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Gabriel McRay #2
Deep into Dusk (Gabriel McRay) by Laurie Stevens
In this the second installment of the pulse-pounding series, Detective Gabriel McRay is once again forced to face his inner demons. From the enclaves of the super rich to the kinky underbelly of Los Angeles, women are turning up dead and Gabriel is determined to hunt down the killer. His one and only witness is the beautiful Tara Samuels. Blinded by his own sympathy and desire, Gabriel soon realizes Tara is not the fragile victim he thinks she is. Trapped in the web of her dark world, Gabriel realizes that only way out is to find the sadistic killer before he loses not only his career, but his sanity and his life.
- GenresMystery
Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Stevens
19 books86 followersLaurie Stevens is the author of the Gabriel McRay thriller series. The books have won twelve awards, among them Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011 and a Random House Editors’ Book of the Month. International Thriller Writers claims she's "cracked the code" in regards to writing psychological suspense. Laurie co-edited the 2019 Sisters in Crime anthology Fatally Haunted, and her short stories have appeared in many anthologies and magazines. Laurie lives near the setting of her books, the Santa Monica Mountains, with her husband, two snakes, and a cat.
To learn more about Laurie, visit her website at https://lauriestevensbooks.com
To learn more about Laurie, visit her website at https://lauriestevensbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 18, 2014
After reading Laurie Stevens’ two novels, The Dark Before Dawn and Deep Into Dusk, I have become a major fan of this new author. Detective Gabriel McRay, the lead character in both books, is certainly flawed and full of demons, yet he is one of my top two favorite protagonists in all the 52 novels I have read this year.
In Deep Into Dusk, Gabe is hunting for the killer of multiple women in the seamy underside of Los Angeles. A significant portion of the book is also devoted to Gabe’s inner turmoil, which threatens his job as well as his relationships with his girlfriend (forsenic pathologist Ming Li), family and co-workers. We get to sit in on the sessions between Gabe and his psychiatrist. Though some might call this a subplot, I call it a co-plot which interested me every bit as much as the search for the bad guy. Props to Ms. Stevens for her research regarding the psychiatric aspect of this novel. I am a physician, and I found her treatment of this subject to be impressively true to life.
Another positive is the well researched forensics aspects of the story. I also liked the side of romance, though I would not catergorize Deep Into Dusk as romantic suspense. I would call it an intriguing cross between psychological suspense and police procedural. It is not a cozy; there is fairly graphic description throughout, which I consider a plus.
This for me was a solid 5-star read until one of the subplots towards the end of the story was solved a little too easily in my opinion. This however was not a huge demerit; in fact, I couldn’t see that this bothered anyone else who reviewed this book. I did downgrade it half a star to 4.5 for this, but have awarded 5 stars anyway as this book is better than a 4-star read.
I highly recommend Deep Into Dusk for all suspense and mystery/thriller fans, except those who stick to cozies. Though it can certainly stand alone, I strongly suggest The Dark Before Dawn be read first in order to fully appreciate Gabriel McRay’s story. I think Laurie Stevens is a rising star, and I cannot wait for book 3 in the series, The Mask of Midnight, to be released.
4.5 of 5 stars
In Deep Into Dusk, Gabe is hunting for the killer of multiple women in the seamy underside of Los Angeles. A significant portion of the book is also devoted to Gabe’s inner turmoil, which threatens his job as well as his relationships with his girlfriend (forsenic pathologist Ming Li), family and co-workers. We get to sit in on the sessions between Gabe and his psychiatrist. Though some might call this a subplot, I call it a co-plot which interested me every bit as much as the search for the bad guy. Props to Ms. Stevens for her research regarding the psychiatric aspect of this novel. I am a physician, and I found her treatment of this subject to be impressively true to life.
Another positive is the well researched forensics aspects of the story. I also liked the side of romance, though I would not catergorize Deep Into Dusk as romantic suspense. I would call it an intriguing cross between psychological suspense and police procedural. It is not a cozy; there is fairly graphic description throughout, which I consider a plus.
This for me was a solid 5-star read until one of the subplots towards the end of the story was solved a little too easily in my opinion. This however was not a huge demerit; in fact, I couldn’t see that this bothered anyone else who reviewed this book. I did downgrade it half a star to 4.5 for this, but have awarded 5 stars anyway as this book is better than a 4-star read.
I highly recommend Deep Into Dusk for all suspense and mystery/thriller fans, except those who stick to cozies. Though it can certainly stand alone, I strongly suggest The Dark Before Dawn be read first in order to fully appreciate Gabriel McRay’s story. I think Laurie Stevens is a rising star, and I cannot wait for book 3 in the series, The Mask of Midnight, to be released.
4.5 of 5 stars
November 23, 2017
4.5 stars.
The second Gabriel McRay book is a juicy read indeed. Women are turning up dead, the apparent victims of sexual sadism. Only one woman managed to escape - the beautiful and enigmatic Tara Samuels. She doesn't really want to talk about her ordeal but Gabe persists. He can really relate to Tara, he has a lot of sympathy for this victim because he, too, was a victim.
But Tara has other ideas and throws herself at Gabe much to his confusion. He can't bring himself to outright reject her but it is screwing with his head and his relationship with Ming Li. He is also not too convinced about the one suspect they have. Eventually it becomes clear that there is more going on with Tara than he originally thought. But what is it? And where the hell is she?
This was a tautly plotted thriller that kept you guessing most of the time. Game is a complicated individual who still carries lots of guilt and damage from his own childhood abuse and this case hasn't helped him at all. A really enjoyable story. But where is the next instalment Ms Stevens??
The second Gabriel McRay book is a juicy read indeed. Women are turning up dead, the apparent victims of sexual sadism. Only one woman managed to escape - the beautiful and enigmatic Tara Samuels. She doesn't really want to talk about her ordeal but Gabe persists. He can really relate to Tara, he has a lot of sympathy for this victim because he, too, was a victim.
But Tara has other ideas and throws herself at Gabe much to his confusion. He can't bring himself to outright reject her but it is screwing with his head and his relationship with Ming Li. He is also not too convinced about the one suspect they have. Eventually it becomes clear that there is more going on with Tara than he originally thought. But what is it? And where the hell is she?
This was a tautly plotted thriller that kept you guessing most of the time. Game is a complicated individual who still carries lots of guilt and damage from his own childhood abuse and this case hasn't helped him at all. A really enjoyable story. But where is the next instalment Ms Stevens??
January 5, 2018
In her second book of the McRay series, Laurie Steven's mystery of the main character's emotional trauma is just as terrifying and tragic as the murders to be solved. This ability to allow the sub-plot to equal the main plot of the story, without creating a weakness in structure, is not an easy task. And yet, Steven's accomplishes it flawlessly, rewarding the reader again with a fast, paced story and the confidence that they are safe in an accomplished writer's hands. She ends the book, as all books written as a series should end, with the reader wanting more.- D. J. Adamson
September 25, 2013
I'm a fan of this series anyhow (The Dark Before Dawn = first book)Laurie Stevens and Stevens does it again. It's another can't-put-it-down page-turner and now I can't wait for #3!
November 13, 2017
Leider konnte mich das Buch überhaupt nicht überzeugen und ich habe zwischendrin sogar darüber nachgedacht, es ganz abzubrechen. Das hatte mehrere Gründe.
An sich hat mir der Plot sehr gut gefallen, er war typisch für einen Thriller: Eine grausame Mordserie, die Opfer sind überwiegend hübsche Frauen und ein Ermittler, der alles versucht, sie aufzuklären. Normalerweise stört es mich gar nicht, wenn der Detective Macken hat, seine Arbeit toll macht, während sein Privatleben den Bach heruntergeht. Gabriel McRay jedoch toppt alles, was mir bisher untergekommen ist. Denn er hat nicht nur ein traumatisches Erlebnis aus seiner Kindheit noch nicht verarbeitet, er schafft es auch, sich einfach permanent unprofessionell zu verhalten. Ich habe beim Lesen fast die Hände über den Kopf zusammengeschlagen, so was von nicht nachvollziehbar war sein Verhalten! Und als ob ein kaputter Ermittler nicht reicht, geht es auch der Gerichtsmedizinerin psychisch nicht gut. Das war für meinen Geschmack einfach drüber - sorry.
Auch die Ermittlungen an sich kommen nicht wirklich vom Fleck. Zwar gibt es immer wieder neue Leichen, aber die Polizei kommt nicht wirklich voran (was auch an dem bereits beschriebenen Problem von McRay liegt). Die Story tritt auf der Stelle und man bekommt schon sehr schnell eine Ahnung, wer hinter den Morden stecken könnte. Meine Vermutung hat sich dann auch bestätigt, die Spannung war damit weg und ich war einfach nur froh, dass es jetzt aufgeklärt war. Zwar versucht die Autorin am Ende noch einmal, den Leser abzuholen, aber das hat bei mir leider nicht geklappt.
Insgesamt war das Buch wirklich nicht meins, deswegen gibt es von mir nur 1,5 Sterne für die Grundidee.
An sich hat mir der Plot sehr gut gefallen, er war typisch für einen Thriller: Eine grausame Mordserie, die Opfer sind überwiegend hübsche Frauen und ein Ermittler, der alles versucht, sie aufzuklären. Normalerweise stört es mich gar nicht, wenn der Detective Macken hat, seine Arbeit toll macht, während sein Privatleben den Bach heruntergeht. Gabriel McRay jedoch toppt alles, was mir bisher untergekommen ist. Denn er hat nicht nur ein traumatisches Erlebnis aus seiner Kindheit noch nicht verarbeitet, er schafft es auch, sich einfach permanent unprofessionell zu verhalten. Ich habe beim Lesen fast die Hände über den Kopf zusammengeschlagen, so was von nicht nachvollziehbar war sein Verhalten! Und als ob ein kaputter Ermittler nicht reicht, geht es auch der Gerichtsmedizinerin psychisch nicht gut. Das war für meinen Geschmack einfach drüber - sorry.
Auch die Ermittlungen an sich kommen nicht wirklich vom Fleck. Zwar gibt es immer wieder neue Leichen, aber die Polizei kommt nicht wirklich voran (was auch an dem bereits beschriebenen Problem von McRay liegt). Die Story tritt auf der Stelle und man bekommt schon sehr schnell eine Ahnung, wer hinter den Morden stecken könnte. Meine Vermutung hat sich dann auch bestätigt, die Spannung war damit weg und ich war einfach nur froh, dass es jetzt aufgeklärt war. Zwar versucht die Autorin am Ende noch einmal, den Leser abzuholen, aber das hat bei mir leider nicht geklappt.
Insgesamt war das Buch wirklich nicht meins, deswegen gibt es von mir nur 1,5 Sterne für die Grundidee.
May 29, 2019
Detective Gabriel McRay is still struggling to face the past but now woman are turning up dead in Los Angeles, with no clues. But then one woman escapes, Tara Samuels. Can she help find the guilty person.
An interesting mystery/thriller
An interesting mystery/thriller
January 28, 2014
Los Angeles has been described in many a missive with a dark under-belly. In the second novel featuring Detective Gabriel McRay we are certainly provided with a front row seat in the roller coaster ride as it plunges us through the dimly light ride of a life time – just don’t take your hands of the guard rail or you might be featured as the next victim.
Struggling to hold his personal life together and maintain somewhat of a relationship with the beautiful medical examiner, Ming Li, McRay never seems to put a foot right, sleeping with witnesses is a relationship killer and tends to get one disciplined by the superiors on the force too. Ming is essential to the investigation however as a link to several tortured and deceased females comes to light when one of the intended victims escapes and is able to provide the police with details they would never have had otherwise.
Walking a tightrope on a precipitous career path and delving into his own psyche with the aid of the police psychiatrist McRay pushes forward with all the tact of a bull in a china shop following a path that leads to a super-secret sex club where members routinely engage in masochistic habits, all laid out in graphic Super 8mm as the end rushes at us in a crescendo of wild sex, dead bodies and betrayal.
Stevens has once again brought us to the edge of our seats with her gift for psychological suspense and leaves us scarred forever. Our relationship with her is tenuous at best, but like Ming is drawn to the tortured soul of McCray, we too are drawn in to the heat, better to be burned than to have never known the flame.
Struggling to hold his personal life together and maintain somewhat of a relationship with the beautiful medical examiner, Ming Li, McRay never seems to put a foot right, sleeping with witnesses is a relationship killer and tends to get one disciplined by the superiors on the force too. Ming is essential to the investigation however as a link to several tortured and deceased females comes to light when one of the intended victims escapes and is able to provide the police with details they would never have had otherwise.
Walking a tightrope on a precipitous career path and delving into his own psyche with the aid of the police psychiatrist McRay pushes forward with all the tact of a bull in a china shop following a path that leads to a super-secret sex club where members routinely engage in masochistic habits, all laid out in graphic Super 8mm as the end rushes at us in a crescendo of wild sex, dead bodies and betrayal.
Stevens has once again brought us to the edge of our seats with her gift for psychological suspense and leaves us scarred forever. Our relationship with her is tenuous at best, but like Ming is drawn to the tortured soul of McCray, we too are drawn in to the heat, better to be burned than to have never known the flame.
January 29, 2020
This was an interesting mix of police procedural and soap opera-like personal life of the lead detective. I did not like the premise at first, but as the story progressed it got better. And because this is fiction you have to suspend your belief and jump in. None of the characters were very likable, but the story sure was entertaining.
February 26, 2021
Very different. Very suspensful, keeps you wondering right to the end. Will definately read more of this authour's books 📚
February 23, 2014
3.5 stars
Did I enjoy this book: It was mediocre.
Strike one: character development. In a review for The Dark Before Dawn, I described Gabriel McRay as “an LA cop on the edge.” In Deep Into Dusk, he flies way over the edge; to the point that he’s no longer a good guy. He does things that make it impossible to cheer for him. And his once razor sharp girlfriend, Ming, becomes so desperate and sappy that I ended up not liking her anymore either.
Strike two: predictability. I guessed whodunit within the first 50 pages. I even got the accomplice right. I hate that.
But I can’t say she strikes out completely. She’s still a great writer. She tells an interesting story. And I have to admit, I pretty much enjoyed the story even if it was a little disappointing.
Would I recommend it: It’s still an interesting story. If you’re looking for something easy to read while waiting in a carpool line, doctor’s office, hair salon etc.; sure. Why not?
Will I read it again: No.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/re...
Did I enjoy this book: It was mediocre.
Strike one: character development. In a review for The Dark Before Dawn, I described Gabriel McRay as “an LA cop on the edge.” In Deep Into Dusk, he flies way over the edge; to the point that he’s no longer a good guy. He does things that make it impossible to cheer for him. And his once razor sharp girlfriend, Ming, becomes so desperate and sappy that I ended up not liking her anymore either.
Strike two: predictability. I guessed whodunit within the first 50 pages. I even got the accomplice right. I hate that.
But I can’t say she strikes out completely. She’s still a great writer. She tells an interesting story. And I have to admit, I pretty much enjoyed the story even if it was a little disappointing.
Would I recommend it: It’s still an interesting story. If you’re looking for something easy to read while waiting in a carpool line, doctor’s office, hair salon etc.; sure. Why not?
Will I read it again: No.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/re...
December 27, 2013
I was not overly impressed with Deep Into Dusk. From the very outset my interest was dulled by the character names which somehow just didn't seem to fit the genre. Gabriel McRay, Tara Samuels, Regina Faulkner made me think that this was some high society club meeting instead of a psychological thriller.
However much I tried, I just couldn't get to grips with the book and eventually gave up.
Maybe psychological thrillers aren't my thing but I found my interest waning rapidly.
However much I tried, I just couldn't get to grips with the book and eventually gave up.
Maybe psychological thrillers aren't my thing but I found my interest waning rapidly.
September 25, 2013
LOVED this book -- the follow up to The Dark Before Dawn. Once again, Gabriel is challenged, this time by a woman (not his love interest). Can't say anymore without a spoiler.
September 15, 2014
I was very impressed by the first book in this series, but absolutely loved this second one. The continuing story of Gabriel McKay's journey of healing and self-discovery is told against the background of horrific serial killings. If you love thrillers, and especially LA noir, don't miss this series. I can't wait for the author's next book.
October 15, 2014
Noir set in Los Angeles, Gabriel McRay is trying to find himself and healing, maintaining a relationship with medical examiner Ming Li, while serial killer murders are happening. A dark, psychological thriller, its hero has issues, adding flavor to what would have been normally a crime novel.
September 23, 2014
i enjoyed this book..i couldn't put it down...i'll be reading more books by Laurie Stevens in the future
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews