The Dark Guest by Sarah Hamaker is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “You have a date tonight?” Rainer Kopecek smiled from his seat by the window, which overlooked the manicured lawn of the Happy Hill Assisted Living Facility.
But first the photo and Scripture verse.
I love unusual skies, but I’m not sure where I took this photo. I only know that it was taken with the big camera, possibly from my backyard. But I thought the verses in Philippians fit so well.
The Cold War is over, but The Wolf is still at the door.
When Violet Lundy isn’t cleaning rooms at Happy Hills Assisted Living Facility, she loves spending her free time with resident Rainer Kopecek. Hearing his stories of the dangerous life he led behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin makes her own life seem more tolerable. But when Rainer is found dead and his room in disarray, Violet suspects foul play.
Dr. Henry Silverton lives among his books, teaching and writing about the Cold War. A letter about an East German traitor known only as “The Wolf” propels Henry out of academia and into Violet’s life. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth about Rainer’s death and the traitor’s identity.
Can Violet and Henry uncover the secrets of the past before one of them ends up as The Wolf’s next victim?
My take:
Once I started reading The Dark Guest, I could not put it down. The story captures the reader in the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the last. Sarah Hamaker has created wonderful characters to root for. She takes them on a dangerous, twisty journey to the truth.
Both Violet and Henry are great leading characters. They are very believable as two flawed people trying to bring justice to an old man’s memory. All this as they search for his killer. Sarah Hamaker combines history, romance, and a murder mystery all in one story. I love the way Haymaker brings justice to those involved in this story full of twists and turns. I didn’t figure out who The Wolf was until the very end.
I believe romantic suspense readers will love this story. You can find. buy links here.
The Dark Guest by Sarah Hamaker is this week's Reader Friday. Stop by my blog and read my review. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a July drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 31
You’ve made me want to read this 🙂
Author
Good. I think you’d really enjoy it, Delores.
It’s a beautiful sky and verse. Funny that you can’t remember where you took it because I do that sometimes too! Violet and Henry sound like engaging characters.:-)
Author
The only thing I know for sure about the photo, Priscilla, is that it was taken with the Canon. And the reason I know that is the date in my photos–I didn’t know how to set the date and so it shows January 1, 2036. lol I think you’d enjoy The Dark Guest!
looks intriguing
Author
It is, BN!
That sky looks unsettled, perhaps even ominous. But the verse, one of my favorites, has the best response. Good match, Pat.
You just sold me on that book. I think I can sneak it in right after yours releases next week. 🙂
“Josie Smith contemplated felony assault–would any jury convict her?–and not for the first time on this doomed adventure.” is the first line of “Lineage of Corruption” by Robin Patchen. This is number 7 in her long running series “Coventry Saga”. I highly recommend the series, and this particular book is timely considering the current political drama surrounding the pro-life/pro-choice issue. There’s even a exasperating ex who would make a good target for Pat’s Tuesday theme.
Author
Robin Patchen’s Lineage of Corruption is near the top of my TBR pile, Tim! I’ll be reviewing it here soon. And thanks for reading my book!!
That sky! Whoa. I immediately saw underwater creatures swimming about in tumultuous waters and a sea lion and an eel.
Philippians 4:6-7 has been a lifeline for me. I never get tired of reading or hearing it. Perfect fit!
Great review, Pat. I was happy to know the characters are believable and enjoyable. Characters makes the story! I definitely added it to my TBR list.
“Running away from an arranged marriage to the wilds of the Blue Ridge hadn’t gone as Cora Taylor expected.” the Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham
Author
I agree about the clouds, Barbara! I love unusual cloud formations. 🙂 And Pepper Basham’s books sounds like a book I’d really enjoy. Off to find it.
This book sounds good and a new to me author. I will check it out.
“Careful! Don’t drop the turkeys! We will be ruined if we don’t have turkeys on Thanksgiving!”
Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower
Author
I love Amanda Flower’s books, Gloria!
Love the picture and verse. I envision those clouds moving away from the sunset and on beyond me, leaving a clear sky behind.
I have not heard of Sarah Hamaker but need to find her book. Sounds intriguing and interesting.
I am reading In the Secret Service by Jerry Parr. I don’t have it at hand to share the first line. Suffice it to say, the book is autobiographical. Parr was the Secret Service Agent who protected Ronald Reagan the day he was shot. The opening chapter takes the reader up to the moment just before Hinckley appeared. Then it backtracks to fill in details about Parr’s earlier life. Interesting reading, particularly for someone who was alive at that time and remembers hearing the events of that day on the news.
Author
Edward, In the Secret Service sounds really interesting. And I remember that day well.
I LOVE The Scripture you posted today! AND, now, I’m adding The Dark Guest to my request list for when the Bookmobile comes back to my town! THANKS for your review!MS
Author
Thank you, MS Barb. I’m partial to those verses, too, and attribute them to the reason I rarely worry. Not that I don’t have plenty to worry about, but claiming these verses eases my mind. I think you’ll enjoy The Dark Guest!
This book sounds and looks very intriguing ! I love reading crime mystery books. I love your photo and the verse. I too also love to take pics of the sky, especially sunsets and sunrises. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Sounds very intriguing!
Author
Thanks, Megan!
I hope this book, ‘The Dark Guest” is one of those on your shelf. If it is and I win, I would love to have this book.
Author
It’s a good book, Janet! We’ll see…
Definitely want to read. Perfect scripture for the photo. Have a blessed weekend.
I’ve never read anything by Sarah Hamaker, but your certainly make me want to with your review! I look forward to adding her to my TBR list!
Author
I believe you’ll really enjoy it, L. Murphy!
sounds like a great book!
Author
It is, Shelia! Thanks for stopping by!
Love the scripture and photo, Pat!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on The Dark Guest.
That book looks great.
I’m reading Deception right now!
Author
Thanks, Paula!
Thanks for the review, Patricia!
Author
Loved the book, Sarah!