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Fifteen year old Emily Wilkop witnesses a brutal murder. She escapes by a hair, but the killer chases her away and may know her identity. She decides not to tell anyone about the crime she witnessed, in hopes she can forget it and the killer will forget her. When the killer is arrested and sent to prison for another crime, Emily thinks she’s safe.
Now Emily is an adult and she’s trying to raise her dead sister’s daughter, Molly. Molly has issues; her mother was very neglectful and she’s the one who found her mother hanging after her suicide. When Emily’s things begin to disappear, she thinks Molly is taking them. Other strange things start happening too, like her bird dies and she blames Molly for that too. Then she discovers that Frank, the murderer, is out of prison. So Emily starts to suspect it’s him doing these things to drive her crazy. She decides to go and visit Frank’s probation officer to find out what she can about Frank. Emily is told that Frank’s been completely rehabilitated, but she’s still afraid because she knows Frank’s dirty, little secret.
Clinton Ward is Frank’s probations officer and an ex-Chicago cop. When Clinton meets Emily he’s attracted to her. When he realizes that someone is actually trying to scare or even kill Emily, Clinton moves into her house to protect her. When someone starts murdering the young women of the town, Clinton knows he has to protect Emily because she could be next. Although their romance starts out at a slow simmer, when it finally begins to cook you’ll be captivated.
AND AFTER THAT, THE DARK is one thrilling ride from beginning to end. It’s a mysterious, nail biter that will keep you guessing until the very end. All the characters are well written and the story packs a lot of suspense and a great romance. If you’re up for a titillating, suspenseful story, that will have you looking over your shoulder, then look no further than AND AFTER THAT, THE DARK.
Reviewed by Jennifer Ray
for The Road to Romance
February 22, 2005
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