fast action racing across the pages. Emilie has flowers. Emilie has a secret admirer. Emilie has a gunman watching her… At which point, how can anyone resist reading on?
The dialog’s pitch perfect and the writing’s quick and smooth, drawing the reader into the heart of each character. Police procedure feels convincing, with sensible conjecture and solid investigation. The characters’ backstories are cleanly told with a minimum of fuss but just enough detail to make their motivations real. And the city of Las Vegas proves to hold far more than its infamous strip, with scenic outskirts pictured as clearly and surely as seamy (and stinky) underground tunnels. Darkness, light and a touch of evil meet as newspapers clutch at the hostage’s past, the quick cop rushes for easy blame, and the SWAT guy tries not to fall for the woman he’s saved.
Wounded childhoods have a way of catching up with people. As torments of past and present bind together, the darkness around Emilie deepens, and the terror feels palpably real. Stacy Green’s Into the Dark is a psychological thriller grounded in real lives and fears, built around convincing characters, and nicely woven around real places and intriguing mystery.
“Sometimes things are set in motion which we can’t control,” says Nathan as Emilie threatens to fall apart. Sometimes we have to stop blaming ourselves for the past, and accept that others made the choices which hurt us and those dear to us. Sometimes we have to move on. And sometimes in moving on we learn what it was that held us back. There’s honest wisdom and empathy as well as love and fear in Stacy Green’s novel, a satisfying tale that leaves me wanting to read more by the same author.
Disclosure: I interviewed the author for my blog and she kindly gave me an ecopy of her novel.
The dialog’s pitch perfect and the writing’s quick and smooth, drawing the reader into the heart of each character. Police procedure feels convincing, with sensible conjecture and solid investigation. The characters’ backstories are cleanly told with a minimum of fuss but just enough detail to make their motivations real. And the city of Las Vegas proves to hold far more than its infamous strip, with scenic outskirts pictured as clearly and surely as seamy (and stinky) underground tunnels. Darkness, light and a touch of evil meet as newspapers clutch at the hostage’s past, the quick cop rushes for easy blame, and the SWAT guy tries not to fall for the woman he’s saved.
Wounded childhoods have a way of catching up with people. As torments of past and present bind together, the darkness around Emilie deepens, and the terror feels palpably real. Stacy Green’s Into the Dark is a psychological thriller grounded in real lives and fears, built around convincing characters, and nicely woven around real places and intriguing mystery.
“Sometimes things are set in motion which we can’t control,” says Nathan as Emilie threatens to fall apart. Sometimes we have to stop blaming ourselves for the past, and accept that others made the choices which hurt us and those dear to us. Sometimes we have to move on. And sometimes in moving on we learn what it was that held us back. There’s honest wisdom and empathy as well as love and fear in Stacy Green’s novel, a satisfying tale that leaves me wanting to read more by the same author.
Disclosure: I interviewed the author for my blog and she kindly gave me an ecopy of her novel.
February 28, 2013
What an awesome story. It catches you right from the get-go and doesn’t let go. The amount of suspense that builds up in this story is also astounding. As a reader, you can actually feel things getting out of control.
This book was quite well written. Each section flows smoothly into the next. I also really appreciate the fact that when switching from person to person or scene to scene, Green keeps everything clear. There’s never any confusion as to what’s going on (other than the building of suspense that you’d expect in this novel). I also enjoyed the descriptions that Green employed. Not only were they very informative, they were interspersed throughout the novel and never long or clumpy. Green also made sure that they fit with the scene. Never once did you find a frilly description in a dark or scary scene, and vice versa.
The characters in this novel were all very well developed. I absolutely fell in love with the hero. Not only was he hero material, but he was a real person. He never once verged on becoming a superhero. All of his actions and reactions remained in the realm of reality. The heroine, or damsel in distress as the case may be, was also very well developed. And the best part about the ‘damsel in distress’? She’s not an airheaded Barbie doll. Yes, she has a couple of ‘what were you thinking’ moments, but in general, she was a real person who actually used her brain.
The supporting characters were also quite well developed. They all fit their role in the story without overpowering the main characters. I was very impressed about how Green used these supporting characters to add extra twists and turns into the novel. It added an extra element of depth to both the characters and the story.
On the whole this was a great story. I could barely put it down from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed how well I got to know everyone and the progression of the story.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was quite well written. Each section flows smoothly into the next. I also really appreciate the fact that when switching from person to person or scene to scene, Green keeps everything clear. There’s never any confusion as to what’s going on (other than the building of suspense that you’d expect in this novel). I also enjoyed the descriptions that Green employed. Not only were they very informative, they were interspersed throughout the novel and never long or clumpy. Green also made sure that they fit with the scene. Never once did you find a frilly description in a dark or scary scene, and vice versa.
The characters in this novel were all very well developed. I absolutely fell in love with the hero. Not only was he hero material, but he was a real person. He never once verged on becoming a superhero. All of his actions and reactions remained in the realm of reality. The heroine, or damsel in distress as the case may be, was also very well developed. And the best part about the ‘damsel in distress’? She’s not an airheaded Barbie doll. Yes, she has a couple of ‘what were you thinking’ moments, but in general, she was a real person who actually used her brain.
The supporting characters were also quite well developed. They all fit their role in the story without overpowering the main characters. I was very impressed about how Green used these supporting characters to add extra twists and turns into the novel. It added an extra element of depth to both the characters and the story.
On the whole this was a great story. I could barely put it down from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed how well I got to know everyone and the progression of the story.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2013
There is an attempted robbery at the bank and Joe, one of the robbers, is the mouthpiece. Emilie, the bank manager, is kept separate from the others by who will later be dubbed "the Taker". Nathan is the hostage negotiator. The Taker eventually escapes into the tunnels that were built under the bank years ago and continues to stalk Emilie.
Emilie doesn't feel safe and she doesn't have a lot of confidence that the police will be able to catch the Taker. She has not family for support and Nathan are drawn to each other. Besides Nathan, she doesn't know who to trust. Are there insiders in the bank? Will the police find the Taker or will Emilie have to take matters into her own hands and find him herself?
This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style. It was well-paced and interesting ... I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.
I liked that there were different elements in the story in addition to the kidnapping including Emilie's lack of relationship with her mother (and why) and Nathan's guilt over the death of his uncle many years ago (and that his dad blamed him) so we get to know more about them.
We know who the kidnapper is from the beginning but it's not 'til the end that it's confirmed why.
I'd like to read others by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/01...
Emilie doesn't feel safe and she doesn't have a lot of confidence that the police will be able to catch the Taker. She has not family for support and Nathan are drawn to each other. Besides Nathan, she doesn't know who to trust. Are there insiders in the bank? Will the police find the Taker or will Emilie have to take matters into her own hands and find him herself?
This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style. It was well-paced and interesting ... I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.
I liked that there were different elements in the story in addition to the kidnapping including Emilie's lack of relationship with her mother (and why) and Nathan's guilt over the death of his uncle many years ago (and that his dad blamed him) so we get to know more about them.
We know who the kidnapper is from the beginning but it's not 'til the end that it's confirmed why.
I'd like to read others by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/01...
February 4, 2013
What starts out as a bank robbery of the WestOne Bank quickly becomes one obsessed psychopath's attempt to kidnap thirty-four year old bank branch manager Emilie Davis, and take her down into the dark seedy underground tunnels of Las Vegas' storm drain system that lies beneath the city. With the SWAT team closing in, the "Taker" aborts the attempted abduction and escapes into the 200 mile labyrinth to regroup. Hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan knows that whoever this man is, he'll keep trying to get to Emilie. Follow along as Nathan tries to figure out the reason behind the "Taker's" obsession with Emilie, and attempts to protect her before the stalker can succeed to take her into the dark.
In her debut novel, author Stacy Green weaves a chilling dark tale of suspense that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seat. Written in the third person narrative that alternates between three characters: Emilie Davis, Nathan Madigan, and the "Taker," the reader is transported to Sin City and the deep dark tunnels that lie beneath its city streets.
From the start of the book, the author captivates the reader with the intense action that quickly gains momentum as the intriguing twists and turns builds upon the suspense and drama as the story unfolds, all the while keeping the reader guessing who the stalker is and why he wants Emilie so desperately.
This psychological thriller is set in Las Vegas, and I think the author does a wonderful job of researching the historical facts of the city and its underground storm drain system. Las Vegas has always been one of my favorite cities, and I was absolutely thrilled with the rich description and vivid details of the city, the storm drain system, and the variety of people who inhabit it.
What I found most fascinating about this story is the interweaving of the three characters' secrets, torment, grief and blame from their pasts and present life issues that permeates their lives. As the story unfolds, the author provides clues into the "Taker's" identity and teases the reader to figure it out while also uncovering the genesis of his plan. And if that isn't enough to keep the reader engaged, the author throws in just the right amount of subtle romance into the mix without overshadowing the main focus of the story.
With an intriguing cast of characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; and a storyline that has enough thrills and chills that gives the readers goose bumps until the exciting conclusion, Into The Dark is one hell of a gripping suspense thriller that will simply keep you riveted and turning the pages.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
In her debut novel, author Stacy Green weaves a chilling dark tale of suspense that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seat. Written in the third person narrative that alternates between three characters: Emilie Davis, Nathan Madigan, and the "Taker," the reader is transported to Sin City and the deep dark tunnels that lie beneath its city streets.
From the start of the book, the author captivates the reader with the intense action that quickly gains momentum as the intriguing twists and turns builds upon the suspense and drama as the story unfolds, all the while keeping the reader guessing who the stalker is and why he wants Emilie so desperately.
This psychological thriller is set in Las Vegas, and I think the author does a wonderful job of researching the historical facts of the city and its underground storm drain system. Las Vegas has always been one of my favorite cities, and I was absolutely thrilled with the rich description and vivid details of the city, the storm drain system, and the variety of people who inhabit it.
What I found most fascinating about this story is the interweaving of the three characters' secrets, torment, grief and blame from their pasts and present life issues that permeates their lives. As the story unfolds, the author provides clues into the "Taker's" identity and teases the reader to figure it out while also uncovering the genesis of his plan. And if that isn't enough to keep the reader engaged, the author throws in just the right amount of subtle romance into the mix without overshadowing the main focus of the story.
With an intriguing cast of characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; and a storyline that has enough thrills and chills that gives the readers goose bumps until the exciting conclusion, Into The Dark is one hell of a gripping suspense thriller that will simply keep you riveted and turning the pages.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
October 25, 2014
Emilie Davis, the branch manager for WestOne Bank, suddenly finds herself in the middle of a bank robbery. Two masked men storm in demanding cash and they ultimately find themselves stuck in the bank when an alarm is triggered and the police are on scene. Now they have a hostage situation with employees and customers still in the bank.
The action for this story starts on page 1, first paragraph. What starts off like a “typical” bank robbery descends into something very murky. It’s soon clear to Nathan Madigan, the Las Vegas SWAT hostage negotiator, that the branch manager, Emilie Davis, is a target of one of the two robbers. He’s working with the more volatile of the two but gets that something is off. When they enter the bank to rescue all of the hostages, Nathan’s suspicions are confirmed when Emilie’s captor attempts to take her with him as he escapes into the tunnels of the city, a murky and foul refuge for the desperate. Emilie manages to fight him off but from here going forward, it is a mystery and effort to figure out who this man is and why he’s interested in her.
I really enjoyed this story with its unusual premise and plot. It became more than just an investigation into the identity of the perpetrator, given the name The Taker, as he was still committed to capturing Emilie. Though Nathan isn’t a detective, in the short time he was working the robbery in progress, he was able to establish a connection with Emilie and she wanted him to stick around. Their developing attraction is complicated as she’s a victim in an open case and he’s part of the law enforcement investigation. They are both really likeable characters and she’s determined to not be a victim. There’s an interesting cast of characters that further embellish the story along with an exciting climax. This is a well written story that held my interest and baffled me. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
(I was provided an ARC from the author.)
The action for this story starts on page 1, first paragraph. What starts off like a “typical” bank robbery descends into something very murky. It’s soon clear to Nathan Madigan, the Las Vegas SWAT hostage negotiator, that the branch manager, Emilie Davis, is a target of one of the two robbers. He’s working with the more volatile of the two but gets that something is off. When they enter the bank to rescue all of the hostages, Nathan’s suspicions are confirmed when Emilie’s captor attempts to take her with him as he escapes into the tunnels of the city, a murky and foul refuge for the desperate. Emilie manages to fight him off but from here going forward, it is a mystery and effort to figure out who this man is and why he’s interested in her.
I really enjoyed this story with its unusual premise and plot. It became more than just an investigation into the identity of the perpetrator, given the name The Taker, as he was still committed to capturing Emilie. Though Nathan isn’t a detective, in the short time he was working the robbery in progress, he was able to establish a connection with Emilie and she wanted him to stick around. Their developing attraction is complicated as she’s a victim in an open case and he’s part of the law enforcement investigation. They are both really likeable characters and she’s determined to not be a victim. There’s an interesting cast of characters that further embellish the story along with an exciting climax. This is a well written story that held my interest and baffled me. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
(I was provided an ARC from the author.)
October 29, 2012
Emilie is a bank manager of the local bank when it's robbed and everybody inside is held hostage. If that isn't bad enough she realizes its not the money the robber is interested in but her. Her fate rests in the hands of negotiator Nathan to get Emilie out safe and away from a crazed stalker.
I enjoyed this read very much, it's realistic feel had me drawn into the story from the 1st page. You can tell when an author does a lot of research into a topic and this was the case with 'into the dark' the crime aspects, language, art and history in put was amazing.
Emilie is a fighter she's over come a lot of obstacles in life and so when she becomes the object of obsession for a killer she knows she has got to do everything possible to take control and get her life back. A great strong female character you can't help but root for,
Nathan I loved right away a good guy fighting the good fight while trying to over come his own issues. Emilie and Nathan couldn't of been any more perfect for each other there chemistry was dynamic.
I was so impressed the author covered all the bases - crime and suspense that kept you guessing until the very end. Twists ad turns on every page - family troubles, hateful co workers, plots lies and schemes as well as romance.... The romantic in me only wished there was a little more romance but hey I guess the characters where too busy trying to catch the bad guy lol, A little something for everybody!
Find more out about Stacy Green - http://stacygreenauthor.com/light-and...
