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Dark Places
She though she married the perfect man-but now she must survive his terrible secret. Christy McNair's newlywed life has been idyllic-until no. Suddenly, three strangers are shattering her world. One is a handsome loner, obsessively pursuing her with arrogant lust. One is a mysterious woman, with a frightening claim on her most intimate world. And one is her husband, the man she though she knew, whose dark secrets will plunge Christy into the greatest nightmare any would could face-when she is forced to fight for her marriage, her sanity, her very life.
- GenresHorror
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1984
37 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Altman
16 books11 followersPseudonym for Campbell Armstrong. Other pseudonyms are Campbell Black and Jeffrey Campbell. He also wrote books under his real name. Campbell Armstrong was born in Glasgow. He has a degree in philosophy from the University of Sussex. He taught creative writing from 1971-74 at the State University of New York; from 1975-78 he taught at Arizona State University.
He disliked teaching immensely so, in 1978, he began to write fiction fulltime; he had already published Assassins & Victims (1968); The Punctual Rape (1969) and Death’s Head (1971). In 1979, after he quit the academic life, he published Asterisk Destiny, and the following year Brainfire.
He remained in Arizona until 1991, during which time he wrote the novelization of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Brian De Palma’s Dressed To Kill. He also wrote the novels Jig, Mambo and Mazurka, between 1986 and 1989. In 1990 he published Concert of Ghosts, and in 1991 his novel of corrupt American influence in the Philippines, Agents of Darkness.
After 20 years in the US, he longed to return to Europe. Early in 1991 he moved to Ireland, to the heart of the bog, with his wife Rebecca. He has since written Jigsaw, Heat, Silencer and Blackout. He also published a memoir called I Hope You Have A Good Life (2000).
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He has three sons and a daughter, and lives in an old house reputed to be haunted.
He disliked teaching immensely so, in 1978, he began to write fiction fulltime; he had already published Assassins & Victims (1968); The Punctual Rape (1969) and Death’s Head (1971). In 1979, after he quit the academic life, he published Asterisk Destiny, and the following year Brainfire.
He remained in Arizona until 1991, during which time he wrote the novelization of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Brian De Palma’s Dressed To Kill. He also wrote the novels Jig, Mambo and Mazurka, between 1986 and 1989. In 1990 he published Concert of Ghosts, and in 1991 his novel of corrupt American influence in the Philippines, Agents of Darkness.
After 20 years in the US, he longed to return to Europe. Early in 1991 he moved to Ireland, to the heart of the bog, with his wife Rebecca. He has since written Jigsaw, Heat, Silencer and Blackout. He also published a memoir called I Hope You Have A Good Life (2000).
***
He has three sons and a daughter, and lives in an old house reputed to be haunted.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 15, 2018
The second read in my Altman Trilogy (previous was The True Bride and next is The Intruder). Would it be as good as The True Bride? Not quite.
My copy is the Corgi edition which is not on Goodreads. That’s a shame as it has a fantastic 80’s cover which suggests it is a sleazy read but it is not like that. It is well written with great characters.
It is similar to The True Bride. A wife whose marriage could fall apart as a mystery unfolds revealing dark secrets from her husband’s past. However, there is less of a horror element to the story and it is not as creepy or scary.
Also similar is the ending. Not in the reveal or actions but in that the ending is the downside. It felt like it just stopped. The secrets were out and the characters all came together to confront each other when it stopped. There was no resolution and it felt like the story could continue in a sequel which picks up exactly where this finishes. I like books which don’t have all the answers (Valley of Lights) but this book did. It was more that it left me thinking what was going to happen next. What are the consequences and ramifications of the dark secrets and mystery? I will never know.
I am enjoying my Altman Trilogy and looking forward to reading the third concluding book, The Intruder.
My copy is the Corgi edition which is not on Goodreads. That’s a shame as it has a fantastic 80’s cover which suggests it is a sleazy read but it is not like that. It is well written with great characters.
It is similar to The True Bride. A wife whose marriage could fall apart as a mystery unfolds revealing dark secrets from her husband’s past. However, there is less of a horror element to the story and it is not as creepy or scary.
Also similar is the ending. Not in the reveal or actions but in that the ending is the downside. It felt like it just stopped. The secrets were out and the characters all came together to confront each other when it stopped. There was no resolution and it felt like the story could continue in a sequel which picks up exactly where this finishes. I like books which don’t have all the answers (Valley of Lights) but this book did. It was more that it left me thinking what was going to happen next. What are the consequences and ramifications of the dark secrets and mystery? I will never know.
I am enjoying my Altman Trilogy and looking forward to reading the third concluding book, The Intruder.
January 11, 2023
Over the top in the drama department - which I can appreciate! But in the end, the motive for everything didn't quite make sense. I mean, was there even a real motive for any of it?
April 22, 2016
This was not as good as the other book I read of his, but it was close enough. Superb writing and enough intrigue to get me by but definitely more tame and more of a mystery. Not what I expected but entertaining nonetheless. If you're up for a slow burn, I'd recommend. Otherwise, I'd leave this one for last.
April 14, 2020
This was a very suspenseful book. Great author and interesting read
July 5, 2012
This book was about a broken home of abuse and how the children killed to keep what happened in the past stay that way.
It had a few witty lines but overall it was sadly boring hope my next book proves more worthy.
April 18, 2016
1st Read: December 18, 1997 - December 31, 1997
: January 1, 1998 - January 8, 1998
I may not read this one again as it never grabbed me at all the first time around. Didn't find it at all interesting either way.
October 23, 2008
I read this book many years ago (early 80's), so I can not give an accurate review. I have it listed in my records as a "good read".
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews