When Darkness Falls

Book Description

The man who calls himself Falcon is full of contradictions. He lives in a car but he has access to a lot of cash. And he has an obsession with the Miami mayor's daughter. First, Falcon climbs to the top of the Bay of Biscayne bridge and threatens to jump unless he can talk to Alina Mendoza. That brings in blind negotiator Vince Paulo, who makes a promise he isn't allowed to keep, and Falcon ends up in jail. Jack Swyteck doesn't want Falcon as a client but takes him on as a favor, thinking he'll plead the guy out and watch his client go to jail. But Falcon has the bail money and is on the street again in a few hours, earning Jack the enmity of the powerful and vindictive mayor.

Then Falcon strikes again. Hours after his release, the body of a brutally murdered woman is found in the trunk of Falcon's car. On the run, in an attempt to highjack Swyteck and his best friend Theo, he crashes Jack's car into a motel and takes hostage the woman inside, plus Theo, in the process killing one policeman and injuring another. Jack has mere hours to get Theo and the woman out, because he realizes that Falcon has nothing left to lose. But what Jack doesn't know is that other people are involved and are keeping dangerous secrets that they will stop at nothing to conceal.

Thus begins a lightning–paced, impossible–to–put–down story, as only James Grippando can tell it.

Customer Reviews:

A solid contribution to the genre, hard to put down.......2007-09-04

This was my first exposure to Grippando, and hooked I am. This novel, in the sub-genre of police/hostage thrillers, grabs your attention and never lets go. I particularly enjoy contemporary thrillers with a solid historical hook, and this one does not disappoint -- it gives us a whiff of something long fallen below our collective radar, the "dirty war" in Argentina a few decades ago. The main characters are well-depicted and the plot moves briskly along with a satisfying denouement. A great read.

A Special Book.......2007-05-23

I began this book with trepidation as I do not, usually, like books with a stock character. The writer does an exceptional job in developing his characters and making an extremely engaging story. My attention was grabbed as I read the first chapter where a homeless man, calling himself Falcon, is thratening to jump off of a bridge. It appeared to be a rapid start to a rather harmless, yet rapid, read. The book is anything butsimple and the witer has the unique ability to show that things are not always what they seem to be. The characters are complex and the story is truly riveting with much not appearing to be what one thinks it to be. This is a superbly satisfying book from a very special writer.

Jump on for a rollercoaster ride of a read.......2007-05-04

I came late to James Grippando's novels. My first was Got The Look and since then, I've been devouring his earlier works.

Jack Swyteck is a Miami, Florida attorney who is hired to defend a homeless man who calls himself Falcon. Falcon lives in his car, doesn't seem to have a job, yet he has enough cash on hand to bail himself out of jail. And there seems to be more where that came from.

Straddled on top of the William Powell Bridge, Falcon is threatening to jump unless he can talk to his obsession, Alicia Mendoza, the Miami mayor's daughter. Crisis negotiator, Sergeant Vincent Paulo, who is blind, attempts to talk Falcon down. Thus begins the strange and intriguing journey of When Darkness Falls.

A short time after Falcon is released from jail (the police don't like jumpers) a woman's body is found in the trunk of Falcon's car. Falcon takes Jack Swyteck's best friend, Theo, and others, hostage in a motel room. He wants his money (he thinks Jack has it) and to speak to Mendoza. Falcon's behavior is erratic (to say the least) but there are good reasons for everything he does.

Jack and the negotiator, Paulo, must work together to free the hostages and learn Falcon's agenda. If they aren't successful, a lot of people are going to die.

I enjoy Jack Swyteck and the rollercoaster rides Grippando takes his readers on with each novel. He writes page-turners that grab the reader at the first page and keep us up late at night.

The rich mixture of the Anglo and Latin cultures is an extra that one finds in Grippando's novels. The addition of Argentina's dirty war and the thousands of 'disappeared' in When Darkness Falls adds a dark and sinister element to the plot.

Armchair Interviews says: You'll love When Darkness Falls and then you'll be shopping for all of Grippando's other novels.

Irresistible Forces Prepare to Collide as the Tension Builds .......2007-04-29

Thrillers present different benefits to readers than mysteries do. In a thriller, you need to identify with many of the characters. You need to feel like you are in the situation . . . and frequently feel helpless. When a thriller works well, your stomach starts to turn queasy and you find your heart beating faster. The best thrillers increase the intensity at a rate that leaves you racing to get to the end.

A mystery, by comparison, is more of an intellectual test. Can you figure out who did what, to whom, and why? To make mysteries more interesting the author will often add an element of a thriller by putting an appealing character in jeopardy near the end.

In a thriller, figuring out what's going on makes the tension higher and the story more effective. In a mystery, figuring out what's going on often pops the balloon of your interest.

When Darkness Falls is a thriller. Some will figure out the plot's elements much sooner than others. But it doesn't matter. In either case, the thriller works.

Defense attorney Jack Swyteck usually finds himself being bailed out by his friend and former client, Theo. In When Darkness Falls, it's up to Jack to do the saving of Theo and that's a bigger challenge.

Jack normally takes on three pro bono (nonpaying) clients a year. Homeless suicide-threatening Falcon seems like a good candidate for this good deed. Jack is surprised when Falcon turns out to have the money for bail and to pay Jack, all in cash . . . Jack just has to go get it. But this arrangement soon goes awry when Falcon decides that Jack is a thief. Falcon's paranoia extends to wanting to talk to the mayor's daughter, a policewoman, something the mayor doesn't want to have happen. An unexpected accident leads to a hostage situation developing. How will Jack deal with it?

The plot is further complicated by blind hostage negotiator Sergeant Vincent Paulo having lost Falcon's trust in the bridge jumping threat. To make matters tenser, the sergeant is the former boy friend of the mayor's daughter, Alicia Mendoza. For unknown reasons, the mayor wants Paulo in charge of the new negotiation. Meanwhile, the SWAT team is honing their charge.

Can a bloody charge be avoided? What will happen to the hostages? It's touch and go. I suspect the ending will surprise you.

I encourage you to read this early in the day. Otherwise, you'll undoubtedly lose sleep.

Great work, Mr. Grippando!

Very transparent plot.......2007-04-10

Come on people! This books was not that good! First of all, I figured out the plot before page 100. The instant the author mentioned "The Disappeared," it was obvious. The plot devices, i.e., flying to Nassau to get money - hello! Just bring cash - Falcon's not going to know. Of course Jack HAD to go to find a CLUE!!! Then there was a HUGE information dump toward the end by Alicia. Does Grippando really think people are that stupid and ill-informed? Hey, we're educated, we read newspapers - we know about the Dirty War. The book was very slow - not much happened. After the first few threats by Falcon, we knew he wasn't going to hurt anyone and it just...dragged.

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Deadly dull
Amazing and unexped conclusion
When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)
Strong trilogy ending
Good stuff...and some problems fixed too!

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)
Mercedes Lackey , and James Mallory
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0765341433

Book Description

A great working of Wild Magic and High Magic strikes at the heart of the Demon Queen’s plots, but the human city, the Golden City of the Bells, falls farther under her sway with each day that passes. And without the City’s High Magicians, the Wild Magicians, the Elven Army, and all their allies will surely fall before the onslaught of the Demon Queen’s malignant warriors.

But all hope is not lost. The Light’s young mages, tempered by war, grow ever more powerful. High Mage Cilarnen learns an ancient secret that can make him, for a brief, white-hot time, the greatest mage in the world—unless it kills him.

Jermayan, the first Elf-Mage in centuries, has linked with the dragon Ancaladar and rediscovered the swift-as-thought powers of Elven magic, which can reshape mountains and summon lightning from clear skies.

Knight-Mage Kellen has molded his troops and the Unicorn Knights into a deadly fighting force. Soon the Elven King and his Commanders put Kellen’s magical gifts to their greatest test, in the final battle between the Elves, the humans, and the Demons.

Customer Reviews:

Deadly dull.......2007-10-11

I enjoyed the first two books and have been a Lackey fan for quite some time, having read a number of her books ranging from the Bard books to Valdemar to Elemental Masters to Diana Tregarde to stand-alone novels. This novel and the latest of the fairy godmother books (Fortune's Fool) are among the weakest and most boring stories she's written. I was terribly disappointed in this one and could not even bring myself to finish more than half of it!

Amazing and unexped conclusion.......2007-07-09

WOW! Hard to put down! The characters and plots were well developed throughout this trillogy. This was an amazing conclusion that wraped up the continuing stories nicely. While additional volumes could be written about several of the characters, each story was wrapped-up in a way that does not require additional explalation, you may want more, but you don't need it to feel things are closed. A new chapter for this world is ready to begin, but it would be the begining of a new era, not a continuation of this one.

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3).......2007-06-12

I ordered it for my boyfriend.......he gives it 5 stars!

Strong trilogy ending.......2007-06-10

Although the ending employed a kind of deus ex machina to end things, which rushed the ending (uh-oh, down to the last 40 pages, better wrap this up!!), this book was overall a nice solid ending to a very good sword and sorcery trilogy. When faced with the impending fall of Armethaliah to the Demons, Kellen must convince the Elven king - who is deathly ill with the plague - to move the army to the City of Bells in order for him to have a chance to attempt to convince the High Mages to side with the Allies over the Endarkened, despite the propaganda being constantly poured into the Arch-Mage's (and the people's) ears by Anigrel - the pawn of the Demon Queen. A climactic battle scene is followed by a typical soul-searching by the surviving warrior hero and the ending brought a couple of pleasant surprises.

Overall, I was pleased with the ending to the trilogy. A strong recommend from me for the whole series.

Because I cannot resist a good nit-pick when I find one: in the hardcover edition published by Tor, copyright 2006 (I'm fairly certain it is the first hardcover edition, though it is not specifically stated) on page 274, Kellen tells Shalkan that Jermayan has told him that Andoreniel is sick - despite that fact that the reverse was true. Kellen was the one who first became aware of Andoreniel's illness and told one of his knights, who went to tell the Army's General - Jermayan did not know until Kellen told him. After this one instance, the telling reverts back to the original form.

Good stuff...and some problems fixed too!.......2007-06-08

When Darkness Falls is the wonderfully entertaining conclusion to Lackey's and Mallory's Obsidian Trilogy, the story of a world largely dominated by three independent schools of magic and their respective practitioners. It continues and concludes the story of good versus evil set forth in the first two volumes and even manages to do away with a number of stylistic and editing problems present in those first two books.

While not the kind of deep, emotionally engaging stuff as George R. R. Martin's ASOIAF series, you will still find in this series a wonderfully entertaining story that will keep you engaged and interested. The reading is fun and light, with all the familiar fantasy elements that stretch your imagination and draw you into a world a little outside of the ordinary.

As a stand-alone, this book is in my opinion, the best of the trilogy, having eliminated-as mentioned before- many of the stylistic and editing problems that plagued the first two while managing to maintain the story and action level precedent that had been set.

Only two real negatives here: First of all, you will find very little to surprise you in this book as the author tends to "tip her hand" prior to an event taking place, essentially "telling you what she's going to tell you just before she tells you." For example, it is difficult to be in suspense over the fate of a character when just before the pivotal scene you are told "But what bob didn't know, was that he wouldn't live to see tomorrow." This, of course, is an example as there are no characters named "bob", but you get the idea. Secondly, the main conflict of the book was resolved rather hastily in my opinion. The buildup to the climax had me prepared for quite an event, and while there was some material there to satisfy my expectation, it felt rather protracted and brief.

For pure entertainment value, you will not be disappointed. The light and fun feel is refreshing as well. All in all, I highly recommend the entire series.

Average customer rating:

Can I have Lucien????
Vampire first book
Engrossing. . .
Vampires Galore!
Did not think much of it

When Darkness Falls
Shannon Drake
Manufacturer: Zebra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0821766929

Customer Reviews:

Can I have Lucien????.......2007-04-28

I picked up this book because of the author--and was very pleased by the story, and especially by the hero.....he was really too yummy for words!

I would have given this 5 stars but there wasn't quite enough romance in it for me--and with a sexy hunk like Lucien, I think it should have been seething with lust......

Vampire first book.......2006-06-03

This was my first book that i have ever read dealing with Vampires. i came across this book at the library and fell in love with Lucian the king of his kind. onces i read this one i made it my goal to buy each Shannon romance book dealing with vampires. Lucian is very handsome and has come a long ways of his thinking and dealings through his life. The sexual content was small, but i felt my heart jump within me. the book was filled with spark that kept me reading until i finished the book. VAMPIRES have always been my favorite character i guess because they can be dark but still sexual. this was a book showing me that vampires can drink, eat food and not just live on blood alone, and of course have feelings like falling in love. Each one of Shannon books are different but Lucian is there in the background somewhere. i would recommend this book to start with. i hope she continues to write more

Engrossing. . ........2006-01-14

Never in a million years would I have dreampt that I would ever read a novel about vampires. The idea of them freaks me out and I don't tend to like really macabre literature. Yet I really liked this novel. It hinted at the possiblity of being more than a corny suspense/romance but then never surpased that categorization. Lucian was a great character and I wish Drake would have really filled us in more on him. I wanted more of his thoughts and feelings as well as the development of his character. I also liked Jade but then she occasionally did stupid things. LIke when she sees Lucian for the first time in a year, hits him and calls him a bastard. What on earth was that for? And then (spoiler ahead) when Rick dies she blames Lucian and tells him to get lost. Her character also needed a lot more development. More importantly, the love between the two really needed much more expansion. The private scenes between them were too obtusely physical. As a reader I wanted them to be much closer than they were.
The plot was great I just felt like the main relationship in the book was left in limbo. And we'll never know if Lucian became human again or not. Still it was a pretty entertaining read.

Vampires Galore!.......2005-11-21

This is actually the second book to Shannon Drake's trilogy. The first one I read was Realm of Shadows and I really enjoyed that. In the book realm of shadows two people were mentioned. These two were Lucian and Jade. I read the intro to When Darkness Falls and found that the book was about them so I had to read it. Make sure to read Realm of Shadows before this one. Jade MacGregor is a travelign writer and publisher who is on a tour in Scotland with a bunch of rotten College students. While she is on this tour a mysterious man seems to be watching her every movement. You later indentify this man as Lucian and at this tour a massacre occurs and Lucian saves Jade from certain death. She is very stunned and confused because she saw dead corpses crawling towards here and blood everywhere. When she goes back home to New Orleans everyone thinks she is crazy because she tells people about the corpses and the people dieing.Eventually she puts her life back together and she is reaching success in her published book about Medieval churches and graveyards which she has a fasination for. As they are having her congratulations party some shocking events are found in the newspaper. Survivors of the Scottish attack that Jade was present at have started turning up dead with their heads severed and blood drained. Jade realizes she was one of those survivors and she is in danger. If that was complicated enough she is also having dreams about Lucian who saved her at Scotland and she doesn't know why. The people who are doing these massacres have a depp connection with Luciana and a dark past. Lucian sees Jade and is stunned to find how much she looks like his long lost love and wife who was lost to the sea and he feels a deep connection with her because of this. Is she a reincarnation?

Did not think much of it.......2005-08-01

I thought the book was rather bland and perverse. Not much interaction between the 2 main characters and I found the suspense plot lacking as well.
Bottom line: Do not recommend.

When Darkness Falls: Tales of San Antonio Ghosts and Hauntings

Average customer rating:

Excellent !!!!
Okay for the stories. But it could have been better written.
It is a wonderful book
Wow!
This is a wonderful book, very informative.

When Darkness Falls: Tales of San Antonio Ghosts and Hauntings
Docia Schultz Williams
Manufacturer: Republic of Texas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Supernatural | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ghosts & Haunted Houses | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1556225369

Book Description

Once again, well-known ghost story writer Docia Williams brings us an all-new book about recent ghost sightings and mysterious happenings in the Alamo City. A chilling book for those wanting a guide to places where spirits are known to rendezvous or for those who just like a good ghost story.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent !!!!.......2006-08-20

Being born in San Antonio, I found this book extremely interesting and the history behind the tales fascinating. Anyone planning to visit or has visited San Antonio should make this book a "must read". For the reader interested in ghosts, this will help fulfill your appetite for great ghost stories!

Okay for the stories. But it could have been better written........1999-07-22

This book was interesting to me because I love ghost stories, especially when they involve places that I'm familiar with. I'm planning on visiting some of the places in the book. However, I had a few problems with it. I did not like the way many of the Bed and Breakfast stories read like a commercial. Please don't try to sell me on the place, just tell me the ghost story. I especially hated the plugs at the end of the story that even gave the number to call for reservations.

I also dislike the way the author wasted space by telling us the trail she followed to get to her source. "First I called so-and-so but he didn't know anything and told me to call so-and-so who didn't know anything either but he told me to call so-and-so.... etc" I don't care how many people you had to call to get your story as long as you tell me who you finally ended up talking to. Part of being a reporter means calling lots of people but you don't include everyone you called along the way.

One more thing I disliked was her frequent mention of her first book. I don't like being told to go buy another book if I want a full story. Either give me the whole story or don't mention it at all.

It is a wonderful book.......1999-06-04

I not only have read this book but have also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Williams and hearing her speak at a luncheon, if you have never had the pleasure, let me assure you she can keep you enthralled and on the edge of your seat with her stories and mannerisms. She is a wonderful story teller and I highly recommend that you read her book. I just wish her tour schedule of downtown San Antonio was more publicized so that i could get tickets.

Wow!.......1998-11-11

This book is one to tell at a slumber party, and when you are done tell them that the story is non-fiction. It went into so much detail. BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!

This is a wonderful book, very informative........1998-08-24

This is one of the best informative stories, I have read in a while.As far as ghost tales go , this is the best yet.

Average customer rating:

When Darkness Falls CD
James Grippando
Manufacturer: HarperAudio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0061227137
Release Date: 2007-01-02

Book Description

Then Falcon strikes again. Hours after his release, the body of a brutally murdered woman is found in the trunk of Falcon's car. On the run, in an attempt to highjack Swyteck and his best friend Theo, he crashes Jack's care into a motel and takes hostage the woman inside, plus Theo, in the process killing one policeman and injuring another. Jack has mere hours to get Theo and the woman out, because he realizes that Falcon has nothing left to lose. But what Jack doesn't know is that other people are involved and are keeping dangerous secrets that they will stop at nothing to conceal.

Thus begins a lightning–paced, impossible to put down story, as only James Grippando can tell it.

$When Darkness Falls: Kiss Of The Wolf\Shadow Kissing\The Devil She Knew$
Average customer rating:

one rah, two blah....
Great romance anthology!
Super tedious
Tanith Lee is just awesome
Paranormal romance anthology

When Darkness Falls: Kiss Of The Wolf\Shadow Kissing\The Devil She Knew
Susan Krinard , Tanith Lee , and Evelyn Vaughn
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Romance | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

Gothic | Romance | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0373218222

Book Description

Sometimes love lurks in the shadows between dusk and dawn . . .

THREE NEW STORIES!

Kiss of the Wolf by USA TODAY
bestselling author Susan Krinard

Surgeon Dana Saint-Cyr trusted her instincts, even when they urged her toward an irresistible Louisiana man with a wicked reputation. But would she discredit the whispers of his supernatural powers and murderous intent before falling prey to his passion.

Shadow Kissing by Tanith Lee
Four-time winner of the World Fantasy Award

Artist Vivien Gray's new mysterious lover promised soul-stealing ecstasy that haunted her dreams and set her spine tingling. Now their happiness was at stake -- from the ominous evil their very love had unleashed.

The Devil She Knew by Evelyn Vaughn

When Marcy Bridges discovered a portal to hell in her closet she needed help from the last person she wanted to call -- her gorgeous landlord. Could she trust her life -- and her heart to the care of a dark, dangerous stranger?

Customer Reviews:

one rah, two blah...........2006-01-26

my review, short and sweet and to the point-The Krinard story was just interesting enough to be good, but I couldn't finish either the Lee or Vaughn story. Like another reviewer stated- both were boring and inplausible.

My suggestion-save your money and get it from the library, or just skip it.

3 stars for Krinard's story.

Great romance anthology!.......2005-08-25

This is the annual Harlequin Halloween romance anthology. The stories in the book are written by two of the top paranormal romance writers in the genre ( Evelyn Vaughn and Susan Krinard) and one is by fantasy writer Tanith Lee.

These are romances with paranormal themes. The emphasis in these novellas is on strong sexual tension in the midst of otherworldly happenings......

Susan Krinard's werewolf tale is fast, sexy and dangerous- the heroine is drawn to her dark lover even though she does not trust him. Great gothic elements make this one stay with you long after reading.

Tanith Lee introduces us to a man in stone who watches over his garden..... this one has a good suspense story mixed with supernatural hauntings and a ghostly mystery. The romance is complicated and the conflict not readily dismissed. Well written- I look forward to more in the new LUNA line by Ms. Lee!

Evelyn Vaughn has written an outrageous supernatural tale with all the elements of a good and cheesy horror movie! I love the portal to hell opening in her closet and how she asks the sexy super in her building to help her get rid of it! Together they track down the source of her problems and exterminate them- sharing an intense attraction and some steamy sex along the way.... This one is actually pretty tongue in cheek- flies by!

For more paranormal books- I recommend THE CIRCLE series by Evelyn Vaughn, The Immortal Witches series by Maggie SHayne ( don't miss the 4th in that series- you need to pick up OUT OF THIS WORLD another anthology to complete it!)Also recommended- The Vampire Viscount by Karen Harbaugh.

Super tedious .......2005-08-15

Looking for a cure for insomnia? Try this book. Works like a dream.

Seriously, I bought this book because I love romance and also enjoy some elements of the supernatural, such as vampires. The book seemed to offer the right sort of combination - or so I thought. I was wrong.

Susan Krinard's Kiss of the Wolf started vaguely promisingly, but I quickly found it increasingly difficult to turn the pages. LA plastic surgeon trying to find herself goes to the Louisiana bayou - well, naturally, where else would she go? - and stumbles into a mystery involving a dead distant relative to whom she bears an uncanny resemblance. Like you do. And, of course, she also encounters a couple of werewolves and a murdering thug in nice-guy clothing. Falls into bed with Werewolf 1 not long after, despite his surly behaviour, and promptly falls in love with him and realises how much she loves the bayou despite there being not a lot of need for plastic surgeons in deepest Louisiana. Yeah, right. Yawn.

Novella 2 appeared to offer a little more promise. Tanith Lee's Shadow Kissing was apparently about a haunted apartment, yet it wasn't really. Though there was a seemingly self-propelling statue, also bearing a striking resemblance to a character in the novella. Between irritating minor characters (including one with the unlikely name of Cinnamon) and a so-called hero who was a complete jerk, I don't know what there was to like about this. Plus, although Lee got some of the English nuances correct, there were several references that jarred given the setting was London and the characters English.

And finally - yes, finally I got close to the end! - there was Novella 3. The Devil She Knew, by Evelyn Vaughan. Mercy of mercies, this one was about 40 pages shorter than the other two. Woman finds a strange fire in her walk-in closet. Like you do. Woman figures out within about ten seconds that she's got a portal to hell in her bedroom. Of course! Naturally, that's the first conclusion one would jump to. And when she calls her friendly maintenance man - whom we progressively discover manages, and in fact owns, her building - he naturally jumps to the same conclusion. This one went on and on, despite being shorter. But once the author got over wasting pages and pages on irrelevant, boring stuff (such as lunch with the heroine's family) and they suddenly, by amazing coincidence, figure out who's behind it and go visit the guy (hey, did you curse me with the fires of hell? Um... maybe), everything is skimmed over so quickly that it's completely unclear what actually happened.

Don't waste your money. This one is going straight to the recycling pile, and all three authors are on my `forget it!' list!

wmr-uk

Tanith Lee is just awesome.......2005-07-24

There are three stories here, all of which are self-contained. That's a rarity these days, for this kind of compendium.

I'm not a fan of werewolf books, so the Krinard, though lushly evokative of the Louisiana bayou, didn't intrigue me as much as the other two stories.

The Vaughn story was a little too silly for my taste. A portal to hell, and only the bad boy can save you from it? And a gorgeous landlord? Heavens, that IS fantasy. The story itself is very light, but quite fun.

The tale worth reading the book for, though is the Lee. Her writing brings the magic eerily alive. The heroine comes to life, and her situation and choices draw the reader in. The romance is also very differently written than most romance, and is a real breath of fresh air.

The other two stories, though, are just average. So I'm giving an average mark (would give 3.5 if I could).

(*)>

Paranormal romance anthology.......2004-04-24

The first story by one of my favourite authors, Susan Krinard is by far the best of the three stories. Dana, a successful plastic surgeon from the West Coast travels to Big Marsh in Louisiana to escape her hectic life. There she meets Remy, a man clothed in mystery, avoided and feared by the locals, who lives on a boat out in the backwaters. Dana becomes embroiled in the search for the answers to the disappearance of her cousin. Can she trust Remy or is he a danger to her? The more time she spends with Remy, the more she becomes attracted to him. The atmosphere and the tension between Remy and Dana is electric. This is a good little story full of excitement and danger with romance thrown in aswell.

The second story is by Tanith Lee. Vivien agrees to look after her friends flat in London whilst the friend goes away on holiday. In the garden, Vivien sees the most beautiful man she have ever set her eyes on but he is a stone statue. The following day Vivien meets of the owner of the statue, Connor, a spitting image of the statue. The statue of the beautiful man is an ancestor of Connor. Strange things start happening in the flat, empty champagne flutes appear, roses with no petals are found in the kitchen. Are there paranormal happenings taking place in the flat and what is the connection with the statue or is there a more simple explanation? More of a mystery rather than romance but the story has charm.

The third story is by Evelyn Vaughn. Marcy opens the door to her a wardrobe and is greeted by flames, a portal to hell. She calls on the help of her gorgeous landlord, Tomas. Together they try to solve the problem of the wardrobe, calling the help of a priest who they lose in the portal and finally tracking down the culprit. This is an enjoyable saucy romp of a story, very fun and tongue in cheek but again but don't expect too much romance.

Book Description

Four years after his first collection of short stories, J. F. Gonzalez and Midnight Library are proud to bring you this follow-up volume. Within these pages you will find: A nightmare in which an axe-wielding madman stalking the streets becomes reality for a young family trapped in their home during the height of a blizzard. In a world ravaged by the living dead, one man's mission to find female companionship lands him more than he bargained for. A magazine editor discovers that a deceased pulp writer's most notorious work is a warning of Lovecraftian nightmares yet to come on an unsuspecting world. These are just a few of the samplings you'll find in this new major short story collection by the author of such novels as Bully, Survivor, and Clickers. It's all here - Lovecraftian pulp horror, surreal SF, psychological and classic supernatural-based horror, and even a rare mainstream piece. This volume reprints material from obscure sources as well as mass-market anthologies. Also included is a brand new story, "Finding the Flame." Like his previous collection, Old Ghosts and Other Revenants, this volume features stories across a wide spectrum, from the subtle to the extreme. So pull up a chair, flip the page, turn on the light and wait until...When the Darkness Falls.

Average customer rating:

When Darkness Falls
Mercedes; Mallory, James Lackey
Manufacturer: Tor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NV66SQ

Average customer rating:

I read this book about 20 years
good god

When Darkness Falls
Paul Zindel
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0553245724

Customer Reviews:

I read this book about 20 years.......2004-05-04

It's a disturbing study in madness and murder. I was shocked to find that it was written by one of my favorite authors from my teen years. Can't say that I loved it or even liked it, but I've never forgotten it.

good god.......2002-10-18

I can't believe this is the same guy who writes teen-novels. This
is definetely not a book for kids between 10 and 15.

Not exactly the greatest story to come along, but I'm not going to forget who Zindel is. Very shocking imagery in this one, a perverse psychopath, and a dark look at life in Beverly Hills. It's a nice way to spend a few hours, but isn't for the weak of stomach or for shiny, happy people holding hands.

Average customer rating:
When A Darkness Falls
Paul Zindel
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXUYOG

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books