Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins

Dark Pursuit
by Brandilyn Collins

Mystery/Suspense
288 pages, softcover
Target reader: Adult

Zondervan
978-0310302179
Release date: December 1, 2008



From the publisher:

'Ever hear the dead knocking?'

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later, recluse and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she’s rebuilding her life.

But in Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered, and she’s about to discover a third. She’s even more shocked to realize the culprit—her boyfriend, Craig, the police chief’s son.

Desperate, Kaitlan flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight may be the stunning answer to the elusive plot he seeks...

Read an excerpt.

I almost loved this book. It had such potential. So many possible twists and turns. It was very suspenseful, so many times I was on the edge of my seat as I read it—and then something sort of ridiculous would happen. I've heard from others that this is their least favorite of Collins' books. While I liked Dark Pursuit as a one-day quick read that was a fun escape, it wasn't in the same category of yummy goodness as Exposure.

The characterization was okay. Kaitlyn was believable, although pretty gullible and naive. Although I didn't "like" Darrell, he stayed true to his grumpy, selfish, curmudgeon self. Craig was a bit of a caricature, as was his father the police chief, and Margaret, Darrell's live-in assistant.

There were some plot holes. Particularly the foreshadowing necessary for us to believe it when the killer is finally revealed. I can't say much more than that because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else, but I really didn't think Collins set the stage enough for us to be willing to accept the character she chose as the killer, without feeling a bit cheated. Yes. I said it. I felt cheated at the end and therefore, the overall enjoyment factor dipped.

I did enjoy the psychological construction of the aging author trying to relive his glory days, while losing his focus and memory. I also liked the theme of a family working out their problems and coming to a place of forgiveness and acceptance. As with Collins' other works, I like the theme of prayer and trusting God in the midst of your struggles. Definitely a Christian perspective but not at all preachy.

There is quite a bit of violence but no sensuality. There is a pre-marital affair. Kaitlyn is pregnant, but we don't go into the bedroom.

Overall, I don't recommend this book as Collins' best but it's okay for borrowing from the library to fill up a lazy afternoon.


Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover: Kind of boring...



Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: Murders, shootings, descriptive photos of crime scenes, blood.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality: Kaitlyn is pregnant and not married. No bedroom scenes.

Values/Themes:

Age Appropriate: Okay for older teens.

Writing Mechanics: Just a few glitches, but not too bad until the big reveal. The ending where the murderer is revealed gets a .


© 2010 It's a Book Affair