Twitter: twitter.com/stacygreen26
I enjoyed this read very much, it's realistic feel had me drawn into the story from the 1st page. You can tell when an author does a lot of research into a topic and this was the case with 'into the dark' the crime aspects, language, art and history in put was amazing.
Emilie is a fighter she's over come a lot of obstacles in life and so when she becomes the object of obsession for a killer she knows she has got to do everything possible to take control and get her life back. A great strong female character you can't help but root for,
Nathan I loved right away a good guy fighting the good fight while trying to over come his own issues. Emilie and Nathan couldn't of been any more perfect for each other there chemistry was dynamic.
I was so impressed the author covered all the bases - crime and suspense that kept you guessing until the very end. Twists ad turns on every page - family troubles, hateful co workers, plots lies and schemes as well as romance.... The romantic in me only wished there was a little more romance but hey I guess the characters where too busy trying to catch the bad guy lol, A little something for everybody!
Find more out about Stacy Green - http://stacygreenauthor.com/light-and...
Twitter: twitter.com/stacygreen26
October 21, 2012
Well written and skillfully crafted, Into the Dark centers around three main characters: a victim who can't accept her role, a killer pining over his lost love, and a hostage negotiator troubled by past failure.
These characters quickly come alive and keep gaining depth throughout the book. There are plenty of vivid minor players, as well. Stacy Green breathes life into her creations with only a few light strokes.
One might call Las Vegas the forth main character. We only get a few glimpses of the glamor and see more of its dark underbelly. Of course, it's dirty and reeks, but surprisingly we encounter fascinating people there.
While the thriller plot kept me turning the pages, Into the Dark is also an intelligent study of how past actions and events affect who we are and what we strive for, whether we like it or not.
Romance fans might be slightly disappointed with this book. While there is a strong romance angle, it remains in the background as a motivating factor. If you don't care for romance, don't let the romantic suspense label discourage you from reading this great thriller.
Highly recommended!
These characters quickly come alive and keep gaining depth throughout the book. There are plenty of vivid minor players, as well. Stacy Green breathes life into her creations with only a few light strokes.
One might call Las Vegas the forth main character. We only get a few glimpses of the glamor and see more of its dark underbelly. Of course, it's dirty and reeks, but surprisingly we encounter fascinating people there.
While the thriller plot kept me turning the pages, Into the Dark is also an intelligent study of how past actions and events affect who we are and what we strive for, whether we like it or not.
Romance fans might be slightly disappointed with this book. While there is a strong romance angle, it remains in the background as a motivating factor. If you don't care for romance, don't let the romantic suspense label discourage you from reading this great thriller.
Highly recommended!
December 12, 2012
For a debut novel, Stacy Green has definitely delivered a well-written story with intrigue and suspense, including enough twists and turns that holds the reader's interest right up until the end. It is evident that the author put a lot of time and effort into her research with respect to the tunnels beneath the city, which I found not only to be creepy at times, but also disturbing as to the realization of how the unfortunate may and do live. The romance between Emilie and Nathan is there but I didn't feel that there was enough passion between the two. I would have given the book five stars if it wasn't for Emilie's stupidity giving the Taker the chance to grab her. Seriously, when you know someone is out to get you at any cost, you're in fear for your life, your home has been invaded, the police are working around the clock to protect you - why do you leave the safety of your home in the middle of the night, without letting the police know what you're doing (in fact you hide it from them)? I really dislike it when the author takes a smart, intelligent female lead and turns her into an stupid idiot.
In any event, I look forward to reading the author's next book.
In any event, I look forward to reading the author's next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
I'm a long-time reader of Stacy's Thriller Thursdays on her blog, where she shares true crime stories. This led me to expect good things from her first book, and I wasn't disappointed. Her enjoyment of true crime shows through in the realistic way she portrayed what it's like to live through a traumatic experience, as well as how a stalker might act and escalate. She clearly did her research when writing this book.
I don't want to give away the ending, but I thought she also did a good job of holding the suspense tight for the last quarter of the book. I especially liked how Emilie (her heroine) was proactive in defeating her stalker and yet still needed help. Those endings are my favorite and are a very hard balance to strike.
My only complaint (and it likely isn't one that would bother everyone) was the language. I found the amount of profanity hard to take, and so I wanted to mention it for people who might also not be used to such frequent use of course language. Rather than adding realism, it detracted from story for me.
I don't want to give away the ending, but I thought she also did a good job of holding the suspense tight for the last quarter of the book. I especially liked how Emilie (her heroine) was proactive in defeating her stalker and yet still needed help. Those endings are my favorite and are a very hard balance to strike.
My only complaint (and it likely isn't one that would bother everyone) was the language. I found the amount of profanity hard to take, and so I wanted to mention it for people who might also not be used to such frequent use of course language. Rather than adding realism, it detracted from story for me.
January 9, 2013
Into The Dark, by Stacy Green, is a psychological thriller, a love story with an almost historical background. While set in Las Vegas it refers back to Louisianna, so it seemed like a blend of cultures. The primary characters are all tormented by past and/or present life issues of grief and blame, to the point that they aren't really living life, but just going through the motions. Most of the characters are likeable, some are not. There are some creepy parts, which I really liked, which allowed my imagination to create all sorts of possible scenarios, none of which really happened. There is the occasional turn and twist, which makes it interesting and intriguing, as well as kept me reading until I discovered what really happened. I really enjoyed Into The Dark. I think it is well written by an author with imagination. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes this genre and wants to be swept away for awhile.
July 22, 2013
Into The Dark by Stacy Green
The storm drains in this book caused the inner city life of Las Vegas to come to life for me. Our heroin, with a stalker from hell is almost taken from the life she knows into said drain system. I loved the fact that the author made the villain human enough to elicit some response other than the normal "I hate his guts'. And our heroin is truly a strong woman with a strong character.
Often I find that a strong female character is one who simply does not faint. Not fainting doth not a strong woman make, although given by the 5th time a heroin has a fainting spell I want to slap her. Here the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad though human and it is Nathan and his dad's relationship that made me tear up. Yes, a bit of a romance but the building of a relationship after a tragedy for Nathan got me all misty eyed.
I look forward to read more by this author.
A good read if psychological thriller is your game…
WaAr
The storm drains in this book caused the inner city life of Las Vegas to come to life for me. Our heroin, with a stalker from hell is almost taken from the life she knows into said drain system. I loved the fact that the author made the villain human enough to elicit some response other than the normal "I hate his guts'. And our heroin is truly a strong woman with a strong character.
Often I find that a strong female character is one who simply does not faint. Not fainting doth not a strong woman make, although given by the 5th time a heroin has a fainting spell I want to slap her. Here the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad though human and it is Nathan and his dad's relationship that made me tear up. Yes, a bit of a romance but the building of a relationship after a tragedy for Nathan got me all misty eyed.
I look forward to read more by this author.
A good read if psychological thriller is your game…
WaAr
February 7, 2013
I was really impressed by how well written this mystery was, I felt like I was reading one of the real crime novels I love to read. The author described Las Vegas so adeptly that I almost felt like I was right there, smells and all. You can tell that the author truly enjoys writing this genre and really does her research to give it that real feel. The story builds at a great pace starting with a bank robbery that quickly escalates in a psychopath named The Taker becoming obsessed with the stories lead character Emilie. He attempts to kidnap her and bring her down into the maze of sewer tunnels that run under the city. When his attempt fails he flees into the tunnels and starts a man hunt. This is a fantastically chilling mystery that I highly suggest you read if you are into true crime like I am .
October 27, 2012
This is a great debut novel! Emilie Davis has accumulated more than her share of emotional scar tissue in her thirty-four years of living but she has found a fragile balance in her life. That balance is abruptly shattered when she becomes the focus of a psychopath’s obsession. Enter Nathan Madigan, SWAT team member and hostage negotiator, and the sparks begin to fly in more ways than one.
The character development is superb and the story has as many twists, turns and dark shadows as the Las Vegas storm tunnels where the novel is partly set. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more of Ms. Green’s work.
The character development is superb and the story has as many twists, turns and dark shadows as the Las Vegas storm tunnels where the novel is partly set. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more of Ms. Green’s work.
March 17, 2015
I can't believe that his is a debut novel! It is such a strong book, like all of Stacy Green's work!
With both writing style and characterization Stacy can pick you up and drop you right in the middle of the action as she spins her story around you. A man rises up from her past and is determined to have her and is willing to walk through the trials of his version of hell in order to claim her. The emotions run high along with the tension in this book as each character is weighed down with their own guilt, warranted or not and as they discover nothing is completely black or white and no one can be completely known.
With both writing style and characterization Stacy can pick you up and drop you right in the middle of the action as she spins her story around you. A man rises up from her past and is determined to have her and is willing to walk through the trials of his version of hell in order to claim her. The emotions run high along with the tension in this book as each character is weighed down with their own guilt, warranted or not and as they discover nothing is completely black or white and no one can be completely known.
August 16, 2014
Wow! For anyone who enjoys tightly written, edge of your seat suspense with a good helping of romance, this book is a winner!
Read full review in the 2012 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2012 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
rewritten-fanfic
November 20, 2012See comments.
February 21, 2013
Three is a crowd, especially when all of them are sharing the spotlight in a suspenseful mystery keeping you holding your breath with each turn of the page.
At the top of the triangle is Emilie, our victim and heroine. A branch manager in a bank built on the foundation of one of Las Vegas, NV's original glorious hotels and attached to the infamous 200 mile stretch of storm drains. Emilie struggles daily with her role as an independent woman with a past of spousal and parental abuse. With a mother who never wanted or loved her and being driven into the arms of a student counselor whom she married and stayed with with for a decade despite the psychological abuse. She is just beginning to heal when the next two corners of this triangle enter her life. She must learn to accept and embrace herself while learning how to deal with being a victim and a treasured loved one all at once. After a lifetime of being treated like trash, just who is she going to accept the love from?
When she showed up for work that day the last thing she expected was to be caught in a violent siege with two masked men who attempt to rob the bank. Caught in a hostage situation she is singled out by one of the men who takes an unhealthy interest in her. Between whispers of familiarity and the threats of the other robber she begins to recognize the danger she truly is in, and it is not from a simple bank robbery, but from this man holding her a bit to close. Little did she know this man was stalking her because of his own dark and broken past. A love long lost, a childhood taken away to fast. But how would she deal with this and how will she be able to become free of another's broken past without losing her life?
While Emilie is dealing with her captor and trying to keep calm in the midst of the insanity of a bank robbery gone bad, the hostage negotiator, Nathan, does his best to keep everyone alive and safe. His own past failures still affecting how he deals with each situation. This time he is drawn a bit deeper than usual into the lives of the victims and becomes the one bright light in Emilie's terror laden darkness.
With three lives so broken, can she be saved? Can she save herself and will Nathan be able to put together the broken pieces of his own past in time to be the one who can rescue her. Emilie's stubborn streak and refusal to become another victim end up being the focus point in rescuing not only herself, but her stalker and Nathan.
This was a wonderful scripted and twisted tale. A trilogy of pasts brought together into the future with Stacy Green's 'Into the Dark'. Each of these individuals told us, the readers their own private stories which are driving points of the book. Each of them exposing more and more of their pain while the rest of the story unfolds around us. What started off seeming to be a basic crime mystery with a touch of romance ended up become a lesson in how darkness can swallow us up if we do not deal with our pasts. The tunnels themselves a metaphor of how hiding and covering up things does not make them go away, eventually they will end up being exposed to the light and becoming more painful to face.
Into the Darkness really took my breath away page by page. I am looking forward to reading more of Stacy Green's books (plus I now have a new blog to hop to on Thursdays with her Thriller Thursday posts!)
(I received a copy of this book when I signed up to review for a Partners In Crime are was given in exchange for an honest review.)
At the top of the triangle is Emilie, our victim and heroine. A branch manager in a bank built on the foundation of one of Las Vegas, NV's original glorious hotels and attached to the infamous 200 mile stretch of storm drains. Emilie struggles daily with her role as an independent woman with a past of spousal and parental abuse. With a mother who never wanted or loved her and being driven into the arms of a student counselor whom she married and stayed with with for a decade despite the psychological abuse. She is just beginning to heal when the next two corners of this triangle enter her life. She must learn to accept and embrace herself while learning how to deal with being a victim and a treasured loved one all at once. After a lifetime of being treated like trash, just who is she going to accept the love from?
When she showed up for work that day the last thing she expected was to be caught in a violent siege with two masked men who attempt to rob the bank. Caught in a hostage situation she is singled out by one of the men who takes an unhealthy interest in her. Between whispers of familiarity and the threats of the other robber she begins to recognize the danger she truly is in, and it is not from a simple bank robbery, but from this man holding her a bit to close. Little did she know this man was stalking her because of his own dark and broken past. A love long lost, a childhood taken away to fast. But how would she deal with this and how will she be able to become free of another's broken past without losing her life?
While Emilie is dealing with her captor and trying to keep calm in the midst of the insanity of a bank robbery gone bad, the hostage negotiator, Nathan, does his best to keep everyone alive and safe. His own past failures still affecting how he deals with each situation. This time he is drawn a bit deeper than usual into the lives of the victims and becomes the one bright light in Emilie's terror laden darkness.
With three lives so broken, can she be saved? Can she save herself and will Nathan be able to put together the broken pieces of his own past in time to be the one who can rescue her. Emilie's stubborn streak and refusal to become another victim end up being the focus point in rescuing not only herself, but her stalker and Nathan.
This was a wonderful scripted and twisted tale. A trilogy of pasts brought together into the future with Stacy Green's 'Into the Dark'. Each of these individuals told us, the readers their own private stories which are driving points of the book. Each of them exposing more and more of their pain while the rest of the story unfolds around us. What started off seeming to be a basic crime mystery with a touch of romance ended up become a lesson in how darkness can swallow us up if we do not deal with our pasts. The tunnels themselves a metaphor of how hiding and covering up things does not make them go away, eventually they will end up being exposed to the light and becoming more painful to face.
Into the Darkness really took my breath away page by page. I am looking forward to reading more of Stacy Green's books (plus I now have a new blog to hop to on Thursdays with her Thriller Thursday posts!)
(I received a copy of this book when I signed up to review for a Partners In Crime are was given in exchange for an honest review.)
December 2, 2012
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Sammy
Beware of Spoilers!
Into the Dark starts with Emilie receiving flowers and a special poem at work. She is unsure of what to do with them. The author gives it a sinister feel from the first page. Soon there is a bank robbery with hostages, but not all is as it seems. A negotiator is called in to help with the hostage situation. Emilie handles herself fairly well for the circumstances and gets a sense that one “robber” is more than he seems because of the way he is talking and treating her. When things get out of control he tries to take her through a hidden door. I had to suspend my disbelief of a door leading to tunnels in a bank, but it did work in the story and was an important and really interesting part of the story. The kidnapper messes up and doesn’t get Emilie into the tunnels.
The author worked magic in describing the tunnels, smells and sounds. Several times I found myself wrinkling my nose because of the way she described the stench. I found this part of the story to be my favorite, going into how people live under the city in the tunnels and how they meet some of the folks. She did a great job of incorporating that part into the story.
“The Taker” was more like a slow burn. He was intelligent, and didn’t come across as a total whack job, which made him even more creepy. Don’t let that statement let you think he wasn’t completely off the wall and in dire need of medical help. The author let his illness seep in slowly, building his insanity to a peak by the end of the book. That was nicely done.
Several of the characters in the book were not nice, and didn’t have much dimension to them. They were self-absorbed, only thinking about how things affect them. Emilie’s mother, Avery and her co-worker are examples. I liked the character Agent Ronson. She was a strong female, with compassion and knew her job.
Emilie made a lot of references about some horrible secret, so it got very built up. Perhaps I read too much into it because when it came out, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. She did something in the book that put her into the TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) category, leaving by herself. I had to stop reading for a while because she annoyed me so much and I didn’t want to throw my kindle. I felt she was immature even though she was older. It took until the end of the book for me to warm up to her. Nathan was somewhat broken, too. They fit together nicely. The romance was subtle, but it felt all the more intense for it. When I say they fit together, I mean that they both helped one another understand themselves in really positive ways.
It was a sweet romance, trying not to start anything because of the investigation…making their relationship deep without all the overt sex happening. It worked well within this story.
Overall, I found this story to be a nice read. I loved how the author added the history of the city. Her use of interacting words was a nice change. This is a great book for people who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with an interesting “bad guy” and a bit of romance. This book can go to a wider audience because even though it has a murderous stalker, it’s not written in a gory blood and guts way. The romance is not over the top with graphic sex. It is more of a mind thriller with a romance that doesn’t take over the story, so I can see both young adults and adults enjoying this book.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/in...
Beware of Spoilers!
Into the Dark starts with Emilie receiving flowers and a special poem at work. She is unsure of what to do with them. The author gives it a sinister feel from the first page. Soon there is a bank robbery with hostages, but not all is as it seems. A negotiator is called in to help with the hostage situation. Emilie handles herself fairly well for the circumstances and gets a sense that one “robber” is more than he seems because of the way he is talking and treating her. When things get out of control he tries to take her through a hidden door. I had to suspend my disbelief of a door leading to tunnels in a bank, but it did work in the story and was an important and really interesting part of the story. The kidnapper messes up and doesn’t get Emilie into the tunnels.
The author worked magic in describing the tunnels, smells and sounds. Several times I found myself wrinkling my nose because of the way she described the stench. I found this part of the story to be my favorite, going into how people live under the city in the tunnels and how they meet some of the folks. She did a great job of incorporating that part into the story.
“The Taker” was more like a slow burn. He was intelligent, and didn’t come across as a total whack job, which made him even more creepy. Don’t let that statement let you think he wasn’t completely off the wall and in dire need of medical help. The author let his illness seep in slowly, building his insanity to a peak by the end of the book. That was nicely done.
Several of the characters in the book were not nice, and didn’t have much dimension to them. They were self-absorbed, only thinking about how things affect them. Emilie’s mother, Avery and her co-worker are examples. I liked the character Agent Ronson. She was a strong female, with compassion and knew her job.
Emilie made a lot of references about some horrible secret, so it got very built up. Perhaps I read too much into it because when it came out, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. She did something in the book that put her into the TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) category, leaving by herself. I had to stop reading for a while because she annoyed me so much and I didn’t want to throw my kindle. I felt she was immature even though she was older. It took until the end of the book for me to warm up to her. Nathan was somewhat broken, too. They fit together nicely. The romance was subtle, but it felt all the more intense for it. When I say they fit together, I mean that they both helped one another understand themselves in really positive ways.
It was a sweet romance, trying not to start anything because of the investigation…making their relationship deep without all the overt sex happening. It worked well within this story.
Overall, I found this story to be a nice read. I loved how the author added the history of the city. Her use of interacting words was a nice change. This is a great book for people who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with an interesting “bad guy” and a bit of romance. This book can go to a wider audience because even though it has a murderous stalker, it’s not written in a gory blood and guts way. The romance is not over the top with graphic sex. It is more of a mind thriller with a romance that doesn’t take over the story, so I can see both young adults and adults enjoying this book.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/in...
May 17, 2013
Ok, I have to start by saying that I previously read the fic, so I had a few things to compare it to.
In general, the main plot is the same as the fic, however the book is a much cleaner version of it.
In terms of the suspense/mystery thing, it was good. Not too complicated and nothing jaw-dropping, but it was well done and entertaining. The book cleaned this topic from the fic version, so this was much better than that one.
However, I think two things could've been better in the book.
One was character development. Emilie suffered a lot during her life and she buried all that deep inside (understandably). Now we're adding a stalker and I have no idea how she's even standing. It was clear that she needed professional help, asap. It was suggested to her and she even agreed. However, nothing was done in that regard. No steps to real improvement, only talk of that. Also, I felt we were mostly told about her story instead of shown. She showed many times how difficult it was to her to even think about her past, yet after a few conversations she simply shared her entire story to people she barely knew. I just don't think that was believable.
Similar things could be said about Nathan. He felt guilty about his uncle dying for 14 years, yet after a few kisses with Emilie, he simply felt that it was time to let go and not only that, but he actually did let go of the past. It was simply too fast and rather anticlimactic.
The other thing that could've been better about this book was the romantic aspect: it simply wasn't there. For the first half of the book they behaved like SWAT dude and victim girl and that is okay (his job was at stake), but then at the next second they were kissing, having sex and saying 'I love you's. All of this happened in the second half of the book and I have no idea where it came from. Emilie and Nathan simply had no chemistry. I didn't care if they ended up together or not. Actually, it would've been more believable if they remained as friends in the end. Their 'getting together' was way too rushed and forced, there was no real flow from strangers to lovers. It wasn't natural.
In this subject, I personally think that the fic did a much better job at it. In the fic you could almost feel the attraction and the UST, you just wanted for the characters to end up together. Sadly, in the book the chemistry was heavily edited. My thoughts are that the book wanted to focus on the suspense part of things and not the romance. If that was the case, then it succeeded. The romance clearly took the second place.
So, if you're looking for a suspense, this might be the book for you. If you're also looking for romance... well, it wasn't the book for me.
I liked it, but didn't love it.
In general, the main plot is the same as the fic, however the book is a much cleaner version of it.
In terms of the suspense/mystery thing, it was good. Not too complicated and nothing jaw-dropping, but it was well done and entertaining. The book cleaned this topic from the fic version, so this was much better than that one.
However, I think two things could've been better in the book.
