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A review by judithdcollins
No Woods So Dark as These by Randall Silvis
5.0
A favorite author, master storyteller, Randall Silvis returns following [b:A Long Way Down,|41397398|A Long Way Down, (Ryan DeMarco, #3)|Randall Silvis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553574469l/41397398._SY75_.jpg|64616776] (Ryan DeMarco #3 - 2019) with his riveting Ryan DeMarco series NO WOODS SO DARK AS THESE (Ryan DeMarco #4)— and the title is just a glimpse into what is yet to come.
Former Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a complex man. Each case pulls him into darkness.
As we pick up from the last installment, Ryan and Jayme (his love) and partner, former state trooper and PI, to escape work and for a much-needed rest to rejuvenate. They are a team both in work and personal.
However, a force more potent than they know always seems to be pulling them back into a hole of darkness and horror.
Presently, they are grieving over the losses. Jayme suffered a miscarriage pursuing their last case in [b:A Long Way Down,|41397398|A Long Way Down, (Ryan DeMarco, #3)|Randall Silvis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553574469l/41397398._SY75_.jpg|64616776]. They both are trying to recover both physically and emotionally from their previous traumatic case.
They are trying to find a bit of happiness, peace, and healing in one another. Jayme cannot keep from thinking about the child that could have been. Ryan knows she wants to try again.
However, there is always another case. Ryan and Jayme are supposed to be retired or taking a break. The local authorities do not take no for an answer.
Two bodies (women) are found in a burned-out car in the woods, with another brutally mutilated nearby. A black man nailed to a tree, naked.
Maybe the case will help them both keep their minds from their grief.
And a loveable stray dog (they later name Hero) shows up and what they need right now to help their little family.
Ryan would like nothing more than to go home and pack up the RV and drive Jayme and Hero down to Key Largo or anywhere to leave the rest of the world behind. They had paid their dues. He did not want to be responsible for others.
However, Ryan is thinking of Jayme. She is ten years younger than him, and still wanted to make a difference. Maybe she needed another victory to wash away some of the stings from the recent defeat. Just one more, right?
He had to keep Jayme safe. She was his blessing.
As they become engrossed in the current case in this small rural town of Pennsylvania, things get complex and dangerous. Troopers Daniella Flores and Mason Boyd are working with them; however, there are other lies, secrets, and darkness in these woods.
Dark, gritty, sinister, and chilling!
We are left with a jaw-dropping, hold-your-breath cliffhanger and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series [b:When All Light Fails|55773408|When All Light Fails|Randall Silvis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604512900l/55773408._SY75_.jpg|86985710] (2021).
Once again, Silvis' writing is poetic and lyrical and a master at combining a gripping crime suspense thriller with literary fiction.
As a reader, you experience the senses, thoughts, feelings of the characters, and everything around them. William Shakespeare's quotes sprinkled among chapters were a nice touch.
Ryan is a complex, tormented character; however, we see the growth with each book and the internal strength he possesses. It was nice catching up with some characters from previous books and some not so much.
Readers: You must read the previous books to enhance your reading experience and get to know each of the well-developed characters.
One of my favorite authors! I highly recommend this series and all his books. Ryan DeMarco is an exceptionally developed suspense series. I cannot wait for more Ryan and Jayme and assured they will come out stronger than ever.
A special thank you to Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.
#JDCMustReadBooks
Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series:
View my review links, top books, and interview on my BLOG POST
Two Days Gone (Book 1) | Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones (Book 2) | Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down (Book 3) | Top Books of 2019 Q&A Interview
No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4) | Top Books of 2020
When All Light Fails (Book 5) | Top Books of 2021
Former Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a complex man. Each case pulls him into darkness.
As we pick up from the last installment, Ryan and Jayme (his love) and partner, former state trooper and PI, to escape work and for a much-needed rest to rejuvenate. They are a team both in work and personal.
However, a force more potent than they know always seems to be pulling them back into a hole of darkness and horror.
Presently, they are grieving over the losses. Jayme suffered a miscarriage pursuing their last case in [b:A Long Way Down,|41397398|A Long Way Down, (Ryan DeMarco, #3)|Randall Silvis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553574469l/41397398._SY75_.jpg|64616776]. They both are trying to recover both physically and emotionally from their previous traumatic case.
They are trying to find a bit of happiness, peace, and healing in one another. Jayme cannot keep from thinking about the child that could have been. Ryan knows she wants to try again.
However, there is always another case. Ryan and Jayme are supposed to be retired or taking a break. The local authorities do not take no for an answer.
Two bodies (women) are found in a burned-out car in the woods, with another brutally mutilated nearby. A black man nailed to a tree, naked.
Maybe the case will help them both keep their minds from their grief.
And a loveable stray dog (they later name Hero) shows up and what they need right now to help their little family.
Ryan would like nothing more than to go home and pack up the RV and drive Jayme and Hero down to Key Largo or anywhere to leave the rest of the world behind. They had paid their dues. He did not want to be responsible for others.
However, Ryan is thinking of Jayme. She is ten years younger than him, and still wanted to make a difference. Maybe she needed another victory to wash away some of the stings from the recent defeat. Just one more, right?
He had to keep Jayme safe. She was his blessing.
As they become engrossed in the current case in this small rural town of Pennsylvania, things get complex and dangerous. Troopers Daniella Flores and Mason Boyd are working with them; however, there are other lies, secrets, and darkness in these woods.
Dark, gritty, sinister, and chilling!
We are left with a jaw-dropping, hold-your-breath cliffhanger and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series [b:When All Light Fails|55773408|When All Light Fails|Randall Silvis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604512900l/55773408._SY75_.jpg|86985710] (2021).
Once again, Silvis' writing is poetic and lyrical and a master at combining a gripping crime suspense thriller with literary fiction.
As a reader, you experience the senses, thoughts, feelings of the characters, and everything around them. William Shakespeare's quotes sprinkled among chapters were a nice touch.
Ryan is a complex, tormented character; however, we see the growth with each book and the internal strength he possesses. It was nice catching up with some characters from previous books and some not so much.
Readers: You must read the previous books to enhance your reading experience and get to know each of the well-developed characters.
One of my favorite authors! I highly recommend this series and all his books. Ryan DeMarco is an exceptionally developed suspense series. I cannot wait for more Ryan and Jayme and assured they will come out stronger than ever.
A special thank you to Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.
#JDCMustReadBooks
Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series:
View my review links, top books, and interview on my BLOG POST
Two Days Gone (Book 1) | Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones (Book 2) | Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down (Book 3) | Top Books of 2019 Q&A Interview
No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4) | Top Books of 2020
When All Light Fails (Book 5) | Top Books of 2021