After surviving a life changing event, celebrated artist Maxwell Grant has not touched a paintbrush or a woman in four years. During that time, he has tormented himself over an unspeakable act he dare not admit to, even to himself.His one chance at redemption comes through a journal left behind by Harriet Harper, a mysterious woman in his night school class.Shocked by what he reads about her … reads about her tortured existence, he becomes obsessed by her and falls headfirst into a dangerous game of he said, she said, not knowing who to believe—who to trust.
When a dangerous character from Harriet’s past appears, events take a turn for the worse and he must say and do whatever necessary to save his sanity and, more importantly, his four year old daughter, Poppy.
Some secrets never get to see the light of day; others are just waiting to be uncovered … with shocking consequences.
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I’m floored. I don’t quite know what to put in this review other than the fact that this book is marvelous.
I totally fell in love with the bundle of pink that is Poppy Grant. From the top of her curls to the bottom of her pink wellington boots.
The plot is so well put together, so perfectly crafted that it completely sucks you in. Every scene playing out in my head in techno colour then making me question the facts and the conclusions I had drawn.
Max Grant, one time artist, one time husband is lost but his one little ray of hope is his beautiful Poppy.
Purple loving Harriet appears in their lives and sad Max starts to live and smile again.
Pieces of the puzzle are released along the way but the final picture is blurred until it comes hurtling at you and smashes you in the face.
The suspense, the shock, the wow! That’s why I’m floored.
It was either switching the light off and getting through the following day wondering how The Darkest Corners would pan out or reading it through the night. I chose the latter and had no regrets over lost sleep. Left speechless, hopefully I’ll be able to put together a few coherent words for this page-turner of a psychological thriller which isn’t just gripping as it is heart-stopping. My advice. Don’t let this stand-alone slip under your radar and starting it in the evening is at your own risk. Why, you might ask? This must-read that left me guessing throughout is deeply absorbing and the characters so complex, I felt as if my reasoning was being tested! In a nutshell, my thoughts were all over the place when I finished and I couldn’t have been more awake.
Ooh boy, did Maxwell Grant fool me or what! In fact, the sad part was he’d been torturing himself for four years. Successful artist and single dad, he’d lost his art mojo and hadn’t touched a paint brush since a traumatic happening caused a loss of interest in just about everything. Even his lively daughter couldn’t get him out of his slump. Then a finding piqued his curiosity. What he did with it I’d define as a tad stalkerish, invading the privacy of someone who seemed to me to be a victim, perhaps survivor would be a better word. Was I off the mark though? Well, what I read devastated me and although him intruding didn’t feel right, it was by no means malicious. And I was still no nearer the target.
I liked Max a hell of a lot, felt awfully sorry for him and in spite of the fact that he doubted his parenting which to my mind of thinking, was more than adequate, his relationship with Poppy simply melted my heart. An endearing child if ever there were one, her delightful quirks not only lightened up the story but also made me grin from ear-to-ear. The detail used in her persona is nothing less than outstanding. Poppy’s mannerisms; her giggles and chatter, her dress and footwear sense literally bowled me over.
Max’s best friend gave him a warning. He’d either have to stop being impertinent in art class and offer his students words of encouragement or lose his job. Making an effort to change his attitude was positive all round. There was a stirring of excitement in the classroom, I enjoyed his well-thought-out remarks, observing how his social skills improved and honestly thought Max’s life was taking a turn for the better. Wrong again! This would be the beginning of an emotional and painful rollercoaster ride of deceit, a loop of lies entwined in the darkest corners of betrayal.
Harriet/Harry Harper. Hmm…to the likes of me and definitely Max, she was that ray of sunshine missing, what he needed and been waiting for. But at times, pieces of her puzzling past didn’t quite ring true with me. That shouldn’t have been so because she gave me no cause to think otherwise. Perhaps it was me being too impatient since spending time trying to suss out plots is my thing. I have to say I had no problems connecting with this outgoing, attractive gal trying to get on in life. I felt she deserved the best; however, wait for the bombshell…the drop literally floored me. And get this. The least of the author’s intentions were letting her readers off easily and she complicated matters more with revelations I, for one, never saw coming! The cadence of the story changed its rhythm; had me sitting on the edge of my seat, figuratively speaking of course, and the incredibly visual narrative made me gasp into my pillow.
The author’s created superb characters, her storyline which is masterfully paced (skipping a sentence or two won’t even cross your mind), is unique. Told in first-person past tense, you’ll be in for a surprize regarding the narrative, too. She’s laid down a solid foundation in the first half a dozen chapters; hence, the lack of dialogue in them. It wasn’t missed at all, the rest of the book giving me enough to get myself totally lost in the players’ words. The further I got into the story, every layer revealed had more depth with even more intrigue, and I can’t tell you how enthralled I was by it all. Therefore, I can safely say that this read is the best thriller I’ve read this year. And why I hadn’t discovered Jamesson’s writing before is beyond me. Bravo!
The darkest corner is a book that is a must read. The author Sydney Jameson takes you on a journey with a surprise around every corner. I do not want say to much because the story is phenomenal. Max and Harry are two lost souls that eventually find forgiveness. Max begins to live again with help of his daughter Poppy and stranger who finds them. This is a story where the characters never leave you. Make sure you add The Darkest Corner to your TBR list; better yet reserve your copy so you have it to read when it goes live. Thank you Sydney Jamesson for asking me to be apart of the Arc readers.
Prepare yourself for this psychological thriller!
As the blurb says, Max is trying to survive losing his wife while he is raising his precocious daughter. He has mourned her now for nearly four years. His life has changed drastically. As a celebrated artist, painting was his life. Now, after losing his wife, he will not even allow himself to pick a pencil and doodle. The only way he can sleep at night for a few hours is by dulling his emotions with a bottle of whatever is handy. Mornings are really lunchtime by the time he gets up. He has the classic signs of depression and cannot find his way out of this darkness.
Meeting Harper changes his life. She is a student in his adult class at the local university. At least he can try to teach others what he can no longer do. Together, they create a connection that slowly brings light to his life, while also opening his eyes to how much his 3-year old daughter Poppy needs him. Now he is ready to look at his world with new eyes. He is willing to dare entertain loving a woman again.
All this sounds very run of the mill and with plenty of angst. But what if reality is hiding below the surface? What about the guilt that Max feels goes deeper than from just the loss of his wife? What about Harper? Is she all she seems to be? What happens when Max finally decides to discover what is truly real in order to protect Poppy and himself? Is he really ready to face all this reality he has been hiding from?
Absolutely amazing plotline you will not easily forget. Prepare your mind to discover what hides in the darkest corners of his mind.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
I have waited ages for this author to release a book! Having loved her writing & the unforgettable Touchstone series I eagerly jumped in after reading the blurb… right from the start I knew this book was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. Two characters who have both suffered life changing events called out to my heart. Just when you think the book is about the two characters venturing on a new journey of self discovery and waiting for them to find their HEA in each other a massive plot twist comes right out of left field knocking you on your
ass!
From that very point I questioned everything. As twist after twist after twist was revealed I was left in a false state of security I was caught unawares! I love when authors can do this , have you question every move, every comment , everybody!
Told from Max’s POV , the book took a steady pace in the beginning, I felt it was a little slow. But as the story continued you realise it is necessary for the web of lies and deceit to take credence, for the doubt to set in!
Bravo Sydney! Well worth the wait !!
Ever wonder what it feels like to loose the loce of your life? This is where we meet Max who is a grieving widow with a three year old daughter. Max is a ghost of himself not only to his friends but his daughter he has no will to move on or even paint again.
Max is teaching a night class at the university where he meets Harry who is taking his art class, after class is over and he’s getting ready to clean up and go home for the night he finds a journal and it turns out to be Harriets.
Max takes the journal home with him and curiosity gets the best of him. As he lays there in bed reading about Harriet’s life he is taken back by the things that she has been through in her life. The more Max reads he decides that it’s time for him to become a man and a father again. Max starts to interact with Harriet and realizes that he really likes her company plus the fact that Poppy absolutely adores her.
As things progress with Max and Harriet’s relationship someone from thier past appears putting there newly formed relationship at risk. Can two tormented souls who have lost so much be happy together or will there pasts tup them apart?
Another wonderful book written by Sydney Jameson about love, loss, and healing that will have you loosing sleep because you need to find out what happens next! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
The Darkest Corners, the new book by Sydney Jamesson……. Is amazing!
I am a DIE HARD Touchstone/Story Of Us/Into The Blue Series FAN. So when I found out that she had a BRAND NEW book coming – words can’t describe how happy I was.
Then I read it. Holy Cow! I can 100% say that had I been roaming online and saw this book would have purchased on the blurb alone, because I know her work will not let me down.
This book has the darkness & mystery than I love, wrapped up so well into the story line that I couldn’t put it down. The emotion and depth of the characters pull you in and won’t let you go. I couldn’t not see what happens to Max, Poppy & Harry, and what secrets they are trying to overcome.
You still get that Alpha man that Jamesson is known for – Hello Ayden Stone – But its a whole new ball game. There is a reason Jamesson is a 1 Click Author for me and The Darkest Corners once again proves that.
Be sure to get this book, you won’t be disappointed. I know I wasn’t.
Link to pre-order, November 20th will be here before we know it!
https://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Corners-Sydney-Jamesson-ebook/dp/B07JMRF1PR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541036050&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Darkest+COrners+by+Sydney+Jamesson
Well-known artist, Maxwell Grant, spends his days with his young daughter and his nights teaching art classes. He hasn’t painted anything since he lost his wife while in childbirth.
He’s guilt-ridden and not the happiest of men … until he meets one of his mature art students, Harriet. She’s like a breath of fresh air …. and he’s slowly coming alive again.
Finding a journal that Harriet left behind, he’s discovering all kinds of things … but can her written words be trusted?
When a dangerous character from Harriet’s past appears, events take a turn for the worse and he must say and do whatever necessary to save his sanity and, more importantly, his four year old daughter, Poppy.
Everyone has secrets … and some secrets should never see the light of day.
Riveting from the very first, I was held in thrall as the plot bounced back between Max’s past and Harriet’s past. The reader hears Max’s voice and Harriet’s written words. Throw in a character from the past only raises the suspense. The characters are solid, but the one who took my heart is Poppy. Three years old, bright, funny, and she absolutely loves the color pink from the top of her head to her Wellington boots. Twists and turns are apparent from the beginning to the very unexpected ending.
Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
I admit, it took a while to get into the story, but I pressed on because it was a page turner. Another great story by Sydney. A recommended read!
A friend recommended this book to me. The cover and blurb captured my attention so I started reading. I’m glad I did! It’s the type book that I love. A slow burner carefully crafted to reveal more and more of the real story. My heart ached for widower Max and his precocious daughter Poppy, and I was intrigued by “Harry” (Harriett). And then bam, at 75% in to the book, the intrigue started. The characters are well written, flawed and engaging. Don’t miss this page turner!
Fans of Sydney Jamesson will be in for a surprise with her new release. The Darkest Corners is every bit the psychological thriller the title implies, but rest assured there is also a fair dose of romance to balance out the angst.
The story centers around Maxwell Grant, a fading star of the art world, whose life and work has been forever altered by the tragic death of his wife. He has spent years trying to eke out his life one day at a time, and begrudgingly agrees to teach a night school art class. Having closed himself off from the world, Max struggles to make a real connection with his new students. He’s tempted to walk away from it all, but hangs on for the sake of his young daughter, Poppy, who has been deprived of a normal childhood. When Poppy makes a fast friend in art student, Harriet Harper, Max can’t help but notice the warm and considerate woman.
One night, Harriet leaves her journal behind in the classroom and Max is lured by the temptation to take it home. When he reads the pages, he learns the woman’s deepest secrets. Max finds himself distracted from the woes of his own life by becoming obsessed with Harriet’s troubled past. Desperate to connect with another soul and determined to find out all he can about his new friend, Max inadvertently draws the wrong kind of attention to himself, Harriet, and Poppy.
The mystery and story arc of The Darkest Corners is well-constructed and written, with many surprising twists and turns. I quickly found myself drawn into Max and Harriet’s stories. Although the novel contains plenty of dark moments, I was constantly filled with the hope that Max would find the happiness that had eluded him.
I admired many aspects of this story. All of the characters were richly drawn and complex. Some of my favorite moments took place between Max and his daughter, Poppy, especially after he recommits himself to becoming a more present father to his smart and bubbly preschooler. The cast of secondary characters add an intriguing weight to the novel and enrich the overall plot. I was reading several books along with The Darkest Corners and found myself thinking about this story more than the others. This is a great read for those who enjoy suspense, and I gladly recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of excitement in their next read.