I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Finally free of her parent’s killer, a young woman goes in search of her ancestry and comes across a deadly gang and an eager cop who may uncover her hidden past in author JP McLean’s “Scorch Mark”, the third book in the Dark Dreams series. 

The Synopsis

Jane stands alone between a powerful artifact and the wrong hands. Jane Walker’s alarming dreams, in which she sees events that have yet to happen, have finally subsided. The man who killed her parents and kidnapped Jane is behind bars. So it’s the perfect time for Jane and her partner Ethan to set out on a road trip to unravel the secrets of her ancestry.

But their journey takes a spine-chilling turn when they encounter a gang of men who stare at Jane as if they recognize her. That can only mean one thing: they’ve met her in a dream she has yet to experience. When the gang begins stalking her, Jane realizes she must have witnessed a deadly event. But what could it be? She slips into hiding and waits for the disturbing dream to arrive.

And now her BFF, Sadie Prescott, is dating a cop whose curiosity about Jane leads him to unearth the mysterious deaths that litter her past. When his latest investigation crosses paths with Jane’s stalkers, Jane must intervene and turn the skeptical cop into a believer before he kills himself and causes the deaths of his entire law enforcement team.

The Review

This was a fantastic entry into the Dark Dreams series. The author does a phenomenal job of crafting a new narrative that keeps the character development and action of the first two books in the series while also laying the groundwork for more mythos and world-building to take center stage. The tension that builds over time and the way the author was able to bring new readers into the series effortlessly really set the tone for the entirety of the narrative. 

The action and suspense of the story, the great strides the author made in enhancing the character’s story arcs in this new entry, and the creative and tense occult/supernatural abilities that take hold of the protagonist’s life made this story truly shine. The imagery of the author’s writing style allowed the gritty road aspect of the protagonist and her partner to meld with the city-based investigative work that the police detective brings to the table in this read.

The Verdict

Memorable, action-packed, and entertaining, author JP McLean’s “Scorch Mark” is a fantastic read and the perfect entry in the Dark Dreams series. The twists and turns, the wealth of world-building, and the haunting atmosphere will keep readers invested in this gripping tale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

JP (Jo-Anne) McLean is a bestselling author of urban fantasy and supernatural thrillers. She is a Global Book Award winner, a CIBA finalist, and has received honours from the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Whistler Independent Book Awards, and the Victoria Writers’ Society. Reviewers call her books addictive, smart and fun.

Raised in Toronto, Ontario, JP has lived in various parts of North America, from Mexico and Arizona to Alberta and Ontario. JP holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, is a certified scuba diver, an avid gardener, and a voracious reader. She had a successful career in Human Resources before turning her attention to writing.

JP lives with her husband on Denman Island, which is nestled between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking dishes that look nothing like the recipe photos or arguing with weeds in the garden.

Visit her at https://jpmcleanauthor.com