Dark Angel

by Geoffrey Archer

Tom Sedley's idyllic summer vacation in a leafy post war suburb of north London came to an abrupt and shocking end on the 14th September, 1948 when his sister was brutally murdered in woodland near his house.





A tramp was arrested for the crime but for the young boy it was the end of childhood and the beginning of a lifelong search to discover what had actually happened that late summer day.





Marcus Warwick was Tom's neighbour and best friend but the murder changed their relationship forever: suspicion clouded Tom's mind and they drifted apart. Unknown to each other they were both sent to Korea two years later, Warwick an officer, Sedley as a humble radio man: and when they met in the chaos of war they both had to acknowledge a gulf of distrust and class had opened between the two.





Their new relationship was tested in the savagery of the combat that swept up and down the peninsula that first winter. When Tom and Marcus met again it was in combat and it soon became apparent that the one could barely trust the other with his life. The bitterness of what they experienced scarred them for the rest of their lives.





Only years later when Tom stumbles across his sister's secret diary do the events of 1948 once more leap into sharp focus and allow him to seek final justice for her murder.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Geoffrey Archer is a fiction writer from London. He specialises in military adventures and spy thrillers and created the character Sam Packer.

Reviews

[J V Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a struggle to get through the first third of the book. All about the Korean war. Got very boring. I know it was a part of the story but felt it could have been condensed. Not a bad yarn after that but a bit predictable. Not Archer;s best.

[Geoffrey John Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again Geoffrey Archer stories are well crafted

Great story, the characters are very different and compelling.
The time span is quite nostalgic and factual accurately presented. A great read.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down to start with and was interested in the Korea section but then it seemed somewhat far-fetched after that.

[ernest j foxcroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual but good

I enjoyed the book it had a very good story line it kept you on your toes. Well worth reading

[Doris Thomsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am at page 182 and I will have to put this book down and never come back to it. So boring. Only have done this twice before.

[Rosemary McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the Korean War was central to the story, but it was boring to trudge through. Otherwise, a good read, if somewhat predictable.

[Geoffrey Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping novel in typical Jeffry Archer style.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. Very well written.

[David Gammie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally predicable with every “surprise“ telegraphed in plenty of time.

[Grahame Niven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most intriguing plots and exciting books I've read in some time. I recommend it.

[John Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Sedley's idyllic summer vacation in a leafy post war suburb of north London came to an abrupt and shocking end on the 14th September, 1948 when his sister was brutally murdered in woodland near his house.
A tramp was arrested for the crime but for the young boy it was the end of childhood and the beginning of a lifelong search to discover what had actually happened that late summer day. Police detective got prison for creating evidence which made it possible that the evidence against the tramp was fabricated.
Marcus Warwick was Tom's neighbour and best friend but the murder changed their relationship forever: suspicion clouded Tom's mind and they drifted apart. Unknown to each other they were both sent to Korea two years later, Warwick an officer, Sedley as a humble radio man: and when they met in the chaos of war they both had to acknowledge a gulf of distrust and class had opened between the two. In Korea at one stage Marcus saves Tom by killing a Korean who was about to kill Tom, Geographical and dates of the war given. Marcus falls for Korean girl and drew her picture. He forced one act of sex. She disappeared South been pregnant in the chaos of the war. Unknown to Marcus. Girl gives birth to a daughter and she goes into an US orphanage plus drawing. Girl killed by brother and Korean army intepreter who was a North Korean Spy and gained a grudge againstMarcus for not listening to him etc. He attempted to kill Marcus in London many years later in revenge but he had been killed by Binny Marcus' brother wife and from the old neighbourhood. Binny pushed Marcus in front of a train for not go off with her. Seb Marcus' brother separates from Binny as well.
Only years later when Tom stumbles across his sister's secret diary do the events of 1948 once more leap into sharp focus and allow him to seek final justice for her murder. Diary showed Marcus had as a young boy lead on by the girl attempted sex before Binny neighbourhood friend strangled Binny as she was in love with Marcus.

Binny is left at book's end on the bridge on her own by Tom. He now knows Binny killed both Marcus and his sister, Binny sought Tom out when he went to a review old film event featuring his mother. He is no longer tormented by his sister's ghost. What Binny does next is left as story finishes at this point. Marcus' daughter plans to go into the priesthood. Title dark angel not sure refers to what. Possibly the sister's ghost? no idea.

[Michael Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dark Angel" was written very much in the Geoffrey Archer style which I listened to on CDs. He told a good story which kept my interest to the end. I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenes depicted during the Korean War in the 50s; often a much forgotten war about which little was written. However, I did find the plot somewhat contrived, with convenient coincidences introduced in places in order to suit the story. Notwithstanding, I was going to give it a 3 star rating, but upgraded it to 4, as I did enjoy it despite its shortcomings.

[Rob Briscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a murder mystery spread out over about forty years. The killing happens when the main characters are teenagers and nearly half of the story takes place in the Korean War when the male characters are serving in the British army. I found that part really interesting, because I'd never read anything about the Korean War. The book is really well written and it's not one of those stories where you've worked out who did it half way through. Thoroughly enjoyed it and it kept me hooked.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this complex, thoughtful book that explores the frailties of human beings, with my usual reservation about audiobooks which is that you can't easily go back to check an individual or an idea. For three quarters of the story characters are well-drawn and believable; the narration is very well done. The final chapters of the book were less enjoyable as the denouement is reached and the characters become caricatures in search of an ending.

[Asha Stark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked that the parts focusing on the Korean war and the Falklands debacle really hammered it home to readers how disorganised and ultimately fruitless both wars were.
Unfortunately the rest of the book's plot didn't do much for me. I felt the main character was an extra, and the others just weren't all that likeable- which doesn't necessarily make or break a book, but here it just wasn't working for me.

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for a new mystery/suspense author. I picked this up because I'd heard of the author and on GR's it was given 4 stars. It's the WORST book ever...written badly, stupid story, character development truly unrealistic...just trash. I'm only giving one star because I didn't want people to think I'd neglected to rate it! No more Geoffrey Archer for me~

[page turned · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book! A departure in terms of style from Geoffrey Archer's other books that I have read, but every bit as gripping. Fantastic plot line, full of unexpected twists and great characters, as well as beautifully and meticulously observed detail about the Korean War which I found extremely interesting. Very highly recommended.

[Bibliophile · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this story filled with telling people's emotions rather than showing them, totally one-dimensional characters, and a plot that depended heavily on coincidences. I won't be reading any more by Geoffrey Archer!

[Stef O'connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably 2.5 stars. It was like reading 2 different books by 2 different authors......the first half was pretty good and the 2nd half was, well, pretty ordinary (and even knowing it was fiction, unbelievable).

[IEVE SABINE]

Ok

I enjoyed it. The end was surprising.this all saga was written with sensibility i like this. Recommend it to everyone .

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Tom Sedley's idylic summer in 1948 in north London ended when his sister was murdered.