Hello everyone! Today I am reviewing Darkness All Around by Doug Magee for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Darkness All Around takes place in a small Pennsylvania town where everyone knows each other. Risa, a local bar owner, is married to a local man, Alan, who is a running for office. This marriage is her second – her first ended when her alcoholic husband Sean disappeared during the same week her best friend Carol was murdered and was eventually declared legally dead. Her son by her first husband is now in high school. Sean, Risa, Carol and Alan grew up together and were close friends.
That is what we learn at the beginning of the novel. Soon, Sean reappears, now sober. The years he was a drunk blocked out many memories which are now coming back to him. One of them, particularly haunting, is a memory of Carol’s murder. This recurring memory has Sean convinced he knows something about the murder or, horribly, is the murderer. He comes back to town to try to discover the truth. Risa gets drawn into the mystery, trying to balance the demands of her politician husband with her own need to help Sean and finally solve this mystery. No more details – you’ll have to read it to find out more!
Darkness All Around is an extremely compelling book. The characters are written with wonderful detail and an ear for honest, real dialogue – there is never a false note. The small town where this novel takes place is described in such detail that I felt I was there. I could visualize the stores, the high school, the topography.
This is a mystery that is character-driven. I read a lot of mysteries and my favorites are those where the characters are so fully realized that I immediately become a part of their world. That’s the kind of mystery Darkness All Around is. You come to know these people. You become a part of their lives. Deftly plotted, with lots of twists and turns, it will draw you in. You won’t want to put it down. I sure didn’t. Isn’t that the highest praise that can be given to a mystery? Doug Magee is a wonderful writer and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
About the author:
Doug Magee has been a photojournalist, screenplay writer, children’s book author, death penalty activist, film producer and director, war protester, college football player, amateur musician, and the basis of the Aidan Quinn character in Meryl Streep’s “Music of the Heart.” This is his first novel. He lives in Spanish Harlem with his wife and two teenaged daughters.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of this fantastic novel. Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered. I’ll drawn a name on Wednesday evening, July 4th. Your comment has to be on this post.
Happy Monday.
Well, I have a new book on my “must read” list-thanks to you! You had me at a small PA town. I grew up there. Thanks for the review and I LOVE a good mystery. xo Diana
It sounds great. I’d love to read it. Thanks for your review!
Well, you’ve certainly lured me in! I would love to read the book. Thanks for a chance, and Happy Fourth!
Sylvia
This sounds like a great story, and the auther is an interesting person due to his many activities.
I know how it is to live in a place, where all know each other. But I’m glad there is no such mystery.
I would love to get a copy. :-)
I will have to put this book on my “Need to read ” list..Maybe I’ll just download it on my Kindle…I tend not to read a book unless I can’t put it down…
Sounds like another good one!
We saw a movie this weekend I think you’d like: The Most Exoctic Marigold Hotel. It’s not a mystery, but has a humorous, character-driven story line about Seniors
You have given it the highest praise, so it sounds like a winner to me!
Brenda
This sounds like a book I would love to read! I’ll add it to my list…I love a good character driven plot! Thanks for the good review. Linda
i love a good mystery….will add that to my stack! thank you :)
Ooooo – sounds like a good one. Going to add it to my library list right now. Thanks!
Oh this sounds like my kind of a book. I.m adding it to the read column now.
I adore a good mystery. Thanks for a chance to win. xoxo, Olive
That sounds like a great mystery! I would love to enter!
I’m happy to hear that this is character-driven. That’s why I want to read it. I, too, read a lot of mysteries/thrillers, and those few that are character-driven are far superior to the rest. Thanks for the offer.
Dear friend,
Please enter me in the drawing! I enjoy reading a good mystery.
Carol
This sounds like a good one, Claudia. Thanks, Ann
You know I am a mystery addict. This one sounds delightful and I’d love to add it to the stack of 20 I just picked up from the library. I’d love to own every book I read but alas, space and funds do not cooperate.
Please enter me <3
xx
z
Exatamente o tipo de enredo que me atrai. A sua descrição me deixou muito curiosa a respeito dele. Adoraria participar do sorteio. Obrigada pela oportunidade!
Zilda
Claudia,
Thanks for the recommendations. You may remember that I wrote to you months ago recommending Wilkie Collins and you wrote me back and told me that you had read his books. Well, I was thinking of you the other day. I have stumbled on a new author and all of her books have been great! Her name is Mary Willis Walker and I just finished her “Zero at the Bone” which I really liked. Hope you can find her and see if you like her style!
Sounds like a great book!!
It sounds like a book that I would love to read!
Hello Claudia, I have been so busy lately…I have missed visiting you.
I hope you are doing very well.
This book sounds interesting, thank you so much for sharing with us.
I haven’t read much lately, but hope to get back to reading soon.
Hugs,
Terri
I love to hear about new books and this one sounds right up my alley. Thanks!
I would love to win, I have not read a good mystery is forever.
Sounds like a story that would be hard to put down once you begin reading!! Great giveaway – count me in :)
sally.puckett@yahoo.com
i would love to read that thanks for the chance
It sounds like a good book to read. I am in the mood for reading during these hot days.
It sounds like a very good book. Mysteries are my favorite genre. Please enter me into the drawing.
Yes, that IS the highest praise you can give a mystery (at least in my opinion)!
Thanks for being on the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.