The Dark Room

by Julia Cameron

A homicide detective on the trail of a rapist-killer comes face to face with his own past

Genres: Fiction

436 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.

Reviews

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has a different writing style than what I am used to. At first, I had to read slow and deliberate. Once I got into her groove, however, I was able to pick up the pace.

This was one of the very few who-done-its that I hadn't figured out the perpetrator by mid-read. This book kept me questioning the killer, the motive, and the roles the other characters played in the book until the very end. I look forward to reading what other works Julia Cameron has to offer!

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest that I picked up this book in a thrift store, in Florida. It sat in a box of things that came back from there, forgotten. I recently went through the box and found the book. When I started reading it, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I've read The Artist's Way and Julia Cameron's memoir, Floor Sample. As this book progressed, I liked it more and more. Good characters, great plot with twists the way I like them. It wasn't a pleasant theme...child pornography, but I found the book to be fascinating and hard to stop reading. I'm very glad I found this book. Some people say there are no accidents. If not, then I was meant to read this book. I liked it!!

[Wayward Daughter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that, the more I think about this book, the more I am going to like it.

The story of the dark room is a twisted mystery about murdered men missing with their dicks cut off, satanic overtures, and child abuse. The main character, Detective Mayo, is a somewhat likeable character, although the dialogue is often hard to follow more because of the format then the writing. Dr Violet Winters is a bit of an enigma at first, but as the story unravels, her role is made more and more evident until it reaches a pretty fulfilling climax and ending. The fact that Mayos son was raped and is a key player in finding the identity of the cult members responsible for the child rapes/murders, is both necessary and so sad. Especially because some of the characters are so infuriating of what happened to him, his own mother blaming him at times.

Like I said, the more I think about this book, the more I will like it. The meticulous murderer of the cult members is so relatable; how would we act had we been forced into the same situation? The writing was some times too much, and I feel that the satanic ties could have been better explained, and perhaps more graphic in some areas. Sometimes the writing also annoyed me because I am a stickler for exhaustive styles. I thought I would be disappointed once this book was over, but I find that I am not. There was definitely things I would have changed about it, but overall, it finished nicely and left me with a sense of horror, dread, hope, and understanding in some ways. Might want to read it again in the future.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had Julia Cameron's book THE DARK ROOM on my shelf and my "to-read" list for several years. I finally decided that it was time to quit stalling and read it. It's very different from anything I expected. I honestly can't say what I expected, but I didn't expect the sex and violence that were an integral part of this story. It was a twisting, winding who-done-it mystery that had me thinking a couple of times that I had it all figured out, but I never did. At least the who-done-it was a surprise and unexpected. I definitely prefer books like this when I can't guess the killer prior to the big reveal at the end. I do think that when a killer is revealed, he/she should have a larger role in the story than this killer does. (I honestly hope that doesn't reveal anything to spoil it for you.) If you like twisting, winding, who-done-it mysteries, I am sure you enjoy Julia Cameron's THE DARK ROOM.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t find same title by Greta Boris! So using this instead for doc purposes

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like it in the first few chapters. It is a crime novel based upon sex crimes and a child porn ring. I love Julia Cameron but this is very different from her creative non-fiction. The pace did pick up by around the tenth chapter and I stuck with it. The twists and turns--and the body count--grew. There was a definite twist near the end. Cameron narrates the tale through the eyes of a male middle aged and seasoned Chicago police homicide detective. It is a gritty and grisly book, but still the ethereal Cameron peeks through from time to time: like when she describes the art of "coincidence" and putting it out there in your mind--opening one's self to receiving answers.

[Space · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked this book. It's not my usual genre, but I gave it a go. It's about a photographer who winds up in a murder mystery. Good suspense, enjoyable plot, believable characters and a nice read. Fun for a weekend.

[jody]

Her non fiction is so eloquent and spiritual. I was shocked at how vulgar and graphic this novel was. I didn't read very much of it. Just not my cup of tea.

[Tommye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. there was a good pace and it held my attention well.