 Fear the Dark
 
Gripping and intense, FEAR THE DARK is a perfect example of Ms. Rasey's gift for writing suspense. Each page winds the tension tighter and tighter - in both the investigation and in the chemistry between Jack and Cara - until the reader is held on a knife edge. As with her previous novels, the reader is never sure who will survive at the end of the story, or who the villain really is. This shorter novella length story in no way loses any of the detailed characterization or plot development of her longer books, and if it wasn't so graphically frightening, would make the perfect late night read before bed. But in this case, don't read it after dark, or things that slither in the night just might follow you into your dreams. A compact story of suspense that carries a terrific punch, I highly recommend FEAR THE DARK for a spine-tingling read. Terrie Figueroa for Romance Reviews Today.
You're in the dark. You can't see a thing. You can feel walls. You're in a small room, a closet. There is no light at all and when your fingers finally find the door-it's locked. You bang on it, you scream, you pound your fists raw on the door, you kick it. Finally you hear a sound from the other side-a strange, dry rustle or rattle. At last you hear the lock click, the door opens, but only long enough for your light-sensitive eyes to meet those of a four foot timber rattle snake. Then the door closes again and you have company in your closet. Fear the Dark sinks it's fangs into the thoughts; it coils around the heart mesmerizing the reader until the very end. It is a five dagger thriller. Evelyn Gayle for All About Murder Reviews.
I enjoyed the snappy dialogue between Detective Jack Carter and Evidence Tech. Cara Banks...The serial killer was a surprise, but overall this was a very good read. Mae Wells for All About Murder Reviews.
A spine-tingling tale that will make your skin crawl. Tim Miller, author of Without a Trace and Out of Nowhere.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ 'FEAR THE DARK' WITHOUT A LOT OF LIGHTS ON! And while you are at it, make sure that you have locked the doors, and plugged up any entrances that anything can slither through. Best get your feet up off the floor too. High off the floor! FEAR THE DARK will scare you to death. Ms. Rasey has created the scariest monster imaginable. He will definitely have chills running up and down your spine for a very long time. And it isn't just the snake! FEAR THE DARK is absolutely terrifying. Ms. Rasey has created a monster that is even worse than the snakes he uses. The story is so realistic that if you aren't afraid of snakes already, you certainly will think twice next time you are near one. Or perhaps it is their owner you should be very careful of. Not only has Ms. Rasey created an absolutely terrifying mystery; she has also created a story about a couple that at one time were very much in love. After their short marriage breaks up, they have to handle difficult feelings, and each other, while being thrown together on a murder case most of the time. I absolutely love the way Ms. Rasey can have two completely different story lines going on at the same time, in one book. She interweaves them so well, that you don't realize that there are two. You can follow both story's with no confusion, and never skip a beat. She is absolutely amazing with this technique. And she has done it again with FEAR THE DARK. The only beat you will miss is the skipping of your heartbeat when you "feel" the snakes slither across the floor, ready to strike. I totally recommend you get a copy of FEAR THE DARK, and set yourself up in a brightly lit place, with your feet up where they will be safe. Sit back and be ready to be terrorized. Loving every minute of it. Reviewed by Sue Hartigan for All About Murder Reviews.
Very Highly Recommended Three novellas come together in Twilight Obsessions. In each, dangerous,deadly love meets powerful heroes and dazzling, decisive women who risk their lives for the sake of the men they choose. Each tale contains surprise endings that somehow seem just right yet remain extraordinary in their darkness and fascination. “Fear the Dark,” by Patricia A. Rasey: The man tenderly places the timber rattler in the closet with Alison Mendal and locks the door. As her screams and her cries amplify, he smiles. He keeps 142 snakes, but only the special ones like Agnes have names and are venomous. He craves the power these special ones possess. They are the test of his faith. Detective Jack Carter’s decision to rule the death an accident infuriates the killer, and the woman he walked out on two years ago, Cara Banks, an evidence tech, must work together with him before the killer strikes again. These three sharp, starkly surreal short stories had me hooked from the first line to the last. As the smart, savvy heroines confront brutal, vicious evil with extraordinary valor, I was hooked from the first page to the last. Not for the faint of heart, these authors having an extraordinary flair for not just entertaining, but also for challenging the reader. I highly recommend Twilight Obsessions. Reviewed by Cindy Penn for Word Weaving.
****Highly Recommended By Patricia A. Rasey, “Fear The Dark”: When women start turning up dead, locked in their closets and covered with snake bites, the police department is left with no alternative but to rule the deaths accidental. But are they truly accidents or is this the work of a new serial killer, one that has an unusual affinity for reptiles? Detective Jack Carter and his ex-wife Cara Banks are thrown together to work on this horrific new case, racing against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again. But will their mutual distrust and attraction draw them back together or hinder their ability to work together? A great anthology, Twilight Obsessions is a healthy dose of creepy, served up alongside an extra portion of sexual tension. While all three stories were exceedingly well-written, I found that each of them were almost too short to fully do justice to their intricate plots...The anthology is a great book, giving the reader just a small sampling of the combined talents of three fabulous authors. Reviewed by Aimee McLeod for Aimee’s Reviews.
“Fear The Dark” - Patricia A. Rasey
When a second woman’s body is found, a few days later, and in the same circumstances, the first case is reconsidered by the police. The only connection between the two women that can be found is a single’s club to which both belonged. The fact that Jack and Cara were once married, and are still attracted to each other, adds a romantic touch. But the main suspect, a playboy who owns two rattlesnakes, also wants Cara. But does he want her as a lover or as his next victim? How will Cara resolve her attraction to both Jack and the other man? This book offers such a diverse collection of stories that there is something for everyone. But, then, when you combine love, sex, terror, and a few laughs thrown in, what else could you ask for? And with these three authors, a reader can't lose. Dark Star Publications has a winner in this one, overall a big five stars. Reviewed by Irene Marshall for Escape To Romance.
**** Excellent “Fear The Dark”: There is a killer loose and this one is beyond evil. His victims are locked in closet until they pass through the following stages: fear, anger, hope and finally, enter into the final stage of total helplessness. Then he puts one of his pets into the closet with them, but his pets are not normal pets, these are poisonous snakes. Detective Jack Carter is determined to find this killer and see that justice is served. He is even willing to once again work with Cara Banks, one of his officers who at one time use to be his wife. Cara doesn’t want to work with Jack, doesn’t want to be anywhere near him. What Cara and Jack doesn’t know is that the killer for reasons known only unto himself has chosen Cara as his next victim. Twilight Obsessions is an absolutely delightful read. Three master authors, Charlotte Boyett-Compo, Kate Hill and Patricia Rasey, have come together and created a book that will terrify you, have you holding your breathe and sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation. They will chill and thrill you, make you angry and then laugh. This is definitely one that you will want to get for your bookshelf. Reviewed by Tracy Eastgate for Tracy’s Book Reviews
Three amazing stories, by three amazing authors. Twilight Obsessions will bring chills to your spine, and make your heart beat faster as these three amazing authors take you through three incredibly chilling suspense works. Ms. Rasey's Fear The Dark, will make you fear the dark indeed as she takes into the chilling account of a murderer and his poisonous accomplices. Can Cara, and her ex husband Jack solve a deaths where the victims are young attractive women, the murder weapon a deadly poisonous snake. As will all of Ms. Rasey's incredible tales, the identity of the murderer will leave you shocked, shaking your head at her masterful weaving of this tale. Beware, Fear Of The Dark is no timid read, no soft love story, it's a look into your worse nightmare, your most deadly enemy. You don't want to miss out on this chilling combination of stories. Twilight Obsessions is a book you'll find hard to put down, until the last page is read and impossible to forget when the lights are turned out. Reviewed by Shadoe Simmons for the Murder List.
Imagine, if you will, a collaboration between Jayne Ann Krentz and Rod Serling! I have to believe that something like this book would have resulted from the merging of sensual romance and the Twilight Zone. The last story in this anthology is by Patricia A. Rasey, and is entitled Fear The Dark! If you're like me, Indiana Jones, and millions of others who HATE snakes, then be warned - this slithery suspense tale coils around your heart like an icy wind and raises lots of goose bumps! What does the police department do when women begin turning up dead - from snake bites? Well, they start by checking out people who keep rare venomous snakes. Good plan, but complicated by the fact that the lead investigating officer is still in love with his ex-wife, a forensics tech who is working 24-7 on the case! It gets even harder when Detective Jack Carter has to agree with Cara Carter's plan to "get closer to..." their prime suspect, who just happens to be a very attractive playboy with a passion for snakes! Jack and Cara still ignite flames when they're near each other, but their on-again, off-again romance is overshadowed by the horrible crimes, and the truly dreadful deaths! The reader is forced right into the mind of the victim moments before her death - expect moments of sheer terror when you read this story. Ms. Rasey has done for closets what Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" did for showers! Even though the ending is satisfying, no one really emerges whole from this heart-stopping adventure. It's a perfect finale for this trio of outstandingly dark romances. Read this book if you dare, but leave the lights on... and don't, please don't, go into the closet!!! Reviewed in January 2002 by Celia for A Romance Review.
 |
