What do you think?
Rate this book
One Dark Night
Two dead teens. A case gone cold. A twisted tangle of clues and dead ends.
One Dark Night... Geeze, was that ever a doozy of a case? See? It was April first, 1998 when the bodies of two teenagers, a young fella and his girlfriend, both high school seniors, were found among the trees on a lonely road just inside the city limits. The bodies had been stripped and left for the wild animals to... well, you get the idea.
The cops had a good idea who the killer was, but they never could prove it, so the case went cold... until April first, 2012 when local DA, Larry Spruce, asked me to take a look at it.
Right from the get-go, I knew it was going to be a bad one, and it was. My name is Harry Starke. I'm a private investigator. You want to know how bad it was? Read on.
One Dark Night... Geeze, was that ever a doozy of a case? See? It was April first, 1998 when the bodies of two teenagers, a young fella and his girlfriend, both high school seniors, were found among the trees on a lonely road just inside the city limits. The bodies had been stripped and left for the wild animals to... well, you get the idea.
The cops had a good idea who the killer was, but they never could prove it, so the case went cold... until April first, 2012 when local DA, Larry Spruce, asked me to take a look at it.
Right from the get-go, I knew it was going to be a bad one, and it was. My name is Harry Starke. I'm a private investigator. You want to know how bad it was? Read on.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2021
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 12, 2021
This is book six of the Harry Starke Genesis series and sees Harry asked to look into a cold case of the murder of two teenagers some fourteen years previously. Harry was playing a round of golf with his father August, the DA Larry Spruce and Judge Strange, and was getting beaten badly since he seemed to be the only one who never had the time to practice. Larry Spruce has been haunted by the murders of the two high school sweethearts, with a suspected killer determined by the police at the time, but who no evidence could be found, so was never arrested. The case has sat on the DA’s books and never been solved and it is one that he can’t forget. The two teens were shot dead and laid out by some trees, stripped bare for animals to feed upon. They are playing golf on the very anniversary of the murder, April 1st 1998, and this brought the case back to the fore of the DA’s memories and he wants Harry to see if he can solve the murders.
He still has the same small team of employees, with one other investigator Bob Ryan, his personal assistant and office manager Jacque, financial whizz Ronnie and his computer hacker genius Tim. He should have hired more staff, as they are busier than ever with work, but he loves a good puzzle to get his teeth into and once he heard the story and who the teens were, he was even more interested in solving the case. The dead teens were Hunter Flagg who comes from a poor, red-neck family, whilst his girlfriend was Samantha Goodkind, the daughter of Walter Goodkind, an insurance mogul and very wealthy family. There are lots of possible suspects to question as Harry and his team work to unravel what really happened and why, to the two murdered teens. The only suspect the police concentrated on at the time, was Sam’s father, Walter Goodkind, but a case could never be tried against him! What‘s worse is that the physically evidence is missing and this leaves them with very little to go on. Harry has to listen to his gut as he questions those connected to the two teens at the time, from an ex-boyfriend, her father, sister and brother, to his brother, father and step mother. Harry gets assistance in the shape of his girlfriend Kate Gazarra, who still works in Chattanooga Police Department and used to be his partner before he left the force.
