Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): The truth is easy to miss, even when it’s right in front of us. As a forensic reconstructionist, Rory Moore sheds light on cold-case homicides by piecing together crime scene details others fail to see. Cleaning out her late father’s law office a week after his burial, she receives a call that plunges her into a decades-old case come to life once more.
In the summer of 1979, five Chicago women went missing. The predator, nicknamed The Thief, left no bodies and no clues behind—until police received a package from a mysterious woman named Angela Mitchell, whose unorthodox investigation skills appear to have led to his identity. But before police could question her, Angela disappeared. Forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela’s murder—the only crime the DA could pin on him. As a former client of her father’s, Rory becomes reluctantly involved with the killer—though he continues to insist he didn’t murder Angela. Now he wants Rory to do what her father once promised: prove that Angela is, in fact, still alive.
As Rory begins reconstructing Angela’s last days, another killer emerges from the shadows, replicating those long-ago murders. With every startling discovery she makes, Rory becomes more deeply entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell—and in The Thief’s tormented mind. Drawing connections between past and present is the only way to stop the nightmare, but even Rory can’t be prepared for the full, terrifying truth that is emerging . . .
Review: I was lucky to win an ARC of Some Choose Darkness from Kensington Books. I read all of Charlie’s books last year and really loved them, so I was eagerly anticipating his latest. I wouldn’t say Some Choose Darkness is perfect, but I still gave it five stars because I really did love it. I think the characters are written well, and the mystery was a mix of twists and turns. There were definitely some things I could see coming, but I didn’t piece everything together, and I love that. I like when mysteries have more than just one question to answer.
I do recommend this one for anyone who enjoys a good mystery/thriller. The book has timelines from the present day (mostly following Rory) and from 1979 (mostly following Angela who was figuring out who murdered five women in Chicago that summer). This dual narration, if you will, was definitely needed because it allowed Donlea to give readers pieces of information as the book goes on, answering questions and opening up even more. I wouldn’t say this book is gory or gruesome; the author doesn’t delve too much into the actual killings. If you’re a squeamish reader, I think you’ll be fine with Some Choose Darkness.
Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea - book review #ontheblog #somechoosedarkness Share on XFinally, the one thing that I would “complain” about is that Rory is actually given a job to reconstruct the death of a young woman in the beginning of the book. This gets pushed aside, if you will, when she becomes mixed up in the 1979 case. I didn’t fault Rory for focusing her energies on those killings, because it was a bit more pressing. However, the book never does explore that original case. Of course, this isn’t needed for the story, but it’s something I was still curious about and I would have liked to have gotten some sort of closure there. Besides that, though, I really loved this book!
Some Choose Darkness is released on May 28, 2019 – buy your copy now!
This does sound good and I get where you had a little complaint about the book. Love the premise though.
P.S. Heading out for a while and so my visits might be a little spotty for a while, but I look forward to coming back and checking in!
Oh this looks good!
I’ve never heard of this book nor this author. I will have to check the book out now. Great review! =)
~Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
I prefer a real closure as well in books. Other than that, it looks good!
What an interesting story! I really tend to like dual stories, especially when one is set is the past and ties into the future. Sounds like a good read!
I like these kinds of mysteries, and I am glad that it doesn’t delve too far into the gruesome stuff.
This sounds like a great mystery and something I’d enjoy! I’ll have to add this to my “to read” list, seems like it will be a page turner!
This sounds great! I took a mini break from Thrillers because I was reading so many in a row. Great review!
Glad you found such a great book! I definitely think a book can still be great even if you see a few things coming.
I hadn’t heard of this author before! Gotta love that premise for the book. Sounds quite interesting. Glad you enjoyed it even with its things here and there.
This sounds really good. I love a good mystery and I love stories with multiple timelines. 🙂
I haven’t heard of this series or author so thanks for putting it on my radar.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
The premise sounds fabulous! I love a good mystery so I may need to check this one out!
xx
This author is new to me, but I also don’t read a lot of mystery thrillers. When I do, I like to be kept on my toes for most of the book. Like you mentioned, not knowing how all the pieces fit together is the best part. It’s great when there’s more than one question that needs an answer, it makes the story more complex.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
bah it’s annoying when they leave strings dangling. It’s like, why did it get bought up in the first place? 😀 still, glad you enjoyed the characters and the writing. Lovely review.
Oooh! I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one!
I am coming around to this author’s work, I have to admit, even though I wasn’t too impressed in the beginning. I’m curious about this one though — you have my interest piqued!
New to me author and books. I’ll definitely be tabbing these as a possibility. Great review, Lauren!
This isn’t my type of read usually, but it does sound like the author did a great job with it, at least the way you enjoyed it. Great review!
I sometimes give a book five stars because of how much I loved it rather than it being “perfect”. I don’t think many or any books are perfect!
The case you mentioned at the end of the review never being revisited would have annoyed me so much!! I need things to be in a book because they have a purpose or if they don’t have a purpose then they at least need to be fleshed out. So it’s a shame that you were left wanting more in that aspect!
I love a good mystery/thriller that isn’t too gory so I’ll keep this one in mind 🙂
Lovely review, Lauren! I’m glad you liked this one!