Search - After Dark (Harmony, Bk 1)

After Dark  (Harmony, Bk 1)
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After Dark (Harmony, Bk 1)
Author: Jayne Castle

Book Information
Publisher: Jove Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780515129021 - ISBN-10: 051512902X
Publication Date: 9/1/2000
Pages: 332


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover

Book Description:
A race of aliens once lived on the future Earth colony called Harmony, leaving behind them the ruins of a vast, beautiful, and mysterious culture that is still protected by the psychic illusion traps and eerie ghosts that they created. Lydia Smith is an archaeologist who can resonate and dissolve the illusions, and those talents, combined with her lack of finances and questionable professional reputation, make her the obvious hire for Emmett London, who is trying to track down a lost antique and the nephew who stole it. Lydia's first consulting job quickly turns dangerous, however, as corpses, ghosts, and illusion traps start popping up--not to mention the rather unprofessional electricity between her and her first client.

This is the first novel in the Harmony series, though it was preceded by a novella, "Bridal Jitters," which appears in the "Charmed" anthology. NOTE: "After Dark" and "Bridal Jitters" were re-issued together in 2002 under the title, "Harmony."

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Similar books to this author and title:
After Glow (Harmony, Bk 2)


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Top Member Book Reviews

Sue L. (VampireRat) wrote on 1/6/2008...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Taking what she learned in creating her first futuristic other-world novels (Amaryllis, Zinnia, and Orchid), Jayne Castle gets it right in this series of novels set on another planet called Harmony, set in the same universe. Each book will stand alone, but they are better if you read this one first as you will get a good introduction to life on Harmony, it's history, and it's culture.

The book description is right here, so I won't repeat that - but look over it to see if this is your "cup of tea." You will find likable characters, romance and love, and an interesting murder mystery, in a well-thought out, imaginative, and interesting setting.

Unlike the first novels set on the planet of St Helens, this series, set on Harmony uses characteristics of the alien world well to increase the mystery and provide some action and interesting characters.

I'd rate any book in the Harmony series as an "all-nighter."

John O. (buzzby) - La Quinta, CA wrote on 2/12/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Typical para-archeologist novel.

Tammy B. (RezaliciousK) wrote on 9/29/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I liked this book a lot. Lydia is a strong character fighting to get her life back and fighting the attraction she feels for her new "boss", Emmett. He's everything she thought she didn't want, but - he's also everything she's ever desired. It was cool watching them dance around each other's issues and learn to trust each other and fall in love.

Here is the back cover stuff:

Llife is tough enough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed Para-archeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to work part-time in Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, a very low-budget museum. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn't going well. Stuff keeps happening.

Take the dead body that she discovered in one of the sarcophagus exhibits. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn't helping matters either. And that's just today's list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of Old Cadence, things don't really heat up until After Dark.

If, like me, you sometimes relish your romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, welcome to Lydia's and Emmett's world . . . the rules are a little different here . . .

Kathleen T. (katiewont) wrote on 10/8/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle: Lydia Smith, licensed Paara-archaeologist is seriously stressed out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb and obliged to work par time in Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, a very low budget museum as a result. Planning to get her career back on track, she finds that nasty stuff just keeps on happening. Like finding dead bodies in the work place. . .Of course, her new client, Emmett London, might be a plus. Then again, maybe not. She really can't afford to be distracted from her career goals right now, can she? But when somebody seriously tries to take her out, it appears that this one very dangerous man might be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. And a very tasty part of the the solution indeed! This is primo Jayne Castle/Krentz - dig out the chocolates and run a hot bath. You'll want to read this one in one fell swoop!

Jean C. (jeanc) wrote on 2/23/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really liked this one - by this time Castle/Krentz is fairly comfortable with her future world and doesn't have to wow us with funny names for stuff. I've enjoyed all of the Harmony series.

Colleen G. (azrainstorm) wrote on 5/14/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Good book. Set in another world, a woman is hired to find an object for and ex-mob boss.

Audry P. (witchywoman) wrote on 12/2/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

If you like romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, you'll this book. It is one of several that take place on another world where certain paranormal abilities are normal.

Tana R. (tana) wrote on 8/4/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Lydia Smith has had a run of bad luck. She got lost in the alien catacombs for an entire weekend and as a result, lost her job as a professor of para-archeology. Now, she is working part-time at a third-rate dump of a museum. She is also trying to start out a new career as a consultant and Emmett London is her first client. Unfortunately, the first thing that happens is that Lydia finds a dead body - not a good way to start out a working relationship with a client who wishes to remain low-key. This was a fun romantic murder-mystery set on a different planet with several plot twists. I enjoyed it.

Leslie H. (teyahstone) wrote on 3/6/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Romantic suspense with paranormal overtones. Is actually Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle. Great read!

DeAnna B. wrote on 11/20/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sci-fi, romance and mystery all get tangled up in this book, which is part of a futuristic series.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Candace G. (Ogre) wrote on 4/6/2009...


An interesting new take on the paranormal, set on the planet Harmony.

From back cover: Life is tough enough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed Para-archeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to wrok part-time in Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, a very low budget museum. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn't going well. Stuff keeps happening.
Take the dead body that she discovered in one of the sarcophagus exhibits. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn't helping matters either. And that's just today's list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of Old Cadence, things don't really heat up until AFTER DARK.

Jacqui C. (TxTrn8o) wrote on 10/24/2008...


Good sci-fi romance with strong characters. Heros are sigh-worthy and female lead isn't a worthless wimp either. This author (Krentz as Castly) is usually good and I really like this series. My humble opinion, that the society originated on Earth and then have been developing uniquely makes you relate to characters more.

Pam P. (PamBook) wrote on 2/22/2008...


Enjoyable read on the planet Harmony, same world as in her earlier books, Orchid, Zinnia and Amaryllis.

Jo L. (PIZZELLEBFS) wrote on 6/28/2007...


From Amazon:

A race of aliens once lived on the future Earth colony called Harmony, leaving behind them the ruins of a vast, beautiful, and mysterious culture that is still protected by the psychic illusion traps and eerie ghosts that they created. Lydia Smith is an archaeologist who can resonate and dissolve the illusions, and those talents, combined with her lack of finances and questionable professional reputation, make her the obvious hire for Emmett London, who is trying to track down a lost antique and the nephew who stole it. Lydia's first consulting job quickly turns dangerous, however, as corpses, ghosts, and illusion traps start popping up--not to mention the rather unprofessional electricity between her and her first client.

Cherri B. (cherri) wrote on 3/29/2007...


Jayne Ann Krentz does her usual fine job of making the reader believe the unbelievable.

O'Brien M. (Romance-fan) wrote on 1/20/2007...


Life is tough enough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed Para-archaeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to work part-time in Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, a very low-budget musuem. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn't going well. Stuff keeps happening

Take the dead body that she discovered in one of the sargohagus exhibits. Finding out that her new client is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn't helping matters either.

Ashlea B. (ally) wrote on 11/14/2006...


Loved it! Interesting and quick read.

Mollie G. (amethystlover) wrote on 10/14/2006...


A very good mystery/romance with a bit of the paramormal in another world atmosphere. Enjoyed it greatly.

Teri R. (Llama) wrote on 10/10/2006...


Pretty good.

Marie Y. (cookielady) wrote on 9/2/2006...


be sure to read this book BEFORE you read AFter Glow it is the same couple and it was really weird to read them backwards.


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