3 out of 4 stars
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Dark Ending is a C/T/M/H novel by C.L. Brees. It is the second book in the Alex Jones series, the first being Unsettled Past (2016). My complimentary copy had 452 pages in PDF format.
Alex Jones is the lead investigator in a series of homicides in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The book begins with the third murder in a month. The connections between the victim and Jones’s fiancé (also a cop) brings immediate tension between them. They appear to have been very close. Enough for his fiancé to skip procedure in handling potential evidence. Detective Jones is still reeling from a shared harrowing experience with his fiancé at the hands of kidnappers seven years ago. The experience comes to haunt him in his present engagements.
The usual pattern of the murders with increased messages directed at him by the assailant, lead detective Jones to make the connection between these events and an old foe. Does the serial killer know him? Are these murders connected to him somehow? Things become even more complicated when the lead and only suspect ends up dead. Time is running out, new suspects are needed as a new ultimatum is leveled at the young policeman with threats to kill those close to him. Join Detective Jones in his pursuit of justice and personal restitution.
This just happens to be my first reading in this genre. I prefer watching from this genre, but after the cancellation of CSI-Miami in 2012, I've been on the lookout for a replacement. I had high expectations when I saw that the author had a degree in Forensic Science.
The paragraphs are short and easy to read. At 400+ pages I was still able to clear the book in two days. The book had an engaging pace – quite hard to put down once you get started. However, there were a few errors. I counted about four in total and spread far between. Definitely not enough to interfere with the reading experience and hard to notice.
The Dark Ending is told through Detective Jones’s perspective. He tries to balance his demanding professional and social life. A dark past threatens to ruin his current life, but he finds an anchor in his present relationships with his friends and colleagues. My favorite character was his older partner, Detective Carr. He comes out as sometimes brash (but caring) reminding me of my own best friend – reliable but ready to tell you as it is.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I would not say it replaces Jerry Bruckheimer's works just yet. I did not like how a lot was revealed in the final three chapters – although, this is common in this genre, I feel the ending was rushed as a consequence. I suppose this might have been done to pick up the pace/hype for the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to fans of thriller novels. However, I must caution sensitive readers on the subject matter of homosexuality in this book. I have no reservations with what constitutes love for many people (what does it have to do with me anyway?), but due to my personal preferences, I skipped all of these scenes. Given my rating, they were not enough to discourage my interest in the story.
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Dark Ending
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always a pleasure. I appreciate your time.
I preferred Vampire Diaries at the time. What's the thrill with them anyway?
