| Darkness First, by James
Hayman, is a thrilling mystery that has just been released
in e-reader format. This book is the third in the McCabe/Savage
series. What makes this novel stand out from other mysteries
is the strong character based story with many twists and turns.
The reader will be drawn into the gruesome plot from the first
page. After a doctor reaches out to an abused woman and follows
her to attempt a rescue, the woman is murdered and the doctor
is severely injured. Also a factor in the crime is the large
amount of Oxycontin pills found. The main character, Maggie
Savage, a "take no prisoners" detective, from the
Maine Crimes Against the People Unit, is brought into this
case by her father, Sheriff John Savage. Because her best
friend is the doctor and the murder takes place in her hometown,
Maggie decides to investigate and find the killer. The one
witness is the eleven-year-old sister of the abused murdered
woman.
The reader will be able to use their deduction skills as they
navigate the story. There are a few suspects that will be
discarded only to have them put back on the list of murderers.
What is certain is that the killer is a psychopath with an
ulterior motive of making money but whose real enjoyment is
inflicting pain.
Hayman stated that he wanted to make the novel realistic and
did this by soliciting the help of Tom Joyce, the former head
of Portland, Maine's Crime Against the People Unit. Joyce
helped with procedural facts, forensics, and the type of guns
used. "I also talked with a DEA Agent about the idea
of smuggling a large portion of pills across the Canadian-US
border. He told me this would be his nightmare, using Maine
as the entry point. Because of the large amount of lobster
boats another boat can slip through which is what I incorporated
into the plot. I wanted to make a believable plot that is
character based. Real people with real issues that have a
complexity to their lives and relationships."
One of the most likeable characters is Maggie's brother, Harlan,
a former Marine sniper who fought in Iraq and suffers from
PTSD. After he becomes a suspect, Maggie is determined to
find the killer to prove his innocence. The author incorporates
Harlan's military training, skills, and traits and has him
apply that to the civilian world. In addition, Hayman wanted
to give a shout-out to "those soldiers that went through
the worst of the Iraq War, and had to deal with gruesome experiences.
That is why I put the quote in the book, 'Sometimes after
a roadside bomb there was nothing left of your buddies but
an arm or a leg and it was tough to figure out who the hell
it belonged to.' I hope my military readers will respond positively
to Harlan."
The author also gave a heads up about his next book, also
a McCabe/Savage novel that takes place in Portland, Maine.
In 1904 a wealthy family is turned upside down when the husband
murders his wife. Fast-forward to today where another murder,
a copycat of the one in 1904, takes place. McCabe and Savage
are brought in to find the killer. This one will have a lot
more of Michael McCabe, since in the current novel he only
makes a cameo appearance. Hayman commented, "With Darkness
First I wanted it to be all about Maggie. I wrote it from
a female point of view, including the challenge of creating
the view of eleven-year-old Tabitha."
Darkness First is filled with many twists and turns and captivating
characters. This novel is a riveting mystery a la Michael
Connelly that is fast-paced and gripping.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Darkness
First #3
The
Girl In The Glass #4
|
