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A review by deearr
Gone to Darkness by Barbara Nickless
5.0
Few authors write crime novels with the detail provided by Barbara Nickless. As I began reading “Gone to Darkness” I wondered if she would be able to achieve the same level of excellence I had enjoyed in her previous books. Thankfully, Ms. Nickless exceeded her former accomplishments on several levels.
Sydney Rose Parnell is the heroine, a railroad detective who recently moved on to the Major Crimes Unit in Denver. Accompanied by her canine partner Clyde, she discovers a major case that is shrouded with mystery, one that will require her to use every skill she has at her disposal. It is interesting to note that Sydney’s demon’s – remnants from her service time in the Middle East – still haunt her, and Ms. Nickless has allowed Sydney’s short time as a detective (coupled with her previous railroad job) to darken her thoughts. Sydney works in a profession where the job changes you (no one gets out without scars) and many writers neglect to add this element when crafting a crime series.
The five-star element of this book is Ms. Nickless’ attention to detail. This is a police procedural, and the author keeps the thoughts and conversations interesting, never allowing the story to become dry. The plot contains some unexpected twists and turns, and at the end I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Ms. Nickless fills the book with descriptive writing, realistic dialogue, and a believable plot. What more can a reader ask for? Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.
Sydney Rose Parnell is the heroine, a railroad detective who recently moved on to the Major Crimes Unit in Denver. Accompanied by her canine partner Clyde, she discovers a major case that is shrouded with mystery, one that will require her to use every skill she has at her disposal. It is interesting to note that Sydney’s demon’s – remnants from her service time in the Middle East – still haunt her, and Ms. Nickless has allowed Sydney’s short time as a detective (coupled with her previous railroad job) to darken her thoughts. Sydney works in a profession where the job changes you (no one gets out without scars) and many writers neglect to add this element when crafting a crime series.
The five-star element of this book is Ms. Nickless’ attention to detail. This is a police procedural, and the author keeps the thoughts and conversations interesting, never allowing the story to become dry. The plot contains some unexpected twists and turns, and at the end I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Ms. Nickless fills the book with descriptive writing, realistic dialogue, and a believable plot. What more can a reader ask for? Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.