The ruthless killing of a foreign nobleman plunges Kasper Stark, an enigmatic young officer, into a perilous maze of treacherous intrigue and two-faced diplomacy. A thrilling new series by the Amazon best-selling author of Fairchild.Vienna, 1814. As the powers of Europe gather to negotiate peace, there’s little to be found for Kasper Stark, working for the chief of Austria’s secret police. In a … secret police. In a city rife with schemes and double dealing, every prince and every lady’s maid is spying or party to some plot.
When a Prussian count is found dead on the eve of the peace conference, Kasper falls into into a deadly game of revenge and conspiracy. Faced with virtuoso liars, quicksand allegiances, and his own unscrupulous commander, Kasper races to unmask the killer, before the investigation reveals his own impossible secrets.
“Kasper Stark will surprise and delight you like no other character you’ve encountered before. 1814 Vienna roars to life in Jaima Fixsen’s deft hands. Wonderfully original and beautifully written, The Dark Before Dawn is a book to savor, a perfect read.” —Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author
“An engrossing blend of mystery, espionage, and romance that beautifully evokes the deceit, double crosses, and romantic intrigues of the Congress of Vienna.” —Tracy Grant, author of The Duke’s Gambit
“[an] atmospheric page-turner” —Emily Organ, author of the Penny Green Victorian mystery series
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I’ve read all of this author’s books and although this was very different for her, I really liked this story. I loved how the author slowly let the reader get to know the real Kasper, someone with so many layers and the more you learn, the more you come to care for this character. Josef is another character I grew to love and I’m really, really hoping that at some point in the future, we see him again. Whatever his faults, it was easy for me to overlook them and early on, I began to suspect that he would eventually show us his good heart. There were so many unpleasant characters but they moved the story along and served their purpose which for me, made the likeable characters even more important . The setting and vivid descriptions are well done and as always, when a novel entertains, makes me care about the characters AND teaches me something new, it’s a win-win-win. HIGHLY recommend.
The dark before dawn recreates the conspiratorial world of Vienna in a time of revolution, spies, murder, and romance. In this world of smoke and mirrors, intrigue and glamour, nothing is as it seems. No one in government is to be trusted and Klara is forced to hide her identity in plain sight, taking upon herself the disguise of Kasper Stark, detective. It is a dangerous world for a man, a nearly impossible world for a wanted woman. When she falls in love with a government agent tasked with uncovering deception at the highest levels she puts herself in the greatest danger of her life. All of the magic of the regency era meets all of the terror of the French revolution. Fixsen is a brilliant writer who keeps a breathtaking pace, an intelligent voice and a humorous edge to her unique characters.
This historical suspense novel takes place during the Congress of Vienna in 1814. Great pacing, well-researched setting, espionage, betrayal, murder, you name it. The central character is brilliant, but I can’t say any more without giving too much away. Highly recommended!!
an easy read and well paced.
Interesting way to introduce a character who may become THE major character in a future series of mysteries. Enjoyed the setting. Not too clear about all the characters involvement with one another.
Looks like a new good series
This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed it right up to the end.
The characters and action were pretty good but the initial reason for the adventure, some type of blackmail, was not at all clear.
One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time!
I started reading this book because I enjoyed Jaima Fixsen’s other books, and I am interested in anything related to the Vienna Congress. I never expected to be so thoroughly drawn in by this book, and was exceptionally pleased by the quality of the writing, the characters, the setting, the whole mood!
I loved the characters and felt as if I knew them personally. Fixsen brought them to life, as three-dimensional people–not just vehicles to move the plot along. There were no foolish miscommunications that prolonged the drama unnecessarily. Everything that happened was believable and inevitable.
The plot! It was so interesting, that I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. At the end of almost every chapter, my heart was in my throat. I had to reread whole passages to make sure of what just happened. Not due to any problem with the writing (that was perfect!), it’s just that I was drawn in and cared about what would happen to the main characters–they were very likable, but I found all the characters fascinating.
The mood and setting were remarkable. I felt I was right there, and learned more and more about the history of the time in an entertaining way.
I CAN’T WAIT for the next book in the series to come out! I had bought the book myself over the summer, but didn’t read it right away. When I won an audio version of this book in a giveaway through Tantor Audio, I read/listened to it then. I’m so happy I didn’t delay any longer. It was amazingly good!
The setting in Napoleonic Vienna was unique and this was definitely an unusual story line. The writing was good and the book was enjoyable.
confusing and rather far fetched – and predictable
I did not like it