What do you think?
Rate this book
A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #18
A Darkness of the Heart
The 18th installment of the bestselling Joanne Kilbourn series from the "queen of Canadian crime fiction" (Winnipeg Free Press).
When, at the age of sixty, Joanne learns that Douglas Ellard, the reserved general practitioner whom she had grown up believing to be her father was, in fact, the best friend of her biological father, the brilliant visual artist Desmond Love, she begins to question not just who she is but what factors play a role in shaping all of us and in making us who we really are. Joanne is offered the chance to revisit her family history, when writer Roy Brodnitz, author of The Happiest Girl, a Broadway mega-hit inspired by a Desmond Love painting, approaches her with the idea of making a mini-series about the close relationship between the Ellard and Love families. Brodnitz is in town working on the film adaptation of his Broadway hit, and he and his film company soon become a significant presence in the life of Joanne's family, with results that are both life-changing and menacing. When Joanne and Zack's eighteen-year-old daughter, Taylor Shreve, develops a close friendship with the seventeen-year-old actress starring in the movie, the Shreve family is exposed to the dark side of the film industry and they uncover disturbing truths about the handsome and talented people they have invited into their lives. A Darkness of the Heart explores the ways in which clear vision, generosity of spirit, and a willingness to love can combat the forces in our world that seek to encroach upon innocence. Once again, Gail Bowen's powerful storytelling, engaging characters, and page-turning plot reaffirm her place as one of the finest mystery writers around.
When, at the age of sixty, Joanne learns that Douglas Ellard, the reserved general practitioner whom she had grown up believing to be her father was, in fact, the best friend of her biological father, the brilliant visual artist Desmond Love, she begins to question not just who she is but what factors play a role in shaping all of us and in making us who we really are. Joanne is offered the chance to revisit her family history, when writer Roy Brodnitz, author of The Happiest Girl, a Broadway mega-hit inspired by a Desmond Love painting, approaches her with the idea of making a mini-series about the close relationship between the Ellard and Love families. Brodnitz is in town working on the film adaptation of his Broadway hit, and he and his film company soon become a significant presence in the life of Joanne's family, with results that are both life-changing and menacing. When Joanne and Zack's eighteen-year-old daughter, Taylor Shreve, develops a close friendship with the seventeen-year-old actress starring in the movie, the Shreve family is exposed to the dark side of the film industry and they uncover disturbing truths about the handsome and talented people they have invited into their lives. A Darkness of the Heart explores the ways in which clear vision, generosity of spirit, and a willingness to love can combat the forces in our world that seek to encroach upon innocence. Once again, Gail Bowen's powerful storytelling, engaging characters, and page-turning plot reaffirm her place as one of the finest mystery writers around.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2018
15 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Gail Bowen
57 books178 followersGail Dianne Bowen (née Bartholomew) is a Canadian playwright and writer of mystery novels. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bowen was educated at the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently taught English in Saskatchewan, and is currently a professor of English at First Nations University of Canada. Bowen's mystery novels feature Joanne Kilbourn, a widowed mother, political analyst and university professor who finds herself occasionally involved in criminal investigations in various parts of Saskatchewan. Many have been adapted as Canadian television movies by Shaftesbury Films.
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 21, 2018
I have read all of Gail Bowen's books and have really enjoyed them, partly because I live in Regina so the descriptions of the city where Joanne lives is very relevant to me. In this 18th installment, Joanne discovers that her biological father is not who she thought it was. I am not sure why at this stage in this series that this story line was introduced as I didn't think it added anything to the overall arc of this series. While this book was okay, I did not enjoy it nearly as much as it's predecessors.
October 15, 2018
3.5 stars.
I had a hard time getting involved with this book, and never really engaged with the story. There was way too much looking backward at previous books. It felt like this book was a summation of plot lines and a sort of conclusion of a series. If so, it’s about time. The last 2 or 3 books have been a bit weak.
I had a hard time getting involved with this book, and never really engaged with the story. There was way too much looking backward at previous books. It felt like this book was a summation of plot lines and a sort of conclusion of a series. If so, it’s about time. The last 2 or 3 books have been a bit weak.
May 5, 2024
Okay this series is ridiculous and I'm here for it but this one feels ESPECIALLY outlandish. Like so many coincidental connections between the characters and all these ultra famous/connected people who just happen to be from Regina or Saskatoon. Well beyond normal suspension of belief at this point. And also I don't understand why Joanne is always flying from Regina to Saskatoon if she hates flying so much. Like there is a twinned highway and when you count airport time and dicking around at the rental car place you for sure aren't saving any time. I do not understand.
June 30, 2020
I have faithfully read all of Gail Bowen’s books. I am originally from Saskatchewan and have been loyal to this Saskatchewan writer and her excellent series. Ms. Bowen has produced a number of excellent reads in her Joanna Kilbourn series and I have enjoyed following Joanna through the trials and tribulations of her life; the murders and the intrigue. However, it seems Joanna’s story is getting tired as the last two to three installments in the series were disappointing and this one exceptionally so. Joanna finds out a startling truth about her true parentage at the beginning of this book and unfortunately far too much time and tedious dialogue was spent diving into Joanne’s and her friend Sally Love’s childhood past. I struggled to stay engaged with this story and the actual crime in the book doesn’t occur until the last third of the book and, in the end, both the crime and the final solution were both underwhelming.
March 16, 2021
This is the first book of this series I have read. I couldn’t believe that I had read 70% of the book before much happens and even then, it was not unexpected. Although the writing is lovely, there is hardly a plot. And all the family comings and goings were like reading a plummy diary where everyone is eating gourmet food, going to glamorous parties, or decorating their homes and doing the gosh darned right and earnest thing all the time. Reminded me of Nick and Nora back in the day where the film was about their fabulous lifestyle, with a little inconvenient murder thrown in for good measure. Then after resolved, the good times commence again! Arrrrggghhh!
March 13, 2020
Another book club selection that pleasantly surprised me. Mystery is not my go to genre so I wasn't expecting to like this book, but I did! I live in the city this book is placed in and the descriptions and locations mentioned were familiar - that was a real treat.
Although I felt that I was missing some of the connections between the characters and references to previous "Joanne" novels, I don't feel that ruined it for me at all. I would recommend reading the series in order though to enhance the story of this book.
Added bonus - the author lives in my city as well and she attended our book club discussion for this book. A lovely, entertaining lady and we were blessed to have her join us and enrich our discussion.
Although I felt that I was missing some of the connections between the characters and references to previous "Joanne" novels, I don't feel that ruined it for me at all. I would recommend reading the series in order though to enhance the story of this book.
Added bonus - the author lives in my city as well and she attended our book club discussion for this book. A lovely, entertaining lady and we were blessed to have her join us and enrich our discussion.
August 25, 2018
Joanne discovers that her biological father is not who she thought it was. It made for some interesting reading as she struggles with the information and what could have been. But the book seemed to be closing up story lines from other books. I was left wondering is this the last book? The mystery is a small part of the book and pretty easy to figure out.
September 4, 2018
Gail Bowen is a master of building a compelling story, a mystery that focuses on people and their very humanity. Always steeped in concern for others, and relevant social issues, the characters navigate their relationships and their lives along side a mystery. I love the setting,Gail depicts it like no one else.
August 12, 2018
I found myself caught up with Joanne in this story. The ties to the past and the glimpse of the future make a lot of sense to me as we are a similar age
October 25, 2018
Joanne is shocked to learn that man she grew up believing was her father was not her biological father. Instead her father was Desmond Love, artist and father to her best friend Sally Love whose orphaned daughter, Taylor, Joanne and her husband Zack have raised to adulthood. Roy Brodnitz, author of The Happiest Girl, a Broadway mega-hit inspired by a Desmond Love painting, is in Regina making a movie of the play and he approaches Joanne with idea of a of making a mini-series of the story of her family and the Loves. However, when Taylor develops a close friendship with the seventeen-year-old actress starring in the movie, the dark side of the film industry is exposed and a murder occurs. 18th in the Joanne Kilbourn mystery series. As always, the characters are sympathetic and, despite the dark deeds, the book is a gentle mystery. However, because of the vastly sprawling connections in Joanne's family life going back 17 volumes, you do need to read this series in order.
