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Into the Dark
The sole survivor of a heartbreaking family tragedy… Claire Bowen, a haunted psychologist, devotes her life to helping troubled women rebuild theirs. But her dream of a family with her new husband, Robert, a pilot and local hero, begins to crumble as disturbing revelations from his past emerge. And a grieving cop who lures a killer from the shadows… Detective Joe Tanner, struggling to overcome his wife's death while raising their little girl alone, heads the task force formed to stop the monster who has resurfaced with a chilling message. Race the clock in a life-and-death struggle to save the next victim… In the wake of five cold-case murders across Los Angeles, one of Claire's most promising patients vanishes. Gut instinct tells Tanner the truth is within his grasp, while Claire is torn between guilt and terror over what's to come. As time runs out, both are pulled deeper and deeper into an unspeakable darkness.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
195 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read
About the author
Rick Mofina
68 books1,309 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 31, 2025
“He calls himself the Dark Wind Killer” and he’s “just getting started”.
Claire Bowen, a troubled but compassionate psychologist with plenty of psychological baggage in her own past, helps other troubled women rebuild their lives. But that past and her new husband’s past are unwilling to let her go. Detective Tanner, also rebuilding his life, struggles with continuing grief over his wife’s death and typical single parent issues raising his young daughter alone. Tanner’s and Bowen’s lives become inextricably entwined as a sleeping serial murder, responsible for five gruesome unsolved and ice cold murder cases, has awakened from his slumbers. Claire Bowen and the women on her patient list are in the macabre murderer’s sights. The hunt is on but it isn’t clear who is the hunter and who is the hunted.
While many readers will characterize INTO THE DARK as a suspense thriller or a psychological thriller, I’m inclined to disagree as Mofina has made no great secret who the killer is. The only questions are who will win the game of “hunter v. hunted”, how many victims will the Dark Wind Killer claim, and who will they be. But, as a straight-up police procedural that outlines Tanner’s efforts to corral a psychopathic monster, INTO THE DARK is a gripping, compelling, high-speed, easy-reading page-turner. Along the way, readers are treated to instructive and entertaining sidebars of police techniques, domestic abuse, father and daughter relationships, journalism, and more.
Three cheers for another successful Canadian author along with the expressed hope that he finds a much broader global readership. Goodness knows he deserves it.
Paul Weiss
Claire Bowen, a troubled but compassionate psychologist with plenty of psychological baggage in her own past, helps other troubled women rebuild their lives. But that past and her new husband’s past are unwilling to let her go. Detective Tanner, also rebuilding his life, struggles with continuing grief over his wife’s death and typical single parent issues raising his young daughter alone. Tanner’s and Bowen’s lives become inextricably entwined as a sleeping serial murder, responsible for five gruesome unsolved and ice cold murder cases, has awakened from his slumbers. Claire Bowen and the women on her patient list are in the macabre murderer’s sights. The hunt is on but it isn’t clear who is the hunter and who is the hunted.
While many readers will characterize INTO THE DARK as a suspense thriller or a psychological thriller, I’m inclined to disagree as Mofina has made no great secret who the killer is. The only questions are who will win the game of “hunter v. hunted”, how many victims will the Dark Wind Killer claim, and who will they be. But, as a straight-up police procedural that outlines Tanner’s efforts to corral a psychopathic monster, INTO THE DARK is a gripping, compelling, high-speed, easy-reading page-turner. Along the way, readers are treated to instructive and entertaining sidebars of police techniques, domestic abuse, father and daughter relationships, journalism, and more.
Three cheers for another successful Canadian author along with the expressed hope that he finds a much broader global readership. Goodness knows he deserves it.
Paul Weiss
September 30, 2019
This may be my favorite book yet by this author. Loved the way the story played out and kept me riveted all the way to the fantastic ending. Claire's a strong heroine, so I really liked her. Get ready for a great thrill ride!
January 22, 2020
Definitely a 4.5 ⭐️
Had to stay up until I finished the last 20% of the book!!
Did not give Into The Dark a full five star rating because of the final chapter. I did not expect anything dramatic to close the book, but I did not like the suggested open ends.
I highly recommend this crime thriller.
UPDATE: .. I enjoyed Rick Mofina’s writing style that he is now an author whose work I want to read more of .. that said I am now reading MISSING DAUGHTER
Had to stay up until I finished the last 20% of the book!!
Did not give Into The Dark a full five star rating because of the final chapter. I did not expect anything dramatic to close the book, but I did not like the suggested open ends.
I highly recommend this crime thriller.
UPDATE: .. I enjoyed Rick Mofina’s writing style that he is now an author whose work I want to read more of .. that said I am now reading MISSING DAUGHTER
November 18, 2015
Another sit on the edge of your seat thriller from author Rick Mofina, "Into The Dark", is a very fast paced, and dark, page turning ride. It's 2013, Detective Joe Tanner of the L.A. county Sheriff's office cold case unit has a unique puzzle of five murders and seemingly no leads to use as a starting point for his investigation. Five women horrifically murdered from the time period of 2003 through 2007. Why has killer been dormant ? Possibly in prison or dead is likely. Meanwhile Psychologist Claire Bowen 35, and her pilot husband Robert 45 both came from difficult upbringings, and horrible first marriages seem to be a happy couple. Claire has thriving practice, and Robert jets around globe piloting special flights for very rich, and some corporations. Claire's most worrisome patient, Amber has been revealing she feels someone stalking her inside her house late at night. Amber newly separated from very abusive husband fears for her life. Amber's soon to be ex shows up to Claire's office one day to create an ugly scene. It's when Amber misses an appointment and goes missing, Claire senses red flags in her own marriage. Claire begins to wonder about Robert and his first wife. He seems to have changed and must be hiding something from Claire. Robert's ex wife Cynthia seems to be creeping back into Robert's life. Claire who has been going to super specialist fertility doctor for badly wanted pregnancy, is now fearing it's a huge mistake. Claire has an old college friend Julie, a one time hot shot lawyer and now P.I., tells Claire she'll look into Robert's background and what's up with this ex-wife. Tanner and his task force finally get a huge break studying crime scene photos from 2007 case. A cryptic message is actually there for him. Tanner decides to enlist the help of reporter Mark Harding of AllNews press agency. Harding 37, gets the break of his career working with Tanner to try and flush out killer if he is still out there. Once the media and specifically Harding get involved the demon shows itself. Tagged the "Dark Wind Killer" (DWK), all bets are off at this point. No one is now safe from this evil demon. I found "Into The Dark" a mesmerizing read. Very difficult to put down. As with all of author Rick Mofina's stories they grab a hold of reader and lead onto a thrill ride of terror rooting for the good guys to overcome evil. Some really amazing characters really add some real depth to the story. It was just an incredible enjoyable read start to finish. Easily five stars out of a possible five stars for "Into The Dark". It's a free standing novel as well, so no need to worry which book within a series it's from. Don't miss out on master story teller Rick Mofina's thrillers. Buckle up and head off into some thrilling adventures.
October 11, 2018
Fast paced!
May 4, 2013
‘Page-Turner’ is not just an adjective where this book is concerned; every page seems to have a new shot of suspense so that no reader will ever find the time to get off the sofa and do anything else. In other words, this one will keep people reading until the very last word.
Claire Bowen is a psychologist whose life has been dedicated to helping troubled women learn how to rebuild their lives. She has a new husband, Robert Bowen, who is both a pilot and a local hero. The hero part of the story comes from Robert’s courage, when he saved a woman and her baby from an accident on the freeway.
Claire wants very badly to start a family with Robert but has been dealing with her own health issues. And just when things start to go Claire’s way, she stumbles upon some very disturbing things hidden in Robert’s past.
Detective Joe Tanner has recently lost his wife and is valiantly trying to raise his little girl all by himself. Tanner has become the head of a task force that’s hunting a monster that’s reappeared on the police radar - a monster who’s about to start killing women. Detective Tanner and his men have been studying five cold-case murders that occurred in Los Angeles when one of Claire’s patients suddenly vanishes. Tanner is sure that this new ‘lead’ will help him bring down the murderer once and for all.
Claire runs on guilt and fear as she tries desperately to find a way to save her patient, and finally comes to realize that she will have to confront the “Dark Wind Killer” face-to-face.
