Book Review: The Dark Backward

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Dark Backward     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Julia Buckley
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Woman Main Character   Paranormal
Midnight Ink, Jun 2006, $13.95

While investigating the homicide of Emily Martin, police officer Emily Martin and her partner Danny Donovan are killed in the line of duty. While Danny stayed dead, Lily’s death lasted seven and a half minutes before she returns to the living. While dead, she visualizes their killer, state Governor Robert (“Nob”) Stevens.

No one including her superior Tony Paluzzi believes her assertion as they cannot imagine the most powerful person in their state resorting to murder. Counseling fails the help her as her obsession remains that Nob killed Danny and almost her. Finally at thirty she is fired as incompetent. Lily’s only hope for redemption lies with her husband Gray, but he too does not accept her contention; thus the mother of a small child feels all alone and is filing for divorce. Refusing to back down, Lily begins an inquiry into the motive and finding the evidence that proves the governor killed Danny.

With a touch of the paranormal to enhance an intriguing psychological investigative tale, THE DARK BACKWARD is a fascinating well written novel that grips the audience from start to finish. The story line is fast-paced but clearly driven by the beleaguered heroine who is as alone as a person can be as she seeks the truth while everyone who knows her assumes she is crazy. Julia Buckley provides a riveting suspense thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner