"Intriguing romantic investigative thriller"

Since he was arrested for murdering his wife, Steph, a crime he does not remember or anything else from that night, Michael "River" Corbett has been drugged and confined to a state mental hospital. He is not sure if he is paranoid from the drugs that leave his mind fuzzy and in a fog, but River believes someone has tried to kill him. He escapes from the institution heading to Blackberry, Vermont to learn whether he killed his spouse and if not, who did.

Fourteen years ago, Cassandra "Jax" Jackson's father killed the man who murdered his other daughter, but the court declared him not guilty due to diminished capacity; Jax's police career in Syracuse died in that courtroom so she accepts a job in Blackberry. When the by the book Jax meets River she fails to take him in as something in his look makes her believe he is no killer. As they team up seeking to learn who murdered Steph, a ghost send clues to the "besieged" teenager Dawn Jones, who if she wants to be left alone, must help River and Jax.

Readers will agree from the start that River is innocent because the killer seems obvious relatively early on yet no one will put down DARKER THAN MIDNIGHT until the end to affirm their theory is correct. The who-done-it story line is enhanced by the paranormal elements as Steph tries to reach from the grave to right a wrong that she partially caused. Fans will root for the lead couples to more than just survive the twilight; like Steph they want Jax and River together, but the chances of that happening seems so remote.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 17, 2005

Summary

Michael "River" Corbett — Confined in the state mental hospital and heavily drugged since the death of his wife, River cannot remember what truly happened the night he was arrested for her murder. But now someone is trying to kill him, and he is forced to run for his life. A fugitive from the law and from someone who wants him dead, all he wants is the truth.

Cassandra "Jax" Jackson — The uncompromising police lieutenant knows she's putting her career on the line when she encounters this desperate stranger and doesn't turn him in. Something in River's eyes has Jax convinced he's worth saving...whether he wants it or not.

Dawn Jones — The daughter of a madman, Jax's young friend is haunted by voices she doesn't want to hear. But she can no longer ignore the curse she inherited from her twisted father — because unless she listens to what the dead are telling her, Jax might be doomed to join them.