Book Review: When Darkness Falls

This week, I'm going to review "When Darkness Falls" by James Grippando.  I downloaded this book when it was free on my Nook, although I did not realize that it was in 3 parts, and I only downloaded the first 2.  Now, I'm too cheap to purchase the whole book to read the last 100 pages or so... so I need to head to B&N and finish the book in stores sometime.

[image via]

Review/Synopsis from Amazon user Greta L. Hudson:"Attorney Jack Swyteck agrees to represent Falcon, a homeless man who stops traffic for hours when he stands on a bridge and threatens to jump--his only demand, to speak to the Mayor's daughter, police officer Alicia Mendoza. Falcon comes to an agreement with hostage negotiator Vincent Paulo, but is soon captured. Jack's less than grateful client manages to make bail and is on the run after a dead woman is found in the trunk of a car he calls home. Jack soon finds himself in the middle of a hostile situation where Falcon has taken his best friend, Theo, and a woman hostage. Jack, with the help of Paulo, Alicia, and several law enforcement agencies jockeying for jurisdictional command, must race to meet the demands of an unstable man to save his friend. What's revealed are dark secrets that stretch from Argentina, the Bahamas, to Miami's political elite.

Miami's rich setting is a character of its own with diverse culture, rich cuisine and changing weather that sets the tone and raises the stakes in this adrenaline-charged thriller. The characters and scenes are made even more vivid through the experiences of a blind man, Sergeant Vincent Paulo, not because of the strength of his other senses, but because of his insight and skill as an experienced hostage negotiator. Even Falcon proves to be not your typical monster. He's likable despite his absurd demands and acerbic wit. There is also enough humor weaved throughout to ease the tension on the volatile situation.

This is one high-powered thrill ride. The more pages I turned, the more I craved. Grippando knows how to grab your attention and keep it. Be prepared to devour this in one sitting because once you turn the cover, Grippando has you! Excellent! "

I absolutely loved this book and had a very difficult time putting it down.  I'm very anxious to see how it ended.  Greta described it perfectly as a "high-powered thrill ride."

Oh, and this is apparently the 6th novel in a series... although this is the one I started with, I didn't feel too lost coming into the series late.

4 out of 5 stars

(only because I haven't finished yet)

Now go read a book & link up!