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DI Marnie Rome #2
No Other Darkness
The gripping follow-up to Sarah Hilary’s acclaimed debut Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness finds mystery’s “impressive new cop-heroine” (The Times, London) on a case that hauntingly echoes her own family tragedy. Detective InspectorMarnie Rome and her partner Detective Sergeant Noah Jake are investigating the recent discovery of two dead boys in a bunker beneath a London garden. Terry and Beth, under whose garden the bodies were discovered, have two children of their own, and are also fostering a difficult boy named Clancy. Clancy reminds Marnie of her foster brother Stephen, who murdered her parents. Is Marnie’s past blinding her to the truth? Only one thing is certain: when Terry and Beth’s biological children vanish, Marnie can’t waste a moment finding them.
404 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2015
55 people are currently reading
2871 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Hilary
39 books583 followersSarah’s debut, Someone Else's Skin, won Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year and was a World Book Night selection. The Observer's Book of the Month ("superbly disturbing”) and a Richard & Judy Book Club bestseller, it was a Silver Falchion and Macavity Award finalist in the US. No Other Darkness, the second in the series was shortlisted for a Barry Award. Her DI Marnie Rome series continued with Tastes Like Fear (longlisted for Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year 2017) and Quieter Than Killing (Observer’s Thriller of the Month). Come and Find Me was published in 2018, with Never Be Broken to come in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
April 5, 2018
I was reeling after finishing this book, I am gutted there is no 6 star option on Goodreads or Amazon. This one is in my top five reads of 2015 no questions asked. I have never felt so much emotion reading a book in a long time, and not just one emotion, but every single one.
I have not read the first book in this series but have bought it today as I am now a huge fan of Sarah Hilary, her imagination, and most of all her stunning and sophisticated writing style. I was lost in it. Incredible.
This book moved me on so many levels, very powerful emotive book.
Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later, the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to them.
For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this...
The author had me hooked badly in the first chapter. I love a book that opens with a good scene, straight into the good stuff, this one is NOT a slow burner thankfully. As I looked upon the things that DI Marnie Rome did I am pretty sure I felt everything she did, I smelt what she did, I thought like she did. I was THERE, in the bunker with the boys...
These precious, precious boys...oh how my heart ached. Hugely.
The plot is tight and really intriguing, each character is done so well, especially as so many of them hide their flaws and darkness for a lot of the book. Sarah Hilary has managed to really make her characters the type you can touch, you walk into book scenes in your mind and you can picture and imagine talking to a character. I LOVED some of the flawed characters in this book.
There are twists and reveals that just keep you on the edge of your seat, I devoured this book in one sitting, I forgot to eat, drink and go to the toilet. Time stopped. The world could have blown up and I would have just said "hold on I need to finish to see what happens". Immersed I was. I swear I actually fell into the book at one point.
The emotional roller coaster that this book took me on is rare, I am very rarely moved to tears reading a book, I think two books ever have made me actually cry, but this one had sobs choked up in my throat. I felt every emotion from anger to despair, my heart broke for some, my rage grew at others.
Who put these boys in a bunker underground all alone, and why? Who would do something so cruel. Just left alone, for years. Just little boys for God's sake. I am feeling the choked up feeling again. It's DI Marnie Rome's job to find who did such a thing, but it's not a clear cut case at all.
There are webs of secrets, lies and deception that make this book so interesting because you can't be complacent and think you have it all worked out, just when you do there will be a turn of events that puts you back where you started from. Best just to read it.
I could not put it down, it got better and better as it went along, escalating in intensity to an ending that took my breath away. Absolutely knocked me off my feet. I was exhausted by the end of the last few chapters as I invested my feelings into what was before my eyes. I think I yelled at the book too.
No spoilers for you, the plot is brilliant, just read it. Don't think too much about it, just beg, borrow or buy it. I am now a HUGE fan of Sarah Hilary and I read a LOT of crime fiction, I have found a new gem to sparkle amongst my favourite authors.
6 paw prints for this one, oops sorry 5 paw prints for this one. One of the best books I have read this year by a long shot.
For more of my book reviews come along and see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I have not read the first book in this series but have bought it today as I am now a huge fan of Sarah Hilary, her imagination, and most of all her stunning and sophisticated writing style. I was lost in it. Incredible.
This book moved me on so many levels, very powerful emotive book.
Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later, the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to them.
For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this...
The author had me hooked badly in the first chapter. I love a book that opens with a good scene, straight into the good stuff, this one is NOT a slow burner thankfully. As I looked upon the things that DI Marnie Rome did I am pretty sure I felt everything she did, I smelt what she did, I thought like she did. I was THERE, in the bunker with the boys...
These precious, precious boys...oh how my heart ached. Hugely.
The plot is tight and really intriguing, each character is done so well, especially as so many of them hide their flaws and darkness for a lot of the book. Sarah Hilary has managed to really make her characters the type you can touch, you walk into book scenes in your mind and you can picture and imagine talking to a character. I LOVED some of the flawed characters in this book.
There are twists and reveals that just keep you on the edge of your seat, I devoured this book in one sitting, I forgot to eat, drink and go to the toilet. Time stopped. The world could have blown up and I would have just said "hold on I need to finish to see what happens". Immersed I was. I swear I actually fell into the book at one point.
The emotional roller coaster that this book took me on is rare, I am very rarely moved to tears reading a book, I think two books ever have made me actually cry, but this one had sobs choked up in my throat. I felt every emotion from anger to despair, my heart broke for some, my rage grew at others.
Who put these boys in a bunker underground all alone, and why? Who would do something so cruel. Just left alone, for years. Just little boys for God's sake. I am feeling the choked up feeling again. It's DI Marnie Rome's job to find who did such a thing, but it's not a clear cut case at all.
There are webs of secrets, lies and deception that make this book so interesting because you can't be complacent and think you have it all worked out, just when you do there will be a turn of events that puts you back where you started from. Best just to read it.
I could not put it down, it got better and better as it went along, escalating in intensity to an ending that took my breath away. Absolutely knocked me off my feet. I was exhausted by the end of the last few chapters as I invested my feelings into what was before my eyes. I think I yelled at the book too.
No spoilers for you, the plot is brilliant, just read it. Don't think too much about it, just beg, borrow or buy it. I am now a HUGE fan of Sarah Hilary and I read a LOT of crime fiction, I have found a new gem to sparkle amongst my favourite authors.
6 paw prints for this one, oops sorry 5 paw prints for this one. One of the best books I have read this year by a long shot.
For more of my book reviews come along and see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
March 3, 2018
I took some time out between reading some new books and then going back on some older books left on my tbr shelf like I promised myself this year.
This is the secound book in the DI Marnie Rome series. I have been so eager to return to this series as I enjoyed book one so very much.
This was harrowing, two young lads trapped in a bunker who eventually die.
Years later their bodies are found, now ensues gathering what happened and why.
DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jakes make a great team, and it was great to learn more about them however Noah seems to be hiding something so that has left me fully intrigued to get to the next book.
I found the last half of this book impossible to put down, headache or not I was going to finish this, not a headache because of the book, no, the heating in my home gives me an headache! but with the snow on the ground the family members are cold.
Onto book 3
My thanks to Headline via Net Galley for my copy
This is the secound book in the DI Marnie Rome series. I have been so eager to return to this series as I enjoyed book one so very much.
This was harrowing, two young lads trapped in a bunker who eventually die.
Years later their bodies are found, now ensues gathering what happened and why.
DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jakes make a great team, and it was great to learn more about them however Noah seems to be hiding something so that has left me fully intrigued to get to the next book.
I found the last half of this book impossible to put down, headache or not I was going to finish this, not a headache because of the book, no, the heating in my home gives me an headache! but with the snow on the ground the family members are cold.
Onto book 3
My thanks to Headline via Net Galley for my copy
April 5, 2015
After five years entombment the bodies of two boys are found in an underground bunker. Who are they, how did they die and who put them there? I have read a few books over the past year or so with underground burial as a theme but that isn’t to say that there is no room for another one – especially if it is as good as No Other Darkness, the follow on to Someone Else’s Skin. Whilst I enjoyed Someone Else’s Skin, I have to say that the author really has stepped it up a notch here – and I absolutely loved No Other Darkness. It is an unputdownable read that just feels altogether darker and more “psychological” than its predecessor.
DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jakes are an excellent pairing, both being characters with hidden depths and I particularly liked the way we saw more of Noah in this book. However, as I said when I reviewed the last book and I am going to say it again – I do feel there is a heck of a lot more of Noah to come out. I love Marnie. She is a very complex character with history and to really begin to understand her, I think it is necessary to have read the first book before you read this one. That book gives you all the background information on her that you need to know “at this stage of the series”, and without some of that information you might feel a little bewildered at times in this read as Marnie’s past does overlap at times in this story.
It was definitely a book that I couldn’t put down, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. There were a couple of times when I was reading it that I was totally fooled by the author, as each time I thought that it is getting to be a bit too coincidental or silly, a few pages on things would start to make perfect sense. It is a book where nothing is black and white, where you will be changing your mind about what happened and your opinions about some of the characters throughout the read. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jakes are an excellent pairing, both being characters with hidden depths and I particularly liked the way we saw more of Noah in this book. However, as I said when I reviewed the last book and I am going to say it again – I do feel there is a heck of a lot more of Noah to come out. I love Marnie. She is a very complex character with history and to really begin to understand her, I think it is necessary to have read the first book before you read this one. That book gives you all the background information on her that you need to know “at this stage of the series”, and without some of that information you might feel a little bewildered at times in this read as Marnie’s past does overlap at times in this story.
It was definitely a book that I couldn’t put down, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. There were a couple of times when I was reading it that I was totally fooled by the author, as each time I thought that it is getting to be a bit too coincidental or silly, a few pages on things would start to make perfect sense. It is a book where nothing is black and white, where you will be changing your mind about what happened and your opinions about some of the characters throughout the read. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
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November 18, 2021
[Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for my copy.]
Two bodies are found: at first glance it's hard to tell, but it soon becomes apparent they are two young boys-brothers. DI Marnie Rome is called in to investigate, along with her team, all of whom have never seen anything so dark as this before.
I am relatively new to the world of Crime/Thriller Fiction. I started my journey with Ian Rankin and Patricia Cornwell, quite possibly the two greats Crime Writers (in my humble opinion, anyway). Keeping those two in mind will always affect how I read other crime authors. It is the way it is.
I cannot express how impressed I was with No Other DarknessM, however. I have a goal for 2015 and that is to read more female authors, just because I cannot rightly fathom in my mind why I don't read as many of them, and I cannot justify whether or not reading a book because of the gender of the author is a correct thing to do, or not. You may think this has nothing to do with this book, but it does. The only reason I read it is because it was written by a female author. And possibly because I wish to devour more crime fiction.
I have always loved crime and detective programmes on television. I devour them as much as I devour escapism fantasy. They are intriguing, well-acted (usually) and can hold my attention for the full-length. They also teach me a lot: either about acting or television itself, or about the scientific approach to crime investigation. I don't know why my journey in to crime fiction took so long: it is a wonderful genre, though I've found it can be difficult to get right.
Now on to the book itself. A long review-longer than usual-because I received this book via Bookbridgr and I always give a thorough review when given a book out of faith.
I was impressed from the off. No other book has ever made me quite so... disgusted by the crime as this one. It cannot have been the things that were happening, because I have read much, much worse, most of which includes children. I can only think that it was the writing. It is written very well, and I'm so glad it is not in first-person POV because otherwise it would lose all of its tone.
There were some grammatical and spelling errors, but I was reviewing a proof copy, so that can be by-passed. There was the occasional one sentence paragraph, which irks me no end but authors seem to like it these days. In this case, they didn't seem to be used for suspense purposes but just to be there. There are few faults I can find, except the obvious crime-fiction nonsense that all crime-fiction books contain. The protagonist with a bad past, or a bad present, or having the investigations become personal. These are facts of crime-fiction, and who am I to complain about them? But that's why I'm here, I suppose.
A few other things that bugged me, but only a little: the world-building was a little off. There was only the minimal amount of it, but I suppose since it was in London that's bound to happen. It's a big place and most people generally know what it's like, even those who have never visited. A bit more description, some exposition and environmental attributes would have been nice, but I suppose I am being picky. I'd prefer it if it wasn't set in London, but what can I do about that?
To sum up, this is one of the best crime fiction novels I have ever read. Quite remarkable since it is the authors second book. I would compare her to Ian Rankin's earlier work: he himself has said that they were rather pretentious and a little overdone. I compare them minimally, but I can see Sarah Hilary becoming just as good as Rankin is, eventually.
Two bodies are found: at first glance it's hard to tell, but it soon becomes apparent they are two young boys-brothers. DI Marnie Rome is called in to investigate, along with her team, all of whom have never seen anything so dark as this before.
I am relatively new to the world of Crime/Thriller Fiction. I started my journey with Ian Rankin and Patricia Cornwell, quite possibly the two greats Crime Writers (in my humble opinion, anyway). Keeping those two in mind will always affect how I read other crime authors. It is the way it is.
I cannot express how impressed I was with No Other DarknessM, however. I have a goal for 2015 and that is to read more female authors, just because I cannot rightly fathom in my mind why I don't read as many of them, and I cannot justify whether or not reading a book because of the gender of the author is a correct thing to do, or not. You may think this has nothing to do with this book, but it does. The only reason I read it is because it was written by a female author. And possibly because I wish to devour more crime fiction.
I have always loved crime and detective programmes on television. I devour them as much as I devour escapism fantasy. They are intriguing, well-acted (usually) and can hold my attention for the full-length. They also teach me a lot: either about acting or television itself, or about the scientific approach to crime investigation. I don't know why my journey in to crime fiction took so long: it is a wonderful genre, though I've found it can be difficult to get right.
Now on to the book itself. A long review-longer than usual-because I received this book via Bookbridgr and I always give a thorough review when given a book out of faith.
I was impressed from the off. No other book has ever made me quite so... disgusted by the crime as this one. It cannot have been the things that were happening, because I have read much, much worse, most of which includes children. I can only think that it was the writing. It is written very well, and I'm so glad it is not in first-person POV because otherwise it would lose all of its tone.
There were some grammatical and spelling errors, but I was reviewing a proof copy, so that can be by-passed. There was the occasional one sentence paragraph, which irks me no end but authors seem to like it these days. In this case, they didn't seem to be used for suspense purposes but just to be there. There are few faults I can find, except the obvious crime-fiction nonsense that all crime-fiction books contain. The protagonist with a bad past, or a bad present, or having the investigations become personal. These are facts of crime-fiction, and who am I to complain about them? But that's why I'm here, I suppose.
A few other things that bugged me, but only a little: the world-building was a little off. There was only the minimal amount of it, but I suppose since it was in London that's bound to happen. It's a big place and most people generally know what it's like, even those who have never visited. A bit more description, some exposition and environmental attributes would have been nice, but I suppose I am being picky. I'd prefer it if it wasn't set in London, but what can I do about that?
To sum up, this is one of the best crime fiction novels I have ever read. Quite remarkable since it is the authors second book. I would compare her to Ian Rankin's earlier work: he himself has said that they were rather pretentious and a little overdone. I compare them minimally, but I can see Sarah Hilary becoming just as good as Rankin is, eventually.
December 10, 2018
"We don’t always know the truth about other people, even the ones we’re closest to."
First Sentence:
Another brilliant addition to the DI Marnie Rome series. With twists, turns and darkness you will not guess.
First Sentence:
Fred’s crying again, a snotty noise with a whine in it, like the puppy when she’s shut outside.
Another brilliant addition to the DI Marnie Rome series. With twists, turns and darkness you will not guess.
January 8, 2021
Scared.
The word wasn't big enough.
She eased upright, far enough to stop the phone bruising her hip.
She'd invited Noah Jake to this party; his first case with dead children. She felt a pang of regret. She'd attended plenty of crime scenes. They were never pretty. But this one was up there - down here - with the worst. Her body was cramping, sending a scramble of distress signals to her brain. She should go up, back into the fresh air.
You can't leave them alone down here.
Book two in the Marnie Rome series, No Other Darkness didn't quite manage to live up to the standard of the first - there's still plenty to like, but especially towards the end, it all got a bit all over the place.
Kicking off in a bunker found beneath the garden of a recent development, this book gets heavy from the start - the victims are children, and as "quietly" as they may have died, that's never the easiest thing to read about. But Sarah Hilary manages to keep from dwelling on the worst parts, without taking the focus from the victims; a difficult balance, and one she pulls off well. It's a nice change to see her two main detectives in healthy and supportive relationships, too; no tired tropes at play there, which is always going to keep this series a special one.
Like the first book, there's a lot going on here - multiple threads of investigation, characters who turn out to have links they hadn't previously disclosed, even doomsday preppers. But unlike the first book, balancing all those threads gets a bit messy from about halfway in - it feels too much, and there's a couple of red herring plotlines that are either not entirely resolved, or brushed off with a side line of dialogue. It certainly doesn't fall apart entirely, but it also definitely didn't recreate the incredible balancing act from the first book. I'll continue the series, in the hopes that things are a bit more streamlined next time - there's definitely enough on the good side of the scales to keep me reading regardless.
The word wasn't big enough.
She eased upright, far enough to stop the phone bruising her hip.
She'd invited Noah Jake to this party; his first case with dead children. She felt a pang of regret. She'd attended plenty of crime scenes. They were never pretty. But this one was up there - down here - with the worst. Her body was cramping, sending a scramble of distress signals to her brain. She should go up, back into the fresh air.
You can't leave them alone down here.
Book two in the Marnie Rome series, No Other Darkness didn't quite manage to live up to the standard of the first - there's still plenty to like, but especially towards the end, it all got a bit all over the place.
Kicking off in a bunker found beneath the garden of a recent development, this book gets heavy from the start - the victims are children, and as "quietly" as they may have died, that's never the easiest thing to read about. But Sarah Hilary manages to keep from dwelling on the worst parts, without taking the focus from the victims; a difficult balance, and one she pulls off well. It's a nice change to see her two main detectives in healthy and supportive relationships, too; no tired tropes at play there, which is always going to keep this series a special one.
Like the first book, there's a lot going on here - multiple threads of investigation, characters who turn out to have links they hadn't previously disclosed, even doomsday preppers. But unlike the first book, balancing all those threads gets a bit messy from about halfway in - it feels too much, and there's a couple of red herring plotlines that are either not entirely resolved, or brushed off with a side line of dialogue. It certainly doesn't fall apart entirely, but it also definitely didn't recreate the incredible balancing act from the first book. I'll continue the series, in the hopes that things are a bit more streamlined next time - there's definitely enough on the good side of the scales to keep me reading regardless.
February 1, 2018
Dieses Buch hat mich wirklich ziemlich überrascht- positiv!
Ich habe von dem Klappentext einen normalen bis guten Thriller erwartet, welcher sich gut lesen lässt, aber ich habe so viel mehr bekommen.
Zum einen wirklich gute Ermittler. Noah und Marnie haben mir als Team und für mich als Kern des Teams unheimlich gut gefallen. Noah ist ein schwuler, schwarzer Polizist und E N D L I C H überhaupt kein Klischee, wie man es leider öfter vorfindet. Marnie hat einen schweren Schicksalsschlag hinter sich, was nicht gerade neu in diesem Genre ist, aber ich finde die Art, wie sie damit umgeht ist etwas sanfter als sonst. Ich kann es wirklich nicht so gut beschreiben.
Der Fall selber ist großartig. Ich habe schon wirklich viele Thriller und Krimis gelesen und das Buch selber sah gut aus, aber ich habe einfach einen guten Krimi erwartet, aber es war wirklich mehr. Die Plottwists und den eigentlichen Mörder, den ich nicht nennen werde, habe ich überhaupt nicht kommen sehen und war dementsprechend total perplex und geschockt, aber das hat es so gut gemacht.
Ich habe eigentlich ein Problem, wenn Kindern Gewalt angetan wird, deswegen war das Buch schon etwas happig am Anfang, aber es ist wirklich gut geschrieben und hat eine Handlung, die einen wirklich zum Staunen und Weiterlesen bringt.
Ich habe von dem Klappentext einen normalen bis guten Thriller erwartet, welcher sich gut lesen lässt, aber ich habe so viel mehr bekommen.
Zum einen wirklich gute Ermittler. Noah und Marnie haben mir als Team und für mich als Kern des Teams unheimlich gut gefallen. Noah ist ein schwuler, schwarzer Polizist und E N D L I C H überhaupt kein Klischee, wie man es leider öfter vorfindet. Marnie hat einen schweren Schicksalsschlag hinter sich, was nicht gerade neu in diesem Genre ist, aber ich finde die Art, wie sie damit umgeht ist etwas sanfter als sonst. Ich kann es wirklich nicht so gut beschreiben.
Der Fall selber ist großartig. Ich habe schon wirklich viele Thriller und Krimis gelesen und das Buch selber sah gut aus, aber ich habe einfach einen guten Krimi erwartet, aber es war wirklich mehr. Die Plottwists und den eigentlichen Mörder, den ich nicht nennen werde, habe ich überhaupt nicht kommen sehen und war dementsprechend total perplex und geschockt, aber das hat es so gut gemacht.
Ich habe eigentlich ein Problem, wenn Kindern Gewalt angetan wird, deswegen war das Buch schon etwas happig am Anfang, aber es ist wirklich gut geschrieben und hat eine Handlung, die einen wirklich zum Staunen und Weiterlesen bringt.
December 29, 2014
So what seems like years ago now (I read it VERY early) I first encountered Marnie Rome in Sarah Hilary’s haunting debut “Someone Elses Skin”. It has felt like a long wait for the follow up novel but it was worth every minute.
In this instalment, a horrific discovery sets off a highly disturbing case for Marnie and co that hits closer to home than anyone is comfortable with – as things twist and turn their way towards a breathtaking conclusion, it becomes obvious that nothing is as it appears and the story is at turns completely compelling, extremely frightening and often very emotional.
This time I was utterly hooked from the first page. I read it in a day, there simply was no stopping once I started – the beauty of the writing, especially for Crime Fiction is beyond compare and it sucks you into the vortex of Marnie’s world, holding you there barely breathing until the case is solved and the story is done.
Once again the author takes on the mantle of another hugely emotional issue that should be talked about more but is not – in “Someone Elses Skin” that was domestic abuse, in this story, well, I obviously can’t tell you because that would spoil it, but suffice to say Marnie is facing the darkness head on and is determined to give these children a name and a voice – in order to do so she may have to face some harsh truths of her own.
I absolutely love how Sarah Hilary writes her characters with plenty of moral ambiguity – no “good guys” or “bad guys” but just people – living life day to day and sometimes heading into dangerous territory, doing the wrong thing for seemingly right reasons and vice versa, as far as psychological depth goes you won’t find better than this. Scary in its authenticity, with a heroine at its heart that will steal yours, this was truly an amazing and evocative read.
You would say there was nothing new in Crime Fiction these days, difficult to find something fresh – as I remarked on Facebook during the reading of this, I have no idea how Ms Hilary manages to write in this genre as if she was the first person who ever did, but that is what she does. Expressive and resonant, I really cannot recommend it highly enough.
In this instalment, a horrific discovery sets off a highly disturbing case for Marnie and co that hits closer to home than anyone is comfortable with – as things twist and turn their way towards a breathtaking conclusion, it becomes obvious that nothing is as it appears and the story is at turns completely compelling, extremely frightening and often very emotional.
This time I was utterly hooked from the first page. I read it in a day, there simply was no stopping once I started – the beauty of the writing, especially for Crime Fiction is beyond compare and it sucks you into the vortex of Marnie’s world, holding you there barely breathing until the case is solved and the story is done.
Once again the author takes on the mantle of another hugely emotional issue that should be talked about more but is not – in “Someone Elses Skin” that was domestic abuse, in this story, well, I obviously can’t tell you because that would spoil it, but suffice to say Marnie is facing the darkness head on and is determined to give these children a name and a voice – in order to do so she may have to face some harsh truths of her own.
I absolutely love how Sarah Hilary writes her characters with plenty of moral ambiguity – no “good guys” or “bad guys” but just people – living life day to day and sometimes heading into dangerous territory, doing the wrong thing for seemingly right reasons and vice versa, as far as psychological depth goes you won’t find better than this. Scary in its authenticity, with a heroine at its heart that will steal yours, this was truly an amazing and evocative read.
You would say there was nothing new in Crime Fiction these days, difficult to find something fresh – as I remarked on Facebook during the reading of this, I have no idea how Ms Hilary manages to write in this genre as if she was the first person who ever did, but that is what she does. Expressive and resonant, I really cannot recommend it highly enough.
September 29, 2015
No Other Darkness is the follow up to Ms Hilary's debut novel, Someone Else's Skin, continuing on with main protagonist, Marnie Rome. And what a follow up!!
A grisly find of two young boys in a bunker at the bottom of a garden is where this book sets off. An upsetting but strong start that leads into an investigation of who the boys were and why was their disappearance not highlighted before? What we find is a tale of anguish, terrible guilt, remorse, lack of understanding and an insight into a terribly sad illness. All handled in a way that didn't ever come over as mushy or nauseating. I found the book had a strong start and then it took me a long time to engage, only reading sections a bit at a time. Mostly I think down to what was going on in my life rather than the book itself. However, get to halfway through and OMG, it was like Ms Hilary grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let go! The last half was totally unputdownable, I would find myself half heartedly doing chores and finding any excuse to keep going back to my Kindle. Seriously.... I did that a lot!! I read the last half of the book literally in an afternoon, it was pacy, thrilling, heart stopping stuff. This book is not so much a whodunit, more reasons unfurling bit by bit and understanding falling into place. The characters of Marnie and Noah are as attractive as ever and I can honestly say I can see these books transferring easily to the small screen. Adapted well, they would make great tv viewing in my opinion. Heck, I even found myself doing some casting!!
Overall, this is a terrific read, well researched, great characters from big to small and good storytelling. Seriously, what more can you ask from a book?!
As usual I'm annoyed at Goodreads for not being able to apply half stars, but this is a four and half star book for me. Why not five? Well, it was pretty darn close!
Highly recommend. My thanks go to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. A privilege!
A grisly find of two young boys in a bunker at the bottom of a garden is where this book sets off. An upsetting but strong start that leads into an investigation of who the boys were and why was their disappearance not highlighted before? What we find is a tale of anguish, terrible guilt, remorse, lack of understanding and an insight into a terribly sad illness. All handled in a way that didn't ever come over as mushy or nauseating. I found the book had a strong start and then it took me a long time to engage, only reading sections a bit at a time. Mostly I think down to what was going on in my life rather than the book itself. However, get to halfway through and OMG, it was like Ms Hilary grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let go! The last half was totally unputdownable, I would find myself half heartedly doing chores and finding any excuse to keep going back to my Kindle. Seriously.... I did that a lot!! I read the last half of the book literally in an afternoon, it was pacy, thrilling, heart stopping stuff. This book is not so much a whodunit, more reasons unfurling bit by bit and understanding falling into place. The characters of Marnie and Noah are as attractive as ever and I can honestly say I can see these books transferring easily to the small screen. Adapted well, they would make great tv viewing in my opinion. Heck, I even found myself doing some casting!!
Overall, this is a terrific read, well researched, great characters from big to small and good storytelling. Seriously, what more can you ask from a book?!
As usual I'm annoyed at Goodreads for not being able to apply half stars, but this is a four and half star book for me. Why not five? Well, it was pretty darn close!
Highly recommend. My thanks go to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. A privilege!
July 17, 2015
4.5 stars
This is one of the two best psychological thrillers i've read this year. (The other is Angela Marsons Silent Scream).
I'd seen the previous installment 'Someone Else's Skin' but hadn't read it. In no way did that detract from the reading of this book and i'm thrilled that it gives me something else to read by this author straight away.
Sarah Hilary is an excellent writer. She holds your attention from the outset and never lets up. I read the whole book in one sitting, all the while telling myself that old chestnut 'just one more chapter'. I'm not even going to review this properly, i'm just going to gush about how good it is and hope that my enthusiasm is enough.
What else do i need to say? The characters feel real- I liked that the detectives were really moved by death. They felt it and so I felt it. As a reader it makes you more invested in the story if we all, internal and external, care about the resolution. And what a resolution? I did not see that coming (and i'd been feeling very clever thinking I knew what was going on). If you like crime, read it. You won't be disappointed.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Headline for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the two best psychological thrillers i've read this year. (The other is Angela Marsons Silent Scream).
I'd seen the previous installment 'Someone Else's Skin' but hadn't read it. In no way did that detract from the reading of this book and i'm thrilled that it gives me something else to read by this author straight away.
Sarah Hilary is an excellent writer. She holds your attention from the outset and never lets up. I read the whole book in one sitting, all the while telling myself that old chestnut 'just one more chapter'. I'm not even going to review this properly, i'm just going to gush about how good it is and hope that my enthusiasm is enough.
What else do i need to say? The characters feel real- I liked that the detectives were really moved by death. They felt it and so I felt it. As a reader it makes you more invested in the story if we all, internal and external, care about the resolution. And what a resolution? I did not see that coming (and i'd been feeling very clever thinking I knew what was going on). If you like crime, read it. You won't be disappointed.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Headline for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2016
Sarah Hilary has really amped it up with No Other Darkness the follow up to Someone Else's Skin i think this one is even better .
Two young children are found entombed in a bunker dead they had been there for 5 years but who put them there & why? well in this psychological thriller you are taken on a dark journey of the perps madness & Psychosis .
DI Marnie Rome & DS NOah Jake are back to solve the murder of Fred & Archie what they discover is lies deceit & a terrifying realisation that it was done by someone the boys knew, what i enjoyed about this was we found out more insight into Noah Jake his weaknesses & strengths & Marnie has a terrible background she would like to forget.
I really loved loved loved this book & if i could rate it a 10 i would but 5+ stars for this brilliant work of fiction
Two young children are found entombed in a bunker dead they had been there for 5 years but who put them there & why? well in this psychological thriller you are taken on a dark journey of the perps madness & Psychosis .
DI Marnie Rome & DS NOah Jake are back to solve the murder of Fred & Archie what they discover is lies deceit & a terrifying realisation that it was done by someone the boys knew, what i enjoyed about this was we found out more insight into Noah Jake his weaknesses & strengths & Marnie has a terrible background she would like to forget.
I really loved loved loved this book & if i could rate it a 10 i would but 5+ stars for this brilliant work of fiction
September 9, 2015
It would be fair to share that Sarah Hilary is growing on me, however, I find her a frustrating writer. There were times during the first part of the book that I felt confined and trapped in the past with DI Marnie Rome when all I wanted to do was move on and read something new. Then I got it; the gentle layering of this unusual story, the clever patterns being brought together to make a more defined and meaningful picture. I was in danger of scoring it much lower in the belief the author had nothing new to say. The second half of the novel changed all that for me and I saw considered plot with distinct themes challenging our sense of family, safety, responsibility and labeling of people and situations we don't understand. As a social commentary on how we treat mental heath, especially around severe forms of post-natal depression it hits its mark, but this is a work of fiction that allows a skilful writer to promote our emotions, change our attitudes mid paragraph and scare us to our core. Characters talk about how another person sees them and like a mirror reflects back the person they are; this book equally illuminates those dark places, of the mind, the sense of self and protecting those we care about as clearly as we see our own image in a looking glass. A terrific novel, aptly titled and utilizing sun-terrain London takes the reader into confined and enclosed spaces. You feel as trapped as some of the characters and like the torch losing its power as it crashes against the wall we're not getting out of here if it goes dark. A crime is discovered from some years ago; two small boys abandoned in a bunker and left to die. Who could have left them to die? As the investigation gets underway the past bleeds into the present and no-one can feel safe. In my opinion better than the award winning debut novel; this book demonstrates that Sarah Hilary is no one hit wonder.
April 20, 2015
Thanks to Sarah Hilary, I have a brilliant new crime series to follow. I thought the first book, Someone Else’s Skin, was great however, with the second, No Other Darkness, Sarah Hilary has really taken things up a notch.
I’m not giving away any spoilers when I say that the book begins with a heart-breaking scenario. We know from the blurb on the back that things are not going to end well and when Marnie Rome and her team are called to investigate, they are all affected by what they find.
One of the joys of reading a series from the beginning is that feeling of familiarity when meeting the characters again and Marnie Rome, although in only her second outing, is fast becoming one of my favourite female detective leads. She is excellent at the acerbic put-downs and her exchanges with the (rather smug and often annoying) journalist from her past were great to read. Her partner, DS Noah Jake is another interesting character and in this story we find find out a little more of his private life. There is definitely more to come from Noah and he is a character that I would love to see developed in future stories.
Marnie and her team have a particularly distressing case to deal with and when another voice is introduced to the story, this gives an opportunity for another element to be explored. The story deals with a very dark and difficult subject, but it is done sympathetically. I don’t know if it was the effect of this particular storyline or just natural character progression but to me, Marnie seemed to be little more human and was allowed to show a little more of her compassionate side.
The twists and turns in the story are very cleverly structured and even though at one point I thought I had guessed at part of the outcome, I was completely floored by the events that followed.
Sarah Hilary’s writing just gets better. There are so many crime writers in this genre that it must be virtually impossible to write about something new but the writing here feels fresh and the storyline original. There are no wasted sentences, just a gripping and powerful story with realistic and convincing characters.
This could be read as a standalone but to get the best from the series, I would recommend that you start with the first book ‘Someone Else’s Skin’ which will give you the background to the characters, and in particular Marnie’s past history which continues to haunt her.
There is so much more to be discovered with these two very complex detectives and one of the downsides of reading a new series when it starts is having to wait for a new book. I am quite mean with my 5* ratings and don’t give them out lightly, but in this case I couldn’t give anything less.
My thanks to Elizabeth at Headline and the publisher for the review copy.
I’m not giving away any spoilers when I say that the book begins with a heart-breaking scenario. We know from the blurb on the back that things are not going to end well and when Marnie Rome and her team are called to investigate, they are all affected by what they find.
One of the joys of reading a series from the beginning is that feeling of familiarity when meeting the characters again and Marnie Rome, although in only her second outing, is fast becoming one of my favourite female detective leads. She is excellent at the acerbic put-downs and her exchanges with the (rather smug and often annoying) journalist from her past were great to read. Her partner, DS Noah Jake is another interesting character and in this story we find find out a little more of his private life. There is definitely more to come from Noah and he is a character that I would love to see developed in future stories.
Marnie and her team have a particularly distressing case to deal with and when another voice is introduced to the story, this gives an opportunity for another element to be explored. The story deals with a very dark and difficult subject, but it is done sympathetically. I don’t know if it was the effect of this particular storyline or just natural character progression but to me, Marnie seemed to be little more human and was allowed to show a little more of her compassionate side.
The twists and turns in the story are very cleverly structured and even though at one point I thought I had guessed at part of the outcome, I was completely floored by the events that followed.
Sarah Hilary’s writing just gets better. There are so many crime writers in this genre that it must be virtually impossible to write about something new but the writing here feels fresh and the storyline original. There are no wasted sentences, just a gripping and powerful story with realistic and convincing characters.
This could be read as a standalone but to get the best from the series, I would recommend that you start with the first book ‘Someone Else’s Skin’ which will give you the background to the characters, and in particular Marnie’s past history which continues to haunt her.
There is so much more to be discovered with these two very complex detectives and one of the downsides of reading a new series when it starts is having to wait for a new book. I am quite mean with my 5* ratings and don’t give them out lightly, but in this case I couldn’t give anything less.
My thanks to Elizabeth at Headline and the publisher for the review copy.
August 24, 2015
No Other Darkness – Grabs You By The Throat
Sarah Hilary recently won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year award for Someone Else’s Skin where she introduced us to a new detective hero in Detective Inspector Marnie Rome. Where her first novel was only critically acclaimed No Other Darkness is EVEN better her writing and her detective grab you by the throat and will leave you breathless all the way to the end.
Sarah Hilary is a writer who knows how to get under your skin, who not only knows how to hook the reader but keep the reader hooked. No Other Darkness is not just a police procedural thriller but with a heavy psychological knowledge of the victim, and victimhood but what makes her villains tick. The great thing about her writing is that you really do not know how the story will end, there are plenty of twists and turns with a few I did not see that coming.
The bodies of two young boys are discovered in a bunker behind some new build houses, and it seems they have been there quite a while. The owner of this new house in Snaresbrook, Terry Boyle discovers the two boy’s bodies is shocked. DI Rome wants to find out who these young boys were and give them the fitting send off that they deserve.
What she and her DS, Noah Jake discover is that not everything is at it seems and that leaves even more questions. Especially when Tony Boyle, his two children and his foster son seem to disappear in to thin air especially as the truth and history begins to unravel. What remains Marnie Rome’s focus are the boys and what happened to them. This will lead Marnie in to some very dark places, some of which will be unnerving.
The reader’s thoughts about the characters in No Other Darkness will change constantly from friendly to downright hostile. Often questioning the depths you would go too while at the same time challenging people’s attitudes and understanding of mental health problems and in particular postpartum depression a very largely misunderstood condition. This also questions the reader to how quickly we make our minds up about someone without the facts but with kneejerk reactions.
What Sarah Hilary delivers is a totally mesmerising thriller that absorbs the reader totally; complex issues are dealt with, with respect leaving the reader to question their thoughts. The plot of No Other Darkness is second to none, being gripping, fast-paced with some fantastic twists. There are times in this thriller that can be downright scary as you try and work out who really is the evil one Marnie is searching for. What Hilary delivers in this book are characters that you can believe in, police officers that you can trust to get to the truth and a sense of evil that pervades the novel.
No Other Darkness is truly gripping thriller that will grab you by the throat and you will not put the book down.
Sarah Hilary recently won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year award for Someone Else’s Skin where she introduced us to a new detective hero in Detective Inspector Marnie Rome. Where her first novel was only critically acclaimed No Other Darkness is EVEN better her writing and her detective grab you by the throat and will leave you breathless all the way to the end.
Sarah Hilary is a writer who knows how to get under your skin, who not only knows how to hook the reader but keep the reader hooked. No Other Darkness is not just a police procedural thriller but with a heavy psychological knowledge of the victim, and victimhood but what makes her villains tick. The great thing about her writing is that you really do not know how the story will end, there are plenty of twists and turns with a few I did not see that coming.
The bodies of two young boys are discovered in a bunker behind some new build houses, and it seems they have been there quite a while. The owner of this new house in Snaresbrook, Terry Boyle discovers the two boy’s bodies is shocked. DI Rome wants to find out who these young boys were and give them the fitting send off that they deserve.
What she and her DS, Noah Jake discover is that not everything is at it seems and that leaves even more questions. Especially when Tony Boyle, his two children and his foster son seem to disappear in to thin air especially as the truth and history begins to unravel. What remains Marnie Rome’s focus are the boys and what happened to them. This will lead Marnie in to some very dark places, some of which will be unnerving.
The reader’s thoughts about the characters in No Other Darkness will change constantly from friendly to downright hostile. Often questioning the depths you would go too while at the same time challenging people’s attitudes and understanding of mental health problems and in particular postpartum depression a very largely misunderstood condition. This also questions the reader to how quickly we make our minds up about someone without the facts but with kneejerk reactions.
What Sarah Hilary delivers is a totally mesmerising thriller that absorbs the reader totally; complex issues are dealt with, with respect leaving the reader to question their thoughts. The plot of No Other Darkness is second to none, being gripping, fast-paced with some fantastic twists. There are times in this thriller that can be downright scary as you try and work out who really is the evil one Marnie is searching for. What Hilary delivers in this book are characters that you can believe in, police officers that you can trust to get to the truth and a sense of evil that pervades the novel.
No Other Darkness is truly gripping thriller that will grab you by the throat and you will not put the book down.
June 11, 2015
I loved Sarah Hilary’s debut novel, so much so that I moved straight onto Book 2 which was released in April. DI Marnie Rome and her colleague DS Noah Jake are back together and investigating the discovery of two young children found in a hidden bunker. The opening chapters describing the murder scene are creep enough but you get that cold dark feeling seeping into your bones, when you realise this will not be a straightforward case.
In this second instalment, aside from the main storyline, I love the fact that we are getting snippets of information about the two main characters Marnie and Noah. I feel like you are getting to know them that little bit more with each book they appear in. The main storyline features some rather harrowing issues but they are dealt with brilliantly and you don’t feel like things are forced down your throat. What starts as a missing children’s case opens up a can of worms and before you know it there is so much more going on.
Another thing I really liked was the way your thought process follows you down one path and then Hilary pulls the twists out of the bag like only a Magician can do. I was left wondering a couple of times how I didn’t figure things out. Loads of plot threads keeping you entertained from start to finish and the writing and characters keep you wanting more. This is certainly going to be on my list of ‘must-read’ series. This is another fabulous new author to add to my ever growing list, and one that I would highly recommend.
In this second instalment, aside from the main storyline, I love the fact that we are getting snippets of information about the two main characters Marnie and Noah. I feel like you are getting to know them that little bit more with each book they appear in. The main storyline features some rather harrowing issues but they are dealt with brilliantly and you don’t feel like things are forced down your throat. What starts as a missing children’s case opens up a can of worms and before you know it there is so much more going on.
Another thing I really liked was the way your thought process follows you down one path and then Hilary pulls the twists out of the bag like only a Magician can do. I was left wondering a couple of times how I didn’t figure things out. Loads of plot threads keeping you entertained from start to finish and the writing and characters keep you wanting more. This is certainly going to be on my list of ‘must-read’ series. This is another fabulous new author to add to my ever growing list, and one that I would highly recommend.
September 13, 2015
I won this book as part of a goodreads.com Giveaway.
First I would like to thank goodreads.com, the Publisher and the Author for sending me a copy for winning the giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well titled and is Dark, Dark and then gets Darker. The Characters are well written and the story flows very well. It is an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone who loves this genre and I would do so without reservation.
It is mesmerizing and truly absorbing.
First I would like to thank goodreads.com, the Publisher and the Author for sending me a copy for winning the giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well titled and is Dark, Dark and then gets Darker. The Characters are well written and the story flows very well. It is an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone who loves this genre and I would do so without reservation.
It is mesmerizing and truly absorbing.
April 20, 2015
No Other Darkness is a difficult book to start a review for, so many things I want to pick up on and discuss but at the same time not knowing just where to start. Someone Else's Skin was a seriously impressive debut, and one of the first review books I received for the blog. Fast forward one year and almost 300 reviews, and it's a definitely a standout read for me. No Other Darkness is just in another league, a real example of how to do crime fiction, and it should be given to those that criticise the genre.
The subject matter is a difficult one to read in places, yet completely and endlessly compelling. I was unable to tear myself away from this book. The bodies of two young boys are found buried in an underground bunker, and so begins the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career. Marnie is determined from the word go to find answers, becoming consumed by the case, the only focus in her life being the two boys, finding out who they are, and who is responsible for their deaths. For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this.
Marnie Rome, and her partner DS Noah Jake are two of my favourite new detectives in crime fiction. Usually I might reel off a few comparisons to other authors or characters, lazy I know, but with this series I am unable to do that given that everything about it is just so fresh and original. From the characterisation to the writing to the story itself, it is all Sarah Hilary. I hope this duo is kept together for a long time. Sarah intersperses what is happening in the present day with what happened in Marnie's past. Usually this could feel like a well-worn and tired path, not the case in No Other Darkness. Marnie is an intriguing character, and one I think we will continue to learn more about as the series progresses. The same can be said for Noah Jake, who has his own developments outside of the main arc.
No Other Darkness is a thought-provoking read, the final chapters in particular causing my opinions to change numerous times, my mind refusing to settle on one single thought. Sarah tackles an interesting subject, one that she has clearly researched meticulously and one where the facts and answers might not be as clear cut as they seem at first glance. I did work a couple of things out, quite early on actually, even before meeting the other main players in the story of the missing children, yet as the story progressed I was thrown off course multiple times. Sarah knows exactly how to tell a story. I don't know the words or phrases to describe an author's writing so I'm not going to try, but you know when it's just good, really good? That. The closing chapters had me remembering that this series has been picked up for TV, and the scenes are so dramatically powerful and thrilling that if the series follows the books, it will be unmissable television.
I don't think there's anything more exciting for a reader than finding a talent such as Sarah, and knowing that the next book she delivers will no doubt be brilliant. Crime fiction at the moment is such an exciting genre, and a lot of the best books are coming from new authors, meaning the oldies need to start upping their game. I am almost disappointed that I have been on the Sarah Hilary journey from the beginning, I am so used to joining a series late, and having a back catalogue to devour. Instead I have a torturous wait in between books, hopefully the wait for book three will not be too long.
The subject matter is a difficult one to read in places, yet completely and endlessly compelling. I was unable to tear myself away from this book. The bodies of two young boys are found buried in an underground bunker, and so begins the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career. Marnie is determined from the word go to find answers, becoming consumed by the case, the only focus in her life being the two boys, finding out who they are, and who is responsible for their deaths. For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this.
Marnie Rome, and her partner DS Noah Jake are two of my favourite new detectives in crime fiction. Usually I might reel off a few comparisons to other authors or characters, lazy I know, but with this series I am unable to do that given that everything about it is just so fresh and original. From the characterisation to the writing to the story itself, it is all Sarah Hilary. I hope this duo is kept together for a long time. Sarah intersperses what is happening in the present day with what happened in Marnie's past. Usually this could feel like a well-worn and tired path, not the case in No Other Darkness. Marnie is an intriguing character, and one I think we will continue to learn more about as the series progresses. The same can be said for Noah Jake, who has his own developments outside of the main arc.
No Other Darkness is a thought-provoking read, the final chapters in particular causing my opinions to change numerous times, my mind refusing to settle on one single thought. Sarah tackles an interesting subject, one that she has clearly researched meticulously and one where the facts and answers might not be as clear cut as they seem at first glance. I did work a couple of things out, quite early on actually, even before meeting the other main players in the story of the missing children, yet as the story progressed I was thrown off course multiple times. Sarah knows exactly how to tell a story. I don't know the words or phrases to describe an author's writing so I'm not going to try, but you know when it's just good, really good? That. The closing chapters had me remembering that this series has been picked up for TV, and the scenes are so dramatically powerful and thrilling that if the series follows the books, it will be unmissable television.
I don't think there's anything more exciting for a reader than finding a talent such as Sarah, and knowing that the next book she delivers will no doubt be brilliant. Crime fiction at the moment is such an exciting genre, and a lot of the best books are coming from new authors, meaning the oldies need to start upping their game. I am almost disappointed that I have been on the Sarah Hilary journey from the beginning, I am so used to joining a series late, and having a back catalogue to devour. Instead I have a torturous wait in between books, hopefully the wait for book three will not be too long.
December 3, 2016
This wasn't a patch on her first for me. I made note that there were no mistakes in that one whereas this one was full of repetition.
I was a little baffled when she mentioned the OCU being on "his" way as I Googled it and it stands for Operational Command Unit !! Again with Marnie knowing so much about a builder's ventilation work. It was never really explained how she acquired this knowledge !!
Now the repetition....we hear 2 pages running that a mobile office existed, the same with beech trees being incorporated into a development, toes scratching an ankle, someone being sick and scared of something, some kid's shoulders filling out, a scent like armour, keeping someone away from small children, knowing all the best places, the older boy getting along with little kids-ALL these things were mentioned on an ensuing page and drove me to distraction.
I didn't understand either how there was no secondary DNA found at a scene and Marnie says "No secondary DNA means....familial DNA"....totally lost me there !!
I didn't understand why she put her Acknowledgements at the back, either, when the final line is "here it is" presenting the story !!
I enjoyed reading more featuring both Marnie and her police partner Noah. I just don't understand why this one fell down as it did in comparison to Someone Else's Skin. I'll try book 3 for sure but hope we revert back to the style of book one in the series.
I was a little baffled when she mentioned the OCU being on "his" way as I Googled it and it stands for Operational Command Unit !! Again with Marnie knowing so much about a builder's ventilation work. It was never really explained how she acquired this knowledge !!
Now the repetition....we hear 2 pages running that a mobile office existed, the same with beech trees being incorporated into a development, toes scratching an ankle, someone being sick and scared of something, some kid's shoulders filling out, a scent like armour, keeping someone away from small children, knowing all the best places, the older boy getting along with little kids-ALL these things were mentioned on an ensuing page and drove me to distraction.
I didn't understand either how there was no secondary DNA found at a scene and Marnie says "No secondary DNA means....familial DNA"....totally lost me there !!
I didn't understand why she put her Acknowledgements at the back, either, when the final line is "here it is" presenting the story !!
I enjoyed reading more featuring both Marnie and her police partner Noah. I just don't understand why this one fell down as it did in comparison to Someone Else's Skin. I'll try book 3 for sure but hope we revert back to the style of book one in the series.
May 20, 2015
Review by ireadnovels.wordpress.com
Unlike other readers sadly I did not read Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary. I read No Other Darkness first. Sarah Hilary is a glorious new crime writer that writes frightening danger on every page.
The story takes us through deep measures of sympathy with domestic and complications. An unforgivable, unforgettable thing happened. Two young boys were trapped underground in a Cold War bunker built under a field in north-east London.
A monster of a person had put the two young boys in the bunker would of have not been unable to understand why they were put inside a twelve feet underground bunker. They were desperate for someone to find them, but slowly realizing that no one will come to help them.
Five years later the bodies are found. The police have the most difficult tough investigation finding out who put the two children down deep in a bunker.
This story is so well planned out it will make your skin creep. I highly recommend Sarah Hilary to all crime fans. I will be definitely be buying Sarah Hilary's first crime novel Someone Else's Skin. I would like to thank the publishers for my proof copy.
Unlike other readers sadly I did not read Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary. I read No Other Darkness first. Sarah Hilary is a glorious new crime writer that writes frightening danger on every page.
The story takes us through deep measures of sympathy with domestic and complications. An unforgivable, unforgettable thing happened. Two young boys were trapped underground in a Cold War bunker built under a field in north-east London.
A monster of a person had put the two young boys in the bunker would of have not been unable to understand why they were put inside a twelve feet underground bunker. They were desperate for someone to find them, but slowly realizing that no one will come to help them.
Five years later the bodies are found. The police have the most difficult tough investigation finding out who put the two children down deep in a bunker.
This story is so well planned out it will make your skin creep. I highly recommend Sarah Hilary to all crime fans. I will be definitely be buying Sarah Hilary's first crime novel Someone Else's Skin. I would like to thank the publishers for my proof copy.
February 3, 2015
An excellent piece of writing. I was lucky to receive an early review copy of this book. It is one of those books that keeps coming up with so many surprises, it's very hard to put down. I have to say. I love DI Marine Rome. A fantastic character who has endured so much pain herself it's hard to believe she can tackle cases like she does. Full of suspense, intrigue, and indulging in to a fantastic crime novel. A must read, and high praise for Sarah Hilary. A must read for any crime/thriller novel
May 13, 2015
This review was originally posted on Between My Lines
This book is well named as it’s dark, dark, DARK! And I’m not going to lie, it is a bleak, sad theme but it’s told with a compassionate tone that makes this a compelling read.
First Line of No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary:
My Thoughts on No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary:
The first line puts a knot of tension into my stomach knowing now exactly what happened to Fred and Archie. Fred is five and Archie is eight when they are shut up in an underground bunker and left to die. This book starts with a flashback to that time and then forward to the day their bodies are found. It is just so horrible to think about - anything to do with the deaths of children always is - but the circumstances here are shocking.
This is the second book in this London based police detective series and it picks up where Someone Else’s Skin leaves off. I would recommend reading them in order as otherwise you will lose out on the details of the detectives personal lives which is a huge part of the stories.
Marnie is the lead detective and I love how she is both fierce and broken all at the same time. She is tough as nails but also has a huge empathy for the victims of the crimes that she investigates. And most of all she is quick-witted and considers every angle of the cases she is working on. I love how her mind works and I love how she gets under the skin of her victims and the perpetrators.
The story very quickly works its way forward and backwards to a dreadful climax. It’s the very definition of gripping and there are definitely no issues with pacing in this book. I flew through it. The writing is also very provocative and it makes you consider issues that you might never have come across before.
It also kept me guessing for a large part of the book and the foreshadowing is skilfully done. Just enough to keep you on the edge of the loop making reasonable guesses but not so overdone that you are certain of the accuracy of your theories.
Overall huge thumbs up and Sarah Hillary has found her place on to my auto-buy list.
Who should read No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary?
If you were a fan of Someone Else’s Skin then I think you’ll be delighted to catch up with DI Marnie. Fans of psychological domestic thrillers who like intelligent characters and dark storylines should also really enjoy. And I’d also strongly recommend this to fans of authors such as Colette McBeth, Lisa Scottoline and Linwood Barclay.
Thanks to Headline and Sarah Hilary for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This book is well named as it’s dark, dark, DARK! And I’m not going to lie, it is a bleak, sad theme but it’s told with a compassionate tone that makes this a compelling read.
First Line of No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary:
“Fred’s crying again, a snotty noise with a whine in it, like the puppy when she’s shut outside.”
My Thoughts on No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary:
The first line puts a knot of tension into my stomach knowing now exactly what happened to Fred and Archie. Fred is five and Archie is eight when they are shut up in an underground bunker and left to die. This book starts with a flashback to that time and then forward to the day their bodies are found. It is just so horrible to think about - anything to do with the deaths of children always is - but the circumstances here are shocking.
This is the second book in this London based police detective series and it picks up where Someone Else’s Skin leaves off. I would recommend reading them in order as otherwise you will lose out on the details of the detectives personal lives which is a huge part of the stories.
Marnie is the lead detective and I love how she is both fierce and broken all at the same time. She is tough as nails but also has a huge empathy for the victims of the crimes that she investigates. And most of all she is quick-witted and considers every angle of the cases she is working on. I love how her mind works and I love how she gets under the skin of her victims and the perpetrators.
The story very quickly works its way forward and backwards to a dreadful climax. It’s the very definition of gripping and there are definitely no issues with pacing in this book. I flew through it. The writing is also very provocative and it makes you consider issues that you might never have come across before.
It also kept me guessing for a large part of the book and the foreshadowing is skilfully done. Just enough to keep you on the edge of the loop making reasonable guesses but not so overdone that you are certain of the accuracy of your theories.
Overall huge thumbs up and Sarah Hillary has found her place on to my auto-buy list.
Who should read No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary?
If you were a fan of Someone Else’s Skin then I think you’ll be delighted to catch up with DI Marnie. Fans of psychological domestic thrillers who like intelligent characters and dark storylines should also really enjoy. And I’d also strongly recommend this to fans of authors such as Colette McBeth, Lisa Scottoline and Linwood Barclay.
Thanks to Headline and Sarah Hilary for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 2, 2015
Review: No Other Darkness (DI Marnie Rome #2) by Sarah Hilary Publication Date: 23rd April 2015
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 978147220772 (trade paperback)
Source: Publisher/Netgalley
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She had to find out who they are and what happened to them.
For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this...
Review:
Wow, just wow! When I read Someone Else's Skin last year and was so impressed by Sarah Hilary's slick and stylish debut that I named it my top read of 2014, I was sure that I'd not find a novel to top it. For once, I'm really pleased to admit I was wrong, and how!
This second book to feature DI Marnie Rome is breathtaking. Intelligently written over two time periods which the brilliantly constructed prose allows the reader to move seamlessly between, this is crime thriller writing at its very very best.
DI Rome is tenacious and utterly readable with a vulnerability that makes her so likeable and believably human. She brings to mind Peter Robinson's DCI Alan Banks, and I can easily see DI Rome's transference to the screen in a similar manner.
A clever and utterly engrossing plot that is terrifying without being gratuitous, No Other Darkness had me hooked at page one, taking me on a rollercoaster ride as the plot thickened and twisted, leaving me no option but to hang on tight as the pace increased. Just as the ride seemed to be slowing towards its conclusion, the pace quickened around some final bends that I could not have foreseen. A disturbingly dark and gritty ride that left me breathless.
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 978147220772 (trade paperback)
Source: Publisher/Netgalley
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She had to find out who they are and what happened to them.
For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this...
Review:
Wow, just wow! When I read Someone Else's Skin last year and was so impressed by Sarah Hilary's slick and stylish debut that I named it my top read of 2014, I was sure that I'd not find a novel to top it. For once, I'm really pleased to admit I was wrong, and how!
This second book to feature DI Marnie Rome is breathtaking. Intelligently written over two time periods which the brilliantly constructed prose allows the reader to move seamlessly between, this is crime thriller writing at its very very best.
DI Rome is tenacious and utterly readable with a vulnerability that makes her so likeable and believably human. She brings to mind Peter Robinson's DCI Alan Banks, and I can easily see DI Rome's transference to the screen in a similar manner.
A clever and utterly engrossing plot that is terrifying without being gratuitous, No Other Darkness had me hooked at page one, taking me on a rollercoaster ride as the plot thickened and twisted, leaving me no option but to hang on tight as the pace increased. Just as the ride seemed to be slowing towards its conclusion, the pace quickened around some final bends that I could not have foreseen. A disturbingly dark and gritty ride that left me breathless.
March 8, 2018
*** Actual rating 3.5 / 5 ***
After reading the most excellent first in this series (Someone Else’s Skin) I pre-ordered this one almost as soon as I heard about it. But for one reason or another I’m ashamed to say it’s been neglected on my Kindle since its publication day.
Anyway, all’s not lost as I recently threw myself into 'No Other Darkness' and the introduction immediately set the unsettling tone that was to follow. The story has suspense in many places and fiercely (and cleverly) guards its ‘persons of interest’. There’s also no denying that it tackles some challenging issues which successfully twisted my initial assumptions, not to mention my empathy, for certain characters and their plight.
However, I felt it only scratched the surface of some events and its pace wasn’t as swift as I’d expected. As a result I found myself grazing on this book over several (smaller) sittings, and that alone is usually a significant indicator of my engagement with the overall story. Although I do appreciate my thoughts place me among the minority of readers, as most are offering an unequivocal 5 star rating.
After reading the most excellent first in this series (Someone Else’s Skin) I pre-ordered this one almost as soon as I heard about it. But for one reason or another I’m ashamed to say it’s been neglected on my Kindle since its publication day.
Anyway, all’s not lost as I recently threw myself into 'No Other Darkness' and the introduction immediately set the unsettling tone that was to follow. The story has suspense in many places and fiercely (and cleverly) guards its ‘persons of interest’. There’s also no denying that it tackles some challenging issues which successfully twisted my initial assumptions, not to mention my empathy, for certain characters and their plight.
However, I felt it only scratched the surface of some events and its pace wasn’t as swift as I’d expected. As a result I found myself grazing on this book over several (smaller) sittings, and that alone is usually a significant indicator of my engagement with the overall story. Although I do appreciate my thoughts place me among the minority of readers, as most are offering an unequivocal 5 star rating.
March 10, 2016
Fantastic. Bleak. Very moving. Tragic. A strong book to follow up Someone Else's Skin.
The death of children is always tragic but the circumstances portrayed in this book are, if anything, even more gut-wrenching. We kind of know what happened pretty early on but not the why and how. There are still may secrets to unearth throughout the book. As the story unfolds, the sheer horror and waste of how the deaths of two young boys came about are uncovered. A situation that could have been prevented in an ideal world. We are very ready to label some people as monsters when the real story is somehow harder to bear. This is a gripping and thought provoking read.
The death of children is always tragic but the circumstances portrayed in this book are, if anything, even more gut-wrenching. We kind of know what happened pretty early on but not the why and how. There are still may secrets to unearth throughout the book. As the story unfolds, the sheer horror and waste of how the deaths of two young boys came about are uncovered. A situation that could have been prevented in an ideal world. We are very ready to label some people as monsters when the real story is somehow harder to bear. This is a gripping and thought provoking read.
January 3, 2018
What a fabulous novel. It takes us, and DI Marnie Rome, to some dark places but there's a real warmth and care in Sarah Hilary's handling of these difficult themes. I thought this would be good and I wasn't disappointed. On the contrary. Superb.
April 27, 2018
4.5*
DI Marnie Rome, DS Noah Jake and the team are investigating a report of bodies found. Two children. ‘A burial, but not in the usual sense…’
Terry and Beth Doyle, along with their two young children, moved into a new house a year ago. While in the process of preparing a vegetable plot, Terry finds an underground bunker and makes a shocking discovery. Marnie and Noah attend the scene, and with no apparent clues, it’s their unenviable task to find out who left two young children alone in an underground bunker several years ago, who they were and why no-one ever reported them missing.
Following on from Sarah Hilary’s debut, Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness has a strong, intense opening leading through to a dark and disturbing police procedural with a psychological twist.
The circumstances of the children’s death is shocking, heartbreaking, impossible to comprehend and it’s a hard case for the team to come to terms with, but they are determined to find the perpetrator. As more is uncovered, things become ever more confusing and the case is taking its toll. Nothing is as it seems and the twists keep coming.
Sections of the narrative are from Esther and Alison, in Lawton Down Prison, who give the reader chilling glimpses of why they are incarcerated. Why the boys were in the bunker and why they died there. This ramps up the tension and suspense with each passage from their perspectives.
Marnie and Noah are great characters, engaging and developing well, who compliment each other, and I enjoyed learning more about them. Marnie’s traumatic past still haunts her and I’m sure there’s yet more to learn about Noah. There are various difficult topics woven into the narrative, treated sensitively, giving it a very realistic edge. The plot is complex, multi layered and very well written, with the included backgrounds of the characters adding to the overall atmosphere and reading experience without overwhelming the investigation.
I truly did not see that final piece of the puzzle as it slotted into place, despite the clues sprinkled throughout, which seem to lead me in one direction only to be sent spinning on a completely different. An engrossing read.
DI Marnie Rome, DS Noah Jake and the team are investigating a report of bodies found. Two children. ‘A burial, but not in the usual sense…’
Terry and Beth Doyle, along with their two young children, moved into a new house a year ago. While in the process of preparing a vegetable plot, Terry finds an underground bunker and makes a shocking discovery. Marnie and Noah attend the scene, and with no apparent clues, it’s their unenviable task to find out who left two young children alone in an underground bunker several years ago, who they were and why no-one ever reported them missing.
Following on from Sarah Hilary’s debut, Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness has a strong, intense opening leading through to a dark and disturbing police procedural with a psychological twist.
The circumstances of the children’s death is shocking, heartbreaking, impossible to comprehend and it’s a hard case for the team to come to terms with, but they are determined to find the perpetrator. As more is uncovered, things become ever more confusing and the case is taking its toll. Nothing is as it seems and the twists keep coming.
Sections of the narrative are from Esther and Alison, in Lawton Down Prison, who give the reader chilling glimpses of why they are incarcerated. Why the boys were in the bunker and why they died there. This ramps up the tension and suspense with each passage from their perspectives.
Marnie and Noah are great characters, engaging and developing well, who compliment each other, and I enjoyed learning more about them. Marnie’s traumatic past still haunts her and I’m sure there’s yet more to learn about Noah. There are various difficult topics woven into the narrative, treated sensitively, giving it a very realistic edge. The plot is complex, multi layered and very well written, with the included backgrounds of the characters adding to the overall atmosphere and reading experience without overwhelming the investigation.
I truly did not see that final piece of the puzzle as it slotted into place, despite the clues sprinkled throughout, which seem to lead me in one direction only to be sent spinning on a completely different. An engrossing read.
March 2, 2020
4 stars - Crime/Police Procedural/Mystery/Thriller
This is such a devastating, heartbreaking mystery.
This is such a devastating, heartbreaking mystery.
April 29, 2017
An excellent follow up to Someone Else's Skin and a second and sad case for Marnie and Noah, set against the background of Marnie's own family tragedy. Very well written with great characters and an interesting if sad storyline. Looking forward to number three !
September 16, 2021
Closer to 3.5 Stars.
No Other Darkness (DI Marnie Rome, #2) by Sarah Hilary
No Other Darkness is the second book in the British police procedural crime fiction series by Sarah Hilary starring DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake. This time the main crime to be solved is triggered by the discovery of corpses of two young children in an underground bunker who have been dead for at least five years. Cold cases are always the most difficult of cases, and cases involving dead children are also incredibly hard to take for the personnel involved.
I was surprised at how different in style the second book in the DI Marnie Rome series was from the first, Someone Else’s Skin. British-Jamaican, openly gay DS Noah Jake is still an interesting character but sadly he has less of a role in this story than he did in the first. No Other Darkness is much more of a psychological thriller than Someone Else’s Skin was, and in my estimation this ends up NOT being an improvement. I’m still interested in seeing how things develop in the lives of Marnie and Noah but this change in tone made me less inclined to continue reading the series. The central, overarching question in the book is “what kind of person traps two children in an underground bunker and leaves them to die of hunger and/or thirst?” Trying to imagine and/or understand the psychosis of the perpetrator and watching as Marnie and Noah try to come to terms with the kind of person they are looking for is a harrowing experience for the reader.
There is one main thing that the series has going for it, and that’s Marnie (with Noah a very close second). In No Other Darkness we learn a lot more about Marnie’s past. She interacts with her “half-brother” Stephen Keele who is still a incarcerated for the double murder of her/his parents when he was a minor. Their relationship is of course complicated and emotionally fraught. Noah also has a complicated personal relationship; his ne’er’ do’ well younger brother is distracting him from his job trying to help Marnie solve the crime.
Bizarrely, Stephen is not the only minor child who has psychological problems in the story. The adopted child of the couple who discovered the children’s dead bodies, Clancy Boyle, seems to know a lot more about their circumstances than he has revealed initially.
The denouement of the book does involve another situation where Marnie is put into mortal danger as her hunch about a suspect explodes in her face. To me, placing your (female) protagonist in harm’s way is just a lazy way to raise suspense in a crime thriller and the very best writers are usually able to avoid this cliche while still producing pulse-pounding plots. I do hope that the author finds other ways to keep narrative tension in future entries because I do intend to find out more about what happens to Marnie and Noah next.
No Other Darkness (DI Marnie Rome, #2) by Sarah Hilary
No Other Darkness is the second book in the British police procedural crime fiction series by Sarah Hilary starring DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake. This time the main crime to be solved is triggered by the discovery of corpses of two young children in an underground bunker who have been dead for at least five years. Cold cases are always the most difficult of cases, and cases involving dead children are also incredibly hard to take for the personnel involved.
I was surprised at how different in style the second book in the DI Marnie Rome series was from the first, Someone Else’s Skin. British-Jamaican, openly gay DS Noah Jake is still an interesting character but sadly he has less of a role in this story than he did in the first. No Other Darkness is much more of a psychological thriller than Someone Else’s Skin was, and in my estimation this ends up NOT being an improvement. I’m still interested in seeing how things develop in the lives of Marnie and Noah but this change in tone made me less inclined to continue reading the series. The central, overarching question in the book is “what kind of person traps two children in an underground bunker and leaves them to die of hunger and/or thirst?” Trying to imagine and/or understand the psychosis of the perpetrator and watching as Marnie and Noah try to come to terms with the kind of person they are looking for is a harrowing experience for the reader.
There is one main thing that the series has going for it, and that’s Marnie (with Noah a very close second). In No Other Darkness we learn a lot more about Marnie’s past. She interacts with her “half-brother” Stephen Keele who is still a incarcerated for the double murder of her/his parents when he was a minor. Their relationship is of course complicated and emotionally fraught. Noah also has a complicated personal relationship; his ne’er’ do’ well younger brother is distracting him from his job trying to help Marnie solve the crime.
Bizarrely, Stephen is not the only minor child who has psychological problems in the story. The adopted child of the couple who discovered the children’s dead bodies, Clancy Boyle, seems to know a lot more about their circumstances than he has revealed initially.
The denouement of the book does involve another situation where Marnie is put into mortal danger as her hunch about a suspect explodes in her face. To me, placing your (female) protagonist in harm’s way is just a lazy way to raise suspense in a crime thriller and the very best writers are usually able to avoid this cliche while still producing pulse-pounding plots. I do hope that the author finds other ways to keep narrative tension in future entries because I do intend to find out more about what happens to Marnie and Noah next.
January 8, 2015
A masterclass in developing crime fiction series characters.
"Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later, the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to themFor Marnie, there is no other darkness than this..."
Sarah Hilary draws the reader in from page 1 with the same elegant writing style as her first novel, Someone Else's Skin. This time we learn a little more about the recurring characters' lives - teasing amounts to keep us hooked for the next instalment.
The case the team is faced with is heartbreaking and horrifying but I had to read every detail. For the first time in ages I had to read late into the night to finish the book - I simply wouldn't have slept if I'd left it unresolved.
I believe that Marnie and the team are to be brought to our TV screens which will bring millions of new fans. I hope some of them try the books too as they are a real treat for crime fiction fans.
I'd recommend No Other Darkness to readers who enjoy an in-depth crime story with a psychological twist. I'd also recommend reading Someone Else's Skin first as I always believe in reading a series in order, otherwise you miss out on the character development.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the proof copy to review.
"Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realising that no-one will...
Five years later, the boys' bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome's career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to themFor Marnie, there is no other darkness than this..."
Sarah Hilary draws the reader in from page 1 with the same elegant writing style as her first novel, Someone Else's Skin. This time we learn a little more about the recurring characters' lives - teasing amounts to keep us hooked for the next instalment.
The case the team is faced with is heartbreaking and horrifying but I had to read every detail. For the first time in ages I had to read late into the night to finish the book - I simply wouldn't have slept if I'd left it unresolved.
I believe that Marnie and the team are to be brought to our TV screens which will bring millions of new fans. I hope some of them try the books too as they are a real treat for crime fiction fans.
I'd recommend No Other Darkness to readers who enjoy an in-depth crime story with a psychological twist. I'd also recommend reading Someone Else's Skin first as I always believe in reading a series in order, otherwise you miss out on the character development.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the proof copy to review.
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