Reviews

The Darkest Place by Phillip Margolin

ntbarrin's review against another edition

4.0

I think I read a Phillip Margolin book back in high school if my memory serves me correctly, and at the time I was a 7-10 book per year kind of girl. So I am considering this my first book by him because honestly otherwise my opinion would also be from someone who shopped at limited too, Abercrombie and fitch and worst of all didn't really like to read.
That being said, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. I received an advanced audio copy from Net Galley (THANK YOU! And I did not receive anything in return for this review, it is my true opinions).The premise intrigued me, a women paid to surrogate for a couple, her husband is murdered and she ends up assaulting the couple she had the baby for. Call in Robin Lockewood--I usually don't read series, especially lawyer/detective series, so my bar was low--who returns to her hometown of Elk Grove to defend Majorie (Surrogate/Widow/Baby Stealer) What unfolds in the remaining pages is shocking!
You hooked?

I will have to say, I really enjoyed Margolin's writing style. Talking about NO fluff! Like this story moved along or maybe was I just really into it? No it was great no lengthy descriptions, deep emotions just a great mystery.
Don't get me wrong, I love my domestic thrillers where I here that crazy main characters thoughts and all the POV's, this was such a breath of fresh air (weird since it was a mystery....so maybe it was a great breath of foggy air??)
I can't believe I am saying this but, now I actually want to read more Robin Lockewood books--gasp! Me read a series?
Thank you NetGalley For This Advanced Audiobook ,you have roped me in to buying like 5 more books!!

mitabird's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

melaniestewart16's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

3no7's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.75

 Accountability, ownership, surrogacy, murder 

 

There is something strange and terrible in Profit Oregon where Robin Lockwood is a high-profile attorney. In addition to her lucrative private practice, Lockwood also takes court-appointed assignments because she believes that everyone is entitled to a good attorney; even the most despicable defendants need good representation. An unimaginable personal loss crushes her, and Robin seeks refuge with her family in Elk Grove. Unfortunately, the strangeness and terribleness oozes across the miles with her. 

 

“The Darkest Place” unfolds in several separate storylines. In Oregon, a prominent citizen is murdered; of course his wife is the initial suspect since they were in the middle of a bitter divorce. The wife is also a police officer, and the husband has a complicated past and made powerful enemies.  Across the miles in Elk Grove, a couple is seeking a surrogate to carry their child. Things do not go as planned, and the surrogate with a “problematic” background forcibly takes the infant from parents. Lockwood is called upon to give legal advice.  What is the difference between buying a baby and finding a surrogate mother and paying her expenses? Is it kidnapping when a birth mother retrieves her biologic child from the parents? 

 

Margolin expertly develop these stories independently. As events evolve, the time frame is conveniently listed for readers in each section. The characters are multifaceted, and readers recognize the complexity of the situations.  Details are carefully constructed, and the multiple paths converge with unexpected and tragic consequences. 

 

 

“The Darkest Place” is the fifth book in Margolin’s continuing series featuring Robin Lockwood, but new readers will easily follow the gripping events and intricate stories. Any needed background information is seamlessly included in the narrative.  I received a review copy of “The Darkest Place” from Phillip Margolin Minotaur Books and Macmillan Publishing. I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Thérèse Plummer. I found both versions compelling, but somewhat different. The print book experience was concise, tightly organized, and persuasive. The complex details were strong and compelling. The audio book was a more dynamic experience, one filled with emotions, conflict, and uncertainty.  

lacysautekc's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

4.25

harleybrewpup's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jenthebookfanatic's review against another edition

mysterious

3.0

gingersbookclub's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

3.0

marcirenee1974's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

This book was awesome and I am now going to have to add ANOTHER series to my TBR and read all the Robin Lockwood books that came before this one!! I honestly didn't see the end coming and the murderer totally had me snowed! Such a good twist to the book and I loved that the ending, even though it was happy, was hopeful for Robin.I can't wait to read more books by this author and to see what other books he has out there! I love that Robin is a strong take no shit woman doing what she loves.

calistaandrechek's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin and St Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I found the beginning of this novel a bit jammed with too many stories and got a bit confused, but it quickly all makes sense and you really get into it. I really enjoyed it after that and then had more understanding on why the beginning is written the way it is. I enjoyed this one even though it's more of a legal thriller, but there is still so many twists and a lot of action. I really enjoyed it and it was such a quick read.