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Susan Pulaski #1
Dark Eye: A Novel of Suspense
Sometimes her eyes seduce. Sometimes they stare straight at the kind of sights most people turn away from. But in the blazing neon and searing sun of Las Vegas, she can’t see the man who is watching her and thinking to She is the one. . . .From the mountain views beyond the Strip to the dingy dens of forbidden pleasure, Susan Pulaski loves Las Vegas. A woman who wears a gun at her side and her heart on a sleeve, Pulaski is the perfect fit for her city and her unraveling the minds of deviant personalities. Until a killer begins decorating Sin City with the horribly disfigured bodies of once beautiful young women. . . . and Pulaski’s own demons go on a binge.Eight months after her cop husband’s death, her life is spinning out of control–just as her detective colleagues start searching for a serial killer who methodically stalks his female victims and plunges them into an orgy of terror. When a violent incident earns Pulaski a pink slip from the LVPD and a trip to detox, she’s out of the hunt altogether, so she begins to desperately try to regain her job, her reputation, and custody of the niece she’s been raising on her own. It seems hopeless–until Pulaski meets the one person who can lead her into the mind of a madman no one else can understand. Darcy O’Bannon is a twenty-five-year-old autistic savant whose relationship with the world around him is so unusual that it forces Pulaski to view the crimes from a bizarre–but ultimately insightful–perspective.White-knuckling her way to the center of the case, she becomes the key player in a desperate hunt for a killer who believes he has found divine inspiration in the works of Edgar Allan Poe. But even with the assistance of Darcy’s astonishing skills, Pulaski is in even more danger than she knows. For the man she seeks is watching her, seduced by her frailties and strengths, her beauty and boldness. To finish his masterwork of horror, he needs her.In a blistering novel that brings together glitz and goth, human weakness and human genius, and a murderous psychopath who is all too chillingly real, master storyteller William Bernhardt has created an unparalleled literary Las Vegas thrill ride that will leave readers breathless until the final, stunning page.From the Hardcover edition.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2004
About the author
William Bernhardt
99 books533 followersWilliam Bernhardt is the author of over sixty books, including the bestselling Daniel Pike and Ben Kincaid legal thrillers, the historical novels Challengers of the Dust and Nemesis, three books of poetry, and the ten Red Sneaker books on fiction writing.
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 26, 2012
Eight months after her cop husband’s death, Susan Pulaski, a Las Vegas police detective,is spinning out of control–just as her detective colleagues start searching for a serial killer who methodically stalks his female victims and plunges them into an orgy of terror. When a violent incident earns Pulaski a pink slip from the LVPD and a trip to detox, she’s out of the hunt altogether, so she begins to desperately try to regain her job, her reputation, and custody of the niece she’s been raising on her own. It seems hopeless–until Pulaski meets Darcy O’Bannon, her boss's son, a twenty-five-year-old autistic savant.
White-knuckling her way to the center of the case, she becomes the key player in a desperate hunt for a killer who believes he has found divine inspiration in the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
This was pretty good - it had my usual favorite qualities - fast-paced, suspenseful and for the most part, credible. There were a couple of really unpleasant scenes of child abuse. Also, I'm tired of every other main character being alcoholic. It is a very over-used plotline - time for authors to find another way to give their characters character. That said, the good way outweighed the bad and I would definitely read more in the series.
White-knuckling her way to the center of the case, she becomes the key player in a desperate hunt for a killer who believes he has found divine inspiration in the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
This was pretty good - it had my usual favorite qualities - fast-paced, suspenseful and for the most part, credible. There were a couple of really unpleasant scenes of child abuse. Also, I'm tired of every other main character being alcoholic. It is a very over-used plotline - time for authors to find another way to give their characters character. That said, the good way outweighed the bad and I would definitely read more in the series.
January 29, 2009
The first non-Ben Kincaid book I read. I was fully prepared to be disappointed but instead I found myself enthralled in a thriller with a twisted psychopath as the guilty culprit.
October 25, 2011
As a huge fan of William Bernhardt, who has read and loved his entire Ben Kincaid series, I'm finding writing this review difficult. Don't get me wrong this book is exquisitely well plotted, well written, and filled with suspense and action. It is also very different in tone than the Kincaid books, but that just displays this writer's versatility and skill. The villain of the piece is complex and unique, and his descent into horrific behavior understandable. A key character in the book, Darcy, is probably one of the great characters in any recent book and the decision to allow the reader to view portions of the action from his perspective is brilliant and effective. Actually, point of view shifts are handled extremely well in this book and give it a depth that would otherwise be hard to achieve. So, you ask, why three stars and not five? The first reason is a simple one. I didn't really care for the protagonist and her refusal to take control of her life. But I could have gotten passed this. The big problem for me was that I found it very difficult to get through the sections relating to the physical and emotional torture and killing of young people. I have read and enjoyed other books where this was a component of the story, but somehow here it was just too real for me. As a beginning author myself, I realize how much skill it takes to bring such verisimilitude to a story and applaud it. As a father, I just found it too disturbing. What you take from a book is always a combination of what the author brings to it and what you, the reader, bring to it. In this case the combination was unsuccessful for me. For this reason, I hesitate to recommend this book to anyone, but also realize that for another reader it may bring all the things the author packed into it without any of the trauma I took away. William Bernhardt is a fantastic writer and encourage anyone interested in great stories to read his abundant and creative body of work. Before you read this one, make certain you know what you're getting into.
May 4, 2013
Now this is a suspenseful book! Bill Bernhardt creates a realistic depiction of a person in recovery (alcoholism and depression) who has found the thinnest sliver of a reason to keep fighting for a better life. What's intriguing about the protagonist is that she's not particularly likeable, but she transforms into a respectable person in an entirely believable way. Although this isn't high brow literature--it never was intended to be--it weaves in elements of classics via the antagonist's drive...the works of Poe. The manner in which this masterful writer gives depth and dimension to every significant major character is compelling. Even the unsavory characters' motivations provoke empathy. It's a fast moving ride through the most seedy parts of town; you've never seen Las Vegas like this before! This chilling thriller will have you guessing literally to the last page.
August 8, 2015
After reading the first chapter of this book, I honestly could not put it down. Character after character showed promising depth, brilliantly written and easy to relate to. Had my heart racing the entire time.
I'm finding it extremely hard to describe how beautifully crafted the killer's character was. Every detail was on point, and even his back story made my skin crawl. I don't think I have ever came across an antagonist that was so complex and odd that he made me stare into nothingness for a few minutes just to understand how fucked up he really is.
The only thing I don't get is why the hell isn't this book getting the attention it deserves?
I'm finding it extremely hard to describe how beautifully crafted the killer's character was. Every detail was on point, and even his back story made my skin crawl. I don't think I have ever came across an antagonist that was so complex and odd that he made me stare into nothingness for a few minutes just to understand how fucked up he really is.
The only thing I don't get is why the hell isn't this book getting the attention it deserves?
December 10, 2009
This is a member of (what seems to me to be) a growing genre of detective novels...the 'defective detective', to borrow a phrase from the USA TV network :)
In this case, an alcoholic detective who has to solve her own problems while simultaneously solving the crime. This is a well written, fast-paced book. A modern novel, it has some situations and language I would prefer to avoid, but otherwise would not hesitate to recommend it.
In this case, an alcoholic detective who has to solve her own problems while simultaneously solving the crime. This is a well written, fast-paced book. A modern novel, it has some situations and language I would prefer to avoid, but otherwise would not hesitate to recommend it.
July 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The setting in Las Vegas was somewhat of a waste, but there was a need for a themed hotel and Vegas is the place for those, for sure! A psychopathic serial killer is loose in Las Vegas and has a very interesting take on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. The female detective is a struggling alcoholic trying to keep her world from turning upside down. Many twists and turns and a terrific ending makes this book worth reading.
March 28, 2008
Creepy. I only continued reading this because of a wonderful young autistic man, and I wanted to make sure he stayed safe. This is one of William Bernhardt's more recent offerings. I prefer his earlier work, before he tried to scare the pants off me.
May 19, 2008
Again the issue of Asberger's fasinates me. The crime scenes are elaborate and psychotic.
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December 17, 2009Will we see more of Susan Pulaski and Darcy O'Bannon?
October 25, 2021
Susan Pulaski is a detective, but right now she is going through a hard time. Her husband, who was a cop also, is dead. She is drinking to ease her pain and she just got in a bar room fight and almost
killed a man. She winds up in the hospital from the fight, but hers is a mental breakdown.
When she does get out, she has lost everything. Her home went into bankruptcy, she has been fired from her job and her neice, who lived with her has been taken away to live in a foster home.
Susan is just living to drink now, but she wants her neice back and when a case comes up in the city, Las Vegas, she begs her boss to take her back..Susan is one of the best profilers and has solved many cases before, so she is only temporary as consultant. The serial killer she is after is one that is targeting women all over the city and disfiguring them.
But can Susan leave the bottle behind and clean up her life. A different type of novel by William Bernardt.
killed a man. She winds up in the hospital from the fight, but hers is a mental breakdown.
When she does get out, she has lost everything. Her home went into bankruptcy, she has been fired from her job and her neice, who lived with her has been taken away to live in a foster home.
Susan is just living to drink now, but she wants her neice back and when a case comes up in the city, Las Vegas, she begs her boss to take her back..Susan is one of the best profilers and has solved many cases before, so she is only temporary as consultant. The serial killer she is after is one that is targeting women all over the city and disfiguring them.
But can Susan leave the bottle behind and clean up her life. A different type of novel by William Bernardt.
September 8, 2026
I sought this author out for the first time because he was recommended as a legal/courtroom writer. But I landed on his first (I think) book about a criminal profiler seeking a serial killer. It was well written but frankly too intense for me with the NUMEROUS described killings (described chillingly but tastefully if that can be imagined!). Probably will avoid that genre going forward and will look for his lawyer books I was originally seeking! Call me ignorant if you like, but I would also say the author made an effort to frequently include extremely rare vocabulary words. That added interest when reading on a kindle where it is easy to access definitions, but honestly seemed a bit distracting to the story when challenging but less obscure wording could easily have been chosen.
February 4, 2018
I liked the idiot-savant character Darcy who kept piping in with random facts like most coffee comes from West Africa not South America and 61% of all house fires start in the kitchen.
The killer in this story really was one sick, twisted bastard.
I thought they were gonna go into the whole Poe as a time traveler card, but they stopped short of that. Made me appreciate Poe more, though.
The killer in this story really was one sick, twisted bastard.
I thought they were gonna go into the whole Poe as a time traveler card, but they stopped short of that. Made me appreciate Poe more, though.
February 4, 2021
A. Great story
I have read many of his books and this story was one of the best but it was marred by two things the shifts from one character or section to another were not marked enough and his use of esoteric words had a show off quality that was off putting. I will still read his books but I hope he is over those flaws. They were distracting.
I have read many of his books and this story was one of the best but it was marred by two things the shifts from one character or section to another were not marked enough and his use of esoteric words had a show off quality that was off putting. I will still read his books but I hope he is over those flaws. They were distracting.
July 8, 2022
TOO LONG & BORING
The book was boring, too long and I did not appreciate your use of unusual words that I had to look up to understand what you were talking about!
That was more about your ego!! It detracted from the enjoyment of reading the book
Bruce Waterman.
The book was boring, too long and I did not appreciate your use of unusual words that I had to look up to understand what you were talking about!
That was more about your ego!! It detracted from the enjoyment of reading the book
Bruce Waterman.
May 7, 2025
Fantastic Read
I thought this book was so well written! The entire premise was fantastic and well thought out. Characters and plot very well thought out and I could not put it down. Highly recommend.
I thought this book was so well written! The entire premise was fantastic and well thought out. Characters and plot very well thought out and I could not put it down. Highly recommend.
March 10, 2026
When a book grabs you…
…and it’s so hard to put it down that you stay up too late and lose sleep, that’s a good book. Riveting story, the human condition so well understood, emotional, captivating. Thank you William!
…and it’s so hard to put it down that you stay up too late and lose sleep, that’s a good book. Riveting story, the human condition so well understood, emotional, captivating. Thank you William!
September 24, 2017
great serial killer book
August 25, 2018
Didn’t expect Susan Pulaski, though I was going to read Ben Kincaid.
An entertaining story outside the bounds of believability.
An entertaining story outside the bounds of believability.
June 6, 2020
First of the Susan Pulaski series.
July 1, 2020
Lousy. How did the reading public rate this 4+ stars is beyond me. Total crap.
September 3, 2022
This is the second William Bernhardt book that thoroughly disgusted me in the first chapter. There has to be something else to write about that inflicting violence on women and gay characters.
March 4, 2009
I really enjoyed this book though I had to wonder how the author thinks of the different ways to have people tortured. A psycho killer is on the loose and he always seems to be a few steps ahead of the detective and the psychological profiler who are after him.
I thought that the way the characters were woven together and the flaws that they each had was very compelling. Susan, the main character, was fighting addiction and throughout the book she is constantly struggling. During the case she was introduced to a young man, the son of her captain, who is autistic and sees the world in his own way. They become close and he helps with her work.
I was very busy while reading this novel so it took me longer to read then normal. It was very good and I didn't want to put it down, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good suspense.
I thought that the way the characters were woven together and the flaws that they each had was very compelling. Susan, the main character, was fighting addiction and throughout the book she is constantly struggling. During the case she was introduced to a young man, the son of her captain, who is autistic and sees the world in his own way. They become close and he helps with her work.
I was very busy while reading this novel so it took me longer to read then normal. It was very good and I didn't want to put it down, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good suspense.
May 30, 2012
In the mood for another serial killer series, I decided to give this first novel in a two-book series a try. Set in Las Vegas, Bernhardt couples this interesting setting with an odd, Edgar Allan Poe angle as each murder adds to the killer’s strange goal. Susan Pulaski, the main character, is a deeply flawed woman, but Bernhardt manages to make her quite sympathetic and even likable. The aid from her autistic friend adds originality to the genre, and makes the book a lot more interesting (and also makes Susan a lot more endearing). The shifting points of view detracted from the novel, here, unfortunately, and as a whole, the book was rather out of the realm of realism. Still, those things aside, on the whole it was an enjoyable and entertaining mystery and I must say that I am looking forward to the sequel!
June 27, 2014
I like William Bernhardt and his books, usually. So I thought this would be a good book to read. I didn't finish it, couldn't really get started because of all the profanity. I can usually get past profanity in a book by skipping over it. In this book, skipping over it was impossible because there was so much of it. I'm not a reader who cares for any book so filled with profanity, the profanity actually takes over the base story. Sorry, Bill. I just couldn't do it.
May 20, 2016
This is a violent and sad story of a bad guy fighting a fantasy and the hero - Susan fighting the disease of alcoholism. The setting is Las Vegas and the police are looking for a serial killer who abducts young women and tortures them and then kills them all as part of his fantasy that....
No more you have to read to find out the why behind his actions.
I will let you know that the ending is a 'happy' one at least for Susan but it took a lot of sadness and bad stuff for her to get there.
No more you have to read to find out the why behind his actions.
I will let you know that the ending is a 'happy' one at least for Susan but it took a lot of sadness and bad stuff for her to get there.
December 21, 2007
One of his newer novels - so suspenseful that I finished it in a short amount of time. I like that the leading character and detectives are the same people in every novel. You get to know them and their style so it makes it great when starting up a new mystery. This is a Tulsa, OK author too (former attorney) so it holds a dear place in my heart since he's an OKIE too!!! :)
July 8, 2013
INCREDIBLE Read!!! Freaky...don't even think you'll figure it all out before the last page. Not recommended for the faint of heart...I wouldn't have chosen it, had I known, but, the story is captivating and I couldn't walk away.
January 27, 2016
Susan Pulaski, a LVPD profiler, whose life is falling apart after her husband's death must confront her demons and the personification of a demon in a serial killer, with Poe affectations...not a very likable character, but certainly a page-turner as they close in...just an OK read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews