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donnek's review against another edition
2.0
This is another book that is part of my “cleaning out the closet” of to-reads. It’s been on my list since Sept2020. As a fan of Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series, I’ve been checking out her other work. The first installment of her Devlin & Falco series was another one that had been on my list since 2020 too. I ended up DNFing that one in the first half. Enough said. This one I had to set it aside to read the prequel because of the constant reference to a previous event, that was made really clear, the reader should already know about. For the record, the prequel was so unnecessary and should have just been a prologue to this installment. Bad call on Webb’s decision to do that as well as the publisher’s decision to accept that and my rating reflects my opinion of that.
The book summary basically just lays out the premise for the primary storyline. The summary mentions the tragic history between Montgomery (AL) Det Bobbie Gentry and the Storyteller, Gaylon Perry, what it doesn’t mention is what happened to Bobbie in the prequel. In the prequel, the Storyteller murdered Bobbie’s husband, kidnapped Bobbie, held her hostage and raped and tortured her for weeks before she was able to attack and injure the Storyteller and escape. The Storyteller was able to escape before Bobbie was able to get help and lead the authorities to where she was held. It took several more weeks in the hospital recuperating, six months in PT recovering from the physical injuries. Bobbie is also in mandatory therapy for the psychological trauma she incurred before she could return to the job. Bobbie’s son was hit by a car during the escape of the Storyteller’s attack on Bobbie’s home. Suffice it to say, Bobbie is now a woman on a mission to put an end to the Storyteller, regardless of whether she lives or dies. All of that was in the prequel, so now you don't have to read it. Of course, if you want all the gory and gruesome details, have at it.
There is also Nick Shade, who hunts serial killers, and his mission is very much in line with Bobbie’s mission, although we don’t discover the reason until much later in the story. After watching Bobbie for months, Nick realizes what Bobbie is doing. Bobbie now plans to draw the Storyteller out, using herself as bait, in order to kill the Storyteller and Nick has decided that he is going to be there when the Storyteller comes for Bobbie again. None of this is a spoiler because it was revealed really early in the story. Most of the story flips back and forth between Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller, who has kidnapped his next victim and is raping and torturing her; he has also kidnapped two children and is using them as bait to draw Bobbie out.
Somewhere around the halfway point, I had made the decision that I would not be continuing with this series, but I would finish this installment. While I do love the crime thriller and murder mystery genres, sometimes there are books/stories that just get to me. While many stories in these genres have rape and torture in them, I prefer the ones that don’t focus on the nitty gritty details of every violation and the gory and descriptive scenes of torture. I just prefer the mention of them without all the horrific details. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read Karin Slaughter anymore or horror either.
It’s also one of the reasons I like Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series too. While Finn was a rape survivor, that part of her story wasn’t described to the overwhelming details that Bobbie’s was and I appreciated that. Webb seems to have toned down that part of her writing by the time she got around to writing the Finley O’Sullivan series. I’m still a fan of Webb, but I’m not a fan of this series. While the characterization and pacing of the story were good, the content and the writing style was very disappointing.
Trigger Warning: brutal rape and torture scenes
The book summary basically just lays out the premise for the primary storyline. The summary mentions the tragic history between Montgomery (AL) Det Bobbie Gentry and the Storyteller, Gaylon Perry, what it doesn’t mention is what happened to Bobbie in the prequel. In the prequel, the Storyteller murdered Bobbie’s husband, kidnapped Bobbie, held her hostage and raped and tortured her for weeks before she was able to attack and injure the Storyteller and escape. The Storyteller was able to escape before Bobbie was able to get help and lead the authorities to where she was held. It took several more weeks in the hospital recuperating, six months in PT recovering from the physical injuries. Bobbie is also in mandatory therapy for the psychological trauma she incurred before she could return to the job. Bobbie’s son was hit by a car during the escape of the Storyteller’s attack on Bobbie’s home. Suffice it to say, Bobbie is now a woman on a mission to put an end to the Storyteller, regardless of whether she lives or dies. All of that was in the prequel, so now you don't have to read it. Of course, if you want all the gory and gruesome details, have at it.
There is also Nick Shade, who hunts serial killers, and his mission is very much in line with Bobbie’s mission, although we don’t discover the reason until much later in the story. After watching Bobbie for months, Nick realizes what Bobbie is doing. Bobbie now plans to draw the Storyteller out, using herself as bait, in order to kill the Storyteller and Nick has decided that he is going to be there when the Storyteller comes for Bobbie again. None of this is a spoiler because it was revealed really early in the story. Most of the story flips back and forth between Bobbie, Nick and the Storyteller, who has kidnapped his next victim and is raping and torturing her; he has also kidnapped two children and is using them as bait to draw Bobbie out.
Somewhere around the halfway point, I had made the decision that I would not be continuing with this series, but I would finish this installment. While I do love the crime thriller and murder mystery genres, sometimes there are books/stories that just get to me. While many stories in these genres have rape and torture in them, I prefer the ones that don’t focus on the nitty gritty details of every violation and the gory and descriptive scenes of torture. I just prefer the mention of them without all the horrific details. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read Karin Slaughter anymore or horror either.
It’s also one of the reasons I like Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series too. While Finn was a rape survivor, that part of her story wasn’t described to the overwhelming details that Bobbie’s was and I appreciated that. Webb seems to have toned down that part of her writing by the time she got around to writing the Finley O’Sullivan series. I’m still a fan of Webb, but I’m not a fan of this series. While the characterization and pacing of the story were good, the content and the writing style was very disappointing.
Trigger Warning: brutal rape and torture scenes
littlefoot10's review
5.0
This novel was intense ! I really enjoyed this read, it was like the book version of a Criminal minds/Law & Order: SVU episode. It was gritty, raw, emotional....this novel kept you guessing at the killers moves. This was a solid start for this crime series and I cannot wait to read book 2. Definitely had me hooked from the first page, and would recommend to anyone who likes crime dramas, thrillers.. and wants to read a quick book that is very interesting. Bobbie is such a scarred protagonist, but all you want is for her to get better, and to get her revenge.
encyclopaediabrown's review against another edition
DNFed at 28%. Good writing, decent characters, but not themes I was up to reading about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
I am very much on the fence about this book. I ended up absolutely loving it but the first two chapters I was totally lost. If I hadn't been reading it for a review, I would have given up at that point since one doesn't expect to be lost when you start reading the first book in a series. I discovered at the end of the book that there was a prequel but I don't feel that those should be required reading before you start a series.
Once you get past the first two chapters, you are given a chance to really get to know and care about the characters. At that point, NO DARKER PLACE turned into a really good thriller. Nick Shade fascinated me and I will definitely pick up more of the series.
So when it comes down to it, I would recommend NO DARKER PLACE but be prepared for the first couple chapters to be a waste of time. It really does get better after that.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
Once you get past the first two chapters, you are given a chance to really get to know and care about the characters. At that point, NO DARKER PLACE turned into a really good thriller. Nick Shade fascinated me and I will definitely pick up more of the series.
So when it comes down to it, I would recommend NO DARKER PLACE but be prepared for the first couple chapters to be a waste of time. It really does get better after that.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
wealie's review against another edition
5.0
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - Gripping thriller with complex and beautifully realised characters
First in the Shades of Death series by [a:Debra Webb|68900|Debra Webb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1502026405p2/68900.jpg]. It had a strong plot with a great set of characters with complex, disturbing and heart-wrenching motivations. I was on the edge of my seat listening to this on audiobook, which was very well narrated by [a:Shannon McManus|15137993|Shannon McManus|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510999353p2/15137993.jpg].
I really connected with Bobbie's story, which was at the heart of the novel. She was the central protagonist around which all the other events and characters' stories revolved. Her relentless need to bring the Storyteller to justice after what he did to her and her family and the way she dealt with his re-emergence into her life and taunting her with such calculated cruelty was at time really difficult to get through, but set an emotional pace that did not let up throughout the whole novel.
Nick Shade though was also a revelation, his pain and suffering, his obvious need warring with his reluctance to get emotionally involved with a witness, whilst also sharing a deep understanding of her pain and a kinship he wasn't expecting hit all the right emotional notes for me.
A fabulous first instalment and I'll be purchasing the rest of the series to read a.s.a.p.
First in the Shades of Death series by [a:Debra Webb|68900|Debra Webb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1502026405p2/68900.jpg]. It had a strong plot with a great set of characters with complex, disturbing and heart-wrenching motivations. I was on the edge of my seat listening to this on audiobook, which was very well narrated by [a:Shannon McManus|15137993|Shannon McManus|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510999353p2/15137993.jpg].
I really connected with Bobbie's story, which was at the heart of the novel. She was the central protagonist around which all the other events and characters' stories revolved. Her relentless need to bring the Storyteller to justice after what he did to her and her family and the way she dealt with his re-emergence into her life and taunting her with such calculated cruelty was at time really difficult to get through, but set an emotional pace that did not let up throughout the whole novel.
Nick Shade though was also a revelation, his pain and suffering, his obvious need warring with his reluctance to get emotionally involved with a witness, whilst also sharing a deep understanding of her pain and a kinship he wasn't expecting hit all the right emotional notes for me.
A fabulous first instalment and I'll be purchasing the rest of the series to read a.s.a.p.
mavans's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read. It was nice that it took place in Alabama and some of the areas are real places.
I wasn't sure if would get into the book, but I did, and when I did, I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next one
The book is the first in a series, that is about a detective that had been kidnapped and almost killed by a serial killer. That's where it starts with her trying to find him to end it.
I wasn't sure if would get into the book, but I did, and when I did, I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next one
The book is the first in a series, that is about a detective that had been kidnapped and almost killed by a serial killer. That's where it starts with her trying to find him to end it.
poisedpenpro's review against another edition
5.0
I struggled for days in an attempt to write this review. I couldn’t find the words to do this book justice. When I finished reading, I just sat and stared at the book for a long time trying to comprehend the depth of the story that I had just read. I could say all the usual “thriller writing at its best,” “fast-paced,” action-packed. “a rollercoaster ride,” and while it is all that and so much more, all I could say was “WOW”! Do yourself a favor and read NO DARKER PLACE. You won’t be disappointed.
nikkisuehaight's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book was really really good love Nick Shade