REVIEW: Gathering Dark by Candice Fox

I’m always so excited when Candice Fox starts a new series. I never want any of her series to come to an end because they’re all amazing, but every time this marvellous author creates a new set of characters I know I’m in for a treat. And believe me, Gathering Dark is one hell of a treat! It also offers something a little different for fans – taking readers in a bit of a new direction while still delivering everything I have come to expect from a Candice Fox novel (aka quirky complex characters, lots of dark humour and a clever plot full of satisfying twists and shocking turns).

Gathering Dark kicks off with a very attention-grabbing opening scene, catapulting readers straight into a tense, high stakes situation. On page one, we meet one of our main characters – convicted murderer Blair Harbour – while she deals with the fact that a gun is pointed in her face. It’s a dramatic start to what proves to be a very wild ride!

Let me lay out the main players for you …

Candice Fox

The aforementioned Blair Harbour, AKA The Neighbour Killer, is out on parole and trying to get her life back on track. She is desperate to reconnect with her 10-year-old son who was born not long after she was convicted of killing her neighbour in what was apparently a moment of rage-induced violence. But is Blair really a killer? Has she served ten years of prison time for a crime she didn’t even commit?

Next up we have Jessica Sanchez, an extremely tough, iron-willed cop who has recently inherited a mansion worth millions of dollars. The property was left to her by the father of a murder victim, who was grateful for the hard work and tenacity Jessica showed in solving the case. All of Jessica’s fellow cops have turned against her, insisting she is honour bound to refuse the inheritance. Oh and by the way, Jessica is also the cop who arrested Blair!

Next up is Sneak Lawlor, a kleptomaniac junkie and Blair’s former prison cellmate. Sneak is a gloriously eccentric character – wildly unpredictable and oddly endearing. When her daughter Dayly goes missing, Sneak asks Blair to help track her down. The two of them then seek the aid of Ada Maverick, a genuinely terrifying underworld crime boss that they know from their time in prison.

And there you have it! These are the main characters in this explosively entertaining and deliciously dark crime caper! Oh, and I should probably also mention that there is a pet gopher called Hugh Jackman who plays an important role in the story because of course there is! This is a Candice Fox novel!!

Perhaps it’s the L.A setting, or the fact that all the core characters are women, but something about Gathering Dark feels a little different. It’s like Candice Fox is taking things to a whole new level. The action is bigger and bolder, which is saying something, considering some of the things this author has pulled off in precious books. The characters are a little darker (something I wouldn’t have thought possible!) and the bonds between them are a little bit more messed up and complicated. I sincerely hope this is the first book in an ongoing series because I really don’t feel like I want to say goodbye to these characters yet. Even though Gathering Dark comes to a satisfying conclusion, it still feels like the characters have unfinished business between them. I want to see what comes next!

Gathering Dark is a brilliant read. If I had to describe the vibe, I’d say it’s a little bit James Ellroy neo-noir, with a dash of Tarantino violence and a hint of the glittering madness of Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. There is just something so completely satisfying about seeing a bunch of incredibly strong women, with almost nothing in common, brought together by circumstance to work towards a common goal. None of them like each other very much. At least two of them are completely untrustworthy. The other two have every reason to despise each other … and yet I found myself cheering for this gang of misfits – crossing my fingers and praying they would make it through the book without betraying each other and/or dying gruesome deaths!

All I can say is, bring on book two! I am sooooo ready!!

—Gathering Dark by Candice Fox (Penguin Random House Australia) is out now.

Gathering Dark

by Candice Fox

A convicted killer. A gifted thief. A vicious crime boss. A disillusioned cop. Together they're a missing girl's only hope.

Blair Harbour, once a wealthy, respected surgeon in Los Angeles, is now an ex-con down on her luck. She's determined to keep her nose clean to win back custody of her son. But when her former cellmate, Sneak Lawlor, begs for help to find her missing daughter, Blair is compelled to put her new-found freedom on the line. Joined by LA's most feared underworld figure, Ada Maverick, the crew of criminals...

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About the Contributor

Sarah McDuling

Sarah McDuling is Booktopia's Category Manager for Children's and Young Adult Books. She has been in the bookselling game for almost a decade and a dedicated booklover since birth (potentially longer). At her happiest when reading a book, Sarah also enjoys talking/writing/tweeting about books. In her spare time, she often likes to buy a lot of books and take photographs of books. You can follow her on Twitter and Instragram @sarahmcduling

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