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Ishmael Jones #6
Murder in the Dark
The sudden appearance of a sinister black hole in the English countryside leads to a baffling murder investigation for Ishmael Jones.
"The past is England's dreaming, and not all of it sleeps soundly..."
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been despatched to assist a group of scientists who are investigating a mysterious black hole which has appeared on a Somerset hillside. Could it really be a doorway to another dimension, an opening into another world?
When one of the scientists disappears into the hole — with fatal consequences — Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible? Only one thing is certain: if Ishmael does not uncover the truth in time, more deaths will follow...
"The past is England's dreaming, and not all of it sleeps soundly..."
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been despatched to assist a group of scientists who are investigating a mysterious black hole which has appeared on a Somerset hillside. Could it really be a doorway to another dimension, an opening into another world?
When one of the scientists disappears into the hole — with fatal consequences — Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible? Only one thing is certain: if Ishmael does not uncover the truth in time, more deaths will follow...
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2018
34 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,208 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 7, 2018
EXCERPT: 'It makes you wonder if there’s anything left out there,' said Paul, his voice eerily calm. 'If the world has just gone away, or the dark has eaten everything up . . . If we're all that's left now, alone in the night.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The sudden appearance of a sinister black hole in the English countryside leads to a baffling murder investigation for Ishmael Jones.
"The past is England's dreaming, and not all of it sleeps soundly..."
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been despatched to assist a group of scientists who are investigating a mysterious black hole which has appeared on a Somerset hillside. Could it really be a doorway to another dimension, an opening into another world?
When one of the scientists disappears into the hole — with fatal consequences — Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible? Only one thing is certain: if Ishmael does not uncover the truth in time, more deaths will follow...
MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book that I have read and enjoyed in this very different series. I am not an alien/sci-fi aficionado, but I love this quirky series!
The books are quick reads, entertaining and, although they nudge the boundaries of believability a little, mostly plausible. This is an excellent blend of many genres - and it works! Beautifully!
The main characters complement each other, and the peripheral characters all have purpose and are solid additions to the plot. I never knew where the author was taking me, but it was a very enjoyable journey, and one that I made in one sitting.
I have not read the whole series, nor the first book, but it hasn't impacted on my enjoyment or understanding whatsoever. I will be reading more in this series.
😊😊😊😊
THE AUTHOR: Simon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House Publishers via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Murder in the Dark by Simon R. Green for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The sudden appearance of a sinister black hole in the English countryside leads to a baffling murder investigation for Ishmael Jones.
"The past is England's dreaming, and not all of it sleeps soundly..."
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been despatched to assist a group of scientists who are investigating a mysterious black hole which has appeared on a Somerset hillside. Could it really be a doorway to another dimension, an opening into another world?
When one of the scientists disappears into the hole — with fatal consequences — Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible? Only one thing is certain: if Ishmael does not uncover the truth in time, more deaths will follow...
MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book that I have read and enjoyed in this very different series. I am not an alien/sci-fi aficionado, but I love this quirky series!
The books are quick reads, entertaining and, although they nudge the boundaries of believability a little, mostly plausible. This is an excellent blend of many genres - and it works! Beautifully!
The main characters complement each other, and the peripheral characters all have purpose and are solid additions to the plot. I never knew where the author was taking me, but it was a very enjoyable journey, and one that I made in one sitting.
I have not read the whole series, nor the first book, but it hasn't impacted on my enjoyment or understanding whatsoever. I will be reading more in this series.
😊😊😊😊
THE AUTHOR: Simon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House Publishers via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Murder in the Dark by Simon R. Green for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 18, 2020
This book actually takes to readers away from the usual creepy haunted house/mansion etc theme. Instead, there is a hole. Yes sir, a killing hole! I always enjoy these books although, the very best of the Ismael Jones book is the brilliant DEAD MAN WALKING. It could be that it was the very first I read in the series or just something with the book's story that truly captivated me. Or both.
MURDER IN THE DARK takes our paranormal crime-fighting duo, Ismael and Penny, to the lovely Somerset. Well, it would be lovely if it wasn't for the deadly hole that has appeared there. An archaeologist has already disappeared through the hole and it doesn't take long for a scientist to disappear as well.
One thing I liked about this book is that we got to learn more about Ismael Jones, this strange man. If you have read the previous books do you know what I mean. If not, well, what are you waiting for?
MURDER IN THE DARK is an enjoyable paranormal mystery book. I did feel that the very last part was the most interesting about the book, although of course, I enjoyed the whole killing hole story and who would die next...
I want to thank Severn House for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
MURDER IN THE DARK takes our paranormal crime-fighting duo, Ismael and Penny, to the lovely Somerset. Well, it would be lovely if it wasn't for the deadly hole that has appeared there. An archaeologist has already disappeared through the hole and it doesn't take long for a scientist to disappear as well.
One thing I liked about this book is that we got to learn more about Ismael Jones, this strange man. If you have read the previous books do you know what I mean. If not, well, what are you waiting for?
MURDER IN THE DARK is an enjoyable paranormal mystery book. I did feel that the very last part was the most interesting about the book, although of course, I enjoyed the whole killing hole story and who would die next...
I want to thank Severn House for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
September 26, 2018
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny Balcourt are on another case. This time, a strange black hole has opened up in a hillside in Somerset. A group of scientists have been sent to examine and study the phenomena. Jones has been called in because an archaeologist fell into the hole and disappeared. Upon arrival, they find that communication outside the site is limited to one phone call per day from the mysterious organization that sent them there. No cell phones. No radio communication. And only limited internet. They understand very little about the pitch dark, strange hole they are here to study or about why everything surrounding their work is so secret. What's the truth about the absolute darkness on an isolated hillside?
