Witness In the Dark by Lynne Larson + $25 and Book Giveaway

What began as a picture-perfect summer vacation for college student Jenny Brodie has swiftly become a nightmare. When she left home on the back of her horse one sunny morning, she couldn’t have imagined what awaited her in the Utah desert. Now the darkness is closing in, and there is no way out. The woman saw what he did—she witnessed the shots he fired, the murder he committed. But she’ll never talk. He’s made sure of that. For a man desperate to hide his crimes, the pressure steadily rises as Jenny’s community bands together to find the missing young woman. As the searchers grow ever closer to discovering what he has hidden, so too does his desperation. He will stop at nothing to keep the woman hidden—but he has underestimated the second witness to his evil deeds: a young girl determined to protect Jenny. As the trail runs cold, will help come for Jenny before time runs out?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

First off, this is an LDS fiction book.  It has references specific to the Mormon religion- talk of God, going to church and praying.

In this book, there is no mystery for the reader.  We know everything that happened and most of the book is waiting for the characters to figure it out as well.  I'm not sure I loved that approach- there is just something about a mystery/suspense that holds more tension when the reader is trying to figure things out as well.

Jennie was a likable and strong girl.  Her heart and determination was evident from the very beginning of the book.  It was in direct contrast with the evil and and unsteadiness of the "bad guy".  

It took me a good one third to one half of the book to really start enjoying this story.  I wasn't a fan of how the first part of the book played out.  The current situation flopped back and forth with flashbacks.  It was slow going as it set up for the rest of the book.  Once I reached about the halfway point, I was engaged and interested.  The story moved more quickly and I was anxious to know how it would all play out.  I would call this a light suspense novel.  

Content:  Some violence and peril.  Clean.

- I received a copy of this book free from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

*Jan. 30th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com 

*Jan. 31st: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/,  http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/,  http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*Feb. 1st: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

*Feb. 2nd: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/ 

*Feb. 3rd: http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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