Dark of the Earth

While Percy's best friend and business partner lies in a coma, Percy has only days to figure out whether it was due to an accident or attempted murder.

Book Three

What happens when you invite evil into your home and your back is against the wall? Will Percy choose to fight fire with fire, or might there be another path?

Buy in a variety of formats and from multiple platforms

Read a sample

Reviews from our Readers

“”

Dark of the Earth is the third novel in the Eye of the Moon series about a remarkable family of American aristocrats and their mysterious estate on the Hudson River. As in the previous two novels, Eye of the Moon and Shadow of the Son, the story's setting is an old mansion estate on the upper Hudson known as Rhinebeck. It's a place of tranquil beauty, aristocratic order, and ancient mystery that borders on the supernatural. This locale provides the perfect backdrop for unraveling the twisted...

Craig Houchin

“”

All I want to say is that Ivan Obolensky has done it again with the third installment of Eye of the Moon. When I tell you I couldn't put the book down. It is a must read, but you have to read Eye of the Moon and Shadow of the Son first to get a clear understanding of each of the characters, Johnny and Percy, and what they bring to the story. Reading this one had me on the edge of my seat. It's a gothic mystery/psychological thriller must read. I can't wait to read all three of them again.

Vickie Dorsey

“”

Dark of the Earth is a masterful blend of suspense, elegance, and mystery that grips you from the very first page. Author Ivan Obolensky draws you deeper into his world with each chapter. His descriptions are so well-crafted that you can almost feel the chill in the air and taste the complexity of flavors in each serving and the wines. He transports you to a different world while entangling you in a fascinating mystery. It's a book that keeps you wanting it to never end! Highly recommended!

Maria Candelaria Alvarez

“”

It was a real pleasure to reconnect with Percy, Johnny and the other colorful characters of the previous volumes in this new highly entertaining novel, that brings us back into the rarefied circles of high society. After Johnny is severely injured in a car crash, Percy reminisces about some of their childhood and youth's antics, which makes for some delightful, sometimes hilarious, anecdotes. All the while, he is trying to elucidate a possible plot against Johnny, himself and the investment...

Hélène Laurendeau

“”

Well, all I am able say at the moment is: Ivan has done it again!!! 3 days ago, as I began reading Dark of the Earth, it was a matter of minutes before projects were cast aside, phone calls and emails went ignored, meals became simplified and there I was, hopelessly spellbound, captivated by the words in Ivan's new book. I was in a daze, helplessly catapulted back to Rhinebeck. I know I am not alone among Ivan's many readers in this sentiment: I can hardly wait for what's coming next...

Andrea Guiardino

“”

This is another beautifully crafted journey back to Rhinebeck, with all of its larger-than-life personalities. I wasn't sure what to expect with this latest book, but I was not disappointed. I always enjoy Dagmar's magical creations, tailored for the circumstances of the day. A dinner there would be a bucket list item. But to be a fly on the wall, courtesy of Ivan's fine writing, satisfied the taste buds. She, and the "ghostly" efficient Stanley, make a formidable team—two of my favorites...

Art Watanabe

“”

Ivan Obolensky has done it again! His latest book, "Dark of the Earth", is a real treat, combining humor, great storytelling, mystery and suspense. The author's easy style masterfully transports the reader to the elegant Rhinebeck world and its intriguing characters. The plot never ceases to surprise, keeping the reader glued to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I am very much looking forward to Ivan's next work!

Geert Criel

“”

Dark of the Earth captured my attention right from the start and held it throughout. From the get-go, the story takes off as we discover Johnny was injured during a car accident, was hospitalized and now lies in a coma. The threat of losing Johnny weighs heavily on Percy and the family—and on us as readers. After all, through the previous novels we've come to know and care about Johnny. His doctor suggests that Percy recount some of their past experiences in hopes of stimulating Johnny's...

Lyn Blair

Quotes from the Novel

"The wheel of fortune turns inevitably of its own accord, and balance is often restored unexpectedly."

Anne

"If I had to choose a life's companion, I'd pick a sharp knife with a hard edge to have by my side."

Dagmar

"The heart risks. The mind weighs, but in the end, the heart always wins."

Percy

"… I made sure the house would be full in your honor. There were nine guests at first, but that made thirteen at dinner. The last time that happened, somebody died, so I invited one more. Fourteen is a much luckier number. Of course, two might die this time, but I'm hoping not. There are no guarantees. Unexpected things happen in this house rather routinely and not all of them have been good."

Percy

"If given a choice, I prefer the violent world of which Raymond is a part. It is more overt with fewer shades of gray. In our world, threats can be just as potent but are often subtle and carried out behind a veil of corporate deceit and financial manuevering that makes it difficult to recognize the threat, until it is complete."

John Sr.

"To me, parenting is very much like standing behind a player at a chess match as a grandmaster. One is always tempted to whisper the best move. The child wins, but in the end, where does it lead? They become incapable of thinking for themselves, or they rebel against the constant interference. Children lack experience, and so parents override them as they often must. What is too much, and what is too little? Parenting, like most things, is a learning process on both sides, and one always forgets how smart children can be ... and how stupid."

John Sr.

"As I spoke, they sipped their tea and listened with attention. Only rarely had I felt Dagmar's familiar warmth replaced by the icy coldness of her intellect. As I spoke, I noted how well she kept that part of herself hidden, and that she and Stanley were eerily similar."

Percy

"To begin, growing up with Alice as an older sister was not easy. We were very different, for a start. Our mothers were diametric opposites. Maw is hardheaded, practical, independent, and a force to be reckoned with. Eleanor, Alice's mother, was none of these. She was extraordinarily impractical, frivolous, and in need of constant social interactions to make her feel alive."

John Sr.

Earlier in the Series

Book one

Eye of the Moon

An estranged friendship rekindled at a haunted estate. A house party that turns into an occult investigation.

Book two

Shadow of the Son

Lord Bromley returns to claim Rhinebeck. Betrayal, cunning schemes, and old debts collide.