Cover of Darkness: A Novel

by Sian Ann Bessey

For Megan Harmer and Fran Brown, a long vacation to the British Isles is a dream come true, and a welcome break from teaching high school in Wyoming. While Fran spends her days sketching the majestic Welsh mountains, castles, and the picturesque sea, Megan explores the historical sites and landmarks that dot the countryside. The two women soon discover that there are other Americans staying at their hotel. Initially, Joe Marks and Richard Garrett come across as perfect gentlemen. But soon, it will become terrifyingly obvious to both Megan and Fran that appearances can be deceiving. Sian Ann Bessey follows her best-selling novel Forgotten Notes with a breathtaking story about an innocent vacation that becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Filled with international intrigue, action, espionage, faith, and prayer, Cover of Darkness is a page turning thriller that you will not be able to forget.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Lds, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S., where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today best selling author and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the general writing style, the plot (though fairly simple), and the characters. What I did not like was all the extraneous travel log stuff that I felt did nothing to promote or advance the plot..

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two Latter-day Saint teachers and friends from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, who take a vacation in the British Isles and run into trouble in Wales--and into romance, for one of them. The characters are great and I loved the romance. The suspense plot is also good, although some of the best parts of the story take place after the climactic danger scenes. The descriptions of the places are good; this book made me want to spend time in Wales. I don't know what the title has to do with anything, but sometimes it's hard to think of a title. My only complaint about the book is that several times words are chosen that reek of the thesaurus ("vertiginous"?), whereas other times the obvious word choice is missing in action (that "cement-covered ground" at the airport is called a tarmac). But that's the editor in me rearing its head. A good story in the Latter-day Saint suspense/romance genre.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm happy to have finished this book. The first half of the book was rather slow and felt a lot like a travel log. There wasn't a ton of action, just the placements of chess pieces for the puzzle this story was. It was fairly predictable, and there were a few details that were a little far-fetched (like fitting a crate of detonators into a tiny two-person sports car). Once you get through that first half, the pace picks up considerably, and it was much easier to read. I was tempted to just set the book aside and read something else, but I was committed! I really enjoy this author's more recent novels, and her writing has evolved wonderfully. This is definitely a work of fiction geared to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 You have 2 friends/ teachers from Wyoming on a summer vacation traveling through parts of Europe, while in Wales they are caught up in a unexpected intrigue.

I googled the areas mentioned and now wonder why I didn’t visit the area when I vacationed in Wales couple years ago. Beautiful area. Went to Conwy but missed the rest unfortunately.

An aspect I didn’t appreciate as a member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was the irreverence given on the baptism portion. The baptism is an immersion of water not a dunking. That was offensive in its use.

[Barbara Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

I have read half a dozen of Sian's books and really enjoyed them. This one not so much. If I hadn't paid a ridiculous amount of money for the Kindle edition, I probably would have just deleted it and moved on. Since the Roma has left me with nothing better to do, I forced myself to finish it. Don't waste your money or your time. 80% of the book is spent describing scenery in minute detail. It was the slowest storyline I have ever read. Boring!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

You take a vacation with your best friend and touring England and Wales and get involved with the wrong person as he is trying to illegally give arms to the IRA. Great mystery and love story and Sian Ann Bessey paints a wonderful picture of the scenery in Wales. Be careful who you talk to at your hotel - could lead to big trouble for you.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, the memories

Another successful re read! And another book that I remembered highlights... And remembered half of them wrong! So, I thoroughly enjoyed the renewed plunge into this story and characters. A standalone novel with the romance AND suspense to keep you going!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and have read it several times.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, well written, page turning novel. It has the mystery, the innocent, sweet romance and a great climax and resolution to a happily ever after!

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but got more predictable as it went. I skimmed through much of the scenery and paragraphs about what people were wearing but did like learning a little more about Wales

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, action and intrigue set at home and abroad in beautifully described settings that just make you want to be there! I've read it so many times I've practically memorized it.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Not hard to figure out what would happen next. More of a romance than a thriller.

[JLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sian Ann Bessey is one of my favorite authors. She has a away with words and clear writing style that I enjoy.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful going on vacation in one of Sian Ann Bessey's books. It might get hijacked by either maffia or terrorists. This book had just the right amount of suspense love story.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of her first books, I think, and it was interesting and fun to read. Not quite a favorite but still good!

[Megan Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while longer than I expected to read. There was a lot of description that I'll probably try to imagine a little better the next time through. The story was good though. You do have to pay attention to every little sentence or else you might miss something. There are spots where it will seem to go on for a couple of pages about some historical place and then there times when a hours can go by in the space of a paragraph. I liked the story though. It made me laugh how they were always grading Joe in typical teacher fashion.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Two friends who teach high school in Wyoming, Megan Harmer and Fran Brown take a break and go on a trip to the British Isles. Fran spends her time sketching the majestic Welsh mountains while Megan explores the historical sites and landmarks that dot the countryside. They soon discover that there are two other Americans staying at their same hotel, Joe Marks and Richard Garrett. Both seem like perfect gentlemen. But soon, it will become terrifyingly obvious to both girls that appearances can be deceiving.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by Sian Bessey. I loved the intrigue and mystery surround the two American men met by the two women on their vacation. It was interesting to see how the story unfolded both abroad and in the US. Very fun, the pace with the investigation was suspenseful particularly amidst all the historical settings that they took place in. Not just a romance, but a face-paced action and mystery as well.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

found this while I was looking at Relentless. Thought I would check it out from the Library.
The book was ok. There was a lot of details of where they were, how things looked and such. It was a bit much for me. I found myself skipping a lot of those parts to get to the dialogue!
A quick read, read in a day.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time that I have read this book. It is a really good book. Sian Ann Bessey is a very good author. Her books are very well written and suspenseful. My daughter also liked this book.

[Calli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll give this a 3+. A fun adventure, but my absolutely favorite part is that it took place in Wales, land of my ancestors. I loved the descriptions, and loved learning more about the Isle of Anglesey and some of its history.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was probably closer to a 3.5. I enjoyed the setting along the Menai Strait in Wales. The Welsh history and also the interweaving of the Irish/English conflict into the plot was very interesting, but the plot itself was a bit too predictable. It was an enjoyable, light read.

[Jana Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better LDS romance/suspense novels I've read. The whole genre tends to be a little cheesy, I'll admit, but they're always easy reads and safe.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!!!!

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had actually read this book before, I thought it seemed familiar, and knew for sure a couple chapters in. It was a good read again anyway.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young women, teachers from Wyoming, go on summer vacation to England and Wales. International intrigue, romance, terrorists, etc.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the action, and the suspense, but it was a little confusing. I guess it would make more sense if I was more familiar with the tourist sites in Wales.

[Heidee]

This book has to be one of my all time favorites!

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

To those who do not like "cheesy" books, I'd say this book is not for you. It was okay but not a favorite.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book, but could use some fleshing out character-wise. (Grade: "C+.")