Comes the Dark

by Michael Prescott

The past comes back to haunt the residents of Barrow, Pa., when their normally sleepy town is rocked by the discovery of a local girl's remains washed up on the riverbank. Not since the double murder at the Garrison mansion decades earlier has anything so tragic occurred there. Robert and Erica, the two siblings orphaned that violent night so long ago, find themselves again caught up in the terror. Erica, now married and a successful art dealer, is missing, and the new police chief, Connor, with whom she has been having an affair, fears the worst. Although Connor, as well as the rest of the town, assumes the murderer is Robert--known to the locals as "the fool on the hill" because of his irrational rantings and reclusive lifestyle--no one has been able to prove it. Afraid Erica may have set out to find the truth on her own, Connor makes her case top priority, but time is running out. Prescott effectively captures the pain experienced by his characters and how it leads them to terrifying acts of desperation.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Horror, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

A pseudonym used by Douglas Borton, aka Brian Harper.

Douglas Borton grew up in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career as a screenwriter. After working with several independent producers, he eventually switched to writing novels, a much less stressful occupation. He has published 25 thrillers, starting with horror novels in the 1980s and continuing with suspense and crime novels in the '90s and beyond. His latest book is Bad to the Bone (2015), a sequel to Blood in the Water (2014). After twenty years in traditional publishing, he went the indie route in 2011 and has become one of America's bestselling ebook writers.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me. I thought it was going to be a typical whodunnit murder mystery, but the killer was revealed almost immediately. I couldn't wait to find out what the rest of the 300+ pages were about and how it was going to be suspenseful. There were other reveals throughout that kept me turning the pages. The writer is very good because when he was describing the tension a character was feeling while trapped in caves, I felt her tension and claustrophobia right along with her. There were a lot of good action scenes and the ending was very satisfying.

[Chad Schimke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comes the Dark by Michael Prescott (2013)
Time is running out for two siblings, orphaned by a double murder decades earlier. When a local girl's remains are discovered at the river, the sister retraces memories from her youth, and suspects her brother of murder.
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019...

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good little book. Not great but an easy read. The story line is interesting and a little different to the typical murder / mystery. Ending came as a bit of a rush but it balanced out some long parts in the middle.
Read it if you like a murder mystery that is not too juicy, and you want an easy read.

[Mary Jane Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very bleak story about siblings that witness their parents' death. The brother becomes a feared hermit and is suspected of a young girl's murder.

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall I really liked the book,but it took me for ever to read.For me personally it was very slow until the end.I felt like the events were to straight forward, or in other words I did nit feel like it was well orchestrated. I gave it a 2 star rating because of the Mythological references. I happen to be taking Mythology,which I really enjoy, and the fact that I new what the characters were talking about made me feel good.

[Betty Melton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I have read many books by this author but I must say I was taken by surprise. although a thriller ,, was very different from his other works. I am still deciding if I liked it or not. had some slow moving areas and some way out there moments. Glad I read it in the day time.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read authored by Michael Prescott. This story has so many twists and turns, it takes the reader's breath away. On a dozen occasions, I knew what was going to happen next, something way different happened instead, and I found myself in the character's place, defeated or elated, whichever. You won't be disappointed in this book!

[Elon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first thriller, and overall a very interesting one. I love that it's told from the multiple perspectives of the main characters so you're allowed insight on their thoughts. The book is easy to read, very descriptive, and the storyline is not difficult to follow.

The pacing of the middle section felt long, and I almost forgot this entire book was happening in the course of a day. However, the ending made it worth reading through the necessary world-building and character-building. I believe this section was a bit dragged out so it could build the characters, giving them depth, and it was important in order to understand the reasons for their actions and thoughts. It was interesting seeing it all tie together. The suspense was also very real, it had me at the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down when something drastic happened.

I love the constant references and parallels to Greek mythology. It was very artistic, tragic, and intense. It's a good read and I'd recommend it to others.

[Amy Freese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
You know how you sometimes just can't put a book down? Yeah. Totally how I felt with this book. I read it cover to cover... in a day. Only stopped for bathroom runs. No joke. My eyes were sandpaper by the time I finished.
This story pulled me in right from the get go. I liked that it is a unique tale. I have not come across anything similar to it before. If you have an interest in mythology, the characters here will intrigue you. I am a huge Criminal Minds fan and this book was very on par with that for me. It got my heart racing a time or two. I gave in to a sniffle here and there. A very entertaining stand alone in my opinion.
I am open to finding more by this author.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t say I was TOTALLY unexpected by the ending but there were a few twists in the finale that added some surprises. Characters are somewhat fleshed out in the beginning but as the story goes the reader does discover more about each of the key players. The storyline is fast paced; the entire 400 page book covers only about 24 hours. My rating of 3 stars makes this a GOOD read for me. I would recommend this to someone who likes thriller/suspense novels.

[Merrilee Buroker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to not like books that take place in a matter of hours. For me, the pacing is just a drag. Page 60: they're still in the closet. Page 260: yep, still in the closet. Of course, this story does not take place in a closet, I didn't want to include a spoiler. But same principle. The story itself is intriguing enough. It's got all the ingredients of a good thriller, murder, insanity, mysterious mansion and a sprinkle of romance. But the pacing, ugh.

[SamBam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it also wasn’t the worst. It works for what it is; an easy, thriller/chapter-book that you read to pass the time. But I personally don’t think I gained much from it. Nothing wrong with that though! I loved the story line and it kept me interested until the end.

[Shary Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The killer was revealed early on. You just have to keep on reading because the rest of the book will explain why the killer behaves that way. The trauma behind it. It's dragging actually that I shuffled as fast as I could to reach the last leaf of the book.

[Grace Garver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot! The characters are fun and unique and I enjoyed the very short time frame in which this story takes place. It isn’t perfect, and there is definitely too much emphasis on greek mythology in my opinion, but I liked it!

[Alissa Jenise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on edge from start to finish.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was just happy to be done with this book. It was okay but won't be running out and finding any other books by Prescott any time soon.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird. Hard to follow at times. By the conclusion finally came on horizon I just wanted it done. 2 Very generous stars. (1.5 Stars more accurate)

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was just boring. After a run of great books it seems I’m now on a run of mediocre to outright dull books. I might have given it 2 stars normally but just tired of reading dull stories.

[LucyMayBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Twist and Turns

I really enjoyed this book - I started reading it at the beginning of the weekend and could not put it down. it has been a long while since a book has held my attention like this one did. I don't want to reveal any of the plot which could spoil it for the next reader. The only negative was there was a little TOO MUCH narrative on mythology that I skimed over which I found a little boring. But other than that, the storyline was good and the action was great.

[Mich · Rating 2 out of 5]

the description given does NOT match the book i read.the book i read is indeed titled comes the dark, michael prescott was the author with a cover that matches the one shown.
its a twisted murder mystery with a dark side of mental illness
not the best not the worst..

[Orianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book never once in my oppion did this book get baoring all the way to the last part had me nonstop reading. The discription was like a movie being payed out in my mind I am a big fan of Michael Prescott and will keep reading his books.

[Brett]

Thriller

[Kathy]

Debbie M

[Staci Stokes Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, just awful. Why did I even finish it?

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a great book - a real page turner. But the summary up there next to the book cover doesn't go with the story (although that sounds like a good book too...)

[Kelly Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I will read over and over and still love it everytime

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class as always Mr. P.

[Barbara McGrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story.
Characters will developed.
Plot was different and and activities were different.
And the ending was a great surprise.
I enjoyed the book very much.

[Juno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 3.5 stars. Thought the book was well written overall and an easy read. Plot was given away too early and then was fairly predictable.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anther grate thriller killer I recommend this book to people looking for thriller with a killer