This is a one-day read (most likely a two to four hour read, depending on how fast your eyes can soak all this in); but with the exciting plot and a conclusion that is a true surprise to one and all, this is one book that has to be seen ASAP.
Claire Bowen is a psychologist whose life has been dedicated to helping troubled women learn how to rebuild their lives. She has a new husband, Robert Bowen, who is both a pilot and a local hero. The hero part of the story comes from Robert’s courage, when he saved a woman and her baby from an accident on the freeway.
Claire wants very badly to start a family with Robert but has been dealing with her own health issues. And just when things start to go Claire’s way, she stumbles upon some very disturbing things hidden in Robert’s past.
Detective Joe Tanner has recently lost his wife and is valiantly trying to raise his little girl all by himself. Tanner has become the head of a task force that’s hunting a monster that’s reappeared on the police radar - a monster who’s about to start killing women. Detective Tanner and his men have been studying five cold-case murders that occurred in Los Angeles when one of Claire’s patients suddenly vanishes. Tanner is sure that this new ‘lead’ will help him bring down the murderer once and for all.
Claire runs on guilt and fear as she tries desperately to find a way to save her patient, and finally comes to realize that she will have to confront the “Dark Wind Killer” face-to-face.
This is a one-day read (most likely a two to four hour read, depending on how fast your eyes can soak all this in); but with the exciting plot and a conclusion that is a true surprise to one and all, this is one book that has to be seen ASAP.
August 27, 2013
This page-turner is one of the very best suspense novels I've read this year, a fast-paced serial-killer thriller that's almost impossible to stop reading. The reader knows early on who the killer is, but his psychologist wife is unsuspecting, until she starts noticing strange, disturbing things about his behavior, then has a friend investigate his past. The story is told from a number of different points of view, including the sociopathic killer's.
Rick Mofina's books really should be on the top-ten bestseller lists! I'm happy to see that there are still several of them I haven't read yet. These books are a must-read for those who enjoy well-written, intriguing thrillers with interesting characters and plenty of action and drama.
Rick Mofina's books really should be on the top-ten bestseller lists! I'm happy to see that there are still several of them I haven't read yet. These books are a must-read for those who enjoy well-written, intriguing thrillers with interesting characters and plenty of action and drama.
September 24, 2019
Great book! This is the second book I've read from this author, the first being "Missing Daughter". I am excited to read another from this author! He is quickly becoming one of my faves!
January 14, 2025
“ Into the Dark” is another very good crime thriller novel by Robert Dugoni.
I must admit that I quite enjoy reading his novels. The stories are polished and the plots are tightly written with good characters, minor and major.
Claire, the protagonist, is a psychologist whose practice is to help women deal with their personal lives and the problems : bad marriages, bad husbands, and other bad choices in their lives. Claire has her own problems of course. She is childless at age 35 and badly wants a child. After three miscarriages, she consults a doctor who specializes in helping women like her with special procedures to help her carry a child. But there is another problem in that her husband, Rob, seems reluctant to try again.
Things begin to boil oven when a one of Claire’s patients is attacked by her ex boyfriend in the parking lot of Claire’s office building Claire’s office in broken into a few nights later and patient records on the office computers are taken. Seemingly unrelated to all the bad stuff, Rob is lauded as a hero when he rescues a mother and her baby from a burning car from an accident on the freeway but tries to avoid the public view. He seems withdrawn. He has been working hard as a charter airline pilot, spending lots of time away from Claire.
Meanwhile, a police cold case task force gets some new information about “ the Dark Wind Killer” and the five young women who were his victims. Is that patient of Claire who was attacked husband involved? Who broke into Claire’s office and why? All have one thing in common- that might unlock the culprit .
All this comes early in the book, with the building of tension and fear as the plot unfolds. Good edge of panic climatic moments for everyone involved. And the reader is very involved.
Caution: domestic violence.
Great story, intriguing plot.
I must admit that I quite enjoy reading his novels. The stories are polished and the plots are tightly written with good characters, minor and major.
Claire, the protagonist, is a psychologist whose practice is to help women deal with their personal lives and the problems : bad marriages, bad husbands, and other bad choices in their lives. Claire has her own problems of course. She is childless at age 35 and badly wants a child. After three miscarriages, she consults a doctor who specializes in helping women like her with special procedures to help her carry a child. But there is another problem in that her husband, Rob, seems reluctant to try again.
Things begin to boil oven when a one of Claire’s patients is attacked by her ex boyfriend in the parking lot of Claire’s office building Claire’s office in broken into a few nights later and patient records on the office computers are taken. Seemingly unrelated to all the bad stuff, Rob is lauded as a hero when he rescues a mother and her baby from a burning car from an accident on the freeway but tries to avoid the public view. He seems withdrawn. He has been working hard as a charter airline pilot, spending lots of time away from Claire.
Meanwhile, a police cold case task force gets some new information about “ the Dark Wind Killer” and the five young women who were his victims. Is that patient of Claire who was attacked husband involved? Who broke into Claire’s office and why? All have one thing in common- that might unlock the culprit .
All this comes early in the book, with the building of tension and fear as the plot unfolds. Good edge of panic climatic moments for everyone involved. And the reader is very involved.
Caution: domestic violence.
Great story, intriguing plot.
February 8, 2023
I'm trying to make my way through Mofinas backlist and this is an older one about a couple of cold case murders being brought back into the light because a connection linking them all has been found recently.
We also follow a psychologist who is trying to help a client get away from her abusive husband.
The mystery of the killer is revealed very early in the book so we sorta follow them on page and know their identity so it does take away from the whole mysterious feeling of the book.
It's supposed to be more thrilling as you follow and wonder if he's gonna get away with everything or not.
I did not some of the outdated stereotype mentions that were present but I do understand this is an older book so there's that. I also didn't enjoy the ending, there was one piece that was just weirdly explained that i didn't vibe with.
We also follow a psychologist who is trying to help a client get away from her abusive husband.
The mystery of the killer is revealed very early in the book so we sorta follow them on page and know their identity so it does take away from the whole mysterious feeling of the book.
It's supposed to be more thrilling as you follow and wonder if he's gonna get away with everything or not.
I did not some of the outdated stereotype mentions that were present but I do understand this is an older book so there's that. I also didn't enjoy the ending, there was one piece that was just weirdly explained that i didn't vibe with.
April 13, 2022
I really didn’t Iike this book—not because Bowen/Eliott was a serial killer or of the horrifying crimes he committed, but because there really were no likeable characters. The journalist and detective were not fully rounded characters. Same with Julie. Claire kept telling us that she suspected something was off with her husband but he was never outrightly creepy around her. The only weird thing she could nail him on was she overheard him talking on the phone to Cynthia, his ex-wife—which is no big deal—but who was he talking to? Cynthia was dead. I guess himself. This story did not gel right with me; but someone else may like it.
December 12, 2023
This was one of the best thriller/suspense novels I've read recently. Nearly from the beginning you know who the serial killer is, and what he has done and what he may do next. The characters are believable, not as complicated as some novels where you get tired of all the personal grief, but the kind when they go after clues, the reader (me) wants to yell" don't go there!" Don't use that phone" OMG, I could hardly breathe at a few scenes. For fans of Dean Koontz, Blake Pierce, and Jeffery Deaver, among others, you will like this author. And this book. I'm getting his next one to see how it goes.
July 13, 2024
I'm a big fan of Rick Mofina and have really liked most of his books, but this one was just okay. I found the self-doubt of several characters repetitive and boring. I thought the book would spend more time developing the good/evil struggles of the villain which would have been more interesting. However, that aspect wasn't pursued and the evil side took over. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying.
March 18, 2021
Rick Mofina tends to be pretty predictable in his books but that doesn’t stop me from turning the next page. I enjoy his easy reading and not a ton of cops and characters to keep track of. This one fell a little short for me, while I still enjoyed it and kept turning the pages, I felt the killer was provided too early and it needed a little something more.
March 9, 2024
Compelling story but Annoying characters
I almost quit reading it from the beginning because I really didn't enjoy spending time with the characters. The bad guy was over the top and I didn't particularly enjoy spending time with his point of view. I found the female lead to be pretty annoying too. Nonetheless I put things aside to finish the book in the ending was pretty good.
I almost quit reading it from the beginning because I really didn't enjoy spending time with the characters. The bad guy was over the top and I didn't particularly enjoy spending time with his point of view. I found the female lead to be pretty annoying too. Nonetheless I put things aside to finish the book in the ending was pretty good.
February 16, 2025
Just a short warning. I'm 2 weeks behind on reviews. No internet for that time, so just trying to catch up.
At about 30% this story goes so dark that I quit reading. I finally read the rest after having read even the cereal box several times.
The darkness levels out and it becomes a pretty good story then.
At about 30% this story goes so dark that I quit reading. I finally read the rest after having read even the cereal box several times.
The darkness levels out and it becomes a pretty good story then.
February 13, 2018
I didn’t dislike it but still did a lot of skimming. Since you know who the serial killer is right up front, it just takes the whole book to put the pieces together. Started at 10:00 finished by lunch.
May 23, 2019
What a roller coaster of a ride and I hate roller coasters. This book touched into some areas of California, when Bryan was still working, where we were transferred too... Great read as always by Rick Mofina!!!
January 27, 2022
An amazing author!
I started reading Rick Mofinas books a few months ago as he was a new author to me...every single book has been an absolute pleasure to read...he takes you on a journey to a reader's delight!!! Looking forward to the next one's...and I hope there's lots more!!!
I started reading Rick Mofinas books a few months ago as he was a new author to me...every single book has been an absolute pleasure to read...he takes you on a journey to a reader's delight!!! Looking forward to the next one's...and I hope there's lots more!!!
May 26, 2022
I have read many of Rick Mofinas books but I think by far this is my ultimate favorite. I looked so forward to finding out how the story ended but I didn't want this book to end! The storyline flowed wonderfully from beginning right to the very end.
September 18, 2023
very grafic
Interesting how the serial killer was portrayed + back and forth as husband and killer.I do believe people let you know what they want you in to know. She did not not want to see his Darkness. Intriguing
Interesting how the serial killer was portrayed + back and forth as husband and killer.I do believe people let you know what they want you in to know. She did not not want to see his Darkness. Intriguing
October 26, 2023
Another winner
This author is like an old friend. The more you read his work the more you like him. The story was great. The characters were all lined up in a row. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This author is like an old friend. The more you read his work the more you like him. The story was great. The characters were all lined up in a row. Can't wait to read more from this author.
August 3, 2024
Wow
I absolutely loved this book. It is one of the best psychological & twisted books I have read this year.
The characters were so believable that I felt Claire’s anguish, pain & loss.
Rick Mofina is an excellent Author.
I highly recommend his book.
I absolutely loved this book. It is one of the best psychological & twisted books I have read this year.
The characters were so believable that I felt Claire’s anguish, pain & loss.
Rick Mofina is an excellent Author.
I highly recommend his book.
September 3, 2024
Fast=paced unravelling of a serial murdered known as Dark Wind Killer.
Det. Joe Tanner's tenacious investigation skills combined with psychologist Claire Bowen's BFF PI investigate Julie Glidden.
This one was hard to put down!
Det. Joe Tanner's tenacious investigation skills combined with psychologist Claire Bowen's BFF PI investigate Julie Glidden.
This one was hard to put down!
January 3, 2025
this one has an evil flare
Always love Rick Mofina! This was was very dark and had an evil villain which mad it extra creepy. I loved all the twists and turns and well developed characters.
Always love Rick Mofina! This was was very dark and had an evil villain which mad it extra creepy. I loved all the twists and turns and well developed characters.
June 7, 2017
So so. Skimmed.
September 29, 2017
Yet another page-turner.
Molina comes through again with another fast-paced page-turner. He keeps you reading as fast as you can right to the end.
Molina comes through again with another fast-paced page-turner. He keeps you reading as fast as you can right to the end.
April 24, 2018
Overall a good story and an easy read, Into the Dark is good for anyone who likes true crime.
October 22, 2018
Into the Dark
The book is well thought out and keeps you interested. I am looking forward to the next book by Rick Mofina.
The book is well thought out and keeps you interested. I am looking forward to the next book by Rick Mofina.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews