Darkside – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Sunday, 9 January , 2011 at 10:18 pm
Author: Belinda Bauer
Publisher: Transworld Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-593-06296-8
Jonas Holly is the local policeman in Shipcott on the edge of Exmore. It’s a sleepy, close-knit community that’s about to be shattered by murder, not only the murder of a woman paralysed from the neck down, but a series of murders. Jonas Holly is out of his depth and has to call in Taunton CID to investigate, but there’s no trace of the killer and no strangers have been noticed in the village. Then Jonas beings to get notes from the killer taunting him…….
Darkside is a gripping thriller from the writer of Blacklands. In fact, Darkside is set in the same location and a few of Blackland’s characters pop up too, including Steven Lamb. I was engrossed from start to finish and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way, including a few shocking ones near the end. The reader has about as much clue who the murderer is as the police in the book do (which isn’t much!). One minute you’re thinking it’s this person and the next you’re thinking it’s somebody else. By the end of it all you’re thinking “Well, I never!”.
For those who are squeamish, the murders aren’t gory, more emphasis is put on the investigation of the murders than the brutality of them.
Each of the main characters is fully developed and you really feel like you know them as the story goes on. Even the landscape and area is so well described and developed that the reader could probably find their own way around the fictional village.
You don’t need to read Blacklands before reading Darkside, but I’d highly recommend reading both books as they are a fantastic read, both together and on their own merit. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, then Darkside is definitely for you.
I’m now eagerly awaiting Belinda Bauer’s next book!
Read my review of her debut novel, Blacklands, here.
Belinda Bauer is a British author who grew up in England and South Africa, and now lives in Wales. Blacklands was her debut novel and Darkside is her second.
This book is the 1st I’ve read for the British Books Challenge 2011.
Comments (10)
Category: Books,British Books Challenge,Crime,Mystery,Reviews
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Made Sunday, 9 of January , 2011 at 10:20 pm
[...] by Belinder Bauer (My review posted 9th January 2011) A book by Christopher Fowler Gone by Mo Hayder (Kindly sent to me by Transworld Publishers earlier [...]
Comment by Yvonne
Made Sunday, 9 of January , 2011 at 11:20 pm
Hi Nikki-Ann,
Shows how you should not judge a book by it’s cover!!
I stopped by your site a couple of times over the weekend, saw this review, but didn’t bother reading it, as I assumed from first glance at the cover that it was a book about the paranormal, don’t ask me why!!!
Now I have actually taken the time to read it properly, I am hooked already. I love crime/thriller fiction, but Belinda Bauer is not an author I have ever come across.
Your review and the synopsis have meant that this is a definite for my wish list, along with ‘Blacklands’. Thanks for the recommendation
Comment by OldOldLady Of The Hills
Made Monday, 10 of January , 2011 at 1:08 am
This sounds like a truly WONDERFUL Book—Right up my alley, as they say….I am going to take your advice and get both books–reading BLACKBIRDS first! Thanks for this terrific review, my dear.
And thank you for your kind and caring cords on my blog today. I dearly appreciate it, dear Nikki-Ann.
Comment by bobkat
Made Monday, 10 of January , 2011 at 3:03 pm
Glad you enjoyed it. You always write such helpful reviews, it;s a shame they’re not all like that on Amazon! LoL 
Comment by Jo
Made Monday, 10 of January , 2011 at 8:15 pm
I am looking forward to reading this book at some point. Her debut novel was excellent. And this sounds just as inspiring.
I think she was very clever at not going into graphic detail and knowing that the hint and suggestion was just enough to capture the reader. I held the book away from me in Blacklands when it got to a not so nice part! I sense I might have to do this with this book.
Comment by Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
Made Tuesday, 11 of January , 2011 at 2:39 am
this one sounds wonderful! I think I’m going to have to put both on my wishlist!
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Made Tuesday, 11 of January , 2011 at 10:12 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ben Willis. Ben Willis said: RT @nikkiann: My review of Darkside by Belinda Bauer (published by @TransworldBooks ) – http://notesoflife.co.uk/?p=807 Highly recommended! [...]
Comment by Kathleen
Made Tuesday, 11 of January , 2011 at 11:34 pm
I’m a fan of murder mysteries so this one and the other are definitely for me!
Comment by Samantha
Made Wednesday, 12 of January , 2011 at 1:29 am
I love the cover to this book! And your review made me want to read both of these so on to the TBR list they go. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these!!
Comment by Becky The Bookette
Made Wednesday, 12 of January , 2011 at 9:30 pm
Ooh I am starting to think I need to give crime fiction a go. I can cope with crime if it isn’t too gruesome. It sounds like this would be a good place to start.
