Darkness All Around by Doug Magee (Plus Giveaway)

Synopsis From Back Cover:

Within the span of one harrowing week, Risa's alcoholic husband, Sean, disappears, and her best friend, Carol, is brutally murdered.  Eleven years later, Risa has seemingly put her life back together again, comforted by the love of her new husband, who is a local politician, and the knowledge that Carol's killer has been convicted.  But then just as suddenly as he had disappeared, Sean resurfaces - sober, plagued by horrific recollections of Carol's murder, and convinced he was the real killer.

Sean's startling claim buzzes through their small Pennsylvania community, and Risa is left to wonder if the man she still loves actually committed the grisly murder.  Her growing belief in his innocence sends her on a treacherous search for the truth:  a search that reveals ugly secrets that her hew husband and the town's law enforcement community are hiding.

When I was offered this book for review, I almost passed on it.  I had read and reviewed the author's last book, Never Wave Goodbye, and I wasn't in love with it.  I enjoyed it, but wasn't sure I liked it enough to give the author another look.  To make the decision even harder was the fact that I had just given up on a book from an author I had given a second chance too.  I wasn't really open to the idea of doing it again.  For whatever reason, I ignored my doubts and jumped right in.

Every issue I had with Never Wave Goodbye, seemed to disappear in Darkness All Around.  The narrative was tighter and more cohesive.  The characters, because there were fewer of them, seemed to be solider this time around.  I was able to emotionally invest in Sean and Risa.  I wanted and was able to root for them.  I wanted them to be able to put the past behind them and carry on with their lives.  I wanted them to work out why Sean thought he was the one who killed Carol.  I went along for the ride, and I loved every moment of it.

Now I can't say that I was on pins and needles the entire book, but I do think that the author was able to build a tension that ebbed and flowed naturally.  None of the action felt forced or driven too hard.  It was a ride that would make me short of breath for a bit, then allow me to relax and get comfortable before giving me another adrenaline high.  It was a solid addition to the suspense genre, and I'm looking forward to the author's next contribution.

I would like to thank Lisa of TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to read/review this book.  Please visit the tour page to read other reviews.

The giveaway will run until 11:59 pm CST on July 24th.  The giveaway is open to US residents only.  Entering is easy, just leave a comment with your email address.  I will us random.org to select the winner who will have 48 hours to respond to my email.