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The Lockman Chronicles #1
Darker Things
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004YQCC3E
Craig Lockman...
No one had called him that in fifteen years.
Not since his days at the Agency. Not since he was trained to kill creatures that were supposed to exist only in nightmares.
Yet the teenage girl on his doorstep not only knows his real name, she claims she's his daughter.
Before Lockman can learn how the girl found him, he's attacked by a black-ops team of assassins. But these aren't ordinary killers--they're heavily armed vampires sent by his most hated enemy.
Forced on the run, Lockman protects his daughter from an onslaught of horrors while searching for who betrayed him and why. The investigation leads him to Detroit, where he unwittingly sets a plan into motion that could trigger a paranormal apocalypse and cost him his soul.
Craig Lockman...
No one had called him that in fifteen years.
Not since his days at the Agency. Not since he was trained to kill creatures that were supposed to exist only in nightmares.
Yet the teenage girl on his doorstep not only knows his real name, she claims she's his daughter.
Before Lockman can learn how the girl found him, he's attacked by a black-ops team of assassins. But these aren't ordinary killers--they're heavily armed vampires sent by his most hated enemy.
Forced on the run, Lockman protects his daughter from an onslaught of horrors while searching for who betrayed him and why. The investigation leads him to Detroit, where he unwittingly sets a plan into motion that could trigger a paranormal apocalypse and cost him his soul.
322 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2011
186 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
Rob Cornell
28 books111 followersWhether it’s a covert-ops team of vampire assassins or a greedy dragon who lives under Detroit’s MGM Grand Casino, most of Rob Cornell’s stories feature some element of the dark and fantastic. He has written over a dozen published novels, including two dark fantasy sagas—The Lockman Chronicles and the Unturned series. A native of the Detroit area, he spent a handful of years living in both Los Angeles and Chicago before returning to the Midwest, and currently lives with his family in Southeast Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
April 28, 2015
This book is fast-moving, violent, dark, and engrossing. There are some highly original twists on the standard "demon hunter" tropes, leading to some cool surprises. A solid addition to your urban fantasy/paranormal suspense collection. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2014
Darker Things (The Lockman Chronicles, #1) by Rob Cornell is a guns blazing take no prisoners kill 'em dead blast of a paranormal thriller that grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt and tore right off way before I got to the breathless ending. The author pulls no punches here with crisp dialog, sharp narrative that does not stray from the frantic-paced storyline. I was hooked from page 1 and am now a fan. His style is so addictively potent.
Craig Lockman has been hiding a dark secret for 15 years, a secret so incredible the human race would never survive if made aware of the true nature of our planet. Once a top operative of a paranormal unit, Craig has settled into semi-retirement until his teenage daughter turns up on his doorstep with way too many questions. That's when the crap hits the proverbial fan in so many ways.
Craig is forced to go on the run as horrific supernatural creatures hunt him down. And I really mean horrific in a full on blood and guts Clive Barker on speed kind of way. But he now has to protect his daughter as well, and Jessie is the real star of this show as she learns what and who her father is. So if you are into fast-paced paranormal thrillers that makes The X-Files look like a kindergarten tea party then this awesome novel is for you.
FIVE STARS for this paranormal thriller and very highly recommended.
Craig Lockman has been hiding a dark secret for 15 years, a secret so incredible the human race would never survive if made aware of the true nature of our planet. Once a top operative of a paranormal unit, Craig has settled into semi-retirement until his teenage daughter turns up on his doorstep with way too many questions. That's when the crap hits the proverbial fan in so many ways.
Craig is forced to go on the run as horrific supernatural creatures hunt him down. And I really mean horrific in a full on blood and guts Clive Barker on speed kind of way. But he now has to protect his daughter as well, and Jessie is the real star of this show as she learns what and who her father is. So if you are into fast-paced paranormal thrillers that makes The X-Files look like a kindergarten tea party then this awesome novel is for you.
FIVE STARS for this paranormal thriller and very highly recommended.
January 13, 2013
This was pretty good. I liked the ideas here. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other darker things. I thought Jessie was a good character to throw at Lockman even though it took me a bit to shake the Matchstick Men imagery - mine not Rob's. The chapters ended making me want to move to the next. The variety of characters was nice and the POVs were consistent with character. Better than Twilight. I did need more uncertainty from Lockman; he seemed a bit too sure of himself when he should have been in doubt IMHO.
August 7, 2025
A great read! Vampires and hunks, Oh my!!
June 17, 2012
This is the first in Rob Cornell's Craig Lockman Series. I really wanted to like this but no. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. Not near enough depth and even the good guy is just too creepy for me. I got 3/4 of the way through and just didn't care. The world's full of too many good books to waste time o bad ones.
***In thinking back I think this might have been one that was too graphically violent for my taste.
***In thinking back I think this might have been one that was too graphically violent for my taste.
January 4, 2013
OMG what a ride this book was!! I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. I read it in two days. Non-stop action, twists and surprises. Great character development and story line.
It literally felt like a great action/scary movie. A couple of times I was so scared by what I was reading I almost put it down because it was so intense and real. If you like action and scary you have to read this book.
It literally felt like a great action/scary movie. A couple of times I was so scared by what I was reading I almost put it down because it was so intense and real. If you like action and scary you have to read this book.
September 17, 2012
Excellent book for those who like urban fantasty (fiction with supernatural elements in a modern setting). Don't look for your romantic vampire or salivatingly muscled werewolf here. No, here there be monsters. A well crafted plot and enjoyably robust characters make Darker Things a fun read.
August 15, 2012
This book was like Jason Bourne and the X-Files in one. It was really good and I enjoyed it immensely.
June 6, 2023
A long retired government goon with a past that is a mystery even to himself is brought back into action by family drama. His agency no longer exist and he and the daughter he didn't know about are on the run. There are werewolves, vampires, ghosts and a lot of guns. Betrayals and amnesia, romance and double crossing. The issue? Its boring. The characters are unbelievable. The situations are silly but not silly enough to be funny. The author tries too hard to make the main character the most macho macho man who ever was a secret government agent. I finished this, but I was glad when it was done.
December 18, 2011
I can't remember exactly how I ran across this book. I liked the cover and the blurb, and the sample caught me. I bought it immediately.
The story starts right off with serious action (which I like). It plants a solid hook in the first few pages. As I continued reading, the story became more and more elaborate. I wanted to know who Lockman was and why he was important. The cast grew larger yet the characters remained unique. The plot was easy to follow, but not too predictable. I was even surprised by a few twists. The ending was great. The plotting and pacing were absolutely fantastic.
Cornell paints a vivid backdrop for this story. It's not only important for this tale, but it's also a framework for how the paranormal functions within his world. It's impressively well done; it never feels contrived or manipulated. The way he mashes up various paranormal creatures and concepts is really very creative. I really enjoy when authors take existing concepts and use them in new and unique ways.
Cornell also did a fantastic job of leaving just the right kind of loose ends for the sequel. "Darker Things" is complete on its own, but the framework now in place begs for sequels (there is a sequel out now titled "Dark Legion"). I'd even argue that Cornell could write a prequel to this book.
I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I'll be picking up the sequel soon. I'm looking forward to it.
The story starts right off with serious action (which I like). It plants a solid hook in the first few pages. As I continued reading, the story became more and more elaborate. I wanted to know who Lockman was and why he was important. The cast grew larger yet the characters remained unique. The plot was easy to follow, but not too predictable. I was even surprised by a few twists. The ending was great. The plotting and pacing were absolutely fantastic.
Cornell paints a vivid backdrop for this story. It's not only important for this tale, but it's also a framework for how the paranormal functions within his world. It's impressively well done; it never feels contrived or manipulated. The way he mashes up various paranormal creatures and concepts is really very creative. I really enjoy when authors take existing concepts and use them in new and unique ways.
Cornell also did a fantastic job of leaving just the right kind of loose ends for the sequel. "Darker Things" is complete on its own, but the framework now in place begs for sequels (there is a sequel out now titled "Dark Legion"). I'd even argue that Cornell could write a prequel to this book.
I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I'll be picking up the sequel soon. I'm looking forward to it.
May 22, 2016
Craig Lockman is in for a shock when thirteen-year-old Jessie shows up on his doorstep, asking if he’s her father. That she’s been followed by a group of vampires isn’t as shocking as the prospect of having a daughter. Monsters are nothing new for this ex-agent of a paranormal ops unit, but parenting sure is. When it becomes clear that the man who ordered the vampires to kill Lockman is an old nemesis, Lockman will do whatever it takes to keep himself and Jessie, and her mother, alive.
Darker Things is a highly suspenseful, action-packed story that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what would happen next. Lockman is easily likeable; Jessie, not so much, but she becomes less obnoxious as the story proceeds. She also becomes increasingly unique and intriguing as we learn more about her.
The backstory unfolds at a perfect pace as does the increasing tension and danger. This is the first installment in the Lockman Chronicles and it’s a winner. The satisfying ending to this book paves the way for new challenges for Lockman, especially in light of disturbing revelations about himself. You’ll have to read the book to find out what those revelations are, but it will be worth your time. Author Rob Cornell is a terrific writer with a great story to tell. What more could you ask for?
Darker Things is a highly suspenseful, action-packed story that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what would happen next. Lockman is easily likeable; Jessie, not so much, but she becomes less obnoxious as the story proceeds. She also becomes increasingly unique and intriguing as we learn more about her.
The backstory unfolds at a perfect pace as does the increasing tension and danger. This is the first installment in the Lockman Chronicles and it’s a winner. The satisfying ending to this book paves the way for new challenges for Lockman, especially in light of disturbing revelations about himself. You’ll have to read the book to find out what those revelations are, but it will be worth your time. Author Rob Cornell is a terrific writer with a great story to tell. What more could you ask for?
July 11, 2011
Rob Cornell does a good job guiding us through the premise of this book, presumably the first in a series called The Lockman Chronicles.
I thought it was an interesting take on the whole supernatural "genre", for lack of a better word, and was drawn into the story immediately by the strong action and questions raised in the prologue/preface.
As Alice said, "curiouser and curiouser!"
The action was good, but didn't get in the way of the story's development (at least to me). The teenager in the book was a pain-in-the-ass, but what teenager isn't? Realistically written, to my mind. Nothing offensive, and I didn't find myself skipping pages to get to the good parts, which is always a litmus test for me for an author I haven't read before.
There were a few mistakes in word choice (e.g. a car has brakes, not breaks) and the occasional other grammar or punctuation slip, and I would've liked to have seen a table of contents built into the book, but overall, this was a well-edited and even more importantly, well-written, story. It's a good length for a novel, and for $2.99, you can't beat the value.
I recommend this book for a good horror/suspense read with a unique take on the idea of the supernatural and magic, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I thought it was an interesting take on the whole supernatural "genre", for lack of a better word, and was drawn into the story immediately by the strong action and questions raised in the prologue/preface.
As Alice said, "curiouser and curiouser!"
The action was good, but didn't get in the way of the story's development (at least to me). The teenager in the book was a pain-in-the-ass, but what teenager isn't? Realistically written, to my mind. Nothing offensive, and I didn't find myself skipping pages to get to the good parts, which is always a litmus test for me for an author I haven't read before.
There were a few mistakes in word choice (e.g. a car has brakes, not breaks) and the occasional other grammar or punctuation slip, and I would've liked to have seen a table of contents built into the book, but overall, this was a well-edited and even more importantly, well-written, story. It's a good length for a novel, and for $2.99, you can't beat the value.
