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Kelly Durrell Series #1
Darkroom
Kelly’s search for a missing friend draws her into a sinister underworld.Talented but unstable photographer Day Randall has been living rent-free in Kelly Durrell’s Colorado condo for eight months. Day needs someone to keep an eye on her. Kelly needs someone to draw her out of her stable but not spectacular life. The arrangement works for both of them.Then Kelly comes home one day to find Day gone. There’s no note, no phone call. Day’s car is still parked out front, but her room is starkly, suspiciously spotless.No one seems to care. The police certainly aren’t interested in a missing bipolar artist, but Kelly knows something is wrong. Day wouldn’t just leave.Alone, Kelly traces Day’s last steps through shadowy back rooms of Boulder nightclubs and to a remote mountain estate, where the wealthy protect themselves behind electric fences and armed guards. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister underworld lying just below the mountain snow, and a group of powerful people who will do anything to protect the secrets hidden in Day’s enigmatic photographs.If she trusts the wrong person, Kelly herself will be the next to disappear.If you like suspenseful thrillers with unexpected plot twists, a strong sense of place, and characters that one reader describes as “so well-drawn you’d swear they were relatives,” you’ll love Mary Maddox’s dark, compelling novel.A Night Owl Reviews Top "Sensational!...A haunting novel full of suspense and not a little terror."Hailed by Best Thrillers as “one of the year’s best crime thrillers.”Get your copy today and join Kelly on her dangerous quest for the truth.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 23, 2017
Darkroom
By: Mary Maddox
Narrated by: Allison Pistorius
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I enjoyed this very suspense-filled mystery. The suspense should be capitalized! There is a lot of bad guys and they just keep popping up when you least expect them. There are twists and turns and many close calls. There characters needs a bit more development, they are a bit flat. I really enjoyed the plot.
The narrator was right on the money! She had many tough guy voices and did them flawless! She kept them so I could tell them apart and was consistent during the whole story. Wonderful job!
By: Mary Maddox
Narrated by: Allison Pistorius
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I enjoyed this very suspense-filled mystery. The suspense should be capitalized! There is a lot of bad guys and they just keep popping up when you least expect them. There are twists and turns and many close calls. There characters needs a bit more development, they are a bit flat. I really enjoyed the plot.
The narrator was right on the money! She had many tough guy voices and did them flawless! She kept them so I could tell them apart and was consistent during the whole story. Wonderful job!
September 28, 2016
I wrote the book. If I don't like it, who will?
June 15, 2019
This was a very engaging read from start to finish and I really enjoyed how the author chose to blend and change point of views throughout the story which can be quite hard to successfully pull off but it really worked for this book and added to the suspense, drama and mystery of the story. Once you start this book you can’t put it down it is beautifully written and has amazing imagery it did seem a little fast paced and straight to the point but that is something admirable about the book and author being able to throughly write and complete a book that feels complete when you finish reading it. I highly recommend this book for anyone in need of mystery and suspense thriller so glad I was able to view this book from voracious readers only
June 29, 2016
One of the year’s best crime thrillers. Mary Maddox just may be the dark princess of suspense we’ve all been waiting for. In a genre full of heroines that seem entirely too clever and smug, Maddox’s Kelly is a hugely relatable breath of fresh air. Tenacious, but hardly reckless nor extraordinarily brave, Kelly simply does what we hope anyone would do for us, even as she finds herself faced with a nightmare underworld of predators and prey.
See the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
See the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
June 6, 2016
Reviewed by me as a member of Rosie Amber's Review Team
Darkroom is a slick murder mystery/thriller set in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado in the winter - the setting itself was a plus point for me.
Kelly Durrell's friend, scatty, bohemian photographer Day Randall is missing. So is Marcus, the lover of Day's married friend, Odette. Kelly knows nothing of the murky world inhabited by those surrounding Day and Odette, and isn't aware what she's getting into when she starts to make investigations.
The story is told from the third person points of view of Kelly, and Animal, a bouncer from Cascade, a club owned by Day's former lover, Tyson. Animal was a most appealing character, I liked him very much. I thought the story was tidily put together, with the strengths being the characterisation of the minor characters (such as the awful Dustin) and the dialogue, which is excellent; I felt the author really understood her characters and what made each one tick. The only one that didn't really come alive to me was Kelly, who seemed like a slightly bland vehicle for the plot, some of the time, but this didn't make me like the book less. Tyson is sexy and sinister, Joyce is ghastly, Day was lovely but infuriating, Welch revolting... the rest all came across so well.
The plot itself did not throw up many surprises for me, but it's so well written that it kept me wanting to turn the pages. Recommended for anyone who likes a sharp thriller ~ oh, and I smiled to see the mention of 70s band It's A Beautiful Day. I didn't think anyone but me had heard of them, but perhaps that's a UK thing!
Darkroom is a slick murder mystery/thriller set in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado in the winter - the setting itself was a plus point for me.
Kelly Durrell's friend, scatty, bohemian photographer Day Randall is missing. So is Marcus, the lover of Day's married friend, Odette. Kelly knows nothing of the murky world inhabited by those surrounding Day and Odette, and isn't aware what she's getting into when she starts to make investigations.
The story is told from the third person points of view of Kelly, and Animal, a bouncer from Cascade, a club owned by Day's former lover, Tyson. Animal was a most appealing character, I liked him very much. I thought the story was tidily put together, with the strengths being the characterisation of the minor characters (such as the awful Dustin) and the dialogue, which is excellent; I felt the author really understood her characters and what made each one tick. The only one that didn't really come alive to me was Kelly, who seemed like a slightly bland vehicle for the plot, some of the time, but this didn't make me like the book less. Tyson is sexy and sinister, Joyce is ghastly, Day was lovely but infuriating, Welch revolting... the rest all came across so well.
The plot itself did not throw up many surprises for me, but it's so well written that it kept me wanting to turn the pages. Recommended for anyone who likes a sharp thriller ~ oh, and I smiled to see the mention of 70s band It's A Beautiful Day. I didn't think anyone but me had heard of them, but perhaps that's a UK thing!
July 12, 2017
As the second of Mary's books I've read, I had high hopes for Darkroom.
I really enjoyed Daemon Seer, and had hoped for some of the same darkness in this.
I'm not sure why this just didn't sit well for me, it wasn't a bad story. The characters were reasonable and the overall finish of the book was really polished. It just didn't do it for me.
Perhaps it was the feeling of the big-bad-guy, the one you never really know, but his name is enough to make people shudder. Think Voldemort from Harry Potter, or The Godfather.
It always makes me think they're not really real. Like the boogeyman, always worse than you really thought.
The tension that was meant to come from our main character Kelly being pursued by the bad guys left me wanting. While what happened wasn't outrageous, I was left with a sense of running for the sake of running. As well as some of Kelly's behaviour was a bit silly.
When we got some insight into what actually happened, I felt somewhat removed, and that was not what I was expecting from Mary after I read her first book. Add to this a slower start, and it really wasn't working for me up until about 25-30% of the way in.
The middle part of the book read exceptionally well, the writing so well crafted I read 40% in one sitting without even realising it.
In the end I felt like I wanted to love this book, there's a lot of good things going for it, but I just couldn't quite get there.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I really enjoyed Daemon Seer, and had hoped for some of the same darkness in this.
I'm not sure why this just didn't sit well for me, it wasn't a bad story. The characters were reasonable and the overall finish of the book was really polished. It just didn't do it for me.
Perhaps it was the feeling of the big-bad-guy, the one you never really know, but his name is enough to make people shudder. Think Voldemort from Harry Potter, or The Godfather.
It always makes me think they're not really real. Like the boogeyman, always worse than you really thought.
The tension that was meant to come from our main character Kelly being pursued by the bad guys left me wanting. While what happened wasn't outrageous, I was left with a sense of running for the sake of running. As well as some of Kelly's behaviour was a bit silly.
When we got some insight into what actually happened, I felt somewhat removed, and that was not what I was expecting from Mary after I read her first book. Add to this a slower start, and it really wasn't working for me up until about 25-30% of the way in.
The middle part of the book read exceptionally well, the writing so well crafted I read 40% in one sitting without even realising it.
In the end I felt like I wanted to love this book, there's a lot of good things going for it, but I just couldn't quite get there.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
April 9, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Talented but unstable photographer Day Randall has been living rent-free in Kelly Durrell’s Colorado condo for eight months. Day needs someone to keep an eye on her. Kelly needs someone to draw her out of her stable but not spectacular life . The arrangement works for both of them.
Then Kelly comes home one day to find Day gone. There’s no note, no phone call. Day’s car is still parked out front, but her room is starkly, suspiciously spotless.
No one seems to care. The police certainly aren’t interested in a missing bipolar artist, but Kelly knows something is wrong. Day wouldn’t just leave.
Alone, Kelly traces Day’s last steps through shadowy back rooms of Boulder nightclubs and to a remote mountain estate, where the wealthy protect themselves behind electric fences and armed guards. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister underworld lying just below the mountain snow, and a group of powerful people who will do anything to protect the secrets hidden in Day’s enigmatic photographs.
If she trusts the wrong person, Kelly herself will be the next to disappear."
DNF'd at 35%
I'm so annoyed. I have seen so many raving reviews about this book and it is even an award-winning novel but I just couldn't get into it. For a book that is less than 300 pages, it's incredibly slow and if I'm honest, I was bored.
We follow Kelly after she discovers her housemate Day has gone missing. This takes place within the first few chapters and after that, I can't say a lot else. The pacing seemed off and it was becoming a chore to pick up. I didn't care for the characters so it really didn't bother me that these events happened, and I didn't care enough to find out the details.
I might pick this book up again at a later date to give it another shot, because it did have potential, but at the moment I need something else.
"Talented but unstable photographer Day Randall has been living rent-free in Kelly Durrell’s Colorado condo for eight months. Day needs someone to keep an eye on her. Kelly needs someone to draw her out of her stable but not spectacular life . The arrangement works for both of them.
Then Kelly comes home one day to find Day gone. There’s no note, no phone call. Day’s car is still parked out front, but her room is starkly, suspiciously spotless.
No one seems to care. The police certainly aren’t interested in a missing bipolar artist, but Kelly knows something is wrong. Day wouldn’t just leave.
Alone, Kelly traces Day’s last steps through shadowy back rooms of Boulder nightclubs and to a remote mountain estate, where the wealthy protect themselves behind electric fences and armed guards. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister underworld lying just below the mountain snow, and a group of powerful people who will do anything to protect the secrets hidden in Day’s enigmatic photographs.
If she trusts the wrong person, Kelly herself will be the next to disappear."
DNF'd at 35%
I'm so annoyed. I have seen so many raving reviews about this book and it is even an award-winning novel but I just couldn't get into it. For a book that is less than 300 pages, it's incredibly slow and if I'm honest, I was bored.
We follow Kelly after she discovers her housemate Day has gone missing. This takes place within the first few chapters and after that, I can't say a lot else. The pacing seemed off and it was becoming a chore to pick up. I didn't care for the characters so it really didn't bother me that these events happened, and I didn't care enough to find out the details.
I might pick this book up again at a later date to give it another shot, because it did have potential, but at the moment I need something else.
May 24, 2017
This is a long overdue review for an ARC I kindly received from the publisher and NetGalley. For many different reasons it just took me forever to get to it. I'm truly sorry for the delay.
With that being said, I have to say I'm quite impressed with this book! I finished it within 24 hours while I recover from oral surgery. I'm supposed to be studying, but my face hurts so much I have no brain for anything outside entertainment.
Day is a photographer. She's also kinda messy and unreliable. She moved to Boulder, CO about a year ago and she's not the friendly kind of girl. Kelly is her landlord and roommate. Day is meant to pick up Kelly at the airport and she doesn't show up. Kelly knows something is wrong right away. Strange things start happening around her and so the story unfolds.
I liked it was fast paced and cohesive. I kept telling myself to slow down and put it down, but at each chapter's end, I found myself diving into the next one until it was over. The mood is well set and I was transported to Boulder (again!) for the story. The details are enough for one to get a good sense of things, but not overwhelming. Very well balanced and full of excitement.
I was so deep into the story I forgot my throbbing mouth at times. Well done!
With that being said, I have to say I'm quite impressed with this book! I finished it within 24 hours while I recover from oral surgery. I'm supposed to be studying, but my face hurts so much I have no brain for anything outside entertainment.
Day is a photographer. She's also kinda messy and unreliable. She moved to Boulder, CO about a year ago and she's not the friendly kind of girl. Kelly is her landlord and roommate. Day is meant to pick up Kelly at the airport and she doesn't show up. Kelly knows something is wrong right away. Strange things start happening around her and so the story unfolds.
I liked it was fast paced and cohesive. I kept telling myself to slow down and put it down, but at each chapter's end, I found myself diving into the next one until it was over. The mood is well set and I was transported to Boulder (again!) for the story. The details are enough for one to get a good sense of things, but not overwhelming. Very well balanced and full of excitement.
I was so deep into the story I forgot my throbbing mouth at times. Well done!
March 11, 2018
Characters in Mary Maddox's 2016 thriller, Darkroom, don't crack many smiles. They live in a bleak world as full of shadows as the old-school darkroom where photographer Day Randall had developed her artistic images. When Day goes missing at the start of the novel, her absence sets her roommate Kelly Durrell on a dangerous journey into the violent sphere of drug dealing and distribution.
Readers looking for a taut thriller populated by unpredictable characters will find Darkroom compelling and worthwhile. Maddox's crisp writing is a pleasure to read and the smart, resilient protagonist she created in Kelly Durrell is an example of the strong female characters I love to see in fiction. Those looking for something more light-hearted should keep on moving.
Readers looking for a taut thriller populated by unpredictable characters will find Darkroom compelling and worthwhile. Maddox's crisp writing is a pleasure to read and the smart, resilient protagonist she created in Kelly Durrell is an example of the strong female characters I love to see in fiction. Those looking for something more light-hearted should keep on moving.
June 25, 2019
This drew me in from the first page, so much so that I haven’t left my house all day and just read till I finished it.
I liked how everything was very here and now without lengthy details about everyone’s backgrounds. There was enough information for everyone to do their jobs and I knew exactly who I liked and why without having to delve too deeply into their family trees. The characters were also very realistic perhaps because of this. I felt that I recognised all of them, even the minor characters like Kelly’s parents.
Loved it. Thanks to Voracious Readers Only
I liked how everything was very here and now without lengthy details about everyone’s backgrounds. There was enough information for everyone to do their jobs and I knew exactly who I liked and why without having to delve too deeply into their family trees. The characters were also very realistic perhaps because of this. I felt that I recognised all of them, even the minor characters like Kelly’s parents.
Loved it. Thanks to Voracious Readers Only
April 11, 2017
*NOTE: I received an ebook version of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I'll be upfront with everyone from the first line of this review: Darkroom by Mary Maddox is the kind of novel I myself dream of creating as a writer. I couldn't put it down, it was read in one sitting on a cool evening. I finished the book with a serious case of eye strain but it was worth it!
Kelly Durrell is a working woman in the art industry who lives a pretty ordinary life. She isn't long meeting a new, dark underworld when her airy, artsy, mentally ill roommate Day goes missing. Day may be unreliable but she wouldn't up and leave with no note left behind. She isn't the only one gone without a trace, so lots of questions arise with no immediate answers.. Where is Day? Where is Marcus, a lover of the married Odette? Are her own coworkers involved? Kelly is taken down into the depths of a city scene she had never been exposed to before, desperate to solve the mystery of Day's disappearance.
The prologue captures the readers interest immediately by describing the contents of several photographs. These remain central to the story and the author seamlessly enables it to all add up, and from there on we the reader are tangled in a very creative tale.
Darkroom is enthralling. The first few sections had me wondering if it was going to be the type of novel I would want to read, for two reasons. The first was the unique writing style, and the second was the influx of characters. For the initial third or perhaps even half of the book, I struggled to recall who was who, as they all come in at once. I hope anyone reading this will keep going, because after the halfway mark all characters are well established with their personalities and intentions.
She does a great job of showing how sometimes good people do wrong things for good reasons, such as Animal, his pure love, and his persistence to do the right thing despite his work environment. There are a light of day and night contrasts in this novel. The characters are all unique and stand alone quite well. The strength of the characters left me impressed, especially Day. We meet her only briefly and then she is gone, yet, she is weaved into every remaining chapter. The only one I would describe as bland would be Kelly, but I will admit she has some guts and I really liked that about her. Kelly is still likeable because she represents the light side of us all. Where Tyson and his grunts were the darkness and the seedy underbelly of Colorado, Kelly was an everyday person the reader could relate to, though perhaps none of us are quite as brave!
Maddox has absolutely achieved writing a memorable crime thriller. I have to compliment her for the imagery used. I had no trouble envisioning the characters in my mind, and also imagined the book playing out as a film quite easily. Some of this is owed to Maddox's clear love of photography; she put beauty into every scene without being over descriptive or trailing on too long. Despite being told from different perspectives - such as Kelly's, the bouncer at a club named Beaumont aka Animal, and even Day's former lover Tyson, the story is never lost, the writing never loses its strength despite the perspective change.
Take a bow, Maddox. You deserve to be proud of this one. All your efforts paid off. I enjoyed this thoroughly and I will happily pick up a paperback copy when it's available.
I'll be upfront with everyone from the first line of this review: Darkroom by Mary Maddox is the kind of novel I myself dream of creating as a writer. I couldn't put it down, it was read in one sitting on a cool evening. I finished the book with a serious case of eye strain but it was worth it!
Kelly Durrell is a working woman in the art industry who lives a pretty ordinary life. She isn't long meeting a new, dark underworld when her airy, artsy, mentally ill roommate Day goes missing. Day may be unreliable but she wouldn't up and leave with no note left behind. She isn't the only one gone without a trace, so lots of questions arise with no immediate answers.. Where is Day? Where is Marcus, a lover of the married Odette? Are her own coworkers involved? Kelly is taken down into the depths of a city scene she had never been exposed to before, desperate to solve the mystery of Day's disappearance.
The prologue captures the readers interest immediately by describing the contents of several photographs. These remain central to the story and the author seamlessly enables it to all add up, and from there on we the reader are tangled in a very creative tale.
Darkroom is enthralling. The first few sections had me wondering if it was going to be the type of novel I would want to read, for two reasons. The first was the unique writing style, and the second was the influx of characters. For the initial third or perhaps even half of the book, I struggled to recall who was who, as they all come in at once. I hope anyone reading this will keep going, because after the halfway mark all characters are well established with their personalities and intentions.
She does a great job of showing how sometimes good people do wrong things for good reasons, such as Animal, his pure love, and his persistence to do the right thing despite his work environment. There are a light of day and night contrasts in this novel. The characters are all unique and stand alone quite well. The strength of the characters left me impressed, especially Day. We meet her only briefly and then she is gone, yet, she is weaved into every remaining chapter. The only one I would describe as bland would be Kelly, but I will admit she has some guts and I really liked that about her. Kelly is still likeable because she represents the light side of us all. Where Tyson and his grunts were the darkness and the seedy underbelly of Colorado, Kelly was an everyday person the reader could relate to, though perhaps none of us are quite as brave!
Maddox has absolutely achieved writing a memorable crime thriller. I have to compliment her for the imagery used. I had no trouble envisioning the characters in my mind, and also imagined the book playing out as a film quite easily. Some of this is owed to Maddox's clear love of photography; she put beauty into every scene without being over descriptive or trailing on too long. Despite being told from different perspectives - such as Kelly's, the bouncer at a club named Beaumont aka Animal, and even Day's former lover Tyson, the story is never lost, the writing never loses its strength despite the perspective change.
Take a bow, Maddox. You deserve to be proud of this one. All your efforts paid off. I enjoyed this thoroughly and I will happily pick up a paperback copy when it's available.
May 6, 2016
I saw the title, Darkroom, for Mary Maddox’s novel and when I read the blurb I knew I wanted to read it. I am a photographer and love to read about characters who share my interest.
What is so important about a photograph that someone would kidnap torture and murder for it?
Kelly is a good friend and feels the police are not taking Day’s disappearance seriously. She takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. I don’t think she realizes how much danger she is in, but I, the reader, do. :-)
Animal…poor Animal…Not the smartest kid on the block. Picture him as the muscle, drawn into something over his head, but he’s in so deep he must see it through. He’s not the main character, but I love a ‘tragic’ figure and want so much for him to make it through. Can he be redeemed? Mary Maddox is not afraid to kill off her characters, so be careful who you get attached to.
Drugs, wealth and greed rear their ugly head. I resent those who feel they are untouchable, that the rules don’t apply to them and I love to see them fall. On the other hand, I get frustrated with stupid characters doing stupid things, but it allows the story to go where it will.
The story was predictable, but the writing created a suspenseful feeling that gave me a sense of impending doom.
I received a copy of Darkroom by Mary Maddox in return for an honest review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
What is so important about a photograph that someone would kidnap torture and murder for it?
Kelly is a good friend and feels the police are not taking Day’s disappearance seriously. She takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. I don’t think she realizes how much danger she is in, but I, the reader, do. :-)
Animal…poor Animal…Not the smartest kid on the block. Picture him as the muscle, drawn into something over his head, but he’s in so deep he must see it through. He’s not the main character, but I love a ‘tragic’ figure and want so much for him to make it through. Can he be redeemed? Mary Maddox is not afraid to kill off her characters, so be careful who you get attached to.
Drugs, wealth and greed rear their ugly head. I resent those who feel they are untouchable, that the rules don’t apply to them and I love to see them fall. On the other hand, I get frustrated with stupid characters doing stupid things, but it allows the story to go where it will.
The story was predictable, but the writing created a suspenseful feeling that gave me a sense of impending doom.
I received a copy of Darkroom by Mary Maddox in return for an honest review.
To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
October 13, 2017
This book kept me on pins and needles all the way through. It really grabs you and sucks you right in from the beginning. Poor Day seemed so go with the flow happy go lucky with no sense of self preservation. Her friend Kelly was the only person who seemed to care enough to know something happened to her and that she didn’t just run off. Kelly really risked her life on more than one occasion for justice for her. I loved the cop, Cash. I would like to see a future book of them hooking up as a couple. There was a good ending and no cliff hangers but I feel like there’s more I would like to see happen to some of the bad guys. Turns out that things were bigger than they seemed on the surface and a whole lot more shady dealings going on. Day and her photos just skimmed the surface. I couldn’t help but feel for a few of the bad guys because they didn’t start out intending to make bad decisions. They just got involved with the wrong people and in over their heads. In the end, it was too late. It was survival of the fittest. Kind of like the mafia. I wish I could say more but I don’t want to spoil it.
Whether reading or choosing the audiobook, you can’t go wrong. I will say the narrator really brings the story alive. She adds that extra note of suspense. I loved it. I can’t wait to listen/ read more of this author’s work.
Whether reading or choosing the audiobook, you can’t go wrong. I will say the narrator really brings the story alive. She adds that extra note of suspense. I loved it. I can’t wait to listen/ read more of this author’s work.
May 6, 2016
What a brilliant read! This was a very unique read. It was a great blend of dark mystery, fast-past suspense and another touch of dark and sinister. Upon reading the blurb, I already felt pulled in to the story. I needed to know the story behind the photographer, what happened and whether they would be ok. Plus, rich people hiding something? Who doesn't want to know more?!
I loved the author's writing style. There was do much depth in the way she told the story. We were given enough to truly see the story and be a part of it. I loved that, as jumping in with this read was excellent. It gave me the chance to really get to know the story and become attached to the people.
The characters were excellent. Each was unique, filled with depth and the way they all interacted really made for an interesting read. I really liked our main lady. She was tough, intellectual and wouldn't give up.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. If you are into dark mysteries, then this is a must read, must have book.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I loved the author's writing style. There was do much depth in the way she told the story. We were given enough to truly see the story and be a part of it. I loved that, as jumping in with this read was excellent. It gave me the chance to really get to know the story and become attached to the people.
The characters were excellent. Each was unique, filled with depth and the way they all interacted really made for an interesting read. I really liked our main lady. She was tough, intellectual and wouldn't give up.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. If you are into dark mysteries, then this is a must read, must have book.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 4, 2020
Dynamic, thrilling and intriguing with well-developed characters.
The well-written and varied characters kept me reading because I could relate to them. The plot had more than enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I would have given 5 stars except for the ending that wrapped up the storyline but still left me feeling like it was unfinished. Well worth the time reading this easy-read 292 page thriller.
Favourite Quote:
You don’t manipulate negatives, chemicals, and paper in a darkroom. You transform them. Chemistry becomes alchemy. Val’s words.
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author Mary Maddox for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
The well-written and varied characters kept me reading because I could relate to them. The plot had more than enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I would have given 5 stars except for the ending that wrapped up the storyline but still left me feeling like it was unfinished. Well worth the time reading this easy-read 292 page thriller.
Favourite Quote:
You don’t manipulate negatives, chemicals, and paper in a darkroom. You transform them. Chemistry becomes alchemy. Val’s words.
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author Mary Maddox for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 28, 2019
I recieved a complimentary copy of this through VRO. Whilst at times I found the storyline a bit confusing to follow, once I understood who all the characters were and their relationships between each other I could follow the plot. This book didn't have many surprises but there was a lot going on and it did make me want to keep reading. I also liked the ending as it was more realistic than most endings and to me that's a sign of a good book.
February 6, 2017
It took me a few chapters to get into the style of writing but once I did I really appreciated the authors style. There's a lot of characters in this book which but after a few chapters I got to grips with who was who. Really enjoyed it and have to say I loved Tyson, a well developed character. Would recommend.
September 30, 2017
This is one of those "look up at every sound" types of books that keeps your heart-rate up and the story churning through your mind. Even better were the book's 3D characters. Even the villains had stories that made you care. Bravo Ms Maddox! I received this book from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.
January 13, 2017
This book will keep your attention until your done, it takes a bit to get to know the characters but it's worth the agony to know what happens in the end...
There is more to this review on my website
There is more to this review on my website
April 6, 2023
WTF?
How can we be so many characters into this book and not give a hoot about any of them? I'll tell you how--we haven't met any of them. Not truly. We've met some of their weird traits and flaws, but not much else--we've not gotten a glimpse of the Actual characters; even the main character is a flat, one-dimensional stereotype.
I quit around the time when our hapless protagonist just happens--based on a description given by two people she barely knows in a bar--to run into a guy who fits said description: a man who'd been loading her missing friend's belongings into her truck--huh? I don't have any more patience for this.
BTW, I tried listening to this mess, but the narrator's inflection is the worst I have ever heard; the emphasis is on the absolute wrong word in almost every sentence, changing the impact of the author's prose.
The performance was more anxiety-inducing than a runaway freight train barreling into a crowd of puppies. She really should have rehearsed reading some of the passages a few different ways; it was one-note the whole way through, and a chore to listen to. Her recitation of the novel was so aggressive and annoying, lacking any nuance whatsoever, that I finally couldn't bear to listen past chapter 9. DNF.
How can we be so many characters into this book and not give a hoot about any of them? I'll tell you how--we haven't met any of them. Not truly. We've met some of their weird traits and flaws, but not much else--we've not gotten a glimpse of the Actual characters; even the main character is a flat, one-dimensional stereotype.
I quit around the time when our hapless protagonist just happens--based on a description given by two people she barely knows in a bar--to run into a guy who fits said description: a man who'd been loading her missing friend's belongings into her truck--huh? I don't have any more patience for this.
BTW, I tried listening to this mess, but the narrator's inflection is the worst I have ever heard; the emphasis is on the absolute wrong word in almost every sentence, changing the impact of the author's prose.
The performance was more anxiety-inducing than a runaway freight train barreling into a crowd of puppies. She really should have rehearsed reading some of the passages a few different ways; it was one-note the whole way through, and a chore to listen to. Her recitation of the novel was so aggressive and annoying, lacking any nuance whatsoever, that I finally couldn't bear to listen past chapter 9. DNF.
January 22, 2018
It doesn't matter how you feel about your character; it just matters what you do with it. You, more than the others, act on what's right before thinking about what it will mean for yourself.
It took a chapter or two for me to used to Mary’s writing style. I kept finding myself having to go back and re-read to figure out who’s POV I was reading. Once I got the hang of it, I really connected. Mary does a great job with building the characters and setting the scene. Animal was my favorite character; tough yet gentle. Kelly grew on me, I didn’t like her at first but she kicked ass to the end. Be forewarned, there are a couple of graphic scenes which include rape and torture of women.
Ultimately, what made this a 3 star was the building of the suspense. The book has some great plot twists, some I figured out and some I didn’t. It was suspenseful enough to keep me engaged and reading; however, I was left feeling like I wanted a little more.
July 18, 2017
A page turner!
Another captivating thriller from Mary Maddox! I read it at one sitting, unwilling to put it down (except to eat!). The characters are vivid and compelling. Quite a ride!
Another captivating thriller from Mary Maddox! I read it at one sitting, unwilling to put it down (except to eat!). The characters are vivid and compelling. Quite a ride!
February 4, 2019
Just the right amount of suspense.
Well written and engaging. Set in Boulder Colorado an art gallery employer returns home from a trip to find her free spirited roommate has disappeared and tries to find her.
Well written and engaging. Set in Boulder Colorado an art gallery employer returns home from a trip to find her free spirited roommate has disappeared and tries to find her.
July 5, 2021
This book was OK. It was very predictable. The character development was not good and the characters were not believable. It just ended, leaving the reader with questions. If this had not had some of the adult themes, I would call it young adult literature.
May 8, 2022
When photographer Day Randall goes missing no one seems bothered apart from Kelly his room mate. Kelly decides to investigate herself. This was a bit of a slow burn for me but decent read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2024
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Darkroom. This is a mystery that starts slow but does build.
Dark and gloomy. 3 stars
Dark and gloomy. 3 stars
June 11, 2016
I enjoyed Dark Room by Mary Maddox on so many levels. On the one hand, it’s an exciting mystery but it is also underpinned by Maddox’s obvious love of art and in particular photography which enriches the story enormously.
The novel begins with a prologue describing four black and white photographs and Maddox goes on to cleverly structure the action around these images. They basically tell the story of a murder and Maddox uses her narrative to give the photographs meaning.
The person who captured the photographs is Day Randall, a free spirit who is dealing, not very successfully, with a bipolar disorder. Day disappears early on in the novel but her presence remains compelling throughout. Right from the title, it’s obvious that photography is going to be a significant aspect of the novel but it becomes an almost extended metaphor. One of the ways in which Maddox uses photography is in the idea of light and dark. It’s no coincidence that Day’s photographs are black and white with a raw, grittiness and Maddox proceeds to employ this idea in the depiction of her characters.
If Day is darkness then her friend Kelly Durrell is light. She is conventional to Day’s unconventional. Like Day though, her life is defined by art as she is the assistant curator of a museum. Kelly is probably the character most of us relate to, she is a kind, decent woman who always tries to do the right thing. Day has been living in her spare room for only 8 months but their bond is strong. Maddox gives us the information about Kelly, such as the fact that she is alienated from her family and lost her sister, but allows us to draw our own conclusions about her motives in creating a sense of family with Day. The light and dark motif also extends to other characters such as Gregory Tyson, a shadowy, dark figure or Cash Peterson the blonde, outdoorsy natural type.
Maddox’s love of photography is evident in all of her descriptions but particularly with buildings and locations. This creates a very visual novel so that at times it’s almost like watching a film. Likewise with her characters, particularly the minor ones who exist in the underbelly of society, her descriptions are vivid and almost documentary like. Interestingly, Larry Clarke is mentioned in the novel and Maddox recreates his style of photography with words.
The story is told to us in 3rd person but we get lots of the different characters’ viewpoints. This is very effective because it allows us to understand the motivations of the characters but it also adds to the suspense. Maddox feeds us new pieces of information via the different voices until, jigsaw style; the big picture starts to emerge.
I loved this novel for so many reasons. I think it can be enjoyed as a straight forward thriller but it’s also so much more than this. Maddox’s photographic way of creating a story is both ingenious and unusual. She has attempted to put a different spin on the crime genre and, in my opinion, has pulled it off with aplomb.
The novel begins with a prologue describing four black and white photographs and Maddox goes on to cleverly structure the action around these images. They basically tell the story of a murder and Maddox uses her narrative to give the photographs meaning.
The person who captured the photographs is Day Randall, a free spirit who is dealing, not very successfully, with a bipolar disorder. Day disappears early on in the novel but her presence remains compelling throughout. Right from the title, it’s obvious that photography is going to be a significant aspect of the novel but it becomes an almost extended metaphor. One of the ways in which Maddox uses photography is in the idea of light and dark. It’s no coincidence that Day’s photographs are black and white with a raw, grittiness and Maddox proceeds to employ this idea in the depiction of her characters.
If Day is darkness then her friend Kelly Durrell is light. She is conventional to Day’s unconventional. Like Day though, her life is defined by art as she is the assistant curator of a museum. Kelly is probably the character most of us relate to, she is a kind, decent woman who always tries to do the right thing. Day has been living in her spare room for only 8 months but their bond is strong. Maddox gives us the information about Kelly, such as the fact that she is alienated from her family and lost her sister, but allows us to draw our own conclusions about her motives in creating a sense of family with Day. The light and dark motif also extends to other characters such as Gregory Tyson, a shadowy, dark figure or Cash Peterson the blonde, outdoorsy natural type.
Maddox’s love of photography is evident in all of her descriptions but particularly with buildings and locations. This creates a very visual novel so that at times it’s almost like watching a film. Likewise with her characters, particularly the minor ones who exist in the underbelly of society, her descriptions are vivid and almost documentary like. Interestingly, Larry Clarke is mentioned in the novel and Maddox recreates his style of photography with words.
The story is told to us in 3rd person but we get lots of the different characters’ viewpoints. This is very effective because it allows us to understand the motivations of the characters but it also adds to the suspense. Maddox feeds us new pieces of information via the different voices until, jigsaw style; the big picture starts to emerge.
I loved this novel for so many reasons. I think it can be enjoyed as a straight forward thriller but it’s also so much more than this. Maddox’s photographic way of creating a story is both ingenious and unusual. She has attempted to put a different spin on the crime genre and, in my opinion, has pulled it off with aplomb.
June 5, 2016
Who knew Colorado was the home of so many art-lovers? Not me, that's for sure, but Mary's richly detailed page-turner soon drew me into a netherworld of shady drug-dealers, twisted nightclub owners and wealthy swingers.
Maddox handles the plot extremely well, with a slowburn start that soon gathers speed, as the body count and crime reports stack up. It's a complex story set against the usually dull world of museums and galleries, but very well told, with some wonderful action scenes that really grabbed my attention. The baddies are, in general, a slimy, devious bunch and Maddox peppers the story with little asides that colour their flawed characters, and make them more believable because of the damage in their past lives.
Likewise, the good characters have you rooting for their success throughout this thriller, with the female lead Kelly being especially engaging; resourceful, yet vulnerable, determined to seek out the truth, confront her own fears and take action when the chips are down. Just what you want in a heroine.
The overall mood of the book combines influences from movies like Blue Velvet, Lynch's masterpiece TV series Twin Peaks, the wry, dark underbelly of Fargo, or the can-of-worms world inhabited by Paul Newman in the Seventies classic noir, The Drowning Pool. Maddox has a clipped, reporter-like style which suits the subject matter and her rendition of places is replete with beautifully sketched details. She knows her chosen world intimately, and it shows in her perfectly observed prose.
Darkroom cover 2
The only reason this story loses a star for me is the portrayal of Animal - the club bouncer with a heart of gold. Having met many bouncers in the UK, I could never get beyond the fact that almost all of them are steroid-popping, always angry, drug-dealers buddies/enforcers. The notion that one might save a damsel in distress seemed about as likely as finding out Donald Trump personally funds three orphanages in Mexico.
I would have also liked a little bit more love action between Cash Peterson, the world-weary detective and Kelly, the amateur sleuth. There are sparks, but they need to fly a little higher...
One final, but crucial point - the book has been extremely well edited. Every line is sharp, each scene is there for a reason and not a word is wasted.
Job done Mary Maddox, good work ;-)
Maddox handles the plot extremely well, with a slowburn start that soon gathers speed, as the body count and crime reports stack up. It's a complex story set against the usually dull world of museums and galleries, but very well told, with some wonderful action scenes that really grabbed my attention. The baddies are, in general, a slimy, devious bunch and Maddox peppers the story with little asides that colour their flawed characters, and make them more believable because of the damage in their past lives.
Likewise, the good characters have you rooting for their success throughout this thriller, with the female lead Kelly being especially engaging; resourceful, yet vulnerable, determined to seek out the truth, confront her own fears and take action when the chips are down. Just what you want in a heroine.
The overall mood of the book combines influences from movies like Blue Velvet, Lynch's masterpiece TV series Twin Peaks, the wry, dark underbelly of Fargo, or the can-of-worms world inhabited by Paul Newman in the Seventies classic noir, The Drowning Pool. Maddox has a clipped, reporter-like style which suits the subject matter and her rendition of places is replete with beautifully sketched details. She knows her chosen world intimately, and it shows in her perfectly observed prose.
Darkroom cover 2
The only reason this story loses a star for me is the portrayal of Animal - the club bouncer with a heart of gold. Having met many bouncers in the UK, I could never get beyond the fact that almost all of them are steroid-popping, always angry, drug-dealers buddies/enforcers. The notion that one might save a damsel in distress seemed about as likely as finding out Donald Trump personally funds three orphanages in Mexico.
I would have also liked a little bit more love action between Cash Peterson, the world-weary detective and Kelly, the amateur sleuth. There are sparks, but they need to fly a little higher...
One final, but crucial point - the book has been extremely well edited. Every line is sharp, each scene is there for a reason and not a word is wasted.
Job done Mary Maddox, good work ;-)
Read
June 14, 2016Mary Maddox’ Darkroom is a murder mystery set in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado in winter. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed it, not only for the story but also for the style of writing; fast paced, clear and detailed; taking the reader along through plot’s many and intricate twists and turns. Some sections of the action were a little easy to predict but this didn’t take anything away from the novel–in fact it gave me a great deal of satisfaction when I guessed correctly; A “I knew it!” moment. Predict
There are a lot of characters in the story, so much so that, in the early parts, I had to keep flicking back to see who was who and where they fitted in. But once absorbed in the book everyone fell into place. I particularly like how the characters, even the minor ones, are so well drawn, so rounded. There are a few exceptions who are portrayed as completely unlikable, flat characters who don’t change throughout. But mostly, as in real life, the characters all have good and bad sides to them. All cross the boundaries with their actions at one point or another.
The descriptions of the settings, from the interior of Cascade, the club where much of the action takes place, to the portrayal of the harsh, snow-drifted mountains, fields and streams are exceptionally good. And I need to add here that the descriptive narrative of the action in the story is equally good and easy to envisage.
The story is told from the third person points of view of the protagonist, Kelly, and Animal (otherwise known as Beau), a bouncer from the club. The voices are distinctive and the dialogue throughout is well written.
Darkroom is a novel I would read again and probably get more out of the second time around; because I suspect there are nuances to the plot that I probably missed. I was so keen find out what happened next I read it quicker than I normally do.
I would recommend Mary Maddox as an author to discover. I recommend Darkroom for anyone who likes a thrilling murder mystery
There are a lot of characters in the story, so much so that, in the early parts, I had to keep flicking back to see who was who and where they fitted in. But once absorbed in the book everyone fell into place. I particularly like how the characters, even the minor ones, are so well drawn, so rounded. There are a few exceptions who are portrayed as completely unlikable, flat characters who don’t change throughout. But mostly, as in real life, the characters all have good and bad sides to them. All cross the boundaries with their actions at one point or another.
The descriptions of the settings, from the interior of Cascade, the club where much of the action takes place, to the portrayal of the harsh, snow-drifted mountains, fields and streams are exceptionally good. And I need to add here that the descriptive narrative of the action in the story is equally good and easy to envisage.
The story is told from the third person points of view of the protagonist, Kelly, and Animal (otherwise known as Beau), a bouncer from the club. The voices are distinctive and the dialogue throughout is well written.
Darkroom is a novel I would read again and probably get more out of the second time around; because I suspect there are nuances to the plot that I probably missed. I was so keen find out what happened next I read it quicker than I normally do.
I would recommend Mary Maddox as an author to discover. I recommend Darkroom for anyone who likes a thrilling murder mystery
May 19, 2019
This novel ticked off all the boxes that I usually look to fill in a novel:
- the pacing was very good, with the story moving along quickly without a lot of unimportant details
- the main characters were well-developed and human. That is to say, no major character was too perfect or too evil
- the editing was well-done. I was particularly thrilled to see that nauseated was used (instead of the incorrect, and common, nauseous).
And yet, something was missing for me.
Before going further, though, I want to make special mention of the use of description. This is particularly notable in its strength. There was a lot of description used, but it didn't slow the pace of the story, nor did it bog down the crisp writing. I thought the author used some subtlety in the way description is entwined in the story seamlessly.
The characters were strong in the sense that they read as individuals with their own voices and unique traits. I did find that switching between monikers (Gee, Tyson, etc) threw me off a bit, but that's a failing of my memory more than anything else.
There were some relationships and players that I felt didn't get the attention they warranted. I think developing some of these elements would have naturally generated some red herrings, and would have ramped up the tension in the plot further.
I think I found that, while the suspense was there, I was dissatisfied with how the story played out. It all seemed to come together a little too neatly for my taste as far as the main elements are concerned, and some of the minor elements were left dangling (and I am uncomfortable with how they were left).
So, while I can't say that this was my favourite novel, it was an enjoyable read and I am certainly interested in reading more from this author.
I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
- the pacing was very good, with the story moving along quickly without a lot of unimportant details
- the main characters were well-developed and human. That is to say, no major character was too perfect or too evil
- the editing was well-done. I was particularly thrilled to see that nauseated was used (instead of the incorrect, and common, nauseous).
And yet, something was missing for me.
Before going further, though, I want to make special mention of the use of description. This is particularly notable in its strength. There was a lot of description used, but it didn't slow the pace of the story, nor did it bog down the crisp writing. I thought the author used some subtlety in the way description is entwined in the story seamlessly.
The characters were strong in the sense that they read as individuals with their own voices and unique traits. I did find that switching between monikers (Gee, Tyson, etc) threw me off a bit, but that's a failing of my memory more than anything else.
There were some relationships and players that I felt didn't get the attention they warranted. I think developing some of these elements would have naturally generated some red herrings, and would have ramped up the tension in the plot further.
I think I found that, while the suspense was there, I was dissatisfied with how the story played out. It all seemed to come together a little too neatly for my taste as far as the main elements are concerned, and some of the minor elements were left dangling (and I am uncomfortable with how they were left).
So, while I can't say that this was my favourite novel, it was an enjoyable read and I am certainly interested in reading more from this author.
I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
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