It’s a complicated case for Harry and his team and with no actual evidence and a crime scene long changed through time, means the interviews they do are just about all they can rely on. They have to watch their suspects closely to see how they respond to each question, and some show conflicting emotions which they think were carefully hidden, but were noticed by the expertise of the interviewers. It leads to some suspects showing guilt and fear, whilst one amongst them takes action to further hamper the case and to frame another, leading to a final showdown with them all like a scene in Cluedo, where Harry gathers all the suspects and lays out his findings. There are many of the suspects who are mixed up in making the case more difficult to solve, for their own reasons, but this left the killer free to kill again! A story from Harry’s early days and one with lots of twists, turns and surprises, that leaves you guessing until the end. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
He still has the same small team of employees, with one other investigator Bob Ryan, his personal assistant and office manager Jacque, financial whizz Ronnie and his computer hacker genius Tim. He should have hired more staff, as they are busier than ever with work, but he loves a good puzzle to get his teeth into and once he heard the story and who the teens were, he was even more interested in solving the case. The dead teens were Hunter Flagg who comes from a poor, red-neck family, whilst his girlfriend was Samantha Goodkind, the daughter of Walter Goodkind, an insurance mogul and very wealthy family. There are lots of possible suspects to question as Harry and his team work to unravel what really happened and why, to the two murdered teens. The only suspect the police concentrated on at the time, was Sam’s father, Walter Goodkind, but a case could never be tried against him! What‘s worse is that the physically evidence is missing and this leaves them with very little to go on. Harry has to listen to his gut as he questions those connected to the two teens at the time, from an ex-boyfriend, her father, sister and brother, to his brother, father and step mother. Harry gets assistance in the shape of his girlfriend Kate Gazarra, who still works in Chattanooga Police Department and used to be his partner before he left the force.
It’s a complicated case for Harry and his team and with no actual evidence and a crime scene long changed through time, means the interviews they do are just about all they can rely on. They have to watch their suspects closely to see how they respond to each question, and some show conflicting emotions which they think were carefully hidden, but were noticed by the expertise of the interviewers. It leads to some suspects showing guilt and fear, whilst one amongst them takes action to further hamper the case and to frame another, leading to a final showdown with them all like a scene in Cluedo, where Harry gathers all the suspects and lays out his findings. There are many of the suspects who are mixed up in making the case more difficult to solve, for their own reasons, but this left the killer free to kill again! A story from Harry’s early days and one with lots of twists, turns and surprises, that leaves you guessing until the end. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 28, 2021
“Fabulous!”
A Gripping thriller, a double unsolved cold case is offered to Harry Starke.
Harry agrees to take the case on with his team but has to go back over 14 years when a young couple called Hunter Flagg & Samantha Goodkind were murdered by a large .45 calibre revolver and became known as the “The Flagg – Goodkind Case”
From the start your interest is on edge and Harry and his PI team; Bob Ryan (Investigator) Tim (Computer Geek) and Ronnie Financial man) and his lovely personal assistant Jacque (And his business partner) all have to pull out all the stops.
Likewise Harry and ex-partner Kate come into the story as usual but what makes this so special is the way you stroll through the story and think “I know who did it” something turns up and you are totally wrong. Very cleverly written and both amusing and enjoyable in the way you read through Harry himself.
The story canters around a double homicide of a young couple from vastly different backgrounds, one very rich one from a “Redneck” family with some devious background. Found stripped with no cloths or car and no clues other than ones pointing to the girls rich and prominent father.
As Harry gets into the case the case files go missing including the recently downloaded files by a clever hacker who won’t disclose and doesn’t know who anyway. So the case gets muddier and muddier until another murder happens making it look like a suicide and case closed but Harry knows it’s false and then Harry does what Harry does best. Solve the case no one else could.
I always love Blair’s writing style and storylines, this book again proves you can’t put his books down once started. So my advice for you is this, get comfortable and settle down for a long session!
A Gripping thriller, a double unsolved cold case is offered to Harry Starke.
Harry agrees to take the case on with his team but has to go back over 14 years when a young couple called Hunter Flagg & Samantha Goodkind were murdered by a large .45 calibre revolver and became known as the “The Flagg – Goodkind Case”
From the start your interest is on edge and Harry and his PI team; Bob Ryan (Investigator) Tim (Computer Geek) and Ronnie Financial man) and his lovely personal assistant Jacque (And his business partner) all have to pull out all the stops.
Likewise Harry and ex-partner Kate come into the story as usual but what makes this so special is the way you stroll through the story and think “I know who did it” something turns up and you are totally wrong. Very cleverly written and both amusing and enjoyable in the way you read through Harry himself.
The story canters around a double homicide of a young couple from vastly different backgrounds, one very rich one from a “Redneck” family with some devious background. Found stripped with no cloths or car and no clues other than ones pointing to the girls rich and prominent father.
