Edge of Black

Sam Owens, Book 2

By: J. T. Ellison

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Samantha Owens is starting over: new city, new job, new man, new life. She’s trying to put some distance between herself and the devastating loss of her husband and children - but old hurts leave scars.

Before she’s even unpacked her office at Georgetown University’s forensic pathology department, she’s called to consult on a case that’s rocked the capital and the country. An unknown pathogen released into the Washington Metro has caused nationwide panic. Three people died - just three. A miracle and a puzzle....

Amid the media frenzy and Homeland Security alarm bells, Sam painstakingly dissects the lives of those three victims and makes an unsettling conclusion. This is no textbook terrorist causing mayhem with broad strokes, but an artist wielding a much finer, more pointed instrument of destruction: an assassin whose motive is deeply personal and far from understandable.

Xander Whitfield, a former Army ranger and Sam’s new boyfriend, knows about seeing the world in shades of gray. About feeling compelled to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Only his disturbing kinship with a killer can lead Sam to the truth... and once more into the line of fire.

©2012 J. T. Ellison (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Dr. Samantha Owens is one of the most memorable and engaging characters in thriller fiction today.... J.T. Ellison is a master storyteller. Superb!" ( New York Times best-selling author Carla Neggers)

4.5 Stars Incredible Book Under $8

The first of J.T. Ellison's books that I read was A Deeper Darkness and I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. It is the first in a new series by Ellison starring Dr. Samantha Owens, with "Edge of Black" being the second. I really am impressed by this author - her pacing, story lines, character development. I like Dr. Owens and her new love interest, Xander Whitfield.

Sam has sold her home in Nashville and has moved to D.C., teaching at George Washington University. The story starts out in D.C. with an airborne pathogen attack on the Metro system. Scary because it could be true in this day and age. What Sam sees as not so possible is that only three people die - almost as if they were targeted.

The action heats up in D.C. with a Joint Terrorism Task Force being formed and many different scenarios being looked at as to possible reason behind the attack.

Fast-paced well-researched action, believable characters, a shift mid-book to Colorado ( one of my favorite states) - all come together in an excellent addition to this new series. I'm liking this series so much that I'm going to check out the author's Taylor Jackson books (and I'm not usually a huge fan of series books).

Joyce Bean was outstanding with the delivery of the story

A New Mystery Heroine Has Been Born!

This 2nd book in the series has another imaginative plot and the return of several complex and interesting characters. And Joyce Bean is a great narrator. Waiting for the next one.

Excellent dark medical thriller

Edge of Black is novel #2 in the Samantha Owens series. Owens is a physician and medical examiner from Tennessee currently living in Washington DC. The subject of the story is someone apparently using poisonous chemicals to kill several people and make many more ill.

Poor Baby.

I do love mysteries whether medical, police or courtroom. I am however really tired of of sweet, strong, smart and vulnerable heroines. Samantha is such a cliche. This is a fine story but the characters need development. I want to connect, identify in some way with the main characters. Samantha is, um, . . . trite. Likable, but trite and predictable.

wanting more

I didn't want it to end! I am enjoying this series can't wait to start next book

Not Well written

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It was written like a first-time author. I thought a sixteen year old had written it. The plot sucked big time. Couldn't Listen anymore after three hours......

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

stupid book. written like a teenager. Characters were .. unimpressive, underdeveloped....

Any additional comments?

this book should never have been recommended as a best seller...Awful.

Worked as a stand alone

This was a 3.75 for me. I listened to it on Audible and enjoyed the plot. I thought the Xander Moon thing was a bit over the top though. I didn’t read the first one in the series and was able to follow the story with no problem.

awesome

this was awesome thanks, just another great one, I love JT Ellison books, And the narrator's great too

Great book

cant wait for next book in this series i love the characters and dont want to stop listening!

Ambition Can Be Deadly

Where does Edge of Black rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listened to #1 and this book. Thanks for $4.95 mystery sale.
Note: I do use the 1.25x speed to match the author’s intent.
Good entertainment

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the various mysteries within a mystery. This kept me listening to find out the WHY in each one.
I liked the way author has our heroine always digging and asking questions, very entertaining.

Have you listened to any of Joyce Bean’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have become a fan of Ms Bean as her male voice has deepen over the years. She always had a great female vocal range, but her male voices needed improvement. This series has her reaching her full potential so I now will look for her newest reads.
Don’t miss Ms Bean read of Sandra Brown’s the Witness or Tami Hoag’s Still Waters.
They are her best as she captures what both author’s wanted in an audible tale.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved the Flecture character and when he made Bianco apologize to his assistant was so very galant and just plain fair.

Any additional comments?

If you catch this series on sale, they are a great buy so don’t miss out.
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