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donnek's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
“Remember that fierceness you had as a kid? That bring-it-on feeling that was yours before you knew the world would punch you back? You still got it. Along with a bigger fist”
Syndney Parnell
Personal Journal
The gangs all back: the dynamic duo of Syd and Clyde along with Det Mike Cohen. Syd and Clyde are still working on dealing with their PTSD from the war and while Syd still has her ghosts hanging around, their appearances seem to be waning. Syd doesn’t seem to be talking to them much anymore, except for The Sir, a former commanding officer that was killed in action. Romantically, Syd and Cohen seem to be going strong. Cohen transferred to Denver PD Sex Crimes unit when Syd left the Railway PD and moved to Denver PD Major Crimes unit.
“Inside me is a monster. It allows me to see the monster in others. The drunk at the end of the bar with the scraped knuckles. O hot-eyed man sliding into an alley. Combat veterans with one too many tours. Random people passing on the street. When our eyes meet, I see the startle of recognition on their faces. It is never a happy acknowledgement.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
Syd is partnered up with Det Len Bandoni, a codgy, grouchy, old fart, and at this point in his career, he doesn’t want to be working with a rookie woman cop and her dog. Bandoni believes Syd is just a diversity hire because of the department’s recent sexual harassment scandals and settlements. Bandoni finds it his duty and pleasure to constantly remind Syd that her former media superstar status (the Denver press really likes Syd and Clyde) as a “murder cop” for the railways doesn’t mean diddly squat working for Denver PD as a “real” cop.
“It took me a long time to make this distinction: The past is not my enemy. It’s my fear of the past that brings me down.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of a dead body (a man in a dress) found on a train, who had religious quotes carved into the skin on his back. A few of the chapters also flip back and forth between Syd and the killer, who is stalking Syd. Syd also meets one of Cohen’s relatives for the first time. Dr Evan Wilding is Cohen’s cousin from Chicago whose specialty is forensic semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, and their interpretation. Evan becomes a consultant on the case as well as instrumental in the investigation.
“The thing about there being hell to pay is that you can always hope the devil doesn’t come to collect.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
I LOVED THIS SERIES!!! Every installment has been a 5star read for me! That is a sign of a great series! I don’t have any other series I’m reading that has garnered that for every installment. I loved the addition of Bandoni too! The interaction between Bandoni and Syd was so often absolutely hilarious! Think curmudgeon, fatherly, Boomer type and the smart@$$, exasperated, Millenium type. Nickless is an amazing writer and storyteller. One of the things I really liked about this series is how Nickless has developed Sydney’s character throughout the series. I especially like how she has accomplished some of the development through Syd’s class assignments and journal writing. I have found so many of these quotes really haunting; they are just a glimpse of the hell of war and the severity of a soldier’s PTSD, especially Syd’s and sometimes Clyde’s.
It’s been four years since this installment came out and I wondered if Nickless was just abandoning it. While her profile states that the series has been optioned to tv, I haven’t seen anything on tv come out on it. I contacted Nickless and asked if there would be future installments. Her response:
“Dear Donne,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reach out! I’m glad you enjoyed the Sydney Parnell books. Unfortunately, my publisher wanted to move on, and asked me to do a spinoff series based on a character introduced in Gone to Darkness. I miss Sydney and Clyde.
I do plan to write a short story about Sydney and Clyde, which I’ll give away to people who sign up for my newsletter—just as soon as I can get it written. :)
Thank you again!
My best,
Barbara”
I will miss Syd and Clyde. I think I will check out her new series about Evan Wilding. He seemed like an interesting character.
Syndney Parnell
Personal Journal
The gangs all back: the dynamic duo of Syd and Clyde along with Det Mike Cohen. Syd and Clyde are still working on dealing with their PTSD from the war and while Syd still has her ghosts hanging around, their appearances seem to be waning. Syd doesn’t seem to be talking to them much anymore, except for The Sir, a former commanding officer that was killed in action. Romantically, Syd and Cohen seem to be going strong. Cohen transferred to Denver PD Sex Crimes unit when Syd left the Railway PD and moved to Denver PD Major Crimes unit.