One was character development. Emilie suffered a lot during her life and she buried all that deep inside (understandably). Now we're adding a stalker and I have no idea how she's even standing. It was clear that she needed professional help, asap. It was suggested to her and she even agreed. However, nothing was done in that regard. No steps to real improvement, only talk of that. Also, I felt we were mostly told about her story instead of shown. She showed many times how difficult it was to her to even think about her past, yet after a few conversations she simply shared her entire story to people she barely knew. I just don't think that was believable.
Similar things could be said about Nathan. He felt guilty about his uncle dying for 14 years, yet after a few kisses with Emilie, he simply felt that it was time to let go and not only that, but he actually did let go of the past. It was simply too fast and rather anticlimactic.
The other thing that could've been better about this book was the romantic aspect: it simply wasn't there. For the first half of the book they behaved like SWAT dude and victim girl and that is okay (his job was at stake), but then at the next second they were kissing, having sex and saying 'I love you's. All of this happened in the second half of the book and I have no idea where it came from. Emilie and Nathan simply had no chemistry. I didn't care if they ended up together or not. Actually, it would've been more believable if they remained as friends in the end. Their 'getting together' was way too rushed and forced, there was no real flow from strangers to lovers. It wasn't natural.
In this subject, I personally think that the fic did a much better job at it. In the fic you could almost feel the attraction and the UST, you just wanted for the characters to end up together. Sadly, in the book the chemistry was heavily edited. My thoughts are that the book wanted to focus on the suspense part of things and not the romance. If that was the case, then it succeeded. The romance clearly took the second place.
So, if you're looking for a suspense, this might be the book for you. If you're also looking for romance... well, it wasn't the book for me.
I liked it, but didn't love it.
January 15, 2013
Author Stacy Green in her debut novel INTO THE DARK has delivered a uniquely suspenseful and chilling story set in the dark and surreal storm tunnels beneath the city of Las Vegas. This is a real page-turner that will keep you riveted as the suspense keeps building.
Emilie receives Casablanca lilies while at work at West One Bank. Accompanying the flowers is her favorite poem "The Lily" by William Blake. She immediately feels a deep sense of anxiety and feels that the flowers and poem are a bad omen. As she places the flowers in the bank lobby a robbery ensues and two men enter the bank and take everyone inside hostage. The SWAT team and hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan are called in to diffuse the situation. When it becomes apparent that one of the robbers has a special interest in Emilie the bank robbery turns into something much more sinister than it seems.
Emilie is a character that is very well developed and although a scared and indecisive victim in the beginning evolves into a strong woman determined to end the madness and carve out a life for herself. Nathan is a strong character who struggles to reconcile his past while being a very compassionate and first rate negotiator. The Taker is a troubled yet smooth character who is very meticulous and haunting. The relationship that forms between Emilie and Nathan is palpable as the story progresses and lends to the complexity and feel of the story. The remaining cast of characters comes alive throughout the story and lend to the suspense and drama.
The vivid and haunting description of life under the city of Las Vegas is brilliantly portrayed and paints a real picture of the circumstances people find themselves in when their choices are exhausted. The contrast between the bright lights and energy of Las Vegas and the dark, hopeless and life threatening life in the storm tunnels under the city is stunning. The research that went into the description and feeling of the storm tunnels as well as the history of the city is very apparent and provided a great backdrop for this story.
I found this book to be very suspenseful and intriguing with just the right mixture of romance and drama. It is fast paced and written with great attention to detail and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way.
Emilie receives Casablanca lilies while at work at West One Bank. Accompanying the flowers is her favorite poem "The Lily" by William Blake. She immediately feels a deep sense of anxiety and feels that the flowers and poem are a bad omen. As she places the flowers in the bank lobby a robbery ensues and two men enter the bank and take everyone inside hostage. The SWAT team and hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan are called in to diffuse the situation. When it becomes apparent that one of the robbers has a special interest in Emilie the bank robbery turns into something much more sinister than it seems.
Emilie is a character that is very well developed and although a scared and indecisive victim in the beginning evolves into a strong woman determined to end the madness and carve out a life for herself. Nathan is a strong character who struggles to reconcile his past while being a very compassionate and first rate negotiator. The Taker is a troubled yet smooth character who is very meticulous and haunting. The relationship that forms between Emilie and Nathan is palpable as the story progresses and lends to the complexity and feel of the story. The remaining cast of characters comes alive throughout the story and lend to the suspense and drama.
The vivid and haunting description of life under the city of Las Vegas is brilliantly portrayed and paints a real picture of the circumstances people find themselves in when their choices are exhausted. The contrast between the bright lights and energy of Las Vegas and the dark, hopeless and life threatening life in the storm tunnels under the city is stunning. The research that went into the description and feeling of the storm tunnels as well as the history of the city is very apparent and provided a great backdrop for this story.
I found this book to be very suspenseful and intriguing with just the right mixture of romance and drama. It is fast paced and written with great attention to detail and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way.
February 20, 2013
The beginnings of Stacy Green’s Into The Dark describes the frightening details of anyone’s worst nightmare who’s ever worked in the public. When the Branch Manager of WestOne Bank, Emilie Davis, came into work one day, being held up by two masked men was the last thing on her mind. But that is exactly what happened on that dreadful day. Hoping the men would grab the cash and leave, she realizes that they had a more-devious plans. Emilie has been targeted and the men take her hostage. With hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan and the Las Vegas SWAT team after them, the masked men drag her into the underground storm drains of Las Vegas for their escape. Deeper into the darkness, Emilie discovers a shocking revelation about the man dubbed “Taker” that has targeted her.
The suspense and mystery that are splattered throughout the book are written in great details and precision. Author Stacy manages to create characters that readers will feel like they know them and care about them. She provides readers with much depth and insight into their past that seeing these characters pull through out of a bad situation is the immediate expectation. Readers will appreciate the chill factor this intriguing tale dishes out without the use or need of implementing the supernatural of any kind. The research performed by the author is incredible as readers will come into realization that the dark and creepy underground tunnels of Las Vegas actually exist. The factual setting makes this story believably scary.
Both Emilie and Nathan have shaky pasts that prevent them from moving forward. Given their current predicament, they must confront their past in order to tie up loose ends and proceed. In contrast, the Taker’s footing is stalled as he tries to reconstruct the past and has targeted Emilie to play out the past. Into The Dark is a well-paced creepy and dark tale that puts life and death at stake. Readers will recognize that once the adventure starts, stepping away from the story immediately disappears from the list of options to do.
3.5 Stars
The suspense and mystery that are splattered throughout the book are written in great details and precision. Author Stacy manages to create characters that readers will feel like they know them and care about them. She provides readers with much depth and insight into their past that seeing these characters pull through out of a bad situation is the immediate expectation. Readers will appreciate the chill factor this intriguing tale dishes out without the use or need of implementing the supernatural of any kind. The research performed by the author is incredible as readers will come into realization that the dark and creepy underground tunnels of Las Vegas actually exist. The factual setting makes this story believably scary.
Both Emilie and Nathan have shaky pasts that prevent them from moving forward. Given their current predicament, they must confront their past in order to tie up loose ends and proceed. In contrast, the Taker’s footing is stalled as he tries to reconstruct the past and has targeted Emilie to play out the past. Into The Dark is a well-paced creepy and dark tale that puts life and death at stake. Readers will recognize that once the adventure starts, stepping away from the story immediately disappears from the list of options to do.
3.5 Stars
December 23, 2012
Emilie Davis works as a bank manager in Las Vegas, her world gets turned upside down after an attempted bank robbery. She is held hostage for several hours and her capturer seems to have taken an unhealthy interest in her. Once SWAT comes to resolve the hostage situation, "The Taker" tries to take Emilie into a hidden passage that lead to drain system under the city. Then she realizes the taker has been stalking Emilie for some time and is still after her. A newspaper article runs after the robbery, some of Emilie's secrets from the past have been made public. Emilie is trying to keep her life on track and put the past behind her. Keeping away from "The Taker" becomes harder and harder.
Nathan Madigan the SWAT negotiator failed to catch "The Taker" before he goes into the drains. He has to turn over the case to the detective and the FBI, but really can't seem to get over putting Emilie in danger. Nathan doesn't want to fail Emilie like he failed his own family when he was young. He wants to help keep Emilie out of harm’s way but someone seems to be helping "The Taker", and Nathan takes it upon himself to try to protect Emilie.
I really felt like I knew each character and was able to lose myself inside the story. The characters were very well written and there was so much depth and insight into their past. I really could relate with Emilie the most because she has such a troubled past involving her family.
It has been a while since I have read a suspense or mystery novel, so I just loved this one. Honestly I can't say enough nice things about this book. It was so well written, I have to tell you if you enjoy a good mystery you will love this as much as I did. I will have to give this 5 out of 5 star. Love love loved it!
August 15, 2013
The Las Vegas I am familiar with is glitzy hotels and theme casinos. Tourists from all over the world make their way up the Strip from one glitzy hotel to the next theme casino, no matter how hot it is outside. There are nightclubs, bars, fancy restaurants, wedding chapels, performances by leading artists, and a lot of swimming pools where you can get either a glorious tan or a repulsive sun burn.
But in this novel by Stacy Green there is another Las Vegas, below the streets and underneath the casinos. The world of the Las Vegas storm drains is a dark, damp, vicious, but not necessarily cooler version of the glitz above ground. It is from these drains that a man dubbed 'The Taker' has emerged to threaten Emilie, the bank official who just happens to have one of the worst work days ever. Not only is her bank branch being robbed, but the Taker has demonstrated more than a casual interest in being by her side.
Hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan is taken off the case of following up on the Taker, yet Nathan can't get over his own attraction to Emilie. Emilie is troubled by her own demons from the past, which interfere with her ability to cope with the robbery's aftermath. The only way for Nathan and Emilie to stop the Taker is by going into the depths below Las Vegas together.
This thriller grabs you from the very first page, and the writing and action is quick-paced and totally believable. The dialogue makes for the kind of conversation you would expect to hear in the tense situations that make up the plot, even down to the occasional phrase in Creole and French.
For readers who enjoy suspense with a touch of romance, and thrills that take place away from the glitz of usual settings, this is a great read.
But in this novel by Stacy Green there is another Las Vegas, below the streets and underneath the casinos. The world of the Las Vegas storm drains is a dark, damp, vicious, but not necessarily cooler version of the glitz above ground. It is from these drains that a man dubbed 'The Taker' has emerged to threaten Emilie, the bank official who just happens to have one of the worst work days ever. Not only is her bank branch being robbed, but the Taker has demonstrated more than a casual interest in being by her side.
Hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan is taken off the case of following up on the Taker, yet Nathan can't get over his own attraction to Emilie. Emilie is troubled by her own demons from the past, which interfere with her ability to cope with the robbery's aftermath. The only way for Nathan and Emilie to stop the Taker is by going into the depths below Las Vegas together.
This thriller grabs you from the very first page, and the writing and action is quick-paced and totally believable. The dialogue makes for the kind of conversation you would expect to hear in the tense situations that make up the plot, even down to the occasional phrase in Creole and French.
For readers who enjoy suspense with a touch of romance, and thrills that take place away from the glitz of usual settings, this is a great read.
March 23, 2013
A good angler lures a fish in and captures its attention, then hooks it and the battle begins.
An excellent angler lures a fish in, captures its attention, and doesn't even let the poor fish know it's been hooked.
Stacy Green's first novel, Into the Dark, reminded me of that excellent angler. I didn't realize I'd been hooked by the writer until long after she'd won the battle! Let's run down the list of what I like to see in a novel ... engaging and likable characters? CHECK An appropriate balance between action, suspense, and a little time to catch ones breath (i.e. Pacing)? CHECK not getting so bogged down in introducing the characters & setting that you forget the reader can walk away at any point? CHECK A unique setting, which almost feels like another of the characters? Definitely CHECK!! (A tunnel system beneath Las Vegas?? Yeah, pretty unique!) A bad guy to hate, but is not a simple two dimensional cut-out? CHECK
So, why didn't I rate this 5 stars? I think it's because the ending was just a bit too pat. Yes, good investigative work by the police. Yes, the climax & conclusion were appropriate. BUT ... given all the twists & turns that we found earlier in the book, I was expecting one more big surprise at the end - and it never came. An excellent book with a very good ending, but I reserve the 5 stars for fantastic books with fantastic endings.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free by the author in return for an honest, no holds barred review. I admire folks with the courage to ask me to publish my sincere thoughts whether good or bad before I've even formulated those thoughts!!
An excellent angler lures a fish in, captures its attention, and doesn't even let the poor fish know it's been hooked.
Stacy Green's first novel, Into the Dark, reminded me of that excellent angler. I didn't realize I'd been hooked by the writer until long after she'd won the battle! Let's run down the list of what I like to see in a novel ... engaging and likable characters? CHECK An appropriate balance between action, suspense, and a little time to catch ones breath (i.e. Pacing)? CHECK not getting so bogged down in introducing the characters & setting that you forget the reader can walk away at any point? CHECK A unique setting, which almost feels like another of the characters? Definitely CHECK!! (A tunnel system beneath Las Vegas?? Yeah, pretty unique!) A bad guy to hate, but is not a simple two dimensional cut-out? CHECK
So, why didn't I rate this 5 stars? I think it's because the ending was just a bit too pat. Yes, good investigative work by the police. Yes, the climax & conclusion were appropriate. BUT ... given all the twists & turns that we found earlier in the book, I was expecting one more big surprise at the end - and it never came. An excellent book with a very good ending, but I reserve the 5 stars for fantastic books with fantastic endings.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free by the author in return for an honest, no holds barred review. I admire folks with the courage to ask me to publish my sincere thoughts whether good or bad before I've even formulated those thoughts!!
January 15, 2013
I love a good mystery, I always have. Maybe it stems from my childhood days of watching late night TV with my mom. You know, all the good shows little kids probably shouldn't have been watching like Simon and Simon and Magnum PI, either way, those early memories (very early memories) sparked my love and it stuck with me.
So of course I was really curious to read Into the Dark, after all it had been way too long since I read a good mystery that didn't involve some kind of supernatural being or teenage angst.
I really like how Green handled this, with small glimpses into the thoughts and background of the Taker. It sort of reminded me of Mary Higgins Clark earlier work (which I devoured in high school when I discovered her).
I also really enjoyed that not only the Taker had secrets and a less than stellar past but the heroine of our story Emilie and the hero, Nathan, had them as well. It added another nice twist and air of mystery to the storyline.
I didn't see some things coming in this one, in fact it kept me on my toes and I love that it did. I usually am really good at guessing almost everything in mysteries and even though that is okay, it is nice to be surprised once in a while.
The romance in this one was perfect too. Just the right amount without being the main focus of the story.
This really was a great read and I plan on reading more from the author in the future.
4 Stars!
So of course I was really curious to read Into the Dark, after all it had been way too long since I read a good mystery that didn't involve some kind of supernatural being or teenage angst.
I really like how Green handled this, with small glimpses into the thoughts and background of the Taker. It sort of reminded me of Mary Higgins Clark earlier work (which I devoured in high school when I discovered her).
I also really enjoyed that not only the Taker had secrets and a less than stellar past but the heroine of our story Emilie and the hero, Nathan, had them as well. It added another nice twist and air of mystery to the storyline.
I didn't see some things coming in this one, in fact it kept me on my toes and I love that it did. I usually am really good at guessing almost everything in mysteries and even though that is okay, it is nice to be surprised once in a while.
The romance in this one was perfect too. Just the right amount without being the main focus of the story.
This really was a great read and I plan on reading more from the author in the future.
4 Stars!
December 28, 2012
Into the Dark’s characterization is vivid and three-dimensional. I liked some characters, disliked others, and winced at a few. They all felt real.
Almost every character in Into the Dark is running from the past. The heroine, Emilie Davis, has isolated herself as a way of dealing with a painful past.
The hero, Nathan Madigan, has followed a career path where he has a chance to save people in an attempt to make amends for a tragic event in his past.
The villain has chosen to victimize women in an attempt to undo a heartbreaking loss in his past.
Even in minor characters, we see the myriad ways people shoulder the albatross of a past they want to forget. One poignant example is a substance abuser who is trying to forget that her family has abandoned her.
The theme of confronting the past in order to face the future runs throughout the book. Let’s face it: human beings get pretty tough in the process of living life. The characters in Into the Dark are put through the same process.
Both the hero and heroine must confront their pasts and tie up the loose ends before they are able to move forward. The villain cannot move forward because he keeps trying to recreate the past—and he has chosen the heroine for his next attempt to keep the past alive.
Into the Dark moves along at a fast pace. The stakes are high—life or death. Once I got into it, I didn't want to stop reading.
Almost every character in Into the Dark is running from the past. The heroine, Emilie Davis, has isolated herself as a way of dealing with a painful past.
The hero, Nathan Madigan, has followed a career path where he has a chance to save people in an attempt to make amends for a tragic event in his past.
The villain has chosen to victimize women in an attempt to undo a heartbreaking loss in his past.
Even in minor characters, we see the myriad ways people shoulder the albatross of a past they want to forget. One poignant example is a substance abuser who is trying to forget that her family has abandoned her.
The theme of confronting the past in order to face the future runs throughout the book. Let’s face it: human beings get pretty tough in the process of living life. The characters in Into the Dark are put through the same process.
Both the hero and heroine must confront their pasts and tie up the loose ends before they are able to move forward. The villain cannot move forward because he keeps trying to recreate the past—and he has chosen the heroine for his next attempt to keep the past alive.
Into the Dark moves along at a fast pace. The stakes are high—life or death. Once I got into it, I didn't want to stop reading.
January 31, 2013
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The characters were well developed. Emilie is a strong female character who needs someone to lean on but when she doesn't the answers she wants she goes looking for them herself. She's had a lot of obstacles in her life but she keep fighting through them. Nathan, the hostage negotiator, is a good guy trying to deal to deal with the guilt brought on by the death of his uncle. The two are perfectly paired for each other and things begin to heat up as the book goes on.
The last main character is The Taker. He is gentle, silent, and obsessed with Emilie for reasons the police cannot figure out. He'll do whatever is in his power to take Emilie and make her his. When the kidnapping at the bank goes wrong, he begins leaving her notes and even resorts to murder of someone she knows in order to get her attention.
As the book went on I thought I knew who was helping the Taker with his insider knowledge but when it all came down to it I had no clue! The last quarter of the book was filled with so many twists, all of which were explained so they made perfect sense, that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to finish!
I found this book to be suspenseful and it kept me wanting to read more. There's even a little romance and drama thrown in on the side which makes this an all around good book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The last main character is The Taker. He is gentle, silent, and obsessed with Emilie for reasons the police cannot figure out. He'll do whatever is in his power to take Emilie and make her his. When the kidnapping at the bank goes wrong, he begins leaving her notes and even resorts to murder of someone she knows in order to get her attention.
As the book went on I thought I knew who was helping the Taker with his insider knowledge but when it all came down to it I had no clue! The last quarter of the book was filled with so many twists, all of which were explained so they made perfect sense, that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to finish!
I found this book to be suspenseful and it kept me wanting to read more. There's even a little romance and drama thrown in on the side which makes this an all around good book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
January 29, 2013
Loved it! The action starts immediately with the bank heist and doesn't slow down. You are introduced to Emilie, Nathan and the Taker all within the first few pages. Emilie has had a pretty tough life, including an unhappy childhood. As the book progresses you learn more and more about her life and begin to see why she thinks the way she does. At the same time though we are learning about Nathan's and Julian's (Taker's) backgrounds and how each of them had tragedies, yet all turned out so differently from each other.
Even though this is set in Las Vegas, it has very little to do with the gambling and casinos that everyone associates with Vegas. What you hear about are the homeless and those living in the tunnels and sewers under the city. Just today I turned on Inside Edition to see them interviewing one couple that was living in this very sewer system. I found this to be quite a coincidence, as the many times that I have been to Vegas, I never even knew of this problem.
But back to the book - the tension builds throughout as they get closer and closer to figuring out who the Taker is - and begin to uncover how his plan came to be. Clues start to crop up helping them to identify him and they are able to link him to another crime committed years before. It does a very good job of tying it all together at the end. I am looking forward to Stacy's next book!
Even though this is set in Las Vegas, it has very little to do with the gambling and casinos that everyone associates with Vegas. What you hear about are the homeless and those living in the tunnels and sewers under the city. Just today I turned on Inside Edition to see them interviewing one couple that was living in this very sewer system. I found this to be quite a coincidence, as the many times that I have been to Vegas, I never even knew of this problem.
But back to the book - the tension builds throughout as they get closer and closer to figuring out who the Taker is - and begin to uncover how his plan came to be. Clues start to crop up helping them to identify him and they are able to link him to another crime committed years before. It does a very good job of tying it all together at the end. I am looking forward to Stacy's next book!
February 22, 2013
Into the Dark was a phenomenal story of struggles that people incur in their lives and how they change as a result. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. The major characters are Nathan, Emilie and Julian. The characters are very well developed and the story line is amazing. It is amazing how Julian goes through life and becomes the person he has become. Quite sad. The way their characters become intertwined adds such dimension to the story making the experience quite memorable. Julian reminded me on the surface of a Hannibal type personality - capable of such extreme choices and behaviors. He was also capable of remaining quite calm and composed in the process of trying to achieve his goal. It is clear from the beginning of the book - it is exactly that calmness that is quite unnerving. You have to keep wondering just what he was up to and why? The storyline building the relationship and trust between Nathan and Emilie is clearly a source of pride for the author and that shines through throughout the development of the relationship. I give this book five stars for sure.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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