Devil in the Dark

by Chris Lindberg

After a deadly terrorist attack destroys a U.S.-Mexico border crossing in southwestern Texas, Border Patrol Officer Otis Brown and migrant worker Enrique Castillo emerge among the few survivors. When the mastermind behind the attack is revealed to be Javier Oropeza, Mexico's most infamous drug lord, the Pentagon mobilizes its most skilled strike team - led by their deadliest weapon, the specialist known only as Rage - to take down Oropeza and incapacitate his powerful network. Meanwhile, Otis discovers that Enrique is actually a member of Oropeza's family, and may be working for him. Believing that Enrique may have been involved in the terrorist attack, Otis decides to bring him to justice. The action propels Rage, Otis, and Enrique into Mexico's darkest landscape, where they discover that Oropeza has launched an even greater threat - and only they can stop the looming catastrophe. Devil in the Dark is the follow-up to 2011's Code of Darkness, which introduced Rage to the thriller genre. Devil in the Dark takes the reader even further into Rage's tormented psyche, placing him in one perilous situation after another - with a twist that no one will see coming.

Genres: Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2016

About the author

Chris Lindberg lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and two children. Besides writing, he enjoys traveling, bicycling, running, grilling, any kind of vintage music, college football, and just about any activity with his kids. Devil in the Dark is the follow-up to his first novel, Code of Darkness.

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devil in the Dark is the second book to feature Rage, a tormented soul with superhuman abilities. This time he finds himself part of a strike team sent in by the Pentagon to take out Mexican drug lord, the Jackal, who is responsible for a deadly border attack.

I was a little disappointed Rage didn't feature more prominently in this second novel. I'd also have liked more of his backstory from the previous book, Code of Darkness. However, despite that, this was a good read with plenty of action spilling from every page. Main characters Otis and Enrique were very believable but it was drug lord Javier, a.k.a. the Jackal, who was chillingly real.

The plot held its own and was an entertaining ride but sadly just didn't excite me as much as Code of Darkness.

Thanks to author Chris Lindberg for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Lindberg introduced his readers to a rather unique character, known simply as Rage, in his first novel "Code of Darkness." Now his follow up novel "Devil In The Dark" continues Rage’s exploits. The story gets off to a cracking start when a deadly terrorist attack destroys a U.S. — Mexico border crossing in southwestern Texas. Two survivors of that atrocity, Border Patrol Officer Otis Brown and migrant worker Enrique Castillo, from opposite sides of the law, are thrown together in most unusual circumstances. Although Rage could be said to be the lead character, it is Otis and Enrique who feature far more prominently. But Rage isn’t to be left out. When the mastermind behind the border attack is found to be Javier Oropeza — the Jackal — Mexico’s most infamous drug lord, the Pentagon assembles its most skilled strike team which includes their secret weapon, Rage. Enrique is a timid, unskilled worker at a chicken farm processing plant with a seriously ill mother and a teen sister to care for, his financial circumstances such that when his uncle, the notorious Jackal invites him to work for him, the temptation of untold wealth proves too attractive to resist. Unfortunately for Enrique, Otis suspects he may have been involved in the terrorist attack and sets out to bring him to justice. When characters as diverse as Otis, Enrique, Rage and others are thrown together, sometimes in pursuit of the Jackal, other times being pursued by him, interesting things are bound to happen. And they do, from the opening lines to the surprising twist in the closing chapters.

"Devil In The Dark" is a true page turner which I suspect many readers will find difficult to put down. Chris Lindberg writes in a no-nonsense style, his descriptive narrative making it easy to visualise each scene. His characterisation is such that, despite flitting quickly from one scene to another it is not difficult to keep up with who’s who in the story. The author has been meticulous in creating dialogue from the real world though, for me, coming as I do far from the region where the story is set, it slowed things down slightly. "Devil In The Dark" is multi-layered, with back stories such as Otis’ relationship with his father, a local sheriff, and Enrique’s with his uncle. All these strands are melded seamlessly at the end. Rage appears to have some superhuman powers so at times the narrative edges into fantasy, yet the background is entirely believable. All in all, this is a scorcher, the pages so white hot you need to turn them quickly. This story will certainly get the adrenalin pumping.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second novel from Chris Lindberg. The pace was quick, the character development sound and the plot was on point throughout the novel. Highly recommended.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Lindberg brings another fervid novel featuring Rage, in Devil in the Dark. He would seem almost supernatural with his incredible speed and strength. With this ability comes the desire to continue fighting after the criminals have been overcome, placing the rest of his team in danger.
Otis is on medical leave and waiting to be deployed but takes a job as a border patrol as he awaits orders. Enrique meets Otis just before the border check point is bombed and flees because his green card was stolen. Placing himself a person of interest and can’t go back to his American job. Rage, the military lethal weapon is about to take out the Jackal, the Mexican drug lord.
As the cords of these three men lives bind closer and closer, the intensity of their mission magnifies. Each man having to work under someone for which they have little respect. Because of their families, pride, or the sense of making a difference, they continue through unbelievable odds.

[Robin Surface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action-packed thriller

This is a fast-paced thriller that I didn't want to end. It hardly seemed to be a 300+ page book. I read it very quickly and was shocked when I reached the end. I hope to see more from the Rage character. I find that character especially interesting.

The author does a great job with action scenes and the storyline is good, as is the pacing - with the build to the climax being especially well done. This is an intense book that unfolds like an action movie.

While this is a series book, it stands well on its own. I hope the author continues with more books in this series.

If you like action, suspense, larger than life heroes and mostly believable plots, you will enjoy this book.

[Brian Fiddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Fiddes
2nd Period
This story is Devil in the Dark by Chris Lindberg. I gave the book a 4 out of 5 stars. This book is very interesting, we meet a few main characters, Rage, a priceless military asset with more fury and superhuman abilities than any one man should possess. His new task, now that he has been successfully contained (and medically subdued) by the powers that be, is to end the reign of a vicious Mexican drug lord, Javier Oropeza. After a devastating attack on a key border crossing between the United States and Mexico, ordered by Oropeza, Rage’s elite squad is put into action. This is his large part through the book. We see through his mind oftentimes. The reader discovers why his name is Rage. Next, Otis Brown and Enrique Castillo, the other two main characters of the novel. These two are also more than they appear – one a war veteran with a closetful of demons, the other a humble border worker that is more closely tied to the drug kingpin than anyone initially suspects. With Otis helping resistance fighters against the drug cartels, Enrique bringing in the drugs from his area, to Rage and his army soldiers. All of these mixed together create a sensation of a plot and book.

I think the target audience is young kids in the south who see and hear about the cartels and how dangerous they are.
I would not recommend this book to my peers because of how the author changes whose perspective it is without telling you.
I did like the plot of the book, the main reason for disliking the book was for the previous reason, that he doesn't explain when someone else has started talking. The plot was very good, it kept me wanting to read and read and read. I finished the book within a few days, it was so good. The change in characters always leaves you are a cliff hangar and has you asking questions. This was a great way of making me read.

[Chanda Shae Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening

I started this book ,soon after "build a wall" caused so much disturbance in society.He has really portrayed how the cartels work to bring drugs into America. Read about it multiple times in the news. What he did was personalize it. Both sides of the border,so to speak. A young man trying to get his mind right after a tour in Army. He has a border job, one day while checking a suspicious man,coming over to work,all hell breaks loose. A bing goes off and rpgs come flying in. The young man he was checking is saved by him,then runs for the reason of no ID or way to prove he works here. That raises suspicion. In known to both of them,they will meet again. Not by anything that could be helped, in all case. One has no choice but to do what is demanded of him,to survive. The other because of duty. Now there's the plot, but then you throw in an unstoppable force,who has no feelings, memories or anything. Who is he for us or them? An all out war starts, everyone is thrown into this battle. Jafe has to be stopped at all cost. Who is loyal? Who is the betrayer? An action packed adventure, that makes you want to yell,build that wall.

[Glenda Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Border Bombing Thriller!

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