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As a medical examiner, Samantha Owens knows her job is to make a certain sense of death with crisp methodology and precision instruments.
But the day the Tennessee floods took her husband and children, the light vanished from Sam's life. She has been pulled into a suffocating grief no amount of workaholic ardor can penetrate--until she receives a peculiar call from Washington, D.C.
On the other end of the line is an old boyfriend's mother, asking Sam to do a second autopsy on her son. show more Eddie Donovan is officially the victim of a vicious carjacking, but under Sam's sharp eye the forensics tell a darker story. The ex-Ranger was murdered, though not for his car.
Forced to confront the burning memories and feelings about yet another loved one killed brutally, Sam loses herself in the mystery contained within Donovan's old notes. It leads her to the untouchable Xander, a soldier off-grid since his return from Afghanistan, and then to a series of brutal crimes stretching from that harsh mountainous war zone to this nation's capital. The tale told between the lines makes it clear that nobody's hands are clean, and that making sense of murder sometimes means putting yourself in the crosshairs of death. show less
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It’s a long time since I’ve read a thriller that was so engrossing AND contains a very good liner that I completely agree with “Life’s far too short for bad coffee”. Welcome to the world of Dr Samantha Owen, Medical Examiner who just happens to have an ex-Army boyfriend who was killed in a car-jacking – or was he?
Samantha (or Sam) lives a lonely life in Nashville after the untimely death of her husband and children. Prone to drinking a bit and over washing her hands, she is called on by the mother of an ex-boyfriend, Eddie Donovan, to perform a second autopsy on him after a carjacking gone wrong. Flying to Washington D.C., she picks up on some things that just aren’t right and is soon involved in a police investigation of show more not one, but several murders of his former Army mates.
This book is a multitude of strengths – not only is it a fast paced thriller with a page-turning plot, it has excellent characterisation too. With some books in this genre I find it difficult to differentiate the minor characters, but Ellison gives them quirks and a life of their own so the reader is not left trying to remember who is who. There is a nice balance between the personal (Sam’s previous tragedy and the awkwardness of meeting Eddie’s wife), the autopsies and the police procedurals. Fletcher and Hart are well rounded characters, each with enough personal detail for the reader to be able to identify them.
I’ve mentioned that the book is fast paced, but it’s not so much so that you lose track of what’s going on. The plot is very cleverly constructed, with enough twists that I couldn’t work out who the murderer was until it was revealed. The comments about army life and the rules – including the unspoken – were well placed, but not preachy. There’s also a little bit of romance in this book, but it certainly wasn’t predictable as to who would end up with who!
The emotions in A Deeper Darkness are also very well done. Sam is traumatised after the deaths of her family, but she doesn’t fall into the cliché of the troubled main character. Her pain is real and demonstrated in the flashes of grief that appear randomly – just like the real thing. The pain of Fletcher’s divorce is also explored with a raw emotion – and when Hart tells him why his ex-wife suddenly opened up to him, it all makes simple, yet perfect sense.
This is definitely an intriguing, well written book that will have you reading well into the night. I was really pleased to read that there will be a second book featuring Sam Owens released in the future, which I’ll look out for eagerly. I’ll also be checking out her series involving a police friend of Sam’s, Taylor Jackson.
Thank you to Harlequin for sending me this book and helping me discover a great author!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com show less
Samantha (or Sam) lives a lonely life in Nashville after the untimely death of her husband and children. Prone to drinking a bit and over washing her hands, she is called on by the mother of an ex-boyfriend, Eddie Donovan, to perform a second autopsy on him after a carjacking gone wrong. Flying to Washington D.C., she picks up on some things that just aren’t right and is soon involved in a police investigation of show more not one, but several murders of his former Army mates.
This book is a multitude of strengths – not only is it a fast paced thriller with a page-turning plot, it has excellent characterisation too. With some books in this genre I find it difficult to differentiate the minor characters, but Ellison gives them quirks and a life of their own so the reader is not left trying to remember who is who. There is a nice balance between the personal (Sam’s previous tragedy and the awkwardness of meeting Eddie’s wife), the autopsies and the police procedurals. Fletcher and Hart are well rounded characters, each with enough personal detail for the reader to be able to identify them.
I’ve mentioned that the book is fast paced, but it’s not so much so that you lose track of what’s going on. The plot is very cleverly constructed, with enough twists that I couldn’t work out who the murderer was until it was revealed. The comments about army life and the rules – including the unspoken – were well placed, but not preachy. There’s also a little bit of romance in this book, but it certainly wasn’t predictable as to who would end up with who!
The emotions in A Deeper Darkness are also very well done. Sam is traumatised after the deaths of her family, but she doesn’t fall into the cliché of the troubled main character. Her pain is real and demonstrated in the flashes of grief that appear randomly – just like the real thing. The pain of Fletcher’s divorce is also explored with a raw emotion – and when Hart tells him why his ex-wife suddenly opened up to him, it all makes simple, yet perfect sense.
This is definitely an intriguing, well written book that will have you reading well into the night. I was really pleased to read that there will be a second book featuring Sam Owens released in the future, which I’ll look out for eagerly. I’ll also be checking out her series involving a police friend of Sam’s, Taylor Jackson.
Thank you to Harlequin for sending me this book and helping me discover a great author!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com show less
I am sure I have read at least one or more of JT Ellison's Taylor Jackson series novels though I don't seem to have a record of it. A Deeper Darkness is an engaging spin off from that series featuring Taylor's best friend, Medical Examiner Samantha Owens.
Asked what I thought of A Deeper Darkness, the first phrase that came to mind was 'easily consumable'. It's a quick read that demands very little and provides a few hours of entertaining escape. The novel is deftly plotted with clues to piece together and twists that maintain suspense. The pace keeps the pages turning and the main conspiracy storyline resolves in a tension filled confrontation. Ellison references topical events and issues - the Tennessee floods, women in front line show more combat, the struggles of returned armed forces servicemen and women and obsessive compulsive disorder which provides added interest and depth to the story.
The characters of A Deeper Darkness are well developed with interesting personal histories and motivations. I liked Samantha and thought Ellison did a credible job of creating a well rounded, sympathetic protagonist. The details of Samantha's tragic personal background is revealed piecemeal throughout the story with her OCD a symptom of her grief and emotional stress. Donavon's death is yet another blow despite it being so long since their intimate relationship ended and explains why Samantha is so willing to get involved further in the case. The conflict between Samantha and Donovan's wife, Susan, seemed a little forced to me though that element is quickly resolved.
Detective Darren Fletcher is the the cynical but dedicated officer, I enjoyed his wry sense of humour and his partner, Detective Lonny Hart provides a good foil for him.
Even though we meet a few members of the Ranger team briefly, and others not all, Ellison ensures they are encapsulated as individuals. I would have liked to learn more about them but it wasn't strictly necessary in terms of the story.
I enjoyed A Deeper Darkness and I am intrigued by the premise for the second installment of this series, titled Edge of Black, due for publication in December. show less
Asked what I thought of A Deeper Darkness, the first phrase that came to mind was 'easily consumable'. It's a quick read that demands very little and provides a few hours of entertaining escape. The novel is deftly plotted with clues to piece together and twists that maintain suspense. The pace keeps the pages turning and the main conspiracy storyline resolves in a tension filled confrontation. Ellison references topical events and issues - the Tennessee floods, women in front line show more combat, the struggles of returned armed forces servicemen and women and obsessive compulsive disorder which provides added interest and depth to the story.
The characters of A Deeper Darkness are well developed with interesting personal histories and motivations. I liked Samantha and thought Ellison did a credible job of creating a well rounded, sympathetic protagonist. The details of Samantha's tragic personal background is revealed piecemeal throughout the story with her OCD a symptom of her grief and emotional stress. Donavon's death is yet another blow despite it being so long since their intimate relationship ended and explains why Samantha is so willing to get involved further in the case. The conflict between Samantha and Donovan's wife, Susan, seemed a little forced to me though that element is quickly resolved.
Detective Darren Fletcher is the the cynical but dedicated officer, I enjoyed his wry sense of humour and his partner, Detective Lonny Hart provides a good foil for him.
Even though we meet a few members of the Ranger team briefly, and others not all, Ellison ensures they are encapsulated as individuals. I would have liked to learn more about them but it wasn't strictly necessary in terms of the story.
I enjoyed A Deeper Darkness and I am intrigued by the premise for the second installment of this series, titled Edge of Black, due for publication in December. show less
I didn't like this book at the start, but by the time I got to the end I loved it and was left wanting more!
I didn't feel like this was the same Sam who was in the Taylor books, but maybe she isn't. Maybe losing her family changed her so much that this isn't the old Sam any more. Not having Sam as a major character in the Taylor books we didn't get to know her intimately, but now we're seeing a side of her that was maybe always there, but we just didn't see it.
Despite that, I really enjoyed this book, and I would like more. I'd like to see more of quite a few of the characters too - not just Sam, Xander and Fletcher, who I believe will be back, but Susan and Eleanor too.
I didn't feel like this was the same Sam who was in the Taylor books, but maybe she isn't. Maybe losing her family changed her so much that this isn't the old Sam any more. Not having Sam as a major character in the Taylor books we didn't get to know her intimately, but now we're seeing a side of her that was maybe always there, but we just didn't see it.
Despite that, I really enjoyed this book, and I would like more. I'd like to see more of quite a few of the characters too - not just Sam, Xander and Fletcher, who I believe will be back, but Susan and Eleanor too.
Rated 3.5 stars.
This is the first book I've read from this author. The mystery was good and had a lot of twists until the very end. The ending though felt a little rushed and the romance started near the end as well so that felt to fast too. But I would read more of the author's books.
This is the first book I've read from this author. The mystery was good and had a lot of twists until the very end. The ending though felt a little rushed and the romance started near the end as well so that felt to fast too. But I would read more of the author's books.
This was a great novel! It is the first J.T. Ellison that I have read, and my introduction to Dr. Samantha Owens. I was hooked from the start because of my curiosity - what happened to Sam's family, what happened to Donovan, when are they going to figure out that the little girl saw the killing, what happens to Susan (Donovan's wife)? I liked that different chapters were from different characters' perspectives. I did have a hint of who the killer might be, but I did not expect the reasons for the killings. I enjoyed learning about Sam's first love, Eddie Donovan who became a brilliant leader as a Ranger in the military, and about the men in his unit who became his friends. I also enjoyed the inter-play with Eleanor (Eddie's mother), show more Sam, and Susan. I am looking forward to another Samantha Owen's story. show less
I have not read any other J.T. Ellison books before this one, even though they have been on my TBR list for a while. I love a good mystery and this definitely was enjoyable. Once it hooked me, I quickly finished it not wanting to put it down for regular day chores. I plan on reading her other books soon.
This book was definitely not a light read as a lot was going on and you definitely had to keep track. Sometimes I felt like I was getting confused, not due to the writer’s ability, just trying to remember everything. So this is definitely a book to read when you’re wanting to think and use your brain. There is no fluff.
I did like the main character Sam. As her story is really woven in between all that has and is happening. I was show more able to connect with her. What a tough situation she was in, but became stronger by the end of the book.
This book is definitely a must read for readers of thrillers, suspense, and/or mystery. There was a small amount of romance, but definitely not enough to categorize it is a romantic suspense, or for those who don’t like romance to be concerned. show less
This book was definitely not a light read as a lot was going on and you definitely had to keep track. Sometimes I felt like I was getting confused, not due to the writer’s ability, just trying to remember everything. So this is definitely a book to read when you’re wanting to think and use your brain. There is no fluff.
I did like the main character Sam. As her story is really woven in between all that has and is happening. I was show more able to connect with her. What a tough situation she was in, but became stronger by the end of the book.
This book is definitely a must read for readers of thrillers, suspense, and/or mystery. There was a small amount of romance, but definitely not enough to categorize it is a romantic suspense, or for those who don’t like romance to be concerned. show less
“Fresh Meat” by Laura K. Curtis for Criminal Element
Ellison fans (like me) are used to her police procedural thrillers featuring Taylor Jackson. But while I enjoy Taylor, I was glad to see that Ellison was branching out into a new series as well. Samantha Owens is a medical examiner in Nashville, but she takes a leave to do a personal favor . . . going to Washington, DC, to do a secondary autopsy in the murder case of her former lover, Eddie, at the request of his mother, Eleanor.
But although Sam performs the secondary autopsy, this isn’t strictly a forensics book. Sam is out of her element, more an amateur sleuth than an ME. And she is constantly at the mercy of tangled emotions, for not only is she investigating the death of show more her former lover and dealing with his mother, his wife and his children, she is still mourning the loss of her own husband and children who were taken from her in the Nashville floods.
It is the emotional impact of the book, rather than its mystery, that really keeps the reader engaged. (Oh, the mystery’s there, too, but for me it was definitely secondary.)
Read the rest at: http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2012/04/fresh-meat-a-deeper-darkness-by-j-t... show less
Ellison fans (like me) are used to her police procedural thrillers featuring Taylor Jackson. But while I enjoy Taylor, I was glad to see that Ellison was branching out into a new series as well. Samantha Owens is a medical examiner in Nashville, but she takes a leave to do a personal favor . . . going to Washington, DC, to do a secondary autopsy in the murder case of her former lover, Eddie, at the request of his mother, Eleanor.
But although Sam performs the secondary autopsy, this isn’t strictly a forensics book. Sam is out of her element, more an amateur sleuth than an ME. And she is constantly at the mercy of tangled emotions, for not only is she investigating the death of show more her former lover and dealing with his mother, his wife and his children, she is still mourning the loss of her own husband and children who were taken from her in the Nashville floods.
It is the emotional impact of the book, rather than its mystery, that really keeps the reader engaged. (Oh, the mystery’s there, too, but for me it was definitely secondary.)
Read the rest at: http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2012/04/fresh-meat-a-deeper-darkness-by-j-t... show less
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67+ Works 9,686 Members
J. T. Ellison received an undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon Woman's College and a master's degree from George Washington University. She was a presidential appointee and worked in The White House and the Department of Commerce before moving into the private sector. Her short stories have been widely published, including her award winning show more story Prodigal Me in the anthology Killer Year: Stories to Die For, edited by Lee Child. Her novels include All the Pretty Girls, 14, Judas Kiss, The Cold Room, The Immortals, So Close the Hand of Death, and Where All the Dead Lie. She writes A Brit in the FBI series with Catherine Coulter. She is also the bi-monthly Friday columnist at the blog Murderati. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- A Deeper Darkness
- Original publication date
- 2012-05
- People/Characters
- Samantha "Sam" Owens (Doctor); Darren Fletcher (Detective); Edward "Eddie" Donovan; Susan Donovan; Eleanor Donovan; Alexander "Xander" Whitfield (show all 28); Maggie Lyons; Lonnie Hart (Detective); Stuart Charisse; Jennifer Jill Lyons; B. Jimenez; Amado Nocek (Assistant Medical Examiner); Maggie Lyons; Betty Croswell; Danny Rama; Veronica; Rod Deter; Allan Culpepper; Brendan; Roy Lyons; Frank Wright; Gino Taranto; Fred Roosevelt (Captian); Karen Fisher; Ginger Hart; Kip; Taylor Jackson (Lieutenant Nashville PD); Samantha "Sam" Owens Loughley
- Important places
- Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Washington, D.C., USA; McLean, Virginia, USA; Falls Church, Virginia, USA; New Castle, Virginia, USA; Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, USA (show all 10); Fairfax County, Virginia, USA; Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA; Savage River State Park, Virginia, USA; Savage River, Virginia, USA
- Epigraph
- The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent, but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death—however m... (show all)utable man may be able to make them—our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...
—William Shakespeare, Henry V
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons th... (show all)at pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
—Kahlil Gibran
In your presence I don't want what I thought I wanted.
—Rumi - Dedication
- For Scott Miller, who encouraged me to believe in this story, and, as always, for Randy
In loving memory of David H. Sharrett II "Bean"
June 29, 1980-January 16, 2008
Private First Class—U.S. Army
101st Airborne Division
Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Victim of Friendly Fire - First words
- Eddie Donovan didn't like crowds.
- Publisher's editor
- Adam Wilson
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- Reviews
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- Rating
- (3.81)
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- English, Estonian, Swedish
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 25
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