Dark Memento

Verona Bay, Book 1

By: Katie Reus

Narrated by: Heather Costa, Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to Verona Bay, a small coastal town where the secrets just won’t stay buried - and people aren’t always who they seem.

She was the one that got away....

Eight years ago, Serenity Washington watched as her twin sister was murdered. She was lucky to escape the same grisly fate. With her sister’s killer in jail, she relocated and tried to move on with her life. She married a man in the Air Force and started a family, but when her husband dies unexpectedly, she moves back to the last place she remembers being happy - Verona Bay, FL.

Now that she’s come home, it’s all starting again....

Within months of Serenity’s homecoming, she receives a "gift" - a bracelet from her sister that was never recovered after her death - and a taunting note. Terrified for herself and her young daughter, she turns to the local sheriff for help. But there’s only so much they can do without proof that the gifts aren’t more than sick pranks. There’s been no DNA, no fingerprints left behind - nothing to indicate who’s leaving them. As the horrifying gifts arrive with increasing frequency, Serenity has no doubt that she’s the ultimate target. But with her sister’s murderer - a confessed serial killer - still behind bars, she has no idea who’s stalking her.

She turns to the one man she’s been trying to keep her distance from....

Former Marine Lucas Jordan has been hung up on single mom Serenity since she moved back to Verona Bay, but she’s made it clear she’s not looking for a relationship. When she’s targeted, however, all bets are off. He won’t sit by while she’s terrorized, and with her and her daughter’s lives in danger, he’s prepared to stand his ground and protect them both. Together, they face the impossible task of trying to figure out who to trust before they all wind up six feet under.

©2019 Katie Reus (P)2019 Katie Reus

Great story!

This book had everything-romance, intrigue, suspense and twists. Characters were very engrossing. I couldn’t stop listening and finished book in one sitting.

Riveting Plot

Serenity left eight years ago,and she has now come back to Verona Bay with her daughter. She didn’t believe in fairy tales, and happy endings any more, though hearing Lucas voice and she became tongue tied. She owned a pet grooming business in town. A part of her, being a twin, felt something was missing, and not completely whole. Here was the last place she was happy, then items of her murdered sister came. There was no DNA on them the killer in jail, who is stalking her. Riveting plot that comes alive with the narration Heather.Costa and Jeffery Kafer.

Exceptional narration, intense drama!

Audiobook: Narrator Heather Coster and Jeffrey Kafer

Exceptional narration by both of these narrators. This has a lot of drama and some intense moments. Ms. Coster and Mr. Kafer both did an excellent job of adding to these moments which ramped up my enjoyment of this story.


No one does romantic suspense better than Katie Reus! The drama and action starts at the very beginning and never lets up. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and ended up listening to this in record time, it was just that good.

I absolutely loved this hero and heroine! Lucas is that strong, alpha who is smart enough to allow the heroine to work through her issues. He never pushes her into more than she can handle and he never oversteps the boundaries she’s set. Nevertheless, it’s clear that he cares for her and will do anything to protect her.

”And until then, he was going to keep Serenity safe. She was his to protect, no matter what. He didn’t care if they weren’t together – if they might never be. He would do anything to keep her safe.”

Serenity, while broken, was strong and determined. She fought against her growing feelings for Lucas, but she pretty quickly came to realize that she could depend on him without him taking control of her life.

The relationship between this hero and heroine was a bit of a slow burn that allowed Serenity to grow to the place she could freely give her heart. It was everything beautiful in the midst of fear and danger. I loved how Lucas yielded to her needs and how she never took it for granted. They were perfect for each other!

The drama here is absolutely intense! There is constantly something new happening while everyone is following clues. The villain was maniacal and played up to this heroine’s fears and I was completely loss as to who it was. This is one of those audios that you’ll find yourself holding your breath, afraid of what the next words are going to reveal.

This is the very best in romantic suspense with enough steam to make the building relationship believable. The pace is lightning fast and never repetitive. Secondary characters add to the overall story and some of them I’m hoping we’ll see again with their own book. I loved absolutely everything about this one and can’t help but to recommend it for those who enjoy dark danger, gentle romance, and a wild mystery.

A great start to this series

A great start in this new series by this talented author.
The story centers around Serenity Washington and Lucas Jordan. Serenity is back in Verona Bay with her young daughter after 8 years . Serenity and her twin had been kidnapped by a serial killer and only Serenity survived. Now , a widow, she is a business owner and just wants a fresh start.
Lucas Jordan is a former Marine , member of a well respected family . He’s been attracted to Serenity , but she has been skittish.
When Serenity starts getting “gifts” from an unknown source, items that belonged to the deceased victims, she seeks help from the sheriff, Lucas’s brother. From then on Lucas’s protective side shines and Serenity starts to trust. But the danger is always around the corner.
The main characters, Serenity Washington and Lucas Jordan are complex , the plot engaging , one filled with a whodunit , keeping you guessing as to who is really the bad guy.
Once again, the audiobook brought the story to life. At times making it VERY real. The narrators , Heather Costa and Jeffrey Kafer were excellent.
Can’t wait to read the next story in this promising series.

Creepy, and Deliciously DARK!!!

Absolutely loved this dark and twisted story when I read the book and now to listen in audio is absolutely chilling. The narrators did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life. It's like you are there living in what the character is. Serenity went through a horrific tragedy when she was younger. She is back in her hometown and it seems the past wants to drag her down. Lucas is an ex-marine, has his own past demons but he wants nothing more than Serenity and her safety is his top priority. Can he save her? Or will the past swallow them both whole? Twisted, dark, and the suspense is off the charts...

Loved the story

I loved the story but the narrator was miserable. I like Jeffrey Kafer and enjoy listening to him, but the female was unbearable. I quit listening halfway through and read the book. As much as I enjoy listening to Katie Reus’ books, if this woman narrates again I will not be purchasing.

Engaging romantic suspense

8yrs ago, college student l, Serenity, and her sister were kidnapped by a serial killer...only Serenity survived. Now she’s back in her hometown, as a widow and single mom...and suddenly it seems that she’s the target of a stalker that has ties to the imprisoned serial killer. Will the authorities catch the killer in time? Serenity is also navigating her growing feelings for friend, Lucas. Some Steamy moments. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a good romantic suspense.

Suspensful and Angsty but Serenity wasnt broken

This book started immediately with a traumatic incident. Serenity and her twin sister Savannah Washington were kidnapped and tortured by the serial killer Michael Black. It was suspenseful and angst-filled in the first few chapters. Serenity escapes but her twin sister didn't survive the ordeal but the killer was captured.

Serenity tries to build her life despite the PTSD, she got married and had a daughter. When her husband dies, Serenity moves back to her hometown of Verona Bay. She opens a business and begins to establish her life but Serenity begins to receive mementos taken from her during her imprisonment. It appears that she is being stalked again. She's afraid and her high school friend Lucas Jordan wants to help her. But Serenity is afraid to let him into her life because people close to her are being hunted and murdered. Its not safe to be around her and she isn't sure the FBI can protect her and her daughter. Lucas is determined to protect Serenity and young daughter Harper, but as more than just a friend. This one was a nail bitter!

It was really well written, suspenseful and I couldn't stop listening. There was some darkness, but Serenity was a fighter. Her will to survive was undeniable. She wouldn't allow the serial killer to break her and she was determined to win for herself and her twin who didn't make it. This is a really good beginning to a new series.

A very good story

This is a good story. Both MCs are likable and relatable. As expected from this author, good overcomes evil but there are, of course, a few speed bumps on the road to victory. The author threw out a few red herrings and kept me guessing about who the bad guy was and honestly I quite liked that I didn't have it all figured out :-) The H was solid all the way thru the story, while the h had a few TSTL moments but after what she had lived through in her past I'll give her a pass. The kiddo was cute, maybe a bit mature for her age but, hey this is fiction, little kids can be as smart as their authors want them to be.

Overall a very good story. :-)

I was gifted the audible version of this story and promised to leave an honest review. That said, I should make a comment about the narration... The female narrator was new to me and she did a great job, the male narrator has lots of recorded books under his belt and several of his other works are on my 5-star shelf. This audiobook wasn't my favorite from him, he seemed a little flat, but it was ok because the female narrator carried the book just fine. :-)

OhMgee!!!!

Oh my word. I absolutely enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It’s so good from start to finish. I absolutely love how it just kept me guessing. I need more of Lucas and Serenity. A must listen or read.