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The Man in the Dark: A Romance
Finding love isn’t painless when you’re crippled by the past.
Savannah Westmoreland has come to the town of Paradise Valley to start afresh. But when her mysterious new pastor and the town’s most powerful businessman both begin to compete for her affection, Savannah realizes that she must face her past once and for all or leave Paradise forever. But there’s more to the story—and more danger lurking—than Savannah knows.
Douglas Wilson has been a pastor for more than forty years and is the author of dozens of books, including the award-winning novel Evangellyfish. The Man in the Dark is his first historical romance novel.
Savannah Westmoreland has come to the town of Paradise Valley to start afresh. But when her mysterious new pastor and the town’s most powerful businessman both begin to compete for her affection, Savannah realizes that she must face her past once and for all or leave Paradise forever. But there’s more to the story—and more danger lurking—than Savannah knows.
Douglas Wilson has been a pastor for more than forty years and is the author of dozens of books, including the award-winning novel Evangellyfish. The Man in the Dark is his first historical romance novel.
258 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2019
49 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Wilson
319 books4,537 followersI write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 14, 2024
I read an earlier draft of this, so I can't say for sure how close it was to the final product. I confess I approached it with trepidation. I mean...really? A romance novel? I think Doug Wilson's pretty much just determined to leave the stone of no genre unturned, and what else was left? An owner's manual for the '74 Pinto? A field guide to legumes of the Palouse? I suppose we can expect sci-fi, horror, and anime fanfic next.
At any rate, it's a fun read. Our heroine can pitch a bowl of potato salad with the best of 'em. And our hero would make better company than Mr. Darcy any day. Of course they simply must get together, and of course they can't possibly, and then of course they finally do. I'm glad it's finally making it to print so you can read the in-between bits and find out how!
At any rate, it's a fun read. Our heroine can pitch a bowl of potato salad with the best of 'em. And our hero would make better company than Mr. Darcy any day. Of course they simply must get together, and of course they can't possibly, and then of course they finally do. I'm glad it's finally making it to print so you can read the in-between bits and find out how!
February 21, 2022
Absolutely delightful. Easily one of my top favorite fiction books of all time. Pastor Wilson writes masterfully. Every single character feels like a living, breathing person, the descriptions are staggering, and the thematic elements are woven into the story with that masterful touch that ensures that no one minds when they notice the themes. There are so few stories these days, even Christian stories, that one can read and afterward, beg God to shape oneself into a person like those characters. And even fewer weave a masterful plot with twists and turns that leave you breathless by the end. This one does. And it was marvelous.
December 19, 2023
I'd give this 10 stars if I could. I'm not a fiction reader usually, but this was captivating and I could not put it down. Highly recommend!
March 4, 2019
This book was a wonderful read and I enjoyed every page! It was very hard for me to put it down to resume my daily tasks. I will definitely be reading this book again!
February 8, 2020
One of the loveliest, funniest, most wonderful books I’ve read in a long time. Doug combines his insight into people (both sins and virtues) with his 40+ years of experience watching young people pair off and get married (with plenty of hijinks and drama to go around) and blends it all in this crazy fun story set in my very own Moscow, Idaho, coming up on about 100 years ago. (He especially captures all the conflicting thoughts going through a girl’s mind. Holy cow. I was laughing out loud.) Like Jane Austen at her best, Doug sketches 100% real characters: strong, sympathetic, flawed, completely 3D. And he really convicts. You can’t read this story and remain unchanged (or if you refuse, you’re a fool). Probably the only novel where the gospel very naturally and gracefully assumes center stage. Absolutely loved it.
May 1, 2022
This passed the test of being read directly after Pride and Prejudice and still being thoroughly enjoyed. I’ll be passing this book onto others for sure.
February 14, 2019
Pedantic drivel.
I guess it's called "historical romance," because Savannah walks to church (instead of driving) where people think she's the most marriageable (because only ancient history and whack patriarchal churches think that way), lives in a "boardinghouse" and has "suitors." (Not an apartment and not a date.) And when she hikes up a hill, instead of taking in the view, she "discovers glorious prospects to the south." Or north, I forget.
A grown up man pastor writing romance!? Perhaps this romance pastor is writing about his desires- for a very young woman to fall hopelessly in love with the awkward pastor instead of the businessman.
The book is a bloviating mess of words. Add to that a very arcane view of "romance" and you have this.
WARNING: CRINGE WORTHY
I guess it's called "historical romance," because Savannah walks to church (instead of driving) where people think she's the most marriageable (because only ancient history and whack patriarchal churches think that way), lives in a "boardinghouse" and has "suitors." (Not an apartment and not a date.) And when she hikes up a hill, instead of taking in the view, she "discovers glorious prospects to the south." Or north, I forget.
A grown up man pastor writing romance!? Perhaps this romance pastor is writing about his desires- for a very young woman to fall hopelessly in love with the awkward pastor instead of the businessman.
The book is a bloviating mess of words. Add to that a very arcane view of "romance" and you have this.
WARNING: CRINGE WORTHY
May 17, 2021
The first Christian romance I’ve read that didn’t make me want to kill myself by the end. (Or the middle. Or the beginning).
February 10, 2024
When I discovered that Douglas Wilson had written a romance novel I was intrigued. What would a romance written by a pastor theologian be like? Only someone with his background could include the word infralapsarianism and get away with it.
The Man in the Dark is a charming romance with theological underpinnings and a surprising twist toward the end.
It was hard to put down and I enjoyed the relatable theme of wrestling with one’s past and living as a forgiven child of God.
It just might be the perfect Valentine’s read for the theology nerd in your life.
The Man in the Dark is a charming romance with theological underpinnings and a surprising twist toward the end.
It was hard to put down and I enjoyed the relatable theme of wrestling with one’s past and living as a forgiven child of God.
It just might be the perfect Valentine’s read for the theology nerd in your life.
February 21, 2024
I could not stop listening to this book! It’s such a sweet story of redemption. Also, the female character was so relatable which is such a display of Doug’s Godly wisdom of the sexes, their design, and nature. You can’t help but have the feeling “he knows us (women) so well” when you are reading it. And that I imagine is not the typical response of any man who has ever read or watched a romance at least not a recent one. I consider it a big feat to be able to write through the mind of the opposite sex and it be accurate. Well done!
January 18, 2021
I started this book because I was mostly curious as to what a Doug Wilson romance novel would be like. It somehow was and wasn’t what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing. It’s a perfect mix of romance and mystery. There’s a few things that keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, and it ends with a surprising twist I didn’t see coming. A fun read!
February 13, 2019
this book was realy fun and enjoyable!
June 8, 2023
Pleasantly surprised at my enjoyment of this book! It’s not the best historical fiction/romance I have read, but it is the best one with sound theology, which is evident through the characters’ conversation and thoughts. The ending did have me gasp at the revelation I did not see coming. Overall I would recommend!
December 11, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; Wilson did a good job making it gospel centered while still being a good romance, and I would recommend it to anyone.
February 5, 2019
My pastor wrote a romance novel. And I read it in one afternoon. This was a book that I didn't know needed to be written until it was. It was convicting and edifying in a way that is not typically linked to the words "romance novel" (nor usually experienced anywhere in the near vicinity of one either). The female protagonist is a real person and not just a cardboard cut-out on which female readers can project their own emotions/desires. Also unique, this book is set in the town I live in and so I had a unique pleasure in recognizing places and settings - this is my home and so the connection is strong in a profoundly personal way. It was surprising and delightful and lighthearted where it needed to be and yet doesn't pull any punches either (like a certain pastor character in the book...oh. Should I say *spoilers?). In short, I really really liked this book and will probably be reading it again - more slowly this time to savor Wilson's use of language and deft development of characters. I expected to like it (it is Pastor Wilson, after all), but I definitely did not expect what I received.
August 11, 2024
*Just here to edit this to 5 stars because I miss my experience reading it.*
So, oops! I read that in less than 2 days. Sure sure sure some of it is borderline unbelievable but I ATE THIS UP. Like a fat bowl of multigrain cheerios. Perfectly wholesome and entertaining and everything I wanted it to be. And I usually can't do romance.
So, oops! I read that in less than 2 days. Sure sure sure some of it is borderline unbelievable but I ATE THIS UP. Like a fat bowl of multigrain cheerios. Perfectly wholesome and entertaining and everything I wanted it to be. And I usually can't do romance.
October 21, 2020
This book was so well written! It an amazing combo of fiction, mystery, and strong Christian themes. All the characters were spectacularly written in a way that made them feel real. I didn't want to put the book down and I highly recommend it.
Read
October 13, 2024A witty and entertaining read. His descriptions of people’s thoughts and motivations reminds me of Dostoevsky’s a little and nails them on the head. But, like all his novels, it often comes off preachy and he could always adhere more to the advice “show, don’t tell.”
February 22, 2023
Listened to this on the Canon+ app. I usually don’t like Christian fiction because of it’s shallow theology. This was different. In a good way. Thanks Doug.
Read
May 29, 2024I benefit a lot from Doug Wilson‘s teaching and preaching, but despite recommendations from trusted friends, I was nervous to read his fiction. Would sermonizing derail storytelling? Nope. There is a little sermonizing, but the story is strong, engrossing and surprising! It is also fun to see how his thoughts about Christian romantic relationships (expounded in his nonfiction) play out in narrative form.
April 23, 2019
Well-written, engaging, and even suspenseful at times, with protagonists you can root for without hesitation. My favorite kind of book. I took one star away for the narrator explaining too much to the reader. The story could have done the preaching just fine on its own.
December 22, 2019
Fantastical mix of genres that culminates in love blessed from Heaven after a very rocky road. This author really knows the human heart in all its twists and self deceiving turns. Yikes! Thoughtful fun, strong grace.
February 17, 2023
Pleasantly surprised! I did not at all think this book would be as compelling and lovely as it was!
April 14, 2019
Well, he nailed it. But, really, who is surprised. Couldn’t put it down. Loved the fun little cameos of the Princeton giants too.
March 11, 2020
Well. It was as good as I expected and better than I expected. Going into it I was really curious because...well, Douglas Wilson is a pastor. I had no idea he had written a romance until maybe a week ago, so I wondered, how do pastors write romances?
Really, it's not your typical romance (not that I really read your typical romance). This is not some teenage female authoress wishing through her writing. This has a lot more punch and value than you're going to get in things like that.
This book is, admittedly, a romance. But it's about so much more than just "falling in love" with the nearest resemblance of a partner. The theme is beautifully done and the climax was way, way more than I was expecting. I had to stop reading to keep from crying at one point.
The characters are great. The best part of the book was the fact that redacted characters learn to love God, and what that means. The heroine, though I thought she was a bit too good to begin with soon proved me wrong and turned out to be quite alive. And the hero was actually a man. Not a flake, which I greatly appreciate. The antagonist was horrible. And human.
Overall, this is the best romance I have, or ever intend, to read.
Really, it's not your typical romance (not that I really read your typical romance). This is not some teenage female authoress wishing through her writing. This has a lot more punch and value than you're going to get in things like that.
This book is, admittedly, a romance. But it's about so much more than just "falling in love" with the nearest resemblance of a partner. The theme is beautifully done and the climax was way, way more than I was expecting. I had to stop reading to keep from crying at one point.
The characters are great. The best part of the book was the fact that redacted characters learn to love God, and what that means. The heroine, though I thought she was a bit too good to begin with soon proved me wrong and turned out to be quite alive. And the hero was actually a man. Not a flake, which I greatly appreciate. The antagonist was horrible. And human.
Overall, this is the best romance I have, or ever intend, to read.
January 6, 2025
*3rd read edit*
This book is a masterclass in courage, guts, and unwavering and exuberant faith. Wilson is really good at describing a person fully by using just a couple words, an ability that has probably grown out of his extended pastoral experience.
It is so fascinating to see how he presents himself so differently when he writes, especially when he writes fiction. You could see with an untrained eye that Savannah is the kind of woman that he would condone and encourage his granddaughters to be like. Not an debilitatingly domestic, is-never-heard-speaking kind of woman, but someone who has guts to stand for what she believes is true, in whom faith is wedded beautifully with common sense, giving us a fantastic portrait of the woman that Song of Songs describes as follows: "beautiful as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners."
So good.
This book is a masterclass in courage, guts, and unwavering and exuberant faith. Wilson is really good at describing a person fully by using just a couple words, an ability that has probably grown out of his extended pastoral experience.
It is so fascinating to see how he presents himself so differently when he writes, especially when he writes fiction. You could see with an untrained eye that Savannah is the kind of woman that he would condone and encourage his granddaughters to be like. Not an debilitatingly domestic, is-never-heard-speaking kind of woman, but someone who has guts to stand for what she believes is true, in whom faith is wedded beautifully with common sense, giving us a fantastic portrait of the woman that Song of Songs describes as follows: "beautiful as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners."
So good.
March 29, 2019
What is a 65 year old pastor from Moscow, Idaho doing writing a romance novel? Well, it is a historical romance novel. Would you rather have a creepy single lady write a romance novel or would you rather have a Christian man who has loved his one wife for over forty years, raising three kids and seventeen grandkids write it?
If you love the gospel you will love this book. Wilson understands the problem of sin but greater yet he understands that there is only one solution to overcome sin in this world. If you want to have a good time exploring small town dynamics then I recommend you read this book. Very enjoyable and I won't hide the fact that one part left me reaching for the corner of my eye (it itched) and no, it didn't have anything to do with the romance. Seriously.
If you love the gospel you will love this book. Wilson understands the problem of sin but greater yet he understands that there is only one solution to overcome sin in this world. If you want to have a good time exploring small town dynamics then I recommend you read this book. Very enjoyable and I won't hide the fact that one part left me reaching for the corner of my eye (it itched) and no, it didn't have anything to do with the romance. Seriously.
December 11, 2020
I’ve just read (and LOVED) “Evangejellyfish” and “Ride, Sally, Ride”. This book looked to be different, and it was free on Kindle Unlimited so I thought, Why not?
My first impression was that someone had dared Pastor Wilson to write a Christian romance novel, and this was the result. It also seems like a much earlier book, as the writing is less witty, more lumbering and sometimes a little cringeworthy. As B-list Christian romance goes, it’s not awful. There are some very entertaining moments. But I’m inclined to tiptoe away from this one and pretend he didn’t write it, and I didn’t read it.
My first impression was that someone had dared Pastor Wilson to write a Christian romance novel, and this was the result. It also seems like a much earlier book, as the writing is less witty, more lumbering and sometimes a little cringeworthy. As B-list Christian romance goes, it’s not awful. There are some very entertaining moments. But I’m inclined to tiptoe away from this one and pretend he didn’t write it, and I didn’t read it.
October 7, 2023
I expected ... more. Controversial as they are, I have learned so much about marriage and family from the Wilson clan. So, I expected to see that all that beauty and challenge in story form. Instead, it was flat and maddeningly, redundantly introspective. Really no different than a hundred other Christian historical fiction romances...
There was a good line at the end, though.
There was a good line at the end, though.
May 14, 2024
June 2020 — The author has been blogging quotes from this one, so I gave in and repaid it a visit. It's a very satisfying story...I just can't help lamenting over the lost copyedits. 😥
March 2019 — Fun to listen to the audio of this.
March 2019 — Fun to listen to the audio of this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews