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Dungirri #1
As Darkness Falls
An abducted child. A ruthless killer. A race against time. Haunted by her failures, police detective Isabelle O'Connell is recalled to duty by detective Alec Goddard to investigate the abduction of yet another child from her old home town.
352 pages, Trade paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Bronwyn Parry
14 books181 followersInternational award-winning author Bronwyn Parry has previously written six romantic thrillers set in outback Australia, published by Hachette Australia. Her first novel won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award, and two of her books were finalists in RWA's RITA™ and Daphne du Maurier awards. She has also won the Australian Romance Readers award for Favourite Romantic Suspense three times.
With her latest book, The Clothier’s Daughter, Bronwyn turns her pen to another genre she loves, historical romance, and draws on her long interest in history and particularly textile and costume history to weave a story of intrigue, drama and passion.
When she’s not working at her keyboard, she enjoys researching and making historical clothing, and she's a skilled spinner, weaver, seamstress and knitter. The Clothier’s Daughter is in part inspired by her Honors thesis research on British worsted textiles.
Bronwyn lives in the New England tablelands of northern New South Wales, Australia, and loves to travel.
You can find out more about me and my books at my website, http://bronwynparry.com
With her latest book, The Clothier’s Daughter, Bronwyn turns her pen to another genre she loves, historical romance, and draws on her long interest in history and particularly textile and costume history to weave a story of intrigue, drama and passion.
When she’s not working at her keyboard, she enjoys researching and making historical clothing, and she's a skilled spinner, weaver, seamstress and knitter. The Clothier’s Daughter is in part inspired by her Honors thesis research on British worsted textiles.
Bronwyn lives in the New England tablelands of northern New South Wales, Australia, and loves to travel.
You can find out more about me and my books at my website, http://bronwynparry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 16, 2014
It was a year ago when Detective Sergeant Isabelle O'Connell (Bella) worked in her hometown of Dungirri. Since then she has been on sick leave and has also handed in her resignation which will be effective in two weeks time. Now living in an isolated area in the mountains north of Sydney, with no intentions of retuning to work until Detective Chief Inspector, Alec Goddard turns up on her doorstep.
After hearing she is needed back at work, Bella is adamant she won't be returning until, Alec tells her another child has gone missing in her hometown. Knowing that every minute is precious, Isabelle quickly gets her things together and heads off with Alec back to Dungirri. Isabelle knows it won't be easy returning to her hometown as not everyone will be pleased to see her.
Many people in the community are doing all they can to help find the missing child including large searches conducted with the SES. Alec and Bella interview many of the locals and follow up any leads that might help in the case, but are they getting closer to finding the missing child? Is time running out for yet another missing child of Dungirri?
I LOVED this book from start to finish. A well written suspense, crime and mystery novel that will have you up till the wee hours of the night as you won't be able to put it down. HIGHLY recommended.
After hearing she is needed back at work, Bella is adamant she won't be returning until, Alec tells her another child has gone missing in her hometown. Knowing that every minute is precious, Isabelle quickly gets her things together and heads off with Alec back to Dungirri. Isabelle knows it won't be easy returning to her hometown as not everyone will be pleased to see her.
Many people in the community are doing all they can to help find the missing child including large searches conducted with the SES. Alec and Bella interview many of the locals and follow up any leads that might help in the case, but are they getting closer to finding the missing child? Is time running out for yet another missing child of Dungirri?
I LOVED this book from start to finish. A well written suspense, crime and mystery novel that will have you up till the wee hours of the night as you won't be able to put it down. HIGHLY recommended.
October 13, 2019
I was really enjoying this book as a kidnapping and potentially serial killer story, but then the romance side of it just seemed to get in the way of a good story. If it had been one or the other I would have really enjoyed it, but to me the two things did not go together.
I still quite enjoyed the plot and the characters, but felt the main impetus of the story, being the kidnapping was overshadowed by the romantic subplot.
I am sure many will read this book and love it, but for me it fell a little short.
I still quite enjoyed the plot and the characters, but felt the main impetus of the story, being the kidnapping was overshadowed by the romantic subplot.
I am sure many will read this book and love it, but for me it fell a little short.
February 5, 2016
There were parts of this I really enjoyed and other parts…I thought they brought the story down a notch or two. So overall - 3.5★
The good bits were the police procedural part - someone in the town of Dungirri has been abducting little girls, he/she has killed two of them, and now has captured another one. A Detective Chief Inspector is flown in from Sydney to get involved in the investigation - all this was great - suspenseful, lots happening, good reading.
Then there was the romance. Romance is not my favourite genre, although most books I read seem to have some element of a love interest to a greater or lesser degree, and I'm mostly fine with that. This was a greater degree than I would have liked, but I gave it points for not degenerating into smut and erotic writing - it stayed fairly clean, which I liked.
But some of the writing such as:
"So it didn’t matter one bit that he could picture Bella’s face even with his eyes closed, that just the sight of her did strange things to his pulse rate, and that his protective instincts - and his imagination - had clicked into overdrive since this morning.”
and
"No matter that he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss away the dark shadows in her eyes - hell, he wanted things that his imagination shouldn’t have even come up with.”
and
"He stayed the same considerate distance from her he’d kept all evening, all day, not crowding her, yet close enough for her to see the pulse fluttering in his neck, the reined-in but no less powerful need in his eyes.”
did have me frequently rolling my eyes!! These parts, amongst others, were a bit too Mills-&-Boon-like to my way of thinking, and they are the parts that I thought made this a lesser story than it could have been.
Having said that, I enjoyed it enough that I will certainly consider reading the next in the Dungirri series - Dark Country.
The good bits were the police procedural part - someone in the town of Dungirri has been abducting little girls, he/she has killed two of them, and now has captured another one. A Detective Chief Inspector is flown in from Sydney to get involved in the investigation - all this was great - suspenseful, lots happening, good reading.
Then there was the romance. Romance is not my favourite genre, although most books I read seem to have some element of a love interest to a greater or lesser degree, and I'm mostly fine with that. This was a greater degree than I would have liked, but I gave it points for not degenerating into smut and erotic writing - it stayed fairly clean, which I liked.
But some of the writing such as:
"So it didn’t matter one bit that he could picture Bella’s face even with his eyes closed, that just the sight of her did strange things to his pulse rate, and that his protective instincts - and his imagination - had clicked into overdrive since this morning.”
and
"No matter that he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss away the dark shadows in her eyes - hell, he wanted things that his imagination shouldn’t have even come up with.”
and
"He stayed the same considerate distance from her he’d kept all evening, all day, not crowding her, yet close enough for her to see the pulse fluttering in his neck, the reined-in but no less powerful need in his eyes.”
did have me frequently rolling my eyes!! These parts, amongst others, were a bit too Mills-&-Boon-like to my way of thinking, and they are the parts that I thought made this a lesser story than it could have been.
Having said that, I enjoyed it enough that I will certainly consider reading the next in the Dungirri series - Dark Country.
March 3, 2015
Romantic Suspense An exceptionally well written book, I am astonished to learn it was Ms. Parry's first. Her writing is such that the words disappear, and I find I am not reading the story, I am living it.
In truth, I have never been to Australia, yet after this, book my heart says that I have. That I have walked the dusty, barren streets of a desolate, dying town. That I have looked into the eyes of my fellow townfolk, seen their fears, their hopelessness.
This is the story of Bella, a female police detective, a shell of her former self, broken by her last case. Bella is unfailingly brave. Not the bravery that comes with bravado, with knowing you're the best. Bella's courage is from the heart, a heart that chooses do the right thing, even as it acknowledges she will not survive this case, not if she fails again.
Alec, our hero, is a man of integrity, drawn with such depth that I feel I know him intimately. He is steadfast and honorable, kind and compassionate. Bottom line, this story is so compelling that I went to bed last night with my heart still pounding. It is a romantic story, yes, but it is also much more than that.
Out of curiosity, I checked just now to see how many five star reviews I've given. I feel like I'm a fairly tough reviewer, and perhaps I am. Over the past year, I've handed out only five full star reviews out of the sixty books I've read. All that to say, this five star review is not lightly given.
Highly recommend, adult only due to one intimate scene (tastefully done) and just a couple of bad words.
In truth, I have never been to Australia, yet after this, book my heart says that I have. That I have walked the dusty, barren streets of a desolate, dying town. That I have looked into the eyes of my fellow townfolk, seen their fears, their hopelessness.
This is the story of Bella, a female police detective, a shell of her former self, broken by her last case. Bella is unfailingly brave. Not the bravery that comes with bravado, with knowing you're the best. Bella's courage is from the heart, a heart that chooses do the right thing, even as it acknowledges she will not survive this case, not if she fails again.
Alec, our hero, is a man of integrity, drawn with such depth that I feel I know him intimately. He is steadfast and honorable, kind and compassionate. Bottom line, this story is so compelling that I went to bed last night with my heart still pounding. It is a romantic story, yes, but it is also much more than that.
Out of curiosity, I checked just now to see how many five star reviews I've given. I feel like I'm a fairly tough reviewer, and perhaps I am. Over the past year, I've handed out only five full star reviews out of the sixty books I've read. All that to say, this five star review is not lightly given.
Highly recommend, adult only due to one intimate scene (tastefully done) and just a couple of bad words.
December 2, 2012
When DCI Alec Goddard appeared on Detective Isabelle O’Connell’s quiet, secluded property, she was unaware his appearance would change her life. Isabelle had shut herself away after events 12 months ago, which left her shattered, and unable to continue in her role as a police Detective. On sick leave, and having just tendered her resignation to the police force, which was due to take effect in two weeks, she lived in solitude with her beautiful dog, Finn, as her only company.
But Alec Goddard was there to recall her to the force, as another child had been abducted from her home town of Dungirri, and they desperately needed her expertise and knowledge of the area and its people before it was too late. So with Finn by her side, they headed back to Dungirri and the sure knowledge that there were further horrors awaiting Isabelle…but she couldn’t, no wouldn’t, let another child and her family down.
As the case ramped up with little or no clues, a town full of suspects and thousands of acres of desolate bush to search, Bella was tense and frustrated. She didn’t know who to trust, and with things going from bad to worse, and the clock ticking on Tanya’s safety, Bella, Alec and the rest of the team had little or no sleep. With Bella under incredible danger, as it seemed someone was after her as well, Alec couldn’t get his concern for her out of his mind.
This extremely well-paced debut novel by Australian author Bronwyn Parry has suspense, crime and mystery as well as a dusting of romance to keep us enthralled. The characters are extremely strong willed, and the plot is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and will shortly move on to the second of the Dungirri trilogy, Dark Country.
Highly recommended.
But Alec Goddard was there to recall her to the force, as another child had been abducted from her home town of Dungirri, and they desperately needed her expertise and knowledge of the area and its people before it was too late. So with Finn by her side, they headed back to Dungirri and the sure knowledge that there were further horrors awaiting Isabelle…but she couldn’t, no wouldn’t, let another child and her family down.
As the case ramped up with little or no clues, a town full of suspects and thousands of acres of desolate bush to search, Bella was tense and frustrated. She didn’t know who to trust, and with things going from bad to worse, and the clock ticking on Tanya’s safety, Bella, Alec and the rest of the team had little or no sleep. With Bella under incredible danger, as it seemed someone was after her as well, Alec couldn’t get his concern for her out of his mind.
This extremely well-paced debut novel by Australian author Bronwyn Parry has suspense, crime and mystery as well as a dusting of romance to keep us enthralled. The characters are extremely strong willed, and the plot is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and will shortly move on to the second of the Dungirri trilogy, Dark Country.
Highly recommended.
February 19, 2017
I like the book.It was an easy read and I enjoyed it. The book is well written. I found only one fault and that is why I didn't rate it 5 stars and it is simple because of the way how the author descibed the relationship of the couple in the book.I found it a bit unrealistic and a way too much like the typical "book kind of love". I do enjoy romances in the books,and good hot sceens,but I just found the relationship of the main characters too "dreamy".
I am looking forward reading other books from this author though.
Thank you for reading my review. Please bare in mind that this is my first book review for Good reads and for AWW
I am looking forward reading other books from this author though.
Thank you for reading my review. Please bare in mind that this is my first book review for Good reads and for AWW
July 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, Bronwyn captured my attention on the first page making me want to read more and my attention never wained. To me this book was more mystery/suspense than romance, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much.
The focus of the story was uncovering the clues to find a missing child and going back to an old crime that had been marked closed.
Bronwyn's talent for describing a scene had me smelling the dust, hearing the flies and the sound of heavy boots as they moved through the dry bush.
I loved the strong character of Isabelle O'Connell 'Bella' and for me the romance between her and DCI Alec Goddard did not detract from the story, it awakened emotions within 'Bella' that she had tried to forget, emotions that she would need to draw on to find the missing child before it was too late.
The focus of the story was uncovering the clues to find a missing child and going back to an old crime that had been marked closed.
Bronwyn's talent for describing a scene had me smelling the dust, hearing the flies and the sound of heavy boots as they moved through the dry bush.
I loved the strong character of Isabelle O'Connell 'Bella' and for me the romance between her and DCI Alec Goddard did not detract from the story, it awakened emotions within 'Bella' that she had tried to forget, emotions that she would need to draw on to find the missing child before it was too late.
February 22, 2015
Initially, I was going to give this book two stars, but as the story warmed up, I became increasingly engaged. It's a fast-paced plot, which keeps you guessing. There are, in my opinion, a couple fundamental flaws. The love affair between the two main characters, despite being inevitable from the onset, seemed completely unrealistic and happened out of nowhere. Also, the style of writing is, frankly, very poor; I've actually seen better writing from a 14 year old. If you are able to look past clichéd and monotonous similes and metaphors and verbose, cringeworthy writing then by all means read this book and enjoy it. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people so I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2009
Entertaining, fast-paced romantic suspense. Bronwyn Parry is an author to watch. I look forward to her next book.
March 14, 2009
This is a great book loved it from start to finish
June 20, 2012
When I got to the middle section of this book, I started feeling like I was reading a Nora Roberts novel. Therefore, it wasn't too surprising to discover that although my copy doesn't say it but I notice that a lot of the covers of this book say: "If you enjoy reading Nora Roberts, you will love ..."
"Love" may be going a little far - I'd probably just say that this book reads a little like a Nora Roberts novel set in Australia. It contains a very descriptive and non-clichéd look at the Australian outback, the writing is very absorbing. Where it falls down is the characterisation and the plot.
The 'heroine' of the novel (if there is such a person), is Detective Isabelle O’Connell. When an investigation into a child killing in her home town goes very wrong, Isabelle suffers great personal trauma and decides to take extended leave from the police force with a view to resignation. A year later, she receives a visit from Detective Chief Inspector Alec Goddard who tells her that another girl has gone missing in her hometown of Dungirri. He needs her help because she's familiar with the case and because it's her hometown.
As the time passes, it's clear that not only is the investigation extremely traumatic for Isabelle, the killer also appears to have Isabelle in his sights and she is in grave danger. Of course Alec and Isabelle are extremely attracted to one another, adding to the list of trials and tribulations.
Things that I liked.
1. The Australian backdrop is excellent. People aren't g'daying, fair dinkuming and throwing PRAWNS on barbies. It's a very matter-of-fact description of life in a small town. Parry is excellent in her descriptions of the town, the bush, the people.
2. The writing flows and is very interesting - it's sufficiently suspenseful without being over the top. Grief and anger are described very effectively.
Things that weren't so great
1. The plot doesn't hang together so well. When we finally find out who the killer is, you don't really have an "oh, of course!" moment. Also, query Isabelle's usefulness - from memory she left the town when she was sixteen so it's not like she has huge inside knowledge of the place.
2. Isabelle was never convincing to me as a policewoman. While the things that she experienced were extremely traumatic and she was understandably affected - Parry goes a little overboard in making her vulnerable, sensitive, quivering, delicate, beautiful and all that sort of thing. On the one hand, while she was quite convincing as a woman of the bush who knew how to track and knew how to be practical - she was sometimes way too fragile and melting for my liking. Sometimes she seriously reminded me of Rebecca Locke from "The Inside" in the way that she was constantly in perilous situations, needing to be rescued. I think Parry was struggling to write a tough female character who could be sufficiently soft and helpless for saving as her love story demanded.
In terms of Alec the love interest and the love story - well they weren't too bad. Alec, just like a Nora Roberts hero is good-looking, smart, sensitive, brave, articulate, dashing and filled with a fierce desire to protect the damsel in distress from all distress. Just like a Nora Roberts hero, he pretty much falls for the heroine at first sight and there's not a lot of self-doubt, introspection and navel-gazing. I liked him - there's nothing not to like really, but as to how realistic he was as a character - well it's a romance novel :)
From the inside cover, I saw that the novel won an award from Romance Writers of America. I didn't realise it was a romance novel when I picked it up. I had assumed it was a thriller with romance thrown in, but once you get to the love story bits - you realise that it is first and foremost a love story. There's no silly sex so I give it points for that, but the love scenes are little bit breathlessly melting, abstract and float in the air with pounding hearts - that sort of thing ;) It's not bad, it's just very familiar.
All in all, I'd recommend it for passing the time. Again it's a good book to borrow from the library rather than buy. I enjoyed it and do intend to read the second in the series - Dark Country.
"Love" may be going a little far - I'd probably just say that this book reads a little like a Nora Roberts novel set in Australia. It contains a very descriptive and non-clichéd look at the Australian outback, the writing is very absorbing. Where it falls down is the characterisation and the plot.
The 'heroine' of the novel (if there is such a person), is Detective Isabelle O’Connell. When an investigation into a child killing in her home town goes very wrong, Isabelle suffers great personal trauma and decides to take extended leave from the police force with a view to resignation. A year later, she receives a visit from Detective Chief Inspector Alec Goddard who tells her that another girl has gone missing in her hometown of Dungirri. He needs her help because she's familiar with the case and because it's her hometown.
As the time passes, it's clear that not only is the investigation extremely traumatic for Isabelle, the killer also appears to have Isabelle in his sights and she is in grave danger. Of course Alec and Isabelle are extremely attracted to one another, adding to the list of trials and tribulations.
Things that I liked.
1. The Australian backdrop is excellent. People aren't g'daying, fair dinkuming and throwing PRAWNS on barbies. It's a very matter-of-fact description of life in a small town. Parry is excellent in her descriptions of the town, the bush, the people.
2. The writing flows and is very interesting - it's sufficiently suspenseful without being over the top. Grief and anger are described very effectively.
Things that weren't so great
1. The plot doesn't hang together so well. When we finally find out who the killer is, you don't really have an "oh, of course!" moment. Also, query Isabelle's usefulness - from memory she left the town when she was sixteen so it's not like she has huge inside knowledge of the place.
2. Isabelle was never convincing to me as a policewoman. While the things that she experienced were extremely traumatic and she was understandably affected - Parry goes a little overboard in making her vulnerable, sensitive, quivering, delicate, beautiful and all that sort of thing. On the one hand, while she was quite convincing as a woman of the bush who knew how to track and knew how to be practical - she was sometimes way too fragile and melting for my liking. Sometimes she seriously reminded me of Rebecca Locke from "The Inside" in the way that she was constantly in perilous situations, needing to be rescued. I think Parry was struggling to write a tough female character who could be sufficiently soft and helpless for saving as her love story demanded.
In terms of Alec the love interest and the love story - well they weren't too bad. Alec, just like a Nora Roberts hero is good-looking, smart, sensitive, brave, articulate, dashing and filled with a fierce desire to protect the damsel in distress from all distress. Just like a Nora Roberts hero, he pretty much falls for the heroine at first sight and there's not a lot of self-doubt, introspection and navel-gazing. I liked him - there's nothing not to like really, but as to how realistic he was as a character - well it's a romance novel :)
From the inside cover, I saw that the novel won an award from Romance Writers of America. I didn't realise it was a romance novel when I picked it up. I had assumed it was a thriller with romance thrown in, but once you get to the love story bits - you realise that it is first and foremost a love story. There's no silly sex so I give it points for that, but the love scenes are little bit breathlessly melting, abstract and float in the air with pounding hearts - that sort of thing ;) It's not bad, it's just very familiar.
All in all, I'd recommend it for passing the time. Again it's a good book to borrow from the library rather than buy. I enjoyed it and do intend to read the second in the series - Dark Country.
March 27, 2013
I read Australian author Bronwyn Parry's debut novel As Darkness Falls because it conveniently fit into two of my 2013 reading challenges - the Australian Women Writers Challenge and Book'd Out's Eclectic Reader Challenge which called for a 'romantic suspense' novel. I had heard about Parry's books through last year's AWW Challenge and was intrigued to see how a romance and a crime story would fit together in one novel.
Parry did well to write for two specific, and very different, genres and to combine them into one fast-paced story. She gave both elements of the story equal time on the page so I never felt the plot leant more one way or the other. Parry successfully grabbed my attention from the beginning because I was interested to see how a love story could possibly develop amidst a criminal investigation.
The love story between Isabelle and Alec was definitely nice to read, but I did feel it moved way too quickly. They seemed to go from attraction to full-blown love within the space of a couple of days. I realise Parry needed the romance to fit into the time frame of the kidnapping investigation (which needed to be dealt with swiftly for the child's sake), but the speed in which their love grew was unrealistic for me. Not having read other romantic suspense novels, I can only assume that this is typical of the genre simply because there are two very important elements that need to fit into the book. In my opinion both elements suffer because of this.
The crime aspect of the novel was dealt with just as quickly and I admit I was quite surprised when the kidnapper was revealed. I don't think Parry left any clues along the way and when the time came for the detectives to work it out, it all happened a bit too easily. I wasn't entirely convinced that they could work it out the way they did.
Having said all this, the story was engaging and I did enjoy reading it. Where Parry excelled were her descriptions of the rural Australian setting. The small fictional town of Dungirri is richly depicted and I was really able to get a sense of the place. I grew up in a small country town in NSW so I could easily relate to the small town mentality!
All in all, an interesting first encounter with the romantic suspense genre. It was a good story, but I don't think I'll be returning to this genre any time soon. I prefer to read a well-developed, realistic romance or a gritty crime drama, not both combined.
Parry did well to write for two specific, and very different, genres and to combine them into one fast-paced story. She gave both elements of the story equal time on the page so I never felt the plot leant more one way or the other. Parry successfully grabbed my attention from the beginning because I was interested to see how a love story could possibly develop amidst a criminal investigation.
The love story between Isabelle and Alec was definitely nice to read, but I did feel it moved way too quickly. They seemed to go from attraction to full-blown love within the space of a couple of days. I realise Parry needed the romance to fit into the time frame of the kidnapping investigation (which needed to be dealt with swiftly for the child's sake), but the speed in which their love grew was unrealistic for me. Not having read other romantic suspense novels, I can only assume that this is typical of the genre simply because there are two very important elements that need to fit into the book. In my opinion both elements suffer because of this.
The crime aspect of the novel was dealt with just as quickly and I admit I was quite surprised when the kidnapper was revealed. I don't think Parry left any clues along the way and when the time came for the detectives to work it out, it all happened a bit too easily. I wasn't entirely convinced that they could work it out the way they did.
Having said all this, the story was engaging and I did enjoy reading it. Where Parry excelled were her descriptions of the rural Australian setting. The small fictional town of Dungirri is richly depicted and I was really able to get a sense of the place. I grew up in a small country town in NSW so I could easily relate to the small town mentality!
All in all, an interesting first encounter with the romantic suspense genre. It was a good story, but I don't think I'll be returning to this genre any time soon. I prefer to read a well-developed, realistic romance or a gritty crime drama, not both combined.
July 8, 2018
"As Darkness Falls" is book one in the Dungirri series by Bronwyn Parry. Another young girl disappeared from Dungirri, and DCI Alec Goddard asks Detective Sergeant Isabelle O'Connell to come back to Dungirri to help in the search. Detective Sergeant Isabelle O'Connell did not want to go back to Dungirri due to the failure a year ago to find another missing girl. However, DCI Alec Goddard managed to convince her to come back to Dungirri. The readers of "As Darkness Falls" will continue to follow DCI Alec Goddard and Detective Sergeant Isabelle O'Connell investigation into finding the missing girl Tanya.
I love books written by Bronwyn Parry and "As Darkness Falls" did not disappoint. I loved Bronwyn Parry portrayal of her characters and the way she intertwines them with each other throughout "As Darkness Falls". I like the way Bronwyn Parry describes her settings, and that ensure that I became engaged in the plot. "As Darkness Falls" is well written and researched by Bronwyn Parry.
The readers of "As Darkness Falls" will learn about NSW Law enforcement procedures in regards to missing children. Also, readers of "As Darkness Falls" will see the importance of rural SES for a rural community.
I recommend this book.
I love books written by Bronwyn Parry and "As Darkness Falls" did not disappoint. I loved Bronwyn Parry portrayal of her characters and the way she intertwines them with each other throughout "As Darkness Falls". I like the way Bronwyn Parry describes her settings, and that ensure that I became engaged in the plot. "As Darkness Falls" is well written and researched by Bronwyn Parry.
The readers of "As Darkness Falls" will learn about NSW Law enforcement procedures in regards to missing children. Also, readers of "As Darkness Falls" will see the importance of rural SES for a rural community.
I recommend this book.
September 16, 2012
The first of a loosely linked trilogy set in outback New South Wales. As far as romantic suspense goes, it doesn't get much better. The story is set in a fictional small town where the third young girl has gone missing. A task force is assembled, including a detective who has been on leave since the horror of the second abduction twelve months before. She must work closely with DCI Goddard, a dedicated but reserved man whom she comes to respect, and finally, love. The townsfolk are an interesting lot, and the plot gets very murky (in a good way) before the identity of the kidnapper is uncovered. But even as the police close in, the detective must face the biggest challenge yet. Will this break her beyond salvation? Read it. You won't regret it!
March 12, 2010
Gritty and dark with a puzzling plot that even the most hard core mystery reader will love, As Darkness Falls is a rarity among romantic suspense--a police procedural with a happy ending. Light romantic suspense fans might find it a bit too melancholy, but anyone who enjoys both the British police procedurals of Peter Robinson and the romantic suspense of Karen Rose will want to add Bronwyn Parry to their autobuy list. Not published in the US, As Darkness Falls is available with free shipping from the Book Depository. I'm glad I went ahead and bought her second book. Will start it tomorrow:)
November 6, 2014
Gorgeous writing, strong, unwavering characters (that aren't bastard Neanderthals or too stupid to live), and a murder plot that kept me on the edge of the seat throughout. The slow burn between Alec and Bella was mesmerising to read as the pages went by, making me wish for more of this special brand of intensity between them. Even after I finished the book, I was left wondering about the both of them, hoping for more than just a glimpse of what their HEA might be.
Read
September 18, 2010Keep soldiering on solely on good reviews. So far there's nothing distinguishing this book from other generic romantic suspenses except the setting. The attraction feels forced and fast. The dialogues are a little wooden. Too much self talking, longing. Not so many actions. Hope something change real fast before I lose interest.
**Two pages later**
Okay. I give up. This goes to DNF.
**Two pages later**
Okay. I give up. This goes to DNF.
January 26, 2010
I loved this book. I loved everything about it. It was just perfect with a lot mystery and a little romance. It changed the lives of both Alec Goddard and Isabelle O' Connell.
October 27, 2010
Loved it!! Looking forward to the next one.
August 6, 2013
Blah. Generic characters, generic plot, generic romance. Only Australian setting out of the ordinary.
January 26, 2015
That was freaking incredible!
September 2, 2017
As Darkness Falls is a romance spence thriller writing by Bronwyn Parry. It is about Dective Isabelle O'Connell who recalled to duty to help DCI Alec Goddard with the abduction of 8 years old girl Tanya from her home town. 12 months earlier Isabelle was investigating another abduction of another young girl who was murdered and was badly injured when the towns folk went on rampage at one of the local men who they thought it was.
Alec thinks that the cases are link and he needs her help to find Tanya before it is too late.
Someone takes a shot at Isabelle which lead Alec to believe that her life is in danger. Isabelle has a ex army dog Finn who also helps them in the case.
Alec and Isabelle fall each other but both of them have ghosts from their past that keeps them from been together. Isabelle figures out who the abductor is when going through high school photos. When they go to the house he is already planning to blow up the house to cause a diversion and kidnapped Isabelle while Alec is concerned at finding Tanya in the house. These events lead the community to help with finding them both and Alec feeling he let Isabelle down. But as in Bronwyn Parry style the case is sovled and Alec finds he way back to each other. A great read.📖
Alec thinks that the cases are link and he needs her help to find Tanya before it is too late.
Someone takes a shot at Isabelle which lead Alec to believe that her life is in danger. Isabelle has a ex army dog Finn who also helps them in the case.
Alec and Isabelle fall each other but both of them have ghosts from their past that keeps them from been together. Isabelle figures out who the abductor is when going through high school photos. When they go to the house he is already planning to blow up the house to cause a diversion and kidnapped Isabelle while Alec is concerned at finding Tanya in the house. These events lead the community to help with finding them both and Alec feeling he let Isabelle down. But as in Bronwyn Parry style the case is sovled and Alec finds he way back to each other. A great read.📖
June 17, 2018
I found this a bit of an odd book. Parry tries to combine a crime fiction book with a romance novel and I'm not entirely sure that it worked. When Alec or Isabelle started giving some impassioned speech about how they can't now imagine life without this person they met approximately 36 hours ago, I was getting impatient. There's a young girl missing out there guys, stop banging on about how much this person has touched your soul! Don't get me wrong, I loved both characters and I think their romance was real and adorable to read about but it went so mushy at times that I wanted a sick bucket which is not normally what I want from a crime book (unless there's a particularly grizzly scene!)
The crime story itself was great, a few surprises along the way and I didn't guess who it was. It flowed really well and I was keen to keep reading to find out more.
A promising debut novel.
The crime story itself was great, a few surprises along the way and I didn't guess who it was. It flowed really well and I was keen to keep reading to find out more.
A promising debut novel.
July 3, 2019
I want to rate it 4 stars because of the German Shepherd but I have to be honest and give it 3 stars. I liked the setting and I liked the characters. The police work was interesting.
Maybe it's because I was tired but I don't think the big reveal moment had the significance it was meant to. I was thinking "who?" and "why would they do that?". I wouldn't call it gripping.
The romance was ok. I liked the characters together. I was rolling my eyes a bit when they were having romantic thoughts during some life threatening moments.
I'll probably read the next book in the series. When I feel like splurging!
Maybe it's because I was tired but I don't think the big reveal moment had the significance it was meant to. I was thinking "who?" and "why would they do that?". I wouldn't call it gripping.
The romance was ok. I liked the characters together. I was rolling my eyes a bit when they were having romantic thoughts during some life threatening moments.
I'll probably read the next book in the series. When I feel like splurging!
November 28, 2016
This book is full of clichés and repetition. The characters are typical romance novel characters and it feels like the plot had been made to fit them rather than the other way around. By that I mean that the actual crime is secondary to the romance and this makes the story disjointed so much so that when the perpetrator is revealed the reader actually has no idea who they are. There is no 'ah-ha!" moment but there are plenty of eye rolling moments. If you love unrealistic romance about unreal people in unbelievable circumstances then this is your book. But it definitely wasn't mine.
November 14, 2017
Urgh, awful book. Probably my fault as I didn't realise it was a "romance" novel. It would have been one star but I did finish it so it gets an extra star for that. If the icky/unbelievable/boring romance between the two main characters had been removed it would have probably been a reasonable read. It would also have only been about a chapter. I just don't get how anyone can read about the strong/ masculine male meets the beautiful, vulnerable but strong woman page after page.
January 21, 2023
I liked the thriller/mystery component but the romance component kept getting in the way for me. While pages were spent focusing on building the relationship between the characters I was thinking "ummm .... did we want to maybe concentrate on finding the lost kid before she becomes the next victim of the serial killer???" It was a bit distracting.
The thriller/mystery bit was great though. I thought it was fast paced and the story moved forward quite quickly.
The thriller/mystery bit was great though. I thought it was fast paced and the story moved forward quite quickly.
March 12, 2020
great story. thoroughly enjoying Bronwyn Parry's books.
this Aussie Suspense novel is set in outback town Dungirri and Detective Isabelle o'Connell is recalled to duty to investiate the abduction of a child from her home town. DCI Alec Goddard have only days left to find her if the killer purses his normal plan. Looking forward to her next book.
this Aussie Suspense novel is set in outback town Dungirri and Detective Isabelle o'Connell is recalled to duty to investiate the abduction of a child from her home town. DCI Alec Goddard have only days left to find her if the killer purses his normal plan. Looking forward to her next book.
January 27, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the fact that it was a mystery story set in Australia and the characters were all so real. A must read for anyone that likes the crime genre!
February 11, 2024
Perhaps a risky choice, but Ms Parry just sets the story in the location (small Australian Outback town) and doesn't hit us over the head with it. The weak knees, pounding hearts, and aching gazes, likewise, weren't too overblown. And best of all it was an engaging mystery.
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