‘A gripping police thriller ‘
– The Dark Hours
[ About The Dark Hours ]
1994: When Gardaí Julia Harte and Adrian Clancy are called out to a sleepy housing estate in Cork to investigate a noise complaint, they are entirely unprepared for what they find. What happens next will haunt Julia for the rest of her days, leaving her plagued with nightmares and terrified of the dark. There is a serial killer at work in Cork, one as clever as he is deadly. Julia may not be a detective yet, but after the harrowing events of that night, she is determined to be the one to catch him…
2024: Julia Harte has chosen just the right place to disappear. Now a retired detective with an illustrious career behind her, she has moved to a tiny cottage in a remote part of Ireland where she hopes to find peace. But then she receives a phone call from her old Superintendent – two women have been murdered, their bodies marked and staged, just like in ’94.
It’s happening again. Only this time, the stakes are even higher. Julia must return to Cork to face down a vicious killer and the memories that haunt her still. Yet Julia is no longer a naïve junior officer but a seasoned, tough professional who proves more than a match for any murderer…
[ My Review ]
The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan publishes January 30th 2025 with HQ Stories and is described as ‘ a dark, gritty psychological suspense Irish police procedural crime thriller.’ I have been a fan of Amy for a number of years, as in her previous existence, she wrote a Cork crime trilogy under the name Amy Cronin.
The Dark Hours takes the reader back to the city of Cork but with a different cast. Retired detective Julia Harte is central to this novel. Forced back out of retirement, she is brought in to assist with an investigation involving the discovery of the bodies of two young women. The similarities are striking to a case Julia was involved in in 1994, one that left her both physically and emotionally scarred.
Julia Harte fought hard to climb the ranks within the force but, from the beginning of her career, she was always aware that her gender was a disadvantage. When a shocking tragedy occurred early on in her career, Julia’s trajectory, both professional and personal, changed forever. Having a successful career impacted Julia across her life so, on retirement, she relocated to Cuan Beag, a quiet village near the east coast far away from the noise of her previous existence. Holed up here within her own four walls offered Julia a sanctuary, a place where she could snuggle up with her wee dog Mutt, safe and secure. When her phone rings with the harrowing news of a similar case to 1994, the walls come tumbling down and Julia must face her demons yet again.
Julia Harte returns to her old stomping grounds in Cork. Her notoriety provides little protection against the barbs and remarks of those presently in the force. With her old, also retired, Superintendent by her side, Julia soon puts a stop to the reactionary behaviour of the present staff at the station, making her presence and position clear. Julia Harte is tough and takes no prisoners. Opening this Pandora’s box is not something she ever wanted to do but now that she is here, she makes a decision to jump right in with the determination to catch a killer before they strike again.
Julia Harte is a mature and whip-smart protagonist but beneath that confident exterior, there are moments of vulnerability. In her solitude we get glimpses of the inner conflict that sits with her daily. Her feelings of insecurity and her paranoia are all remnants of the dangers she faced in her job. She has suffered great sadness but yet believes at all times that justice must prevail.
The Dark Hours is a complex, entertaining and, at times, unsettling read featuring this relatable, yet layered, main character. A seasoned detective with a sharp mind, Julia Harte is both formidable and compassionate with a policing style honed by years of solving complex cases. With elements of Patricia Cornwell and Lynda La Plante, Amy Jordan skilfully taps into that idea of the strong female protagonist leaving me hopeful that this is the launch of a new series!
* Thanks to Amy Jordan and HQ Stories for a copy of The Dark Hours in exchange for my honest review
[ Bio ]
Amy Jordan lives by the sea with her husband and young children in Cork, Ireland. A former tutor at Munster Technological University, she worked in the Irish civil service for a number of years before pursuing her passion for writing crime fiction. Amy is a fan of thrillers and crime novels, and her love of suspense and plot twists flows into her writing.
X ~ @AmyJordanBook
Instagram ~ @amyjordanbooks
Fantastic review! I really like the sound of this one.
Amy Is a very solid writer. I do hope you get the opportunity and thank you!