A Darkness Absolute (Rockton, #2)

by Kelley Armstrong

[kimbacaffeinate]

Five Caffeinated Reasons to Devour A Darkness Absolute

• The world: From the creepy, remote setting to the ominous wilderness that backs up to the uncharted town of Rockton, Canada Armstrong pulls readers into the story.  Her vivid writing and colorful, complex characters will have you rooting for some and loathing others. Rockton is a haven for some a nightmare for others. The author does an excellent job of sharing the ins and outs of this weird little town, all while shrouding it in mystery, particularly regards the council who oversees it.



• The story: In the City of the Lost, Casey Duncan faced her own darkness and dealt with a murder mystery involving cannibalism all while adapted to her new home and job.  How do you top that? You do if your Kelley Armstrong. In A Darkness Absolute, a citizen has run off into the woods, Eric, Rockton's police chief, is out of town, so it is up to Casey and another to find them. A snowstorm forces them to seek cover and there they discover  Nicole Chavez, a citizen of Rockton who has been missing for over a year and assumed dead. Only she is very much alive and has been held in captivity. While investigating Nicole's case, Casey and Eric find the remains of two other Rockton women. It soon becomes apparent they have a serial kidnapper/serial killer on their hands. But is the killer local or one of the others?



• The characters: Our hero and heroine are both flawed, complex and brilliant at solving crimes. Both have interesting pasts and their share of demons. Together they simply work, and their feelings, discussions, and chemistry felt genuine. As a crime-solving team, they each have their strengths and mutual respect produces stellar detective work. Suspects, victims, townsfolks, hostiles, and others ground the story, build suspense and add humor and agitation. A feisty, loud mouth named Jen and a psychologist turned butcher will certainly gain readers attention.



• The Unknown Element: Folks who arrive are vetted by the council, an unknown entity who financially backs Rockton. They have control over who arrives, stays and leaves. While we know people pay for the privilege of staying in Rockton this group's demands, motives and secrets add an unknown factor to these tales.



• The Writing: Every element of this story is delivered to perfection creating an intense read that grabs the reader. Armstrong makes you believe Rockton and these characters exist. Character development and the suspenseful mysteries are amplified by the setting and the author's attention to detail. The world freaks me out but I cannot wait to go back! The tale is part horror, part self-discovery with a dash of romance and all the thrills, chills and mysteries one could hope for in one of the creepiest havens.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer