Book Review: The Darkness Gathers

Reviewed By: Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM

The Darkness Gathers     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lisa Miscione
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Lydia Strong # 2
2002, St. Martins/Minotaur 291 pages / $23.95

Lisa Miscione’s first book which featured Lydia Strong was a wonderful book, and so I was really looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed.

The book opens with Lydia coming home from a signing tour. For the first time she can remember she is living in a place she thinks of as home and is really happy. She and Jeffery are making their home in New York together in a Duplex. Before she even takes off her coat, she plays her messages and looks at her mail. A large packages draws her eye just as Jeffery gets home. After a homecoming celebration she heads back to her office late at night because she can’t sleep. She opens the package to discover a plea for help. A teenage girl has gone missing and Lydia is drawn towards the case by what she calls “The Buzz”.

Things lead to things and Lydia and Jeffery end up in Miami. Nothing feels right about the disappearance. Questions aren’t getting answered and nobody is reacting the way they should. As the get further involved they find a cop who is worn out, a set of rich parents who think they own the world, and some pretty nasty Albanian Mafia types. Lydia and Jeffery plug away getting further intrigued by a warning from the FBI. And back home, something is not right with Jeffrey's PI business. His partner is hiding something.

Lisa Miscione paints a wonderful portrait of the places in the book, rich and authentic. She has a wonderful way with characters and plotting as well. The book moves forward gaining momentum like a boulder rolling downhill. A great read and a book I highly recommend.

Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM