Title: Darkest Night
Author: Jenny O’Brien
Genre: Thriller, crime, mystery
Publisher: HQ Digital
Pages: 384 pages
Publication Date: 17th July 2020
My Rating: 4/5
DS Gaby Darin has a puzzle on her hands, a puzzle that defies explanation.
Christine de Bertrand certainly got more than she was expecting from the casual hook-up after a night celebrating the anniversary of her divorce. Arrested at the scene she has no explanation or alibi. She also has no one on her side apart from her ex-husband. She’s as confounded as everyone else as to the unexplained presence of the dead body in her bed – the dead body of a woman when she’s positive she went to bed with a man…
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, then this is the book for you.
I loved that this isn’t a typical murder mystery and the plot just seemed to get thicker and thicker and the story went on. The plot was well-paced and cleverly thought out to keep the mystery alive and the book exciting. Seeing all the pieces of the puzzle slowly slot together was so enjoyable and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. It’s written in multiple viewpoints and in a logical sequence. I loved seeing the different perspectives and it truly made me wonder whether or not the narrators were reliable.
One of the main things I liked about the book was that the characters felt so relatable, none more so than the main protagonist Gaby. I’ve not read the first book in the series to know her back story, but she came across as being anxious about her position in the police force and doubting herself more than she needed to. She’s not expecting to get the promotion she has and to be working on such a big case, though initially, it seems like a simple case. Despite that, she’s one of the brightest on the force and truly is a force to be reckoned with.
It was refreshing to read a book so jam-packed with suspense, action and mystery. You don’t need to have read the first book in the series to appreciate and fully enjoy this gripping book as it easily works as a standalone novel.
A thoroughly enjoyable book from start to finish.
I received an ARC of the book from the book’s publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase links:
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3fE5s7o
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/darkest-night/jenny-obrien/9780008390181
About the author:
Jenny O’Brien was abandoned in Dublin at the tender age of 17 by her parents when they decided to move to Wales. It was only on the completion of her studies that she was finally able to join them.
She’s an avid reader and book blogger in addition to being a RoNA book judge. She writes for both children and adults with a new book coming out every six months or so.
In her spare time, she can be found frowning at her wonky cakes and even wonkier breads. You’ll be pleased to note she won’t be entering Bake-Off. She’s also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
Jenny currently resides on the island of Guernsey with her husband, children and cats. She works as a nurse and writes in her spare time.
Author’s social media:
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Books and Bookends 
Sounds interesting! Lovely review 🙂
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