ANOTHER CHILLING READ FROM KATHLEEN HARRYMAN
A very dark Years ago, I read the prequel to this book, WHEN DARKNESS FALLS. Reading the epilogue, which shook me to the core, I had a feeling there would be another book — having no clue if the author intended one or not. But I knew it was a brilliant place to end a book … and years later … to begin another anew.

Known as the Yorkshire Slasher, Lauren Michaels (Tracy Bennett) is locked up in a mental health facility. Tracy, who was molested as a child by her uncle, developed DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and Lauren was born … and Tracy died. Forever.

In Darkness Rising, Lauren escapes from the facility and a new story takes hold. The author chose the perfect place for Lauren to hide out. After meeting a woman on a site called Perfect Pals, Lauren, who has disguised herself and now answers to the name Audrey, goes to work for Emily on her farm. At this point, the intrigue is dialed up several notches. Emily is studying criminal psychology and has a collection of books on various serial killers — including several about the Yorkshire Slasher.

This novel is told in the first person … which is the only way a story like this should be narrated … from the killer’s mind to the page. Harryman spares no detail and allows the nuances of the Yorkshire Slasher’s deviant thoughts to unnerve the reader, not only in understanding the pleasure she derives from her heinous acts, but also allowing the reader to share an uncomfortable closeness with the victims as they realize what is happening … or about to happen.

As I read, I was on edge. While the Yorkshire Slasher continued to handpick her victims, I wondered: What about Emily, her friend and criminal psychology student? Did she know? Did she suspect? Would she be next?

While this book is a sequel, it can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend both. Kudos to the author for another dark and twisted tale. which is lightened by the embedded humour, love the way the actual perpetrator of the serial killings narrates the progress of her spree of "creating artwork" as she names it!
Looking forward to next book by Kathleen Harryman - I have read all her previous works and she gets better with each one!