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Into the Darkest Corner

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Into the Darkest Corner

By: Elizabeth Haynes
Narrated by: David Thorpe, Karen Cass
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About this listen

AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2011

WINNER OF AMAZON RISING STARS 2011

AMAZON EDITORS' CHOICE BEST CRIME NOVEL OF 2011

LONGLISTED FOR CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) DAGGER 2011

Catherine has been enjoying the single life for long enough to know a good catch when she sees one. Gorgeous, charismatic, spontaneous – Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell.

But there is a darker side to Lee. His erratic, controlling and sometimes frightening behaviour means that Catherine is increasingly isolated. Driven into the darkest corner of her world, and trusting no one, she plans a meticulous escape. Four years later, struggling to overcome her demons, Catherine dares to believe she might be safe from harm. Until one phone call changes everything.

This is an edgy and powerful first novel, utterly convincing in its portrayal of obsession, and a tour de force of suspense.

©2012 Elizabeth Haynes (P)2012 Audible Ltd Crime Fiction Psychological Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Fiction Crime Exciting

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Critic reviews

"Check the locks on your doors and windows and surrender to this obsessive thriller." (Karin Slaughter)
“This intense, gripping account of domestic violence and its aftermath is utterly unputdownable. A stunning debut.” (SJ Watson)
“From its uncompromising prologue - a young woman being bludgeoned to death in a ditch - Haynes's powerful account of domestic violence is disquieting, yet unsensationalist. This is a gripping book on a topic which can never be highlighted enough.” ( Guardian)
“A very impressive first novel. The pain and frustration of OCD is brilliantly evoked and I winced every time Cathy embarked on yet another ritual. The contrast between Cathy's two lives is cleverly drawn and the hesitancy in her new relationship is very believable. This is a fantastic personal read with plenty for a reading group to discuss.” ( NewBooks Magazine)
“Within ten minutes I couldn't put it down. I've always said that I would never be caught in an abusive relationship, as I'd be out of it at the first sign of a problem but after reading this book I realised that it really isn't that simple. There's a superb picture of the burdens of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). It's not enough to check once that the door is firmly locked. What if you didn't lock it properly? There's real dramatic tension in this book and when I got to the end the first thing that I did was to turn back to the beginning again.” ( The Bookbag)
“A tense and thought-provoking début novel with dark moments. Its portrayal of obsession is one that will send a shiver down your spine and you'll hope that you are never in that position. But don't look for a "pat" ending - it seems that things never end the way one hopes! This début novel by a police intelligence analyst is certainly well worth the read.” ( Shotsmag)
“Our South coast-based book group had been starved of a good book for a month or two, so it was with some excitement that we stumbled across the buzz on Twitter about Elizabeth Haynes' compelling debut novel Into the Darkest Corner. Thankfully starvation swiftly changed to gluttony when we got our hands on the book, as this is a compulsive thriller with sufficient twists and plot turns to keep the most action-avaricious of readers satisfied.” ( Bookgroup.info)
All stars
Most relevant
This was a very good book well written and very well read. If I have one critiscism it is that too many four letter words were used. I have no objection at all to strong language in fact it makes the story and characters more believable but in many cases less is more.However, I will watch with great interest for the next novel from this author.

Into the darkest corner

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I loved this book. the author really built the suspense up throughout starting with seemingly innocent events happening to the main character by her new boyfriend which she shrugged off and made excuses for until she was totally under his control. I also loved how the book was split into alternative chapters four years apart, telling of her life from when she first met him to a few years later trying to move on and come to terms with the hell he put her through. highly recommended.

exellent book

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Would you consider the audio edition of Into the Darkest Corner to be better than the print version?

Having not read the print version, I can't comment on this. However, the audio version was amazing. I loved the way Cass effortlessly switches from past to present, plus, she's one of the few female narrators I know, who can pull off a man's voice and get away with it. I disliked Lee from the word go, and Cass made him even more repulsive and evil than he already is. Brilliant performance.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the past and present switches, and the fact it kept you on edge all the way through. I've already read it once, but am reading it again, and just as gripped at last time. I found myself hoping for Catherine to be set free, and the line at the end leaves a chill down the spine. Really well done, and a really good thriller, tackling a very sensitive nature.

What about David Thorpe and Karen Cass ’s performance did you like?

I'm not sure why Thorpe read the court scenes. If I had been in charge, I'd have had Thorpe doing a bit more of Lee. Although as I said Cass pulled him off brilliantly, I think having an actual man do it would have made it even more scary. Although, as always, Thorpe does what part he does read well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I could not put it down. In fact, I almost did, until I remembered I had work early the next morning! I was seriously tired during the shift!

Any additional comments?

If you haven't read this, do so. I seriously recommend it. Well done Haynes.

Brilliant, and utterly gripping

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Well written book and kept you on the edge all the through. I just couldn't put it down, just when you thought you knew what was going to happen the story took you by surprise. Really felt for Cathy.

A powerful story

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I thought the story content was very well decribed, having had a friend with OCD I know how accurate it was. I just found the sexually explicit description a bit too much. Possibly because it was read by a woman so nonchalently, I appreciate the subject matter required descriptions of violent sex, but I really don't want to hear it., so it was a bit of an uncomfortable listen for me.
I didn't finish it because of that, because you know who did what to whom from the outset I felt no need to put myself through it... sorry
IF you want to hear how people suffer with OCD it is very well decribed though!

Bit too brutallyexplicit for me

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