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caomhin's review
5.0
A powerful, clever book that draws you in.
As is often the way with new books I opened it up for a quick look at what I could expect. That was dangerous. The prologue sucked me in like a whirlwind.
The handful of chapters that followed seemed tame, almost anti-climactic in fact, as the story was built up. It feels harsh saying that because they're perfectly good, it's just those opening lines are so intense you can't help but notice things slow down considerably. The story builds again very gracefully though. After the introductions and some background I found myself once more absorbed, and by the climax of the book I was aware I wouldn't want to put it down.
The plot takes you on a wild ride. Hilary drips clues at you allowing you to piece together the events just before she reveals them. As the plot unravels surprises lurk in the shadows. A wonderfully written mystery.
And the writing is easily accessible too. You don't need forensic knowledge of the Met or London. The author doesn't rely on obtuse language or inside knowledge to give the book excessive depth. It is a remarkably light read in that regard, making it far too easy to keep consuming - it's like popcorn, you keep reaching for more until you suddenly realise just how much you've devoured in one sitting.
I expected this to be a good book to read on the bus or train, and that would work, but just to allow yourself time to plough on I'd say this is a great airport/airplane novel. Maybe even one for the beach or beside the pool. You don't need to invest lots to find the qualities of this book.
A great read, definitely a book to pick up if you like your mysteries to keep you on your toes.
A complimentary copy of this book was supplied for review by the publisher as part of the "First Reads" program.
As is often the way with new books I opened it up for a quick look at what I could expect. That was dangerous. The prologue sucked me in like a whirlwind.
The handful of chapters that followed seemed tame, almost anti-climactic in fact, as the story was built up. It feels harsh saying that because they're perfectly good, it's just those opening lines are so intense you can't help but notice things slow down considerably. The story builds again very gracefully though. After the introductions and some background I found myself once more absorbed, and by the climax of the book I was aware I wouldn't want to put it down.
The plot takes you on a wild ride. Hilary drips clues at you allowing you to piece together the events just before she reveals them. As the plot unravels surprises lurk in the shadows. A wonderfully written mystery.
And the writing is easily accessible too. You don't need forensic knowledge of the Met or London. The author doesn't rely on obtuse language or inside knowledge to give the book excessive depth. It is a remarkably light read in that regard, making it far too easy to keep consuming - it's like popcorn, you keep reaching for more until you suddenly realise just how much you've devoured in one sitting.
I expected this to be a good book to read on the bus or train, and that would work, but just to allow yourself time to plough on I'd say this is a great airport/airplane novel. Maybe even one for the beach or beside the pool. You don't need to invest lots to find the qualities of this book.
A great read, definitely a book to pick up if you like your mysteries to keep you on your toes.
A complimentary copy of this book was supplied for review by the publisher as part of the "First Reads" program.
bethkemp's review
5.0
Brilliant second instalment to the DI Marnie Rome series. I loved learning more about her background (and about Noah's home life) while digging into this second case. As with the first, Sarah Hilary tackles a dark subject (domestic violence last time, mental illness here) to create a powerful and dramatic story which nonetheless has a social conscience and is deftly and sensitively handled. She has a real respect for her subject matter which enables her to shock and entertain her audience without belittling the topic. Strongly recommended for contemporary crime lovers. If you want to start at the beginning, it's Someone Else's Skin.
leahmichelle_13's review
5.0
Oh my word, Sarah Hilary is a genius! No Other Darkness is a book I absolutely flew through. I did not intend to read it in a couple of sittings, in the same day, but I just couldn't put it down, and isn't that just the best kind of book? Makes me feel like an idiot for waiting so long to read it, mind, because it was just THAT GOOD. Sarah Hilary is without a doubt one of the finest crime writers you will ever come across, and I am saying that after just two books, but I am hoping for so many more featuring DI's Rome & Jakes because their partnership is awesome.
No Other Darkness does not have the best plot in the world, in fact you need quite the strong stomach for this plot, because it involves dead kids. Which is just a no-no for crime shows or books, because you immediately get that pit in your stomach, like who could do that to their kid?!?! But it was actually do very sensitively, and there's nothing like dead kids to motivate a team of coppers into finding out what the hell happened, especially since the kids in question had been trapped in that bunker, dead, for four to five years. But as you come to expect with Sarah's books, it isn't all as it seems and the twist is out of this world, jaw-droppingly good. You'll literally sit looking at the book in shock, or maybe that's just me?
I just loved everything about this book. The pace of the book was phenomenal, letting us into the story bit by bit, dangling juicy tidbits, without fully explaining everything and it certainly left me wanting more, because I finished the damn thing within the day, didn't I? I just had to know what had happened, what kind of person leaves their kids in a bunker to die, and, hand oh heart, I never saw any of it coming. And it was so good to be back with Marnie Rome and Noah Jake. I love them both and they make such a good team, with Noah knowing when to keep his mouth shut, and vice versa.
*Sigh* This book was perfection. So well written, the plot was fantastic (and sad), the ending left me frantic, my heart beating out of my chest, hardly believing my eyes, it was just twist after twist after twist and I could barely take it all in. I do not know how I will recover, although Tastes Like Fear is winking at me from my TBR pile. Maybe I recover by just having more Marnie & Noah?!?!? SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME.
No Other Darkness does not have the best plot in the world, in fact you need quite the strong stomach for this plot, because it involves dead kids. Which is just a no-no for crime shows or books, because you immediately get that pit in your stomach, like who could do that to their kid?!?! But it was actually do very sensitively, and there's nothing like dead kids to motivate a team of coppers into finding out what the hell happened, especially since the kids in question had been trapped in that bunker, dead, for four to five years. But as you come to expect with Sarah's books, it isn't all as it seems and the twist is out of this world, jaw-droppingly good. You'll literally sit looking at the book in shock, or maybe that's just me?
I just loved everything about this book. The pace of the book was phenomenal, letting us into the story bit by bit, dangling juicy tidbits, without fully explaining everything and it certainly left me wanting more, because I finished the damn thing within the day, didn't I? I just had to know what had happened, what kind of person leaves their kids in a bunker to die, and, hand oh heart, I never saw any of it coming. And it was so good to be back with Marnie Rome and Noah Jake. I love them both and they make such a good team, with Noah knowing when to keep his mouth shut, and vice versa.
*Sigh* This book was perfection. So well written, the plot was fantastic (and sad), the ending left me frantic, my heart beating out of my chest, hardly believing my eyes, it was just twist after twist after twist and I could barely take it all in. I do not know how I will recover, although Tastes Like Fear is winking at me from my TBR pile. Maybe I recover by just having more Marnie & Noah?!?!? SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME.
jackielaw's review
5.0
No Other Darkness, by Sarah Hilary, is a tense and gripping crime thriller which opens with the grisly discovery of two little boys entombed in an underground bunker. It features DI Marnie Rome who first appeared in the author’s debut novel, Someone Else’s Skin. Like the first book a challenging crime involving families and their dark secrets is explored. The story has depth and complexity but is presented effortlessly, thereby confirming the skill of the writer.
The boys’ bodies are found by the owner of a house which was built above the bunker eighteen months previously. It is estimated that the boys have been dead for around five years. With little to go on as to who these children could be or why they were entombed DI Rome’s team struggle to deal with what is threatening to become a cold case. They are not the only ones adversely affected by the tragedy. The home owner who found them has been rehomed while the investigation is ongoing. He and his family are struggling to come to terms with the effect the find and their enforced move has had on their psyches. As their home is exposed to outside scrutiny questions arise about how they chose to live and why.
The family have two young children, another on the way, and are also fostering a teenager. When the press become interested in the case an old flame of Marnie’s emerges, taunting her with parallels from her past. The teenager is the same age as the foster child who killed her parents.
At various stages I correctly guessed ahead of the plot yet each time found that this was not the conclusion but merely a step along the way. The story is heartbreaking on so many levels, the final few chapters oozing the terror of the darkness.
For crime fiction fans this thriller is an absolute treat. Graphic but never gratuitous it explores the potentially devastating consequences of untreated mental illness, of paranoia, and the damage that can be wrought by guilt, grief and fear.
I was fortunate enough to receive two proof copies of this book to review: one from the publisher, Headline, and one from Goodreads via a First Reads giveaway.
The boys’ bodies are found by the owner of a house which was built above the bunker eighteen months previously. It is estimated that the boys have been dead for around five years. With little to go on as to who these children could be or why they were entombed DI Rome’s team struggle to deal with what is threatening to become a cold case. They are not the only ones adversely affected by the tragedy. The home owner who found them has been rehomed while the investigation is ongoing. He and his family are struggling to come to terms with the effect the find and their enforced move has had on their psyches. As their home is exposed to outside scrutiny questions arise about how they chose to live and why.
The family have two young children, another on the way, and are also fostering a teenager. When the press become interested in the case an old flame of Marnie’s emerges, taunting her with parallels from her past. The teenager is the same age as the foster child who killed her parents.
At various stages I correctly guessed ahead of the plot yet each time found that this was not the conclusion but merely a step along the way. The story is heartbreaking on so many levels, the final few chapters oozing the terror of the darkness.
For crime fiction fans this thriller is an absolute treat. Graphic but never gratuitous it explores the potentially devastating consequences of untreated mental illness, of paranoia, and the damage that can be wrought by guilt, grief and fear.
I was fortunate enough to receive two proof copies of this book to review: one from the publisher, Headline, and one from Goodreads via a First Reads giveaway.
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