As Harry gets into the case the case files go missing including the recently downloaded files by a clever hacker who won’t disclose and doesn’t know who anyway. So the case gets muddier and muddier until another murder happens making it look like a suicide and case closed but Harry knows it’s false and then Harry does what Harry does best. Solve the case no one else could.
I always love Blair’s writing style and storylines, this book again proves you can’t put his books down once started. So my advice for you is this, get comfortable and settle down for a long session!
February 28, 2021
This book is part of a prequel series to the main Harry Starke series, and covers his early cases as a PI, after he left the Chattanooga police department.
This is a cold case which he has been asked to look in to by the ADA, and concerns the murder of two teenagers who had been shot and left naked by the side of a road. The case is made more complicated because the girl was the daughter of a very wealthy businessman while the boy was from a poor redneck family, and the wealthy family make no secret of the fact that they despised him and his family and were dead set against them getting married.
Harry's cases are always complicated with lots of potential suspects and lots of clues, but they rarely point in the right direction. Fortunately Harry does have an expert team working for him, including a computer expert who isn't afraid to bend the rules, a lot, about what he can access, Harry also enlists the help of Kate Gazarra who is a lieutenant in the Chattanooga PD.
This is a very exciting story, described by a very talented writer who creates great characters and manages to hide the guilty party right up to the end. There aren't many PI authors who can consistently write such great books as Mr Howard does, and this one is up there with his best.
I did receive an advance copy of this book, but the review is all my own opinion and voluntarily written.
This is a cold case which he has been asked to look in to by the ADA, and concerns the murder of two teenagers who had been shot and left naked by the side of a road. The case is made more complicated because the girl was the daughter of a very wealthy businessman while the boy was from a poor redneck family, and the wealthy family make no secret of the fact that they despised him and his family and were dead set against them getting married.
Harry's cases are always complicated with lots of potential suspects and lots of clues, but they rarely point in the right direction. Fortunately Harry does have an expert team working for him, including a computer expert who isn't afraid to bend the rules, a lot, about what he can access, Harry also enlists the help of Kate Gazarra who is a lieutenant in the Chattanooga PD.
This is a very exciting story, described by a very talented writer who creates great characters and manages to hide the guilty party right up to the end. There aren't many PI authors who can consistently write such great books as Mr Howard does, and this one is up there with his best.
I did receive an advance copy of this book, but the review is all my own opinion and voluntarily written.
February 28, 2021
Well, Blair Howard has done it again, another mesmerizing book in the Harry Starke early years series.
Harry, ex PD officer is now a very successful PI.
The story starts with a double murder that occurred fourteen years ago, two young people, one the daughter of a very wealthy insurance magnate and the other the son of a poor redneck family, were found naked among trees at the side of the road.
Harry is approached by ADA Larry Spruce with a view to him taking on the cold case and bringing the killer to justice.
There is nothing Harry loves more than a challenge and as with all Harry's cases the suspects are numerous and complicated, he is to be assisted by Kate Gazarra a Lieutenant in the Chattanooga PD and Harry's ex partner and long time girlfriend.
This story is a roller coaster of twists and turns, ups and downs, when all the evidence is removed from the PD and computer evidence wiped by an expert Harry was back to square one with no evidence.... could the killer evade Harry and his brilliant team?
This is a gripping action packed story, the author has created brilliant characters , I love his attention to detail, I love that his descriptive powers paint a picture that I can see. The motive for the murder and the name of the killer kept me in suspense to the very end. A very well deserved five stars.
I received a free copy of this book and I leave my review voluntarily
Harry, ex PD officer is now a very successful PI.
The story starts with a double murder that occurred fourteen years ago, two young people, one the daughter of a very wealthy insurance magnate and the other the son of a poor redneck family, were found naked among trees at the side of the road.
Harry is approached by ADA Larry Spruce with a view to him taking on the cold case and bringing the killer to justice.
There is nothing Harry loves more than a challenge and as with all Harry's cases the suspects are numerous and complicated, he is to be assisted by Kate Gazarra a Lieutenant in the Chattanooga PD and Harry's ex partner and long time girlfriend.
This story is a roller coaster of twists and turns, ups and downs, when all the evidence is removed from the PD and computer evidence wiped by an expert Harry was back to square one with no evidence.... could the killer evade Harry and his brilliant team?
This is a gripping action packed story, the author has created brilliant characters , I love his attention to detail, I love that his descriptive powers paint a picture that I can see. The motive for the murder and the name of the killer kept me in suspense to the very end. A very well deserved five stars.
I received a free copy of this book and I leave my review voluntarily
April 22, 2021
ONE DARK NIGHT Blair Howard
# 6. Genesis S
The beginning is as poetry, the beauty, the stillness of the dark night until it was shattered by gun shots. The questions is why the young couple Samantha and Hunter, was dragged out of the truck and unclothed .
Out golfing when Larry the DA asks Harry to look into a cold case for him, from fourteen years ago, he liked fresh eyes to look at, and find some closure.
Meeting the sister Jennifer was dead set on them inquiring with anyone in the family. The father they felt was hiding something, beside the sadness and anger. Meeting the older brother of Hunter, he was angry and wielded a wrench that looked lethal. Assistant Police Chief is angry that Harry is looking into this case, of which he supervised.
Intriguing, good flowing plot, was it a class difference, jealousy.
Harry is always interesting, and how he looks at the clues, and figures out what happened. Another winner for the author.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
# 6. Genesis S
The beginning is as poetry, the beauty, the stillness of the dark night until it was shattered by gun shots. The questions is why the young couple Samantha and Hunter, was dragged out of the truck and unclothed .
Out golfing when Larry the DA asks Harry to look into a cold case for him, from fourteen years ago, he liked fresh eyes to look at, and find some closure.
Meeting the sister Jennifer was dead set on them inquiring with anyone in the family. The father they felt was hiding something, beside the sadness and anger. Meeting the older brother of Hunter, he was angry and wielded a wrench that looked lethal. Assistant Police Chief is angry that Harry is looking into this case, of which he supervised.
Intriguing, good flowing plot, was it a class difference, jealousy.
Harry is always interesting, and how he looks at the clues, and figures out what happened. Another winner for the author.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
February 28, 2021
If you love Harry Starke and Kate Gazzara you are going to love this cold case investigation. With a 14 year old case on review this one is far from easy but Harry loves a challenge. Unfortunately this crime doesn’t follow in the way Harry would expect and proves a significant puzzle. From two families who hate each other, a love affair across the divide and a lot at stake just who murdered these two young lovers. You won’t expect the resulting fallout and Blair Howard with his usual panache weaves a winding unusual backstory. Absolutely riveting. Couldn’t put it down.
Yet another stunner from Blair.
I received a free ARC in return for an honest review. Just loved it.
Yet another stunner from Blair.
I received a free ARC in return for an honest review. Just loved it.
February 28, 2021
This book has Harry Starke at his best, listening to his gut and the tingling in the back of his neck as he works to solve a cold case. It's been 14 years since the murder of two teens and the DA has asked Harry to look into the case to see if there is anything that was missed that might help solve the case. While there seems to be a clear suspect, Harry keeps an open mind to where the clues will lead. And as one thread is pulled, others come loose and Harry along with his team go down the winding path to find the killer. And as Harry knows, sometimes it's a matter of letting the right clue come to the surface that helps break the case. Absolutely loved this book!
March 1, 2021
Harry Starke investigates a cold case for the DA who is also a friend. This tale is before he met Amanda, an anchorperson from Channel 7, and was still seeing Lt. Kate G. This starts with the killing of a two high school seniors – Hunter Flagg, “trailer trash” and Samantha Goodkind, rich heiress – late at night in a deserted spot. This was so good and had really great characters with secrets. The trajectory of the story was exquisite and kept me guessing to figure it out until almost the end. Be prepared to not do anything else until you have finished reading! Terrific read.
Red Robin
I received a ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Red Robin
I received a ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 11, 2021
Harry Starke already has his hands full; his business 'Harry Starke Investigations' is running to full capacity. But along comes a cold case, unsolved for fourteen years and a thorn in the side of a retiring Judge who wants Harry to break the case so he can retire with a clear mind. How can he refuse.....all he has to do is untangle the fourteen year old history and dirty secrets of two families: one prominent, one working to keep food on the table. All he has to do is get under the skin of some powerful and rather nasty people who want the past to stay buried. He really does have his hands full.
February 28, 2021
Mr. Blair is truly a gifted writer, this storyline is so perfectly balanced and well put together. It draws you in and you cannot put this book down!! Each revelation is truly an onion being peeled until you get to a really dark and poisonous center. This is one of the best books I have read, I really enjoyed the heck out of it!! I love the way the author laid out the clues and then wrapped the whole storyline up. This story is rich with information and emotion you can’t help but just fall in love with it!!
January 17, 2022
Engaging and entertaining…
Harry Starke is that special PI that, when all else fails, they come to for solving the impossible. Old cold cases seem to be his specialty since Harry loves the challenge of finding the missing link. Some readers may disagree but I love the slow thoughtful pace that is non-stop, day or night, to get at the truth. Then, of course, there are those personal interludes that are refreshing to his psyche when he gets a bit discouraged. All together you have an enjoyable read with good results…then you are ready to engage in the next mystery book of the series.
Harry Starke is that special PI that, when all else fails, they come to for solving the impossible. Old cold cases seem to be his specialty since Harry loves the challenge of finding the missing link. Some readers may disagree but I love the slow thoughtful pace that is non-stop, day or night, to get at the truth. Then, of course, there are those personal interludes that are refreshing to his psyche when he gets a bit discouraged. All together you have an enjoyable read with good results…then you are ready to engage in the next mystery book of the series.
March 2, 2021
In the 6th addition to the wonderful Harry Starke Genesis series, Harry, Kate and the rest of the team are tasked to solve a 14 year old cold case. There are so many exciting plot twists. It pulls you in and won’t let go. The storyline is is very entertaining and intriguing. Harry is one of my favorite characters. I’ve always enjoyed every book in this series (as well as the original Harry Starke series). This honest review is based on a complimentary copy from the author
April 5, 2021
Harry Starke at his best. He's been asked by the DA to solve a cold case from fourteen years ago of a young couple murdered and left naked. Harry is like a dog with a bone and is determined to bring the killer to justice. Well written, fast paced and action packed which leads to another unexpected murder mystery, with twists and turns and a who dunnit at the end. Another case resolved by Harry and his team. Recommended.
February 28, 2021
Harry is asked to look into a cold case and after reading the particulars he is jumping in to take the case. Harry and his team start investigating but twists and turns come at him around every corner. Each new lead brings up more questions. He is working with Kate again so that is a bright side. Money, criminal activity, and family drama abounds in this book. Pick up a copy and read this today!
March 9, 2021
Harry looks back on an early case in his career as a PI.
The District Attorney’s request that he take a look at a murder of two almost high school graduates leads Harry and his team through a mess of family greed, betrayals, financial and personal shenanigans, and multiple life destroying efforts to cover up the crimes
Bloody, vengeance and suspense filled action and drama
The District Attorney’s request that he take a look at a murder of two almost high school graduates leads Harry and his team through a mess of family greed, betrayals, financial and personal shenanigans, and multiple life destroying efforts to cover up the crimes
Bloody, vengeance and suspense filled action and drama
February 28, 2021
As always any book by Blair Howard is well worth reading. Strong male and female characters, lots of action, interesting interaction between characters. Always looking forward to the next story.
March 4, 2021
He’s done it again. Really enjoyable read. A 14 yr old cold case. We see Kate. And even a little ‘tiny’ finkle. This really is Blair writing at his best.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews