{"product_id":"edge-of-darkness-isbn-9780399583087","title":"Edge of Darkness","description":"\u003cb\u003eA Cincinnati detective questions everything he knows--and everyone he trusts--in the new novel of romantic suspense from\u003ci\u003e New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller Karen Rose\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHomicide detective Adam Kimble is no stranger to battling demons. But Meredith Fallon is a different kind of weakness: one that could actually be good for him, if only he would let himself depend on her. Meredith has loved Adam for a year, and seeing how hard he's worked to deal with his PTSD makes her feelings only stronger, but she respects his needs. Her work keeps her busy anyway: she counsels sexually abused women like Mallory Martin to help them reintegrate into the world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut someone doesn't want Meredith helping women like Mallory, and Meredith finds herself in the crosshairs of a very determined killer. Adam would risk anything for her, but they'll soon find out she isn't the only target...\u003cb\u003ePraise for Karen Rose and her novels\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The queen of romantic suspense”—\u003ci\u003eCrime and Publishing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“An excellent example of how far-reaching and varied romance can be. The plot is complex, the characterization sound and the boundaries of the genre pushed...tremendously sexy.”—\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Karen Rose delivers the kind of high-wire suspense that keeps you riveted.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“From the first rousing chapter to the last...intense, complex, and unforgettable.”—James Patterson, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Rose writes blistering, high-octane suspense that never lets up.”—Karen Robards, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Takes off like a house afire. There's action and chills galore in this non-stop thriller.”—Tess Gerritsen, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author\u003cb\u003eKaren Rose\u003c\/b\u003e is the award-winning, #1 international bestselling author of some twenty novels, including the bestselling Baltimore and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages and her books have placed on the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eSunday Times \u003c\/i\u003e(UK), and Germany’s \u003ci\u003eder Spiegel\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller lists.Chapter One\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cincinnati, Ohio       Saturday, December 19, 3:30 p.m.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Are you sure this dress looks okay, Mer?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith Fallon sighed patiently as she turned to the younger      woman walking beside her. \"It looks amazing, Mallory. You look      amazing. Very stylish. No one will think you're any different than      any other eighteen-year-old who's just signed up for her classes.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But there was far more to Mallory Martin, who'd actually left the      safe house where she'd stayed for four months, healing-which was      huge. She still had so much healing left to do. In the ten years      that Meredith had been counseling children and adolescents, she'd      encountered few clients more victimized than Mallory-and even      fewer with her courage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yeah, but they're signing up for college. I'm just . . .\" Mallory      looked away. \"Dammit.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You're taking charge of your life. Have I told you how damn brave      you are?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Twice. And that's only today.\" A small smile was followed by a      self-conscious grimace. \"I know I'm being stupid, fishing for      compliments. I'm sorry.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith's sigh wasn't so patient this time. \"What did we agree      about that word?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"'Stupid'?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Well, yes. But mostly 'sorry.' Strike them both from your      vocabulary right now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory drew a breath and gave a hard little nod. \"Eliminated.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Good. Let's walk faster. It's not much further to the cafŽ, and      my toes are freezing.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They were going to celebrate. Mallory had signed up for adult      education classes today. Her first step toward getting the high      school education she'd been denied by the monster who'd held her      captive for six long years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You should have worn warm boots,\" Mallory said archly. \"Without      four-inch heels.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith glanced at her brand-new suede knee-high boots with a      happy little grin because Mallory was lecturing her, a small      thing, but so normal. The girl had become one of Meredith's      all-time favorite clients. \"But these are prettier. And they were      on sale.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory shook her head with affectionate exasperation, as if      Meredith were a child. \"At least you needed them. They can keep      all the other suede boots with four-inch heels in your closet from      getting lonely.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith's smile dimmed. Not from the criticism, because (a) it      was clear Mallory was teasing and (b) her friends had given her      shit over her overflowing shoe closet for years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was because she had needed them. Not the boots, necessarily,      but she'd needed something. The boots were an early Christmas      present to herself, because it didn't look like she was going to      get the one gift she really wanted. Back in the summer it had      appeared that things might work out, that for the first time she'd      have someone, other than her family, to snuggle with while      watching the lights sparkle on her tree.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She'd been stupid to hope. The hours that she and Adam Kimble had      spent together had been precious and few-and obviously not as      important to him as they'd been to her. They'd been working the      same case. The case had closed and he'd disappeared. Again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Which took talent and forethought, because they shared a circle of      friends. There had been many opportunities over the last four      months for them to run into each other, purely by accident. But      they hadn't. Finally, she'd had to conclude that he was purposely      avoiding her. And it hurt. A lot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Except that he hadn't avoided her entirely. She thought of the      envelopes she'd found in her mailbox every few weeks. No name, no      return address.