Two police officers are bought out of retirement to solve a copy cat murder. The reason? One of the murder victims has a copy of a book written by Julia Harte, one of the police officers. Set over two separate timelines this story slowly unravels to solve both cases.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this book.

The past returns.
Two retired police officers who were instrumental in solving a series of brutal killings in 1994 are brought out of retirement in the present day to consult on a rash of copycat killings. Their presence is resented and obstructed by some of the present-day officers, which causes them frustration and hinders the investigation.
Amy Jordan weaves a complicated tale, switching between the two cas3s, but it would perhaps have been easier on readers, and definitely this one, if the two had been kept separate. That said, I like her style and after a bit of a slow start it really held my interest as it builds to a tense, exciting and totally unexpected crescendo.

Guarda Julia Harte, along with her partner, are called to a Cork neighbourhood to investigate a noise complaint. What happens next creates an ongoing nightmare. Years later Julia is retired but when events unfold that relate to the incident all that time ago. It is down to Julia to return to Cork and face her demons.

This sounded like an intriguing police procedural and I was drawn to the cover. I am glad that I gave this a chance as this was a well accomplished debut. The story started strongly and you immediately pick up on the dark, haunted atmosphere. The intricate plot slowly unravels until reaching the suspenseful finale.

The characters are well written and I liked the idea of retired detectives taking centre stage. However, I didn’t find an instant connection with Julia. I enjoyed that the story was told in two timelines and found it compelling that similar crimes were running through each. I found it too much of a slow burn at times, however overall I did enjoy this complex story and would certainly read more by this author. 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Retired detective “Call me Julia” Harte is asked to come back to the force to assist with an investigation that mirrors one she worked on 30 years previously.

Told across dual timelines, from the present day where Julia lives a life of solitude, and in 1994, when she fights the system to be involved in the original case, against all odds, and goes on to become a respected detective and author.

I really enjoyed this brilliant read, the plot is very well thought out and I had no inkling of how it would play out until the reveal hit and had me stunned! I liked the writing style and was surprised to discover that this is a debut novel - great job Amy Jordan 👏🏻

My only criticism is that the constant “call me Julia” became tiresome very quickly. It’s mentioned many, MANY times - yes, yes, we get it!

4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Amy Jordan and HQ for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was an exceptionall well written story. It is a thriller with many humorous parts, including Julie's dog called simply Mutt! The plot is great and very fast paced, no time for breathing before more happens. The two timeframes, past and present, were handled very well and were easy to follow. The characters were well described and I could relate to them and the emotions that they portrayed.
This is a debut novel I cannot wait to read more by this very talented authour.

We first meet Julia hiding away in a small village in 2024 having retired from her career as a DI. She is approached to return to Cork because there appears to be a copycat killer in which she was deeply involved in 1994. The sections set in 1994 have Julia fighting to be accepted as an equal with the male detectives even though she is a Garda. Her character in 1994 is rather unrealistic as she pushes to be more involved than her rank would allow.
Her character in 2024 is more believable but it is wearing that she repeatedly asks serving officers to 'call me Julia'.
Julia is portrayed very much as a character married to her job. Having retired she is a very insular character.
Having said all this the plot is fast moving and quite a page turner. Will be interested to read more by this author.
Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley./Amy Jordan/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Creepy, chilling and captivating.

Set in Ireland, this character driven police procedural is a must read for crime-thriller fans. Told in two clearly defined and easy to follow timelines 1994 and present day 2024, the story slowly unfolds revealing the similarities in two cases.

The characters are well developed and complex. Julia, the main character is very relatable. This book is suspenseful, well-paced and expertly written. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Thank you to #Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC in exchange for a review.

It's 2024, and retired Detective Julia Harte is contacted by a voice from the past when crimes are committed which bear an uncanny resemblance to murders she investigated in 1994. On that night and after, the most terrible things happened which haunted Julia forever. Now, it all seems to be happening again and Julia gets drawn back in to this dangerous situation.

The story is revealed through the different time periods which make for great reader experience as you learn more about characters as well as seeing how the murders connect. The 1994 serial murders and investigation make for compelling reading and there are some subtle red herrings which had me second guessing characters throughout and thinking I had spotted the serial killer when I clearly hadn't. The modern murder story is also good, but it's made by the characters of Julia, Mutt the dog, and her former Superintendent. I love that it is 'older' characters who take the lead here. This is a fast-paced and exciting book, with good characters and plot. Well worth a read.

Excellent thriller. I understand this is a debut and that makes it even more special-so well written.

I couldn’t put it down, we worth a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now THIS is how you write a crime thriller! I am genuinely shocked that this is Amy Jordan’s debut novel - it is so compelling.

We meet retired Detective Julia Harte who has moved to Cuan Beag to escape the nightmares that her career in Cork Gardaí brought her. But with a copycat killer at large, she’s suddenly back in the middle of it all and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.

The dual-timeline really built the suspense and had me gripped - I didn’t want to put this book down!

Really enjoyed this tense and well-written story. Well developed characters and a twisty plot kept me turning the pages. Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this police procedural and was amazed to read it’s a debut novel as it kept me on my toes throughout. The plot is an intricate and intriguing one told in both the past and the present and to be honest I enjoyed the parts in the past more than the future ones. The characters were extremely well written and not all likeable and for me that’s always the sign that I’m going to enjoy the read ! I did however get a bit confused at times as who was who but by rereading certain parts all soon became clear and the pace of the book was very good also keeping me guessing throughout.
There are a lot of twists in the story most of which I didn’t see coming and that again is a good sign as when you read a lot of mystery thrillers things can become a bit stale but not in this read I’m pleased to say.
So a read I really did enjoy and I look forward to more from Amy Jordan in the future and can highly recommend this one also.
My thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this novel set in Ireland. I loved the strong female lead character of Julie Harte and the dual timelines of 1994 and 2024 which added depth to the story. I liked the author's writing style and look forward to reading more of her work.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publishers TorHQ and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Former Detective Inspector Julia Harte is pulled from retirement in rural Ireland to advise on a case which appears to be a copycat to the one which tore her life apart.

The main character Julia is well-developed and engaging, but the plot doesn’t quite reach the same standard. The story flips back and forth between the original case in the 1990s and the modern day potential copycat. It’s a format that often works well. The difficulty for me though is that the original case was far more compelling than the modern day. Which, when the whodunnit of the old case is wrapped up in the flashbacks three-quarters of the way through, leaves the final section more of an anticlimax. Despite the attempt at a twist in the motivation, it isn’t strong enough to make the end feel satisfying.

It’s a shame, because if the story had stuck to the original case and the start of Julia’s career, I think I’d be raving about this and keenly looking forward to more.

A Gripping Thriller That Keeps You Hooked

Amy Jordan’s The Dark Hours is a great first novel of suspense and storytelling. This powerful police thriller weaves two timelines seamlessly, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the mysteries unfold. Each chapter is packed with tension, and I couldn’t put it down.

The characters are compelling, the twists are sharp, and the pacing is flawless. I loved every moment of the journey, and I’m already hoping there’s more to come from Jordan. If you’re a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing, this is an absolute must-read!

This book was a slow burn for me, it took me longer to get through it than usual. I still really enjoyed the storyline and didn't predict the ending fully. It piqued my interest just enough to continue reading to the end.

I enjoyed switching timelines, and how the past events shaped the future as time went on. I really liked the protagonist Julia, and admired her determination to stop the past repeating itself.

Overall, it was a good book, but not quite as attention grabbing as I would like. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Ireland, Amy Jordan creates a world of fear, revenge, and death in her novel ‘The Dark Hours’. Julia Harte, a retired detective inspector, has relocated to the quiet town of Cuan Beag to escape the ghosts of her former life. But when history catches up with her, Harte is faced with a choice: stay hidden or return to Cork to help solve a chilling case involving a copycat killer.

The dual timeline style, spanning from 1994 to 2024, builds tension and mystery throughout the novel. In 1994, Harte is plunged into the investigation of two missing girls, and in 2024, history repeats itself with a similar case. Jordan weaves the two timelines together, creating a sense of foreboding.

Character development is a strong feature in Jordan’s work. Julia Harte, a strong but complex protagonist, is a character readers warm up to instantly. Characters like Riordan and Armstrong (Harte’s colleagues) are equally well-crafted, adding emotion and complexity to the cases and the story.

Jordan succeeds in creating a gripping story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with strong character development and a haunting atmosphere that stays with you after the book is finished.

Former detective now retired Julia Harte moved to a remote island, Cuan Beag of the east coast of Ireland to escape the nightmares that still haunt her from thirty years ago. In 1994 she was investigating a missing child with her partner Adrian died in the hands of a killer. The killer was caught and jailed.
Her former boss now rings her up and tells her that the killer now recently died but there is a copycat killer out there and he needs her help to find them. She agrees to come out to help them bringing her dog called Mutt with her.
The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan is an excellent debut novel. From the very first page I though this was gripping, suspenseful thriller with a great storyline and likeable characters, especially Julia and her dog. I can’t wait to hear more from this author. I would say she is a one ‘to watch’ in future novels. 5 stars from me.

Thirty years ago James Cox left a message to Garda Julia Hart thirty years ago. After a prison sentence he dies but is someone copying his murderous technique?

I am not sure about this long gap in time but the book is a well written police procedural one and Julia is an excellent character. with a strong female lead, The dual timeline narrative was not for me eventually, but worth 4 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and HQ Books for the chance to read and review..

An excellent detective story based in Southern Ireland. Former DI Julia Harte is now retired and living in a remote village in quiet seclusion with only her dog and dark memories to keep her company. Thirty years previously she was responsible for the imprisonment of serial killer James Cox. Fast forward to present day and word reaches her that Cox has passed away in prison but it seems a copycat killer has now surfaced. Her old boss Des Riordan insists they should help with the investigation as their knowledge could be vital. As the story alternates between the past and present, we begin to understand just how personal this is to Julia and how dangerous it is now becoming. Despite the current detectives resenting their input it become clear they can help find the perpetrator. Putting herself in extreme danger Julia needs answers and won’t rest until she has them. A very well woven story that has some excellent twists and believable characters. An excellent debut and I look forward to reading more from this talented author.