This is everything you want in a thriller, it’s dark; twisty & full of suspense. It reels you in from the very first chapter.
One of the better debut novels I’ve read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Wow! What a book. Full of twists and turns. I loved the switching between time lines, made you think you had it sussed until the end and what a twist. I really felt for Julia and everything she went through, the people she lost along the way.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for ARC.

Retired Gardai Julia Harte is living a secluded life when she is called by an old colleague. A recent murder in Cork has all the hallmarks of a notorious case from her early years in the force, one that had far reaching effects on her life and career, as well as some of her loved ones. She reluctantly agrees to go as a consultant on the case, and the local force equally reluctantly agree to accept her expertise.
This is so well crafted, with a great exploration of the impact of policing on the detectives involved, their families and the wider public. The strands weave together very well, I think Jordan is to be welcomed as a strong new voice in a very strong field of Irish thriller/police procedural authors.

Word of advice - Don't read at night!!!
This is a fabulous detective novel set in Cork and told over two timelines set 30 years apart (1994 and 2024) and featuring a now retired detective Julia Harte who was in the early stages of her career in 1994 and was on the periphery of the investigation into a serial killer/abductor operating in Cork. Well, when I say periphery... that doesn't last long,
Compelled to return to Cork when a new serial killer seemingly replicating the 1994 murders surfaces and Julia is convinced that there is a link between the two cases.

I loved the two narrative strands as it allowed me to see how Julia developed as a character over those years and to understand how she is today and the long-lasting impact of such a traumatic case on a young inexperienced officer. We aren't often privy to that element of the impact of trauma on lifelong detectives. and it really drew me in.

A strong woman with her own vulnerabilities, Julia, over the years has adopted strategies to look after her mental health and to keep her safe. I mean you gotta love a woman who hates the dark, but keeps a golf club close at hand.... just in case.

This is a combination of a psychological thriller (and boy does it thrill) and a police investigation. It was a delight to see older characters in the lead rolls and the combination of action which propelled the plot forward, high stakes and the tug of heartstrings at the emotional impact of Julia's decision making.
Absolutely loved it!

It's a shame that this is Amy Jordan's debut novel as I really want to read more of her novels! This is a brilliant story that weaves together two horrific murder plots with the personal life of Julia Harte. We meet Julia as she's a retired detective inspector, having relocated from Cork to a smaller, sleepier village in Ireland in a bid to have a quiet, peaceful life. However, the killing of two young women with strong similarities to one of Julia's past cases drags her back to investigating.

She returns to Cork after an appeal from her former boss, Des, despite her misgivings. Her return is the opportunity for us to learn more about her past, the breakdown of her marriage to Phili[p, and how she was personally targeted by a serial killer 30 years previously.

It's such a poignant and bittersweet story. I really enjoyed reading the unfolding of Julia and Philip's relationship in particular because it was so well written and real. Philip, a doctor, wants children and it seems that at some point Julia did too. But as her career in the Garda is developing, she is coming to realise that she doesn't really want to leave all that behind, and so is trying to put off having a big discussion about it. This tension at the heart of their marriage deepens when Julia comes under direct threat as a result of her job, leading to Philip pressuring her to leave the case alone.

A devastating turn of events sees him leave her for good - something that seems absolutely staggering when you read it but manages at the same time to be completely believable.

As with so many crime novels, I think I am more taken by the characters' personal lives and relationships than with the plot itself! However, the plot here is fine and is interesting - as we have two mysteries in one, the first being of the first killer in 1994 and the second being with the motivations of the copycat in 2024. So there is a lot going on and it's utterly readable.

All of the characters are well-founded and, despite the fact that this is a crime/mystery novel, it's also a story of lost love and regret. I loved the ending. And am hoping that Amy Jordan writes some more novels very soon.

The Dark Hours is a psychological thriller set in 1994 and 2004. Julia Harte Is a retired detective, living in a small Irish village with her dog Mutt. When a serial killer dies in the secure psychiatric facility she helped place him in, memories resurface of what she lost ensuring he was brought to justice. Her old Superintendent then calls as a copy cat killer appears to be operating and Julia’s help is needed to stop the murders.
This book is a cut above other novels of the genre I have recently read. The back story of Julia and the trauma she suffered added another level to the already gripping storyline and I hope this will be the first book of a series.

The Dark Hours is a gripping psychological thriller that goes into the complexities of trauma, memory, and survival.
I loved the way it felt like both you and the protagonist can’t distinguish reality from nightmares whilst trying to solve the mystery at the centre of the plot. This book is atmospheric and suspenseful, it kept me on edge with unexpected twists and turns throughout. Some of it felt like a slightly slower burn but you get a satisfying conclusion at the end which thriller fans will enjoy!
Really like this one and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another Amy Jordan!

This detective thriller is set in modern day Ireland where a retired detective is forced to revisit a case from the 90’s that she was at the centre of. I found the switching between timelines well done, it was easy to keep up with them both. I did see one of the big twists coming quite early on, however this did not take away from the reading experience. A solid thriller!

A compelling story about a retired detective being called upon to help with an investigation into a murder which looks like a copy cat of a series of murders from her career past. Having also written an acclaimed book about many of her cases, which is now a required reading text, it soon becomes clear that whoever is behind these killings is targeting her and has committed them in order to smoke her out. Set in Ireland, with flashbacks to the 1990s, the book is engaging, with a good plot and interesting characters.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel in advance in exchange for an honest review.

The Dark Hours is a gripping and atmospheric crime thriller that plunges readers into the hunt for a copycat killer mimicking the brutal crimes of a notorious serial murderer. The original detective—now retired—is reluctantly drawn back into the case, forced to confront old demons while navigating a modern-day investigation.

Told through a dual timeline, the novel masterfully weaves past and present, whilst the dark, moody atmosphere heightens the tension with every twist. The characters are compelling, especially the retired detective, Julia, whose experience and haunted past add depth to the story.

Fast-paced yet richly layered, The Dark Hours is a must-read for fans of noir crime fiction, police procedurals, and psychological thrillers. It’s a novel that lingers long after the final page.

If you enjoy piecing together clues from the comfort of your own home, "The Dark Hours" is an essential addition to your reading list. This captivating novel is skillfully crafted and utterly addictive, allowing me to devour the entire story in just two sittings. As a remarkable debut, it sets a new standard for future literary works in the genre.

The plot is intricately woven with dual timelines that complement one another seamlessly, creating a rich tapestry of suspense and action intertwined with moments that provoke profound thought. Each character is meticulously developed, contributing depth to the narrative and drawing readers into their struggles and victories.

For its masterful storytelling and engaging prose, this book undoubtedly deserves a resounding five-star rating. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what this talented author will create next, as they have set the bar high with their debut.

Page one makes you wonder. Page two pulls you in. You forget everything except this riveting book.

By the end I wished I hadn't read it so I could start again. A must read.

A fantastic dual timeline novel based in Cork in the South West of Ireland during 1994 and 2024. A strong female lead froM her time as a young g guard chasing a serial killer to a retired DI who comes out retirement when a copycat killer emerges 30 years later.
The story is well written, the story evolves and unfolds as the timeline changes between the two. So you don’t know the whole story for 1994 to early.
Great book, will read this author again.

Thanks to netgalley for the early review book.

This is one amazing read.

From Julia to Adrian the characters are well written.

The storyline is amazing and keeps you reading .

After a tumultous career, including bringing down a prolific serial killer at extreme personal cost, Julia Harte has retired to a secluded coastal village in Ireland. When a copycat killer strikes, Julia returns and finds herself in the middle of the investigation, with no choice but to face her past.

This book was written in two timelines and flitted between the present and the investigations of thirty years ago. I really enjoyed this as the historic timeline gradually revealed information to bring the story together.

I loved Julia as a character and found myself really rooting for her. The book was fast paced and I had many a late night reading 'just one more chapter'. The Dark Hours is an emotional rollercoaster of a book, full of twists and turns, and I loved every minute.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Really good read! I enjoyed the dual aspect very much. I did guess 'whodunnit' before the end, but it didn't spoil anything for me. The characters were likeable and there's a dog for a bonus!

As a young police officer in 1994, Julia Harte is exposed to an investigation that shapes her in the most fundamental way. Decades later, after she begun living a somewhat reclusive life in a small village, events linked to that traumatic case unexpectedly cause old memories to resurface.

But Julia herself is now at the peak of her powers and far better placed to handle the situation. And that is just as well, because the enemy she faces is a formidable one...

This is dark, atmospheric and gripping storytelling, and will appeal to those who enjoy a good police procedural as well as a story with unexpected layers. It gets 3.5 stars.

Detective Inspector Julia Harte is back to support the team after a copycat killer begins replicating the murders that took her partner’s life, threatened her own and cost her her marriage. The split timeline here allows us to see how consequences, trauma and grief affect people and each timeline is full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Enjoyed this one!

Now that's how you smash a debut what a treat!

Julia is a wonderful character who you can't help but be drawn to her determined spirit (and Mutt is an added bonus)

Told in two time lines we see the previous investigation unfold at the same time as the present to connect them together which added depth and clarity.

The writing flowed effortlessly over the pages to create an engaging, dramatic, compelling read.

This will defiantly be one of my top reads for 2025 well deserving of its five stars excited to read more from this author.

THE DARK HOURS

The reader is drawn into this, dark, twisty and utterly compelling story right from the start.

Flowing between 1994 and 2024 this dual timeline police procedural, crime thriller really keeps you guessing as you gather all the clues and start to piece everything together.

A very atmospheric and enjoyable read

Thanks to #NetGalley the publishers #HQ and Author #AmyJordan for the #eBook of #TheDarkHours for my honest review.

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