This is my second Charlie Donlea book and it most definitely will not be my last!

On the surface Some Choose Darkness may seem like your typical formulaic mystery/thriller, but with a blend of past and present narration and an in-depth focus on several characters, it is so much more than that.

This book has an engaging storyline, well-developed characters and one heck of an emotional punch.

But the best part, my favourite part, is the normalisation of Autism. ASD gets a bad rap, mostly because it’s widely misunderstood, the easiest way to describe it, is that an autistic person’s brain works a little different from a neuro typical person’s one. And Donlea masterfully portrayed this.

Many thanks to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the invitation to read an arc of this book.

I wasn’t quite sure as to what Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, was but discovered she was masterful at taking on cold-case homicides by piecing together crime scene details others failed to see. Rory was very picky about what cases she would take on because of the intensity of the work and reconstructing a victims life. However, after cleaning out her deceased father’s law office a week after his burial, she receives a call that plunges her into a decades-old case come to life once more – one she couldn’t refuse to work on.

In the summer of 1979, five Chicago women went missing no clues - no bodies. The villain was nicknamed The Thief . Finally the police received a package from a mysterious woman named Angela Mitchell, whose unorthodox investigation skills appear to have led to his identity. But before they could question her, Angela disappeared. Forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela’s murder—the only crime the DA could pin on him. But the cryptic file Rory finds in her father’s law office suggests there is more to the case, and Angela Mitchell, than what was fed to the public, details which had been buried for forty years!

Rory becomes helplessly entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell and what happened to her. Drawing connections between the past and present, Rory uncovers dark truths about the reclusive victim, her father, and the man called The Thief that send her down a twisting trail where things may not be as they appear. As this reader sped thru the pages, even she was surprised for the for the full, terrifying truth that emerged!

Some Choose Darkeness is the fourth book by author Charlie Donlea, and amazingly, he managed to overcome the others! I do not know how he do this, but every author's book I read is even better than the previous !! LOL…

One of the things I find coolest in this story is that even if Rory already has access to his client's data right away, we're only going to find The Thief's identity down there in the middle of the book, following Angela's discoveries. And better yet to know that the great suspense of the book is not to find out who the murderer is ... Rs !!!

The plot of Some Choose Darkness picked up from start to finish and I could not let go! The whole story is amazing and there are so many twists and turns that the rhythm stays hallucinating all the time. I felt practically a swim test ... I held my breath, advanced in the reading and gave at most a quick breath aside before other pages !! lol

Joking aside, this book made me even more passionate about the author's work. I liked both Rory and Dr. Lane (her boyfriend), that I finished this reading madly wanting a new story for them. And it would not be a bad thing if the author had yet to write a story that would bring Rory and Lane together with the law-giver Liv, from Deixada Back and even Gus, from Do not Trust Anybody !! It would be my bundle of joy !!! LOL…

For those who are fans of the genre, this is a must-read !!

Consider me a fan! 5 stars!

"Some choose darkness. Others are chosen by it."

I believe this is my third book by Charlie Donlea and he has yet to disappoint! I am already eagerly anticipating his next book!

Rory and Angela were fascinating characters. Narrated by past and present, Angela in the past, 1979 and Rory in the present. Rory, a forensic reconstructionist, is asked to take over a parole hearing for her late father's client who has served 40 years in prison for killing his wife. A client also dubbed as "The Thief" in connection to the missing women in 1979. Angela and Rory both exhibit OCD like qualities and Angela soon becomes obsessed with the women going missing around her and starts trying to piece together all of the details to find a connection amongst them.

I enjoyed both Angela and Rory equally. This book was another page turner that I highly recommend! Fascinating and brilliant!

A big thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

This is the kind of book you wish you could read again for the first time just to experience the thrills, chills, and lightbulb moments with fresh eyes once more. Excellent!! I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Suspense is good. Plot twists are excellent. The reader is led through the character sketches, flashbacks and revelations at a quick pace. I never tired of the plot; rather, I found myself rushing through this gripping page-turner seeking answers about its cold-hearted serial killer, his victims and, most importantly, the lawyer who is forced to represent him. New to me, the author is one I would try again!

This is my first book from this author and I must say that I was hooked from the beginning! The book was very thorough without giving anything away. I especially love how the book kept going from the past to present. Just when you thought you knew who the villain was a curveball was thrown. Overall I give this book five stars and I look forward to reading more books from this author. I received an advanced kindle copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

this was a very smart book. an interesting book and i mean that in the best sense of the word. I started it yesterday and finished it today, while i guess part of the connections mid stream, it didn't take away from the process. I liked reading the parallel stories, what happened forty years ago and what was happening now. and a satisfying resolution.

Drum Roll, Please........

Charlie Donlea has lined up all the stars in Some Choose Darkness. And there's a beacon of brilliance in the beams of light cast our way, dear friends. It's all there with the setting in the City With Big Shoulders: Chicago. The crafting of the characters is well-defined with individuals that exist beyond the straight, unyielding lines drawn by society. Sometimes lines need to be squiggily with open loops and uncrossed t's or dotted i's. Donlea gives us humanity wrapped in transparent paper.

Open the door to Rory Moore, a highly talented forensic reconstructionist, who sidelines for the Chicago Police Department. She's meeting Detective Ron Davidson who is the head of Homicide Division. Davidson eyes Rory as she approaches him on a bench in Grant Park. Rory appears in her usual battle gear: beanie hat, always gray jacket, and laced up combat boots even during the summer heat. Rory has a strong aversion to throngs of people and only allows a selected few into her inner circle. She becomes transfixed on thoughts and situations of her own choosing and often neglects the immediacy at hand.

But Rory has a remarkable intellect and a photogenic mind. That's the reason why Davidson sets up cases for her. A body had been found in Grant Park and he gives Rory the files to peruse. It brings back similarities to a serial killer back in 1979 called The Thief. The Thief terrorized the city of Chicago when 5 women went missing. None of the bodies were ever found.

As Rory leaves the park bench, she will have no idea just how up close and personal she will be in regard to The Thief. After the recent death of her father, Rory finds out that her lawyer father was representing The Thief who was caught and served 40years. He's now being paroled on good behavior. In finalizing her father's practice, Rory, a lawyer herself, must represent The Thief in setting up his release from prison. Revulsion is too tame a word.

Donlea shuffles the deck of cards and we find ourselves back in 1979. We meet Angela Mitchell, a young married woman who suffers from anxiety and obsessive/compulsive behavior. She finds herself taken with the recent murders and begins compiling graphs and charts tracking the murders and their locations. Angela now has a bulging file and it's brilliantly set up. She confides in a friend who dismisses her findings. But someone is now taking Angela seriously........with dire consequences.

Some Choose Darkness is at the peak of Charlie Donlea's offerings. I've read and loved them all. But this one is so finely tuned and so highly creative that it stands out amongst the very best. I highly recommend this one for a very satisfying read and for the well-honed original two main characters who won't leave you after the last page.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to the talented Charlie Donlea for the opportunity.

I don't typically lean toward psychological thrillers, but something about the synopsis on this novel caught my attention. The title Some Choose Darkness was also appealing and the one line, paraphrased here...some choose darkness, others darkness chooses them made me think. Are people born evil or does their environment make them so?
Some Choose Darkness utilizes multiple timelines to layout the story and I really enjoy books with multiple timelines, it's like you're reading two books at the same time!
I'm writing this review at 3:50 AM because I woke up needing to know how this book ended. A serial killer, two people with OCD on the autistic spectrum this book had a little of everything and kept me reading well into the wee hours.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC and an opportunity to provide my unbiased feedback.

Rarely do I find an author that I can just start reading and know it will be top-notch suspense. Charlie Donlea has become one of those authors. I was SO happy to receive this ARC and was not disappointed. The characterization is great, plotting is excellent and the creep-factor/suspense is outstanding! I loved the idea of an austistic heroine, especially as autism runs in my family. Rory and all of her quirks were well written and I would like to see her story become a series of books! Just a thought! Even though you are fairly who the culprit is, there is still so much going on to lead in a different direction. But no spoilers, just READ THIS BOOK!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to #CharlieDonlea and #NetGalley for this ARC!!!

Wow! I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
I haven't read this author before but you can bet I will be watching for his next book!
Women are going missing - Angela becomes obsessed with this and starts charting. She sends a package to the police with her info. They go to question her and find her gone. Her husband is accused of the murder and sent away for 40 years.
Rory, a forensic reconstructionist inherits this file from her father who has passed on. As she searches for answers to this mystery she finds more than she could imagine.
Grab this page turner - you won't be sorry!

In “Some Choose Darkness” by Charlie Donlea we meet Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist as she is thrown into the case of “The Thief”. A murderer her now deceased father was representing. But as Rory starts to delve into the case there is something that is drawing her deeper. Will she be able to untangle her thoughts in time or will the secrets long ago buried be too much for even her?

This is my second book by Donlea and I am hooked. A definite read. I received an ARC through Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This book explores serial killers and their mindset. It was thrilling and kept my interest at all times. I highly recommend this book.

Charlie Donlea has written another addictive can't-stop-reading thriller. I thought he might have been at the top of his game with Don't Believe It! But he keeps creating more complex and engaging characters each time. The many strands of a cold case serial killer saga came together with a twist that tested believability but was yet satisfying and memorable. I am grateful to have received a galley invitation through an unexpected collaboration between Goodreads' giveaways and NetGalley. It will be highly recommended to much customers and companion readers.

If you like twists and turns, this book is one to add to your list! Charlie Donlea is becoming the King of mixing red herrings and twists into a story that keeps you interested. The most important part of this magic is that once you've read the book and see the complete story, it not only makes sense, but makes you kick yourself for not seeing it as you went along.

This book mingles the stories of the main character Rory with a string of murders that took place in the 70's. The story jumps back and forth filling in gaps to the ultimate conclusion of how the events are related.

I've read all his books and was really excited to read this one. I really like where he's going with this story and hope to see more like it!

I'm between 4 and 4.5 stars.

There are so many thrillers and crime novels out there these days, so it takes something special to stand out. Sometimes it's crazy twists, surprise endings, or action that leaves you breathless. Other times it's the characters that get your attention, whether they're the heroes or the villains.

Some Choose Darkness, Charlie Donlea's upcoming thriller, didn't necessarily surprise me once the story got going, but its characters, particularly its protagonist, absolutely wowed me. That's what elevates a thriller.

Rory Moore is a forensic reconstructionist. She spends her days reviewing cold cases to see what the police and investigators might have missed, and she has an uncanny ability to forge a connection with the victims, to envision the most minute of details. But she knows her limits, and often needs to take breaks between cases to ensure she doesn't burn herself out or cause herself significant anxiety.

When Rory's father dies, as an unofficial partner in his law firm (she has her law degree but doesn't practice), she's responsible for disbursing his cases to other attorneys. But there's one case she can't pass off, because the client is about to be paroled, and the presiding judge worked closely with Rory's father on the terms of his parole. So reluctantly, Rory agrees to represent the man for the sake of the parole process.

In the late 1970s, the city of Chicago was rocked by the disappearances of five young women. Their bodies were never found and police couldn't find any clues, so the perpetrator was nicknamed The Thief by the media. It took meticulous research and investigative work by an autistic woman named Angela Mitchell (although back then no one knew what autism was, so she was labeled mentally ill) to help police break the case and identify the perpetrator. But Angela disappeared before the police could find out how she pulled all of this information together.

Forty years later, The Thief is about to paroled for Angela's murder. Rory doesn't understand why her father took such an interest in his case to the point that he represented this man for so many years, and even agreed to manage his financial assets why he was in prison. But the more she digs into the case, and the work her father did on The Thief's behalf, she uncovers secrets she was never meant to find, and connections between her father and Angela Mitchell that make her wonder if she ever knew him.

Donlea's previous book, Don't Believe It, was fantastic, so I had great hopes for this book as well. While I've read a lot of thrillers about murderers who enjoy the rush of killing, it wasn't until Donlea started revealing more about Rory's character, and telling Angela's story, that the book really hit its stride. It was the first thriller I've read that had people with autism as main characters who weren't necessarily the victim, and both characters were tremendously fascinating.

I really like the way Donlea tells a story, and he threw in some definite twists and turns along the way—some I saw coming and some that surprised me a bit. The narration shifts mainly between Rory in the present day and Angela in the late 1970s, with some periodic interjections from The Thief. The book really starts picking up steam, and I found myself racing to see how everything would be wrapped up.

If you want a thriller with lots of heart-pumping action, Some Choose Darkness isn't that book. But Donlea knows how to create suspense, and that, coupled with some unforgettable characters, makes this a book worth reading. I hope we haven't seen the last of Rory Moore.

NetGalley and Kensington provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

This book will be published May 28, 2019.

I've read all of Charlie Donlea's books, all of them have been good, but this one has been the best yet. His books just keep getting better and better!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

Angela Mitchell is autistic and suffers from OCD which causes her life a certain amount of difficulty. She becomes obsessed with the killings of five women and is led to investigate the man dubbed ‘The Thief’ by the press. We witness her progress and discoveries on her timeline.

Forty years later, we meet Rory Moore who is employed as a consultant by the Chicago Police to work on cold cases. Like Angela, Rory is on the autism spectrum and has OCD. When her attorney father dies she is called upon to close his office and deal with his affairs. During the course of this work associated with her father, she has to deal with a man who is due to parole after 40 years for the murder of his wife, Angela. On her timeline, Angela must unearth her father’s investigations and reasons for his involvement in this case.

This was a very satisfying read. It kept be involved and entertained. The structure was not new or startling but nevertheless it worked. Well, I did guess somewhere near the end, and did have suspicions before, but still that does not always mean that you guess right.

All in all, a good solid thriller. No complaints from me.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This creepy serial killer mystery is engaging and suspenseful. This page turner has engaging characters and the story will draw you in. I loved the twists and turns in this books, some I saw coming and most I did not! I loved that the setting was in Chicago and enjoyed the many references to Chicago landmarks! I am so glad I was selected to review this book, thank you Netgalley and Charlie Donlea! Will look for more from this author!