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They'd been from Adam. No question. Pages torn from coloring      books, the designs having been carefully filled in with crayon or      colored pencils. Not a stray line on the page. Detective Adam      Kimble was careful to stay inside the lines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The early pictures were colored in shades of red, but as the weeks      had passed, he'd added more colors. One of the recent pictures had      been done with watercolor paint. She'd counted fifteen distinct      colors. It hadn't been too bad, actually, as art went. As messages      went, his was clear: I'm working on it. I'm getting better. Don't      give up on me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on her part.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Meredith?\" Mallory's voice was timid. \"I'm sorry. I was just      trying to tease you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the sidewalk,      realizing that Mallory had stopped in front of the cafŽ, was      watching her seriously, and that they'd walked an entire city      block in stony silence. Shame filled her in a rush, leaving a      bitter taste in her mouth. This is supposed to be Mallory's day,      but I made it all about me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith forced herself to smile. \"Oh, I know, honey,\" she      assured. \"It wasn't you or what you said. Sometimes I get caught      up in my own head.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Good to know that it can even happen to you. Makes me feel      better.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith's lips curved. \"Good to know that I can help even when I      mess up.\" She pointed to the cafŽ's sign. \"Let's go in. I hope you      like it. They have the best pasta in town.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Good, because I'm hungry. But I do have one question,\" Mallory      said gravely.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Only one?\" Meredith had to chuckle when the girl rolled her eyes.      Again, so normal. Be thankful, Meredith. Don't pine for what you      can't have. She couldn't force Adam to want her and it was time      she stopped mooning over him. \"Shoot. What's your question?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"What happens when I get a license and start driving again?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith paused, her hand on the handle of the cafŽ door, puzzled.      \"Please?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One side of Mallory's mouth lifted in another teasing smirk.      \"Well, if I can't say 'stupid,' how can I possibly drive? I mean,      you said it at least three times when you were looking for a      parking place. How do I drive without using that word? Or      'bastard'? Or 'fuuu-'\" She drew the \"u\" sound out, her dark eyes      dancing. \"'Fudge'?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith threw back her head and laughed. \"You little stinker.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory grinned, clearly pleased with herself. \"Maybe, but I made      you smile. Really smile, I mean.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith swallowed hard. \"Get inside before I turn into an ice      cube.\" She held the door open, her throat thick, but now for a      different reason. Mallory had made a joke. To cheer me up. That      the young woman who'd been so cruelly abused had somehow managed      to retain her ability to care . . . it left Meredith humbled and      clearing her throat harshly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Her voice was still raspy when she told the hostess, \"Reservation      is under 'Fallon.'\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Right this way.\" The hostess, a young woman about Mallory's age,      led them to a table by the window. \"The best place to people      watch,\" she said, seating them with a smile.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And to wait for the fireworks where it's warm and comfy,\"      Meredith said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory's wide eyes lit up, but she waited for the hostess to      leave before leaning in to whisper, \"Fireworks? Where?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Out on Fountain Square,\" Meredith told her. \"We'll have a nice      meal, linger over our coffee, then go outside and see them from      the street.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Is that why you picked this place?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh, no.\" Meredith looked around the cafŽ fondly. \"My gran and I      came here after the Nutcracker ballet every year, just the two of      us. Back then, the ballet was at Music Hall and very fancy.\" It      had returned to Music Hall this year after a long building      renovation, and Meredith had wanted to take the girls who lived at      Mariposa House, but decided against it. Most of the girls would      have panic attacks around that many people. Maybe next year.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"How fancy?\" Mallory asked wistfully. \"Long dresses? Gloves?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Not quite that fancy,\" Meredith said with a smile. \"But I'd be      all dressed up in my Christmas dress with a big bow in my hair and      Gran would wear her best Sunday suit. And pearls. Gran always wore      pearls.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"So do you,\" Mallory said. \"Your earrings. I've never seen you not      wear them. Pearls\"-she glanced at Meredith's hands-\"and bangles.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith gave one of her earrings a fond stroke, because her wrist      bangles were not up for discussion. \"They were my gran's. You'd      have liked her. She was a real pistol.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory's smile was amused. \"A pearl-wearing pistol.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yes, indeed. She carried a pistol, too. Gran was a pearl-wearing      card shark who cursed like a sailor, packed heat in her enormous      purse, and still managed to fool everyone into thinking she was      just a sock-knitting granny.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory glanced up from her menu, brows lifted. \"Don't knock the      sock knitters. I know lots of knitters now and they carry, too.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith snorted a laugh. Her newest friend, Kate, was an FBI      agent, a sharpshooter, and a compulsive knitter. Kate was quickly      winning knitting converts from their circle of friends. Now their      monthly movie night included wine, chocolate, and yarn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith wasn't a knitter, but she'd quietly carried a gun for      years, either in the pocket of her blazer or snugged up into her      bra holster. As a therapist to children and adolescents, she      sometimes encountered family members who threatened her with      violence. She regularly trained at the range, but thankfully she'd      never had cause to use the weapon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I miss my gran,\" Meredith said wistfully. \"She was my rock after      my folks died.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory tilted her head, curious. \"When did she die? Your gran?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Three years ago,\" Meredith told her, acutely aware that she'd      never divulged personal information to Mallory before. I need to      transition Mallory to another therapist. Soon. The thought hurt.      But it should have been done already. They'd grown too close over      the last few months. \"She had a heart attack. It was fast, at      least. She didn't suffer. But it was a shock, even though she was      in her eighties. I wasn't ready to let her go.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mallory's lips drooped. \"I wouldn't have been, either. What about      your parents?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith drew a breath, because their deaths hadn't been quick or      painless. And because the anniversary of their deaths was looming      over her. Another reason for her recent retail therapy. \"Plane      crash,\" she said quietly. \"Seven years ago.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh.\" Mallory's gaze was full of trepidation. \"What about your      grandfather?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thoughts of her grandfather made Meredith's lips twitch and she      saw Mallory relax in relief. \"Oh, he's still alive and quite the      troublemaker. He retired to Florida. Has a place on the beach and      he fishes every day. He says he catches fish every day, but I'm      pretty sure he lies. You might get to meet him. He'll be here for      Christmas.\" He never let her spend Christmas alone. \"Now, let's      check out the menu. I'm going to indulge.\" She went straight to      the desserts. \"Otherwise, running every morning makes no sense      whatsoever.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She was trying to decide which chocolate dessert would be her      reward when she heard Mallory's sharp intake of breath. Looking      up, Meredith's breath did the same.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A young man stood between their table and the window. Pale and      terrified, he was shaking like a leaf. Her first instinct was to      run and she'd learned not to ignore her instincts. She didn't run,      but she set the menu down, forcing her lips to curve as she rose.      She slipped her hands into her blazer pocket casually, releasing      the snap on her holster. \"Can I help you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The man swallowed hard. \"I'm so sorry.\" Then he reached into his      pocket and pulled out a gun. \"I'm sorry,\" he whispered. \"I'm so      sorry.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And then he pointed the gun at her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith drew a breath, ignoring the startled cries around her.      She'd talked down gunmen before. She could do it again. \"All      right,\" she said calmly. \"Let's talk about this.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He shook his head, obviously desperate. \"It's too late for that. I      have to.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith risked a glance at Mallory from the corner of her eye.      The girl was staring at the barrel of the gun, her eyes wide and      glassy. She'd gone into shock.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You don't have to,\" Meredith said to the young man, keeping her      voice calm. \"We can fix this. Whatever it is.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The young man shook his head. \"Just . . . be quiet. Please.\" The      gun in his hand jerked as his body trembled violently.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He doesn't want to do this. He doesn't want to be here. He was      being coerced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith held out one hand in supplication while her other slid      the gun from its holster, keeping it in her pocket. \"Don't do      this. I can help you. What's your name, honey?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Another desperate shake of the man's head. \"Shut up! I need to      think!\" He flinched, his free hand flying upward to slap at his      ear. \"Stop yelling at me! I can't think!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e No one was yelling. The restaurant had gone completely silent      around them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He jabbed his finger in his ear. \"I said I'd do it!\" he cried.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Schizophrenia? she wondered. He was about the right age for      emergence, but schizophrenics didn't generally hurt people. Except      maybe when they heard voices telling them to shoot people. It was      also still possible he was being coerced. She needed to figure out      which was the case. Talking him down would require different      approaches, depending.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith didn't dare look away from him. \"Get down, Mallory,\" she      said levelly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"No!\" the man shouted, his eyes darting to Mallory's sheet-white      face. \"Nobody moves!\" He pointed the gun at Mallory, then back at      Meredith. \"Do not move.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Meredith used his momentary distraction to pull the gun from her      pocket. Her hand did not shake when she pointed it at the man,      whose eyes grew even wider.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The only sounds were heavy breathing from the restaurant patrons      and an occasional muffled sob of terror.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Put the gun down, honey,\" Meredith said softly. \"I don't want to      hurt you. I know you don't want to hurt me.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The young man whimpered. He was barely older than Mallory. Just a      boy, really. A scared boy. \"I can't do this,\" he whispered.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know,\" Meredith soothed. \"I know you can't. It's all right.      Please drop your gun. Let me help you. I want to help you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"He'll kill her,\" the young man whispered hoarsely.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Who? she wanted to ask, but did not. It was far more important to      talk him down. \"We can help you. I know we can. Please . . .      please just drop your gun.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cincinnati, Ohio       Saturday, December 19, 3:55 p.m.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Dammit,\" he hissed, watching Andy through his binoculars from      inside his SUV, parked on the curb outside the little cafŽ. Fallon      had a gun.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The transmitter in Andy's pocket picked up Fallon's calm voice      trying to talk him down. It seemed like she was succeeding because      Andy had not fired yet. It didn't really matter. Giving Andy the      gun had merely been the best way to get the kid as close to their      table as possible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He'd used the radio receiver in Andy's ear to urge him closer to      the table where Fallon and her young charge sat. He'd told Andy to      pull the trigger, reminding him that Linnea would die. Which was      going to happen anyway. The girl had seen his face.","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303703367909,"sku":"NP9780399583087","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780399583087.jpg?v=1767725868","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/edge-of-darkness-isbn-9780399583087","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}