I love the Ishmael Jones series! Ishmael reminds me of an alien, much more spooky, Fox Mulder. Working for a mysterious government group called The Organization, Ishmael and Penny investigate all things alien, supernatural and downright dangerous. The stories are dark, strange and suspenseful. Murder in the Dark is the 6th book in this series. Simon Green tells a great spooky story. This series has never let me down. I like the shorter length of these novels. I can get in a great supernatural fix without a lot of extra fluff. Green jumps right into the action, sending Ishmael and Penny off to all corners of the world to investigate all sorts of strange, warped and usually top secret happenings. I like how the two main characters compliment each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong. They make a great team. Ishmael's background story is eerie in itself, which really makes the character perfect for this type of series.
Murder in the Dark is an awesome addition to this series. I'm definitely going to keep reading. I like Simon Green's writing style. I still miss The Nightside series, but this new series is equally as enjoyable for me. I can't wait to find out what sort of trouble they will be in next! This is one series I would love to see made into a television series or even movies. It would have to be done true to Green's writing though. I don't want another Dresden Files debacle. I hate it when I get so excited about a film adaptation of a favorite series, only to discover they totally mangled the plot or characterizations!! Do it right, or leave it alone.
Although it isn't completely necessary to read this series in order, to get the full background of characters and past events, it's probably best to start at the beginning rather than hopping in at book six. But, this story would be enjoyable even without all the background on The Organization and Ishmael & Penny.
Great addition to this series! I look forward to their next adventure!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I love the Ishmael Jones series! Ishmael reminds me of an alien, much more spooky, Fox Mulder. Working for a mysterious government group called The Organization, Ishmael and Penny investigate all things alien, supernatural and downright dangerous. The stories are dark, strange and suspenseful. Murder in the Dark is the 6th book in this series. Simon Green tells a great spooky story. This series has never let me down. I like the shorter length of these novels. I can get in a great supernatural fix without a lot of extra fluff. Green jumps right into the action, sending Ishmael and Penny off to all corners of the world to investigate all sorts of strange, warped and usually top secret happenings. I like how the two main characters compliment each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong. They make a great team. Ishmael's background story is eerie in itself, which really makes the character perfect for this type of series.
Murder in the Dark is an awesome addition to this series. I'm definitely going to keep reading. I like Simon Green's writing style. I still miss The Nightside series, but this new series is equally as enjoyable for me. I can't wait to find out what sort of trouble they will be in next! This is one series I would love to see made into a television series or even movies. It would have to be done true to Green's writing though. I don't want another Dresden Files debacle. I hate it when I get so excited about a film adaptation of a favorite series, only to discover they totally mangled the plot or characterizations!! Do it right, or leave it alone.
Although it isn't completely necessary to read this series in order, to get the full background of characters and past events, it's probably best to start at the beginning rather than hopping in at book six. But, this story would be enjoyable even without all the background on The Organization and Ishmael & Penny.
Great addition to this series! I look forward to their next adventure!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
January 17, 2019
In the latest Ishmael Jones mystery, he and Penny take off in her vintage car for the countryside where a black hole has appeared on a lonely hillside. They are to supervise/protect scientists studying this unknown phenomenon. The disappearance of an archaeologist on a nearby dig precipitated this entire intervention and he wants to prevent any further “losses.”
Once again, Simon Green has completely captured my attention and interest with an Ishmael Jones story. There are differences of setting, character types, and even in Ishmael himself in this outing, as he is challenged by the situation, other people and total unknowns. How can he protect people who doubt the need to be protected? And who — or what— is the threat and the black hole? I recommend you check this out but don’t read this first. Start earlier in the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Once again, Simon Green has completely captured my attention and interest with an Ishmael Jones story. There are differences of setting, character types, and even in Ishmael himself in this outing, as he is challenged by the situation, other people and total unknowns. How can he protect people who doubt the need to be protected? And who — or what— is the threat and the black hole? I recommend you check this out but don’t read this first. Start earlier in the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
February 21, 2019
Преди десетилетия във Великобритания катастрофира космически кораб от друг свят, а почти целият му екипаж загива. Оцелява само един пришълец, който използва изгасващите машини на кораба, за да се превърне в човек. При трансформацията нещо се обърква и той губи спомените за миналото си, които остават в съзнанието му само като неясни кошмари. За да оцелее, извънземният става агент на мистериозна Организация и се заема със случаи, за които широката общественост никога няма да узнае. В замяна, той може да оцелее скрит и вечен дори в нашето общество, в което камерите са навсякъде.
Но сега Ишмаел Джоунс е изпратен да решава случай, който може да е твърде странен дори за него, пришълецът от звездите...
Цялото ревю четете на линка:
http://citadelata.com/murder-in-the-d...
Но сега Ишмаел Джоунс е изпратен да решава случай, който може да е твърде странен дори за него, пришълецът от звездите...
Цялото ревю четете на линка:
http://citadelata.com/murder-in-the-d...
July 2, 2022
Now I have often commented on the fact that series quite often have longer story arcs as well as their "adventure of the week" story - sometimes they run together while at other times they are totally separate. I will say at this point this is not always the case but certainly is the case with all the Simon R Green books I have read.
So what of this one - yes there is the incredible mystery of the week in this book and yes the bodies do drop in profusion but there is something else here too - it appears there may be a larger storyline afoot here with Black Heir and hits of his past actually coming to light (not that I am giving anything away here as honestly that aspect has to be addressed sooner or later)
So yes there is a lot of weird goings on and I have to say that Simon Green does the single room or in this case campsite mystery really well and as usual the dialogue zips along. Great fun and yes I cannot wait to see this series to the end.
So what of this one - yes there is the incredible mystery of the week in this book and yes the bodies do drop in profusion but there is something else here too - it appears there may be a larger storyline afoot here with Black Heir and hits of his past actually coming to light (not that I am giving anything away here as honestly that aspect has to be addressed sooner or later)
So yes there is a lot of weird goings on and I have to say that Simon Green does the single room or in this case campsite mystery really well and as usual the dialogue zips along. Great fun and yes I cannot wait to see this series to the end.
August 2, 2018
Review: MURDER IN THE DARK by Simon R. Green
Another totally gripping paranormal/sci-fi thriller from an author who consistently delivers engrossing, compelling. and thought-provoking paranormal fiction. MURDER IN THE DARK is the newest in the Ishmael Jones Series, about the secretive agent for a hush-hush covert organization in the UK. I totally admire Ishmael, who can do no wrong in my eyes, and find his background fascinating. This adventure was particularly scrumptious in that it includes some revelations about Ishmael' s earlier history (and of course I managed to perceive Lovecraftian Mythos themes throughout). The denouement and conclusion are stunning, in an all-round superb novel.
Another totally gripping paranormal/sci-fi thriller from an author who consistently delivers engrossing, compelling. and thought-provoking paranormal fiction. MURDER IN THE DARK is the newest in the Ishmael Jones Series, about the secretive agent for a hush-hush covert organization in the UK. I totally admire Ishmael, who can do no wrong in my eyes, and find his background fascinating. This adventure was particularly scrumptious in that it includes some revelations about Ishmael' s earlier history (and of course I managed to perceive Lovecraftian Mythos themes throughout). The denouement and conclusion are stunning, in an all-round superb novel.
January 26, 2020
3.5 stars...
This book was better then the last one but it still felt a little rushed. I figured it out very early on too. Instead of the books getting better, it seems like they are going in the opposite direction. The repetitiveness was very obvious in this book too and not just in the introduction. I don't know if it was just errors with the audio narration or if the book was actually written that way, but there were some sections with whole lines that were repeated in places unfortunately.
I did like that we got to see a little bit of glimpse into Ishmael's past life and I'm curious to see where that leads.
This book was better then the last one but it still felt a little rushed. I figured it out very early on too. Instead of the books getting better, it seems like they are going in the opposite direction. The repetitiveness was very obvious in this book too and not just in the introduction. I don't know if it was just errors with the audio narration or if the book was actually written that way, but there were some sections with whole lines that were repeated in places unfortunately.
I did like that we got to see a little bit of glimpse into Ishmael's past life and I'm curious to see where that leads.
October 28, 2018
Strange holes that seem to defy all the laws of physics have been appearing and disappearing in the English countryside. During a scientific investigation of the most recent appearance, an archaeologist disappears into the hole and doesn't return. Now Ismael, alien (as in not of this world alien) investigator and his partner and girlfriend, Penny have been sent by his boss at The Organization to investigate while protecting the rest of the scientific team. Ismael had thought it would be easy to keep a bunch of nerdy scientists safe. Turns out, though, scientists are a competitive, not to mention unruly and rebellious bunch who don't follow instructions well. Then another scientist leaps into the hole seemingly deliberately only to have his lifeless body dragged out - there are no signs of violence but his face is 'contorted into an expression of utter terror'. On top of that, someone or something seems to be stalking the camp in the dark. And, if all this isn't enough, all links to the outside world seem to be severed. Ismael realizes that if anyone is to survive, he must solve the mystery of the hole quickly. As he delves deeper into the mystery (literally), he begins to suspect that his presence at the hole may not be an accident - it may be linked in some way to his alien origin.
Murder in the Dark by Simon R. Green is the sixth book in his Ismael Jones Mystery series but only the second one I have read. There are plenty of interesting plot twists and a nice touch of humour and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Green is able to meld different genres and make them work well together - in this case, although it is called a paranormal mystery, it is more scifi and murder mystery. Overall, a fun read with some pretty dark overtones and I recommend it to fans of this or his other series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Murder in the Dark by Simon R. Green is the sixth book in his Ismael Jones Mystery series but only the second one I have read. There are plenty of interesting plot twists and a nice touch of humour and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Green is able to meld different genres and make them work well together - in this case, although it is called a paranormal mystery, it is more scifi and murder mystery. Overall, a fun read with some pretty dark overtones and I recommend it to fans of this or his other series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2020
Typical Ishmael Jones expanded locked room mystery. A group of people - this time scientists - with underlying lies and motives, who won't listen when he says stay together. I know people are basically stupid that way, but honestly, if you were in a small group, unable to leave and get to safety, and someone was picking off members of the group, wouldn't you put aside your other concerns and stay together for one single night? I mean, really. Is losing your one big chance worth dying?
So sure, people are stupid, and yes, Green adds in some supernatural woowoo stuff to make it all work, but the way he does it is mostly deus ex machina. Nothing really to do with the story. This one reads like a casserole of red herrings - unpalatable at best.
I think he uses a random generator to write these things. There is no character growth per book (not surprising, as they usually take place in a single night) not across the books he and Penny are who they were at the first, and I doubt they will ever change.
He isn't as lazy as James Patterson - at least these are well proofread - but he comes across as a lazy writer. I started with the Nightside series, and other than the pat line about shining so very brightly (is he trying to emulate the oral poets there?), they were okay, so I tried some of the other series. I'm done with Simon Green though. I'm tired of being disappointed, and from what I've seen, I can count on being disappointed with him.
So sure, people are stupid, and yes, Green adds in some supernatural woowoo stuff to make it all work, but the way he does it is mostly deus ex machina. Nothing really to do with the story. This one reads like a casserole of red herrings - unpalatable at best.
I think he uses a random generator to write these things. There is no character growth per book (not surprising, as they usually take place in a single night) not across the books he and Penny are who they were at the first, and I doubt they will ever change.
He isn't as lazy as James Patterson - at least these are well proofread - but he comes across as a lazy writer. I started with the Nightside series, and other than the pat line about shining so very brightly (is he trying to emulate the oral poets there?), they were okay, so I tried some of the other series. I'm done with Simon Green though. I'm tired of being disappointed, and from what I've seen, I can count on being disappointed with him.
August 14, 2018
MURDER IN THE DARK By Simon R. Green
This book is about a half man half alien by the name of Ishmael Jones. He is given orders to investigate a huge black hole where an archaeologist has already disappeared. He takes along his partner Penny. While she is not happy with this adventure she tags along. Ishmael learns that others are getting killed inside this hole on the mountain and he must find out what or who is the cause. There are no witnesses and not one clue and he wonders if it is alien or human doing. This is one in a series of books about Ishmael but you would not need to read the others to catch on. The writer does a great job with history of the characters so that the reader catches up quickly. I felt that it was a little more sci-fi for me but still a great mystery and the ending was the best of all. It came together perfect and had me still reeling over it long after I finished it.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the Thor/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I give it a 4.75 out of 5 but for the sake of this rating I will round it up to 5.
This book is about a half man half alien by the name of Ishmael Jones. He is given orders to investigate a huge black hole where an archaeologist has already disappeared. He takes along his partner Penny. While she is not happy with this adventure she tags along. Ishmael learns that others are getting killed inside this hole on the mountain and he must find out what or who is the cause. There are no witnesses and not one clue and he wonders if it is alien or human doing. This is one in a series of books about Ishmael but you would not need to read the others to catch on. The writer does a great job with history of the characters so that the reader catches up quickly. I felt that it was a little more sci-fi for me but still a great mystery and the ending was the best of all. It came together perfect and had me still reeling over it long after I finished it.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the Thor/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I give it a 4.75 out of 5 but for the sake of this rating I will round it up to 5.
August 14, 2018
I filed this book under 'Science Fiction' because although it is set up as a mystery, it is actually more SF. Which is great because Simon R. Green is one of my favorite SF authors. Usually he writes books full of very, very strange characters, planets, spaceships and the like. I can really recommend them, because they are also full of humor, science and even romance.
Back to Murder in the dark. The title says it all: people get murdered in the dark. On a cold dark hillside, a group of scientists meet their fate. Or not? Ishmael comes to the rescue although even he is rather surprised as to what appears to be the solution - and who the killer is.
A very nice read. Thank you Netgalley for this book.
Back to Murder in the dark. The title says it all: people get murdered in the dark. On a cold dark hillside, a group of scientists meet their fate. Or not? Ishmael comes to the rescue although even he is rather surprised as to what appears to be the solution - and who the killer is.
A very nice read. Thank you Netgalley for this book.
November 28, 2018
It's the first book I read in this series but not the first one by Simon R. Green.
I read it in one setting and I couldn't put it down.
I don't know if the genre is sci-fi, horror or paranormal thriller, I think it kept me reading feeling the growing creepiness and claustrophobia.
I loved the humour in this book as much as I loved Ishmael and Penny.
The mystery was good and the ending came as a surprise.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
I read it in one setting and I couldn't put it down.
I don't know if the genre is sci-fi, horror or paranormal thriller, I think it kept me reading feeling the growing creepiness and claustrophobia.
I loved the humour in this book as much as I loved Ishmael and Penny.
The mystery was good and the ending came as a surprise.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
December 30, 2018
WHAT THE EFFFFFF.
I think I just had the emotional equivalent of a bodily function accident. Did NOT expect that entire ending. I mean holy crap Ishmael got some hardcore answers about himself. I mean vague enough but I'm confident the next book(s) will provide more. GAH this series is brilliantly amazing
Shout out to Graphic Audio for consistently elevating this series to lofty heights
I think I just had the emotional equivalent of a bodily function accident. Did NOT expect that entire ending. I mean holy crap Ishmael got some hardcore answers about himself. I mean vague enough but I'm confident the next book(s) will provide more. GAH this series is brilliantly amazing
Shout out to Graphic Audio for consistently elevating this series to lofty heights
August 16, 2018
This was creepy. I read it under a blanket half the time because I was alone in my house. I loved the end twist and how were are finding out more and more about Ishmael with each story. Penny is awesome and I can't wait for the next installment.
June 3, 2019
If this was the first Simon Green book I read I would never consider reading another one. So I'm very glad
It's not, read his Nightside books so much better. This one just kept describing a blackho!e and that's exactly what I thought of this book.
It's not, read his Nightside books so much better. This one just kept describing a blackho!e and that's exactly what I thought of this book.
December 5, 2018
I’m not sure at what point I began to see the funny side of this adventure, but when I did, there was a fair amount that set me quietly chuckling. Green’s dark humour is more apparent and gory in his Deathstalker series, but I found this version more enjoyable.
If you are looking for foot-to-the-floor action adventure, then you’ll be disappointed. Apart from the body count, which rises alongside the tension as Ishmael tries to work out exactly who or what is annihilating the wretched team of scientists stuck on the hill on a dark, dark night, there isn’t a lot that actually happens. Think of a locked room mystery in the middle of the English countryside. However, there are plenty of possible suspects – including what may or may not be emerging from that creepy hole – and lots of enjoyable character clashes and conflicts, which Green writes very well. The bonus for those who have followed the series, is that during this investigation we get to know a bit more about Jones’ shadowy past and hints that it might be catching up with him.
One of the joys of this series is his relationship with Penny, his girlfriend and dauntless sidekick – it’s rare to find a truly happy couple in these sorts of adventures and I hope it stays that way. Their snarky exchanges and domestic bickering about Penny’s driving and lack of cooking skills somehow helps to highlight just how weird it’s all got – and won’t it be nice to get back to normality…
Highly recommended if you like a bit of humour thrown in with the paranormal shenanigans – and the bonus is that this is the sort of series that you can jump in anywhere without losing too much of the context. While I obtained an arc of Murder in the Dark from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
If you are looking for foot-to-the-floor action adventure, then you’ll be disappointed. Apart from the body count, which rises alongside the tension as Ishmael tries to work out exactly who or what is annihilating the wretched team of scientists stuck on the hill on a dark, dark night, there isn’t a lot that actually happens. Think of a locked room mystery in the middle of the English countryside. However, there are plenty of possible suspects – including what may or may not be emerging from that creepy hole – and lots of enjoyable character clashes and conflicts, which Green writes very well. The bonus for those who have followed the series, is that during this investigation we get to know a bit more about Jones’ shadowy past and hints that it might be catching up with him.
One of the joys of this series is his relationship with Penny, his girlfriend and dauntless sidekick – it’s rare to find a truly happy couple in these sorts of adventures and I hope it stays that way. Their snarky exchanges and domestic bickering about Penny’s driving and lack of cooking skills somehow helps to highlight just how weird it’s all got – and won’t it be nice to get back to normality…
Highly recommended if you like a bit of humour thrown in with the paranormal shenanigans – and the bonus is that this is the sort of series that you can jump in anywhere without losing too much of the context. While I obtained an arc of Murder in the Dark from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
February 27, 2019
Although I liked the book some, I thought Ishmael Jones was pretty ineffective at protecting his charges, a group of scientists investigating a huge hole that suddenly appeared on a hillside. It took him quite a few deaths before he figured out what was causing them, and he issued suggestions rather than directives about how to stay safe. I don't know if this is just a weak book in the Ishmael series, or if all of them are similar- will have to go to the first to find out more. But in this book, there was a lot of repetitive dialogue and explanation, unnecessary. Although this was a novella, it could easily have been a short story if some of the extraneous dialogue and detail was edited out.
November 29, 2018
I have been a fan of this author since I first started reading his Nightside series. When this series came up, I was very excited and dived right in. We are now at the sixth book, and I am on the fence about it. Don’t get me wrong: this book is well-written, has an interesting plot, has great characters (for the most part), and it moves along quickly (just like the previous books in the series). So, what’s my hesitation? Every book is starting to feel a little too much the same. I enjoy myself every single time, but still, sometimes I think these books are little too predictable based on the formula of the ones before it. So, my conclusion? These are great books, but just don’t expect something different every time; expect the same theme and you’ll pass the time very quickly with a great book. Penny and Ishmael are interesting characters, and I hope based on something that happened at the end of this book, we get to learn even more about Ishmael. Recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this, and I voluntarily left a review.
November 29, 2018
The sixth instalment of Ishmael Jones sees our hero and Penny out of a 'locked room' mystery and outside. They are sent by the Colonel to investigate a mysterious hole which has appeared on a hillside in Somerset, where one scientist has already disappeared. Local lore tells of mysterious disappearances and of a "beast" which roams the countryside - is there something to these rumours?
It was an OK read and the humour was still there, but I felt it lacked the tension of previous outings. It seemed to be almost all conversation and very little actual investigation. It appeared to be picking up towards the end but it was all a bit of an anticlimax. I was left feeling a little disappointed with it all.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Severn House, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
It was an OK read and the humour was still there, but I felt it lacked the tension of previous outings. It seemed to be almost all conversation and very little actual investigation. It appeared to be picking up towards the end but it was all a bit of an anticlimax. I was left feeling a little disappointed with it all.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Severn House, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
October 6, 2020
We get some answers to the Ishmael mystery. And darkness is terrifying.
October 22, 2024
This latest "locked door" mystery takes place in the great outDOORs. This latest installment has twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat right until the very end.
August 20, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon R Green and Severn House for my arc of Murder in the Dark.
The Ishmael Jones series is my absolute guilty pleasure. They're short, easy reading, interesting, comically funny and totally out there. The sort of stories that shouldn't work but totally do!
Murder in the Dark was no different. To summarise this series for people who haven't read it before; Ishmael Jones was previously an alien who landed on our planet by accident in a crashed spaceship. The machines on the ship turned him into a human to allow him to survive on earth, and he was employed by 'The Organisation' in exchange for protecting him, they require that he 'investigates' or provides security at events which are high risk for weird and/or supernatural goings on. Which he does with his human girlfriend, the wonderfully fierce and sassy Penny. My best summary? Think Scrooby Doo for grown ups but Fred is an alien.
In Murder In the Dark Ishmael and Penny are asked to provide security at an archeological dig. Nearby to the dig is a hole full of darkness which has already killed an archaeologist. Now a team of scientists are investigating the hole and need protecting.
This book is packed with one liners, a little bit of spookiness, Murder, mystery and a touch of science fiction. What's not to love? I especially liked that we got to see a little more of Ishmael's past in this one and hope more gets revealed in the next!
The Ishmael Jones series is my absolute guilty pleasure. They're short, easy reading, interesting, comically funny and totally out there. The sort of stories that shouldn't work but totally do!
Murder in the Dark was no different. To summarise this series for people who haven't read it before; Ishmael Jones was previously an alien who landed on our planet by accident in a crashed spaceship. The machines on the ship turned him into a human to allow him to survive on earth, and he was employed by 'The Organisation' in exchange for protecting him, they require that he 'investigates' or provides security at events which are high risk for weird and/or supernatural goings on. Which he does with his human girlfriend, the wonderfully fierce and sassy Penny. My best summary? Think Scrooby Doo for grown ups but Fred is an alien.
In Murder In the Dark Ishmael and Penny are asked to provide security at an archeological dig. Nearby to the dig is a hole full of darkness which has already killed an archaeologist. Now a team of scientists are investigating the hole and need protecting.
This book is packed with one liners, a little bit of spookiness, Murder, mystery and a touch of science fiction. What's not to love? I especially liked that we got to see a little more of Ishmael's past in this one and hope more gets revealed in the next!
December 11, 2018
I'm a huge Simon R. Green fan and am pretty much up for whatever he wants to put out there, but I will confess that there's a "sameness" to the Ishmael Jones books that can get a bit tedious from time to time. Not that they're bad books or un-entertaining, but the basic conceit of the series, "Science Fiction Meets Agatha Christie" means that the basic set-up, the typical Christiean "group of strangers meet in a remote location and people start dying" can start feeling a little rote after a bit. That said, "Murder in the Dark," switches things up somewhat more than usual in that Ishmael and Penny are not trapped with a great evil in a manor house or museum, but this time in the middle of nowhere at an isolated archaeological dig where scientists have uncovered some sort of dimensional doorway that seems to be eating people. You can bet Agatha Christie never thought of that! The other treat is that we finally get some small tidbit about Ishmael's time before coming to Earth and taking human form. Knowing Green, you know anything about the truth of Ishmael's alien origins is going to be a slow burn, but after six books, it's nice to finally see Green begin to pull the curtain back a bit on who Ishamel Jones really is...whether he wants to be or not.
If you like those old "Manor House Mysteries" and the nuts and bolts of Sci-Fi with a healthy dollop of humor, this may be the series for you.
If you like those old "Manor House Mysteries" and the nuts and bolts of Sci-Fi with a healthy dollop of humor, this may be the series for you.
August 20, 2021
Originally published at Reading Reality
There’s an uncanny, unnatural hole in the fabric of the universe, and it’s up to an almost-but-not-quite-completely human to close this extremely dangerous door in the space-time continuum.
In a nutshell, that’s the premise of Murder in the Dark, this sixth book in the Ishmael Jones urban fantasy/paranormal/SF series.
What’s even weirder is that, at least so far, it’s also the plot of The Scavenger Door, the book I’m currently listening to. Considering that I started Murder in the Dark because I wanted to keep on reading Scavenger Door but couldn’t for a variety of reasons, I was really surprised to discover that I sorta/kinda was anyway.
The Ishmael Jones series exists at an uncanny crossroads between urban fantasy, paranormal and science fiction. The SFnal element is Ishmael himself. He’s an alien who crash landed his spaceship on Earth in the early 1960s. His ship did its level best to transform him into a human, but it glitched a few of the details. He hasn’t aged a day since he crashed. And he doesn’t remember a thing about his life before the crash. Both of these “glitches” come into play a bit in this story.
The stories in this series, for the most part, have been a play on the old country house murders. Ishmael met his romantic and investigative partner Penny Belcourt in the first book in the series, The Dark Side of the Road, when Ishmael was sent by his mysterious and secretive employers, The Organization, to look into the eerie and uncanny goings on at the country house where Penny lived with her parents. Penny was the sole survivor of that investigation.
In fact, most of Ishmael and Penny’s investigations turn out that way, the way that Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None turned out. Ishmael and Penny manage to walk away, but seldom do many – or sometimes any – of the people they are sent in to save. Even though they always manage to solve the original mystery.
Ishmael is starting to get a bit of survivor’s guilt over that fact.
But this story is a bit off of Ishmael and Penny’s beaten path, as they are sent in to secure a hole in the side of a hill in a seriously remote bit of countryside. No country houses in sight. Just a hole that swallows up everything that gets a bit too close – including one of the archaeologists that found it in the first place.
The Organization has sent a team of crackerjack scientists to investigate the unnatural hole, and sent Ishmael and Penny to keep the scientists safe while they investigate. When they arrive, both Ishmael and Penny believe that they are there to keep the scientists safe from the hole, and the hole safe from the scientists – along with anyone else who might happen to wander by.
It doesn’t take long for both of them to figure out that their real job is keeping the scientists safe from themselves – and each other.
Escape Rating B+: This was the right book at the right time, and not just for its surprising resemblance to The Scavenger Door. After yesterday’s terrific book, I was looking for something that also had a high snark quotient, and this author has always been good for that, no matter which of his many, many sandboxes he happens to be playing in at the time. And I was looking forward to swiftly sinking into a world that I already knew, and the Ishmael Jones series certainly has that box ticked off as well.
Last but not least, because I love this series and this author, I was hoping that this entry in the series would redeem the previous book, Into the Thinnest of Air, because that one didn’t quite live up to my expectations. But Murder in the Dark, even though it went to a different locale than the series usually does, was just a much better book.
All of the above being said, this is the sixth book in an ongoing series. I’m not certain that you need to have read them ALL to get stuck into this one, but reading at least the series opener, The Dark Side of the Road, would probably help a lot. Also it’s very good if you like creepy country house mysteries with even creepier monsters hiding in the shadows.
There are three mysteries in the dark in this story. One is the mystery that brings Ishmael and Penny into the picture, the mystery of the mystery of the unnatural hole. Who or what created it? What is it? Where does it go? What is its purpose?
The second mystery seems like it’s part of the first, at least at first. Who or what is killing the scientists?
And then there’s that third mystery, the one that lies behind the entire series. Who was Ishmael Jones before he became Ishmael Jones? Where did he come from? Why was he near Earth? How did he crash?
Ishmael has learned very few answers to those questions about himself. But he has learned that he really doesn’t want to know. Whoever he was and wherever he came from, right here and right now he’s exactly where he belongs, with Penny.
What’s surprising about those three mysteries is that they are not neatly tied up with a single bow. Rather, they are individually tied with separate bows, no matter how much someone tries to make it seem like the hole is responsible for the murders, possibly via the agency of someone who is a blast from Ishmael’s unremembered past.
The thing that makes this series work is that in spite of any supernatural or extraterrestrial red herrings that may appear while Ishmael and Penny are desperately trying to figure out who’s bumping off the people they’re supposed to save, the reality turns out to be that the biggest, baddest and deadliest monsters in any setting are human. The evil that people are capable of doing to each other is much, much scarier than any mythical beast or raygun toting alien. That in the end the most horrible monsters are just people doing bad things because they’re selfish and greedy. And it’s that grounding in human monsters and human evil that keep the whole thing from flying over the top, jumping the shark, and landing in a cesspit full of slime monsters.
This is a series that when I’m in the mood for it, I’m really in the mood for it and nothing else will do. So I’ll be back with Ishamel Jones and Penny Belcourt in Till Sudden Death Do Us Part the next time I need a story with the creep factor on high and the snark turned up to eleven.
There’s an uncanny, unnatural hole in the fabric of the universe, and it’s up to an almost-but-not-quite-completely human to close this extremely dangerous door in the space-time continuum.
In a nutshell, that’s the premise of Murder in the Dark, this sixth book in the Ishmael Jones urban fantasy/paranormal/SF series.
What’s even weirder is that, at least so far, it’s also the plot of The Scavenger Door, the book I’m currently listening to. Considering that I started Murder in the Dark because I wanted to keep on reading Scavenger Door but couldn’t for a variety of reasons, I was really surprised to discover that I sorta/kinda was anyway.
The Ishmael Jones series exists at an uncanny crossroads between urban fantasy, paranormal and science fiction. The SFnal element is Ishmael himself. He’s an alien who crash landed his spaceship on Earth in the early 1960s. His ship did its level best to transform him into a human, but it glitched a few of the details. He hasn’t aged a day since he crashed. And he doesn’t remember a thing about his life before the crash. Both of these “glitches” come into play a bit in this story.
The stories in this series, for the most part, have been a play on the old country house murders. Ishmael met his romantic and investigative partner Penny Belcourt in the first book in the series, The Dark Side of the Road, when Ishmael was sent by his mysterious and secretive employers, The Organization, to look into the eerie and uncanny goings on at the country house where Penny lived with her parents. Penny was the sole survivor of that investigation.
In fact, most of Ishmael and Penny’s investigations turn out that way, the way that Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None turned out. Ishmael and Penny manage to walk away, but seldom do many – or sometimes any – of the people they are sent in to save. Even though they always manage to solve the original mystery.
Ishmael is starting to get a bit of survivor’s guilt over that fact.
But this story is a bit off of Ishmael and Penny’s beaten path, as they are sent in to secure a hole in the side of a hill in a seriously remote bit of countryside. No country houses in sight. Just a hole that swallows up everything that gets a bit too close – including one of the archaeologists that found it in the first place.
The Organization has sent a team of crackerjack scientists to investigate the unnatural hole, and sent Ishmael and Penny to keep the scientists safe while they investigate. When they arrive, both Ishmael and Penny believe that they are there to keep the scientists safe from the hole, and the hole safe from the scientists – along with anyone else who might happen to wander by.
It doesn’t take long for both of them to figure out that their real job is keeping the scientists safe from themselves – and each other.
Escape Rating B+: This was the right book at the right time, and not just for its surprising resemblance to The Scavenger Door. After yesterday’s terrific book, I was looking for something that also had a high snark quotient, and this author has always been good for that, no matter which of his many, many sandboxes he happens to be playing in at the time. And I was looking forward to swiftly sinking into a world that I already knew, and the Ishmael Jones series certainly has that box ticked off as well.
Last but not least, because I love this series and this author, I was hoping that this entry in the series would redeem the previous book, Into the Thinnest of Air, because that one didn’t quite live up to my expectations. But Murder in the Dark, even though it went to a different locale than the series usually does, was just a much better book.
All of the above being said, this is the sixth book in an ongoing series. I’m not certain that you need to have read them ALL to get stuck into this one, but reading at least the series opener, The Dark Side of the Road, would probably help a lot. Also it’s very good if you like creepy country house mysteries with even creepier monsters hiding in the shadows.
There are three mysteries in the dark in this story. One is the mystery that brings Ishmael and Penny into the picture, the mystery of the mystery of the unnatural hole. Who or what created it? What is it? Where does it go? What is its purpose?
The second mystery seems like it’s part of the first, at least at first. Who or what is killing the scientists?
And then there’s that third mystery, the one that lies behind the entire series. Who was Ishmael Jones before he became Ishmael Jones? Where did he come from? Why was he near Earth? How did he crash?
Ishmael has learned very few answers to those questions about himself. But he has learned that he really doesn’t want to know. Whoever he was and wherever he came from, right here and right now he’s exactly where he belongs, with Penny.
What’s surprising about those three mysteries is that they are not neatly tied up with a single bow. Rather, they are individually tied with separate bows, no matter how much someone tries to make it seem like the hole is responsible for the murders, possibly via the agency of someone who is a blast from Ishmael’s unremembered past.
The thing that makes this series work is that in spite of any supernatural or extraterrestrial red herrings that may appear while Ishmael and Penny are desperately trying to figure out who’s bumping off the people they’re supposed to save, the reality turns out to be that the biggest, baddest and deadliest monsters in any setting are human. The evil that people are capable of doing to each other is much, much scarier than any mythical beast or raygun toting alien. That in the end the most horrible monsters are just people doing bad things because they’re selfish and greedy. And it’s that grounding in human monsters and human evil that keep the whole thing from flying over the top, jumping the shark, and landing in a cesspit full of slime monsters.
This is a series that when I’m in the mood for it, I’m really in the mood for it and nothing else will do. So I’ll be back with Ishamel Jones and Penny Belcourt in Till Sudden Death Do Us Part the next time I need a story with the creep factor on high and the snark turned up to eleven.
August 10, 2018
Thanks to #NetGalley and #SimonRGreen for the opportunity to read and review #MurderInTheDark, the new Ismael Jones and Penny Belcourt novel. It was a lot of fun to touch base with Ish and Penny again, having read others in the series.
Unlike the previous locked room mystery that In enjoyed reading in this series - Into the Thinnest of Air - this is the total opposite: people are disappearing into/being killed by a 'hole' that has appeared on a hill, almost in full view of others.
A scientific expedition has been sent by Black Heir and The Organization to investigate a hole that has appeared in a mountain, and has already swallowed one of the scientists. When three others die under mysterious and quite gruesome circumstances, Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible?
In the climax we find out just whodunit, and we also get a glimpse into Ishmael's back story. All in all, if you're a fan of this series you will be a fan of this book. Highly recommended.
Unlike the previous locked room mystery that In enjoyed reading in this series - Into the Thinnest of Air - this is the total opposite: people are disappearing into/being killed by a 'hole' that has appeared on a hill, almost in full view of others.
A scientific expedition has been sent by Black Heir and The Organization to investigate a hole that has appeared in a mountain, and has already swallowed one of the scientists. When three others die under mysterious and quite gruesome circumstances, Ishmael must prove whether it was an accident — or murder. But with no clues, no witnesses and no apparent motive, he has little to go on. Is there an alien predator at large, or is an all-too-human killer responsible?
In the climax we find out just whodunit, and we also get a glimpse into Ishmael's back story. All in all, if you're a fan of this series you will be a fan of this book. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2018
The author is consistently good at weaving an interesting yarn. This is clearly another traditional whodunnit where the characters are revealed at the start and then one by one something happens that shifts the reader's loyalties. The Science fiction twist adds a different dimension as the alien presence provides another character that is added to the list of potential villains.
The writing style is easygoing and a pleasure to read. There are very limited scenes of tension. All violent acts happen off-stage with the characters being left to make sense of what has happened. Time passes very slowly and the reader is left to wonder if this is also a factor in what is going on.
The last few scenes are interesting in that they reveal a little of the background to the central characters. The denouement is not surprising in the revelation of the villain and the ultimate resolution does not provide a new twist. Nevertheless, it was a fine read
The writing style is easygoing and a pleasure to read. There are very limited scenes of tension. All violent acts happen off-stage with the characters being left to make sense of what has happened. Time passes very slowly and the reader is left to wonder if this is also a factor in what is going on.
The last few scenes are interesting in that they reveal a little of the background to the central characters. The denouement is not surprising in the revelation of the villain and the ultimate resolution does not provide a new twist. Nevertheless, it was a fine read
September 21, 2018
Another science fiction/mystery title in the Ishmael Jones series. These are sort of a guilty pleasure for me, along the lines of the old horror movies I watched as a teen. Ishmael and his intrepid girlfriend Penny investigate paranormal "problems" for the mysterious Organization, and this time are tasked to protect a group investigating the disappearance of an archaeologist into a "hole," which may be a portal into another dimension. Of course, their success as protection is somewhat limited, but that's a great deal of the fun, along the lines of shouting at the movie or TV screen, "No, don't go into the basement!" Most of the characters are purely supporting cast, but frankly, the whole point is Ishmael, and the reader learns more about his past in this volume. Good fun!
Many thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Many thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 5, 2018
There are few things that bring a good mystery to the imagination. This book reminds me of some of those things. I had no idea where this book was going with all its twists and turns until the end. That it did not drag itself down into pointless plot twists was a relief. This is the kind of book that keeps the mystery to a mystery protagonist going. If you thought the characters were getting stale or just not moving forward this is the book that brings you back to why you read these books in the first place.
I read this book via NetGalley. I thank them for this book. #MurderInTheDark #NetGalley
I read this book via NetGalley. I thank them for this book. #MurderInTheDark #NetGalley
August 11, 2018
I received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley. Thank you! All opinions are my own.
Murder in the Dark is part of the Ishmael Jones series which I haven't read before. Still, I didn't find it difficult to follow and quickly caught up with the characters. I enjoyed this mixture of scifi and thriller quite a bit, a gripping story meets fascinating characters. This will very likely be not my first read of a Simon R. Green novel.
Murder in the Dark is part of the Ishmael Jones series which I haven't read before. Still, I didn't find it difficult to follow and quickly caught up with the characters. I enjoyed this mixture of scifi and thriller quite a bit, a gripping story meets fascinating characters. This will very likely be not my first read of a Simon R. Green novel.
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