Before The Dawn
By Cynthia Eden
4/5
()
About this ebook
The Killer Instinct series from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden continues as an FBI profiler tracks a case that resurrects ghosts from his past.
Ex–SEAL Tucker Frost knows that the world is full of evil. He saw it in the face of his own brother, Jason Frost, a cold, methodical, sadistic killer. A killer Tucker put down with his own hands in order to save Jason's final victim – Dawn Alexander, the only girl who got away from the infamous 'Iceman'.
It's Tucker's up close and personal experience with evil that's made him perfect for Samantha Dark's experimental profiling division in the FBI. Samantha wants agents who have personal ties with killers, who have unique insights into the minds of monsters. And when women start turning up murdered with the same MO used by the Iceman, Tucker is sent back to Louisiana to investigate.
The last person he expects to see is his ex–lover, Dawn. Ten full years have passed since the night that Tucker faced down his brother…and since he last saw Dawn. As they grapple with a desire that never died, they must also face the shared shadow from their pasts. Both Tucker and Dawn have the same question – has Jason Frost come back from the dead to hunt again? And this time, will he succeed in killing the victim who got away?
Cynthia Eden
USA TODAY bestselling author Cynthia Eden writes tales of romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Her books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and her novel, Deadly Fear, was named a RITA Award finalist for best romantic suspense. Cynthia has published more than twenty novels and novellas.Cynthia is a Southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate and happy endings. She lives along the Gulf Coast where she spends most of her days either writing, researching or planning to write.Cynthia is excited to launch her Shadow Agents series with Harlequin Intrigue. The first book in the Shadow Agents series, Alpha One, will be released in January 2013.
Read more from Cynthia Eden
Into the Night Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before the Dawn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Howl for It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After the Dark Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Abduction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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The Gathering Dusk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBefore The Dawn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hunted Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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Reviews for Before The Dawn
14 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before the Dawn
3.5 Stars
Former Navy SEAL, Tucker Frost, is the perfect fit for Samantha Dark's new profiling team due to his close personal connection to a serial killer - his brother, Jason aka the "Iceman". Called in to assist on an apparent copycat killing, Tucker must deal not only with the possibility that Iceman has returned, but also with his feelings for Dawn, Jason's last victim and the only woman Tucker has ever loved. Can Tucker and Dawn overcome the shadows of their past and stop a killer before he comes for the one who got away?
Series note:This is the 2nd book in the Killer Instincts series, but Tucker's character also appears in a related Harlequin Intrigue (Hunted).
While the characters and romance are enjoyable and the serial killer plot has some intense and gripping moments, I really wish Cynthia Eden had a better proofreader as her writing is choppy with excessively repetitive vocabulary choices.
Dawn's strength and resilience in rebuilding her life following the Iceman's attack make her a particularly appealing heroine. Moreover, she thankfully avoids the TSTL actions that so often plague this type of book. Tucker has not fared as well in the aftermath of killing his brother and losing the woman he loved. Eden portrayal of Dawn and Tucker's initial reunion is both realistic and heartwrenching. There are even times when it is difficult to accept that they will ever be able to reconcile their pasts, but Eden manages to make their second-chances romance believable.
The Iceman returns investigation is a strong police procedural with a couple of convincing red-herrings. That said, it is possible to guess the culprit by following the clues.
The next and final installment in the series focuses on the two other members of Samantha Dark's unit, Macey Night and Bowen Murphy. While Macey's connection to killers is obvious, Bowen's is only hinted at. It will be interesting to see its exact nature.
All in all, an enjoyable read despite my issues with Eden's writing. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Better than expected
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5OMG, this book. The very first page grabbed me and just wouldn't let go--I can't tell you how many times I gasped out loud and/or winced while reading! The last 20% it was virtually nonstop...good thing Mini Moe #1 has become used to my gasps that come seemingly out of nowhere while he's driving...Before the Dawn is a romantic thriller/second chance romance story with the twist that the hero was the brother of the guy who tortured and nearly killed the heroine several years earlier. Tucker had to choose between his brother (dubbed "The Iceman") and the woman he loved back then, and has been haunted by the words of his brother, "Blood comes first," ever since. Their father had been a horrible person, his brother was even worse--would Tucker truly be able to avoid their legacy? Could Dawn ever look at him and not see the man who literally made her life a living hell? Add in the fact that it looks like there's an Iceman copycat killer running around in the city which Dawn has moved to and Tucker's FBI team is on the case, and yeah. Pretty freaking intense.Before the Dawn is the second book in the series, but worked pretty well as a standalone. Based on this one, though, I'm definitely going to back up and read the prequel and book one ( The Gathering Dusk and After the Dark ) to get ready for book three ( Into the Night ) when it comes out, because I. Must. Read.Rating: 4 stars / A-I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.