Rating: 
Summary: Terrific first novel (or second, or third...)
Review: After hearing about this every now and then for the last couple of years, I finally picked up a copy and was mesmerized by the writing, among other things. The plot has unexpected twists in unexpected places. I would say the only complaint I have is that it ended. Where's the next one?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Darkness Peering is creepy from beginning to end, having a sordid crime scene played out and an interesting setting. It is one of the best serial killer/mystery books I have read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Kept me gripped
Review: I'm not usually a diligent reader. I'll read about 10-20 pages at a time, and then I get distracted and move on to other things. "Darkness Peering" was one of those rare books that kept me gripped throughout. I would read it on the train, and actually be disappointed when I reached my stop because I knew I'd have to stop reading for a while. I think that says quite a lot.
Rating:
Summary: This is an unusually good first novel
Review: Great characters. Complex psychological thriller. Not the typical who-dunnit junk. It's a book about a family emotionally imploding. The ideas are strong and interesting. I like this writer a lot. Look forward to her future work.
Rating: 
Summary: Just didn't hold my attention
Review: I know I'm in the minority here, but I must say that overall I was disappointed with "Darkness Peering". It takes a lot for me to give up on a book, and I came close with this one several times. It just did not seem to hold my attention, I found my mind wandering off mid-page, not the desired result in a whodunnit. The book starts off promising enough; police chief investigating the murder of a mentally handicapped girl begins to suspect that his own son is involved. We then flash forward to the former chief's daughter, now also a cop who begins to reinvestigate the old unsolved case. So just what were my problems with this novel? Firstly this story contains some of the most unintentionally hilarious dialogue that I have ever read (don't buy it?, try reading page 105 without snickering!) There are all kinds of sub-plots that don't go anywhere and have nothing to do with the mystery, the characters seemed shallow and wooden... Oh I could go on, suffice to say this one just wasn't for me, there are far better whodunnit's out there.
Rating:
Summary: A book that lingers...
Review: Wonderful prose, characters that haunt your thoughts well after the book is finished. Rarely have I been as impressed by a first novel. An amazing book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Who Dun'it...
Review: This was a decent read...Kept my attention through the end.
Rating:
Summary: A stay up all night until you're finished read!!
Review: Wow, is all i can say to this magnificent author! The moment i picked up this book, i could'nt put it down. When i finished the first page, she already had me by the scruff of the neck! A must not miss read to any mystery thriller lover!
Rating: 
Summary: Save Your Money
Review: This book has an interesting plot idea but it is ruined by unsympathetic main characters, gratuitous gore, soft core porn, and a cliche-riddled writing style.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of twists and turns
Review: First of all: be forwarned! Many of the reviews below mine give away some plot twists that are more fun to stumble across on one's own. I'm glad I didn't read any of these reviews before I read the book. As for the book: without giving anything away, this is a very enjoyable, suspensful psychological thriller. The ending is just surprising enough to be satisfying - no absurd plot twists, just some skillfully incorporated red herrings. I read this whole book in one sitting - it is a tough one to put down! For a first novel this is written quite well. Blanchard does a wonderful job invoking the mood of her small town with its dark secrets. She has a talent for fleshing out characters and settings using the fewest amount of words with great impact. The only thing I found annoying (not at first, but by the end of the book) was her obsession with describing how things smell. It does a fine job of putting the reader into the book, but when overdone becomes a bit distracting. If you are looking for a great read, a fun "whodoneit" and a first look at a writer with a promising future, I highly recommend this book.
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