Synopses & Reviews
Filled with ominous twists and turns, a new suspense novel by the author of
Never Wave Goodbye has readers guessing from the first page in a story that shows how one woman’s refusal to accept lies as the truth takes her to the brink to save those she loves.
Within a week, Risa’s alcoholic husband Sean disappears, and her best friend, Carol, is brutally murdered. Ten years later, after Risa remarries and another man has been convicted of the slaying, Sean resurfaces, sober, plagued by horrific recollections of the murder, convinced he was the real killer.
Sean’s startling claim buzzes through the small, football-crazy Pennsylvania town where this gripping story unfolds, and Risa is left to wonder if the man she still loves actually committed the grisly murder. But her growing belief in his innocence sends her on a treacherous search for the truth: a search that reveals ugly secrets her new husband, a politician, and the town’s law enforcement are hiding.
Emboldened by her discoveries, Risa convinces Sean to flee as the town’s violent, shadowy forces move in to keep the truth from coming to light. Then her attempts to vindicate Sean turn the tables on the amateur sleuth, putting her and her son at great risk.
Part murder mystery, part love story, Doug Magee’s Darkness All Around explores the depths of the criminal mind and the bravery of the human heart. This taut thriller about the quest for redemption and the power of unshakeable love will keep readers in suspense until its heartrending climax.
Review
"Magee's book is a tantalizing puzzle that plays with your mind. Killer suspense with twists and turns and surprises until the last piece is in place. Wow. I loved it." —R.L. Stine
Review
"Doug Magee's Darkness All Around is a rarity: a real mystery by a real writer. If you're looking for a page-turner with characters who live and breathe and a setting that's as authentic as your hometown, you'll be very happy you picked it up." —Peter Blauner, Edgar-award-winning author of Slow Motion Riot and Slipping Into Darkness
Synopsis
Ten years after he disappears, a woman's ex-husband comes home -- to turn himself in for the murder of her best friend.
Synopsis
When there’s DARKNESS ALL AROUND . . . some memories are best forgotten
Within the span of one harrowing week, Risa’s alcoholic husband, Sean, disappears, and her best friend, Carol, is brutally murdered. Eleven years later, Risa has seemingly put her life back together again, comforted by the love of her new husband, who is a local politician, and the knowledge that Carol’s killer has been convicted. But then just as suddenly as he disappeared, Sean resurfaces— sober, plagued by horrific recollections of Carol’s murder, and convinced he was the real killer.
Sean’s startling claim buzzes through the small, football-crazy Pennsylvania community, and Risa is left to wonder if the man she still loves actually committed the grisly murder. Her growing belief in his innocence sends her on a treacherous search for the truth: a search that reveals ugly secrets that her new husband and the town’s law enforcement community are hiding.
Emboldened by her discoveries, Risa convinces Sean to flee as the town’s violent forces move in to keep the truth from coming to light. But Risa doesn’t realize that her attempts to get vindication for Sean may come at a very high price.
Part murder mystery, part love story, Darkness All Around is a gripping exploration of the depths of the criminal mind, the fine line between the truth and a lie, and the bravery of the human heart.
Synopsis
When there’s DARKNESS ALL AROUND . . . some memories are best forgotten
Within the span of one harrowing week, Risa’s alcoholic husband, Sean, disappears, and her best friend, Carol, is brutally murdered. Eleven years later, Risa has seemingly put her life back together again, comforted by the love of her new husband, who is a local politician, and the knowledge that Carol’s killer has been convicted. But then just as suddenly as he disappeared, Sean resurfaces— sober, plagued by horrific recollections of Carol’s murder, and convinced he was the real killer.
Sean’s startling claim buzzes through the small, football-crazy Pennsylvania community, and Risa is left to wonder if the man she still loves actually committed the grisly murder. Her growing belief in his innocence sends her on a treacherous search for the truth: a search that reveals ugly secrets that her new husband and the town’s law enforcement community are hiding.
Emboldened by her discoveries, Risa convinces Sean to flee as the town’s violent forces move in to keep the truth from coming to light. But Risa doesn’t realize that her attempts to get vindication for Sean may come at a very high price.
Part murder mystery, part love story, Darkness All Around is a gripping exploration of the depths of the criminal mind, the fine line between the truth and a lie, and the bravery of the human heart.
About the Author
Doug Magee has been a photojournalist, screenplay writer, children’s book author, death penalty activist, film producer and director, war protestor, college football player, amateur musician, and the basis of the Aidan Quinn character in Meryl Streep’s “Music of the Heart.” This is his first novel. He lives in Spanish Harlem with his wife and two teenaged children.