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Whispers at Midnight : Large Print
From New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards, whom Newsweek magazine calls “one of the most popular voices in women’s fiction,” comes a thrilling novel of romantic suspense set in a sultry small southern town.Carly Linton returns to her hometown of Benton, Georgia, to open a bed-and-breakfast in the house she inherited from her grandmother. She’s also dead-set on burying her former good-girl image—by seducing the one man who can give her a guided tour of the wild side...Matt Converse, the local sheriff, was once the town’s bad boy who shared one magical night with Carly at her senior prom. But igniting the sparks of the past can lead to a blaze of First her house is burglarized, then someone comes after her. A mysterious enemy wants Carly out of Benton for good, and now she needs Matt more than ever—to keep her alive.
711 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2003
201 people are currently reading
1787 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
126 books3,248 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 25, 2019
4.25 stars
May 21, 2020
Me gustó. Es una novela romántica muy entretenida, con toques de suspenso e intriga muy bien logrados para este género. Por otra parte, la entretención viene de la mano de sus personajes, principales y secundarios, así como de las disparatadas situaciones que les ocurren. Lo otro que le da un punto alto es que los personajes principales se conocen desde niños y los recuerdos de sus aventuras inocentes (y otras no tan inocentes ya más creciditos), le dan un un toque emotivo y a la vez refrescante a la lectura.
Si hay que ponerle alguna pega, es que a pesar de estar escrito en tercera persona, principalmente se enfoca en la perspectiva de Carly y casi nada en la de Matt, por lo que su repentino cambio de actitud frente al compromiso no resulta muy creíble.
De todas maneras es una muy buena lectura y la autora logra separar muy bien los capítulos más amenos de aquellos de misterio y acción, con un muy buen equilibrio entre ambos.
Reto Rita 4.0 (mayo)
Si hay que ponerle alguna pega, es que a pesar de estar escrito en tercera persona, principalmente se enfoca en la perspectiva de Carly y casi nada en la de Matt, por lo que su repentino cambio de actitud frente al compromiso no resulta muy creíble.
De todas maneras es una muy buena lectura y la autora logra separar muy bien los capítulos más amenos de aquellos de misterio y acción, con un muy buen equilibrio entre ambos.
Reto Rita 4.0 (mayo)
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December 17, 2022
⤅ Sadly, a heroine with way less self-respect than I'd have liked.
The hero and heroine were childhood friends who went to prom together. She's always been in love with him, and they have a one night stand after. She's seeing wedding bells basically while he regrets it because he's always thought of her as a sister and doesn't want commitment. So he ghosts her and she ends up moving away, returning a decade later.
She did get married and divorced from someone else in the interim, but they fall STRAIGHT back into their old pattern - she chases after him, they have sex, he does a runner because he can see how much she loves him and doesn't want anything tying him down. Rinse and repeat until almost the very end. She never, ever makes him work for a single thing, and her protestations that she wants him to stay away from her aren't worth the air she uses to make them.
Sorry, but a marriage proposal where the guy looks 'rueful' because you're the one who wanted the commitment is not what I was in the mood for. Shame, because Robards is a great writer, and the characters did have chemistry.
The hero and heroine were childhood friends who went to prom together. She's always been in love with him, and they have a one night stand after. She's seeing wedding bells basically while he regrets it because he's always thought of her as a sister and doesn't want commitment. So he ghosts her and she ends up moving away, returning a decade later.
She did get married and divorced from someone else in the interim, but they fall STRAIGHT back into their old pattern - she chases after him, they have sex, he does a runner because he can see how much she loves him and doesn't want anything tying him down. Rinse and repeat until almost the very end. She never, ever makes him work for a single thing, and her protestations that she wants him to stay away from her aren't worth the air she uses to make them.
Sorry, but a marriage proposal where the guy looks 'rueful' because you're the one who wanted the commitment is not what I was in the mood for. Shame, because Robards is a great writer, and the characters did have chemistry.
Read
October 3, 2020This is way out of my wheelhouse, so I'll recuse myself from giving it a rating. I am participating in the Reading Glasses 2020 Challenge, and one of the requirements is to read a romance novel. This presented an excellent opportunity to let my wife, an avid romance fan, pick one out for me. Karen Robards's Whispers at Midnight is one I've seen on the shelf for years (apparently since it came out in 2003, as it still has my son's scribbling in it).
Carly moves back from Chicago to her home town in the South to open up a bed and breakfast with her friend Sandra. She's purchased the three-story home that used to belong to her grandmother and will need to do some fixing up. When they arrive late at night, they find the house a hotbed of activity with the local sheriff chasing a prowler. It just so happens that the sheriff is Matt, Carly's old crush, who slept with her on prom night and never spoke with her again. She's sooooo maaaaaaddddd at him, and she's going to let us know the entire book about what a stuuuuuuupid jerk he is, while she lusts after his perrrrrrrfect body. Does Matt eventually catch the perpetrator and figure out why he is trying to kill Carly? Can they solve the riddle of her nightmares, and will her repressed memories from the orphanage tie in neatly with the main plot? Will she eventually get to bang the bad boy sheriff, say, 248 pages in? Can she convince him to want her just as much as she wants him... for the long term? Plus, will Sandra get a little action on the side and find the way into the assistant deputy's heart through his stomach? There's only one way to find out.
Oh, and be sure to stick a pin in that little mini-plot at the beginning. It will become relevant again at the very end once you've completely forgotten it was in the same book.
Carly moves back from Chicago to her home town in the South to open up a bed and breakfast with her friend Sandra. She's purchased the three-story home that used to belong to her grandmother and will need to do some fixing up. When they arrive late at night, they find the house a hotbed of activity with the local sheriff chasing a prowler. It just so happens that the sheriff is Matt, Carly's old crush, who slept with her on prom night and never spoke with her again. She's sooooo maaaaaaddddd at him, and she's going to let us know the entire book about what a stuuuuuuupid jerk he is, while she lusts after his perrrrrrrfect body. Does Matt eventually catch the perpetrator and figure out why he is trying to kill Carly? Can they solve the riddle of her nightmares, and will her repressed memories from the orphanage tie in neatly with the main plot? Will she eventually get to bang the bad boy sheriff, say, 248 pages in? Can she convince him to want her just as much as she wants him... for the long term? Plus, will Sandra get a little action on the side and find the way into the assistant deputy's heart through his stomach? There's only one way to find out.
Oh, and be sure to stick a pin in that little mini-plot at the beginning. It will become relevant again at the very end once you've completely forgotten it was in the same book.
September 4, 2011
I am such a sucker for the "second chance/I've loved you since I was a kid" theme. What this says about my own deep-seated psychological issues I'm afraid to guess, but I gobble these romances up like candy.
Whispers at Midnight is one of my all-time favourites - a comfort read that I know will keep me entertained for a few hours. Every time I read it I wish that I lived in Georgia and had a 6'1", black-haired, coffee-eyed slice of serious hotness to fight/flirt with. My GR friend Catherine used a phrase once when talking about romance novel heroines and readers who like to "self-insert" into the book (I thank her every time I use it, I like it so much). Yup, I like to "self-insert" into this story every single time I read it. ;D
Of course, this can't be all about the Hero (well, it could, but who wants to hear ME talk about him when you could just read the book?), so I'll tell you that there is a decent little romantic suspense thrown in here as well. Nothing really grim or dark or tightly wound, just enough to keep the plot skipping along (and the heroine forced into the Hero's protective custody, natch). The chemistry between the H/h is spectacular and the biggest reason this book is one of my favourites. When Karen Robards is on, she is on fire and imo this is one of her best.
The story begins with our heroine returning to her hometown to lick her wounds and start over after a nasty divorce. She and a friend plan to open a B&B in her grandmother's old Victorian, where she grew up. Things get off to a jumpy start right from the time they pull up in their UHaul and surprise what they think is a burglar. Turns out the burglar is Matt, he's now the sheriff, and it takes him tackling her in her driveway before they recognize each other. Sparks fly, the real prowler shows up, and you're in for 450 pages of flirting, fighting, friendships, family, a couple of promising secondary romances, and a mystery centered around a sweet stray dog named Annie. And chemistry that almost sets the pages on fire.
A great way to spend an afternoon -- preferably while holding down a lawnchair, drinking iced tea. :)
4.5 stars
Whispers at Midnight is one of my all-time favourites - a comfort read that I know will keep me entertained for a few hours. Every time I read it I wish that I lived in Georgia and had a 6'1", black-haired, coffee-eyed slice of serious hotness to fight/flirt with. My GR friend Catherine used a phrase once when talking about romance novel heroines and readers who like to "self-insert" into the book (I thank her every time I use it, I like it so much). Yup, I like to "self-insert" into this story every single time I read it. ;D
Of course, this can't be all about the Hero (well, it could, but who wants to hear ME talk about him when you could just read the book?), so I'll tell you that there is a decent little romantic suspense thrown in here as well. Nothing really grim or dark or tightly wound, just enough to keep the plot skipping along (and the heroine forced into the Hero's protective custody, natch). The chemistry between the H/h is spectacular and the biggest reason this book is one of my favourites. When Karen Robards is on, she is on fire and imo this is one of her best.
The story begins with our heroine returning to her hometown to lick her wounds and start over after a nasty divorce. She and a friend plan to open a B&B in her grandmother's old Victorian, where she grew up. Things get off to a jumpy start right from the time they pull up in their UHaul and surprise what they think is a burglar. Turns out the burglar is Matt, he's now the sheriff, and it takes him tackling her in her driveway before they recognize each other. Sparks fly, the real prowler shows up, and you're in for 450 pages of flirting, fighting, friendships, family, a couple of promising secondary romances, and a mystery centered around a sweet stray dog named Annie. And chemistry that almost sets the pages on fire.
A great way to spend an afternoon -- preferably while holding down a lawnchair, drinking iced tea. :)
4.5 stars
November 5, 2012
I get the distinct impression Robards couldn't decide whether she wanted to write a humorous contemporary romance or a gritty romantic suspense. The book is mostly a contemporary romance about a bad boy (Matt) that takes the virginity of the starry-eyed hometown girl (Carly), then never calls. Years later a now divorced Carly with a major chip on her shoulder returns to town, complete with a haughty cat and a comic-relief sidekick (Sandra). Hijinks ensue. Snappy, snarky Carly spars with commitment-challenged Matt, although she's regularly silenced by mind-blowing kisses. Yawn. (And how many small-town contemporary romances are about a woman or women returning to town to start a Bed and Breakfast, usually with inherited property? Dozens!!)
The suspense plot is dark, and while not graphically violent, the killer is definitely creepy. We get a glimpse of him early in the book, and then we only see or hear about him in very short snippets for most of the book. These small section about the killer are jarring in their intensity. The reader is taken from interactions between the perpetually pissed-off Carly calling Matt "Sweet cheeks" (derisively) and Matt calling her "Curls" (childhood nickname), to a sadistic killer without much segue. I simply doesn't work well.
I like Karen Robards and one "okay" book won't stop me from reading her. I'm hopeful that in the next book the suspense and romance will be blended with a little more subtlety.
The suspense plot is dark, and while not graphically violent, the killer is definitely creepy. We get a glimpse of him early in the book, and then we only see or hear about him in very short snippets for most of the book. These small section about the killer are jarring in their intensity. The reader is taken from interactions between the perpetually pissed-off Carly calling Matt "Sweet cheeks" (derisively) and Matt calling her "Curls" (childhood nickname), to a sadistic killer without much segue. I simply doesn't work well.
I like Karen Robards and one "okay" book won't stop me from reading her. I'm hopeful that in the next book the suspense and romance will be blended with a little more subtlety.
December 26, 2025
This is a romantic suspense about Carly (30) who is down on her luck and moving back to her hometown, to try to open a Bed and Breakfast there. Her childhood crush, Matt (33) is now the Sheriff. They cross paths again when Carly gets targeted by a burglar / killer, for unknown reasons.
This was just okay. The pacing was weird. In the first sequence where Carly shows up at the old house and fights with a burglar, and she and Matt meet again, it just goes on and on for an insanely long time. It’s literally the first 30% of the book, before the story finally moves on past that. The book also begins with a different woman, making it seem like she's the heroine, not Carly. It was confusing and pointless, since that woman is part of the murder plot, but although we find out who the killer is, I don't think her body was ever found, the book kinda skipped over that.
Carly and Matt’s relationship had a lot of angst potential that fizzled out. After she spent her whole childhood in love with him, when she was 18, she lost her virginity to him. Then, he ghosted her. It makes sense why she's still mad about that, 12 years later. That’s such a formative incident, in how Carly views sex, relationships, and her own desirability! This could have had a lot of angst and psychological depth, and fraught dynamics for them to work through. But, this didn’t dig into that. She had major “betraying body syndrome,” (that thing where a heroine is angry at the hero, but then he kisses her, and she instantly falls into bed with him). So, their relationship didn’t have the depth and angst it could have had.
For a long time, Matt and Carly have opposing plans for their futures – she wants marriage, he wants to leave town and “be free” and live a single life, with no responsibility. This never feels resolved. Obviously, they end up together. But they never work through his desire to “be free.” That narrative thread just gets dropped.
The one thing this book DOES deserve credit for is that Matt did seem sexy as fuck. Carly’s inability to stay mad at him was annoying. But this book did do a good job of showing how appealing he was, despite being a jerk. I’ve noticed that old-school romances – and romantic suspense – are good at that; having the hero be a jerk, but still making you be like, “I do get why she’s falling into bed with him.” A lot of modern romances are bad at that. In many modern romances where the hero wronged the heroine, he has no redeeming qualities or just seems so unappealingly wimpy (like in Maya Alden's terrible books). So, that was the best part of this book. Matt's sex appeal did jump off the page. This author is good at that. So are old-school authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard. Their heroes never grovel enough, but at least they're good at making them appealing. Books don't really make heroes like that anymore, it seems. More modern bad authors try to write more "grovel," but they're not good at making the heroes seem remotely appealing, in the first place.
Otherwise, meh. This was my first read from this author, I have heard that she's good, overall, so even though this didn't knock my socks off, I'd try something else from her.
This was just okay. The pacing was weird. In the first sequence where Carly shows up at the old house and fights with a burglar, and she and Matt meet again, it just goes on and on for an insanely long time. It’s literally the first 30% of the book, before the story finally moves on past that. The book also begins with a different woman, making it seem like she's the heroine, not Carly. It was confusing and pointless, since that woman is part of the murder plot, but although we find out who the killer is, I don't think her body was ever found, the book kinda skipped over that.
Carly and Matt’s relationship had a lot of angst potential that fizzled out. After she spent her whole childhood in love with him, when she was 18, she lost her virginity to him. Then, he ghosted her. It makes sense why she's still mad about that, 12 years later. That’s such a formative incident, in how Carly views sex, relationships, and her own desirability! This could have had a lot of angst and psychological depth, and fraught dynamics for them to work through. But, this didn’t dig into that. She had major “betraying body syndrome,” (that thing where a heroine is angry at the hero, but then he kisses her, and she instantly falls into bed with him). So, their relationship didn’t have the depth and angst it could have had.
For a long time, Matt and Carly have opposing plans for their futures – she wants marriage, he wants to leave town and “be free” and live a single life, with no responsibility. This never feels resolved. Obviously, they end up together. But they never work through his desire to “be free.” That narrative thread just gets dropped.
The one thing this book DOES deserve credit for is that Matt did seem sexy as fuck. Carly’s inability to stay mad at him was annoying. But this book did do a good job of showing how appealing he was, despite being a jerk. I’ve noticed that old-school romances – and romantic suspense – are good at that; having the hero be a jerk, but still making you be like, “I do get why she’s falling into bed with him.” A lot of modern romances are bad at that. In many modern romances where the hero wronged the heroine, he has no redeeming qualities or just seems so unappealingly wimpy (like in Maya Alden's terrible books). So, that was the best part of this book. Matt's sex appeal did jump off the page. This author is good at that. So are old-school authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard. Their heroes never grovel enough, but at least they're good at making them appealing. Books don't really make heroes like that anymore, it seems. More modern bad authors try to write more "grovel," but they're not good at making the heroes seem remotely appealing, in the first place.
Otherwise, meh. This was my first read from this author, I have heard that she's good, overall, so even though this didn't knock my socks off, I'd try something else from her.
September 9, 2011
3 stars.
I just couldn't get into this. The premise of the book was so good that I was really excited to pick it up but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I think Susan Elizabeth Phillips has ruined me for other contemporary romance. Seriously.
The book starts off pretty well with a bit of action and suspense and then we meet our hero, Matt, who is the county sheriff. So far so good. Then it introduces the heroine, Carly, who seems smart and funny and we get thrown straight into the action which I appreciated. Matt and Carly bump into each other and sparks fly, but here is where it went downhill for me.
For one thing, that "scene" was way WAY too long. It felt like it took up a quarter of the book and I am not joking. Secondly, the scene was in Carly's POV for most of the time and it just didn't hold my interest; what with Carly's childish hissing and glaring and generally aggressive behaviour. And she didn't get much better throughout the rest of the book.
I had a glimmer of hope when it looked like she was going to let bygones be bygones but then Matt pissed her off again and the childishness continued. This is where I skimmed a lot. She got a little bit better towards the end when she kind of pulled her head out of her arse but I think by then I just wanted it to wrap up.
In all fairness, the other characters were quirky and the suspense story arc was engrossing. Matt was also amazingly hot and saw straight through Carly's bullshit so he wasn't as much of a chore to read. But these things just weren't enough for me really.
I always feel so bad when I read a rec and it disappoints me - so sorry, Tammy, I wish I could have enjoyed it more. However I am happy that I gave one of your all time favourite reads a go. :)
I just couldn't get into this. The premise of the book was so good that I was really excited to pick it up but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I think Susan Elizabeth Phillips has ruined me for other contemporary romance. Seriously.
The book starts off pretty well with a bit of action and suspense and then we meet our hero, Matt, who is the county sheriff. So far so good. Then it introduces the heroine, Carly, who seems smart and funny and we get thrown straight into the action which I appreciated. Matt and Carly bump into each other and sparks fly, but here is where it went downhill for me.
For one thing, that "scene" was way WAY too long. It felt like it took up a quarter of the book and I am not joking. Secondly, the scene was in Carly's POV for most of the time and it just didn't hold my interest; what with Carly's childish hissing and glaring and generally aggressive behaviour. And she didn't get much better throughout the rest of the book.
I had a glimmer of hope when it looked like she was going to let bygones be bygones but then Matt pissed her off again and the childishness continued. This is where I skimmed a lot. She got a little bit better towards the end when she kind of pulled her head out of her arse but I think by then I just wanted it to wrap up.
In all fairness, the other characters were quirky and the suspense story arc was engrossing. Matt was also amazingly hot and saw straight through Carly's bullshit so he wasn't as much of a chore to read. But these things just weren't enough for me really.
I always feel so bad when I read a rec and it disappoints me - so sorry, Tammy, I wish I could have enjoyed it more. However I am happy that I gave one of your all time favourite reads a go. :)
July 25, 2013
My mom read this one right before I did. She kept asking me if I guessed who the bad guy was yet....Well, I never did!! I was very surprised who it was though.
Another great murder mystery/romantic love story from Karen Robards. Hunky Sheriff verses head strong stubborn female future in keeper. Matt & Carly made for some really great fireworks. Matt's three sisters were a real hoot in this one too. I do think the real stars of this story were Hugo the cat and Annie the little dog!!
I recommend this one for all you animal lovers out there...as well as those who like a bit of humor in your romance novels.
Another great murder mystery/romantic love story from Karen Robards. Hunky Sheriff verses head strong stubborn female future in keeper. Matt & Carly made for some really great fireworks. Matt's three sisters were a real hoot in this one too. I do think the real stars of this story were Hugo the cat and Annie the little dog!!
I recommend this one for all you animal lovers out there...as well as those who like a bit of humor in your romance novels.
November 22, 2017
Suspenso, romance y un par de buenas escenas hot. No es para tirar cohetes, pero se lee bien y es entretenido. Sobre todo en tono de comedia aunque hay por ahí un asesino merodeando.
April 19, 2022
3,5/5
Podría poner más nota porque la historia me ha gustado bastante, pero lo dejo en un 3,5 porque, a veces, la pareja protagonista es un poco cansina.
En general lo recomiendo.
Podría poner más nota porque la historia me ha gustado bastante, pero lo dejo en un 3,5 porque, a veces, la pareja protagonista es un poco cansina.
En general lo recomiendo.
March 25, 2012
This was a fun read. It had a light suspense plot running through the background, but overall its tone was light and fun. Thanks, Tammy, for the rec!
The hero and heroine of the book used to be childhood friends, but then things went a little far on prom night and their friendship ended. The hero, Matt, was completely uncomfortable with introducing sex into their relationship (although the heroine was all for it) and decided to deal with the issue by ignoring it. Unfortunately, that meant that he ignored the heroine, Carly, too, so it's no stretch to see that it spelled the end of their friendship.
Years later Carly is back in town and back to square one with Matt in no time at all. She's still pissed at him, which is demonstrated by hilariously childish snipes and outbursts, but he insists that they are still friends. Their interactions together made me laugh. Carly was childish and resentful, but it worked because the book had such a lighthearted tone to it. I thought it was hilarious how they kept repeating the same kiss-and-run pattern again and again.
There were quite a few times that I winced over Matt's obliviousness. He was determined to keep Carly in the friend zone and uncomfortable anytime sexual attraction came into the mix, leading him to be harshly honest with her. I didn't blame him at all for his stance, but his delivery and the casual way it beat down Carly's ego was ouch-worthy.
I liked the way everything resolved, but I needed more time spent in Matt's pov to be completely convinced of his turn around in regards to his feelings toward Carly.
Favorite Quote:
The hero and heroine of the book used to be childhood friends, but then things went a little far on prom night and their friendship ended. The hero, Matt, was completely uncomfortable with introducing sex into their relationship (although the heroine was all for it) and decided to deal with the issue by ignoring it. Unfortunately, that meant that he ignored the heroine, Carly, too, so it's no stretch to see that it spelled the end of their friendship.
Years later Carly is back in town and back to square one with Matt in no time at all. She's still pissed at him, which is demonstrated by hilariously childish snipes and outbursts, but he insists that they are still friends. Their interactions together made me laugh. Carly was childish and resentful, but it worked because the book had such a lighthearted tone to it. I thought it was hilarious how they kept repeating the same kiss-and-run pattern again and again.
There were quite a few times that I winced over Matt's obliviousness. He was determined to keep Carly in the friend zone and uncomfortable anytime sexual attraction came into the mix, leading him to be harshly honest with her. I didn't blame him at all for his stance, but his delivery and the casual way it beat down Carly's ego was ouch-worthy.
I liked the way everything resolved, but I needed more time spent in Matt's pov to be completely convinced of his turn around in regards to his feelings toward Carly.
Favorite Quote:
"Listen, I know what I saw, and what I saw was hot." Sandra made a big production out of pretending to fan herself with her hand. "I practically melted where I stood."
"Give it a rest, Sandra, will you please?" Carly asked tiredly.
"Then you went and kicked him. Honey, men in general don't like that. Not unless they're kinky, that is. Is the that hunky sheriff kinky? 'Cause I want him if he is."
February 13, 2008
Fast-paced romance/suspense that made me too anxious to go to bed. The Characters were hard not to like, especially when the love interest is hott. :) took only 2 days for me to finish reading. If you love reading romantic suspense books with more romance like me, then you'll want to read Whispers at Midnight.
March 31, 2021
Whispers at Midnight
4.5 Stars
Carly Linton returns home to Benton, Georgia to open a B&B in her grandmother's old mansion. But a close encounter with a burglar has her running straight into the arms of the hunky Sheriff, Matt Converse, who just happens to be her childhood crush. As Matt and Carly rekindle their romance, a dangerous ghost from Carly's past returns to threaten her happiness.
This earlier work from Robards hits all the high notes - a gorgeous cop hero, a snarky and sexy heroine, a delightful romance, and an intense suspense plot.
Carly and Matt's amazing chemistry sizzles from the start. One cannot help but smile at their witty repartee and snappy comebacks, and their second chances romance is both adorable and sensual.
The small-town setting and secondary characters ranging from Carly's BFF to Matt's sisters and their various significant others add another layer of charm to the story. The suspense plot is actions packed with several exciting scenes and Carly, thankfully, never becomes a TSTL heroine.
All in all, an excellent read that reminded me of my early appreciation for Robards' writing.
4.5 Stars
Carly Linton returns home to Benton, Georgia to open a B&B in her grandmother's old mansion. But a close encounter with a burglar has her running straight into the arms of the hunky Sheriff, Matt Converse, who just happens to be her childhood crush. As Matt and Carly rekindle their romance, a dangerous ghost from Carly's past returns to threaten her happiness.
This earlier work from Robards hits all the high notes - a gorgeous cop hero, a snarky and sexy heroine, a delightful romance, and an intense suspense plot.
Carly and Matt's amazing chemistry sizzles from the start. One cannot help but smile at their witty repartee and snappy comebacks, and their second chances romance is both adorable and sensual.
The small-town setting and secondary characters ranging from Carly's BFF to Matt's sisters and their various significant others add another layer of charm to the story. The suspense plot is actions packed with several exciting scenes and Carly, thankfully, never becomes a TSTL heroine.
All in all, an excellent read that reminded me of my early appreciation for Robards' writing.
May 12, 2015
No no no no no no no no no no!!!
I need to wash my brains - I need to read me some Linda Howard - this is NOT how a romantic suspense should be done; I want to read about adults not teenager-like angsters who can't keep their pants on; what love? what? Noooooooo I can't believe the time I wasted on this. Arghhhhh! Not happy!
I need to wash my brains - I need to read me some Linda Howard - this is NOT how a romantic suspense should be done; I want to read about adults not teenager-like angsters who can't keep their pants on; what love? what? Noooooooo I can't believe the time I wasted on this. Arghhhhh! Not happy!
March 20, 2023
Karen Robards is a best-selling romantic suspense novelist and books like Whispers at Midnight are the reason why. An interesting collection of characters, an intriguing and well-crafted mystery, humor, danger and a satisfying romance all serve to make this a top notch read.
Carly Linton is moving back to her hometown in Georgia after twelve years in the big city of Chicago. With both the rat-race and her rat of an ex-husband behind her, Carly is planning on opening a bed-and-breakfast in the house she inherited from her grandmother. The last person she expects to find still living in Benton, Georgia is Matt Converse, former town bad-boy (and now, remarkably, County Sheriff). Once, Matt and Carly were friends - right up until she gave him her virginity the night of her senior prom and he spent the rest of the summer avoiding her. When Carly left for college, she left Matt and the heartbreak she felt over his betrayal behind.
Carly may not want anything to do with Matt now, but she may not have much of a choice. A prowler is hanging around her house and it’s becoming increasingly clear that someone means to remove Carly from Benton, permanently. Carly will need Matt to keep her safe and to help her uncover the clues from her past that will lead them to the man who wants her dead.
July 26, 2022
I loved this book, mostly because i’m a sucked for a good hero to come in and save the girl. I low key love the cheesy parts (which is a lot of this book), and absolutely adored the side characters and how deep Robards went into their character development. Only reason i’m not giving 5 stars is because there were a few parts I just didn’t find necessary, like Carly getting a boob job, and why the murderer had to hurt the dog (yes I get it but dogs being hurt always makes me sad even in fiction). Overall though, it’s a great book about a good girl who is falling for her childhood crush and of course, they have a steamy relationship that all works out in the end. One of the best thrillers/mysteries I’ve read from Robards too, as I actually didn’t know who it was till the very end and it wasn’t super predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2010
For my favorite author, this book really tanked in my opinion. First off the heroine had fake boobs and dyed her hair blonde. If you like that sort of lead female then disregard this review... I can't stand women who try to turn themselves into barbie no matter the reason and it really soured a great story for me. Another thing that ticked me off was that the killer owned a "Ford Silverado" I'm not kidding. It really says that. Chevy makes Silverados. NOT Ford!! Great mystery and steamy sex scenes if you dont mind the things I mentioned. I don't blame you.. please read because that women can write up a storm.
July 29, 2013
I reread this a few times because it is funny and sexy. Robards also manages to include important topics in her books with out depressing the reader. Love that the friends are black and white and afraid together. Back in her old hometown Carli revisits past emotions when she sees the bad boy she had a major crush on. He's the law in town and a confirmed bachelor. As she and her friend try to open a B&B they encounter mysterious setbacks. Matt helps Carli and is charmed by her again despite her now straight hair, and because of her bosom. (She says it's real) real silicone that is. Humor, mystery, and a hot man make this a fun read.
June 23, 2011
This was the first book I read by this author, and I really liked it!! The characters are great, with just a hint of ridiculousness in some scenarios. The attraction, history, and tension between the Hero and Heroine is fun, and you just gotta love the supporting cast. She kept it interesting, fresh, and with just enough suspense in there to really keep the pages turning as well. I will definitely look into more of her books.
September 23, 2023
Carly and Matt make a good couple. I was rooting for them. Its funny at times and sad at times. This is actually my third time reading this book. I also went out and bought this book. I would like to read about what happens to the sisters and Sandra and the officers. Over all very good book.
November 28, 2025
This was a decent Karen Robards novel (but there are others I enjoyed more). Carly is returning to her hometown to start a B&B in her grandmother's old mansion, after a nasty divorce that left her close to broke. Matt is now the sheriff for her town, and she's always had a crush on him but is still furious over how he treated her after her high school prom. A burglar breaks into her house, and as time goes on it appears that he is targeting her. The relationship with Carly and Matt is steamy and fun, but the threat from the burglar/stalker didn't carry the tension that some of Ms. Robards' other novels did. Overall though - still a good read.
February 17, 2021
For the first part of this book I was worried I didn’t like it and wasn’t going to not least because up to the 25% mark less than about an hour had passed in the plot. Things then started to move along and events occurred over a few days but surprisingly the relationship really convinced me when I didn’t think it was going to. This gave me old Linda Howard feels and reminded me how much I love KR
April 17, 2021
Whispers at Midnight
Love Karen Robards books. She builds the story with twists and turns that lead the reader right into the book along with the excitement. I still haven't been able to solve the mystery of any of her books until the very last few chapters. Love the mystery and suspense.
Love Karen Robards books. She builds the story with twists and turns that lead the reader right into the book along with the excitement. I still haven't been able to solve the mystery of any of her books until the very last few chapters. Love the mystery and suspense.
November 17, 2022
This is poorly written romance. The suspense part is basicaly nonexistant and sloppily executed. The entire book is about Carly drooling over Matt, and Matt avoiding commitment like plague, untill his predictable come to Jesus moment. Very highscoolish. The "suspense" is merely to speed things along between Carly and Matt.
Ending was particulary ridiculous. So nauseatingly cute.
Ending was particulary ridiculous. So nauseatingly cute.
June 10, 2019
(Explícito). Estuvo bien, pero la historia se centró más en los protagonistas, que tenían sus altos y bajos, y dejó el misterio hasta el final. Narrado en tercera persona, ofrece diferentes puntos de vista. Recomendable.
June 1, 2021
Neighbor, who also adores Nora, recommended. Very similar type of story but Nora remains the Queen. The ending/mystery wasn’t as good as Nora’s but loved the romance ❤️would try another of her books! 2.5 and rounded up.
March 7, 2017
Направо тръпки да те побият, когато четеш описанията на КР. Страхотия и тръпка до последно.
July 13, 2017
Romantic suspense. It was an okay read, but not my favorite by Robards.
May 29, 2019
Just ok
Not a big fan of the chick
Not a big fan of the chick
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