A little darkness

I'm making progress on catching up on posting the reviews for the 1001 Books that I've read, while reading more books on the list so I feel like I'm falling further and further behind.  I always seem to read more in the winter months though, I guess that has something to do with the weather.

It's time for another break in the 1001 action, posting some reviews from other books I've read recently.  I noticed that I've recently read three books with the word "Darkness" in the title.  Kind of a strange coincidence in the mostly dark days of winter.

We'll start off with A Darkness More than Night by Michael Connelly.  I've already written about Michael Connelly, who is one of my favorite authors, but there were a couple of his books I never read, one of which was this one.

A Darkness More than Night features both Terry McCaleb, the retired FBI profiler, and Harry Bosch.  McCaleb, who previously appeared in Blood Work, is helping out the local sheriff on a murder investigation, which leads to Harry Bosch as the prime suspect.  While Bosch is currently testifying in a high profile trial of a movie producer.  There is even an appearance from Jack McEvoy from the Poet.

Part police work, part trial, and with appearances from characters you've gotten familiar with if you are a fan of Connelly.

My rating: 4 stars




Another one of my favorite authors is Dennis Lehane, and I recently finished Darkness Take My Hand.  I discovered Lehane last year, and thought I had read everything that he had written except The Given Day, but I found this book in a pile unread.  I really like both his standalone novels like Shutter Island and Mystic River, but really enjoyed his Patrick Kenzie/Angie Gennaro series.  In fact, after reading Moonlight Mile I didn't ever expect to read a new Kenzie/Gennaro book again.

So it was both a little disappointing that I somehow missed one in the series, but also exciting because I had a new one to read.  I wasn't disappointed in reading it either.  While it's true Lehane write mysteries, his writing style makes his books standout.  With a good supporting cast of characters, such as their psycho, but loyal friend Bubba, the book is filled with suspense.

There is quite a bit of violence in the book, and it probably could be described as gritty as times.  But out of all the Kenzie/Gennaro books in the series, I would probably rank this as my favorite one, and that is saying a lot.  If you haven't read Lehane yet I strongly recommend him.

My rating: 4 1/2 stars



Last I read the latest Lisa Unger novel, Darkness, My Old Friend.  Lisa Unger is another author who I've read all of her books, except for the early novels she put out as Lisa Miscione.  This book returns to The Hollows, which was featured in Fragile.  Former police chief Jones Cooper is back again, still trying to find his way after being forced from the job.  I don't know if this is a sequel, or the start of a series, but I'm a big fan of the Jones Cooper character.  A flawed character trying to cope after traumatic events, but ultimately wants to do what is right.

This book was probably more suspense than mystery, but it was filled with good characters, a good story, and a familiar small town setting from the Fragile.

My rating: 4 stars