Author: Belinda Bauer
Publication Year: 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Edition: trade
Setting: England
Source: personal collection
Date Completed: September/2012
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: unsure
A few years back I read
Blacklands, by Belinda Bauer and really
thought the author did a great job with her first novel. Her more
recent novel (2011),
Dark Side actually takes place in the same little Exmoor
village of Shipcott. This time the story begins with the murder of an
elderly woman, a who was confined to her bed and unable to fend off her
attacker. But who would want Mrs. Priddy dead and why? Jonas Holly the
local law enforcement official is initially active at the scene to
investigate the murder. Oddly he was camped out on the front steps at the crime scene
as times, as if the murderer would come back for some reason. Before long several other people end up dead as well, and Jonas'
superior, Inspector Marvel, an interesting odd-duck of a character, brings
in a team from another district to take over the investigation and Jonas is left to the sidelines, but
not before the killer seems to be getting pleasure by taunting Jonas
about his ineptness as an investigator. (I kept thinking what is up with
this?). Although Jonas isn't happy about this change in responsibility, he is able to spend
more time with his wife Lucy who has MS. I might add that Lucy seems to
be quite the character herself, her husband Jonas armed his disabled wife with a knife for protection.
The setting seemed chilling and atmospheric at times, and the author did a great job with the pacing of the
mystery. There were several characters who could have been possible suspects -- always a good sign of a well plotted mystery. I
wanted to love this mystery and thought I might early on, but I had some real issues with the way
the story ended. It just seemed strange to me. I think the author
was either in a rush to wrap up the story, or just didn't think it
through thoroughly. Overall, I would just rate this mystery as okay, IMO, not as good
as her debut novel
Blacklands.
When you finish a book, you're left with the ending. It's hard to love a book that doesn't end well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with bermudaonion...all would be well if it ends well.
ReplyDeleteWell, I wasn't as big of a fan as Blacklands as you so I'm not sure I'll read this one.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Blacklands myself and I don't need a perfect ending so I'm going to try this one too. Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize she had a second one out.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with the cover from the moment I saw it, then the details of the story had me hooked. Now I'm a little hesitant because of what you said about the rushed ending, but I may have to give it a go anyway. Thanks for brining this book to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI like this one!
ReplyDeleteUgh. I hate when the ending feels rushed.
ReplyDeleteOdd and rushed endings are not my thing, and they often end up ruining the whole book for me. I'm sorry this one wasn't what you hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteI loved Blacklands, although the ending there wasn't a bit... predictable (maybe that's the word). I enjoyed it a lot though. I'm keen to try this one, even if it isn't quite so good.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hate it when you reach the end of the story and it's somehow not satisfying. That's a real shame and it sounded like it had such potential.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review though.
Lynn :D
I really enjoyed Blacklands also. I was curious about Darkside, as I haven't heard much about it after it was published. Thanks for the review, this is definitely a library book!
ReplyDelete