Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles

Narrated in duet by Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor, with Sebastian York, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton and Connor Crais.

Standalone. First in a new series of romantic suspense books.

Thank you to Catherine Cowles and her team for the opportunity to listen to this early. This post contains affiliate links.

She’s done it again. Catherine Cowles never disappoints. Across the Vanishing Sky was pure gold. Add duet narration with special guests and you’ve got a platinum listen.

Brae is a single mom to eight-year-old Owen and their search and rescue dog, Yeti. After her best friend Nova, who was like a sister to her, went missing on a hike a year ago, Brae moved to Starlight Grove to be closer to where the disappearance happened, hoping to find her friend, dead or alive. What she didn’t expect to find was a hot naked guy in the cabin she rented.

It turns out her neighbor rented a cabin the same day and was given the wrong key. We’ve met Dex in previous Catherine Cowles books, but you don’t need to read them first. Dex is a hacker who was arrested and spent ten years working for the FBI as part of his sentence. He’s one of the five Archer brothers, whose mom either left or was killed by their serial killer father. The brothers are close, but each of them deals with the trauma of growing up with a monster and the fear that some part of that monster lives inside them.

In penance for what their father did, the Archer brothers are secretly vigilantes who help track down missing people so their families can get closure. They don’t always work within the law, and they have to be extra careful given the family they come from. Each brother works his own angle, and I can’t wait to read all of their stories, especially Orion’s.

“Even in moments when it felt like that comforting sky might vanish before my eyes like she had or when it felt like a chasm separated us, I still held tight. I trusted that I would find her, even across a vanishing sky.”

I loved Brae. She’s loyal to Nova and refuses to give up the search. She’s a warrior and a great mom, raising Owen on her own. It takes time, but I loved how she finds family in the Archer brothers and in the town.

“We, Hellion. You’re not in this alone. And in case it’s been lost on you, it’s not just me who has your back. You’ve won over the Archers one by one. We’ve all got your back.”

With a Catherine Cowles book, you learn to suspect everyone. Yes, I guessed the baddie, but I also guessed four other baddies, and I was so glad I was wrong about some of them. Even if you figure part of it out, you won’t expect it to unfold the way it does. Her books always deliver surprises.

Sometimes the first book in a series can feel heavy because you’re being introduced to a whole new town and cast of characters. I didn’t feel that here at all. If anything, I think the series will only get stronger as we get to know the brothers and townspeople better.

Likes:

Finally getting Dex’s story.
Cameos or mentions of characters from previous books. Lolli, anyone?
Owen was an adorable little boy.
The dog, Yeti.
Each brother had a very distinct personality.
Brae was a fighter. Loyal, funny, a great mom, and full of spunk. I loved the way she held her ground with the brothers.
Twists and turns I never would have guessed.
The town and the Compass group of families of missing persons.

Dislikes:

The ending wrapped up pretty quickly. I wanted a little more information, but I’m sure that will come in the next books in the Starlight Grove series.

The Narration:

Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor were amazing in this duet narration. I especially loved that Sebastian York, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton and Connor Crais each narrated a different brother. I really hope they keep those roles throughout the series. Catherine’s audiobooks are always good, but this one took it up a few notches with the duet format and full cast.

The Down & Dirty:

You’d think after reading so many Catherine Cowles books they would start to feel predictable. But the only predictable thing is that they aren’t. As the first book in a new series, this is just the beginning. I already know it’s going to keep getting better as we dive deeper into the Archer family. I am so here for it. Once again, Catherine proves why she’s a top favorite author for me, and I’m already counting down to Into the Fading Twilight in July.