Into the Dark

The Devil's Claw, Book 1

De: Reece Barden

Narrado por: Dan Levy, Isabelle Turner

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise...When Holly moves to Sutton, an isolated mountain town with a dark reputation, she's a woman on a mission. She's looking for answers about the father she never knew. With three other women already missing, the last thing she expects while looking into his disappearance is to meet a man. Or two.

Her arrival ignites an old rivalry between two eligible bachelors, the cinnamon roll local hero, and the grumpy bad-boy, and tensions are high.

But when a mysterious beast starts stalking Holly, creeping around her cabin in the dead of night, she discovers the secrets the town's population is desperate to keep under wraps. When the time comes for Holly to make her choice, she needs to make the right one. Her life depends on it. Is he the monster everyone says he is?

And when he reveals his true form to her, will she wish she listened and stayed away?

A dark paranormal romance with shifters, knotting, and a man who'll stop at nothing to protect his mate.

©2023 Reece Barden (P)2024 Reece Barden

into the Dark

Love the mystery ,Good love storyIt's one of the best ones i've ever read. Looking forward to the next book in the series into the night.

Good story

I enjoyed the story and the characters. The male narrator didn’t quite hit the main characters voice for me, but it didn’t impede my interest in the story.

Really Really Good

I took a chance on this one, as it sounded interesting. SO Glad I did! It’s a great mix of mystery and paranormal romance! I still have many questions, but this did end in a good spot. It summed up the primary mystery in this story, while leaving it open for answers in future books. Give this one a chance!

Dark Secrets in Sutton

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚🩷🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😍🤨🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Holly – The Heroine

Holly’s arrival in the eerie mountain town of Sutton serves as both a physical journey and a metaphorical plunge into her estranged past. Her pragmatic response to a truck breakdown—choosing to sleep overnight in spring chill—quietly establishes her resilience. Her connection to John, a father she never knew, adds emotional weight and sets the tone for uncovering hidden truths. The sudden arrival of Sheriff Scott, who radiates stereotypical charm, foreshadows potential entanglements and heightens the sense of vulnerability Holly carries beneath her self-sufficiency.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Evan King – The Antihero

Evan King commands a brooding presence from the outset. His dual ownership of Sutton’s bar and auto shop reinforces his control within town borders, while his antagonism with Sheriff Scott injects an underlying tension that reverberates throughout the narrative. King’s psychology is framed by distrust toward women and a history of romantic failure—elements that evoke both danger and allure. His darkness isn’t caricatured; it’s presented as a volatile force drawn to Holly’s arrival, suggesting the story is as much about what she awakens in others as it is about her own search for answers.

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📚 Plot Dynamics

The backdrop of three missing women introduces a chilling sense of history. The animosity between Evan and Scott implies layers of rivalry beyond simple professional conflict, and Holly’s forced mediation between them deepens the mystery. Evan’s offer to tow her truck reads ambiguously—equal parts helpful and possessive. This ambiguity threads suspense into every encounter.

The tension between secrecy and survival plays out through town lore: Sutton holds a secret that its residents protect, yet Holly’s quest for familial closure unravels these tightly held threads. Particularly haunting is the detail that Evan’s ex-girlfriend was the last to disappear—a revelation that raises questions about his motives and mental stability.

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🌟 Standout Elements

• Ben King, Evan’s brother, provides needed levity and contrast. His warmth tempers the darker undercurrents and gives Holly (and listeners) a reprieve.
• Evan’s initial gruff demeanor is compellingly written; his emotional opacity generates intrigue and unpredictability.
• The sensual tension is raw and aggressive, perhaps too much for some tastes—but it’s undeniably woven into Evan’s identity.
• The shared town secret adds a layer of mythology that enriches the setting and stakes.
• The subplot involving Evan’s ex-girlfriend enhances the plot’s psychological depth and emotional complexity.

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💔 Areas for Growth

• Some relationship dynamics veer into melodrama, particularly Evan’s shift from menace to passion. A bit more narrative finesse would enhance believability.
• Holly’s agency occasionally stalls in moments when she’s more reactive than proactive.

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🎙️ Narration Analysis

The duet-style narration by Isabelle Turner and Dan Levy creates a vivid auditory split that mirrors the POV transitions in the story.

• Isabelle Turner delivers an engaging and emotionally attuned performance. Her vocal tone suits Holly’s youth and courage well, lending a sense of realism to her inner and outer conflicts.
• Dan Levy offers adequate range—his portrayal of Scott is approachable and friendly, while Evan’s gravelly voice captures the character’s intensity. However, his interpretation lacks some nuance during emotionally layered scenes, particularly where menace gives way to vulnerability.

Bad Male Narrator

It probably would have been better if I could get past the male narrator. I wish the preview would give a sample of both male and female narrators, I would have saved the money.