Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsDifficult to read this book as a stand-alone.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2019
If you are new to this series, I suggest you read Book #1 “City of the Lost,” which explains the unique community of Rockton and introduces the intriguing people who live in this off-the-grid town. That story ushers in the manipulative Council, their community “mouthpiece,” the Settlers, and the Hostiles. There are references in this book to important—but now absent—characters from Book #1.
This intricately plotted story features a cunning serial murderer who is hidden amongst red herrings. The pace is deliberate and slows in the middle, but takes off toward the end, almost as though in a rush to finish.
In “A Darkness Absolute” the female protagonist is ridden by angst, and her lover is solicitous to the point of being literally paralyzed when she’s injured. I prefer police procedurals with less angst, medium domestic/civilian drama and no telenovela melodrama. Plus, I prefer police characters who don’t indulge in crippling emotional crises that would disqualify them and/or get them dismissed from the force. However, I enjoyed reading about some newer and more colorful secondary-characters . . . and the Newfie puppy, of course.
I was concerned that the author would end this book on a cliffhanger, but happily, she tied up the murder-mystery threads. It is obvious there is another book coming, but I will probably pass on it.