I recommend this book for a good horror/suspense read with a unique take on the idea of the supernatural and magic, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
May 15, 2017
Urban Fantasy... What can I say. I had so far avoided reading urban fantasy like the plague. Once my friend's girlfriend loan me the first 3 seasons of the show Supernatural, it stayed on my TV shelf for close to a year when I finally cave in and watch it. I loved it and since then I have watched 11 seasons of the dam show. I have also watched 3 seasons of Grimm, another urban fantasy show. So I guess I like urban fantasy on TV, but I still would not touch it in novel format. After reading many, many and I mean many Sword and Sorcery and Space-Opera books I was drifting on amazon looking for a spark. The first 3 Lockman Chronicles book was available for free and the Goodreads reviews for them were pretty good. So here I am reviewing the first book of the series. Solid; that's the first word that comes to mind. Solid action, solid pacing, solid writing, solid story, etc. I genuinely wanted to know what would happen next at the end of every chapter and I can't say that for many books. . Unfortunately, I cannot compare this book to others in the genre, but like the previously mentioned TV shows, I could see myself reading the 11th book someday. I guess I like urban fantasy now.
May 1, 2013
Brilliant supernatural thriller full of non stop action, twists and double crosses.Its many supurb characters draw you in and keep you fully absorbed from the very beginning.Once you start this book you wont want to put it down - so be prepared for a long night.I loved it
and can't wait to get the next one.
and can't wait to get the next one.
July 31, 2014
Not bad. Lots of action right from the start , but it felt too short. I would have liked more character depth but that may come with the sequel.
August 25, 2014
Craig was minding his own business when a young girl came to his door. Soon they were set upon by a group of nasty vampires. The daughter he didn't know he had had led them right to his door.
January 6, 2019
Craig’s enemy, Dolan, has a lot of resources to draw upon–not just vampires, but werewolves, ghosts, and more. Apparently all these things are real, but most people aren’t aware of their existence. They come from some sort of other dimension, and a few sensitives in our world know how to summon and control them. One of the more common urban fantasy themes is that in recent years humans became aware of supernaturals and the two have had to start learning to live together–this comes before that step, which is a nice variation on the theme. Also, Lockman’s belief is that supernaturals are inherently evil, and that there is no good magic. While there are some hints that he might be wrong, it’s close enough to true that it, too, makes a nice variation on the usual themes.
Jessie is a bit of a mess, and is more than a little bit of trouble. On the other hand, she’s also got guts, and let’s face it, at age thirteen is really when the emotions tend to run high. Not to mention pretty much any person thrown head-first into the world of the supernatural and automatic weaponry being fired at them is going to have some difficulties. In fact, all of the major characters in here are excellent to read about. Jessie’s mother has some nice depth to her, particularly in some of the differences between how Lockman remembers her and how she is now. Jessie’s stepfather starts out seeming like the stereotype of the nice but kind of cold stepfather, but he turns out to have interest to him as well. Craig joins up with some of his old government agent colleagues and they, too, have changed since he knew them. It also turns out that they’ve been keeping some secrets from him.
There are moments that seem like plot holes at first. For instance, if Craig’s kid could find him, why couldn’t the bad guys find him without having to follow her? These various oddities get sewn up, however, in ways that make sense.
There are definitely some hints that there’s more to the supernaturals than their value as minions. There are bits and pieces of prophecy that crop up, that might have something to do with Lockman and Jessie. Some of the supernaturals might not be as evil as they seem.
Just as a warning, this book gets a bit dark, and although Lockman is kind of a good guy, he also does some pretty dark things.
Not only did I really enjoy this book, but I’m planning on grabbing the next book in the series. I think the series is up to five books now (no idea if that’s meant to be all of them), so I have plenty to look forward to.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/01/r...
Jessie is a bit of a mess, and is more than a little bit of trouble. On the other hand, she’s also got guts, and let’s face it, at age thirteen is really when the emotions tend to run high. Not to mention pretty much any person thrown head-first into the world of the supernatural and automatic weaponry being fired at them is going to have some difficulties. In fact, all of the major characters in here are excellent to read about. Jessie’s mother has some nice depth to her, particularly in some of the differences between how Lockman remembers her and how she is now. Jessie’s stepfather starts out seeming like the stereotype of the nice but kind of cold stepfather, but he turns out to have interest to him as well. Craig joins up with some of his old government agent colleagues and they, too, have changed since he knew them. It also turns out that they’ve been keeping some secrets from him.