“Inside me is a monster. It allows me to see the monster in others. The drunk at the end of the bar with the scraped knuckles. O hot-eyed man sliding into an alley. Combat veterans with one too many tours. Random people passing on the street. When our eyes meet, I see the startle of recognition on their faces. It is never a happy acknowledgement.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
Syd is partnered up with Det Len Bandoni, a codgy, grouchy, old fart, and at this point in his career, he doesn’t want to be working with a rookie woman cop and her dog. Bandoni believes Syd is just a diversity hire because of the department’s recent sexual harassment scandals and settlements. Bandoni finds it his duty and pleasure to constantly remind Syd that her former media superstar status (the Denver press really likes Syd and Clyde) as a “murder cop” for the railways doesn’t mean diddly squat working for Denver PD as a “real” cop.
“It took me a long time to make this distinction: The past is not my enemy. It’s my fear of the past that brings me down.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of a dead body (a man in a dress) found on a train, who had religious quotes carved into the skin on his back. A few of the chapters also flip back and forth between Syd and the killer, who is stalking Syd. Syd also meets one of Cohen’s relatives for the first time. Dr Evan Wilding is Cohen’s cousin from Chicago whose specialty is forensic semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, and their interpretation. Evan becomes a consultant on the case as well as instrumental in the investigation.
“The thing about there being hell to pay is that you can always hope the devil doesn’t come to collect.”
Sydney Parnell
Personal Journal
I LOVED THIS SERIES!!! Every installment has been a 5star read for me! That is a sign of a great series! I don’t have any other series I’m reading that has garnered that for every installment. I loved the addition of Bandoni too! The interaction between Bandoni and Syd was so often absolutely hilarious! Think curmudgeon, fatherly, Boomer type and the smart@$$, exasperated, Millenium type. Nickless is an amazing writer and storyteller. One of the things I really liked about this series is how Nickless has developed Sydney’s character throughout the series. I especially like how she has accomplished some of the development through Syd’s class assignments and journal writing. I have found so many of these quotes really haunting; they are just a glimpse of the hell of war and the severity of a soldier’s PTSD, especially Syd’s and sometimes Clyde’s.
It’s been four years since this installment came out and I wondered if Nickless was just abandoning it. While her profile states that the series has been optioned to tv, I haven’t seen anything on tv come out on it. I contacted Nickless and asked if there would be future installments. Her response:
“Dear Donne,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reach out! I’m glad you enjoyed the Sydney Parnell books. Unfortunately, my publisher wanted to move on, and asked me to do a spinoff series based on a character introduced in Gone to Darkness. I miss Sydney and Clyde.
I do plan to write a short story about Sydney and Clyde, which I’ll give away to people who sign up for my newsletter—just as soon as I can get it written. :)
Thank you again!
My best,
Barbara”
I will miss Syd and Clyde. I think I will check out her new series about Evan Wilding. He seemed like an interesting character.
cwalter01's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve loved every book in the Sydney Parnell series. Clyde rocks! I want more…
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars. While there are parts of this novel that are as good as the other Sydney Parnell books, I just didn't get drawn in to the mystery, nor did I ever care much about the murder victim. Most of the interest came from how the book propels Sydney forward in life and career. My least favorite in the series so far.
chromatick's review against another edition
5.0
This series continues to impress.
I keep giving the Sydney Rose books high marks because they are just that good. The series follows Sydney, an ex-Marine turned railway cop, who also happens to have a K-9 unit from the military. The thing that makes these books most interesting is that Sydneys is a fully fleshed out human being, flaws and all.
The first three books while separate mysteries in their own right, also had one over-arching one that was wrapped up. So where do we go with book four? Sydney has moved on from being a railroad cop to the fast track of being a detective for the Denver PD. Her partner doesn't care for her too much, but they do their best to make things work.
The case they worked in this one was interesting, and just everything about the writing in these novels moves along at a brisk pace.
If you like good mystery novels, I highly recommend this series.
I keep giving the Sydney Rose books high marks because they are just that good. The series follows Sydney, an ex-Marine turned railway cop, who also happens to have a K-9 unit from the military. The thing that makes these books most interesting is that Sydneys is a fully fleshed out human being, flaws and all.
The first three books while separate mysteries in their own right, also had one over-arching one that was wrapped up. So where do we go with book four? Sydney has moved on from being a railroad cop to the fast track of being a detective for the Denver PD. Her partner doesn't care for her too much, but they do their best to make things work.
The case they worked in this one was interesting, and just everything about the writing in these novels moves along at a brisk pace.
If you like good mystery novels, I highly recommend this series.
valeehill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Gone to Darkness
4 Stars
Now a homicide detective with the Denver Major Crimes Unit, Sydney Parnell and her K-9 partner, Clyde, investigate the death of a young man whose tortured corpse was found in a railway refrigeration car. The case leads them to a secret club known as The Superior Gentlemen whose members appear harmless enough on the surface, but darker undercurrents lie beneath. Can Sydney unravel their secrets before it is too late for the next victim?
An improvement on the previous installment as the focus returns to the police procedural style of the first couple of books. The theme focuses on a growing problem in society involving young men, often from privileged backgrounds, with a profound sense of entitlement and deeply ingrained misanthropy and misogyny.
The case itself is relatively straightforward as Sydney partners with an older detective, Leo Bandoni, to collect evidence and question witnesses. They formulate a hypothesis and follow the clues to the eventual showdown with the villains. Nevertheless, there are some spine-tingling moments throughout the narrative as Sydney finds herself the target of a stalker.
The real highlight of the book is the character development now that Sydney is laying her past to rest and forging a new path in a new position. She is slowly coming to terms with the people in her life, both old (her romance with Michael Cohen) and new (her partnership with the curmudgeonly Bandoni).
Overall, an enjoyable read with some compelling if darker themes. I hope that Nickless will continue with the series.
4 Stars
Now a homicide detective with the Denver Major Crimes Unit, Sydney Parnell and her K-9 partner, Clyde, investigate the death of a young man whose tortured corpse was found in a railway refrigeration car. The case leads them to a secret club known as The Superior Gentlemen whose members appear harmless enough on the surface, but darker undercurrents lie beneath. Can Sydney unravel their secrets before it is too late for the next victim?
An improvement on the previous installment as the focus returns to the police procedural style of the first couple of books. The theme focuses on a growing problem in society involving young men, often from privileged backgrounds, with a profound sense of entitlement and deeply ingrained misanthropy and misogyny.
The case itself is relatively straightforward as Sydney partners with an older detective, Leo Bandoni, to collect evidence and question witnesses. They formulate a hypothesis and follow the clues to the eventual showdown with the villains. Nevertheless, there are some spine-tingling moments throughout the narrative as Sydney finds herself the target of a stalker.
The real highlight of the book is the character development now that Sydney is laying her past to rest and forging a new path in a new position. She is slowly coming to terms with the people in her life, both old (her romance with Michael Cohen) and new (her partnership with the curmudgeonly Bandoni).
Overall, an enjoyable read with some compelling if darker themes. I hope that Nickless will continue with the series.
sooky's review
4.0
Sydney and Clyde are one of my favourite duos! In this book they are investigating a gruesome murder that leads to some pretty dark revelations. The story was twisty and dark as usual, but I felt like we didn't get as much about Sydney herself as in the previous books.
jdelaossa's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a must-read series for all suspense/thriller and crime fiction fans!
My Brief Synopsis:
War vet and former railway cop, Sydney Parnell takes her prowess for solving crimes and honed gut instinct to Denver as a novice homicide detective. Parnell, her K9 partner, and nemesis Len Bandoni are tasked with solving multiple unexpected crimes. Arduous for a veteran homicide detective, let alone a novice.
Book Review
TW: murder, violence, sexual assault, use of phrase “illegal” immigrants, brief animal violence
Gone to Darkness begins with an incredible prologue titled, “The Coming Dark”. My skin prickled, hair standing on end. Nickless pulled me in despite the terror that came with these thoughts.
“He’d spent months collecting every scrap he could. So he could take her in. So he could inhale her.”
-Prologue, The Coming Dark
“He loved that the room was always cold.”
-Prologue, The Coming Dark
Plot & Characters
From that first line to the very last, my attention never wavered because Nickless had such a grasp on the plot. The novel was unwavering in its flow. Chapter transitions were smooth as butter, and her main characters easy to humanize and empathize with. The introduction of characters Evan Wilding, a forensic semiotics expert and Len Bandoni as Parnell’s homicide partner were my favorite additions.
The only aspect with which I felt disengaged was with a couple of characters involved in the “elite” club that is at the heart of the novel. They felt too contrived. It could just be that my frame of reference didn’t allow me to fully appreciate their character and traits fully.
World-building
Nickless did a bang-up job of capturing the industrial nature of Parnell’s Denver-based environment. Throughout the story, I had some seriously vivid imagery from Parnell’s experiences, her thoughts, and the interactions between her and the many characters she comes in contact with. That was my favorite part of this novel. It felt gritty, twisted, and with a darkness that was palpable throughout.
Themes
(Two major ones. Of course there are more.)
Darkness & PTSD
I found a particular quote that to me parallels the internal struggle Parnell has been facing regarding her active duty experiences that continued to haunt her throughout the novel.
“...to a place nigh, somewhat retir’d there to sit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can."
-John Milton, “Samson Agonistes“
Parnell’s war experiences are her darkness, resulting in her battle with PTSD. “Samson Agonistes” plays over repeatedly in my head because she is haunted by this: witnessing traumatic injuries and death; not being able to save everyone; and reliving those moments long after her veteran status. She finds herself reminiscing the horror those memories contain (“to a place nigh, somewhat retir’d there to sit a while and bemoan his condition”). She “sees” her ghosts (“Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe”). Does she obtain that comfort (“who seek to comfort him what they can”)? You’ll have to read to find out.
Perseverance
This seems to be an obvious theme. Parnell continues to do what she feels is right despite the discussions from above telling her very frankly to essentially “knock it off”. She works tirelessly to prove herself capable and worthy of this new appointment as homicide detective for Denver’s Major Crime Unit. The only one with a K9 partner (who is fabulous.) Most importantly, she works through her trauma despite all the violence, death, and mystery she’s entangled in.
Favorite Quotes
“Someone once told me that murder cops are the foot soldiers in the battle between good and evil.”
-Sydney Parnell. Personal Journal.
“Hey, Golden Girl. Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
-Len Bandoni. Private conversation.
“If trauma is the darkness that knocks us off our path, then life is about finding our way home. But first, we must learn to navigate the dark.
-Sydney Parnell. Personal journal.
“And I wondered for the first time, if it was possible to resurrect the living.”
-Sydney Parnell. Personal journal.
“Life, rookie, is an accumulation of heartbreak.”
-Len Bandoni. Private conversation.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend this book to any suspense/thriller lover. To anyone that enjoys a strong female-led police procedural or a crime thriller. Even the “whodunnit” fan will find many aspects of this novel enthralling. You could read this as a stand-alone however, there’s much more to gain through the first three novels in the series.
I'd love to connect with you on ig
check out my blog for other reviews
My Brief Synopsis:
War vet and former railway cop, Sydney Parnell takes her prowess for solving crimes and honed gut instinct to Denver as a novice homicide detective. Parnell, her K9 partner, and nemesis Len Bandoni are tasked with solving multiple unexpected crimes. Arduous for a veteran homicide detective, let alone a novice.
Book Review
TW: murder, violence, sexual assault, use of phrase “illegal” immigrants, brief animal violence
Gone to Darkness begins with an incredible prologue titled, “The Coming Dark”. My skin prickled, hair standing on end. Nickless pulled me in despite the terror that came with these thoughts.
“He’d spent months collecting every scrap he could. So he could take her in. So he could inhale her.”
-Prologue, The Coming Dark
“He loved that the room was always cold.”
-Prologue, The Coming Dark
Plot & Characters
From that first line to the very last, my attention never wavered because Nickless had such a grasp on the plot. The novel was unwavering in its flow. Chapter transitions were smooth as butter, and her main characters easy to humanize and empathize with. The introduction of characters Evan Wilding, a forensic semiotics expert and Len Bandoni as Parnell’s homicide partner were my favorite additions.
The only aspect with which I felt disengaged was with a couple of characters involved in the “elite” club that is at the heart of the novel. They felt too contrived. It could just be that my frame of reference didn’t allow me to fully appreciate their character and traits fully.
World-building
Nickless did a bang-up job of capturing the industrial nature of Parnell’s Denver-based environment. Throughout the story, I had some seriously vivid imagery from Parnell’s experiences, her thoughts, and the interactions between her and the many characters she comes in contact with. That was my favorite part of this novel. It felt gritty, twisted, and with a darkness that was palpable throughout.
Themes
(Two major ones. Of course there are more.)
Darkness & PTSD
I found a particular quote that to me parallels the internal struggle Parnell has been facing regarding her active duty experiences that continued to haunt her throughout the novel.
“...to a place nigh, somewhat retir’d there to sit a while and bemoan his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek to comfort him what they can."
-John Milton, “Samson Agonistes“
Parnell’s war experiences are her darkness, resulting in her battle with PTSD. “Samson Agonistes” plays over repeatedly in my head because she is haunted by this: witnessing traumatic injuries and death; not being able to save everyone; and reliving those moments long after her veteran status. She finds herself reminiscing the horror those memories contain (“to a place nigh, somewhat retir’d there to sit a while and bemoan his condition”). She “sees” her ghosts (“Where he happens at length to be visited by certain friends and equals of his tribe”). Does she obtain that comfort (“who seek to comfort him what they can”)? You’ll have to read to find out.
Perseverance
This seems to be an obvious theme. Parnell continues to do what she feels is right despite the discussions from above telling her very frankly to essentially “knock it off”. She works tirelessly to prove herself capable and worthy of this new appointment as homicide detective for Denver’s Major Crime Unit. The only one with a K9 partner (who is fabulous.) Most importantly, she works through her trauma despite all the violence, death, and mystery she’s entangled in.
Favorite Quotes
“Someone once told me that murder cops are the foot soldiers in the battle between good and evil.”
-Sydney Parnell. Personal Journal.
“Hey, Golden Girl. Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
-Len Bandoni. Private conversation.
“If trauma is the darkness that knocks us off our path, then life is about finding our way home. But first, we must learn to navigate the dark.
-Sydney Parnell. Personal journal.
“And I wondered for the first time, if it was possible to resurrect the living.”
-Sydney Parnell. Personal journal.
“Life, rookie, is an accumulation of heartbreak.”
-Len Bandoni. Private conversation.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend this book to any suspense/thriller lover. To anyone that enjoys a strong female-led police procedural or a crime thriller. Even the “whodunnit” fan will find many aspects of this novel enthralling. You could read this as a stand-alone however, there’s much more to gain through the first three novels in the series.
I'd love to connect with you on ig
check out my blog for other reviews
lexiedm14's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5.
As always, I love the books in the series. This one was no exception. Although it wasn't as fast paced and intense as the third books, I really enjoyed reading this. It was also really great to see Sydney take on this new role.
Although the last 50 pages were really intense and I loved it, I did feel like the ending was a bit abrupt.
As always, I love the books in the series. This one was no exception. Although it wasn't as fast paced and intense as the third books, I really enjoyed reading this. It was also really great to see Sydney take on this new role.
Although the last 50 pages were really intense and I loved it, I did feel like the ending was a bit abrupt.