ARC Review: Dark Turns by Cate Holahan

Dark Turns
Author: Cate Holahan
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (November 10, 2015)

Description: Nia Washington is an incredibly talented ballerina. She fought her way up from the streets and was nearing the pinnacle of her profession when an injury and a broken heart derailed her career. Taking a temporary job at an elite boarding school was supposed to give her time to nurse both body and soul. It was supposed to be a safe place to launch a triumphant comeback. It is anything but.

Shortly after she arrives at the beautiful lakeside campus, she discovers the body of a murdered student, and her life takes a truly dark turn. It’s not long before she is drawn into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a ruthless killer. And Nia isn't the only target. She must use all of her street smarts to protect her dancers, save a wrongfully accused student, and rescue the man she loves.

A stunning and suspenseful tale of passion and betrayal, Cate Holahan's Dark Turns will take readers deep into the mind of a murderer and the woman who must put an end to the killing.

My Thoughts: Nia Washington is a talented ballerina who is taking a break by working at a posh private school while a foot injury heals. She certainly doesn't expect to find the body of a student in the lake when she is being given a tour of the campus.

Nia is a Resident Adviser in a girls' dorm and the assistant to the head ballet instructor. As she gets to know her ballet students, she starts to hear rumors about the dead girl. The boy who is being convicted by the court of popular opinion is staying in the dorm where Peter Andersen is the RA. Peter and Nia hit it off and begin dating. Nia is on the rebound from a relationship with another dancer who has decided that he wants her back.

As Nia investigates the young girl's death and the relationships among the students, she becomes suspicious of one of the students. Aubrey is used to being the star dancer. She also had a sexual relationship with the boy that was videoed and spread around the campus. She is jealous of a new dancer who wins the coveted lead in the next show. But somehow, despite not drinking, attends a party with her new best friend Aubrey, drinks too much, falls down a flight of stairs and breaks her ankle.

When Aubrey accuses Nia of sexting her, things reach an exciting conclusion. I was somewhat surprised at Aubrey's reasons because I had convinced myself that she was just evil and wasn't going to let anyone or anything stand in the way of her getting whatever she wanted. And, maybe that is still true. But there were extenuating circumstances that wind up putting Nia's life in danger.

This was an engaging mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Favorite Quote:

Nia put her phone on the lunch table. Poor Aubrey. Her father dies in front of her. Her mom abandons her. And, after all that, her ex-boyfriend is arrested for murdering his last girlfriend. No wonder teachers tried to look out for her. Someone had to protect her.

Tragedy stalked Aubrey Byrne.

I got this eARC from NetGalley for review. You can buy your copy here.