Today on Day 3, I want to review the strengths and weaknesses. Strong characters. Rapid paced action. Roller coaster ride. Hideous antagonists. Endangered children. I mentioned that all of these elements comprise the substance of “Darkness Follows” by Mike Dellosso.

Weaknesses:

It is hard for me to find concrete weaknesses in this book by Mike Dellosso. The apparent weaknesses for me were elements of the story that disturbed me personally. And, this is from an author who has a book coming out in October called “The 13th Demon” that was once deemed too dark and edgy for publication. So, to say that “Darkness Follows” bothered me says a lot.

Now, this is not a weakness of the book, per se. It is well written, fast paced with excellent character development. So, this seeming weakness may not be a weakness in the eyes of most readers. In fact, if the theistic worldview that runs a trace through the story were absent, this book would be right up there with the most powerful secular thrillers. That being said, it might be considered a weakness that this book is so disturbing. There are several gruesome murders. Symon is a cold hearted killer with no remorse. I read a post where Mike talked about getting complaints that he killed a groundhog in the story. All I can say is if that one death disturbed the reader more than the deaths of innocent human beings, then that person needs to reread the book!

And, as I mentioned, the endangerment of children concerned me. It is a personal bias on my part. I can’t watch shows like “Criminal Minds” when children are abducted and harmed. Some readers may find this too disturbing to read this book.

And, the one pivotal event in Sam Travis’ life is a very disturbing event for his family. I don’t want to divulge any details but I can see where it would be troubling for some readers.

So, if you regard these things as weaknesses then you would fall into the category of a reader who shouldn’t read a book with the title “Darkness Follows” because that is exactly what happens. The book begins in shadows in the distant past with Samuel Whiting and his experiences at Gettysburg and it moves into the shadows of Sam Travis’ family secrets and ends up in a confrontation between a father his daughter’s abductor and none of it is pretty.

Strengths:

But, having said what I did about weaknesses, if you stick with this story, you will find a very satisfying and redemptive ending. I do not want to spoil it, for that would be horrific of me, indeed. Mike Dellosso has soaked this story in the love of a father for his daughter; the love of a wife for her husband; the love of a daughter for her father; and a love for the Father for each of us. It is this thread of love, unbroken by the illness of Sam Travis; undaunted by Eva’s “imaginary friend”; and unspoken by Sam in his love for his family that pulls you through the darkness that falls.

Certainly, the story is rapid paced; a roller coaster ride of ups and downs; moments of quiet horror and explosive violence; and the backdrop of the horrors of the battle of Gettysburg. As I said, I could not put the book down. I read it voraciously and wished I had taken some more time to enjoy the story. But, I had to know why Sam was suddenly fascinated with his old rifle. I had to know why Sam was writing journal entries from a dead Union soldier. I had to find out why Symon was bent on abducting Eva; I had to find out who Eva’s imaginary friend was; I had to see if Molly would grow so frustrated with her husband, she would abandon him. I had to know about Sam’s past and what it was that happened so many years ago that fractured his family.

In summary, the weaknesses are in the eye of the reader. It may disturb some readers. But, beware! Once you get to the end of the second chapter, you will NOT be able to put it down! “Darkness Falls” is one enthralling read!