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Ryan DeMarco Mystery #5
When All Light Fails
A new mystery from Randall Silvis, critically acclaimed master of crime fiction
When powerful men pull strings to get what they want... someone almost always ends up dead
There's not much that would convince retired police sergeant Ryan DeMarco to take on another private investigation case, but he can't refuse a nine-year-old Michigan girl begging for help finding her biological father. The road trip to the Upper Peninsula promises DeMarco and his partner, Jayme, a chance to heal from their last case, which ended in a traumatic brush with death for DeMarco. But things aren't as they first appear in the woods of Michigan, and the seemingly simple paternity investigation soon morphs into something deadly.
The deeper DeMarco, Jayme, and the rest of their team dig, the more ugly truths they reveal, all while doing their best to keep one member of their team, from falling prey to her own kind of darkness. This investigation just might be the most emotionally troubling one DeMarco and Jayme have yet encountered, for there are plenty of people who will do whatever it takes to shut them down before the truth comes to light.
When powerful men pull strings to get what they want... someone almost always ends up dead
There's not much that would convince retired police sergeant Ryan DeMarco to take on another private investigation case, but he can't refuse a nine-year-old Michigan girl begging for help finding her biological father. The road trip to the Upper Peninsula promises DeMarco and his partner, Jayme, a chance to heal from their last case, which ended in a traumatic brush with death for DeMarco. But things aren't as they first appear in the woods of Michigan, and the seemingly simple paternity investigation soon morphs into something deadly.
The deeper DeMarco, Jayme, and the rest of their team dig, the more ugly truths they reveal, all while doing their best to keep one member of their team, from falling prey to her own kind of darkness. This investigation just might be the most emotionally troubling one DeMarco and Jayme have yet encountered, for there are plenty of people who will do whatever it takes to shut them down before the truth comes to light.
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
80 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Randall Silvis
48 books306 followersRandall Silvis is the internationally acclaimed author of over a dozen novels, one story
collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a
produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in
virtually every field and genre of creative writing. His numerous essays, articles, poems and short stories have appeared in the Discovery Channel magazines, The Writer, Prism International, Short Story International, Manoa, and numerous other online and print magazines. His work has been translated into 10 languages.
Silvis’s many literary awards include two writing fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Award, six fellowships for his fiction, drama, and screenwriting from the Pennsylvania Council On the Arts, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree awarded for “distinguished literary achievement.”
collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a
produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in
virtually every field and genre of creative writing. His numerous essays, articles, poems and short stories have appeared in the Discovery Channel magazines, The Writer, Prism International, Short Story International, Manoa, and numerous other online and print magazines. His work has been translated into 10 languages.
Silvis’s many literary awards include two writing fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Award, six fellowships for his fiction, drama, and screenwriting from the Pennsylvania Council On the Arts, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree awarded for “distinguished literary achievement.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 26, 2021
When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis is fifth in the Ryan DeMarco series but it works well as a stand-alone. However, reading this one is a great incentive to read the other books in the series as well as other novels written by Randall Silvis. Ryan DeMarco is an investigator who gets involved in finding the unknown father of a nine-year-old girl in Michigan. This is a case he cannot resist and, along with his life partner Jayme, he begins the search. Tragedy strikes almost immediately and the case becomes even more urgent. This thriller is beautifully written and is above and beyond the usual mystery: the author deals with near death experience, philosophy etc., making this a thoughtful novel. The plot is original and keeps the suspense alive throughout. Just when you think you have solved the mystery, off you go on another tangent. The characters are compassionate, believable and provocative, making the book realistic. When All Light Fails is a novel not to be missed. Highly recommended. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2021
WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS is a literary work of art!
"Literary suspense fiction at its finest. What an epic way to end the spectacular Ryan DeMarco series. I LOVED THIS BOOK! My jaw dropped numerous times…full of suspense and twists. Your heart will break at the tragedy, but I loved the way it ended and found myself not wanting it to end. 5-stars +++ and one of the Top Books of 2021. Luminous and beautifully written. Utterly unputdownable!"
Acclaimed Author Randall Silvis returns following the intense, gripping Ryan DeMarco #4 cliffhanger (2020-No Woods So Dark as These), a triple homicide —with the emotionally explosive and satisfying finale (Ryan DeMarco #5) WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS.
A devoted Silvis fan, no author successfully combines literary fiction + crime suspense = highly entertaining literary thriller.
The action-packed book starts with Ryan DeMarco experiencing a "Near Death Experience." This life-changing moment will alter him in many ways. The author skillfully crafts this experience and feelings of fondness, love, remorse, melancholy, and longing. He comes away from the experience, a different man.
Not only is Ryan concerned with the guilt of Trooper Flores, who risked her life and is now injured physically, helping to save him from the Khatri disaster, but he winds up helping her in many ways mentally due to this NDE.
Ryan and Jayme (his partner in crime) and love interest attempt to move past their losses with their adorable side-kick dog, Hero.
While Ryan is recuperating and Jayme is still trying to get over her miscarriage and almost losing Ryan, they swear they will not take on another case right now. What is next for them?
Jayme knows Ryan is different, even the little daily things. Ryan loves this second chance he was given. He is different. He now seems to be more patient and tender and even an enigmatic smile.
However, a highly emotional case falls in their lap, which involves a child, and Jayme cannot say no. Judge Morrison comes to Ryan and Jayme with a request. He is now an older man in his early seventies.
The judge received a letter from a little girl Emma. She is nine years old, and her mom, Jennifer, is dying. She gives the address, phone, and wants to know if he may be her dad. However, what are their motives?
He wants to hire them to spy on mother and daughter. You see, there was a little night years ago with the judge and his buddies on a fishing trip, at a bar, she was working, and you can put two and two together and now a daughter.
However, the judge says the other two men wish to remain anonymous since they are married. The judge's wife has died, and the other man is deceased. They are not sure which one is the father. (or do they know)?
They agree to take on the case. However, Jayme and Ryan begin watching the little girl and realize they are working for the wrong side. They decide they cannot work for the judge but will work for the girl pro bono.
Of course, Jayme falls hard for Emma, and she breaks her heart. They are poor and living in a small trailer. The grandmother is a drunk and mean. The little girl just wants a mother and father. Jayme has this void to fill after her recent miscarriage.
When the mom dies, she is left with the grandmother. Jayme stays in touch with her and invites her for a visit. All arrangements have been made, and then the unbelievable happens. This, my friend, was a total shocker! The unexpected.
I had decided how the book would end, similar to Lisa Gardner's When You See Me (if you have read, you know how it ends, and we fans are still waiting for the follow-up) with this motherless deaf girl.
In fact, Randall Silvis' Jayme reminds me a bit of Gardner's kick-ass Detective DD Warren. If you are a fan of her series, you will love the Ryan DeMarco series. Also, there is Gardner's Flora Dane (and Silvis Dani Flores). Lots of connections.
OK, back to the novel. Randall Silvis dropped a bomb; I was not expecting it. I was dying. I could not believe what direction this novel would then take. However, no worries, the story had a perfect ending; however, at the time, I could not see how. No way to stop reading. Full throttle ahead.
There is a double murder. Someone is hiding what occurred years ago and will stop at nothing to silence anyone they can. The question is who hired the killer, and how will they find him? Lots of clever investigating.
When powerful men try to hide their past, can they be stopped? Evil lurks around every corner.
"Perhaps the deepest reason why we are afraid of death is because we do not know who we are."
Nerve-racking, emotional, gripping, and unputdownable! There were a few tears shed as well. Have some Kleenex ready.
"Good and evil, he thought. Positive and negative. The eternal struggle. Yet all of it good somehow. All of it positive. It was a difficult concept to grasp."
I loved the title! WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS has much meaning and metaphors—if you have read previous books. (Hutson's first novel taken from a line in Faulkner's Light in August).
"Turn every loss into an even fiercer resolve."
Not only does the author know how to write exceptional gripping crime thrillers like a rock star, but Silvis also blends poetic lyrical prose with deep characterizations as he explores the depths of humanity from darkness to light, showcasing the inner souls and hearts.
A time of reflection: Furthermore, Ryan uses the experience of walking through the darkness to see the light and the bigger picture about life and God. He is helping others as they go through the dark valleys when otherwise they would be unreachable.
Ryan has grown so much as a man since the first book. Thank you, for allowing readers to be a part of this memorable journey.
The author introduces each of the six sections of the novel with quotes from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, both thought-provoking and evocative. Infused with the emotional storylines and enhanced the overall reading experience immensely. I enjoyed them so much I purchased the book. Plus always love the Van Morrison references.
Also, the poem The Path for Dani by Ryan was breathtaking! In addition, I always enjoy Silvis' Huston's book excerpts. Also, the poetry and reflections by Ryan to Jayme- priceless.
Nice to catch up with Ben Brinker, Vee, Bowen and wife, Boyd and Flores, and more stories from Thomas Hutson. We even got to visit Incident on Ten-Right Road.
The author wraps up the finale with some great news, love, healing, and memorable moments with friends. I will miss these characters and the series. Who knows, maybe we will see them again in the future. I would like that.
Reader friends, if you have not read Randall Silvis's books, you are missing out! Each book is unique, thought-provoking, and he masterfully crosses many genres with ease and precision.
I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next! I will be anxiously awaiting the next masterpiece.
A special thank you to Poisoned Pen/Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.
#JDCMustReadBooks
Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series:
View Links to all reviews, top books each year, and interview on my Blog Post
Two Days Gone (Book 1) | Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones (Book 2) | Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down (Book 3) | Top Books of 2019 Q&A Interview
No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4) | Top Books of 2020
When All Light Fails (Book 5) | Top Books of 2021
"Literary suspense fiction at its finest. What an epic way to end the spectacular Ryan DeMarco series. I LOVED THIS BOOK! My jaw dropped numerous times…full of suspense and twists. Your heart will break at the tragedy, but I loved the way it ended and found myself not wanting it to end. 5-stars +++ and one of the Top Books of 2021. Luminous and beautifully written. Utterly unputdownable!"
Acclaimed Author Randall Silvis returns following the intense, gripping Ryan DeMarco #4 cliffhanger (2020-No Woods So Dark as These), a triple homicide —with the emotionally explosive and satisfying finale (Ryan DeMarco #5) WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS.
A devoted Silvis fan, no author successfully combines literary fiction + crime suspense = highly entertaining literary thriller.
The action-packed book starts with Ryan DeMarco experiencing a "Near Death Experience." This life-changing moment will alter him in many ways. The author skillfully crafts this experience and feelings of fondness, love, remorse, melancholy, and longing. He comes away from the experience, a different man.
Not only is Ryan concerned with the guilt of Trooper Flores, who risked her life and is now injured physically, helping to save him from the Khatri disaster, but he winds up helping her in many ways mentally due to this NDE.
Ryan and Jayme (his partner in crime) and love interest attempt to move past their losses with their adorable side-kick dog, Hero.
While Ryan is recuperating and Jayme is still trying to get over her miscarriage and almost losing Ryan, they swear they will not take on another case right now. What is next for them?
Jayme knows Ryan is different, even the little daily things. Ryan loves this second chance he was given. He is different. He now seems to be more patient and tender and even an enigmatic smile.
However, a highly emotional case falls in their lap, which involves a child, and Jayme cannot say no. Judge Morrison comes to Ryan and Jayme with a request. He is now an older man in his early seventies.
The judge received a letter from a little girl Emma. She is nine years old, and her mom, Jennifer, is dying. She gives the address, phone, and wants to know if he may be her dad. However, what are their motives?
He wants to hire them to spy on mother and daughter. You see, there was a little night years ago with the judge and his buddies on a fishing trip, at a bar, she was working, and you can put two and two together and now a daughter.
However, the judge says the other two men wish to remain anonymous since they are married. The judge's wife has died, and the other man is deceased. They are not sure which one is the father. (or do they know)?
They agree to take on the case. However, Jayme and Ryan begin watching the little girl and realize they are working for the wrong side. They decide they cannot work for the judge but will work for the girl pro bono.
Of course, Jayme falls hard for Emma, and she breaks her heart. They are poor and living in a small trailer. The grandmother is a drunk and mean. The little girl just wants a mother and father. Jayme has this void to fill after her recent miscarriage.
When the mom dies, she is left with the grandmother. Jayme stays in touch with her and invites her for a visit. All arrangements have been made, and then the unbelievable happens. This, my friend, was a total shocker! The unexpected.
I had decided how the book would end, similar to Lisa Gardner's When You See Me (if you have read, you know how it ends, and we fans are still waiting for the follow-up) with this motherless deaf girl.
In fact, Randall Silvis' Jayme reminds me a bit of Gardner's kick-ass Detective DD Warren. If you are a fan of her series, you will love the Ryan DeMarco series. Also, there is Gardner's Flora Dane (and Silvis Dani Flores). Lots of connections.
OK, back to the novel. Randall Silvis dropped a bomb; I was not expecting it. I was dying. I could not believe what direction this novel would then take. However, no worries, the story had a perfect ending; however, at the time, I could not see how. No way to stop reading. Full throttle ahead.
There is a double murder. Someone is hiding what occurred years ago and will stop at nothing to silence anyone they can. The question is who hired the killer, and how will they find him? Lots of clever investigating.
When powerful men try to hide their past, can they be stopped? Evil lurks around every corner.
"Perhaps the deepest reason why we are afraid of death is because we do not know who we are."
Nerve-racking, emotional, gripping, and unputdownable! There were a few tears shed as well. Have some Kleenex ready.
"Good and evil, he thought. Positive and negative. The eternal struggle. Yet all of it good somehow. All of it positive. It was a difficult concept to grasp."
I loved the title! WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS has much meaning and metaphors—if you have read previous books. (Hutson's first novel taken from a line in Faulkner's Light in August).
"Turn every loss into an even fiercer resolve."
Not only does the author know how to write exceptional gripping crime thrillers like a rock star, but Silvis also blends poetic lyrical prose with deep characterizations as he explores the depths of humanity from darkness to light, showcasing the inner souls and hearts.
A time of reflection: Furthermore, Ryan uses the experience of walking through the darkness to see the light and the bigger picture about life and God. He is helping others as they go through the dark valleys when otherwise they would be unreachable.
Ryan has grown so much as a man since the first book. Thank you, for allowing readers to be a part of this memorable journey.
The author introduces each of the six sections of the novel with quotes from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, both thought-provoking and evocative. Infused with the emotional storylines and enhanced the overall reading experience immensely. I enjoyed them so much I purchased the book. Plus always love the Van Morrison references.
Also, the poem The Path for Dani by Ryan was breathtaking! In addition, I always enjoy Silvis' Huston's book excerpts. Also, the poetry and reflections by Ryan to Jayme- priceless.
Nice to catch up with Ben Brinker, Vee, Bowen and wife, Boyd and Flores, and more stories from Thomas Hutson. We even got to visit Incident on Ten-Right Road.
The author wraps up the finale with some great news, love, healing, and memorable moments with friends. I will miss these characters and the series. Who knows, maybe we will see them again in the future. I would like that.
Reader friends, if you have not read Randall Silvis's books, you are missing out! Each book is unique, thought-provoking, and he masterfully crosses many genres with ease and precision.
I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next! I will be anxiously awaiting the next masterpiece.
A special thank you to Poisoned Pen/Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.
#JDCMustReadBooks
Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series:
View Links to all reviews, top books each year, and interview on my Blog Post
Two Days Gone (Book 1) | Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones (Book 2) | Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down (Book 3) | Top Books of 2019 Q&A Interview
No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4) | Top Books of 2020
When All Light Fails (Book 5) | Top Books of 2021
September 13, 2021
Silvis’ “When All Light Fails” is the fifth novel in the Ryan DeMarco series. The book opens with a nod to a villain from earlier books, Khatri. Nevertheless, it’s not necessary to start this series earlier. The Khatri episode merely offers background and depth to the story and, oh yes, offers DeMarco his opportunity for a near death experience (NDE) and a chance to offer philosophical perspective on the meaning if life.
The real meat of the story takes place when DeMarco and his girlfriend Jayme are offered employment by an powerful figure who asks them to procure a DNA sample from a ten year old whose paternity is at issue now. The question, in fact, relates back to a wild weekend on a men’s fishing trip with a cocktail waitress who apparently never pursued the issue before, but the daddy could be one of four men apparently. The child is now seeking the truth with her mother dying, but the men involved want to remain anonymous, particularly if the DNA exonerates them. It’s a strange assignment fir an ex state trooper.
DeMarco and Jayme go up to Michigan and befriend the young girl and that’s about when all hell breaks loose.
Although this is not necessarily an action packed story, it is quite absorbing as DeMarco tries to figure out the right way to handle things.
The real meat of the story takes place when DeMarco and his girlfriend Jayme are offered employment by an powerful figure who asks them to procure a DNA sample from a ten year old whose paternity is at issue now. The question, in fact, relates back to a wild weekend on a men’s fishing trip with a cocktail waitress who apparently never pursued the issue before, but the daddy could be one of four men apparently. The child is now seeking the truth with her mother dying, but the men involved want to remain anonymous, particularly if the DNA exonerates them. It’s a strange assignment fir an ex state trooper.
DeMarco and Jayme go up to Michigan and befriend the young girl and that’s about when all hell breaks loose.
Although this is not necessarily an action packed story, it is quite absorbing as DeMarco tries to figure out the right way to handle things.
August 10, 2021
I can't recall a series falling farther than this one has. I was disappointed by the last entry but this one is just bad. The character of Jayme has become a total insufferable bore, with her holier-than-thou, self-righteous attitude and constant need to bring the entire story to a screeching halt. In turn, she's caused DeMarco to lose every ounce of the attitude he once had and made him into a complete wuss, with his annoying musings on his near-death experience and ramblings about life. Silvis took what was once a great series and completely destroyed it. As in the last book, there is barely any actual plot to this one, just some warmed-over paternity issue that turns into murder of which we really don't care in the end. I found myself skimming the last thirty or so pages I was so bored. Hard to believe the first few books could be so good and then we'd end up with this mess. Oh well. Time to move on.
January 19, 2026
A prominent judge, a question of paternity. How did this all lead to such a mystery?
This is a series, which I didn't realize when I first grabbed this one - but, as with stories like this, it stands well on its own. It would be great to read 1 - 4 in the series first, to get more backstory on the reoccurring characters, but not necessary because this mystery is all condensed into one story.
I did like the mystery. It's a bit of a slow burn and the suspense definitely sumbled a few times as it got bogged down at times in character musings. But it was entertaining, definitely the reason I picked it up, and I liked our main character. It's was a good, long read. I liked it!
I'd like to give a huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC by via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This is a series, which I didn't realize when I first grabbed this one - but, as with stories like this, it stands well on its own. It would be great to read 1 - 4 in the series first, to get more backstory on the reoccurring characters, but not necessary because this mystery is all condensed into one story.
I did like the mystery. It's a bit of a slow burn and the suspense definitely sumbled a few times as it got bogged down at times in character musings. But it was entertaining, definitely the reason I picked it up, and I liked our main character. It's was a good, long read. I liked it!
I'd like to give a huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC by via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 14, 2021
Complicated case involving DNA and paternity
“When All Light Fails” is book five in the “Ryan DeMarco Mystery” series. I had not read previous books, and past events are mentioned in the current narrative. I was able to follow along with minimal difficulty, but I am sure regular readers will easily plunge into the story. Ryan DeMarco, retired from the police department, now does private investigations. This time a young girl becomes embroiled in a search for DNA proof of paternity.
“When All Light Fails” is a character-driven story; they have depth and purpose, and readers get to know them well. The plot evolves slowly and methodically, but this seemingly easy case becomes complicated, sensitive, and emotional. Secrets from the past emerge that have implications in the present, and there are powerful people who want the past buried forever. The narrative smoothly transitions from one chapter to the next, and the suspense heightens right to the end.
“When All Light Fails” is not exactly action-packed, but there is plenty of drama as well as some romance. I received a review copy of “When All Light Fails” from Randall Silvis and Poisoned Pen Press. This is the first book I have read in this series. I enjoyed the characters, and I am sure I would have liked them better if I had read the previous books; now I have the four previous books added to my reading list.
“When All Light Fails” is book five in the “Ryan DeMarco Mystery” series. I had not read previous books, and past events are mentioned in the current narrative. I was able to follow along with minimal difficulty, but I am sure regular readers will easily plunge into the story. Ryan DeMarco, retired from the police department, now does private investigations. This time a young girl becomes embroiled in a search for DNA proof of paternity.
“When All Light Fails” is a character-driven story; they have depth and purpose, and readers get to know them well. The plot evolves slowly and methodically, but this seemingly easy case becomes complicated, sensitive, and emotional. Secrets from the past emerge that have implications in the present, and there are powerful people who want the past buried forever. The narrative smoothly transitions from one chapter to the next, and the suspense heightens right to the end.
“When All Light Fails” is not exactly action-packed, but there is plenty of drama as well as some romance. I received a review copy of “When All Light Fails” from Randall Silvis and Poisoned Pen Press. This is the first book I have read in this series. I enjoyed the characters, and I am sure I would have liked them better if I had read the previous books; now I have the four previous books added to my reading list.
June 7, 2021
“Every step you take is a soap bubble. Love and laugh with both the shimmer and the pop.”*
DeMarco and his partner Jayme agree to help a prominent man confirm the paternity of the daughter of a woman he and several of his friends were involved with nearly a decade ago. The woman claims to be dying and seeks to secure a future for her child. Secrets and lies come to light and the investigation takes a tragic turn. Nevertheless, DeMarco and his team are committed to finding the truth and delivering justice.
The previous installment, NO WOODS SO DARK AS THESE, ended on a cliffhanger, but this book starts with a segment from the that book which insures readers are quickly brought up to speed and reminds series devotees of the previous events. As WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS is the final installment, this is a great time for new readers to binge the complete series.
Silvis creates such amazing characters. In this installment, a number of beloved characters provide their perspectives as narrators, which adds even more richness to a well-developed story world. I’d love to see a spin off, simply because my love for the world and characters is so strong.
The final installment of this stellar series provides the reader with so much to unpack, not only due to the intensity of the plot, but the novel digs deep into philosophy and theology through DeMarco’s epiphanies from his near-death experience and includes meta fiction elements through a great section that considers what it means to create characters and worlds through the act of writing. This recall to Thomas Huston’s writing process and body of work along with DeMarco’s curation of Huston’s posthumous collection and the importance of their friendship nicely bring the book and the series full circle to the series starter, which focused on Huston.
Silvis marries literary writing with a compelling mystery plot to create nothing short of magic.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks, for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
DeMarco and his partner Jayme agree to help a prominent man confirm the paternity of the daughter of a woman he and several of his friends were involved with nearly a decade ago. The woman claims to be dying and seeks to secure a future for her child. Secrets and lies come to light and the investigation takes a tragic turn. Nevertheless, DeMarco and his team are committed to finding the truth and delivering justice.
The previous installment, NO WOODS SO DARK AS THESE, ended on a cliffhanger, but this book starts with a segment from the that book which insures readers are quickly brought up to speed and reminds series devotees of the previous events. As WHEN ALL LIGHT FAILS is the final installment, this is a great time for new readers to binge the complete series.
Silvis creates such amazing characters. In this installment, a number of beloved characters provide their perspectives as narrators, which adds even more richness to a well-developed story world. I’d love to see a spin off, simply because my love for the world and characters is so strong.
The final installment of this stellar series provides the reader with so much to unpack, not only due to the intensity of the plot, but the novel digs deep into philosophy and theology through DeMarco’s epiphanies from his near-death experience and includes meta fiction elements through a great section that considers what it means to create characters and worlds through the act of writing. This recall to Thomas Huston’s writing process and body of work along with DeMarco’s curation of Huston’s posthumous collection and the importance of their friendship nicely bring the book and the series full circle to the series starter, which focused on Huston.
Silvis marries literary writing with a compelling mystery plot to create nothing short of magic.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks, for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
July 16, 2021
When All The Light Fails, is actually a part of a series. Had I had known this I would have read the books previous just to be able to have a better understanding and see the development of the characters. However, this book can easily be read as a standalone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I am in complete awe of Randall Silvis, this author has a very fluid writing style that allows the chapters to easily flow into one another. The cover was also beautifully done!
If you enjoy non stop action, suspense and even a bit of romance, this is a book for you!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I am in complete awe of Randall Silvis, this author has a very fluid writing style that allows the chapters to easily flow into one another. The cover was also beautifully done!
If you enjoy non stop action, suspense and even a bit of romance, this is a book for you!
July 27, 2021
Quick Synopsis:
Retired police sergeant Ryan DeMarco investigates a case about a nine year-old who claims a prominent judge to be her biological father. It is suppose to be a straight-forward paternity investigation but soon things take a turn for the worse when someone is trying to cover up the truth.
My thoughts: I did not realize that this was the fifth book of Ryan DeMarco series. I think it works fine as a standalone but as far as characters go, I would suggest reading this series right from the beginning. Although there was a brief mention of their backstories, I think it was not enough for me to connect with them.
I really liked the plot. It was good and the beginning of the book was like setting the stage for the rest of the story. It was well done as it was suspenseful but unfortunately it took quite a while to get to the main plot.
While I do enjoy long books, I personally think this book could easily be shortened. I think it was more of a character driven story since the action part was sporadic and a bit slow. This is my opinion and personal preference. I may end up enjoying this book more if I were to read from the first book.
There are parts of the story I liked more than the rest especially when it comes to the investigation part which I really enjoyed!
Overall, I think the plot is good, but I wish there are more investigation/police procedural elements. But if you're looking for a character driven crime fiction, this may be the book for you.
Pub. Date: Aug 3rd, 2021
***Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted ARC copy to read and review.***
My thoughts: I did not realize that this was the fifth book of Ryan DeMarco series. I think it works fine as a standalone but as far as characters go, I would suggest reading this series right from the beginning. Although there was a brief mention of their backstories, I think it was not enough for me to connect with them.
I really liked the plot. It was good and the beginning of the book was like setting the stage for the rest of the story. It was well done as it was suspenseful but unfortunately it took quite a while to get to the main plot.
While I do enjoy long books, I personally think this book could easily be shortened. I think it was more of a character driven story since the action part was sporadic and a bit slow. This is my opinion and personal preference. I may end up enjoying this book more if I were to read from the first book.
There are parts of the story I liked more than the rest especially when it comes to the investigation part which I really enjoyed!
Overall, I think the plot is good, but I wish there are more investigation/police procedural elements. But if you're looking for a character driven crime fiction, this may be the book for you.
Pub. Date: Aug 3rd, 2021
***Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted ARC copy to read and review.***
August 3, 2021
Menacing, compelling, and sly!
When All Light Fails is a sinister, engaging police procedural that takes you back to Pennsylvania, where after recovering from an almost fatal altercation with a former adversary PI Ryan DeMarco and his partner, Jayme Matson, find themselves immersed in an investigation that seems at the start to be a simple case of confirming the paternity of a little girl but which quickly escalates into a tragic, multiple murder in at least two jurisdictions.
The writing is crafty and intense. The characters are ruthless, determined, and impulsive. And the plot is a suspenseful tale full of twists, turns, manipulation, desperation, duplicity, corruption, intrigue, self-reflection, violence, and murder.
Overall, When All Light Fails is a shrewd, pacey, action-packed fifth novel in the Ryan DeMarco series by Silvis, and even though it can be easily enjoyed as a standalone story, I highly recommend reading the first four novels in the series to truly appreciate the continuity of the storyline and the depth in characterization.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When All Light Fails is a sinister, engaging police procedural that takes you back to Pennsylvania, where after recovering from an almost fatal altercation with a former adversary PI Ryan DeMarco and his partner, Jayme Matson, find themselves immersed in an investigation that seems at the start to be a simple case of confirming the paternity of a little girl but which quickly escalates into a tragic, multiple murder in at least two jurisdictions.
The writing is crafty and intense. The characters are ruthless, determined, and impulsive. And the plot is a suspenseful tale full of twists, turns, manipulation, desperation, duplicity, corruption, intrigue, self-reflection, violence, and murder.
Overall, When All Light Fails is a shrewd, pacey, action-packed fifth novel in the Ryan DeMarco series by Silvis, and even though it can be easily enjoyed as a standalone story, I highly recommend reading the first four novels in the series to truly appreciate the continuity of the storyline and the depth in characterization.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2022
The cliffhanger ending from#4 in the series opens up this book giving me the answers I craved at the end of the last book. There are closures and consequences. Once again, Silvis continues to layer an already complex, compelling CH in Ryan Demarco. In this book he also highlights Jayme and her heartbreak over her miscarriage and fear for DeMarco, and the supporting cast of state troopers and police personnel especially Boyd and the very complicated sulky Flores. Silvis leaves the CHs all in a place at the end of this book (and probably series) that is satisfactory for me--a longtime fan--while leaving the door open for further appearances. The author does a really good job in rendering relationships that are relatable. This is a longer book than it needs to be, steeped in existential musings that were sometimes enlightening, sometimes entertaining, but that became somewhat repetitive. I enjoyed most of the writing with allusions to a variety of classic, contemporary, and popular pop culture and authors but wish the prose was just a little tighter. Dialogue is crisp and contributes to Pace. Some of the musings were needed for a satisfactory conclusion and to show the reader why Ryan and Jayme are where they are at the end of this story. The crime at the heart of this narrative was heart-breaking, intriguing, and the outcome gave me some realistic justice. Silvis's philosophic take on good and evil resonates. Place is important to both the Tone and detail of the story telling, enhancing the Plot points and CHs alike. RED FLAG: Harm to a child. This series will appeal to anyone who appreciates a well-described CH driven police procedural and the weaving of Setting and Tone like authors Tana French and Matt Goldman.
May 2, 2021
[I received a digital arc on NetGalley for an honest review]
I am beyond grateful that the publisher granted my wish to read an arc of When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis. The Ryan DeMarco Mystery series is one of my absolute favorites and this fifth book did not disappoint.
When All Light Fails picks up right at the climactic ending of the last book in the series. After a high tension /emotional beginning the story slows its pace. Ryan DeMarco isn't the angry grief filled man he was in previous books. He's different after his Near Death Experience, he is more at peace and easy going. Yet even his positive outlook is tested throughout the book as he struggles with the case involving a 9-year-old girl that he and Jayme both bond with.
"Evil exists, boy," he told patient Hero, "and it will always exist in abundance, if only to give the good an opportunity to shine." He scratched Hero's skull. "Truth #4."
Randall Silvis' writing is as beautiful and seamless as usual. He just has a magical way with words that brings everything he writes to life with perfect clarity. The characters and plot are strong and the crime mystery unfolds at the perfect pace.
I have grown quite attached to Ryan and Jayme, both such passionate and complex characters. Much of the novel focuses on Ryan's life altering near death experience. It has changed him greatly, and he spends a lot of time pondering the meaning of it all. The positive Ryan is a bit of a mystery to Jayme but even though that seems to have created a space between them, he is still supportive and loving with her. His love for her is just so big it makes me emotional thinking of it.
"her smile was a sunrise, an invitation to hope. She began and ended every day for him, even when they were apart."
Overall, When All Light Fails is very satisfying. Ryan and Jayme have spent the series struggling and always fighting battles, physical and mental, and now they can finally have a breather. It was a peaceful ending and one I feel our main characters earned.
I am beyond grateful that the publisher granted my wish to read an arc of When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis. The Ryan DeMarco Mystery series is one of my absolute favorites and this fifth book did not disappoint.
When All Light Fails picks up right at the climactic ending of the last book in the series. After a high tension /emotional beginning the story slows its pace. Ryan DeMarco isn't the angry grief filled man he was in previous books. He's different after his Near Death Experience, he is more at peace and easy going. Yet even his positive outlook is tested throughout the book as he struggles with the case involving a 9-year-old girl that he and Jayme both bond with.
"Evil exists, boy," he told patient Hero, "and it will always exist in abundance, if only to give the good an opportunity to shine." He scratched Hero's skull. "Truth #4."
Randall Silvis' writing is as beautiful and seamless as usual. He just has a magical way with words that brings everything he writes to life with perfect clarity. The characters and plot are strong and the crime mystery unfolds at the perfect pace.
I have grown quite attached to Ryan and Jayme, both such passionate and complex characters. Much of the novel focuses on Ryan's life altering near death experience. It has changed him greatly, and he spends a lot of time pondering the meaning of it all. The positive Ryan is a bit of a mystery to Jayme but even though that seems to have created a space between them, he is still supportive and loving with her. His love for her is just so big it makes me emotional thinking of it.
"her smile was a sunrise, an invitation to hope. She began and ended every day for him, even when they were apart."
Overall, When All Light Fails is very satisfying. Ryan and Jayme have spent the series struggling and always fighting battles, physical and mental, and now they can finally have a breather. It was a peaceful ending and one I feel our main characters earned.
May 15, 2021
This is my first Randall Silvis novel and is the fifth in the Ryan DeMarco mystery series. It starts with a showdown with what i presume is a character from a previous book and a near death experience for Ryan. The main plot then continues after his recovery when with his partner Jayne, they are hired for what seems a simple paternity case. Unfortunately it turns into a murder investigation and quickly becomes complicated. It is an extremely well written book that deals with DeMarco’s near death experience as a theme throughout. I really enjoyed reading this one and am now going to read the rest of the series!
December 21, 2021
Silvia writes beautifully, and I started out loving this series and the characters; but this book fell flat for me.
October 7, 2024
I've spent the last 10 days with an old friend. I love Silvis's Ryan Demarco series. If you have read any Harry Bosch Novels by Michael Connely, Silvis's Ryan Demarco is similar. When All Light Fails is number 5 in the series and just as good as the first. I will return friend; I will return.
April 23, 2021
Through Net Galley, I was afforded the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis. This is the fifth entry in this consistently entertaining series featuring Ryan DeMarco, former PA State Trooper turned private investigator.
While the mystery is up to the high standards set by earlier DeMarco books, this mystery is secondary to the author’s writings on mortality/mysticism following a the main character’s near death experience. I would advise anyone reading When All Light Fails to read the first four books in the series prior to starting this one, the reader needs to understand/appreciate protagonist’s backstory in order to fully get what is going on in this book.
I’m going to give this one 4 Stars. I still love the characters but The book slows a bit when focusing on DeMarco’s search for meaning after his new par death experience. Still an enjoyable read but perhaps not at 5e same level as the first 4 entries in the series.
My thanks to Net Galley, Poisoned Pen Press and Mr. Silvis for the advance copy.
While the mystery is up to the high standards set by earlier DeMarco books, this mystery is secondary to the author’s writings on mortality/mysticism following a the main character’s near death experience. I would advise anyone reading When All Light Fails to read the first four books in the series prior to starting this one, the reader needs to understand/appreciate protagonist’s backstory in order to fully get what is going on in this book.
I’m going to give this one 4 Stars. I still love the characters but The book slows a bit when focusing on DeMarco’s search for meaning after his new par death experience. Still an enjoyable read but perhaps not at 5e same level as the first 4 entries in the series.
My thanks to Net Galley, Poisoned Pen Press and Mr. Silvis for the advance copy.
October 26, 2021
This was a very well written novel that really gave me an opportunity to feel the characters and really get to know them. The investigation part was particularly well done. I found myself turning the pages just wanting to read one more chapter. I have never previously read anything by Randall Silvis, but now that I have, I want to read more! I learned this is the 5th book in the series, and now I want to go back and read the others.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free early copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free early copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
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February 6, 2022I was drawn in by the cover and synopsis for this one, even though the Ryan DeMarco Mystery series is completely new to me. This is book five and it was an enjoyable read overall. I did feel like I was missing some parts of the backstory though and some connections shared between the characters, perhaps from the earlier books, so I would suggest approaching this series from the beginning. I intend to go back to book one to get better acquainted with DeMarco's character, as well as a few others.
The story flowed pretty well throughout and held my attention, with the exception of a few parts that were a bit slower paced for my liking. The end picked up and I really liked where it left off. The chapters were short too, so it was easy to pick up and read a few chapters whenever I had a moment.
I may give this a reread after getting through the first four in the series. It may take this from an average mystery, to something more for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story flowed pretty well throughout and held my attention, with the exception of a few parts that were a bit slower paced for my liking. The end picked up and I really liked where it left off. The chapters were short too, so it was easy to pick up and read a few chapters whenever I had a moment.
I may give this a reread after getting through the first four in the series. It may take this from an average mystery, to something more for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 9, 2021
First, a huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! I thought the cover and the title seemed interesting - however...I did not realize that it is part of a series. I know if I had read the other books, I would know these characters more, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's got everything from heart stopping action and suspense to a bit of romance and drama. This is pretty good as a stand alone novel, but if you want to fully understand the characters and their back stories and such, I would suggest reading the other books too, along with this one. I'm curious enough myself to check out the others now!
August 2, 2021
Thank you to the author, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did not realize this was the fifth in a series, and found it a bit wobbly on the standalone front. There were (too) many references to past events that obviously influenced the present day, which I found made it difficult to really get into the flow of the story. While the case and the characters were very well-written, and the investigation made for gripping reading, the story dragged quite a bit. There was a bit too much philosophical and quasi-religious musing for my taste, but that may just be me.
I did not realize this was the fifth in a series, and found it a bit wobbly on the standalone front. There were (too) many references to past events that obviously influenced the present day, which I found made it difficult to really get into the flow of the story. While the case and the characters were very well-written, and the investigation made for gripping reading, the story dragged quite a bit. There was a bit too much philosophical and quasi-religious musing for my taste, but that may just be me.
March 24, 2021
So so beautifully written. Makes you question your belief on life and death it’s so rich on emotion and complex in thought. I. Cannot put in words how much I loved this book ... the writing was so deep and hopeful but so real and hurting. The characters came alive in the pages. Every chapter was a masterpiece on its own. I will cherish every word.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
August 13, 2021
I suppose I should begin this review with full transparency. I've known Randy for almost 40 years. He was my 9th grade writing teacher at Knoch High School in Saxonburg, PA. And I starred in the world premieres of two of his plays: "The Riddle of the Sphinx" at the Butler, PA Little Theatre and "Driven to Acts of Kindness" at Clarion University (also in Western PA). Therefore, I hardly can be considered an objective reviewer.
Having said that, I objectively believe Randy is a brilliant writer. Unfortunately, he has never gained the notoriety he deserves because his writing falls between two genres - something he confesses to in the author interview that appears at the end of the first installment in the Ryan DeMarco series ("Two Days Gone"). Basically, his books are too intricate and plot driven for "literature." But they're also too literary for the "mystery" genre.
The good news for Randy and his fans, myself included, is that he's finally getting the recognition he deserves thanks to this series. Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper with more demons than Hades. At the beginning of the first novel, he had not faced them for years. By its end, a new DeMarco was starting to develop. That development continued in the second, third, and fourth novels in the series, as his relationship with fellow former Trooper Jayme Matson intensified.
The fourth novel in the series was different than the first three in that it read more like a traditional mystery novel and less like literary fiction (especially in the beginning). And this fifth - and final - novel in the series is even more unique. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily a good thing.
I never go into plot details in these reviews to avoid spoilers. However, I will tell you that this book begins where the last one ended, closing the loop on that entry's cliffhanger. I'll also tell you that DeMarco's is a very different character after that cliffhanger, and therein lies my biggest disappointment in this concluding novel to the series. He's developed SO much over the past two novels that he's just not as interesting of a character as he was in the first three installments.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it and the entire series. But if I'm honest with myself and you, it's my least favorite in the series - eclipsing the fourth entry for that distinction. Consequently, I'm not as disappointed by the ending of this series as I thought I would be.
But I will continue to read Randy's novels, whatever the genre and plot. So, goodbye Ryan and Jayme...I can't wait to meet some new characters.
Having said that, I objectively believe Randy is a brilliant writer. Unfortunately, he has never gained the notoriety he deserves because his writing falls between two genres - something he confesses to in the author interview that appears at the end of the first installment in the Ryan DeMarco series ("Two Days Gone"). Basically, his books are too intricate and plot driven for "literature." But they're also too literary for the "mystery" genre.
The good news for Randy and his fans, myself included, is that he's finally getting the recognition he deserves thanks to this series. Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper with more demons than Hades. At the beginning of the first novel, he had not faced them for years. By its end, a new DeMarco was starting to develop. That development continued in the second, third, and fourth novels in the series, as his relationship with fellow former Trooper Jayme Matson intensified.
The fourth novel in the series was different than the first three in that it read more like a traditional mystery novel and less like literary fiction (especially in the beginning). And this fifth - and final - novel in the series is even more unique. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily a good thing.
I never go into plot details in these reviews to avoid spoilers. However, I will tell you that this book begins where the last one ended, closing the loop on that entry's cliffhanger. I'll also tell you that DeMarco's is a very different character after that cliffhanger, and therein lies my biggest disappointment in this concluding novel to the series. He's developed SO much over the past two novels that he's just not as interesting of a character as he was in the first three installments.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it and the entire series. But if I'm honest with myself and you, it's my least favorite in the series - eclipsing the fourth entry for that distinction. Consequently, I'm not as disappointed by the ending of this series as I thought I would be.
But I will continue to read Randy's novels, whatever the genre and plot. So, goodbye Ryan and Jayme...I can't wait to meet some new characters.
August 31, 2025
Well, I can't say I didn't warn myself. I LIKE the Ryan DeMarco mysteries. I LIKE the character of Ryan DeMarco, and his girlfriend/crime solving partner, Jayme. I think the mysteries are complex and puzzling, and I like the equal contributions each character makes to the ultimate resolution.
I DON'T like the bottomless internal personal self-profiling that each character does. At the end of the fourth mystery, DeMarco is shot in the chest. While wounded and uncertainly conscious, he encounters a gentle looking stranger with a gentle looking smile who directs DeMarco to accompany him, as he has many dazzling things to show him. Readers can be forgiven if they take this to mean that DeMarco is dead. Spoiler: He isn't. He doesn't know it, but DeMarco is in a coma, and his mysterious companion leads him on a journey through self-discovery. As he emerges from unconsciousness, he grows more and more reluctant to leave his coma-induced realm, but awaken he must, and when he does, he's a different Ryan DeMarco.
Does it matter? How would a reader describe the pre-wounded DeMarco? He remains riddled with guilt over the death of his infant son. A distracted driver t-boned DeMarco's vehicle, and the baby perishes. It's not DeMarco's fault, but he cannot stop tormenting himself nor blaming himself for the loss. He deeply misses his deceased novelist friend, who dies way back in the first installment of the series. He knows that he loves Jayme, but he is not certain of whether he is worthy of her love in return. Moving ahead to the post-coma DeMarco, he has become a 21st century flower child. There's beauty everywhere he looks, anything Jayme wants is okay with him, and he even finds comfort in believing that his companion during his coma may even be the aged version of his late son. Now, I cannot lay any claim whatsoever to knowledge of what it's like to nearly die at the hands of someone with a gun...but it's somehow a strain to believe the growly, gruff, pre-coma DeMarco with the Tiptoe Through the Tulips character he becomes.
Randal Silvis gives readers their money's worth. Each book requires readers to pack a lunch; it's going to be a long schlog (I don't use the term derisively; to me, any long book is a schlog). But Silvis devotes an increasing amount of pages to DeMarco's spiritual evolution. Strong characters are always a plus, but in a murder mystery, the characterization must be balanced with investigation action, and resolution. The mystery here is an absorbing one, but the characterization strains credulity, and I'm beginning to wonder if the DeMarco mysteries are worth the candle.
I DON'T like the bottomless internal personal self-profiling that each character does. At the end of the fourth mystery, DeMarco is shot in the chest. While wounded and uncertainly conscious, he encounters a gentle looking stranger with a gentle looking smile who directs DeMarco to accompany him, as he has many dazzling things to show him. Readers can be forgiven if they take this to mean that DeMarco is dead. Spoiler: He isn't. He doesn't know it, but DeMarco is in a coma, and his mysterious companion leads him on a journey through self-discovery. As he emerges from unconsciousness, he grows more and more reluctant to leave his coma-induced realm, but awaken he must, and when he does, he's a different Ryan DeMarco.
Does it matter? How would a reader describe the pre-wounded DeMarco? He remains riddled with guilt over the death of his infant son. A distracted driver t-boned DeMarco's vehicle, and the baby perishes. It's not DeMarco's fault, but he cannot stop tormenting himself nor blaming himself for the loss. He deeply misses his deceased novelist friend, who dies way back in the first installment of the series. He knows that he loves Jayme, but he is not certain of whether he is worthy of her love in return. Moving ahead to the post-coma DeMarco, he has become a 21st century flower child. There's beauty everywhere he looks, anything Jayme wants is okay with him, and he even finds comfort in believing that his companion during his coma may even be the aged version of his late son. Now, I cannot lay any claim whatsoever to knowledge of what it's like to nearly die at the hands of someone with a gun...but it's somehow a strain to believe the growly, gruff, pre-coma DeMarco with the Tiptoe Through the Tulips character he becomes.
Randal Silvis gives readers their money's worth. Each book requires readers to pack a lunch; it's going to be a long schlog (I don't use the term derisively; to me, any long book is a schlog). But Silvis devotes an increasing amount of pages to DeMarco's spiritual evolution. Strong characters are always a plus, but in a murder mystery, the characterization must be balanced with investigation action, and resolution. The mystery here is an absorbing one, but the characterization strains credulity, and I'm beginning to wonder if the DeMarco mysteries are worth the candle.
August 21, 2021
This was my first Randall Silvia book and the 5th in the Ryan DeMarco series. I wish I had read the other books first, especially the one right before as it ends on a cliffhanger and picks right back up at the start of this one. I feel without reading the previous book(s) that may skew my review as the events of this book, particularly in the beginning, were quite intense for me and I had yet to develop any sort of emotional connection to the characters.
*Spoilers* This crime fiction story is dark and moody. We start with DeMarco and a member of his team getting gravely injured. DeMarco refers to this as his NDE (near death experience) throughout the rest of the book and we get to see how deeply this affected DeMarco and his outlook on life. Flores, the other team member, is now permanently disabled and trying to figure out how she fits in in the world. We get both DeMarco and Flores’ perspectives and I appreciated the realistic mental health issues they both faced.
The case of this book begins with a judge asking DeMarco to find out the paternity of a nine year old girl. But when Jayme and DeMarco meet Emma in person they both feel it’s in everybody’s best interest for them to work for Emma and not the judge. When Emma’s mother passes away both are ready to step in to parenthood, but when both Emma and her grandmother are killed in a targeted carbon monoxide poisoning, the team will still at nothing to find out what happened.
Even though DeMarco no longer works for the Pennsylvania state police, I would still classify this as crime fiction. Silvis focuses on DeMarco and his character development just as much as the plot, at times even more so. If you’re looking for pure crime fiction without the emotional aspect this one is not for you. I felt throughout this whole book, and even had a bit of an emotional hangover after.
I will say this seemed more geared toward a masculine audience, but that could simply be from both a male author and main character.
This book was gritty and without the typical twists of a normal thriller. The plot developed slowly but strongly. I found this to be more slow-paced and there were times I felt it dragged on. Silvis didn’t shy away from the dark reality of life, but showed what everyone involved has to go through in the pursuit of justice.
*Spoilers* This crime fiction story is dark and moody. We start with DeMarco and a member of his team getting gravely injured. DeMarco refers to this as his NDE (near death experience) throughout the rest of the book and we get to see how deeply this affected DeMarco and his outlook on life. Flores, the other team member, is now permanently disabled and trying to figure out how she fits in in the world. We get both DeMarco and Flores’ perspectives and I appreciated the realistic mental health issues they both faced.
The case of this book begins with a judge asking DeMarco to find out the paternity of a nine year old girl. But when Jayme and DeMarco meet Emma in person they both feel it’s in everybody’s best interest for them to work for Emma and not the judge. When Emma’s mother passes away both are ready to step in to parenthood, but when both Emma and her grandmother are killed in a targeted carbon monoxide poisoning, the team will still at nothing to find out what happened.
Even though DeMarco no longer works for the Pennsylvania state police, I would still classify this as crime fiction. Silvis focuses on DeMarco and his character development just as much as the plot, at times even more so. If you’re looking for pure crime fiction without the emotional aspect this one is not for you. I felt throughout this whole book, and even had a bit of an emotional hangover after.
I will say this seemed more geared toward a masculine audience, but that could simply be from both a male author and main character.
This book was gritty and without the typical twists of a normal thriller. The plot developed slowly but strongly. I found this to be more slow-paced and there were times I felt it dragged on. Silvis didn’t shy away from the dark reality of life, but showed what everyone involved has to go through in the pursuit of justice.
July 28, 2021
When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis is a highly recommended mystery/procedural and the fifth book in the Ryan DeMarco series.
Starting off with a shocking, heart-stopping resolution of the narrative left hanging in the previous novel, No Woods So Dark as These (2020), in When All Light Fails Ryan and Jayme take on a new case, but to an even greater extent, Ryan contemplates the meaning of life after a near death experience and the two continue healing. The case starts out as a look into the truth behind the letters Emma, a nine-year-old girl in Michigan, sent to three prominent men. Emma says her mother is very ill and one of the men is supposed to be her father. District Court Judge Emeritus J.D. Morrison is one of the recipients and he asks Ryan and Jayme to investigate the paternity claim. They set off to Michigan and, once they look into Emma and the situation, they take themselves off the judge's payroll and take on the case pro bono to find an answer and justice for Emma. But powerful people like to keep their secrets.
Ryan and Jayme are both still healing, contemplative, and stunned from events that occur right at the start of the novel, as is state police officer Daniella ( Dani) Flores. Adding to the introspective mood of this whole plot is DeMarco's philosophical and pensive ruminations about the meaning of life and our role in it. Due to his experiences, he has a personality change in this novel. This plot allows Silvis the freedom to explore the age old question about the meaning of life and death through the character of DeMarco. While these musings do tend to go on a bit long, they do set the right tone for what may be the final DeMarco novel. As expected, the writing is very descriptive and can be almost poetic at times.
Naturally Ryan and Jayme are well developed characters across the five novels. Those who are reading this as a stand-alone novel may want to start earlier in the series, or at least read the previous novel, No Woods So Dark as These before starting When All Light Fails.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
Starting off with a shocking, heart-stopping resolution of the narrative left hanging in the previous novel, No Woods So Dark as These (2020), in When All Light Fails Ryan and Jayme take on a new case, but to an even greater extent, Ryan contemplates the meaning of life after a near death experience and the two continue healing. The case starts out as a look into the truth behind the letters Emma, a nine-year-old girl in Michigan, sent to three prominent men. Emma says her mother is very ill and one of the men is supposed to be her father. District Court Judge Emeritus J.D. Morrison is one of the recipients and he asks Ryan and Jayme to investigate the paternity claim. They set off to Michigan and, once they look into Emma and the situation, they take themselves off the judge's payroll and take on the case pro bono to find an answer and justice for Emma. But powerful people like to keep their secrets.
Ryan and Jayme are both still healing, contemplative, and stunned from events that occur right at the start of the novel, as is state police officer Daniella ( Dani) Flores. Adding to the introspective mood of this whole plot is DeMarco's philosophical and pensive ruminations about the meaning of life and our role in it. Due to his experiences, he has a personality change in this novel. This plot allows Silvis the freedom to explore the age old question about the meaning of life and death through the character of DeMarco. While these musings do tend to go on a bit long, they do set the right tone for what may be the final DeMarco novel. As expected, the writing is very descriptive and can be almost poetic at times.
Naturally Ryan and Jayme are well developed characters across the five novels. Those who are reading this as a stand-alone novel may want to start earlier in the series, or at least read the previous novel, No Woods So Dark as These before starting When All Light Fails.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
August 6, 2021
When All Light Fails by Randall Silvis is an interesting book: part mystery, part philosophy. Protagonist Ryan DeMarco had been ambushed and shot: it had all happened very fast...a man out of his past, a note, not much time. Fortunately his lady love had chosen moments later to come to the kitchen, see the note, called their former colleague at the police station, who called a patrol person who lived closer to the scene. There was DeMarco, lying on the pavement with a bullet in his chest and the patrol person, trapped in her care with a huge gash in her leg. But, the perp was dead. She had used her car to stop his. He paid even more than she had. After a few days, DeMarco woke up having experienced death. It's called a Near Death Experience. The NDE left him a changed man. He tried to explain what he had seen, where he had been, but there were no words. It was a moving experience for both DeMarco and the reader. A little esoteric at times. Good vocabulary. A really enjoyable book.
A judge he knew called upon her and Jayme with a case: he and some fishing buddies had gone off the reservation with a willing barmaid some years before, out of town. Now he was in receipt of a letter from her 9-year-old daughter, telling him he may be her father. He is embarrassed. Jayme is angry. They agree to take the case. They get to Michigan to find the girl's mother, Jennie, on her way to hospice and the little girl, Emma, in the care of a most unimpressive grandmother. Jayme falls in love. DeMarco and Jayme return to Pennsylvania. Jennie dies. Jayme calls Emma to lend support and invites her to come and visit them, all expenses paid, so the grandmother is amenable. When Emma doesn't show, DeMarco calls and discovers she and her grandmother had died in Jennie and Emma's trailer: carbon monoxide poisoning, common in trailer deaths. Jayne's heart is broken. They are forced to investigate. It is a good story. So much more to it. Loved it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of When All Light Fails by Netgalley All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #whenalllightfails
A judge he knew called upon her and Jayme with a case: he and some fishing buddies had gone off the reservation with a willing barmaid some years before, out of town. Now he was in receipt of a letter from her 9-year-old daughter, telling him he may be her father. He is embarrassed. Jayme is angry. They agree to take the case. They get to Michigan to find the girl's mother, Jennie, on her way to hospice and the little girl, Emma, in the care of a most unimpressive grandmother. Jayme falls in love. DeMarco and Jayme return to Pennsylvania. Jennie dies. Jayme calls Emma to lend support and invites her to come and visit them, all expenses paid, so the grandmother is amenable. When Emma doesn't show, DeMarco calls and discovers she and her grandmother had died in Jennie and Emma's trailer: carbon monoxide poisoning, common in trailer deaths. Jayne's heart is broken. They are forced to investigate. It is a good story. So much more to it. Loved it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of When All Light Fails by Netgalley All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #whenalllightfails
August 3, 2021
“When All Light Fails” by Randall Silvis, Poisoned Pen Press, 464 pages, Aug. 3, 2021.
Retired Pennsylvania state police sergeant Ryan DeMarco receives a threatening note, ordering him to a meeting at an old mill at Slippery Rock Creek. He thinks it is from Daksh Khatri, who stabbed Ryan’s fiancé, Jayme Matson. She then suffered a miscarriage.
He gets to the mill on time and sees Khatri, who has drawn him into an ambush. Trooper Daniella Flores is home and gets a call from Captain Kyle Bowen to rush to the mill. She is the closest to that location. Trooper Mace Boyd, Bowen, and Jayme are also speeding to get there, where they find that Ryan and Daniella have been injured.
Months later, Ryan and Jayme are home when Jayme gets a text from retired judge Jack Morrison. He asks them to take on a case. Morrison received a letter from Emma Barrie, 9, who thinks he may be her biological father. Her grandmother is taking care of her because her mother has a terminal illness.
Morrison and three friends were with Emma’s mother on a fishing trip in Michigan. Any of them could be Emma’s father. Ryan and Jayme agree to get a DNA sample from Emma. This triggers a tragedy.
This is the one of the best of the five-book series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I recommend that you read the books in order. The characters are well-developed and portrayed as very complex, humane, intelligent individuals. The plot is fast-moving, although with sad components.
Silvis, who is a native of Clarion County, Pa. has announced that this is the final novel in the Ryan DeMarco series.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Retired Pennsylvania state police sergeant Ryan DeMarco receives a threatening note, ordering him to a meeting at an old mill at Slippery Rock Creek. He thinks it is from Daksh Khatri, who stabbed Ryan’s fiancé, Jayme Matson. She then suffered a miscarriage.
He gets to the mill on time and sees Khatri, who has drawn him into an ambush. Trooper Daniella Flores is home and gets a call from Captain Kyle Bowen to rush to the mill. She is the closest to that location. Trooper Mace Boyd, Bowen, and Jayme are also speeding to get there, where they find that Ryan and Daniella have been injured.
Months later, Ryan and Jayme are home when Jayme gets a text from retired judge Jack Morrison. He asks them to take on a case. Morrison received a letter from Emma Barrie, 9, who thinks he may be her biological father. Her grandmother is taking care of her because her mother has a terminal illness.
Morrison and three friends were with Emma’s mother on a fishing trip in Michigan. Any of them could be Emma’s father. Ryan and Jayme agree to get a DNA sample from Emma. This triggers a tragedy.
This is the one of the best of the five-book series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I recommend that you read the books in order. The characters are well-developed and portrayed as very complex, humane, intelligent individuals. The plot is fast-moving, although with sad components.
Silvis, who is a native of Clarion County, Pa. has announced that this is the final novel in the Ryan DeMarco series.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
August 11, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, author Randall Silvis, and Poisoned Pen Press publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
This is the final installment within this amazingly thrilling series.
The premise of this novel captured my interest and I as a began to read the story, I was hooked from the very beginning! The story surrounds a private investigator, Ryan DeMarco, as he tries to solve a new case involving a 9-year-old girl searching for her birth father. As investigator DeMarco begins his investigation, the cases shifts from a seemingly simple case of finding a parent investigation into a more deadly mystery.
The author did a great job balancing out the mystery and the action throughout the story. I had not read any of the previous novels within this series. With that being said, I had no problems connecting to the characters and investing in the story. While this book seemed to be a little long, the writing and pacing made the story seemed fast-moving and held my interest until the very end. I was continually trying to guess where the investigation would lead as well as how it was going to be revealed and solved. I would recommend this book to those who like investigative mysteries. I am definitely going to read the other books in this series. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
4 stars
This is the final installment within this amazingly thrilling series.
The premise of this novel captured my interest and I as a began to read the story, I was hooked from the very beginning! The story surrounds a private investigator, Ryan DeMarco, as he tries to solve a new case involving a 9-year-old girl searching for her birth father. As investigator DeMarco begins his investigation, the cases shifts from a seemingly simple case of finding a parent investigation into a more deadly mystery.
The author did a great job balancing out the mystery and the action throughout the story. I had not read any of the previous novels within this series. With that being said, I had no problems connecting to the characters and investing in the story. While this book seemed to be a little long, the writing and pacing made the story seemed fast-moving and held my interest until the very end. I was continually trying to guess where the investigation would lead as well as how it was going to be revealed and solved. I would recommend this book to those who like investigative mysteries. I am definitely going to read the other books in this series. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
July 26, 2021
This is another Ryan DeMarco story and it feels like greeting an old friend and catching up on how you both are doing. That is, until about page 4 when he meets his arch nemesis who caused death to his unborn child. So fast we are plunged into this that it feels like it is too soon! We haven't really started the book and already he encounters him? Yes, without giving anything away, there is plenty more story here.
Due to his injuries after that meeting, he is contacted by a former judge to handle a discreet situation involving paternity. He and Jayme are off to Michigan without benefit of a badge or the resources the badge brings with it. The facts they have are not adding up so they leave to confront the judge. Of course it isn't that simple.
Along the way to learning the paternity, more bad guys are involved and more help is brought in, which is nice to see characters from the previous novels.
Good story, a little draggy at times, but I understand why. I just was not interested in the round about musings, but definitely interested in the outcome of the story. Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion. 3.5 stars
Due to his injuries after that meeting, he is contacted by a former judge to handle a discreet situation involving paternity. He and Jayme are off to Michigan without benefit of a badge or the resources the badge brings with it. The facts they have are not adding up so they leave to confront the judge. Of course it isn't that simple.
Along the way to learning the paternity, more bad guys are involved and more help is brought in, which is nice to see characters from the previous novels.
Good story, a little draggy at times, but I understand why. I just was not interested in the round about musings, but definitely interested in the outcome of the story. Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion. 3.5 stars
October 21, 2025
Silvis's prose flows with an alluring charm, and the pacing keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat, compelled to discover what vile creature lurks just out of sight. Yet, as I neared the conclusion, my enthusiasm waned. The protagonist, Ryan DeMarco, while somewhat interesting, didn’t spark any real excitement in me. I found it hard to connect with him—he felt like a light bulb that flickered but never quite illuminated the room. And then there’s Jayme, his partner, who came off as insufferably self-righteous, grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.
The plot held promise, a flicker of excitement that ultimately sputtered out in the final act, leaving me bewildered, scratching my head in confusion. Instead of an explosive climax, I was left with a sense of incompleteness, as if I’d been served a feast only to discover it was all just a well-crafted illusion. So here I am, with a twinge of disappointment, wondering what on earth I just read—trying to make sense of it all while chiding myself for getting lured into yet another tale of the enigmatic and the macabre. ╌★★★✰✰
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
The plot held promise, a flicker of excitement that ultimately sputtered out in the final act, leaving me bewildered, scratching my head in confusion. Instead of an explosive climax, I was left with a sense of incompleteness, as if I’d been served a feast only to discover it was all just a well-crafted illusion. So here I am, with a twinge of disappointment, wondering what on earth I just read—trying to make sense of it all while chiding myself for getting lured into yet another tale of the enigmatic and the macabre. ╌★★★✰✰
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
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