Customer Rating: 
Summary: A Joyful Experience Traveling in Words
Comment: Being a dog lover and thoroughly enjoying a story with engaging characters and a story that pulls my imagination along with every scene, every question, and every revelation, I must say I very much enjoyed this story. A delightful vacation for my mind. At the end of the book I was smiling, happy and hoping Iris Johansen had written more books like this one.
Customer Rating: Summary: A real disappointment
Comment: I read about the plot of Dark Summer somewhere: probably the New York Times Book Review. I thought that it sounded intriguing--ordinary person gets swept up into extraordinary circumstances. I always enjoy books or movies that start with that pattern. Unfortunately this book turned out to be a disappointment. Poorly written and populated by two dimensional characters, it became more and more of a grind to read as I progressed. Worst of all was a plot that was ridiculously implausible. Dark Summer was reasonably well paced and that's all that's keeping me from giving it one star.
Not worth the time and trouble.
Customer Rating: Summary: What's happened to Johansen?
Comment: What in the world has happened to Iris Johansen? Her earlier books are some of my all-time favorites, but her past few have been terrible. This one was no exception. Neither of the main characters were likable at all. I could have cared less about them, and I just wanted to tell them both to get over themselves. The dialogue was choppy, repetitive, and silly. I seriously wanted to gag at some of the lines. The plot was pointless and way too far-fetched. If you want to read good romantic suspense, try Cindy Gerard or Tara Janzen. I think I'll stick with those authors from now on.
Customer Rating: Summary: Disappointed !
Comment: Have been a Johansen fan for years! Usually snatch her books up right away and impatiently await next one. Was disappointed in Dark Summer. Didn't fit in to any of the other books; was hum drum. Hopefully; next one will take me back to the fast pace excitement she usually creates.
Customer Rating: Summary: Dammit, Dammit, Dammit
Comment: Her editor needs to reign her in. Her last two books have had at least one of her characters exclaiming "dammit" in almost every conversation! Didn't waste my time counting, but it was a ridiculous amount - I was saying a lot more than that every time I came across another one. Perhaps she thinks it's cute; it's not, it's "damn" annoying. I will not waste my time on another one of her books. Too many authors, too little time.
