Some Choose Darkness takes us into an intense cold case, and the person whose lap the case falls into, Rory Moore. She is intense & interesting, and her methods are unorthodox. Her late father left a final case for her to resolve - a man being paroled from jail for killing his wife. But he insists his wife is still alive and enlists Rory to help f

The story line was imaginative, but I felt the writing was heavy on descriptions. He describes Rory's difficulties in understanding life's situations repeatedly. I did figure out the plot twist about halfway through the book.This was a quick read, nice for summer poolside reading.

I’ve read two other books by Charlie Donlea, so I had an idea what sort of read was ahead of me – a good one! I was thoroughly hooked by this story and I felt like I couldn’t get to the ending quickly enough.

This chilling tale follows two timelines, one from the present with Rory Moore who has a fascinating job with the Chicago Police Department piecing together crime scenes and solving cold cases. The other timeline is from the past with a misdiagnosed autistic woman, Angela, solving a series of serial killings in the late 1970s.

I liked the present-day story a bit more and I was drawn into the story, rooting for Rory to get to the bottom of two mysteries – a new case from the Chicago PD and wrapping up her father’s law firm after his death. There’s one particular case that a judge insists she keep from her father’s caseload, the parole recommendation for a killer, The Thief. We get some chilling insight into the mind of a killer in this one.

The storyline pacing is just right and we are fed a few clues here and there as the story progresses. The two storylines connect, or maybe I should say they collide and the book builds to a powerful conclusion! I definitely recommend this one to those that enjoy contemporary thrillers.

*my Goodreads review will be update on publication date

I really liked this book, and wanted it to be a five star book, but the ending was a big let down for me. I wanted a clear re cap all tied up in a bow, and the story just left you to your own devices. I did enjoy the way the book went back and forth between now and 40 years ago. It definitely had a taut, suspenseful feel, and it was a bit of a shock to find out who The Thief was. What I found lacking and really wanted to see more of was Rory's proclaimed forensic reconstructionist skills in action. She took on a case, but wasn't able to work on solving it, due to her father passing away. But, I did like this story and I hope it continues on, as I would like to read more about Rory.

In SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS, by Charlie Donlea, Rory Moore finds out that her father has just passed away. He leaves a legal practice that Rory, an out-of-practice but still licensed attorney, must sort through. After reassigning and closing all of the open cases, she is left with one that she can't push off and it becomes a case she will never forget. Death, betrayal, cover-ups, and shocking realities are all revealed and once the case is over Rory will never be the same again.
Charlie Donlea is quickly becoming masterful at writing a good mystery. The main character, Rory, has such a unique talent, bordering on autistic, to analyze criminal situations that the reader immediately dives into her psyche and enjoys riding along with her through her discovery. Donlea crafts two intertwining storylines one in 1979 and one in the present, and as secrets are discovered, those two timelines slowly reveal what happened in the past and suggest what is going to happen at the end of the book. Donlea isn't afraid to be creepy and I found myself on multiple occasions have a physical and/or audible reaction to the story. Also well done was describing environments, so the reader can really feel the spaces the characters live in. The climax of the story is exciting, frightening, and spine-chilling fun.
One of the best mystery/thrillers I have read in the last couple of years, SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS should not be missed and I'm sure whoever reads it will not be disappointed.

Some Choose Darkness
by Charlie Donlea

Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2019 by Kensington



Goodreads synopsis:
A modern master of suspense, critically acclaimed author Charlie Donlea returns with a taut, gripping novel about the deadly secrets hiding in plain sight . . . 
 
The truth is easy to miss, even when it’s right in front of us. As a forensic reconstructionist, Rory Moore sheds light on cold-case homicides by piecing together crime scene details others fail to see. Cleaning out her late father’s law office a week after his burial, she receives a call that plunges her into a decades-old case come to life once more. 

In the summer of 1979, five Chicago women went missing. The predator, nicknamed The Thief, left no bodies and no clues behind—until police received a package from a mysterious woman named Angela Mitchell, whose unorthodox investigation skills appear to have led to his identity. But before police could question her, Angela disappeared. Forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela’s murder—the only crime the DA could pin on him. As a former client of her father’s, Rory becomes reluctantly involved with the killer—though he continues to insist he didn’t murder Angela. Now he wants Rory to do what her father once promised: prove that Angela is, in fact, still alive.

As Rory begins reconstructing Angela’s last days, another killer emerges from the shadows, replicating those long-ago murders. With every startling discovery she makes, Rory becomes more deeply entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell—and in The Thief’s tormented mind. Drawing connections between past and present is the only way to stop the nightmare, but even Rory can’t be prepared for the full, terrifying truth that is emerging . . 

***

5 Stars

This book was so intriguing. It was one fascinating revelation after another. One of my favorite books of the year. Writers are just hitting it out of the park this year with such good books.

Lots of background and flashbacks in this book. Don’t skip over these parts. They will make sense in the end. When Rory finally discovers her own connection to the case she is following, I was surprised she realize it earlier. The connection was so obvious to the outside observer. I am not going to reveal the connection but you will know it when you see it.

It is not really revealed but I wonder if this could be the beginning of a series featuring Rory and her ability to crack cold cases. There is a great cast in this. Even all the flashbacks to the past were fascinating. Perfect ingredients for a new series, if you ask me.

It was a roller coaster ride from the very beginning and the case was solved to a satisfying conclusion. There are so many books these days that aren’t fair to the reader and the ending is wrapped up in a messy way. That was totally not this book. There must have been a lot of outlining and research to make this book so compelling, structured and precise.

Highly recommended. Awesome book!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

This was a faster paced thriller that I enjoyed by this author.
I really enjoyed the writing style and plot.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Another winner by this author! The mystery is fast paced and full of tension. The Thief was surprising to me when it was revealed, I was so sure on my guess. Once it is revealed though, it kinda points out the entire rest of the plotline. Yet, it doesn't take away from the story. This author has a knack for creating believable and complex characters. It's hard to review without spoiling things so I will say this is a book you don't want to miss out on.

I like to do my reviews right after I read a book because I feel like the author and fellow readers deserve the visceral reaction. 99% of people aren't going to analzye characters and intent and style and construction. Was the book good? YES? YES.
I've become a fan of Charlie Donlea over the years. From his first book to this most recent, he always finds a way to add a twist that makes you sit up, then turn the page. This book is... so well written, with clever twists and turns and a few huge secrets that I loved discovering. A couple of things niggled at me while reading it (like waiting for characters to realize what you, the reader, have long since figured out) but nothing bothers me enough to be petty about it.

Enjoyable read!

Couldn’t take to the style this book was written in. Actually couldn’t decide what that style was designed to do. For me it seemed to make the plot plod along by slowing the action to talk about Rory. Lots of distracting issues which were only half developed and unnecessary. Not one for my book shelves I’m sorry to say.

Rory Moore is something called a forensic reconstructionist. She investigates and nearly always solves cold case homicides that no one else can solve. She has OCD, is quirky, not always likeable and often feels closer to the victims than the warm bodies around her. When the story opens she’s been given another cold case to reconstruct, but her father suddenly dies and she is drawn into settling his affairs, which includes representing a man who is being released after 40 years in prison. He’s a suspected serial killer but could only be tried and convicted for one murder. Her father’s involvement with this man seems strange, and while cleaning out her father’s office Rory discovers things that make her want to investigate.

What follows is an exciting novel that jumps back and forth from 1979 to 1981 to the present, with different POVs and multiple settings and leaving genuine clues and red herrings all along the way. The characters are complex and well-developed, and sometimes just plain creepy, like The Thief and his RUSH, and every character is important. Angela is a mess. She puts together the clues, but since not much was understood about autism and OCD in 1979, she is considered mentally ill, schizophrenic, and generally unreliable. What she goes through trying to get someone, anyone, to believe her is tragically sad. There are some truly heart-stopping moments, especially when Angela thinks she knows who the murderer is, and then when she knows she knows. Her husband Thomas seems to be the only one who understands, with enough patience and love to put up with her odd behavior, and her best friend Catherine never gives up on her. As she sifts through old papers and clues, Rory feels uncannily close to Angela. And Rory’s Aunt Greta, even though suffering from dementia, seems to have something to say that Rory would be wise to listen to.

Rory is good at her job, despite or maybe because of her own OCD and eccentricities. But there are a lot of facts and details to sort through and Rory is often a step behind and in real danger. Some Choose Darkness is thrilling, a good puzzle with lots of twists and turns. It’s a complicated story that only gets more and more involved as layers are pulled away. It’s riveting suspense with a sinister predator, and some real surprises. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy for my honest review.

Unusual and strong heroines and a twisty story made this a very good read. It's awful hard to review without spoilers so know that it will keep you guessing. Rory and Angela are separated in time between the present and 1979 but they both are engaged with the Thief, an evil serial killer. Angela identified him and Rory is now trying to figure out what exactly he did. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a page turner.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.

A forty year old cold case gets reopened and we follow Rory as she traces her deceased father's steps into the work of a serial killer.
A nice enough entertaining read, with believable characters, but nothing I haven't read dozens of times before.

"Nothing can scare you unless you allow it to scare you "
.
A gripping novel about Rory, a forensic reconstructionist cleaning out her late fathers law office and as a unofficial partner, she’s having to pick up where he left off on a decades old case that is about to be back in the public eye.
.
This was definitely a suspenseful read that had me quickly turning the pages. I was annoyed when I had to put the book down because I never wanted to stop reading, as I had to know what was going to happen. I loved the short chapters as it makes for an easy read. This does have multiple POVs and dual timelines to cover every part of past and present and I thought was done beautifully and when it was time for the reveal, I was at the edge of my seat... although I had a hunch of whodunnit I still was surprised at the reveal and all that came with it as there were parts of it I thought were going in a different direction. This book doesn’t have all the nonstop heart thumping action you may want but it is definitely worth picking up as the author did a great job at the suspense and the character development that make this one very memorable.

4.5/5 stars

“The truth is easy to miss, even when it’s right in front of us”

Thank you to @netgalley and Kensington books for providing me an advance copy book in exchange for my unbiased review. All thoughts are my own.

Rory Moore is a forensic reconstructionist working for the Chicago Police Department. She has problems with obsessive compulsive behavior and interacting socially, but is highly talented in her work.
When her lawyer father dies, Rory must clean up his office and close out his files. She finds out about his client, The Thief. Up for parole after forty years in prison, Rory is called upon to take her father's place at the hearing.
She reviews the case. In 1979 five Chicago women went missing without a clue. A strange woman named Angela Mitchell sends the police a package with her investigation notes, naming who she believes is the killer. Before they can speak to her, she disappears.
Though they never find her body, The Thief is convicted of her murder, but no other crimes.
Rory starts piecing together the cold case clues to find out what really happened to Angela and the other missing women.
A twisty, dark thriller that keeps you guessing! This one really gripped me, and exciting mystery. I loved Rory's diverse character and her eccentricities, including her love of Dark Lord stout!
My first Charlie Donlea book was a hit!
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Well, he’s done it again folks. This book!! I didn’t think he’d be able to top his last hit, Don’t Believe It, but this one certainly measured up. Charlie Donlea is quickly becoming my favorite suspense writer. I’ve read and loved all four of his books. They are page turners. I won’t attempt to summarize Some Choose Darkness for fear I might accidentally disclose spoilers. But what I will tell you is the suspense is incredible in this thriller! There’s a dual timeline and both plots kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t intrigued by one part and bored with the other, as is sometimes the case when authors write parallel plots.
Charlie Donlea is a master of twists. Each time one is revealed it leaves you wide-eyed, with mouth agape wondering how he pulled it off so effortlessly without your catching on to it. The twists in his books never cease to amaze me. His writing style is ultra-appealing—fluent, crisp, and without extremes. You won’t find excessive, unnecessary foul language and explicit sex scenes in this book. Just great writing. The amount of research that goes into his books is evident, and I love his use of flawed characters which make his stories more realistic and relatable. I’ll be waiting patiently for his novels to be made into movies. They’re just that good. Period. Very highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for a complimentary e-book copy of Some Choose Darkness for my honest review.

I will review this on Amazon on May 28, 2019

I received this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea, wow what can I say about this book. I have never read one of this authors books before, but I certainly will be reading more. I found the book very well written, and one that kept me turning the pages constantly. I found the storyline original and I loved the plot and characters in this storyline. Rory's quirks and all that she encounters in this book were woven intricately throughout the storyline. I would rate this book somewhere between a 4 to a 4.5 star rating. For those that love suspense/thrillers I believe you will certainly enjoy this book.

This book is everything I look for in a thriller – mystery, intrigue, and misdirection!

Some Choose Darkness is about two strong, talented, relentless women, living decades apart from each other. In 1975 Angela is a bit of a loner. She is happily married, but life has not always been easy for her. She has many idiosyncrasies that have plagued her all her life. One of these is becoming transfixed on something and not being able to let go. Five women in Chicago have gone missing and she believes that she can help solve this case and find the serial killer that has eluded the police. Present day, 2019, Rory is a very talented restorer of antique dolls and has a unique talent that enables her to reconstruct crime scenes. Her boss Davidson, from Chicago Homicide, wants her to look into the homicide of Camille Byrd. Camille was 22 years old when she went missing and her body was found dumped in the park. The case has gone cold and they need her help.

The past and present story lines were blended together really well. When the two eventually collided, it was amazing! I had so many questions that I could not wait to find the answers to, and on more than one occasion when things were revealed I was left with new questions.

I was completely invested in this story and with the help of the short chapters I found myself flying threw this book. I was especially fascinated with Angela. On more than one occasion I went wide-eyed and was fearful for her safety.

This is my third Charlie Donlea and in my opinion it is his best book yet!

This is my first read from Charlie Donlea.....and I just downloaded Don't Believe It, The Girl Who Was Taken and Summit Lake without even reading the descriptions.

I read this book in one sitting because I absolutely could not put this book down. Very fast read for me, kept me interested throughout the entire story.

Alternating between different POV's (which has really become a favorite of mine) and also has a timeline to follow.

Rory, who is a forensic reconstructionist who now only works on certain cases but has years of experience. Puts together the pieces of a puzzle the only way she can, her way. Doesn't always understand the pieces when they first come to her, but she figures it out.

The Thief, a killer of many women, but has never been convicted of killing those women. Will she be able to show the police the truth? Did he kill his wife or was he wrongly convicted?

This book was so good, on so many levels. It showed aspects of people who have autism (that was never really understood in the 70's) and it shows how people are treated in today's society when they are "different." Sometimes being a little "different" can lead you to discover what other's cannot.

I will be recommending this book to my book-loving friends and look forward to whatever comes out next!!

I cannot wait to read one of the books that I have just one-clicked!!

Thank you to Charlie Donlea for being such an amazing and skilled writer! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC!!

Raw, Chilling, and Emotional.

Donlea’s most ambitious and BEST yet! He gets better and better with each book.

Bestselling thriller author Charlie Donlea returns following his 2018 hit, Don’t Believe It My Top Books of 2018 with his latest, SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS. A mix of hard-boiled and contemporary—Dark and gritty. Utterly captivating and absorbing!

With smart tactics, Donlea skillfully creates a “killer” character-driven, sophisticated, multi-layered, and a profoundly moving psychological crime thriller of obsession and murder— riveting suspense with a sinister predator hiding in plain sight.

Frighteningly real. True crime buffs will find a lot to like here.

SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS is written with several timelines (1979, 1981, and 2019), as well as different POV and multiple settings. Drawing connections between past and present the transition is seamless and brilliantly done!

Let’s dive in! I am concentrating on the "three women" in my review since this was my favorite part. You do not want to miss a thing.

In Chicago, 1979 five women go missing in a three month period. They named the serial killer “The Thief” due to hiding his bodies. He was famous for “The Rush.” You will need to read the book to understand the perp’s obsession. He loved the power and dominance. After a thorough investigation, the case was left unsolved, and no bodies were found.

Broken into three parts
• Part One: The Thief
• Part Two: The Reconstruction
• Part Three: The Farmhouse

Meet Angela Mitchell 1979 Chicago.
A mysterious, intuitive OCD/Autistic woman. An enigmatic character (loved her) puts together intricate and extensive details of the murders. She follows each murder. An ordinary housewife with special needs, investigative skills, and a misunderstood mental illness.

Angela has a brilliant mind. She absorbs everything around her and keeps it stored in the deep recesses of her brain. She follows the news stories of the murders. She sees a man lurking in an alley. She senses things about him. She follows him. She sees what he is doing. She finds clues. She is afraid for her life. If she goes to the police, will they believe her, or will they lock her away thinking she is crazy, due to her mental illness?

She tells only her best friend. How is she going to help anyone if she is in an institution? She would find what everyone else has missed. Afraid for her life, she sends her detailed information to the police, in the event something happens to her.

But before the police can locate her, she disappears. Hence, they were able to charge The Thief with her murder, and he was sent to prison. She appeared to possess inside information, one else would have, specific to the serial killer crimes.

An ongoing theme throughout the novel:
“SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS. Others are chosen by it. The truth is easy to miss when it is right in front of us.”
This phrase is accurate many times over in the novel for almost every character. Now, forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled.

2019: Meet RORY MOORE Main Protagonist: Chicago
PROFILE
• AN UNCANNY ABILITY to see what others do not.
• EXPERT: Solving cold-case homicides (for Chicago police)
• RECONSTRUCTS crime scenes
• INTROVERT. Highly Intelligent. Unconventional. OCD
• ATTORNEY (non-practicing)
• THIRTY-SOMETHING
• PARTNER/Live-in Boyfriend: Lane Phillips. (former FBI profiler, successful author) and Founder of The Lane Murder Accountability Project (Joint with Rory).
• HOBBY: Restorer of Antique Dolls
• FAVORITE DRINK: Dark Lord Stout Beer
• ATTIRE: Glasses, beanie hat, jacket, lace-up combat boots.

It was programmed into her DNA to see things others missed, to connect dots that look scattered and incongruent to everyone else. The cops have handed her a new case to reconstruct.

Rory’s father, Frank Moore a successful attorney with The Moore Law Group, and has recently passed away from a heart attack, and she is cleaning out his office. While working on the new case, she comes across some disturbing and cryptic files regarding the old Thief’s case. The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela’s murder—the only crime the DA could pin on him. But what Rory discovers is alarming.

The headlines had read: Schizophrenic Woman Brings Down The Thief.” No one seemed to know much about Autism in 1979 and Schizophrenic sold more papers. He evidently killed her before she could testify.

Rory cannot fathom why her dad represented this awful criminal, and she is very intrigued by the mysterious woman Angela. What happened to her? She is in awe of her skills. Plus, now she finds herself immersed in this file. Even though she does not currently practice, she is licensed in Illinois and inherits her father’s case.

Rory is not excited about meeting this horrific man and overseeing his release; however, she is obsessed with solving this cold-case and deal with The Thief. She is determined to breakdown this monster and at the same time solve the mystery of her dad and this mysterious woman, Angela.

Due to the stress of this case and this creep, she turns to her favorite hobby, Kestner doll reconstruction and the support of her favorite aunt.

Meet Rory’s Great Aunt Greta- Peoria, IL
Aunt Greta resides a beautiful farmhouse surrounding by lush rose gardens and rolling hills with white picket fencing. A wonderful giving woman that Rory loves dearly. Each time she has questions about the doll reconstruction, she calls her Aunt Greta.

When she was a child, her parents sent her to Aunt Greta’s house during the summer and most weekends where she taught Rory about doll reconstruction. She finds solace here and the doll reconstruction soothes her nerves.

But now her aunt’s health is declining, and her mind is remembering confusing things from the past. Alzheimer’s and Dementia had stolen most of her personality. Her aunt offers her wise advice. To face her fears head-on. There were always choices.

“Nothing can scare you unless you allow it to scare you.”

With her aunt’s courage, Rory visits Statesville Correctional Institute in Crest Hill, IL where The Thief had been housed for forty years. Now, age 68. She informs him she is taking over his case as Frank’s daughter. Her father also had the financial power of attorney, which had been transferred to her.

The judge had granted a request The Thief could live in the home located outside of Chicago, a cabin he inherited in the forest from an uncle in 1994. They kept the identity of the location out of the media. She now will work with his social worker during the twelve months of release. Why had her father kept in touch with this criminal and managed his holdings?

After all, she reconstructs the dead for a living. She pieces together bits of evidence that had been overlooked by everyone else. We also meet Angela’s best friend from 1979 who runs a blog, Justice for Angela. Catherine Blackwell. Will she be in danger? How is she connected?

Her aunt Greta may be the missing link and her father. How is Angela connected? Will Rory be able to put the pieces of this puzzle together before The Thief kills again? Or is he as innocent as he claims? Who will be his next victim? Where is Angela? The other dead bodies? What is his next move? Is there a copycat killer?

How many secrets can one family have?

Why I ENJOYED the book:
An irresistible page-turner. You will be on the edge-of-your-seat! Wow, what separates SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS from all the other thrillers out today is the "superb" character development.

The flawed, yet sympathetic characters come alive on the page from the classic crime thriller of the 70s to contemporary 2019. They will haunt you long after the book ends. Plus, the intensity will leave you utterly breathless. The plot is intricate and intense. Oh, and the “jaw-dropping scenes” will leave you gasping.

Even though the crimes are dark, the author shines light and goodness within his characters with heart and love for these tormented souls for a nice balance. Multi-layered and atmospheric, an exceptional, thriller with intense and complex family emotions and secrets, forensics, and an evil serial killer. The mental illness topics were compassionately written. Like no other book I have read. It will blow you away!

This is the author’s first book set in Chicago where he resides. From the dark alleys of urban Chicago (bungalow), cool landmarks, and old warehouses to the scenic and mysterious forest of Starved Rock Park (cabin), to the rolling picturesque farmlands, of Peoria, IL (farmhouse)— Donlea takes us on a roller coaster heart-pounding journey.

Atmospheric, with a strong sense of place as relates to the specific times, characters and events. This further enhances the intrigue with vivid vibrant backdrops. You can sense every movement, emotion, and voice.

(View my Q&A with the author coming June 1 to learn more about the inspiration behind the compelling novel plus much more)!

Book Giveaway Contest May 15-May 31 US Only. (1 of 1) Hardcover Signed Copy.

Each of Donlea’s three previous books has featured a strong female lead. With SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS, there are three fearless intelligent, flawed, tormented, and courageous women. I LOVE Rory’s character! The author has created an interesting character, and she is here to stay! She is eccentric and complex. Hoping to see Rory and Lane in future books and a series.

If you LOVE Lisa Gardner’s crime fiction and her DD Warren and Flora Dane, Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent, or Michael Robotham’s Joe O’Loughlin series (3 of my favorites), this book is for YOU!

Donlea does not disappoint. My Top Books of 2019. This would make a perfect TV series! Highly recommend.

On a side note: Charlie has also dedicated this book to the memory of his beloved aunt, the “old woman.” As you read this story, you will agree, we can learn much from our elders if we only listen to their wise advice and are fortunate enough to have them share their hidden secrets before their minds fade. Our previous generations, unlike today’s world of social sharing, holds much more intrigue and mystery. I find stories of this generation fascinating, like no other.

A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an early reading copy.

—#JDCMustReadBooks

I’m a big Charlie Donlea fan and I did enjoy this book. His books are reliable, twisty, and have interesting character development. My favorite of his was Don’t Believe it. I didn’t absolutely love this book- I found some parts confusing but overall it was a good thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.