4 out of 4 stars
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Surprising and gripping, Darkness at the Edge of Tomorrow by Holiday Cognac chronicles the events of one stormy night inside an isolated restaurant.
To Barbara and Mr. Holiday, the day starts like any other except for the brewing storm. As the tempest looms closer it drags along the wannabe space travelers with their hideous robes. They are followed by the hippie couple with the quietest baby ever witnessed. Lady Agatha sits at one of the restaurant’s booths waiting for her husband to break the devastating news. John, the racist truck driver, arrives and by his demeanor alone, Mr. Holiday can tell he is going to be trouble. Another person arrives. One person dies and is followed by another, then another. Who is causing the deaths? Is everyone who they say they are?
The best feature of the book, Darkness at the Edge of Tomorrow is its suspense. As the night progresses, the events that are about to follow are definitely unpredictable. Each participant is suspicious of the other’s intentions. Their goals are uncertain and the stories they tell are doubtful. The darkness that begins to creep in makes the tension rise even higher. With each person having their own unique set of experiences and beliefs, it is impossible to tell what will happen next.
The characters are unique and imperfect. Each of them struggles with different issues plaguing their lives. Their differences make this party even more intriguing. They are also from different walks of life. Phil, Lady Agatha’s husband, is well accustomed to the demanding corporate life that the hippies direct blame for the devastation in America. John, the truck driver, has no respect for the hippies and soon enough, a scuffle arises. Since the plot includes snippets of each character’s background, I was able to relate and understand their viewpoints.
The dialogue in the book is used adeptly to tell the story and build each character. The sarcasm that appears in some of the statements and the emotions that are revealed through different conversations makes the story even more appealing. The author also uses subtle humor to make the plot even more interesting. The 1987 setting is suitable for the plot and explains why the people are stuck together until morning without any chance of communication with outsiders. The raging storm also accentuates the apprehension in the restaurant and also foreshadows the shocking events that are to follow.
Darkness at the Edge of Tomorrow by Holiday Cognac is a great read for every reader who appreciates thrilling stories that include murder and which are set in a bygone era. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
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Darkness at the Edge of Tomorrow
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