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Book Review: Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

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Into the Darkest Corner

Hello, everyone! Today I am reviewing Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

The Story

Catherine Bailey meets a man named Lee Brightman. Brightman is handsome, charming and everything Catherine hoped to find in a man. At first, the relationship is exciting and Lee’s passionate attention to Catherine is flattering and pleasurable. However, it soon becomes something very different as Catherine is increasingly aware of Lee’s violent, obsessive and controlling nature. As Lee’s abuse and obsession become more and more terrifying, Catherine hopes to find understanding and help in her circle of friends. But they don’t believe her. Desperate, she plans her escape.

She starts a new life in another city. Four years pass. Lee is now in jail.  But, the paralyzing fear that shaped her past continues in her new life. As she tries to forge a new, healthy relationship with another man, she finds herself facing, once again, her worst fear.

My Review

Wow. This book is a page turner. The author moves back and forth between the present and the past, revealing what happened to Catherine slowly, piece by piece. So we have two stories unfolding at the same time, thereby ramping up the tension and the terror in an almost excruciating manner. The author does a beautiful job of describing the post traumatic stress that takes over Catherine’s daily life, even four years after her escape. The obsessive checking of locks and windows and curtains that is the only way she can feel a modicum of safety in her daily life is detailed and vivid. The description of a relationship slowly becoming a nightmare is portrayed with chilling accuracy. And the terror and fear were all too real for this reader. I’ve had friends who were in abusive relationships, who suffered trauma at the hands of someone they trusted. One marriage, in particular, of a college friend to a seemingly charming and funny guy was shockingly revealed, after many years, to have been a nightmare of physical abuse. Ms. Haynes writes with a conviction and honesty that doesn’t spare the reader. And that’s as it should be.

This story of a relationship gone haywire is terrifying and chilling. It’s a psychological thriller of the highest quality. This is Elizabeth Haynes’ debut novel and her talent for writing is clear from page one. If you like thrillers and suspense with complex, well-written characters you will love this novel. To say it is compelling is an understatement.

Elizabeth Haynes

About the Author

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst. She started writing fiction in 2006 with the annual challenge of National Novel Writing Month (NaMoWriMo) and the encouragement of the creative writing courses at West Dean College. She lives in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Giveaway

One of you can be the lucky winner of a copy of Into the Darkest Corner! Just leave a comment on this post and I will randomly draw a winner on Friday evening.

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Comments

  4. always love your book reviews. this one sounds especially good!
    pam
    Add me to the list of actual book lovers. I don’t own an ereader.
    I have been on our local library board for the last 25 years. I have decided that I will not be running for reelection in April. Time to move on. Too much is changing and not necessarily for the better.

  5. Claudia – this sounds like it would have me glued to my seat and not wanting to put it down until finished. Thanks for bringing this book to us – Francine

  6. as i began reading your review, my past came to mind. i would very much love to read this book. i too an still a book holder.

  9. I had a friend who was abused without anyone knowing for a long time. Would love to curl up with this book!
    Dori

  10. This sounds like a wonderful book to win. I love a good thriller. Not that many years ago I remember having lunch with some of my childhood girlfriends and our conversation turned to alcoholic fathers. We all had one who trying his best to ruin the family and not one of us told anyone. We all kept the secret. I wonder how many of these stories are out there.

  13. I’d love the chance to read a new author, and this book sounds very interesting.
    Thanks for the chance to win it !!

  14. I love a good suspense story! Reminds me of the Julia Roberts movie “Sleeping with the Enemy” which my husband hates but I am drawn to watch when it’s on the TV.

  15. This looks like such a good read, hope I am lucky enough to win it. Love mysteries, especially UK ones. Worked in the Library system in Innsfil, Ontario for over 21 years and needless to say reading is smilar to breathing with me.

  16. Love when you do a book review. Also, enjoyed your post on books how splendid they are, how they look and feel… I couldn’t agree more I save every one of mine and keep them like they were long time friend and decorate with them too. I have to have them around me always. Count me in for the give away and many thanks.

  17. I’m an avid reader and always looking for new books. I love mysteries so a psychological thriller sounds interesting.

  18. Please add me to the drawing. This sounds a very good book.
    On another topic, your post yesterday got me thinking. I didn’t that I had an independent bookseller in my area. Granted it is 70 miles away, and I won’t be able to use it often, but use it I will. Thanks for great advice on booksellers.
    Trudy

  20. This sounds fantastic! It would definitely having me check the locks on the doors! Thanks for a great giveaway!

    XO,
    Jane

  21. great review…it is always a treat to share new books with family. broke my arm so typing is a chore.
    thanks you!

  23. Hi Claudia, I enjoyed reading the review of this book but please pass the book along to someone else if my name should turn up. I worry enough about my young female friends as it is. Just call me chicken! I do want to heartily clap my hands for your previous post! Thank you for writing it. To miss the excitement of taking home a few brand new books from your local bookshop is like missing Christmas. My heart pounds and I always feel that they will change my life, and sometimes they do. And to come across a reading treasure at a thrift store is good too. I am different from most buyers of used books online. What I want is a book that has been written in, underlined, even highlighted.

    Thank you so much for your encouraging comment today on my blog!

    Dewena

  24. Oh I think my best friend read this recently and highly recommended it. Would love to read it.

  25. I would love to read this novel, it sounds most thrilling.

    I also attended NANOWRIMO this year. Before participation at our local library I had not heard of it before.

    National Novel Writing Month.

    Please count me in.

    Christy

  26. Having been married to an abusive man many years ago..I understand the fear that follows you after you escape..I lost that fear the day he died..I would enjoy reading this book so much..Thank you for the chance to win!

  28. Claudia, you had me on the edge of my chair w/that review! I love these kinds of books. Guess that’s why I was so drawn to working criminal trials in court! So here’s hoping I win this one! Thanks for the review!

  29. Hi Claudia,
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I’d love to be gifted this book! After reading the 50 Shades trilogy, I’m looking for another great page turner!

  30. Hi Claudia,
    Just reading your review quickened my pulse rate and certainly heightened my curiosity.
    Thanks for your review.

  32. Hi Claudia,
    Thank you so much for sharing this review. I will be on the lookout for this book. I just today picked up some Lee Child’s books at our local Savers after reading your blog about the book vs. the movie. I’m looking forward to diving in and having another favorite author to look out for.
    Hope you and Scout are all nicely snuggled in at home together.

  34. Forgive me dear for being late here – I’ve read all your great posts but not had time to comment with Internet problems in the UK on some days, then traveling home and trying to get back on track here before leaving again next week!

    Love the city snow pics – and didn’t know you have also lived in Philly and Boston – plenty of snowy times there. I loved it when I first came to the US and lived in D.C. My first winter there was more snow than I’d ever seen, and of course I’d never lived anywhere like a city, let along the Capital of a huge country! I had short black ankle boots brought with me from England, and no extra money for tall waterproof boots, somehow I must have managed to stay relatively dry. Once I got a job and a paycheck what do you think I bought………….a pair of beautiful ice skates with soft white leather boots which took me skating on the Reflecting Pool (very bumpy) under Abe Lincoln’s watchful eye! Yes, city living in the snow is magical and make one do crazy things perhaps!

    Sounds like a good read – thanks for sharing us. Will put it on my list. BTW Claudia – did you read The Paris Wife yet? If not, and you’d like my copy, I’ll get it in the mail to you dear. I really enjoyed it.

    Happy New Year to you, Don and Scout – hope things are going well even though you’re all apart again. Thinking of you and sending best wIshes for a good year ahead.
    Mary X

  35. Very interesting review. I am a big fan of mysteries and especially those with a good plot and good characters. Thanks for this chilling review. This will definitely go on my “must read” list. I am a huge advocate of independent book stores…we have a great one in my city.

  37. Hi Claudia. I would love to be entered into this book giveaway. I love books that keep me on the edge of my seat. I have been following Ms Haynes on Facebook and am very interested in her writing. I will have to put this in my list to read this year.

    Thanks,
    Sharon

  38. I want to be included too! Sounds like a real pageturner! You have a real knack as a book reviewer Claudia! ~Hugs, Patti

  40. I found your blog yesterday through your sister, Meredith. This giveaway is just a bonus. Please throw my name in the hat! Good books are hard to find these days. Thanks for the review. I’ll be reading it regardless.

  41. I would love the read this. I was very close to a lovely young woman who was in an abusive relationship. I love to hold a real book/\. Thanks for the giveaway.

  43. Sounds like a good read; I love thrillers! The best winter day is spent in my Jammie’s in front of the fire with a good book a a good cup of coffee.

  44. Claudia, just finished reading your post from yesterday and I say BRAVO!!!!
    Here in central Pa., Williamsport to be precise, we have OTTO’s Bookstore, the oldest
    continuing running bookstore in the country……run by a wonderful lady, Betsy, and her
    lovely family. These small independent booksellers/bookstores keep the pulse of book lovers
    like ourselves going. Our public libraries do the same and I applaud you telling all your readers
    how you feel. Hope this brings more people out to the shops and libraries.

  50. This one was a thrilling read for me too! No need to enter me in the giveaway since I already have a copy of the book :) Enjoyed your review :)

  51. This book, indeed sounds like a real page turner! Your excellent review makes want to read it all the more.

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