Book: The Dark

Alice Madison faces solving a spate of murders which are linked to a decades-old killing and it’s not really clear who are her allies and who are her enemies.

The Seattle detective is bound by a debt of gratitude to some of Seattle’s less than savoury characters but it is far from clear who’s good and who’s bad. Madison must solve all of the crimes and catch a hired killer.

As the forces of law and order battle it out with their opponents to turn events in their favour, Madison risks her own life to save that of a jailed murderer and thwart the evil plans of a Californian drug lord.The sequel to The Gift Of Darkness, The Dark is a crafted thriller from Italian-born VM Giambanco, who turned to writing after making her name in movies.

She has woven together a pacy thriller with a series of twists and turns, although it’s easy to work out who the shady character directing most of the evil is before they’re unmasked. Despite this, thriller fans will be drawn in by the fast narrative and action.