Dark Design by Nancy Mehl is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: I was only nine years old when I knew I was destined to be a serial killer.
Now that’s an opening line that will grab you! But first the photo and verse. I took it on a cold January morning here in the neighborhood. God really makes some good sunrises! And I love the verse. Reading a chapter in Proverbs every morning is a great way to start my day. A woman in my Sunday School class challenged us to do that many years ago and I hate to admit it, but sometimes life gets so busy I don’t do it.
I read at least one chapter in the Bible every day, have for twenty years now. Up to last year, I read through the Bible every year, but starting last year, I slowed down and began studying what I was reading. So far I’ve made it to 2nd Samuel, and I’m liking this slower pace.
Now for Dark Design by Nancy Mehl. Here’s the cover and back copy:
As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she’d just made a very serious mistake. . . .
lass=”yoast-text-mark” />>She tried to call out for help, but she couldn’t see anyone on the shore.
lass=”yoast-text-mark” />>There was no one to save her.When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, she joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, in Virginia. Their reunion, only a few months after fending off an eerie killer in the woods of Tennessee, is bittersweet, as Kaely has been tasked by the FBI to recruit Erin’s help to identify a suspect. The FBI’s team is stumped by the murderer who re-creates killings from the books of multiple authors, with only ominous notes left behind. As Erin is drawn further into the web of fear and chaos, Kaely begins to fear for Erin’s safety.On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and claims that
she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. As she struggles on multiple fronts, the enemy looms closer than ever–and Erin’s life hangs in the balance.
>
“Readers will be riveted by this non-stop, twisty thriller.”–Elizabeth Goddard on Shattered Sanctuary
Bestselling author Nancy Mehl threads a plot of police investigations and shadowy evidence with heart-drumming suspense in this clean, high-stakes read that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.
My take:
Oh, my goodness. I could not put Dark Design by Nancy Mehl down. It’s another Kaely Quinn/Erin Delaney book so you know you’re in for a fast and scary ride. This is book 2 in the series, but it’s not necessary to read the first one,(psst– you will want to!)
A serial killer is copying the murders in best-selling suspense books to commit the crimes. Erin Delaney’s latest release is one of them. She is drawn into the investigation and is staying with Kaely Quinn and her husband, Noah Hunter, mostly for her own safety.
This is a twisty, fast-paced story that I had trouble putting down. Stayed up way too late so I could finish it earlier this week, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t guess who the killer was! Kudos, Nancy Mehl!
I really enjoyed catching up with Kaely Quinn and what’s going on in her life, and I love the way Mehl has created a strong Christian thread with Erin. This is a book suspense readers will devour!
You can find purchase links here. And if you’ll leave a comment, I’ll enter you in a January drawing for a copy of Dark Design! Tell me what your favorite genre is.
Here’s today’s song. I heard it early this week and have been going around humming it 🙂 :
Don’t forget–there’s only a week left to pick up an ecopy of Justice Delayed!
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fect mixture of intrigue and nail-biting suspense, award-winning author Patricia Bradley invites her readers to crack the case–if they can–alongside the best Memphis has to offer.
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Comments 52
Book looks like great read would love to read in print format
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It is a great book, Crystal!
Pulse pounding suspense.
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Yes, Sharon!
That’s an arresting first line from Dark Design! Great review of Mehl’s book, Pat. I am reading Illuminated, a pro-life novel by Vicki Wilkerson. So far, much of the story takes place in a dream-like state, very interesting. The first line: How has it come to be that I am going to die on such a breathtakingly beautiful fall afternoon?
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Oh, wow! What an opening line, Priscilla!
Would love to read this book. My favorite genre is romantic suspense.
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Mine, too, Mary!
I’m convinced and eager to read.
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It’s really good, Delores!
Wow! That’s an amazing photo, Pat. It reminds me of an ocean. I did have to do a search and was amazingly surprised to see an angel blowing a trumpet. (Under heavens and praise) Then a huge duck on the lower right.
The Scripture goes very well with the photo.
Last year and this year, I’ve been reading through the New Testament every ninety days. It’s been quite enlightening. If you get stumped on an Old Testament passage, let me know. James will probably have a resource for it. OT is his speciality.
Nancy’s book sounds like quite a page-turner. Yes, that first line grabs you for sure. Whoa!
“In the predawn hours when earth stood ready to relinquish its cloak of darkness, Bonnie Kahler reached to touch the opposite side of the bed.” This is the first line in Lightening and Lace by DiAnn Mills
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I knew you would find something in the clouds, Barbara! I think you’d enoy Nancy’s book! That’s quite an intriguing first line you posted.
Don’t need a copy of Nancy’s book, I have two! I read it and loved it.
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Me, too, Paula!
I enjoy reading most genres, but my favorite is mystery/thriller. I lov reading a book full of suspense, intrigue and an ending I didn’t see coming. Thank you for the chance.
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Jeanne, I feel the same way. And I did not see the ending coming in Dark Design!
Could not put it down! A great read! Can’t wait until book 3.
I love murder/suspence. I love all the profiling, analyzing evidence, etc. I love FBI, Special Agents and all the strategies they come up with to catch the killer.
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I so agree, Kim!
Nancy’s novels are epic!
Happy Fri-yay! Enjoy your weekend!
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Absolutely, Caryl!
I love mysteries, especially romantic suspense, but have been enjoying historical mysteries set around WWI and WWII lately. I got started reading Anna Lee Huber’s books. I just finished listening to The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar. The first line:
The Twenty-Ninth Year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s Reign
My father tightened his grip on my hand as we hurried past the ziggurat, the golden shrine of Marduk at its top gleaming in the morning sun.
Whoa. You got my attention with that first line!
It is a good book, Tim. I enjoy an occasional biblical fiction thrown in once in a while, especially an audio book.
I’m thanking Barbara Diggs for pointing out the angel and duck; such a good eye for that! I love the photo for it’s rich patterns. The Proverb has got to be a Go To passage for acknowledging that this universe was created by brilliant design. And, designs always point to a designer. But, more than just the design, there is the execution of it that we are forever in awe of!
For Bible reading, I sometimes just do a plain read to absorb the thoughts and events. I’ve also used a commentary called The People’s Bible, which uses the NIV, and intersperses the text with excellent commentary.
I love Nancy’s books, and this one was a real doozy. I never saw the twist coming at the end. Christian suspense is my favorite genre.
I just finished Robin Patchen’s “Fighting for You”, one of the Wright Heroes of Maine stories. I can’t say enough good things about this one. It starts with “Noah Aylett preferred the hour before dawn to any other slice of the day.” And then, the home security alarm went off.
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I never saw the ending coming either, Tim! And that’s really unusual for me. I agree that this universe was created by design and design always has a Designer! I must get back to Robin’s books. They are so good.
Sounds like a really good book! I read inspirational suspense and inspirational romance more than anything else and lean more toward the suspense.
Thank you for sharing the song. I have not heard Softly and Tenderly in a long time. I always enjoy listening to Alan Jackson.
Have a great weekend!
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Alan Jackson is one of my favorite performers. And I read more inspirational suspense than any other genre, Carolyn.
historical
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Really, BN…I like historical suspense/mysterty.
I have the first book in this series and it is awesome. Now I need to get the second one as it too sounds really good!
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I loved the first one and can’t wait for the 3rd one, Patricia.
Nancy Mehl is one of my favorite authors. Can’t wait to read this one!
Inspirational suspense is my favorite genre.
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Mine, too, L. I’m looking forward to the 3rd book!
Pat, that picture grabbed my attention. It looks as though the clouds just roll on forever and ever. Great selection for the verse.
Your first line is my first line. I started reading Dark Design a few days ago. The sad part is that I can’t find enough time to get it read. I always enjoy Nancy Mehl’s books.
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Totally get not finding enough time, Edward. I only get time enough at night so that means late nights when I get a really good book, like Deadly Design!
My favorite is romance and romantic suspense. It sounds like a really interesting book.
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It is a great book, Diana. and RS is my favorite!
I love romantic suspense! You and Nancy are 2 of my favorites
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Thank, you, Shelia. You’ve made my day!
Romance and suspense.
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I prefer to combine them in romantic suspense, Judy. 🙂
The picture is very pretty. The verse fits it so well. The first line of the book definitely grabs you. It’s on my list of books to read. The first book was really good. I have a few genres I enjoy. I’d say suspense/ romantic suspense and historical are at the top. Especially when I have great books like yours and Nancy’s to read!
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Thank you, Erika! I love Nancy’s books. And Romantic suspense is my favorite.
Wow! The opening line is indeed gripping! I’m truly intrigued!
I’m a big fan is mystery suspense, psychological, crime and horror thrillers! – Emily
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That opening really grabbed me too, Emily!
I can’t wait to read this book! Love the suspense this author writes!!
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It is so good, Becky!
I enjoy reading anything Nancy Mehl writes. She’s in a category all by herself. I used to read books about Ted Bundy so serial killers real or imaginary are fascinating to read but I wouldn’t want to meet up with one! Would love to win this one! What is the name of the first one in this series?
It’s Shattered Sanctuary. Terrific read!
Thanks Tim, and I’ve actually read it already, wow!
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The first one is Shattered Sanctuary and it was really good. I like Erin Delaney, the heroine of this series as well as Kaley Quinn who is a secondary character.
Love the plot line for this story. Appreciate your sharing about scripture reading. I am currently in a Bible Study group (dlife Journal) where we read 5 chapters in the Bible a week and then share what God puts on our hearts related to it.