What do you think?
Rate this book
Fairmont Riding Academy #2
Dark Harmony
Book 2 in the Fairmont Riding Academy series
As seventeen-year-old Vivienne Taylor returns to Fairmont Riding Academy for the second semester, she just wants to get past the drama that dominated her first months at the school.
Reunited with her beloved horse, Harmony, Vivvie vows to focus on riding, particularly with the announcement that a select group of students will be chosen to compete at a Three Day Event in Kentucky, with access to world class coaches afterwards. Making the team is exactly what Vivvie needs to get to the next level. Yet she's hardly back before her talent for reading the animals? minds gives her a slew of troubling insights, not the least of which is that certain horses seem to be walling themselves off from her. The horses make her increasingly suspicious of everything from new student Joel's actions to her boyfriend's troubled past. But it's not until someone incredibly close to Vivvie goes missing that she realizes she must seek out the truth no matter the risks.
As Vivvie trains for the hyper-competitive Three Day Event, she must not only solve the mysteries around her and tune into the horses she loves so much, but she must listen to her own heart, too.
As seventeen-year-old Vivienne Taylor returns to Fairmont Riding Academy for the second semester, she just wants to get past the drama that dominated her first months at the school.
Reunited with her beloved horse, Harmony, Vivvie vows to focus on riding, particularly with the announcement that a select group of students will be chosen to compete at a Three Day Event in Kentucky, with access to world class coaches afterwards. Making the team is exactly what Vivvie needs to get to the next level. Yet she's hardly back before her talent for reading the animals? minds gives her a slew of troubling insights, not the least of which is that certain horses seem to be walling themselves off from her. The horses make her increasingly suspicious of everything from new student Joel's actions to her boyfriend's troubled past. But it's not until someone incredibly close to Vivvie goes missing that she realizes she must seek out the truth no matter the risks.
As Vivvie trains for the hyper-competitive Three Day Event, she must not only solve the mysteries around her and tune into the horses she loves so much, but she must listen to her own heart, too.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2014
38 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Michele Scott
47 books330 followersMichele Scott is an American author and the CEO/owner of equestrian sports medicine company Professional’s Choice, Inc. She has written over forty novels in various genres including thrillers, mysteries, young adult mysteries, fantasy, and women’s fiction. Her thriller Daddy’s Home from her Holly Jennings’ series written under her pen name of AK Alexander has sold over one million copies and was the #1 bestselling book in the UK Amazon. Her thriller Mommy, May I? and was number 2 on the Amazon list.
Subsequently, Daddy’s Home hit #4 in the US Amazon store (over all books). She was a featured author in Jeff Bezos letter to the shareholders and one of fifteen authors invited to the reveal of Kindle Fire. Amazon also produced a short documentary about her and her writing story and featured her in a book on bestselling Amazon writers. Daddy’s Home was also a top ten bestseller on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list.
Michele’s bestselling mystery series (The Wine Lover’s Mysteries) has gone into multiple printings and has been optioned by a Los Angeles based producer and production company.
Michele is a lifelong equestrian, having horses since she was five-years-old. If you don’t find her at her desk writing, you’re sure to find her at the barn!
Subsequently, Daddy’s Home hit #4 in the US Amazon store (over all books). She was a featured author in Jeff Bezos letter to the shareholders and one of fifteen authors invited to the reveal of Kindle Fire. Amazon also produced a short documentary about her and her writing story and featured her in a book on bestselling Amazon writers. Daddy’s Home was also a top ten bestseller on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list.
Michele’s bestselling mystery series (The Wine Lover’s Mysteries) has gone into multiple printings and has been optioned by a Los Angeles based producer and production company.
Michele is a lifelong equestrian, having horses since she was five-years-old. If you don’t find her at her desk writing, you’re sure to find her at the barn!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 7, 2016
The main character in this was alright, but I didn't love her.
This was another okay read, but again, It did feel quite young for me in places. It didn't fully have my interest because of it, and there were where I felt rather bored. It wasn't an awful read though.
Overall, Not a bad sequel, but not a book I loved.
This was another okay read, but again, It did feel quite young for me in places. It didn't fully have my interest because of it, and there were where I felt rather bored. It wasn't an awful read though.
Overall, Not a bad sequel, but not a book I loved.
December 16, 2014
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the first book in this series, Silent Harmony, by author Michele Scott. So I was very excited to get an ARC of Dark Harmony to review.
Now that Vivvie is settled into her life at Fairmont Academy things seem rather uncomplicated compared to her first term. The mystery is turned down and no murders have turned up. And her romance with Tristan is going well. But then lots of little mysteries start piling up, culminating in a huge mystery. Vivvie finds herself playing detective again and gets her equine friends to help solve the mysteries surrounding Fairmont.
I loved all of the riding and horse show information in the first book, and I was very disappointed it was left out of this book for the most part until the last bit of the book. However, once Viv started competing, long descriptions were given and made the book that much better.
At first I didn't like that Austen starts to be more of a romantic contender in this book, I felt like it came out of no-where for the sake of drama. But then Tristan and Viv's relationship starts to seem like it was just treading water. And Viv is still confused about Austen. But then Tristan begins to open up and their relationship is put to the test. Suddenly adding Austen seemed like a good idea for the story and romance.
Some huge huge cliffhangers like every good mystery. And I can't wait to see what other mysteries await Viv in the third book.
I really liked the first book in this series, Silent Harmony, by author Michele Scott. So I was very excited to get an ARC of Dark Harmony to review.
Now that Vivvie is settled into her life at Fairmont Academy things seem rather uncomplicated compared to her first term. The mystery is turned down and no murders have turned up. And her romance with Tristan is going well. But then lots of little mysteries start piling up, culminating in a huge mystery. Vivvie finds herself playing detective again and gets her equine friends to help solve the mysteries surrounding Fairmont.
I loved all of the riding and horse show information in the first book, and I was very disappointed it was left out of this book for the most part until the last bit of the book. However, once Viv started competing, long descriptions were given and made the book that much better.
At first I didn't like that Austen starts to be more of a romantic contender in this book, I felt like it came out of no-where for the sake of drama. But then Tristan and Viv's relationship starts to seem like it was just treading water. And Viv is still confused about Austen. But then Tristan begins to open up and their relationship is put to the test. Suddenly adding Austen seemed like a good idea for the story and romance.
Some huge huge cliffhangers like every good mystery. And I can't wait to see what other mysteries await Viv in the third book.
May 22, 2018
Horses, romance, and teen angst mixed with secrets
In the second book of this series, Vivienne believes she has found true love. However, there are secrets that many characters have that give her doubts about her boyfriend and other students at the riding academy. And, her gift of talking to horses has been found out by one of the owners of the academy, leaving her with even more questions of who is safe to be with. The book leaves you hanging in the middle of her not knowing who to trust.
In the second book of this series, Vivienne believes she has found true love. However, there are secrets that many characters have that give her doubts about her boyfriend and other students at the riding academy. And, her gift of talking to horses has been found out by one of the owners of the academy, leaving her with even more questions of who is safe to be with. The book leaves you hanging in the middle of her not knowing who to trust.
June 22, 2017
Good sequel
A lot of loose ends that hopefully will be tied up on the third book of this trilogy. Being a lover of horses and mystery novels, I have enjoyed this trilogy so far.
A lot of loose ends that hopefully will be tied up on the third book of this trilogy. Being a lover of horses and mystery novels, I have enjoyed this trilogy so far.
June 18, 2014
freaking amazing!! So much drama!!
April 15, 2024
3 stars
Very YA. Vivienne is a teenager (17), and acts and thinks very much like one. Emotional. Highs and lows.
The story is good. Centers around a three day event competition in Lexington KY. On the Rolex course.
Pretty good reading for someone who loves the equestrian world.
But Vivienne is always trying to butt in and solve problems for her friends. And she’s impulsive. And very teenaged.
Someone dies. Who dunnit? Because it wasn’t the suicide it looked liked.
Guess that’s solved in book 3.
Very YA. Vivienne is a teenager (17), and acts and thinks very much like one. Emotional. Highs and lows.
The story is good. Centers around a three day event competition in Lexington KY. On the Rolex course.
Pretty good reading for someone who loves the equestrian world.
But Vivienne is always trying to butt in and solve problems for her friends. And she’s impulsive. And very teenaged.
Someone dies. Who dunnit? Because it wasn’t the suicide it looked liked.
Guess that’s solved in book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2018
On to #3
Yes, looking forward to summer at Liberty Farm.
Disappointed in poor proofing - omitted words, doubled words. I keep wanting to offer my former English teacher skills to more than one author.
Yes, looking forward to summer at Liberty Farm.
Disappointed in poor proofing - omitted words, doubled words. I keep wanting to offer my former English teacher skills to more than one author.
April 14, 2019
Enjoyed every moment
I loved the characters and the plot has plenty of twists and turns. Lots of horsey time, which is what I prefer. A little love internet, but not too much. The main character has morals, class and poise. I hope another in the series is coming!
I loved the characters and the plot has plenty of twists and turns. Lots of horsey time, which is what I prefer. A little love internet, but not too much. The main character has morals, class and poise. I hope another in the series is coming!
June 24, 2020
Enjoyed!
Dark Harmony was interesting and kept me on my toes for the whole story. The author uses Vivienne to delay the story through her eyes. I am looking forward to reading the next book to see how does in Virginia. Was easy to read & enjoyed all.
Dark Harmony was interesting and kept me on my toes for the whole story. The author uses Vivienne to delay the story through her eyes. I am looking forward to reading the next book to see how does in Virginia. Was easy to read & enjoyed all.
September 2, 2023
I'm enjoying listening to this series on audio. It's easy to follow, and a young-YA series. This one's plot is a bit messy, with perhaps a too few mysteries - but it's all in good fun. It has some exciting horse riding scenes. A slightly disappointing cliff-hanger ending with a mystery unsolved.
August 24, 2024
Well done
I like these books the more I read them. They are well thought out and well written. This girl has a pretty messed up life but it makes for intriguing reading. On to number three!
I like these books the more I read them. They are well thought out and well written. This girl has a pretty messed up life but it makes for intriguing reading. On to number three!
August 15, 2017
It was a bit slower than the last one, let's see how Perfect Harmony turns out for me.
May 10, 2025
1 - Super glad this was only written from 1 point of view.
2 - Yeesh! Hold on to your hats for this one! I liked it much better than book 1
2 - Yeesh! Hold on to your hats for this one! I liked it much better than book 1
June 10, 2014
I was lucky enough to get this book in a goodreads giveaway. I couldn't read it though, because I didn't have the first one. :)
This book is about Vivviene Taylor, a girl who can talk to horses and they talk back to her. She goes to Fairmont Riding Academy where she trains on her horse Harmony. But training isn't all she does at Fairmont. When her best friend goes missing and she suspects her boyfriend is being abused, Vivviene tries to talk to the horses to find out the truth. However, she is having trouble speaking to them and she begins thinking her power is fading.
I really like this book because it had a ton of dramatic irony. Scott gave you the full picture while leaving the characters in the dark. I also liked how she managed to create suspense in the novel.
To be honest with myself, I didn't have a single thing against it. The only thing I didn't like was how she ended it with a cliffhanger.
This book is about Vivviene Taylor, a girl who can talk to horses and they talk back to her. She goes to Fairmont Riding Academy where she trains on her horse Harmony. But training isn't all she does at Fairmont. When her best friend goes missing and she suspects her boyfriend is being abused, Vivviene tries to talk to the horses to find out the truth. However, she is having trouble speaking to them and she begins thinking her power is fading.
I really like this book because it had a ton of dramatic irony. Scott gave you the full picture while leaving the characters in the dark. I also liked how she managed to create suspense in the novel.
To be honest with myself, I didn't have a single thing against it. The only thing I didn't like was how she ended it with a cliffhanger.
August 3, 2014
Engaging story that takes off where the last book left off. If you love horses and mysteries this book will definitely hold you attention. Love this book! I can not wait for the next one in the series. Silent Harmony was suspenseful and dark Harmony was even better. This book is very cliff hanging .couldn't put down. I would highly suggest this book to people who love mystery's and horses. Will defiantly be picking up the last book in the series and can't wait to see how it all ties together.
June 9, 2016
Ok, this book was just weird. I really liked the first book in the series (I thought communicating with horse was so cool) and so naturally went on to read this book. It was like a book and a half - or - a novella and a cliffhanger. The mystery disappearance is solved midway through the book and then the story continues to a cliffhanging ending. And don't get me started on all the teenage angst! Ugh! This is why I generally avoid YA. Here's to hoping the third book is better, cause now I have to know how this all works out. 2.5 stars
April 25, 2015
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, natually making me excited for this one.
In a nutshell, I liked it but did not love it. I felt the storyline about the missing friend was kind of out of place, becuae I thought it was going to be the main storyline but then it just kind of...resolved. This made it anticlimactic, and somewhat boring, in my opinion. However, I did enjoy the other - more mysterious - storyline about the images Vivvie received from the horses.
In a nutshell, I liked it but did not love it. I felt the storyline about the missing friend was kind of out of place, becuae I thought it was going to be the main storyline but then it just kind of...resolved. This made it anticlimactic, and somewhat boring, in my opinion. However, I did enjoy the other - more mysterious - storyline about the images Vivvie received from the horses.
June 8, 2014
This is the second book in the Fairmont Riding Academy series. I haven't read the first book but really enjoyed this book. A great YA read for anyone who enjoys romance and mystery. It also gave me some insight into what goes on behind the scenes at horse competitions.
FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
August 9, 2016
I received an ARC of this book. It was a good book overall but I actually entered the giveaway so if I won I could give this to my sister. She shows horses, so she had a much bigger appreciation for the book than I did. She loved the book and plans to continue reading the series.
Great series for anyone who loves horses.
Great series for anyone who loves horses.
January 21, 2015
*received for free through Goodreads First Reads
A bit to diary-like for my taste and all the young girl drama was slightly off-putting.
A bit to diary-like for my taste and all the young girl drama was slightly off-putting.
October 22, 2014
It was good but not nearly as fantastic as the first book.
June 3, 2014
Food book for anyone who loves horses.
October 1, 2014
Great book! Couldn't stop reading, onto the next straight away! I hope that viv and Tristan make up and she finds out who killed Joel!
November 3, 2014
so many deaths, crimes and mysteries to solve
December 3, 2018
The book was decent. Still iffy about continuing the series. I want more plot twists! :)
July 24, 2016
It was just ok. Lots of inconsistencies in characters and the main character was just annoying and immature this time.
June 18, 2018
This second book in the series was much better than the first books. There is a lot of twists and turns in this that were unexpected. My only slight criticism of this series is it can be really hard to keep track of all the little “sub-stories” with the characters and their lives. It’s hard to know what mystery we are supposed to be focused on when there are seemingly five different characters with secrets. One on hand it keeps me interested, but on the other hand it feels a bit clustered and all over the place.
I do look forward to reading the third book to see what happens, as this one leaves off on a huge cliff-hanger!
I do look forward to reading the third book to see what happens, as this one leaves off on a huge cliff-hanger!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews