I wasn't overly enamoured with this.
I liked the main character as an older woman in the modern timeline, she felt real and well drawn, and it was good to have an mature protagonist.
But the serial killer storyline however was far too convoluted, with weird stab marks and body positioning that weren't really explained but talked about endlessly and the motive of both murderers was absolutely ridiculous.
The usual tropes were thrown in - fear of the dark, a villain origins story, copycat murderers etc but added little and seemed to be shoehorned in because they should be there to make it a 'serial killer novel' rather than adding anything to the story.
This could have been simplified massively and made a lot more satisfying.

This book is a very good crime novel. It has a dual timeline following Gardai Julia Harte. In 1994 Julia loses her police partner Adrian to a serial killer and her world is turned upside down. 2024, Julia now a retired detective, who is living in a remote part of Ireland away from everything that has happened. Receives a phonecall from her old Superintendent. Two women have been murdered, their bodies staged and marked just like what happened in 1994. Julia must return to Cork and help find a killer while chasing her own demons.

Julia was a fantastic character. I loved that she was older, she was very well rounded, flawed and likeable. I would love to read another book featuring her. The twists and turns were very good. Some I guessed others I didn't. I loved how a lot of what happens is in the dark. It gave the book extra chills.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read this excellent book.

This was a truly excellent crime novel. Told over dual timelines, tightly plotted, nicely paced and some nice twists and turns . I liked how realistically the characters were drawn and developed and there was a nice balance of creepily dark and police procedural. An unputdownable page turner, I suspect this book will be a huge hit. Congratulations to the author and already looking forward to her next book.

4.5 stars.

This book was so good. It was a slow start but so worth it. I do love a good crime book especially following a strong independent female detective.

This follows Julia, who 30 years ago lost her police partner to a serial killer but 30 years later a copycat is out for revenge and has their eyes set on Julia and her new partner. Julia and her team must find this new copycat serial killer before it’s too late or is it too late? And who and why would seek revenge.

Julia lost everything 30 years ago and will not make the same mistake again.

The Dark Hours is a gripping thriller that seamlessly weaves together past and present, drawing readers into the life of Julia Harte, who has chosen the idyllic coastal village of Cuan Beag in Ireland as the perfect place to vanish. With a population of less than a thousand and a reputation as a scenic getaway for tourists, it seems an ideal hideaway for someone looking to escape a turbulent past. Yet, Julia is acutely aware that danger can lurk in the shadows, especially during the dark hours.

Three decades earlier, Julia played a crucial role in bringing down Ireland's most notorious serial killer, a case that not only propelled her into the limelight but also left her with haunting memories. Although she enjoyed the fruits of her success, the scars from that time have forced her into hiding, estranged from the husband she once relied on. Just when she thinks she might find solace in her seclusion, a copycat killer emerges, forcing Julia back into a world she thought she had left behind.

This time, however, she is not the naive officer of her youth; she has learned the brutal truths of humanity and the predatory nature of those who kill for sport. With steely determination, Julia sets out to confront this new threat, fully aware that her own life hangs in the balance.

The author’s skilful use of language and tight plotting makes The Dark Hours impossible to put down. I particularly enjoyed the dual timeline, which offered a fascinating glimpse into Julia’s character as both a young officer and a seasoned survivor. Even though I guessed some of the twists, it did nothing to diminish the cleverness of the writing. Julia's grit and resolve shine throughout, making her a refreshing and compelling protagonist. This is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Highly recommended!

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the dual timelines and although i sussed a few of the twists that was part of the enjoyment. I will definitely be looking out for more from this author

Julia Harte is a retired Irish detective called in to consult on a serial killer investigation that has all the hallmarks of a case from 1994. The story is told across the two timelines as we see her home in on a killer who is/was also homing in on her.
For fans of slow-burning crime fiction told in a straightforward style.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
On publication, I will post my review on my blog and GoodReads.

Absolutely great strong lead characters in this book kept me gripped from the start. I really enjoyed the plot. It's very well written.

Done and dusted in 2 sittings. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough. Loved the dual timeline. Really well thought out thriller with well developed characters that are both likeable and unlikeable. Really builds the suspense and keeps you guessing. Loved Julia as a character. I really like when I don’t have a plot figured out and it all comes as a surprise and the outcome is worth waiting for. Really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend but be prepared to get nothing done until you have devoured it.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review #TheDarkHours

I really enjoyed this book. It was set in Ireland and holds similarities to novels I have read recently that were written by Andrea Mara. The story pulls you in from the beginning, as we get to know retired Detective Harte and everything she stands for. Fast-paced and incredibly well written, this was as thriller that kept me involved from start to finish. I loved the dual timeline as well. It was twisty and I genuinely didn't see the end coming, the killer was a fascinating twist that I did not expect. Truly loved it!

I enjoyed the duel timeline, I liked finding out about Julia's back story and watching things unravel.

The story flowed well and I was intrigued to find out more! There were a number of twists, however I guessed quite alot, although I didn't guess every twist!

What a cracking debut! The writing is so sharp and it's such a cleverly weaved story. I was gripped from start to finish. It's told from a dual timeline so we are fed bits of our protagonist Julia's background and the original incident. This is what keeps you turning the pages, I was trying to hard to figure it all out and I couldn't. A super twist at the end! I also really loved Julia's character. She was so well written and had real grit and determination. I thought it made a refreshing change that she was older too. I am really hoping she appears again in another book!
This book kept me reading well into the night. I'd describe it as a very clever and gritty thriller. I can't wait to read more from this author! 5⭐️

Huge thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

Really gripping and interesting detective story with some strong characters and very unexpected twists. Dual time frame and we never know more than Julia Harte, the detective, reveals. Excellent new crime from an author I will look out for.

A really great story with so many twists and turns. I thought I could see the direction this was going in however I was proved wrong!

A brilliant debut. Fast paced and intriguing, though I had an idea of what was going on about 3/4 of the way through though the 'why' alluded me. I'm still not sure I completely get the reasoning. An enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A really accomplished police procedural, which I think will appeal widely. This dropped a star for me because I thought the ending fizzled, and the twist just wasn't satisfying enough for me - there was no foreshadowing of what it could be which made it feel a bit contrived rather than a neat wrapping up of the loose ends.

I have definitely found another author to follow, up there with my favourites James Patterson and Karen Rose.
Brilliantly written, hooked from the beginning, loved Jules character, could not guess who the killer was just kept you intrigued from beginning to end, loved the last page but wanted it to go on.
Can’t wait to read more of Amy books

I really enjoyed this thriller. It was suspense and intriguing throughout.
I also enjoyed the authors writing style and pace.
A dual timeline full or twists and turns made this a great read

I enjoyed this book and felt a sense of menace in the first few pages. I suspected everyone and was still wrong ! The dual timeline blended really well. I usually find them distracting. A good start which could develop into a good series. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review.

This was a chilling thriller set over a dual timeline and connected by Julia Harte who was a Garda thirty years ago but is now a retired detective inspector. The crime she was investigating thirty years ago was personal and in the present day a copycat killer draws her into a current murder investigation. I didn’t find her an especially likeable character but the crimes were dark and compelling. She has an interesting relationship with her colleagues especially the chief superintendent but she doesn’t seem to need people in her life. It took me a while to fully engage with the story but it did gradually draw me in, it’s not the kind of thriller where you can necessarily identify a culprit to an extent but both murderers motivations were fascinating and well conceived.