The Darkness Gathers

Lydia Strong #2

by Lisa Unger, Lisa Miscione (Pseudonym ), Emily Beresford (Narrator)

Following up Angel Fire, Lisa Miscione's gritty acclaimed debut featuring reclusive true crime writer Lydia Strong, this second novel ratchets up the suspense and the stakes. Fresh from a book tour promoting her account of her last case, Lydia receives an anonymous cry for help in her fan mail—a tape of a missing young girl's desperate message on an answering machine. The accompanying note begs Lydia to find and protect Tatiana Quinn "and all the other girls in need of rescue." Maybe the plea strikes close to her heart; maybe her investigator's intuition starts buzzing. But she can't stop thinking about Tatiana Quinn.

The simple case of a missing teenager soon becomes much more. Apparently, someone is anxious that Lydia drop the case, someone powerful, someone who grows nervous enough to engineer the reappearance of one of Lydia's first—and most dangerous—adversaries. Now, in addition to tracing the roots of Tatiana's disappearance on a trail from New York to Miami and eventually overseas, Lydia must find the man who wants her dead, his unfinished business from years ago.

Miscione's talents for creating taut prose and bone-chilling suspense come alive once again in this gripping novel about obsession, greed, and revenge.

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

Audio CD

First published April 5, 2003

About the author

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her upcoming release SERVED HIM RIGHT (March, 2026). With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.

Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

Reviews

[Laura Garner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone's editor needs a spanking. This is an okay thriller about a serious subject -- I think, but the writing itself detracts from plot and character. I've enjoyed other books by Miscione/Unger so I was surprised at the inconsistencies (within two sentences one character goes from being described as "unemotional" to "dramatic," with zero transition or justification). But the worst aspect of the book is detailed description of what every character is wearing on any given day, including the brand names. It's so distracting and unnecessary it's comical. I mean, seriously -- who cares whether or not a villain's parka has a detachable fleece lining?

[Melody McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been slowly reading the Lydia Strong series by Lisa Unger, writing under her maiden name. Although I like the character, and her relationship with Jeffrey, I didn't like this second installment as well as the first. Dark themes, dealing with the Albanian mob and sex trafficking, were not as interesting to me, and there was no real action until the end of the book. Hoping the third book in the series is more compelling.

[Sheila (catching up on reviews .. or at least trying ;) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! This terrifying and fast paced novel grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go! I didn’t want to it down and cannot wait to read the next book in the series

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh from a tour promoting her last case, reclusive true crime writer Lydia Strong receives an anonymous cry for help, begging her to find and protect Tatiana Quinn, "and all the other girls in need of rescue." Maybe the plea strikes close to her heart; maybe her investigator's intuition starts buzzing. She takes it on.

But this simple case of a missing teenager soon becomes much more. Someone wants Lydia to drop the case, someone powerful, someone anxious enough to engineer the reappearance of one of Lydia's first--and most dangerous--adversaries. Now, in addition to tracing the roots of Tatiana's disappearance on a trail across the country and eventually overseas, Lydia must find the man who wants her dead, his unfinished business from years ago.

My Thoughts: A page turner with strong and intriguing characters, The Darkness Gathers brings the reader the same strength and ingenuity we find in the author’s later novels. As we trail Lydia Strong and her partner Jeffrey Mark in their quest to find a missing girl, we soon realize that so much more is at stake. Especially when so many agencies and individuals are trying to stop them, no matter what.

Following the money turns out to be their best way to uncover the truth and lead to the evil hidden in powerful organizations.

Will Lydia and Jeff find Tatiana? Who is behind her kidnapping? What evil lurks within her family?

Chasing down connections to the Albanian mob, sexual slavery, and snuff films keep their lives on a chaotic path, hurling toward danger in the darkness and the shadows.

As a final horror for the two of them, the release from prison of serial killer Jed McIntyre brings them to a terrifying conflict. This novel was a page turner that was intense and interesting, albeit with a few confusing elements. 4.5 stars.

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good sequel. It's an odd coincidence that one of the plots in this book was the same as what I just read in one of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series.

[Alison Brazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my review of Angel Fire, the first book in this series, I said it was good but hard to get into in the beginning. Not the case for this book. The story was much better and grabs you a lot sooner than Angel Fire did. In this novel, I'm recalling how much I enjoyed the later books Lisa wrote under her married name, Lisa Unger. I'm now on to the third in this series. If you like suspense/thriller novels, you should give these books a shot.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tatiana Quinn, rebellious teenager, has disappeared from Miami and her billionaire father Nathan Quinn is anxious to get her back. So far attempts to find her have been unsuccessful. Crime writer Lydia Strong is contacted first of all by a message on her phone and then by a Florida detective who says he has something for her. Lydia doesn't usually take this sort of case on but this one appeals to her.

Once in Miami Lydia becomes convinced that the appeal and the subsequent tape recording have been sent to her by the Quinn's home help. Lydia is about to quiz her when a black Mercedes mows her down and kills her. Actions like this tend to make Lydia all the more convinced to continue her investigation. One of the police investigators disappears and then is found dead. Then the remaining investigator becomes unwilling to talk and advises Lydia and her partner Jeffrey Mark to drop the investigation and return to New York. It is obvious that there is much more to this case and to top it all Lydia becomes convinced that one or both of Tatiana's parents are involved.

Quite a long read, with a number of twisted plot strands.

[CYNTHIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following up Angel Fire, Lisa Miscione's gritty acclaimed debut featuring reclusive true crime writer Lydia Strong, this second novel ratchets up the suspense and the stakes. Fresh from a book tour promoting her account of her last case, Lydia receives an anonymous cry for help in her fan mail—a tape of a missing young girl's desperate message on an answering machine. The accompanying note begs Lydia to find and protect Tatiana Quinn "and all the other girls in need of rescue." Maybe the plea strikes close to her heart; maybe her investigator's intuition starts buzzing. But she can't stop thinking about Tatiana Quinn.

The simple case of a missing teenager soon becomes much more. Apparently, someone is anxious that Lydia drop the case, someone powerful, someone who grows nervous enough to engineer the reappearance of one of Lydia's first—and most dangerous—adversaries. Now, in addition to tracing the roots of Tatiana's disappearance on a trail from New York to Miami and eventually overseas, Lydia must find the man who wants her dead, his unfinished business from years ago.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book of the series about Lydia Strong, written by Lisa Miscione, who is now married and is Lisa Unger. Strong woman character, who is a journalist, and is involved in cases when she gets the "buzz" that something is not right. Her husband, Jeffrey, is a former FBI agent who now runs his own agency with two of this former FBI friends. In this story, things center around the disappearance of Tatiana, the beautiful daughter of Nathan Quinn, which leads into selling girls to sex slavery and other horrible things. Lydia and Jeffrey keep being told to leave their investigation by the FBI, the Albanian Mob, and others. They go from New York to Miami to Albania at great danger. And to top it off, Jed McIntyre who killed Lydia's mother and in prison for consecutive life sentences for other murders is somehow released by some unknown power person and is out to get Lydia.

[Laurie]

I read over 1/2 of this book and DNF. I can’t seem to get them”Read” off even though DNF is checked for the shelf. That is why I’m
Not rating this. This book was sooooo slow getting into it. It focuses on finding a missing teen. The writing put me to sleep- (literally) but then last night at the 1/2 way point I got the gist of the story.
Sex trafficking, graphic mutilation and rape.
No thank you. It was horrific for me to read. I know a lot of people enjoy this author. I love mysteries and thrillers- but not this kind of stuff. I don’t need to fill my mind with horror like this. I actually am astounded that so many readers enjoyed this book. As a woman with 3 daughters - I just couldn’t stomach it. To each his own.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up reading Book 4 in this series, then going back to the start. I read and watch numerous series about psychopaths. Since I was physically assaulted myself, I have rather severe reactions to novels about such situations.
Keeping that in mind, I found several scenes in this novel disturbing and hateful. The plot line is complicated, and there are frequent twists. One of the overriding messages is,
"Don't trust anyone."
A beautiful teenager with a wealthy, powerful stepfather disappears. The novel involves politics, power, money, Albania, and smut films. You'll require a strong stomach to finish this!

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unger gives us a very ambitious plot, and I think she pretty much pulled it off; I admire the effort.
I like that Lydia’s and Jefferies’s relationship keeps moving along.
There were some events that were pretty hard to swallow, and I’m not convinced that Lydia and Jeffrey actually needed to go to Albania… I mean, I don’t think they learned anything that they didn’t already know.
I thought the people who were killed needed to be killed, except for two women that I wish hadn’t been.

2 stars to narrator Emily Beresford. Her acting is mediocre, and she mispronounces words. (Grrr..)

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lydia Strong series gets darker and even more suspenseful in this second novel. This one was very suspenseful and violent with a smart plot and further development of the already complex characters. I loved this book so much, I can't wait to read the third and final ones. If you love Lisa Unger, you must read this series.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2003, if I had read it then I would not have believed it but now it seems very real. There are evil men in very high positions who are.kidnapping young girls and selling them and even letting them bekilled in snuff films.Lydia Strong is contacted by an anonymous source and is drawn into helping one girl in a quest that goes from Miami to NY to Albania and back.

[Barbara Freitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so intense i had to stop a few times... it is really dark. And even tho it's fiction to know that evil like that does exist is terrifying. I prefer not to be reminded of that. It is a really good book tho. But i recommend taking turns with a romantic Comedy or something else really light.

[Norma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally enjoy Lisa Unger books, but this one was annoying and too long and then had an unsatisfactory finish. Perhaps I will tty other books by her, but not the Lydia Strong series. Lydia is all about her "buzz" and Jeffrey is about protecting her as though she were a child. Neither are very likable.

[Sheri Resnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I think the book before this was better, but still a great book.
I just found her and am working my way from the beginng of her books after starting with Ink and Bones, which was really good .

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is good. The problem of a little too graphic violence is still there but I could skim through and ignore the descriptions (that's why 4 not 5 stars). Lydia and Jeffrey make a good team. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Andrea Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the Lydia Strong series
As good or better than the first book. Lidya and Jeffrey are a great couple dealing with unimageably evil people. Unger’s writing is very cinematic, I experience the scenes she described
Looking forward to the next book.

[Geraldine Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book i couldn't put down ! A awesome read , suspenseful , fast paced bring on the rest !

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3,5*

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this debut series. Lisa Unger's writing style shines through. Looking forward to the next book...Jed they are coming for you!

[Ernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a bad book. My complaint is that it wrapped up too neatly, too quickly.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling! My breath was in my throat during this action-packed story. The book leaves multiple threads dangling loose so you can't wait to see what happens next.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dana Gillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read!

[Janis Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. But everything is so exaggerated. The good guys are so good. The bad guys are evil. The Council is controlling the world. It is just to much.

[Alan Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one even more than the first one in the series Angel Fire

[Amanda Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book. Not as good as the first.

[Leah Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn’t stay focussed, read about half, couldn’t keep my interest.