October 1, 2019
Have always really enjoyed her books but something was off for me. It seemed to be too much explaining how characters were related to each other from previous books and plots or something? I couldn't follow. It didn't feel like there was much plot. If there had been a new coauthor I would readily believe she had followed the path of other famous authors and lent her name out to sell another book with deterioration in the quality.
January 21, 2019
One of Canada’s most widely-acclaimed crime novelist, Gail Bowen has been named a Grand Master of the genre by the Crime Writers of Canada. Recently she released the eighteenth in her popular Joanna Kilbourn mystery series. The novel cements her reputation as a uniquely talented writer unafraid to create nuanced characters and a plot that takes on challenging social themes.
Joanne has recently discovered that the man she had always believed to be her father was the best friend of renowned artist Desmond Love. Now she has learned that Love was in fact her biological father. A top Broadway producer is planning to mount a film adaptation based on his Broadway play about the two families, and Joanne’s daughter, Taylor Shreve, has become close to the young lead actress in the film. It looks as though things could not be going better for the family when ugly suspicions surface about the behavior of key people involved in the production. As Joanne and her husband Zack attempt to come to grips with these disturbing claims, they are forced to confront the possibility that if, true, the issue threatens to jeopardize not only the making of the film, but also people’s personal lives.
A Darkness of the Heart marks out new territory for Gail Bowen and raises important issues of our times. The narrative is leisurely paced, giving the author an opportunity to build a textured account of her character’s lives. In many ways the main story is the backstory, but Bowen adroitly uses that structure as the basis for a probing exploration of the issue facing the reader: how would we act in this situation, where reputations and livelihoods are at stake, and unproven accusations pose a dark threat hanging over the heads of more people than simply those accused? A Darkness of the Heart is Bowen’s finest work to date, and puts the author in the top tier of crime writers, Canadian or otherwise. I cannot recommend it too highly.
_______
Previously published on the Ottawa Review of Books, September 2018.
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in April of 2017, and the second in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in 2019. He can be reached at jnapier@deadlydiversions.com
Joanne has recently discovered that the man she had always believed to be her father was the best friend of renowned artist Desmond Love. Now she has learned that Love was in fact her biological father. A top Broadway producer is planning to mount a film adaptation based on his Broadway play about the two families, and Joanne’s daughter, Taylor Shreve, has become close to the young lead actress in the film. It looks as though things could not be going better for the family when ugly suspicions surface about the behavior of key people involved in the production. As Joanne and her husband Zack attempt to come to grips with these disturbing claims, they are forced to confront the possibility that if, true, the issue threatens to jeopardize not only the making of the film, but also people’s personal lives.
A Darkness of the Heart marks out new territory for Gail Bowen and raises important issues of our times. The narrative is leisurely paced, giving the author an opportunity to build a textured account of her character’s lives. In many ways the main story is the backstory, but Bowen adroitly uses that structure as the basis for a probing exploration of the issue facing the reader: how would we act in this situation, where reputations and livelihoods are at stake, and unproven accusations pose a dark threat hanging over the heads of more people than simply those accused? A Darkness of the Heart is Bowen’s finest work to date, and puts the author in the top tier of crime writers, Canadian or otherwise. I cannot recommend it too highly.
_______
Previously published on the Ottawa Review of Books, September 2018.
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in April of 2017, and the second in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in 2019. He can be reached at jnapier@deadlydiversions.com
December 24, 2023
This is the eighteenth Joanna Kilbourne mystery so fans will know the backstory. Joanna is now sixty and still married to Zack, who is a lawyer. But getting older doesn't mean no more surprises are left. Joanna finds out that her father was not her biological father. That was his best friend who was also the father of her best friend, Sally. Joanna had adopted Sally's daughter, Taylor, when Sally died suddenly when Taylor was four.
The story of Sally was being made into a movie as Sally had been a famous artist. Taylor becomes friends with the actress who plays her mother and the producers want to make a series featuring both Sally and Joanna and their childhoods. Joanna is thrilled except for having to work with a man named Gabe, who is the executive producer and who makes her feel uneasy.
The lighting director on the movie is another friend of the family. He has a teenage daughter who, after an accident, has the brain of a five year old. This girl is kidnapped and found later walking down the street crying with fifty dollars in her hands and evidence of sexual molestation. Who would do such a thing and to such a helpless victim? Days later, it is revealed that Gabe was the perpetrator and that he had been molesting Taylor's friend the same way. When he plummets to his death from his penthouse balcony, suspicion falls on those Joanne loves. Can she find the murderer?
Gail Bowen has written a series reminiscent of that of Elizabeth George in that the reader becomes invested in the lives of Joanna and her family and follow them from book to book. The book discusses the seamy world of pedophilia and those who suffer from their exposure for years afterward. The revelations that Joanne is given explains much of her own childhood and the reasons her parents always seemed distant and gives her insight into her life. I listened to this book and the narrator did an excellent job and has narrated several of the other books in the series. This book is recommended for mystery readers.
The story of Sally was being made into a movie as Sally had been a famous artist. Taylor becomes friends with the actress who plays her mother and the producers want to make a series featuring both Sally and Joanna and their childhoods. Joanna is thrilled except for having to work with a man named Gabe, who is the executive producer and who makes her feel uneasy.
The lighting director on the movie is another friend of the family. He has a teenage daughter who, after an accident, has the brain of a five year old. This girl is kidnapped and found later walking down the street crying with fifty dollars in her hands and evidence of sexual molestation. Who would do such a thing and to such a helpless victim? Days later, it is revealed that Gabe was the perpetrator and that he had been molesting Taylor's friend the same way. When he plummets to his death from his penthouse balcony, suspicion falls on those Joanne loves. Can she find the murderer?
Gail Bowen has written a series reminiscent of that of Elizabeth George in that the reader becomes invested in the lives of Joanna and her family and follow them from book to book. The book discusses the seamy world of pedophilia and those who suffer from their exposure for years afterward. The revelations that Joanne is given explains much of her own childhood and the reasons her parents always seemed distant and gives her insight into her life. I listened to this book and the narrator did an excellent job and has narrated several of the other books in the series. This book is recommended for mystery readers.
January 14, 2022
I received a free audio book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for a honest review.
I haven't read any of the other Joanne Killbourn Mysteries although I do have 2 others downloaded on my phone. I feel like these each may ultimately stand on their own although the characters will age and the change. I'm glad I didn't feel lost jumping in so far along and found the mystery sad, disturbing and unfortunately probably very true to life.
The book touches on the darker side of the film industry where men exploit women in order to "help" their careers. We've seen it play out across the media and tv rags and its sick and sad and I felt the same way about the book. I love Taylor and how strong and opinionated she is at 18. With a budding art career she seems to know herself pretty well for someone so young although she has been through quite a bit in her young age.
I think the author handled the subject matter with as much grace as one can while writing about the exploitation of young girls and I wasn't sad to see the outcome of the perpetrator. The book also focuses on what the film industry is willing to put up with in order to make a movie a success. It makes me almost feel guilty about watching movies, but I'm not gonna stop.
Now that I have a taste for the series I'm going to work on an older one and see if I still feel the same way about them. Overall I really liked this book and liked the methodical flow of the mystery.
I haven't read any of the other Joanne Killbourn Mysteries although I do have 2 others downloaded on my phone. I feel like these each may ultimately stand on their own although the characters will age and the change. I'm glad I didn't feel lost jumping in so far along and found the mystery sad, disturbing and unfortunately probably very true to life.
The book touches on the darker side of the film industry where men exploit women in order to "help" their careers. We've seen it play out across the media and tv rags and its sick and sad and I felt the same way about the book. I love Taylor and how strong and opinionated she is at 18. With a budding art career she seems to know herself pretty well for someone so young although she has been through quite a bit in her young age.
I think the author handled the subject matter with as much grace as one can while writing about the exploitation of young girls and I wasn't sad to see the outcome of the perpetrator. The book also focuses on what the film industry is willing to put up with in order to make a movie a success. It makes me almost feel guilty about watching movies, but I'm not gonna stop.
Now that I have a taste for the series I'm going to work on an older one and see if I still feel the same way about them. Overall I really liked this book and liked the methodical flow of the mystery.
January 27, 2022
After consuming the previous two books in the past couple days this one was pretty much a let down for me. It took a different path and was not as intense. Joanne receives news that changes how she views herself. She finds out her father was not really her biological father but her real father was actually the man who was married to friend and Taylor's mother. This makes Taylor her adopted daughter her half-sister. Zack is now back in the courtroom and working long hours there and the film industry he wanted to bring back to Regina has happened. This one was more angst and conjecture than mystery. Still found it interesting enough to finish throughout the day. If there is more in this series I will continue it.
**Received this ARC in audio for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC in audio for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
January 27, 2022
***ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.co.uk in return for an honest review ***
The 18th installment of the Joanne Kilbourne series. Joanne discovers that her biological father is not who she believed it was. This leads to her questioning much of what she has believed about her life.
One of the things that I struggle with most is the way in which seemingly pivotal characters are abandoned. The passage of time between novels is only a few months, however in that short time characters are forgotten and never mentioned again. For me this is a real disruption in the continuity of the series, some of the characters that are forgotten are of real interest and their stories seem unfinished, whereas other characters story's are overdone.
This was enjoyable enough but as a standalone novel. When seen as part of the series it seems a little self indulgent and disappointing.
The 18th installment of the Joanne Kilbourne series. Joanne discovers that her biological father is not who she believed it was. This leads to her questioning much of what she has believed about her life.
One of the things that I struggle with most is the way in which seemingly pivotal characters are abandoned. The passage of time between novels is only a few months, however in that short time characters are forgotten and never mentioned again. For me this is a real disruption in the continuity of the series, some of the characters that are forgotten are of real interest and their stories seem unfinished, whereas other characters story's are overdone.
This was enjoyable enough but as a standalone novel. When seen as part of the series it seems a little self indulgent and disappointing.
August 3, 2021
This was the remaining Gail Bowen book that I had not read. Joanne learns that her biological father was actually Desmond Love meaning that her closest childhood friend, Sally Love was her half sister. This causes her to rethink and try and understand her early life spent largely in a boarding school as far as possible from her birth mother. It also means that she is a blood relative of adopted daughter Taylor. Her re examination is aided by videos of her as a young child but at the same time Joanne is drawn into the seamy side of the film industry as a movie is being filmed in Regina. Another great story, with lots of family closeness mixed into a mystery surrounding the death of Gabe Vickers who had agreed to produce a tv series about Joanne's father, Desmond Love. A great read.
February 12, 2022
A Darkness of the Heart by Gail Bowen pulled me in from the very beginning. The characters appealed to me, and the author wrote great imagery. I could envision so many details. I enjoyed the added bonus of the characters being mature and realistic. The setting of the small town atmosphere added another layer of authenticity to the book. Athena Karkanis did a great job performing the book. She fit the characters. Thank you #NetGalley and #Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to review this great mystery book.
October 1, 2018
Another excellent Gail Bowen/Joanne Kilbourn mystery, with more surprises in her life and family journey. It left me wanting to know more about what happens next in this multi-faceted story. I have been following this series since the first book, own most of them, and appreciate the longitudinal thrust to the arc of the character & plot development, within a realistic portrayal of the environment within which it all takes place.
October 14, 2018
I love Gail Bowen's mysteries with Joanne Kilbourn. The characters are so well developed and the reader gets to know them during the course of the mystery.
This book had such wonderful writing about both art and the people who are so much a part of it.
The dark side of the movie industry is also exposed and we see the tragic results for young children involved in the business.
Another wonderful read by Gail Bowen!
This book had such wonderful writing about both art and the people who are so much a part of it.
The dark side of the movie industry is also exposed and we see the tragic results for young children involved in the business.
Another wonderful read by Gail Bowen!
October 27, 2018
Not bad, feels like the author is wrapping up loose ends prior to ending the series. I like the locale of Regina, Saskatchewan and the author makes that staid town seem liveable. The bad perpetrator was somewhat obvious but it was a good read. Taylor is growing up and going her own way. I remember when she first came to Joanne, how time flies. Everyone still lives privileged lives that money can buy but it is fun to see how the other half lives.
November 8, 2018
Gail Bowen has spent 18 books developing Joanne Kilbourne and we have come to love not only the main character, but also her family, friends and Regina Saskatchewan. Joanne is a PhD in Political Science (now retired) but she is no stranger to heartache and death - in this one a body does not appear until after page 200. A Darkness of the Heart (a nod to Joseph Conrad) is no potboiler - it brews very slowly as the reader learns more about Joanne and the people she cares about.
December 29, 2018
This latest in the series is more like a domestic drama than a mystery. There isn't even a body until about 7/8 through the book. And yet, the characters have been developed so well we see that a number of them could have reasons to murder. The story begins with Joanne finding out that the father she grew up with is not her biological father. It continues with the ramifications of this for her, and the new blood relationships it produces.
May 21, 2019
Imagery is well used in the novel. The protagonist has a heart of gold and is a super-mom. There is some interesting suspense of Joanne’s birth and her family background.
The first part of the novel reads like a family story, but it doesn’t have a story about how her biological father, her half-sister, and husband got murdered.
Joanne’s mystery only happens in the late part of the novel, but it’s too easy to solve.
The first part of the novel reads like a family story, but it doesn’t have a story about how her biological father, her half-sister, and husband got murdered.
Joanne’s mystery only happens in the late part of the novel, but it’s too easy to solve.
August 19, 2019
A Joanne Kilbourn mystery is a family story with a mystery to be solved. It is the family story that leaves a lasting impression. This novel centres around the sometimes seedy world of theatre. It also revisits the early childhood of Joanne with a surprising revelation. Although I had not read a Gail Bowen book for quite awhile, I found myself easily drawn back into the world of Joanne and her family. A good read.
September 4, 2019
Enjoyable as usual and I understand why she took a slightly different tack in the continuation of the story; however the mystery/murder was fairly obvious and the revelation about her family did seem odd for an 18th book. Definitely read if you’re a fan of the series but not quite the same caliber as her usual books. I do look forward to the next one though as I’m always easily transported back into the Joanne Kilborne realm
August 30, 2018
I just finished "A Darkness of the Heart" and I loved it! Having just become a grandmother for the first time, I could really relate to this comment in the book, "that the love of a parent for a child is the only love that must grow towards separation". I'm looking forward to reading Gail Bowen's next work. ❤️📚
September 3, 2018
I enjoyed this one more than the last couple in the series, for some reason. The usual cast of characters, plus some interesting new ones (including one at least that will be a continuing character, I think.) Some serious questions examined and some interesting twists. A quick read.
I always feel I should like this series more than I do.
I always feel I should like this series more than I do.
October 9, 2018
So here's the thing about Gail Bowen... her mysteries take almost exactly one day to read. This is a good thing, because when I start them, I cannot put them down.
Joanne Kilbourn's family and friend relationships are believably complicated, and the resolutions to the mysteries that crop up are also believable, but also satisfying.
Joanne Kilbourn's family and friend relationships are believably complicated, and the resolutions to the mysteries that crop up are also believable, but also satisfying.
December 21, 2018
Ah,good old earnest Joanne Kilbourn, subject of ever more bizarre plot twists. Bowen is in fine form here, at least when it comes to narratorial voice and dialogue. The problem is that the key incident doesn’t happen until the last chapter of the book, and the mystery is solved almost instantly, so not much of a suspense novel, really.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews