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Dani has her reasons for rejecting Diesel, which we find out more about in this book. We learn more about her positive HIV status, her upbringing, her deafness and her previous heartbreaking romance with Adrian. When Julianne Hillier arrives at her best friend, Piper Holden’s, sprawling beach front home, for their regular morning run, she’s surprised because Piper normally opens the door as soon as she arrives. Of course the Dani/Diesel romance is only half of the story, and we have murder galore in this instalment. This is one very dark and chilling story. With a cast of unlikeable and disturbed characters, Into the Dark is one you don't want to miss. Get it on your TBR now. Fiona Cummins nailed it again and it is easily 5 stars from me, and I see this being on my year end top books list again
Dani and Diesel have skirted around each other for almost 2 years, for reasons I am not going to spoil here, both are scared to let go and give in to their feelings but this situation is too close to home and they have to band together to protect these little boys. The timeline revolves around the disappearance – days before; hours before; and weeks before; with each jump Cummins is able to give us a different glimpse into their lives, their interactions, actions and…..secrets. Into the Dark follows the aftermath of the Holden family going missing. DS Saul Anguish has just moved to the area and has some secrets of his own. What happened to the family? Where are they? The book begins with a highly emotional scene where Michael Rowland, a deaf child, is rescuing his 5-year-old brother, Joshua from being abused by his step-father – running away as fast as he could, wile also witnessing a murder – which puts Michael’s life on the line. Michael’s coach, Diesel Kennedy, brings the injured Michael to Dr. Dani Novak, who will treat Michael. She is also deaf in one ear, and is able communicate with Michael using sign language. Michael’s life is in danger He’d wanted her to eat nutritious meals, to afford the electricity bill without having to choose between rent or heat, to not barter the secret parts of herself in exchange for dirty notes, touches by lustful fingers. But while she had sometimes attempted to do what he’d asked of her, she’d been unable to resist the siren song of liquid oblivion."
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Having read, and enjoyed, previous mysteries by Fiona Cummins, I was excited to read her latest and thought it had one of the best starts of any crime novel I have read. Midtown-on-Sea is a wealthy, coastal town, seen as a paradise for those families can afford to buy there, with excellent private schools, an easy commute into London and breath-taking views. That being said, I absolutely loved the setting of this one and some of the twists were definitely able to blow me away. I struggled to follow the jumping timeline occasionally and didn’t connect with any of the characters. I couldn’t see anything special in DS Anguish, if anything he gives me really bad vibes. However, if another book was published with his character I would definitely read it to see if I could gather more insight. It feels like this story isn’t over and it definitely left me wanting more! I think the authors previous book just left such a high bar for me that it would never have been met! Gripping, moving, emotive and passionate, 'Into The Dark' is a great read to treat yourself to as an early Christmas present,to put on your Christmas list (if you've been good!) or to give to a thriller loving friend. If you can bear to part with it!
The story opens with Julianne arriving at her best friend, Piper’s house for their regular morning run. Piper Holden is forty years old, she’s a wealthy, privileged, mother of twin teenagers, and is married to a financial advisor named Grey. Julianne Hillier is near in age to Piper and the two have been best friends since grade school. Julianne is also a mother of two and she is married to husband, Quiller.
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Some of the writing in this book was pulling at the heartstrings a bit like an excerpt from DS Anguish’s memory of his mother: Now from the outside looking in it feels creepy. A new DS to the area, Saul Anguish is put on the case and soon finds that things do not add up. All of these characters are hiding something, there are so many secrets and lies your head will be spinning.
The premise was structured alternatingly in between past and current, from the pre-days before the Holden went missing to the aftermath that was told in multiple perspectives— Piper Holden (wife of the missing family), Julianne Hillier (a best friend and a neighbour to Piper), DC Anguish (the investigation officer) and few other secondary POVs, it was somehow easy to deduce who is the suspect(s) but I was totally engrossed on the crime process and its exploration; the motive(s), who else knows about it, what secret more to reveal and moreover, the DC was such an interesting character to me— his past and obsession were intimidating yet I love his investigative perspective. I wish his interaction with Blue (I love her character, she’s a doctor with narcolepsy condition) towards the case can be more thorough, it was too minimal and not as evocative as I hoped.Julianne and Piper have been best friends since they were young and it was Julianne and their cleaner who discovered the family missing that morning. This crime thriller is a wild ride of deceit and revenge with a brilliant and satisfying ending. I guarantee you won’t want to put this down. Here there be monsters’ in the uncharted waters of the upmarket Essex seaside town of Midtown-on-Sea. In fact, these waters are shark infested with deep and dangerous under-currents. It’s a Tuesday morning when the Holden family disappear. Friend Julianne calls for Piper for their weekly jog, Piper‘s husband Gray’s car is unusually still on the drive, breakfast is on the table, washing circulating in the machine, phones are charging but none of the family are there. There is one definite sign that something is distinctly amiss, a fine mist of blood coating an antique chandelier. Coincidentally, DC Saul Anguish arrives in Midtown to join the major crimes unit led by DI Angus O’Neill but that’s quite another story. What develops and unfolds is told in non-linear timeline and from several perspectives and which flows extremely well. fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #crime #domesticdrama #policeprocedural #psychologicalthriller #suspense I loved Fiona Cummins’ Bone Collector duology. The second book was particularly chilling and, having just re-read my review of it I am guessing that the Saul in that book turns out to be the Saul in this one. If so, he really is a very dark character and I am mightily impressed! I’m thinking this could potentially have a sequel featuring Saul and Blue. I really hope so. I loved this book and can’t wait for more from Cummins! Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
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