There are moments that seem like plot holes at first. For instance, if Craig’s kid could find him, why couldn’t the bad guys find him without having to follow her? These various oddities get sewn up, however, in ways that make sense.
There are definitely some hints that there’s more to the supernaturals than their value as minions. There are bits and pieces of prophecy that crop up, that might have something to do with Lockman and Jessie. Some of the supernaturals might not be as evil as they seem.
Just as a warning, this book gets a bit dark, and although Lockman is kind of a good guy, he also does some pretty dark things.
Not only did I really enjoy this book, but I’m planning on grabbing the next book in the series. I think the series is up to five books now (no idea if that’s meant to be all of them), so I have plenty to look forward to.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/01/r...
October 21, 2018
Loved Jessie, she was well fleshed out and pretty much acted like a 13 year-old would. Craig and Kate were well fleshed out and other than Craig's dark side a few times, were pretty like-able. The story was good, a bit on the dark side; the supernatural's were not what one would expect them to act like, which made a decent twist. I liked the ghost ending with his wife Millie. That was handled well.
I didn't understand the standing still and arguing when Craig, Kate, and Jessie should have been getting away, even if they didn't know where they were going. They knew Dolan would be back and should have tried to be somewhere he wouldn't find them. Some editing errors, mostly minor words left out. Overall, a decent read.
I didn't understand the standing still and arguing when Craig, Kate, and Jessie should have been getting away, even if they didn't know where they were going. They knew Dolan would be back and should have tried to be somewhere he wouldn't find them. Some editing errors, mostly minor words left out. Overall, a decent read.
October 31, 2023
Craig Lockman doesn’t expect a girl to knock on his door that seems familiar. Yet Jessie does and suddenly a life he left behind rushes back at him. Danger follows in the form of supernatural creatures, old foes, and disturbing questions. Will he find answers? Will he lose loved ones to the greater good?
This book contains language and disturbing imagery. It is also rife with mistakes an editor or another draft would have caught and a few plot holes that left me uninterested in following where Lockman is headed.
This book contains language and disturbing imagery. It is also rife with mistakes an editor or another draft would have caught and a few plot holes that left me uninterested in following where Lockman is headed.
August 11, 2018
This book is excellent for what it is--a dark and crazy secret agent urban fantasy. It opens with ninja vampires armed with automatic weaponry and flashbang grenades descending upon the lonely Los Angeles house of a former agent (from The Agency). From there it flips to Detroit and asks "Can we ramp up the crazy a little bit?" The relationship between The Agent and his family is smart and makes the characters all interesting. Even Chaz, who only gets a few pages with you.
January 7, 2021
Hooked in
This book has been in my queue for some time now. I finally had a break from school and started reading. This book is a definite good read. I found myself surprised at different corners of the book and a few times my husband would have to ask me "What's wrong" because of a face I made or a term of shock etc that would slip from my mouth. I definitely will follow Rob Cornell and this series. I'm glad I finally read Darker Things.
This book has been in my queue for some time now. I finally had a break from school and started reading. This book is a definite good read. I found myself surprised at different corners of the book and a few times my husband would have to ask me "What's wrong" because of a face I made or a term of shock etc that would slip from my mouth. I definitely will follow Rob Cornell and this series. I'm glad I finally read Darker Things.
December 26, 2017
Craig Lockman discovers that he has a daughter after she finds him. However, others were tracking her for just such a scenario. Lockman, a former agent, had been in hiding for 15 years. So who ratted him out? That is one of the mysteries. This book is non stop action. If you want the paranormal infused with lots of action, this is the book for you.
May 27, 2017
You definitely want to read the next installment of this series
Well crafted story with characters you get to know and that you want to find out what happens to them in the future. The supernatural element just adds to the overall great story line.
Well crafted story with characters you get to know and that you want to find out what happens to them in the future. The supernatural element just adds to the overall great story line.
November 1, 2020
Fresh Take On An Old Genre
Fast paced supernatural thriller. It's the first time I've read anything from Rob Cornell, but it won't be the last. He managed to find a new twist on a crowded genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Fast paced supernatural thriller. It's the first time I've read anything from Rob Cornell, but it won't be the last. He managed to find a new twist on a crowded genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
June 18, 2021
Great Writing
Character development throughout the book. Characters are rich and believable, reacting as one would expect for the situations they find themselves in. The storyline has lots of twists and turns that keep your interest.
Character development throughout the book. Characters are rich and believable, reacting as one would expect for the situations they find themselves in. The storyline has lots of twists and turns that keep your interest.
January 19, 2018
Not bad. Story had a bit of supernatural things. Alright, a lot of supernatural things.
March 29, 2019
Extremely hard to put down once I started reading this novel, an awesome opening to a series. One of the best supernatural books I've ever read.
June 25, 2019
Different take on vampire fiction. overall a good read
January 24, 2020
Enjoyable
Lots of killings and monsters. A father and daughter meeting for the first time.
Lot of detail in the fights so the author new whatvwas what.
Lots of killings and monsters. A father and daughter meeting for the first time.
Lot of detail in the fights so the author new whatvwas what.
December 12, 2018
Darker Things (The Lockman Chronicles) by Rob Cornell is an action-packed urban fantasy thriller. It was not what I was expecting when I began reading it, but it was a good read. I saw that it had vampires in it and thought, Cool! However, this is not your sparkly, warm & cuddly, brooding, I-want-to-suck-your-blood vampire story.
Craig Lockman is the main character's alias. He's been retired from "The Agency," a secret, paranormal-battling government agency, and has been hiding for 15 years. Until one day, a young teenaged girl shows up on his doorstep. Not only does this girl know his real name, but she claims to be Lockman's daughter. Before Lockman can find out how she found him, a black-ops team of assassins attacks them. However, these aren’t ordinary killers — they’re heavily armed vampires sent by his most hated enemy. Lockman is forced to run with his daughter in tow. Now, he must protect her from an onslaught of horrors while searching for who betrayed him and why.
This story is chalked full of vampires, ghosts, werewolves, ogres, demons and some very sleazy humans. It's one breathless moment after another as Lockman attempts to save the world from a paranormal apocalypse which could cost him his soul.
I liked this story, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. That's on me because I didn't read up on what this story was all about. The categories for this book are Dark Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, & Superheroes.
The story kept my attention and read very fast. It is not a super deep, or super intellectual story, but it is a good ol' fashioned action-packed thriller. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Dark Legion, soon.
Grab a copy and start reading!
Craig Lockman is the main character's alias. He's been retired from "The Agency," a secret, paranormal-battling government agency, and has been hiding for 15 years. Until one day, a young teenaged girl shows up on his doorstep. Not only does this girl know his real name, but she claims to be Lockman's daughter. Before Lockman can find out how she found him, a black-ops team of assassins attacks them. However, these aren’t ordinary killers — they’re heavily armed vampires sent by his most hated enemy. Lockman is forced to run with his daughter in tow. Now, he must protect her from an onslaught of horrors while searching for who betrayed him and why.
This story is chalked full of vampires, ghosts, werewolves, ogres, demons and some very sleazy humans. It's one breathless moment after another as Lockman attempts to save the world from a paranormal apocalypse which could cost him his soul.
I liked this story, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. That's on me because I didn't read up on what this story was all about. The categories for this book are Dark Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, & Superheroes.
The story kept my attention and read very fast. It is not a super deep, or super intellectual story, but it is a good ol' fashioned action-packed thriller. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Dark Legion, soon.
Grab a copy and start reading!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews