Edge of Darkness by Karen Rose

Title: Edge of Darkness

Author: Karen Rose

Series: Cincinnati #4

A powerfully realistic and moving story

Sweet Baby Jorge, I love Karen Rose. Her work continues to awe me. I don’t know if it’s her or her editor, but I almost never find any flaws in logic. Every plot point is methodically positioned and relevant and it all makes so much sense. And the level of detail, especially in police/FBI procedure—it simply astounds me.

And the feels! I don’t know how she does it, but she makes me care about each and every stinkin’ character. We spent about five seconds with Andy, but I cried for him! I adored Adam—I just wanted to cradle him to my breast and rock—and I related to Meredith a lot. She was always a little standoffish in other novels, I think, but here we got to see inside her mind and witness her as a person and not just as a therapist.

I even cared about the villain to a point. Well, not Mike, he was refuse through and through, but the main perp (I don’t want to spoil who that is) I felt sorry for when he wished he had a way/time to take his wife and kids on the run with him; he was going to miss them. I felt bad for that vile son of a bitch! No one does villains/antagonists like Rose. She gives them more than due diligence, she gives them layers and motives beyond mustache-twirling evil. It’s fascinating.

Be aware—this novel is very dark and doesn’t shy away from the reality most of us like to avoid thinking about. It deals heavily with child abuse, child pornography, and rape. Nothing graphically portrayed, but bluntly spoken of. There are also gunshot wounds to the head, alcoholism, depression, self-mutilation, and suicide. I seriously respect that Rose not only tackled those issues but did it with gentle and frank tact.

That list might make you think, “What the hell is this book about that it has all that in it? Must be depressing AF!” And in some aspects, it is; it’s hard to be reminded that there is so much suffering in the world. But it’s also about goodwill, selflessness, hope, and happy endings, so don’t think it’s all doom and gloom and gore. Most of the narrative is actually very heartwarming.

The only flaw I can think of is the fact that the villain turned out to be—gasp!—a cop. I feel that’s been a bit overdone; it wasn’t a shocking reveal to me. It’s one of those twists that has stopped being a twist and has become predictable. But calling that out is like pointing out a single zit on a supermodel.

I do wish I’d had the wisdom to reread the last book set in Cincinnati, Every Dark Corner, just to re-familiarize myself with the characters and what’s been going on. I couldn’t remember anything about Wendi or Parrish. Totally forgot they existed. We’re told enough so we know who they are and how they fit in, but I’d have loved to know the nitty-gritty regarding them. It was nice to see lead characters from past books, too, especially Alex and Daniel. Their book, Scream for Me, is one of my favorites.

I’m trying to remember—I can’t find the source again, but I think I read somewhere that Rose is done with one of the cities. Was it Baltimore? Death Is Not Enough is the last Baltimore book, I think. I just hope to Baby Jorge that we’ll get back to Cincinnati yesterday because I am DYING for Diesel and Dani to get together!! I enjoyed Meredith and Adam’s story, but not gonna lie, in the back of my mind I kept hoping for a Diesel/Dani scene. Diesel just breaks my heart… I mean, that scarf… Okay, yes, I hold all the characters dear, but for me Diesel is like that favorite child whom you don’t want to admit is your favorite. And Stone and Delores still need to get together, I think. We only saw them once a piece here, but I’m pretty sure they’re still a thing. I AM NOT DONE WITH CINCINNATI, ROSE, DO YOU HEAR ME?

Death Is Not Enough, the next (last?) Baltimore book featuring Thomas Thorne and Gwyn Weaver is due out Tuesday, I believe, and I can’t wait to check in on the extensive Baltimore gang. Then next February we’re heading into new territory—Sacramento, CA—and I can’t wait to see what Rose has cooked up for us over there.

Okay, I feel stupid. I totally forgot Elise interviewed Rose when this book came out in February. Death Is Not Enough is the last Baltimore book, and Diesel and Dani are getting their own book, which should probably be released about this time next year.

You can find the interview HERE.


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