4.5* ( )

I'm reviewing Cynthia Eden's latest romantic suspense After the Dark (Killer Instinct Series, #1). When Samantha Dark, an FBI profiler , gets fired and kicked out the force she goes into hiding. Her ex-partner Blake Gamble now sees this as their chance to finally get together and goes to her, but there's a killer on the scene who's not letting her off so easily and Blake inadvertently puts her in mor
e danger - especially as the killer and Sam have a connection that even Blake cannot sever. Here are my thoughts:

^^ When a story begins with what should be the ending of Sam's life only a few pages in and I'm already thinking, 'how's she going to get out of this one?' I knew this was going to be one hell of an emotional, fast ride; full of ups and downs. It hooked me from the start and did not let go.

^^ Cynthia Eden has written a gripping fast-paced story I could not put down, which means I'm now going to have to go through her back list and add more titles to my ever growing to be read list!

^^ There are so many layers to this story, which makes it an exciting read. Sam's got a great, dark background, and with this you get a sense that profiling killers makes her almost as evil as them.

^^ The tension between Sam and Blake is steamy, and yet, there's also something to be said with Sam's connection to the killer, the control he has o
ver her, and how he hunts her down and draws her back into his games.

^^ I'm sure this must have been said a thousand times over, but as this author is new to me, I've got to say it; the relationship and mind games between Agent Dark and the villain Cameron Latham, reminded me of Clarice Starling's with Lecter when looking to apprehend Buffalo Bill. The only difference being the genre, that was horror thriller, and this is a romantic suspense. There's still plenty of blood and gore, it's just this author's voice is more light-hearted and keeps true to the romantic will-they-won't-they-get-together theme when it comes to Agent Dark and Agent Gamble's on and off relationship.

Overall: An enjoyable fast read, which took me totally by surprise. Like I said, I'm definitely going to go back and read more of Cynthia Eden's work. Superb.

I was given an ARC of this book via Netgalley. Thanks to Harlequin (US & Canada). ( )

Link to full review below! So freaking good!! Will hook you right away! See full review on The Book Disciple ( )

After the Dark
4 Stars

Following a debacle that ended in the escape of a sadistic serial killer, FBI Profiler Samantha Dark finds returns home to Alabama at loose ends. When her former partner, Blake Gamble, arrives with troubling new details about the case, Sam is forced to confront her past. But can she overcome her demons, and will the man she loves accept her for who she is?

Series note:This is the first novel in Cynthia Eden's new Killer Instincts series. There is a prequel novella (Gathering Dusk), which provides an important introduction to the characters, as well as a Harlequin Intrigue (Abduction) set in the same world and portraying events mentioned in this book.

After the Dark has an intense and chilling serial killer plot, and Eden can always be relied upon to provide a suitably malevolent villain together with exciting action sequences.

Sam and Blake are both likable characters and their romance is satisfying overall. That said, their chemistry is not as tangible as some of Eden's other couples. Perhaps it is the fact that their relationship comes after a period of separation, but the heat and passion behind the words and love scenes is somewhat lacking. Moreover, Blake's overprotectiveness begins to chafe after a while, especially since Sam is a trained FBI agent and can take care of herself.

In sum, recommended for fans of serial killers and police procedurals as well as the TV show Criminal Minds. The rest of the series looks very promising.

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Romantic suspense novels are not really my thing, so I have to say I wasn't that thrilled with the book. ( )