I really enjoyed this book, much more than I expected I would. I haven’t read the first in the series featuring the main character, Georgina O’Neil, and sometimes that’s a detriment to the reader. Thankfully it didn’t effect my enjoyment at all. The author does a great job of giving us just enough back-story for the characters, from the previous book, so that we don’t feel lost or confused about who they are and what they’ve been through. It’s always a good sign when you can jump into a series and feel welcomed, and that is the case with Dark Country.

The mystery revolves around country singer Susan Dark, who has gone missing just as she is about to release a new album. Through a set of somewhat convoluted circumstances, FBI agent Georgina O’Neil ends up on the case, even though she is dealing with her own personal issues. As she delves into the details of Susan’s disappearance a multitude of questions, both past and present, arise. The main question being if this case relates to the murder of Susan’s grandmother and the similar disappearance of her own mother many years ago.

As the answers begin to unfold, we are taken on a wild ride of violence, coercion, and, yes, darkness. There as so many twists and turns that it could have been easy to lose the reader at any moment. The story jumps around between a multitude of complex characters, as well as several timelines, and this could have caused a lot of confusion for the reader. However, the book is written in such a seamless way, both in the plotting and the pacing, that we are enthralled rather than confused.

I loved all of the insight that we are given into each of the characters, and it seems that each of them has a secret life, or at least a major surprise or two lurking. I never saw some of the connections between them coming and that is a truly wonderful thing. When an author manages to surprise me so profoundly, as Darren Laws has done here, I am thoroughly impressed. Additionally, the descriptions of people are places are complex and spot on, sometimes disturbingly so. When you read the book for yourself, which I highly recommend that you do, you will understand what I mean. Many of the scenes are horrifying in their gruesome detail, but it all serves to paint a truly remarkable picture. Speaking of pictures, this book would be well turned into a feature film and I’ll be first in line to see it.

Dark Country moves at a very quick pace and keeps the reader guessing throughout. There were several jaw dropping moments for me and that very rarely occurs. I was enthralled by the riveting characters and story lines, from beginning to end, and I think that you will be as well.