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Level 26 #2

by Anthony E. Zuiker, Duane Swierczynski

Il secondo romanzo della serie Level 26, nel quale ritorna Steve Dark, il massimo esperto nell'analisi della scena del crimine,. Dark questa volta è sulle tracce dell'Assassino dei Tarocchi, che ricompone i corpi delle sue vittime imitando le immagini sulle carte: l'Appeso, il Matto, il Diavolo. I delitti si susseguono implacabili, in base a un disegno sempre più preciso. Il killer sta lanciando un messaggio, e solo Dark sembra in grado di interpretarlo. Forse esiste un altro mostro come Sqweegel. E forse non è l'unico.

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Thriller Suspense

419 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2011

About the author

Anthony Edward Zuiker is the creator and executive producer of the American television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He produced all three editions of the CSI franchise: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Besides his work on CSI, he also founded the murder mystery show Whodunnit?. He also assisted in the writing of Terminator Salvation. He is currently involved in Blackbox TV, a YouTube series and is the executive producer and writer of the web series Cybergeddon.

On September 8, 2009, Zuiker released Level 26: Dark Origins, a book with associated web-based motion picture and interactive elements which he termed a "digi-novel". Zuiker produced 20 cinematic cyber-bridges, which readers are prompted to view online using special codes embedded in the book's text every 20 pages or so.

On October 14, 2010, Level 26: Dark Prophecy was released and the third installment, Level 26: Dark Revelations was released in 2011.

Reviews

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pues me ha gustado bastante, el final un poco menos, no sé, me pareció algo forzado y peliculero, pero bueno, es de esperar, ya que al menos uno de los autores es un guionista.
También se ha notado en el ritmo del libro, que ha sido endiablado, con unos capítulos bien cortitos que le dan mucho dinamismo.
Ha sido,, como digo, casi una carrera contrarreloj para cazar al asesino, no ha sido tan truculento como en el 1º libro, pero ha sido un asesino en serie, relacionado con las cartas del tarot y que poco a poco se van conociendo los motivos, algo débiles a mi parecer para tanta desproporción, pero ya se sabe, lo que ronda por al cabeza de esta gente...
Valoración: 7.75/10

Sinopsis: Steve Dark es un experto en la búsqueda de asesinos en serie. Recientemente renunció al servicio debido a problemas de salud mental. Pero ahora un nuevo perpetrador está tramando travesuras en el país. Mata a las víctimas de acuerdo con motivos de tarot conocidos. Dark se da cuenta de que los investigadores oficiales no son rival para el asesino y quiere intervenir él mismo. Entonces una mujer misteriosa se acerca a él. Su oferta: fondos ilimitados siempre y cuando Dark cace asesinos en serie exclusivamente para ellos. Sin los límites de la justicia y la moralidad...

[Neko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second instalment for the Level 26 novels...When I bought the first Level 26 I had no idea that this was going to become a 3 part (so far) series.

What to say....I enjoyed this novel...It's still got at thriller/crime theme going on but I didn't feel the spookiness of the first novel..That one had me seriously creeped out!! This felt like it was more written for the TV screen whereas the last novel belonged only in your head where you're imagination could taunt you.

At one point I was reading this novel during a seriously dark, windy, rainy day so I had the atmosphere correct as I flicked through the pages on my Kindle..The only thing that brought me back to reality was a warm fuzz ball sitting on my lap. If you enjoyed the character Dark and his 'better than authority' kind of behaviour from the first novel then this one won't disappoint...If you want the creep level of the first novel then you may be slightly disappointed.

[Mauoijenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, but still enough suspense to keep me interested. Took a while also to get things going in this second book of the triology. Hoping the third is better.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Patterson-type thriller (short chapters, lots of twists) but I was not as interested in this story as in the first one. The basis for this one is a killer who is using the Tarot to select their victims. Steve Dark has left the Special Circs - he wants to be a "regular" dad to his daughter - and he's teaching at the university. However, this case is quickly escalating and he is drawn into the investigation by a mysterious woman with loads of resources and a nebulous association with a shadow organization. It sets up Dark to go up against not only the killer but his old pals in the FBI. It sounds like an exciting premise but by the end of this...I was just ready for the end of this.

One quote I did like:

You're almost smashing through the guard rails and headed into Paranoiaville. Population: 1 (Everyone Else Is Out to Get You).

[Stewart Sternberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it should be. The story rumbles ahead, the characters are tough and the action unrelenting. It's a strong entry into the thriller genre.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
L’histoire était intéressante mais j’étais beaucoup moins dans l’histoire que pour le premier tome.

[Bess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book follows Dark's saga after 5 years.
Now with a daughter and been a professor we think he is calm and don't wanna do anything with FBI.
Well, think again.
Dark is more obsessed with murders, assassins and serial killers. And now given a new propose that gives him absolute power as to kill the assassins he is more than willing to do it the job himself 'cause he knows he is the best.

The storyline was more enigmatic and most of the book there is no action. Just Steve following the places where the victims have die. Dark was not himself in this book he was still that crazy man who needs something to move him but was more about his past and how he is a close book to anyone.



I find the case in the beggining weird and was expecting some twist but nope we discover really who did this and why. I was not thrilled for what he/she did. Was crazy? Was bad? Yeah, but apparently assassins like the sins one. Still I find all the scenes a little of imagination 'cause no one saw?? Where the cameras, videos? DNAs?? There is barely work police here.

[Abby]

Interesting turn this one took. I loved the twist at the end of the first book and how they slowly introduce it into this one. I can't wait til dark finds out about it! Definitely keeps you on your toes and is a page turner, once more!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent escapist crime thriller. Nothing amazing, but good entertainment ideal for when you don't feel like taxing the brain cells too much.

[Stefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How this book started and the previous one ended, with the black Sqweegel mask in the fountain got me all excited.

But at the start of the book, it skips 5 years ahead and has nothing to do anymore with the previous findings.
The new killer is dubbed TCK and I don't think this is on the same level as Sqweegel was. In book 1 is described when a killer is classified as a level 26 killer, by the logic established there, I don't think the killer of this book falls in the same category.

Another issue I had with the TCK is that they didn't have the same impact as Sqweegel did. Mainly because during the first part you get to see alot from Sqweegels POV. In this second part it's basically like: *a murder happens*, Dark goes to investigate -> *new murder happens*, and Dark tries to fit the pieces together. Therefore this book is less creepy, less about the killer and more about Steve Dark.
The murder scenes went from plausible to downright impossible, especially after it's revealed who TCK is.

Another thing I didn't like was the whole 'Dark is retired' bit. It's basically the same as to how book 1 started, with Riggings being forced to get him back on the job. And now after Sqweegel Dark is out again, only to get back into manhunting because of TCK.
So in a way it feels like they just rehash book 1, with Dark's issues and him wanting to be retired but isn't allowed to, only to get him back in a different way this time (and even turning him into suspect #1 was downright ridiculous)

Now that I've got the negative out of the way, the book isn't all bad. Again it's a very easy and quick read, the character of Steve Dark is interesting and the killings, crime scenes and villains are keeping me eager to dig in part 3.

[Mia Boloz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good, however I thought the first one was so much better. The first one was so captivating and intriguing where as this sequel fell flat for me. It didn't meet the expectations I had for it because I liked the first one so much. However, by itself it was a good book. The plot was pretty interesting with how all the different murders connected together. But a lot of the conclusions and reaches they made felt rushed and kind of a stretch. This was a good book but not my favorite.

[Charlotte (Buried in Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the first book, but the cyber-bridges really annoyed me, especially the fact that the final one finished before the book did.

The second book of the trilogy is set 5 years after the reign of Squeeqie was brutally ended by Steve Dark and an axe. In those five years Dark has tracked many killers for Special Circs, his daughter being raised by Sibbys parents. But even he has a limit and for the second time he quits, buys a nice house owned by a serial killer which has a hidden basement (where he can keep all his serial killer books etc).

He's tempted out of retirement by the sister of a serial killer victim, she offers him unlimited resources to track down the worst of the worst, with no comeback.

This just to happens to coincide with a very nasty string of murders. Ones that is seems Steve Dark maybe behind (or so Riggins seems to think).

Instead of the man in body condom, this time we have murders based on Tarot Cards. I was incredibly disappointed when Dark realised the locations of the murders were based on the position of the Tarot Cards in a Celtic Cross formation on a map of the US (it's been done before, yes I rolled my eyes). The murders come thick and fast (with a body count of over 17) and some of them seem to have very little reasoning behind them. I was left with a few questions at the end - like who was supposed to have been used to demonstrate "The Fool" and what the hell is Greysmith really up to?

The cyber-bridges annoyed me somewhat - detailing a Tarot Reading that is done for Dark by Madame Hilda, at a certain point the readings are explained before the cyber-bridge they refer to and they're more a counselling session as Dark looks back the events that have shaped his life. Such as his time in an orphanage, the deaths of his foster family, when he went postal on Squeegie etc.

I am intrigued as to where the story can go from here and to find out if Dark will give in to his DNA and also find out that Squeegie was his brother.....

[Reese Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Level 26 book. I really enjoyed it. I'm usually not into this kind of book, mystery involving government agency stuff. But, it was very compelling, you gain real sympathy for Steve Dark and are able to see his growth from the beginning to end. It was quite difficult to put the book down, and was frustrating to have to stop reading because my break at work was over. I would recommend it. It may have made more sense had I read the first book, however, I do plan to do that soon and I look forward to the next book, Dark Revelations.

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10
on the overall the book was amazing. Anthony Zuiker is a phenomenal writer. very captivating and interesting. you just want to stay up all night to finish it. i was however disappointed about the ending. there has to be a third book. i would recommend this novel to anyone that loves a good thriller/ mystery

[Diane Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one did not creep me out like the first one, but I still stayed glued to the story. I am so glad we got a chance to learn more about Steve's past. I want to learn more about Lisa Graysmith. I guess that will come in the next book. Another great thriller in the series!

[Cheryl Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Couldn't put it down. Steve Dark is the hero who puts it all together and gets the job done. Certainly did not see the ending coming. Two down one more to go.

[Heaven Yassine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dans la même veine que le premier tome, prenant et haletant.
3/5

[David Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back with Steve Dark.. the one man capable of hunting down the worst of the worst… Level 26s.. these are beyond the worst killers known to humankind.

After the events of the 1st book Steve is a broken man. He’s lost his adoptive family and recently the love of his life to a Level 26.. Steve managed to track him down in the end and claimed vengeance in the most horrific way..because of this Steve is no longer with the special circs team.. he lost control and he knows it would be so easy to lose control again.

While Steve tries to move on and live a normal life he knows that won’t be possible… he’s not the average person and he can’t let that side of his life go so while he’s not on the job any longer he does keep and eye out.. When a new killer appears it quickly catches Steve’s attention..

He’s not the only one interested in this killer.. not only are his old team in special circs on the case but there’s also a mysterious woman with seemingly deep pockets that temps him back into the field.. but it’s a race against time, not only to stop the killer but also to beat his old team to the scene…this isn't a case they can work together…too much red tape.

This latest killer is on a twisted killing spree, leaving his victims posed as pictures depicted on tarot cards… but what’s the end game??

As with the previous book throughout the story you are linked to short video clips you can view online, you don’t need to view them to follow the book but it does make the book feel unique. Being released 12 years ago does mean the original website that hosted these is no longer valid but the clips are on YouTube so easily accessible.

Plot wise I loved the flow and development as Steve investigated the murders and tried to get himself into the mind of the killer but there are things that don’t make sense to Steve and I loved the development as the case progressed and these inconsistencies become resolved and the real motives are discovered.

What I also really enjoyed was Steve’s development as a character, he’s torn between grief, love for his daughter but also his urge to hunt these killers down… his mind is special..and there’s a hidden secret that may hint as to why..

Short chapters make this a quick enjoyable read.. you can always fit in one or two more chapters easy and I loved the changing perspectives and the divide between Steve and his old team that grows.

As a big fan of the CSI franchise, I really enjoyed this story and have already started on book 3.

4/5 Stars

[Kim Demoors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encore dans ce tome, les tout petits chapitres aide grandement à rendre ce recit addictif. Le déroulement de l'histoire avec chaque partit représentant un meurtre rend plus fluide que le premier tome. Ici le tueur est plus "humain", il n'a pas l'aura presque surnaturel de celui du 1er tome, rendant l'histoire plus crédible. Bizarrement j'ai préféré ce 2e tome au 1er. Mais j'espère que dans le dernier tome on en apprendra tout sur Steve Dark car ça devient un peu lourd de dire à presque tout les 5 chapitres qu'il a le sang d'un fou psychopathe dans les veines peut peut-être le faire tomber dans le dark side (sans jeu de mot lol)

Un point qui m'a déplu c'était parfois la traduction. Je ne me suis jamais plaint de traduction jusqu'à ce que je lise ici LTT pour le tueur BTK... non mais merde tout le monde dans n'importe quel langue sait qui est BTK si tu t'intéresse aux tueurs en serie. Il en a deux ou trois dans ce 2e tome, mais c'est vraiment celui-ci qui m'a donné la nausée.

[Meg McGregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back with Steve Dark.. the one man capable of hunting down the worst of the worst… Level 26s.. these are beyond the worst killers known to humankind.

This latest killer is on a twisted killing spree, leaving his victims posed as pictures depicted on tarot cards… but what’s the end game??

What I also really enjoyed was Steve’s development as a character, he’s torn between grief, love for his daughter but also his urge to hunt these killers down… his mind is special..and there’s a hidden secret that may hint as to why..

Short chapters make this a quick enjoyable read.. you can always fit in one or two more chapters easy and I loved the changing perspectives and the divide between Steve and his old team that grows.

As a big fan of the CSI franchise, I really enjoyed this story and have already started on book 3.

[Wondarer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books reveal much more about Steve Dark. No doubt the first book gives me creep while reading the first few chapters but this book elaborates the mind of Steve Dark. Along with the videos it helps to understand the anger and the frustration Dark is facing.

It's only a bit disappointing on the murders scale. So many people had to die. I kind of do not like the idea that many had to sacrifice their life till the very end. And these people are not really serial killers but just some anguish parents.

I'm heading for the 3rd book now to finish up the series. Let's hope for a good ending.

[Aria Bipolarbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anche questo lo stavo rimandando da tantissimo e non so perché 🤣 È una storia molto interessante, un assassino che uccide seguendo una lettura dei Tarocchi e allestendo ogni scena del delitto come la carta a cui si ispira. Descritto benissimo, con anche i significati delle varie carte. La storia è sia dalla prospettiva di chi indaga che del colpevole, ti fa capire entrambe le prospettive. Davvero bello!

[Catou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pas aussi intéressant que le tome 1. Il y avait pas mal d'erreurs de continuité qui m'ont dérangée (la famille adoptive qui est passée d'un frère et une sœur adultes à des jeunes jumeaux, et la façon dont ils sont morts a changé aussi). Les comportements de Riggins et Dark ne collent plus trop aux personnages qu'on a appris à connaître dans le tome 1.
Enquête tout de même intéressante, mais assez invraisemblable

[Carol Aselton]

Anthony Zuiker leaves me speechless. I know my friends will find that hard to believe. I though Dark Origins was amazing. Dark Prophecy was just as amazing if not more. Great story, Steve Dark and Tom Riggins, same great characters, but the rest were new and all were good and believable. I would highly recommend Anthony Zuiker to anyone that likes thriller action books.

[Lada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was not as good as the first one. But I could expect that, it is usually the problem of the first really successful book and our expectations are too high for the second one. But it was still really good and videos were again excellent.

[Ray B · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a fine book. The first Level 26 is uber creepy. This one was just fine. I feel the plot dragged on for too long and then wrapped so quickly.


I do however like the introduction of Graysmith and I’m very interested to see how her and Darks relationship turns out.

[Katia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one but still worth a try.

[Cockneylen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book, but still worth the read.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in this series was fabulous! This one, not so much. I actually returned the book without even finishing it.

[Ciara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first book, but managed to keep my attention through til the end somehow anyway.