WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS is a literary work of art!

"Literary suspense fiction at its finest. What an epic way to end the spectacular Ryan DeMarco series. I LOVED THIS BOOK! My jaw dropped numerous times…full of suspense and twists. Your heart will break at the tragedy, but I loved the way it ended and found myself not wanting it to end. 5-stars +++ and one of the Top Books of 2021. Luminous and beautifully written. Utterly unputdownable!"

Acclaimed Author Randall Silvis returns following the intense, gripping Ryan DeMarco #4 cliffhanger (2020-No Woods So Dark as These), a triple homicide —with the emotionally explosive and satisfying finale (Ryan DeMarco #5) WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS.

A devoted Silvis fan, no author successfully combines literary fiction + crime suspense = highly entertaining literary thriller.

The action-packed book starts with Ryan DeMarco experiencing a "Near Death Experience." This life-changing moment will alter him in many ways. The author skillfully crafts this experience and feelings of fondness, love, remorse, melancholy, and longing. He comes away from the experience, a different man.

Not only is Ryan concerned with the guilt of Trooper Flores, who risked her life and is now injured physically, helping to save him from the Khatri disaster, but he winds up helping her in many ways mentally due to this NDE.

Ryan and Jayme (his partner in crime) and love interest attempt to move past their losses with their adorable side-kick dog, Hero.

While Ryan is recuperating and Jayme is still trying to get over her miscarriage and almost losing Ryan, they swear they will not take on another case right now. What is next for them?

Jayme knows Ryan is different, even the little daily things. Ryan loves this second chance he was given. He is different. He now seems to be more patient and tender and even an enigmatic smile.

However, a highly emotional case falls in their lap, which involves a child, and Jayme cannot say no. Judge Morrison comes to Ryan and Jayme with a request. He is now an older man in his early seventies.

The judge received a letter from a little girl Emma. She is nine years old, and her mom, Jennifer, is dying. She gives the address, phone, and wants to know if he may be her dad. However, what are their motives?

He wants to hire them to spy on mother and daughter. You see, there was a little night years ago with the judge and his buddies on a fishing trip, at a bar, she was working, and you can put two and two together and now a daughter.

However, the judge says the other two men wish to remain anonymous since they are married. The judge's wife has died, and the other man is deceased. They are not sure which one is the father. (or do they know)?

They agree to take on the case. However, Jayme and Ryan begin watching the little girl and realize they are working for the wrong side. They decide they cannot work for the judge but will work for the girl pro bono.

Of course, Jayme falls hard for Emma, and she breaks her heart. They are poor and living in a small trailer. The grandmother is a drunk and mean. The little girl just wants a mother and father. Jayme has this void to fill after her recent miscarriage.

When the mom dies, she is left with the grandmother. Jayme stays in touch with her and invites her for a visit. All arrangements have been made, and then the unbelievable happens. This, my friend, was a total shocker! The unexpected.

I had decided how the book would end, similar to Lisa Gardner's When You See Me (if you have read, you know how it ends, and we fans are still waiting for the follow-up) with this motherless deaf girl.

In fact, Randall Silvis' Jayme reminds me a bit of Gardner's kick-ass Detective DD Warren. If you are a fan of her series, you will love the Ryan DeMarco series. Also, there is Gardner's Flora Dane (and Silvis Dani Flores). Lots of connections.

OK, back to the novel. Randall Silvis dropped a bomb; I was not expecting it. I was dying. I could not believe what direction this novel would then take. However, no worries, the story had a perfect ending; however, at the time, I could not see how. No way to stop reading. Full throttle ahead.

There is a double murder. Someone is hiding what occurred years ago and will stop at nothing to silence anyone they can. The question is who hired the killer, and how will they find him? Lots of clever investigating.

When powerful men try to hide their past, can they be stopped? Evil lurks around every corner.

"Perhaps the deepest reason why we are afraid of death is because we do not know who we are."

Nerve-racking, emotional, gripping, and unputdownable! There were a few tears shed as well. Have some Kleenex ready.

"Good and evil, he thought. Positive and negative. The eternal struggle. Yet all of it good somehow. All of it positive. It was a difficult concept to grasp."

I loved the title! WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS has much meaning and metaphors—if you have read previous books. (Hutson's first novel taken from a line in Faulkner's Light in August).

"Turn every loss into an even fiercer resolve."

Not only does the author know how to write exceptional gripping crime thrillers like a rock star, but Silvis also blends poetic lyrical prose with deep characterizations as he explores the depths of humanity from darkness to light, showcasing the inner souls and hearts.

A time of reflection: Furthermore, Ryan uses the experience of walking through the darkness to see the light and the bigger picture about life and God. He is helping others as they go through the dark valleys when otherwise they would be unreachable.

Ryan has grown so much as a man since the first book. Thank you, for allowing readers to be a part of this memorable journey.

The author introduces each of the six sections of the novel with quotes from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, both thought-provoking and evocative. Infused with the emotional storylines and enhanced the overall reading experience immensely. I enjoyed them so much I purchased the book. Plus always love the Van Morrison references.

Also, the poem The Path for Dani by Ryan was breathtaking! In addition, I always enjoy Silvis' Huston's book excerpts. Also, the poetry and reflections by Ryan to Jayme- priceless.

Nice to catch up with Ben Brinker, Vee, Bowen and wife, Boyd and Flores, and more stories from Thomas Hutson. We even got to visit Incident on Ten-Right Road.

The author wraps up the finale with some great news, love, healing, and memorable moments with friends. I will miss these characters and the series. Who knows, maybe we will see them again in the future. I would like that.

Reader friends, if you have not read Randall Silvis's books, you are missing out! Each book is unique, thought-provoking, and he masterfully crosses many genres with ease and precision.
I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next! I will be anxiously awaiting the next masterpiece.

A special thank you to Poisoned Pen/Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

#JDCMustReadBooks Blog
@JudithDColliins
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pub Date: 8/3/21

Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series:
View Links to all reviews, top books each year, and interview on my Blog Post

Two Days Gone (Book 1) | Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones (Book 2) | Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down (Book 3) | Top Books of 2019 Q&A Interview
No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4) | Top Books of 2020
When All Light Fails (Book 5) | Top Books of 2021

Another good one by Randall Silvis! I am a fan of the Ryan DeMarco series because both Ryan and Jayme are very relatable characters. Ryan struggles with depression and guilt and Jayme tries to be supportive but is sometimes frustrated. Silvis always does a good job of advancing the growth and relationships of the characters while giving us a heart-pounding, keep-you-up-at-night thriller. What's not to like?

I had a really difficult time getting into this book and finally figured out it was the last in a series. I found the main characters interesting and did want to know more about their history which the prior books I'm sure would reveal.
I'm glad I stuck with the book until the end as I found Ryan's inner dialog quite thought provoking. I don't think I can fairly assess the book without having read the others in the series but I did enjoy this one but not so much that I'd want to read the others.

Thanks you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've read No Woods As Dark As These by Randall Silvis and absolutely loved it!
So when I seen his newest book When All Light Fails I had to get my hands on it!
So thank you NetGalley Poisoned Pen Press and Author for this advance ebook copy!

This new mystery novel was brilliant. The writing was just amazing. Beautiful actually.
I couldn't put my Kindle down. Might have read in one sitting if I'm being honest here!
I can't tell you how many times I said out loud "WoW"!

Things I liked-
The characters they are complex characters, realistic even!
The writing like I said..... Very well.down, beautifully written.
The story if you enjoy books about murder, action you'll want to read this one!

I'll post to my Goodreads and Bookstagram account closer to pub date!

OH My. I got this book "When All Light Fails" as a wish at Netgalley. I truly loved everything about the book. Retired police sergeant Ryan DeMarco is shot and dies for a few minutes. He wakes with a beautiful attitude and some knowledge. It has the loss of yet another child, not his. I cannot say enough about this book. It had ways of forcing me to look within myself as well. LOVED IT

This is my first Randall Silvis novel and is the fifth in the Ryan DeMarco mystery series. It starts with a showdown with what i presume is a character from a previous book and a near death experience for Ryan. The main plot then continues after his recovery when with his partner Jayne, they are hired for what seems a simple paternity case. Unfortunately it turns into a murder investigation and quickly becomes complicated. It is an extremely well written book that deals with DeMarco’s near death experience as a theme throughout. I really enjoyed reading this one and am now going to read the rest of the series!

The Ryan DeMarco series by Randall Silvis is one of my favorite series being written today. Ryan DeMarco is a character of great depth, intelligence, empathy, kindness, knowledge, and humor. His friendship and loyalty with an interesting and engaging cast of characters is strong and one of the best things about the books - this one in particular as he does a lot of soul searching. Randall Silvis is an amazing writer.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ryan who is a private investigator. His next case is trying to find the father of a young girl. This book kept me an edge from the first page.

This book was sent to me
By Netgalley for review on Kindle. I could. It get into this story but others might. Try it.

I am beyond grateful that the publisher granted my wish to read an arc of When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis. The Ryan DeMarco Mystery series is one of my absolute favorites and this fifth book did not disappoint.

When All Light Fails picks up right at the climactic ending of the last book in the series. After a high tension /emotional beginning the story slows its pace. Ryan DeMarco isn't the angry grief filled man he was in previous books. He's different after his Near Death Experience, he is more at peace and easy going. Yet even his positive outlook is tested throughout the book as he struggles with the case involving a 9-year-old girl that he and Jayme both bond with.

Randall Silvis' writing is as beautiful and seamless as usual. He just has a magical way with words that brings everything he writes to life with perfect clarity. The characters and plot are strong and the crime mystery unfolds at the perfect pace.

I have grown quite attached to Ryan and Jayme, both such passionate and complex characters. Much of the novel focuses on Ryan's life altering near death experience. It has changed him greatly, and he spends a lot of time pondering the meaning of it all. The positive Ryan is a bit of a mystery to Jayme but even though that seems to have created a space between them, he is still supportive and loving with her. His love for her is just so big it makes me emotional thinking of it.

Overall, When All Light Fails is very satisfying. Ryan and Jayme have spent the series struggling and always fighting battles, physical and mental, and now they can finally have a breather. It was a peaceful ending and one I feel our main characters earned.

Through Net Galley, I was afforded the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis. This is the fifth entry in this consistently entertaining series featuring Ryan DeMarco, former PA State Trooper turned private investigator.

While the mystery is up to the high standards set by earlier DeMarco books, this mystery is secondary to the author’s writings on mortality/mysticism following a the main character’s near death experience. I would advise anyone reading When All Light Fails to read the first four books in the series prior to starting this one, the reader needs to understand/appreciate protagonist’s backstory in order to fully get what is going on in this book.

I’m going to give this one 4 Stars. I still love the characters but The book slows a bit when focusing on DeMarco’s search for meaning after his new par death experience. Still an enjoyable read but perhaps not at 5e same level as the first 4 entries in the series.

My thanks to Net Galley, Poisoned Pen Press and Mr. Silvis for the advance copy.

Silvis is an experienced author and a good bet if you like mysteries. He writes good plots and creates interesting characters. DeMarco is a good MC as is his partner. This story has some nice twists and is sufficiently complex. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

Quite a good thriller. A story more complex than I was expecting, which is good, and a writing style that I also enjoy a lot. Two majors elements well executed that give us one solid book that I recommend to reader of crime fiction/thriller with more depths!

Emotionally charged... Ryan Demarco is a changed man since his near death experience. Charged with finding out who fathered a young girl, he finds himself ensnared in a more of deceit and ultimately murder. Another excellent chapter in one of the best Private Investigator series being written these days.

When all Light Fails in Randall Silvis at his best. Full of suspense and intrigue, this book left me on the edge of my seat trying desperately to pick through the lies. Ryan DeMarco is a character you can't help but root for and his relationship with his partner is engrossing as always. A great read for any one who loves a suspenseful 'who done it' novel.

I haven't read any of the other books in the Ryan DeMarco series, but that didn't hinder my reading experience in terms of plot.

Although I personally wasn't a fan of the writing/narration, I have no doubt this mystery will engage other readers.

Fantastic thriller. Kept me on edge of my seat until very end! Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for this read.

So so beautifully written. Makes you question your belief on life and death it’s so rich on emotion and complex in thought. I. Cannot put in words how much I loved this book ... the writing was so deep and hopeful but so real and hurting. The characters came alive in the pages. Every chapter was a masterpiece on its own. I will cherish every word.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

When All the Light Fails by Randall Silvis
Rating: Starred Review

Summary: Series regular DeMarco is shot by a wanted killer and has a near death vivid experience and his good friend is seriously injured stopping the killer. After his recovery DeMarco and Jamie are asked to look into a strange note sent to a local judge that is asking for the judge to claim paternity in a past relationship. Jayme and DeMarco begin looking things are not adding up and Jayme falls for the little girls because her mother is on her death bed.

Comments: Unlike a conventional crime novel Silvis explores more human thoughts and behaviors that wrap around a crime novel. Seriously great writing and is highly emotional reading. I couldn’t put the book down. Highly highly recommended. Silvis is top notch at the top of his game. If you are looking for a James Lee Burke fill, Silvis is your alternative.